His & Her Porsches Under the Hammer

MELBOURNE – July 7, 2011: For the couple that has almost everything, Shannons have the perfect pair crossing the block in its auction at the Australian International Motor Show on Sunday: ‘His’ and ‘Her’ Porsches.

Melbourne’s Peter and Kerith Buckingham are de-cluttering their garage and the two classic early 1960s Porsches that have given them so much enjoyment for nearly two decades are moving out because they are no longer being used.

Peter, who formerly ran a major marine supply business, is now a keen jet boat driver, while Kerith, a keen rider, wants to spend more time with the new horse she is currently breaking in.

The Buckinghams bought both cars in the 1990s to take part in tarmac rally events like Targa Tasmania.

‘Hers’ – a silver 1963 Porsche 356B Coupe –came first in 1993, but Peter had so much fun driving and rallying it hat Kerith suggested he should get ’His’ own and he purchased his white early six cylinder 1965 Porsche 911 Coupe (the 1223rd example built) in 1998.

Both were stripped and extensively prepared for rallying by Melbourne’s late Porsche 356 guru John Gregory, and the Buckinghams’ bulging trophy cabinet attests to their success.

As well as numerous class wins in Targa Tasmania, Peter in the 911 finished sixth outright in the inaugural Targa Newfoundland, held in Canada in 2002.

Determined not to be upstaged by her husband, Kerith scored even more class wins at Targa Tasmania between 1995 and 2003 and remains the only female to have been awarded a Platinum Targa Tasmania Plate for six finishes within the maximum allowed times.

Along with Melbourne co-driver Carol Fitzgerald, she also came 10th outright in the 2002 Canadian Targa Newfoundland.

Both cars are going under the hammer on Sunday in road-going, but rally-ready condition, with Shannons expecting the 911 to attract bids in the $65,000-$75,000 range and Kerith’s 356 to sell in the $58,000-$65,000 bracket because of their rarity and top condition.

The two Porsches are amongst 60 special classic vehicles in the Shannons Auction that will be held in the foyer of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 2.30pm on Sunday (July 10).

Other special vehicles being auctioned include the last Holden that Bathurst legend Peter Brock raced – the1953 ‘FX’ that he took to Britain’s Goodwood Revival historic meeting in September 2006, along with a ‘jamboree’ of five very special world-class Jaguars dating from 1934.

Quirky lots include a 1956 Bentley converted to a farm ‘Ute’ and a pair of fully functioning ex-Australian Army armoured personnel carriers.

All lots can be viewed free by the public in the concourse area of the MEC (entry from Clarendon Street until the Motor Show closes at 6pm on Sunday.