- Rare Fiat Dino top seller at $280,000
- XR Falcon GT outsells Ferrari Testarossa
- $74,000 for rare Mazda RX7 SP
- Early Holdens remain hot property
- Strong results for classic motorcycles
Classic car enthusiasts were in a determined buying mood at Shannons Sydney Winter Auction on August 26, bidding strongly for the 56 vehicle and memorabilia lots on offer with an outstanding overall clearance rate of more than 96 per cent.
The unexpected hero of the auction was a rare and beautifully restored, Ferrari V6-engined 1971 Fiat Dino 2400 Spyder – one of a three 2.4 litre examples known to be in Australia. With bidding opening at $130,000 and rising in $5,000 increments, it eventually sold to a phone bidder for $280,000 – an Australian record for the model, a reflection of its desirability and rarity.
The Fiat's sale almost shaded two other great auction results – the $210,000 paid for a unique and stately 1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghost Brougham De Ville that came to auction with a long list of notable owners and a stunning and fastidiously-restored Hamburg-delivered 1963 Porsche 356SC Coupe in a rare colour combination that also sold above estimate for $197,000.
Two stunning classics were offered from the estate of the late Charles Seaburg.
The local hero was a professionally-restored 1967 Ford Falcon XR GT sedan from long-term ownership that sold after prolonged bidding for $182,000 – believed to be an Australian auction record for this model and well above its pre-auction high estimate of $120,000.
A beautifully-presented, original right-hand-drive 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk1 Roadster was another 1960s classic to punch above expectation, with the well-known car rated by the Sunbeam Owners' Club of NSW as the 'very best in Australia'. It eventually sold for $132,000 after sustained room and overseas bidding.
Another strong result was the $74,000 paid for a rare (one of 29) Darwin-delivered 1995 Mazda RX-7 SP Coupe that was brought to auction from long-term storage. It sold for $74,000.
As usual, early Holdens also performed well, with an extensively-refurbished and beautifully-presented Holden FX Utility in the classic period green colour combination selling for $46,000; a lovely, professionally-restored 1963 Holden EH 149 Special Sedan from same-family ownership offered with 'no reserve' brought $42,000 and a former prize-winning 1954 Holden FJ Special Sedan with lots of period accessories sold for $23,000.
The classic motorcycles in the auction also brought excellent results, with the standout sales being the $22,500 paid for a restored 1970 Triumph Bonneville 650cc after a sustained bidding duel; $20,000 invested in a 1941 BSA WM20 500cc and $8,250 paid for a 1948 Royal Enfield 'Flying Flea' 125cc.
Only two number plates were offered, but both produced typically-strong results, with the black and white numerical Heritage plate `1718' selling for $102,000, while '585' brought $155,000.
Overall, the Sydney auction generated total sales of $ 2,257,800, with online sales contributing more than 24 per cent to the bottom line.
To view all Shannons August 26 Sydney Winter Auction results, visit www.shannons.com.au
For more auction information contact: Stuart Roberts (02) 8019 4179, or Damien Duigan (02) 8019 4180
For media information and publication-quality photos, please contact: Michael Browning 0418 324 328
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