American Spangle Stars at Shannons Melbourne Late Summer Auction

MELBOURNE – Feb 19, 2014: Classic and customised American cars were in the spotlight at Shannons Melbourne Late Summer Classic Auction on Monday, February 17, with vehicles from the early 1930s to the late 1970s selling near the top or beyond their high estimates.

The spangled star of the show was an outrageous eight-wheel 1977 left hand drive 1977 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Coupe fitted with a central spa bath and a slide-out under-bonnet gas BBQ.

Driven by enthusiastic floor and telephone bidding, the former Texas-delivered, but Australian-customised Caddy now has a French connection, after selling to an overseas phone bidder for $39,000 – comfortably above its predicted $24,000-$32,000 selling range.

An early customised American also performed well, with a beautifully executed right hand drive 1934 Ford ‘Hot Rod’ Sedan fitted with Holden V8 running gear selling for $44,000.

Just as impressive was the $177,500 paid for stunning matching numbers and multiple trophy winning Shelby Mustang GT 350 Convertible – one of only 404 made for the 1968 model year.

Meanwhile a left hand drive 1966 Mustang ‘Shelby Hertz Replica’ brought $41,500, just $500 more than a nicely restored ‘SS Tribute’ 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 396ci Convertible.

Among the original American classics, a 1950 Studebaker Champion ‘Bullet Nose’ sedan believed to be a three-owner car sold for $19,000, a restored 1946 Chevrolet Utility with an interesting Australian history from new made an excellent $25,000, and a rare and nicely-restored 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS 327 four-speed fitted with many desirable period options brought $31,500.

The standout result of the Australian cars on offer was the $84,000 paid for a Daytona Bronze a 1969 Holden HT Monaro GTS ‘Bathurst Special’ believed to have had an early 1970s racing history.