Shannons Gets 'World Market'; $291,000 for Dino Ferrari

MELBOURNE – Sept 26, 2013: A stunning red 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Spyder delivered the standout result of Shannons Melbourne Spring Classic Auction on September 23 when it sold for a ‘Word Market’ $291,000 – an Australian auction record price.

The eventual hammer price of the rare, original right hand drive Ferrari – one of just 242 examples out of the 1,274 Dino GTS models built – was driven upwards by a flurry of floor and telephone bidders before selling to a local enthusiast.

The Dino was delivered new through Maranello Concessionaires in the UK to its first owner, located in Marseilles, France and was purchased by its vendor in 1981.

It had undergone considerable restoration work during the 32 years in his hands and its odometer showed just 85,722 miles.

Other European and British vehicles that sold well included an Australian-delivered 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible that brought $61,000, a restored ‘21-Window’ 1966 Volkswagen Kombi Microbus understood to have been restored in the United States 10 years ago that made $42,000, a nicely-restored 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220S sedan which sold for an excellent $26,000, a very early 1951 Beetle 11B ‘Split Rear Window’ sedan delivered new to Rhodesia that sold with no reserve for $15,000 and a quirky 1957 Heinkel Kabinkruiser Micro car that received applause from the crowd when it made $16,500.

From Britain, a collectable 1934 Lagonda Rapier Sports Tourer in need of some TLC sold for $49,600 after keen bidding from floor and telephone bidders, including overseas enthusiasts. Meanwhile a 1948 Rover P3 saloon and a 1955 Jaguar MkVIIM Saloon in similar beautifully-restored condition – both from the same vendor – produced a very strong $18,750 and $24,000 result, respectively.