Are the days of bidders paying five and six figure prices for European exotics behind us? Perhaps not, but a large appreciative group of almost 400 buyers showed a strong interest in original, low-priced classics at Shannons Sydney Autumn Auction on Monday 2 May at the St Leonards showroom. Almost all lots, many unreserved, were picked up at bargain prices. While the highest price paid that night was $76,500 spent on a right hand drive 1999 Corvette C5 coupe with 73,000km, most buying at the auction was at around $10,000 and even less.

A pair of low-mileage single-owner matched Holdens from the same Sydney garage was finally split up. The 47,000 mile 1972 LJ Torana ‘S’ six cylinder sold unreserved for $4,500 and the 1969 HK Brougham, only driven 62,000 miles since new, brought $8,250 after keen bidding from the crowd. A well looked after Holden WB Statesman Caprice with 317,000 kilometres on the road but only two-owners, sold unreserved for $5,750, emphasising the importance bidders placed on originality and condition.

Six potential buyers bid fiercely for an unreserved 1970 Datsun 1600 sedan. With only 51,370 miles on the odometer and two women owners, condition was again very original. Bidding finally closed at $4,600. Competition was even more intense for an unreserved 1966 Chevrolet Impala Pillarless sedan, which eventually went for $14,000.

Notable results for British cars showed similar value-for-money buying trends and included a 1964 Morris Traveller Wagon that brought $5,750, and $10,250 paid for a rare, manual overdrive transmission1967 Daimler Sovereign 420 Saloon. Both were in sound, original condition and also unreserved. A well-preserved registered 1955 Ford Zephyr sold unreserved for $1,750, having spent 20 years in storage before its present owner acquired it two years ago.

Other interesting unreserved sales were made on a tidy Le Mans blue 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV 2000 coupe with just 31,466km on the odometer at a price of $8,300 and a well-presented beautifully restored 1954 Chevrolet 210 Deluxe six-cylinder sedan selling for $7,700.

A 1950s Gilbarco ‘Plume’ petrol bowser brought $4,200 and a collection of nine 1:43rd scale Dinky models in boxes went for $320, both unreserved, showing continued popularity among memorabilia items.