Surprising Results at Shannons Melbourne Sale
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MELBOURNE – Nov 28, 2012: A ‘failed’ military recruit turned middle-age beach buggy was the hero of Shannons Melbourne Summer Classic Auction on Monday 26 November, outshining many more credentialed players.
Based on the stripped-down Mini variant originally designed for use by the British Army but now more commonly seen outside beach resorts, the 1972 Leyland Mini Moke that crossed the auction block was resplendent after a high quality total restoration that had seen $19,000 lavished on its body and paint alone.
It eventually sold to loud applause for $27,000 – well above its high estimate and $8,000 more than a stately Bentley in the same auction – after a floor and a phone bidder slugged it out from $21,000 upwards, with victory going to a Melbourne-based collector.
A rare 1974 Chrysler VJ Charger E48 ‘Six Pack’ four-speed manual coupe in ‘project’ condition also made $27,000 after equally strong interest from Australian Muscle Car enthusiasts, who continued their bidding frenzy for a rare and now sought-after 1974 Ford LTD P5 351 V8 Sedan that made $21,000.
The top selling vehicles of the sale were all sporting cars.
A beautiful blue Australian-delivered 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster that had received a bare metal restoration in the mid-1990s sold for $114,000; a low mileage 1953 Porsche 356 Bent Screen ‘Pre A’ Coupe originally delivered new in Texas but restored in Australia brought $110,000 and a 1995 factory demonstrator Robnell ‘Cobra’ Roadster fitted from new with a custom-built all-aluminium 429-cidFord big-block V8 made $105,000.
In other standout vehicle sales:
Classic number plates and memorabilia also sold well, with the Victorian black and white Heritage plate ‘385’ selling for $57,000, 1.121’ was the top four-digit plate at $14,500 and ’88.868’ was the best five-digit result at $13,000. The highest price for a petrol pump was $3,750 paid for a restored 1950s Gilbarco CM in ‘Shell Benzene’ livery.