• 1971 Ford Falcon XY GT makes record $370,000
• Gorgeous Mercedes Benz 190SL sells for excellent $267,000
• Top prices paid for rare, quality cars

Rare and exceptional sporting classic encouraged enthusiasts to spend freely at Shannons Spring Classic Auction in Melbourne on September 23, setting Australian auction records in the process.

In the penultimate sale of the 72-lot auction, a 1971 Ford Falcon XY GT finished in the model's signature Vermillion Fire, was the subject of a relentless bidding duel between two collectors – one on the auction floor and the other on the phone.

Bidding for the well-known GT -  one of just 14 built to this particular specification of the total of 1,530, XY GTs produced and with just 48,000 indicated miles – began just short of its low estimate at $220,000 and rose quickly in $10,000 and $5,000 increments before ownership fell to the phone bidder for $370,000.

One lot earlier, a nicely-presented 1968 Ford Falcon XT GT four-speed manual sedan sold for $106,000, while a low kilometre, three-owner and unmolested 1985 Holden HDT VK Group A SS 'Blue Meanie' Commodore brought $145,000.

Two enthusiasts staged a spirited bidding duel for a beautiful black with cream interior 1959 Mercedes Benz 190SL roadster that resulted in another outstanding sale.

Coming to auction still looking exceptional from an older, complete restoration, the previous Concours-winning car surged past its high pre-auction estimate of $210,000 to rise in $2,000 bids, before selling to a floor bidder for an excellent $267,000.

It was one of several sporting Mercedes-Benz models to post excellent results, with two red Australian-delivered classics - a 1985 280CE Coupe,  selling for $28,500 and a 1998 SL500 convertible in stunning condition, making an impressive $45,000.

Top prices were also achieved at the auction for a number of other sporting classics.

A striking, rare and lovingly restored 1950 Riley RMC 2.5-litre Roadster – one of around 477 produced – that came to auction from a deceased estate, sold well above its pre-auction high estimate for a $68,000, matching current British collector values.

A rare 1970 Porsches 914-6 'Targa' Coupe – a model never officially sold in Australia – also performed very well, being chased by three bidders before achieving a 'world market' price of $102,000. Meanwhile, an Australian-delivered 1988 Porsche 911 3.2 Coupe in lovely condition sold for $118,000.

Another very different German coupe – a rare-in-Australia 1958 BMW 600 'Micro Car' Saloon –  sold on estimate for $52,000 after strong competitive bidding.

A pair of 'T Series' MG 1250 roadsters – a nicely-presented 1937 TA and a restored 1954 TF – both sold on estimate for $35,000 and $38,000 respectively.

Auction surprises included the excellent $28,000 achieved by an amazing, time-warp and one owner 1981 Ford TF Cortina Ghia 4.1 litre sedan showing an indicated 60,829km at the time of cataloguing.

Meanwhile a very different and original 1989 Toyota Supra 'Sports Roof' 3.0 Turbo coupe – also silver, with similar low kilometres and also offered with 'no reserve' – sold for an excellent $27,000.

To view all Shannons September 23  Melbourne Winter Classic Auction results, visit www.shannons.com.au or contact: Christophe Boribon on (03) 8588 0809, or 13 4646 (Option 6).

For media information and publication-quality photos, please contact:  Michael Browning 0418 324 328.

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