Spring has sprung at Shannons!

MELBOURNE – May 29, 2012: Spring has arrived early at Shannons, with a cluster of classic sports cars dropping their tops in Melbourne for the company’s Winter Classic Auction on Monday June 4.

Spearheading the soft-tops is a stunning multiple concours-winning 1960 Austin-Healey Mk I ‘Bug Eye’ Sprite roadster that has covered only 1,200 miles since it was professionally restored in 2008.

Presented in exceptional condition with both soft-top and tonneau cover, the Sprite has never seen rain since its comprehensive rebuild and comes with a large file of receipts and a photo CD of documenting the quality of the work done.

Because of its trophy-winning condition and presentation, Shannons expect it to sell to an enthusiast collector for $26,000-$32,000.

For similar money you could probably snap up a late model, Australian-delivered and V8-engined Mercedes-Benz 380SL with four speed automatic transmission offered with both soft and hard tops.

Finished in the very attractive combination of Signal red with cream MBtex trim, the SL has travelled a mere 116,000km since it was delivered new through 3 Point Motors in Melbourne in 1985 and according to Shannons has been very well looked after.

Back to Britain and enthusiasts have the choice of a very nice 1955 British Racing Green Triumph TR3 with factory-fitted overdrive that has covered an average of just 200km a year since it was restored around a decade ago, or a Nurburg White 1964 MGB Mk I roadster that has covered only 3,915 miles since a five-year body and mechanical restoration that was completed in 2000.

The Triumph is expected to sell for $22,000-$28,000 and the MGB for $12,000-$16,000.

Meanwhile Italian sports car lovers will be drawn to the 1984 Alfa-Romeo 2000 Spider that has been in the hands of its present owner for the past seven years since being imported from the USA and converted to right hand drive.

The Alfa has had recent restoration work on its interior and soft top and is expected to sell in the $8,000-$12,000 range.