A Century Of Motoring On The Block At Shannons

MELBOURNE – February 14, 2011: Shannons is putting more than a century of motoring under the hammer at its March 7 Classic Auction in Melbourne.

The ‘great grandfather’ of the auction is a tiller-steered 1901 steam-powered two-cylinder American Locomobile that is expected to sell in the $40,000-$55,000.

And as if from another automotive galaxy, the most modern vehicle is a svelte and 250km/h faster 2005 V12-engined Aston Martin DB9 Coupe that is expected to bring $150,000-$175,000.

The upright Locomobile is an early steam-driven car currently fitted with a hand-made two-cylinder double acting reversible steam engine of approximately one third the capacity of the vehicle’s original power plant.

It features an LPG-fired boiler with a starting time of approximately 10 minutes and according to Shannons is a fully operational motorcar for demonstration purposes over limited distances.

An original period Locomobile engine rebuilt to operational standard will be included in the sale. The vendor advises that the installation of this engine would require a larger boiler and these are available from the USA or England.

The Aston, on the other hand, is much more mobile. Delivered new in England in 2005, the DB9 was privately imported in 2009, has covered approximately 25,000km since delivery and is in as-new condition.

Powered by Aston Martin’s own 5.9-litre V12 engine and fitted with factory automatic transmission, this DB9 is what many refer to as the ‘Casino Royale’ model due to its starring role in the 2006 remake of the 1966 James Bond classic.

Other significant vehicles in the March 7 auction include a superb 1931 Bentley H.J.Mulliner Saloon formerly owned by well-known Melbourne motor dealer and collector Reg Hunt and 21 vehicles offered with no reserve, ranging from a pair of Fiat 500s to an ex-Army Land-Rover and a 1983 Ferrari 400i V12 Coupe.