Tough Toranas Muscle into MotorEx Auction

SYDNEY – July 4, 2012: Three tough Toranas have muscled into Shannons Custom & Collectible Auction at Meguiar’s MotorEx in Sydney over the July 21-22 weekend.

They are amongst the 40 special vehicles going under the hammer in the Shannons sale from 3pm on the Sunday afternoon of Australia’s foremost rod and custom show.

The top Torana of the trio is a rare Jasmine Yellow 1977 Holden LX Torana A9X Hatchback – one of only 15 A9X Hatches delivered in this colour and one of just three with tan trim – that has led a pampered life, showing only 82,800km (believed genuine) on its odometer.

The A9X was kept storage from 1989-2002, but its engine was regularly turned over during this time to ensure its mechanical parts remained operational.

Apart from its dealer-fitted AM radio cassette player and a repaint in its correct acrylic paint, the car remains largely to delivery specification. Its original motor and gearbox were rebuilt in 2006 and it also retains its factory differential, glass, unmarked trim, headlamps and body kit.

Given that a similar but unrestored A9X Hatchback in need of recommissioning sold for $149,000 after frenetic bidding at last year’s MotorEx auction, Shannons conservatively expect the beautifully-presented Jasmine Yellow A9X to attract keen bidding in the $170,000-$210,000 range.

A more affordable alternative for Torana Hatchback buyers is a recently restored 1977 Holden LX Torana SS V8 Hatchback.

Purchased by the vendor as an incomplete project five years ago, this LX SS Torana is a factory 4.2-litre V8, four-speed manual car.

Originally Valencia Orange the car was re-sprayed in its current black livery approximately 10 years ago, while the new interior has been installed during its recent rebuild.

Today the Torana remains in very good, ready-to-be-enjoyed condition and is expected to sell in the $42,000-$48,000 range.

Finally, Shannons also have a 1975 Holden LH Torana SL/R5000 Sedan with four-speed manual gearbox crossing the auction block at MotorEx.

Presented in good condition, the restored Torana has now been fitted with power steering to make it easier to drive in traffic and is expected to attract bids in the $36,000-$42,000 range.

Now in its 12th year, Meguiar’s MotorEx staged over the July 21-22 weekend at Sydney’s Olympic Park is the largest and most prestigious motoring enthusiast event of its kind in Australia, featuring hundreds of Custom, Performance and Collectible vehicles from all over the country.

All vehicles in the Shannons auction will be on display throughout the weekend, with the auction starting at 3pm on the Sunday.