An unrestored 1977 Torana SL-R/5000 sedan, believed to be a prototype of Holden’s legendary Bathurst A9X homologation special, sold for $30,000 at Shannons Winter Auction in Melbourne on 5 June, a good price for this Australian muscle car considering its historical significance.
The car’s unique options and records from VicRoads convinced the vendor that his orange Torana was a factory-built precursor of the A9X. To confirm its authenticity, the buyer carried out further thorough research and now believes he has one of only two prototypes that Holden built.

Muscles & Mustangs
The Torana was among several muscle cars sold at the auction, showing that buyers still aren’t too concerned about rising petrol prices. Car prices were fairly realistic, though. The top sale of the night was $59,000 paid for a locally-built 1997 Cobra replica roadster fitted with a 351-cid V8 engine, just exceeding a fully-restored 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible that went for a respectable $57,000 – $13,000 more than a similar red 1966 Mustang Convertible that sold for $44,000.

Less desirable but representing good deals for Mustang enthusiasts were two unreserved early 1970s left hand drive Mach 1 Cobrajet coupes that sold for $8,000 and $10,000 respectively. Shannons were expecting two other Mustangs – a rare 1968 ‘Californian Special’ coupe and a 2000 model Ford Mustang GT Coupe – to sell in the immediate post-auction period.

But bidders did compete for an original condition 1971 Hemi-Orange Chrysler VH Charger R/T Coupe with its engine upgraded to triple-Weber E37 specification, finally paying $35,000, and a 1985 Cobra replica roadster earned $31,000. A very original 1962 Chrysler Valiant R Series also sold above pre-auction estimates for $18,000.

More Holdens
Over 800 people gathered at Shannons Cheltenham showroom, including a number of restorers - and early Holden enthusiasts. One managed to pick up a rough but very original 1951 model 48-215 FX sedan with just two previous owners, for $4,750, while eight telephone and another eight floor bidders battled at length over an original grey 1964 Holden EH ute in rising $100 bids, with a phone bidder finally nailing it for $10,100. A lot of interest was also shown before the auction in the unreserved 1969 Holden HK Monaro GTS 307 coupe, which finally sold for $22,000 after fierce bidding from a group of phone and floor bidders.

Cool Deal
Among the automobilia, a robust battle for the original Victorian black and white vitreous enamel number plate ‘851’ overshadowed these classics, at least money-wise. By the time the price reached $18,000, the contest was between just one phone and one floor bidder, with bids rising in $500 lots until the plate sold for $27,000. Another duel was waged for a restored 1970s Wayne 605 petrol bowser in Shell livery, which eventually sold for $4,100. This was more than the values paid for a clean 1987 BMW 735i limousine at $3,500, a 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 saloon at $3,500 or a 1965 Willy Jeep Utility, $1,750.
In contrast to the muscle car benefit, the coolest deal of the evening was made on a Ferrari. After successfully bidding $21,000 for the unreserved 1978 400A automatic coupe, the new owner sold the car to someone else a few hours later, reportedly for $25,000.