NEWS
AUCTION RECORDS SMASHED AND A VAULT FIND ‘VETTE VETTE
WHILE THE pollies rabbit on about how times are tough, (like they'd know), the auction market is showing the exact opposite, setting new records with hordes of buyers clamouring to secure some recent offerings.
At Shannons' recent Melbourne auction a trio of Mazda RX-7s achieved a new benchmark of $119,000 collectively, while their Sydney auction saw a new record of $91,000 set for an original R32 Nissan GT-R.
In Queensland Lloyds held their on the last weekend of May while down in Sydney, Mossgreen were auctioning off an extensive array of all things motoring at Carriageworks, the very same weekend.
A couple of genuine 70s Australian touring cars, one from Ford, the other from the General headlined both auctions.
Before becoming famous for running over a rock at Bathurst while leading in 1980, Dick Johnson was already a true-blue Ford man. Lloyds auctioned his 1977 XC Hardtop whihc came with a CAMS log book. Spirited bidding from several buyers saw it go out the door for $340,000 plus buyer's premium.
The second touring car, this one auctioned by Mossgreen was a Holden Torana A9X hatchback that came with the pedigree of the 1979 Australian Touring Car Championship under its bonnet.
Built from one of 10 special bodyshells supplied by Holden, it was driven by Bob Morris and funded by former racer turned Holden dealer Ron Hodgson.
After strong bidding for this slice of Aussie touring car muscle a figure of $600,000 was achieved; it is believed to be the highest price ever paid at auction for a classic Holden, and for any Australian ‘muscle' car. Added to the price was the buyer's premium and GST taking the total to $705,000.
James Bond made it famous – the Birch Silver Aston Martin DB5. This example hadn't been through Q branch so lacked the ejector seat, oil slick sprays, rockets and machine guns of our favorite secret agent's version. While anticipation was high with Astons not changing hands too often, this model, with an estimated sale price of $1,500,000 failed to find a buyer.
Hot on the heels of the Shannons auction of NSW numberplate ‘29' at $749,000, Mossgreen auctioned off NSW plate ‘36' and it too achieved an impressive $705,000 inclusive of buyers premium.
A barn find 1953 Alvis Healey was sold for $39,950 and a 1956 Austin-Healey 100M, believed to be one of five delivered new in Australia set the buyer back $246,750.
According to Mossgreen Specialist Cath Davison, “The auction market is still very strong across the board and we are pleased with the excellent stock coming up for future auctions.”
Shannons' Christophe Boribon added, “The market is experiencing good activity, and appears very buoyant especially with midrange priced vehicles and we are averaging 80-90 per cent clearance rates continually across both our Sydney and Vic auctions”.
Australian cars are a favourite at auctions according to Bill Freeman of Lloyds, who said, “Good quality Australian cars are always strongly contested in the auction market."