Record prices at autumn classic car auction
Classic vehicles and NSW numerical black-and-white number plates both achieved record prices at Shannons Sydney autumn auction this week, contributing to a strong A$3.5m sale result.
The top selling vehicle in the auction on Monday was a 1957 Porsche 356A Speedster presented in award-winning restored condition that sold for A$411,000 ($460,000) — an Australian auction record for a Speedster.
A number of other vehicles also sold comfortably above their pre-sale estimates, indicative of the current strong investment interest in Classics.
Meanwhile the black and white numerical plates in the sale sold for a combined A$2.2 million — an auction record for 28 plates — with six, 3-digit plates bringing A$100,000 or more.
Floor, telephone and online bidders all contributed to the overall A$3.5 million auction outcome, with a record 400 bidders and viewers online.
The auction attracted international interest, with overseas bidders joining Australian enthusiasts, however all the significant vehicles went to local enthusiasts.
Among the standout vehicle sales, a Hong Kong, a UK and an Australian bidder pursued a 1967 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 litre Series I Coupe before it sold locally above estimate for A$134,000.
A 1969 left hand drive Ford Torino Talladega 428 Coupe sold for A$112,000, as did a 1969 Ford Mustang 428 Super Cobra Jet’ Mach 1 Fastback.
A beautiful 1965 Mercedes-Benz 230SL ‘Pagoda Roof’ Convertible sold for A$87,000, also comfortable above its high estimate.
Vintage and Veteran vehicles offered were in demand, with a c1903 Oldsmobile Model R Curved Dash Runabout bringing A$71,000, a c1913 Ford Model T “Turtle Deck” Runabout selling for A$27,000 and a c1927 Ford Model T Speedster making A$15,000.
Other “no reserve” classics to perform strongly included a 1954 Land-Rover Series I SWB Utility that brought A$18,000, a rare right hand drive 1959 VW Beetle with factory sunroof that sold for A$20,500 after strong bidding, a 1978 Lancia Monte Carlo Coupe that made an unprecedented A$24,000, a single-cylinder 1959 Porsche Junior Tractor that sold for A$28,000 and an unmolested 1964 right hand drive VW Kombi Split Window van that went for A$45,000.
The 26 NSW black and white number plates offered by Shannons on behalf of the NSW Roads and Maritime services attracted huge interest from collectors, with 239 and 254 each selling for A$140,000, while four other three-digit plates all brought $100,000 or more.
The standout result for 4-digit plate was shared by 1998 and 2006. Each sold for an equal Australian auction record of A$69,000, while 10666 achieved the best price for a 5-digit plate at A$32,000 and 999966 reached A$31,000 and was another auction record.
The Queensland number plate Q73 sold for A$56,000.