Robert Shannon';s Spyder Returns Home

MELBOURNE – Sept 6, 2013: The late Robert Shannon’s much-loved 1994 Maserati Bi-Turbo Spyder, is now back in the company’s Cheltenham, Melbourne showroom in search of a new owner.

The eye-catching and rare Zagato designed and built Spyder will be offered with no reserve at Shannons Melbourne Spring Classic Auction on September 23 – one of 11 lots in the sale with no reserve price.

Shannon reached out to ‘motoring enthusiasts’ around Australia in the early 1970s with his innovative insurance concept that rewarded them for their passion, while in 1981 he expanded into the classic car auctions that have since become a major marketplace for special cars and an international barometer of their value.

The Spyder was part of Robert Shannon’s collection of rare and special cars and was his daily driver at the time of his passing in March 2000.

He purchased it new through the House of Maserati, Sydney in October 1994 equipped with air-conditioning, power-operated seats, windows and steering. It is believed to be one of just 570 of this model built and the last delivered to Australia.

The Maserati led a colourful and pampered life in Robert Shannon’s hands. It was serviced regularly and maintained by Auto Sprint of North Fitzroy and had covered 68,829km when it was sold to its current owner in 2001.

Now showing 151,360km on its odometer, the once pristine Spyder requires some refurbishment to bring it back to its former glory, hence it is expected to sell in the $10,000-$15,000 range.

The Shannons Spyder is one of a number of exotic European cars in the September 23 Melbourne auction. Others include a pristine original right hand drive Ferrari Dino 246 GTS that has been in the hands of its current Australian owner for 32 years, an evocative ‘tribute’ to the Aston Martin DBR2 sports racing car of the late 1950s and a rare 1934 Lagonda Rapier sports Tourer.