'Tin' Tops Shannons Spring Auction Sale

CHELTENHAM, AUSTRALIA – September 1, 2009: Automotive things of tin, steel and wood battled it out for supremacy at Shannons Spring Classic Auction in Melbourne on August 31, with tin eventually emerging on top.

The Victorian Heritage black and white numberplate ‘878’ – one of 10 entrusted to Shannons by VicRoads – was the top selling lot of the auction, commanding a near-record $92,000 for a three-digit combination.

It was one of 14 number plates in the auction that sold for a combined total just short of $500,000,emphasising the continuing strength of the collector market.

Other notable number plate sales were ‘285’ and ‘306’, which each sold for $74,000, while ‘482’ made $50,000. The top four-digit result was $29,000 for ‘7755’, while ’23.000’ topped the five-digit results at $20,000.

There was also a surprise result amongst the 35 classic vehicles on offer, where wood triumphed over steel.

A spectacular award-winning custom 1934 Ford ‘Woody’ Station Wagon and its matching ‘Teardrop’ camper complete with home comforts including a record player was the top selling classic vehicle, selling on estimate at $75,000. It comfortable outdistanced the $65,000 paid for a 1985 Holden VK Commodore Group A SS sedan described by Shannons as being ‘a very good driver’.

Other notable vehicle sales included $32,000 paid for a well-presented dark blue 1965 Mercedes-Benz 300SE Coupe, $28,000 for a red, right hand drive 1965 Ford Mustang coupe and $18,000 for a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SL Convertible.

The three quirky Citroen models offered for sale unreserved all did well, with the 1973 DS23 Safari Wagon making an excellent $16,000, just pipping the 1924 5CV Boat Tail Roadster ($14,000), while the 1956 Light 15 sedan made $5,500.

Other unreserved lots to do particularly well at the auction included a very original, one-owner 1973 Mercedes-Benz 250C Coupe that sold for $12,500, a 1954 Holden FJ Special sedan that brought $10,500, a 1970 Dodge Phoenix 400 ‘Pillarless’ Sedan ($8,500) and a 1962 Holden EK Utility ($6,000).

Classic scooters again proved their market strength, with an eye-catching red and white 1963 Vespa 150cc with matching sidecar selling for $9,250, while a red solo Vespa 150cc of the same vintage made an equally impressive $6,750.

Amongst the garagenalia, classic petrol pumps continued to be strong sellers, with a 1920s Gilbert & Barker 6 Gallon manual pump in Texaco livery topping the sales at $6,750