Jaguars Roar at Shannons Sydney Sale

SYDNEY – Feb 22, 2012: A stunning, period-faithful Jaguar C-Type ‘Recreation’ that had covered just 500 shakedown miles since its completion in 2003 was the top-selling vehicle at Shannons Sydney Summer Classic Auction on February 20, selling after keen bidding for $201,000.

Based on exact measurements taken from an original 1953 Le Mans C-Type that was in New Zealand for restoration some years ago, the one-owner vehicle was pursued by several enthusiasts before finding a new home with a floor bidder. The result was met with loud applause from the 500-strong crowd at Shannons St.Leonards showroom.

The C-Type headed a pride of Jaguars to feature strongly in the results, with a rare Australian-delivered 1953 XK120 Fixed Head Coupe bringing $70,000 and a modified ‘Coombs specification’ British Racing Green 1963 3.8 Mk II Manual Saloon commanding $53,000.

In other strong results for sporting cars, an eye-catching white 1988 ‘flat’ 12-cylinder Ferrari Testarossa Coupe with an extensive ownership history sold for $100,000 and an Australian-delivered Tobacco Brown 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible offered with both soft and hard tops, brought $60,000.

Meanwhile two Ford V8-engined low-volume Australian performance cars – a 1973 Bolwell Nagari Coupe and a 1995 Snakepit Cobra 427SC Replica, sold for $54,000 and $53,000 respectively.

However it was the large selection of home-grown Ford and Holden cars in the auction that really warmed the crowd and resulted in some of the most notable sales.

A ‘no-reserve’ 1976 LX Torana SL/R 5000 and a 1968 Falcon XT GT sedan with the rare optional three-speed automatic tied for top ‘Aussie’ honours, both selling after keen floor and phone bidding for $36,000.

A two-owner and very original 1970 ZD Fairlane ‘K-Code’ 351-cid V8 T-bar automatic sedan that had covered 128,687 miles from new sold for $25,000; a beautiful 1957 FE Special Sedan featuring many rare period extras brought $24,000; a 1964 EH 149 Special Sedan presented in very original, unrestored condition sold for an excellent $22,000; a customised 1955 FJ Holden fitted with a VN Commodore V6 EFI engine and automatic transmission went for $18,500 and a rare 1962 EK Special Station Wagon offered with no reserve made $10,000.

The range of high quality ‘Garagenalia’ all offered with no reserve was also keenly sought after by enthusiasts.

A range of iconic period neon signs including a rare 110cm ‘Chevrolet Genuine Parts’ sold willingly in the $3,000-$4,600 range, while a selection of period petrol pumps spanned the $3,000-$4,500 spectrum.