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Among the 60 vehicles and 60 items of memorabilia going on
sale at Shannons Melbourne International Motor Show auction
on Monday 12 March, look out for a rare, pristine Bolwell
Nagari V8 coupe. The sleek fiberglass Nagari Mk VIII was built
in the 1970s, when it was considered a high performance Australian
sports car. The fact that few of the 127 coupes they made
survive in original condition and news that Bolwell is back
at work developing a new Nagari, has rekindled interest in
the marque and added collectable value to the first factory-assembled
Mk VIII models.
The factory-built Nagari initially had Fords 302-cid
V8 engine, but a few had the more powerful 351-cid V8 from
the Falcon GT, making it a supercar candidate.
The Nagari on auction at the show is one of these rare big-engined
Bolwells and is fitted with a Ford 351-cid Cleveland unit
with a four-speed Toploader gearbox and Ford 9-inch diff and
axle assembly. The car, in good mechanical condition and registered
in NSW, retains its original factory alloy wheels and leather
steering wheel. Guiding price range is $58,000-$60,000.
Another interesting entry is a 1927 Rolls-Royce called The
Princess after an owner who spied for Adolf Hitler.
This Phantom I Saloon with a 7.6 litre 6-cylinder engine and
3-speed manual gearbox was originally delivered with Cabriolet
de Ville coachwork by Barker. In 1929, Austrian Princess
Stephanie Hohenlohe de Waldenbern, royal by marriage,
bought the car. Although Jewish, British intelligence files
report she later became a spy for Germany. The Phantom had
meanwhile been sold to Australia in the 1930s and was rebodied
locally in saloon configuration by Martin & King. It eventually
settled in Queensland, and now retains its Martin & King
coachwork with burgundy leather and beige cloth interior and
both the Flying Lady mascot and town cap. Price estimates
fall between $75,000 and $90,000.
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