NUMBER PLATES GO OVER THE TOP

 

 

 

 

 

Bonhams & Goodman upheld its record-breaking reputation for single and double-digit number plates on 9 October at their Collectors’ Cars Auction. The auction was conducted in front of a large crowd in the Double Bay rooms and simultaneously in Melbourne where many of the cars and Victorian number plates were on view.

NSW ‘18’ sold for $248,600, a record at auction for a two-digit plate, and was consigned for the Lober Family, known for their General Motors Lober dealership in Sydney, who had owned the plate since 1938. Other strong number plate sales were the right to display NSW ‘282’, going for $74,600 and in Victoria, VIC ‘626’ sold for $24,860.

Apart from number plates, most of the cars sold well, too. Among the highlights was a magnificent c1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 that sold to a phone bidder from Melbourne for $68,000. A superb c1955 Porsche Speedster fetched $135,600 also to a Melbournian sitting in the old Dutton’s premises where the Melbourne event took place. Two rare Lenham Healey race sports cars are still under negotiation in Melbourne, as well as a selection of D-Type and C-Type Jaguar replicas. A young boy watching the auction proceedings in Sydney was thrilled when his father managed to buy the c1971 Jaguar E-type series III manual roadster for $85,900, Also, a c1965 Mercedes-Benz 230SL fetched $39,560, going to a local businessman.

Following the sale, David Bird, Manager of the car Department at Bonhams & Goodman maintained that the market is as strong as ever for high quality cars and that NSW number plates continue to appreciate while Victorian registrations are improving. However, cars without special distinguishing characteristics were hard going and some of the minor cars remained unsold.

RETRACTOIN: A photo used to announce this auction appeared in error in our October 2005 issue. The Ferrari Superamerica pictured had been sold at a previous sale and was not one of the lots at the Collectors’ Cars Auction on 9 October. We apologise for any inconvenience.

 

 
 
MUSTANG STEALS THE SHOW

Just as we go to press, the 2005 Australian International Motor Show 14-23 October at the Sydney Exhibition & Convention Centre is about to begin and with it, the Shannons Auction on the 23rd. After moving inside last year from the traditional location out on the foyer, Shannons are conducting business inside the Centre. All 26 cars and memorabilia lots are on display on their stand in Hall 6 on all days. A special exhibit of rare historic racing and advertising photographs devoted to Mercedes-Benz will also be on the stand. Most of the pictures on display were taken for Daimler-Benz by a Hungarian artist and photographer, Zoltan Glass between 1925 and 1936.

But bidders’ attention will be focussed on some classic British cars at the auction, including a 1934 Rolls Royce 20/25 'Swept Tail' Coupe originally owned by a Melbourne gangster. A rare 1962 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur sedan is also among the lots, with a 1958 Jaguar XK150 Drophead Coupe. Two original NSW enamel number plates – ‘232’ and ‘356’ – will also go on sale for the first time since they were issued around 90 years ago. Early Porsche enthusiasts may be fighting over the latter one.

But one of the most exciting lots will be Pete Geoghegan’s Mustang, which has recently been fully restored to racing condition. The Mustang emerged on the local Touring Car scene in 1965 in the hands of Norm Beechey and Bob Jane. Geoghegan acquired a similar Mustang the following season to reclaim the Touring Car title. For the 1967 season, Geoghegan replaced his original Mustang with the improved GTA model now at auction, beginning an historic partnership. He took delivery of it as an automatic road car, but legendary racecar builder John Sheppard used all the tricks eavailable at the time to create one of Australia’s fastest Touring Cars. With Geoghegan at the wheel, the Mustang was an immediate winner.
 

For further auction information, contact: Christophe Boribon, National Auctions Manager 13 46 46 or 0413 567 308. Also visit www.shannons.com.au.

 
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