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A superb Jaguar XK140 Fixed Head coupe restored to concours-standard in the
early 1990s, was the top money car of Shannons Melbourne Winter Auction last
night (June 7), selling for $70,000 after spirited floor and phone bidding.
The price for the maroon coupe with its beige leather interior was $10,000
above Shannons’ lower price estimate for the car, demonstrating that people are
prepared to pay for a vehicle that has had a quality restoration - even 10 years
ago.
The XK140 was professionally -restored from the ground-up in the early 1990s
at a documented cost of over $100,000 and was purchased by its present owner at
the Shannons Classic Vehicle Auction in Melbourne in August 1994.
It has since been used sparingly, spending six years on display in the Pine
Ridge car museum at Arthur’s Seat on the Mornington Peninsula, before finally
being put back on the road in November 2002.
It had covered just 2000 miles since its restoration was completed in 1992
and was offered for sale in virtually the same condition as when it was
auctioned in 1994.
Other standout sales of the auction, which drew a large and enthusiastic
crowd to Shannons Cheltenham, Melbourne showroom, were: -
- a 1960 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia coupe sold for $22,000
- a 1971 silver Mercedes-Benz 350SL brought $28,000
- a red 1969 Jaguar E-type 2+2 Coupe went for $38,000
The sale of the black and white Victorian number plate ‘228’ for $25,500 also
showed that the investment potential of these collectables has not waned.
Budget-priced quality classics also did particularly well at the auction, in
which 33 of the 45 vehicle lots were sold on the evening.
A red 1967 MGB sold for $16,500; a totally restored, white1964 Daimler 2.5 V8
saloon sold for $18,000; a 1960 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia coupe in superb
condition brought $22,000 and a 1967 Rolls-Royce Mulliner Park Ward coupe sold
for $24,000.
At the ‘credit card’ end of the auction, there was also plenty of action,
with 19 of the 45 vehicle lots offered unreserved.
The garage lights will be burning bright for some time for the purchaser of
the rare, red Datsun sports car sold unreserved for $4,500.
Described in the trade as a ‘restorer’s delight’ – polite industry speak for
‘basket case’ – the red right hand drive 1964 Datsun Fairlady 1500 SP310 was
just one of only 6906 Datsun 1500s built, most of which were shipped to the
United States with left hand drive.
The Fairlady 1500 was the first of the Datsun sports cars to be sold in
Australia, paving the way for the 1600 and 2000 models, which continued in
production until 1970. Based on the Bluebird chassis, it featured a twin
carburettor, 85HP version of the Cedric’s four-cylinder engine, a four-speed
gearbox, drum brakes fitted with a later Datsun 180B engine and five-speed
gearbox.
A very useable and original 1961 Morris Minor 1000 sold unreserved for
$2,250; a collectable1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super sedan brought $3,500; a superb
1974 Citroen DS23 saloon made $5,250, as did a 1982 Jaguar XJ6 Series III saloon
in beautiful condition; a very good 1974 Alfa Romeo 2000GTV coupe sold for
$8,200 and a 1929 Essex Super Six sedan sold unreserved for $10,250.
Motorcycles also fared well, with a 1976 Triumph Bonneville bringing $5,500;
a 1955 BSA Special 350cc machine selling for $6,750 and a 1999 Harley-Davidson
883 Sportster selling unreserved for $7,250.
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