Sliding Dollar Boosts Brits at MotorEx

SYDNEY – June 28, 2013: The sliding Australian dollar will make a number of iconic British Vintage and Classic cars at Shannons Sydney Custom & Collectable Auction at Meguiar’s MotorEx even more attractive to International enthusiasts when they go under the hammer on Sunday, July 21.

One particularly appealing Briton in the auction is a beautifully detailed 1953 Jaguar C-Type Replica.

Built on a tubular steel chassis fabricated by acknowledged C-Type expert David Brown of Invercargill, New Zealand, the C-Type replicates a 1953 Le Mans car, with its full alloy bodywork shaped over bucks taken from a genuine factory ‘donor’ car by equally-renowned 'Kiwi' coachbuilder, Barney Tansley of nearby Queenstown.

The C-Type came to Melbourne in kit form about 14 years ago and was assembled in Melbourne before being purchased by its current owner.

Every inch a true ‘Jaguar’, the C-Type runs a 3.4-litre block bored and sleeved to 3.8-litres and is fitted with period twin 2-inch SU carburettors, with Shannons confirming that its exhaust note is period pitch perfect. As with the original C-Type, the engine drives through a correct Moss four-speed gearbox.

The interior hosts a range of C-Type period features, which include all the instruments, switches and the steering wheel, while the aluminium seats and green leather upholstery were made using original patterns.

Since arriving in Australia, the C-Type’s brakes have been converted from drums to discs all round.

This superbly-executed C-Type Replica comes from a substantial classic vehicle collection and is only being sold because its owner no longer has sufficient time to enjoy it.

It is expected to sell in the $170,000-$190,000 range, a fraction of the price of a genuine and almost indistinguishable original C-Type.

Other ‘great Britons’ in the Shannons MotorEx Auction include a beautiful 1958 Jaguar XK150 Drop Head Coupe – the 85th right hand drive example of the total of 663 built.

The Jaguar was delivered in the UK, but came to Australia in 1969. It was fully restored by a subsequent South Australian owner in the early 1980s, winning a trove of awards in the following decade.

Finished in Clotted Cream with red leather upholstery, the XK150 remains in very good useable condition, with a wonderful patina. Because of its rarity and presentation, Shannons expect it to sell in the $75,000-$90,000 range.

Also from the same collector is a beautiful and now-rare 1959 MGA Twin Cam roadster– one of just 127 right hand drive export models built.

The Twin Cam is presented in restored condition, with its odometer currently showing just 51,310 miles and it even retains the high compression pistons so often replaced on these cars.

The vehicle is well known within the club, is fully documented in the Australian Twin Cam Registry and is potentially a future concours winner.

Because its rarity, low mileage and exceptional original condition. Shannons expect it to sell in the $42,000-$48,000 range.

Other ‘Great Britons’ in Shannons Meguiar’s MotorEx Auction include a ‘no reserve’ 1971 Ford Capri V6 GT Coupe in very good condition ($18,000-$24,000), a beautiful, black and fully-restored 1963 Daimler 2.5 V8 Saloon ($15,000-$18,000), a 1988 Jaguar XJS V12 Coupe ($14,000-$18,000), a 1972 MGB MkII Roadster ($14,000-$18,000), a 1993 Daimler Double Six 6.0-litre V12 Saloon ($10,000-$15,000)\ and a striking modified 1955 Morris Minor 1000 Sedan ($8,000-$12,000).