World-Class Bentley Heads Shannons May 7 Sydney Auction

SYDNEY – May 4, 2012: A stylish 1930 Bentley 4 ½ Litre saloon still proudly wearing its original Freestone & Webb fabric four-door coachwork heads a standout entry for Shannons Sydney Autumn Auction on Monday (May 7).

The vehicle being auctioned by Shannons is believed to be one of the last of its type produced and was delivered new in the UK in July, 1930 and has true world-market appeal.

Well-known Mosman, Sydney sewing machine importer and avid Bentley enthusiast Alan Mingaye already had a 4½ Litre Bentley tourer, when in 1957 he found the car in Turramurra, NSW.

It had been standing out in the weather under a tree for a couple of years, with its engine and transmission removed and disassembled, awaiting a full rebuild.

The imposing Black four-door saloon with its rich Claret leather and polished wood interior received a full body-off-chassis restoration in 1980, but due to Mingaye’s ill health was not been driven regularly since 1988.

The Bentley has already attracted worldwide interest and Shannons conservatively expect it to sell in the $320,000-$360,000 range.

Other highlights of Monday’s auction include:

a matching numbers, professionally-restored E38 Charger R/T ($75,000-$80,000)

an early-build LC Torana XU-1 with 93,600 indicated miles ($44,000-$54,000)

a trophy-winning ’84 HDT Commodore Group 3 ($34,000-$40,000)

a sought-after 1971 Fiat 500F ($18,000-$24,000)

A right hand drive 1988 Citroen 2CV ‘Dolly’ ($12,000-$16,000)

a rare 1989 Nissan Pao with just 62,710km ($7,000-$9,000).

Monday’s auction will be held from 7pm at Shannons Sydney showrooms, at 65 Reserve Road, St.Leonards.

All 47 lots will be available for viewing over this weekend at St.Leonards from 9am-5pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday.