Mercedes SLs steal spotlight in Shannons Sydney Sale

SYDNEY – May 7, 2013: Two striking SL Mercedes-Benz roadsters at Shannons Sydney Autumn Classic Auction on May 6 caught the eye of collectors, who paid $91,000 for a cream, Australian-delivered 1959 190SL and $89,000 for a red former concours-winning 1964 ‘Pagoda roof’ 230SL – both comfortably above their pre-sale estimates.

Adding to the strength of the result, the nicely presented 190SL was an older restoration from a deceased estate, while the 230SL was originally a UK-delivered car that had been restored to show condition after arriving in New South Wales.

The 190SL previously changed hands at Shannons Melbourne Spring Classic Auction in September 2006 for $67,500, underscoring the increasing collectability of early Mercedes-Benz roadsters.

The SL sales were highlights of the auction, which attracted an enthusiastic crowd of around 400 people to Shannons’ St.Leonards, Sydney showrooms and resulted in a healthy clearance rate of 72 per cent for the 25 vehicles on offer.

In other stand-out car sales, a beautiful, blue 1972 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V12 Coupe presented in pristine condition with chrome wire wheels sold for $56,000, while a US-delivered and converted to right hand drive 1971 Porsche 911T 2.2 Targa 5-speed manual fresh from a comprehensive restoration sold for $45,000.

Amongst the home-grown offerings, a spectacular black 1962 S Series Chrysler Valiant that had more than $50,000 lavished on its total restoration sold for $26,500, while a modified, metallic burgundy 1956 Holden FJ Ute and a 1974 Falcon XB GS ‘K Code’ 351 V8 sedan both sold for $20,000.

A wonderful private collection of 1950s and 1960s British A.J.S and Matchless motorcycles– all totally restored and unridden since – sold with no reserve for a total of $101,750.

Highlights included a circa 1960 Matchless G80 ‘Typhoon’ 600cc solo – a limited production model produced primarily for the American market – that brought $17,500, while a circa 1964 Matchless G80CS with a competition alloy 500cc single cylinder engine went for $14,500 and a striking circa 1963 Matchless G12 CSR (‘Competition Sprung Roadster’) 650cc Twin-cylinder (dubbed the ‘Coffee Shop Racer’ by its rivals because of its distinctive two-into-one 'Siamese' exhaust system) made $12,000.

Memorabilia lots were again in high demand, with the most interesting sales being items from the estate of former Touring Car champion, Scuderia Veloce Team Manager and daily newspaper and magazine writer, the late David McKay.

McKay’s period 1950s Cromwell racing helmet sold after keen bidding for $1,150, his circa 1967 Seiko stopwatch that was used to time the Brabham open wheeler and Ferrari 250LM sports car he raced, sold for $1,000 and his 1960 era racing suit, gloves and bandana brought an even more impressive $1,350.