Classic sporting cars in demand
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A brace of virtually brand new V8-engined MS8 Elfin sports cars – with only nominal kilometres – made for keen buying at the Shannons Custom & Collectable Vehicle Auction at Meguiar’s MotorEx on July 25. The silver 2007 model Clubman sold for $65,000 and the orange 2008 model MS8 Streamliner made an even healthier $69,000. A two-owner, low mileage 1978 Morgan Plus 8 Roadster in good condition brought applause from the 500-strong crowd when it sold on estimate for $71,000, while a 1998 model TVR Griffith 500S convertible, regarded as a rare example in Australia, made $50,000. Among the other V8-engined sporting cars, a one-owner 1976 Holden HX LE Monaro that had covered 291,000km since new brought an impressive $37,400 – exactly the same as a beautiful Signal Red 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL that had covered just 143,800km. Not a V8, but even faster was an original Australian-delivered Nissan R32 GT-R, first owned by Orbital Engine Corporation founder Ralph Sarich, that sold for $45,000. The black 1991 model GT-R was one of just 100 R32 ‘Godzilla’ four-wheel drive twin-turbo coupés imported and sold by Nissan Australia in the early 1990s and was untouched and unmodified, with less than 100,000km showing. Jaguar enthusiasts were onto the restored British Racing Green 1972 Jaguar E-type V12 coupé with three-speed automatic transmission, which sold for $53,000. Budget classic sports car buyers were also catered for, with an Australian-delivered 1970 MG Midget MkIII roadster presented in good condition with 43,200 miles (believed genuine) on its odometer, selling with no reserve for $6800. Shannons national auction manager Christophe Boribon said the MotorEx auction, which generated almost $700,000 in sales, showed there is strong market demand for correct, high-quality cars with reasonable asking prices. “The buyers are out there, but they are cautious and are spending wisely on dependable nameplates worn by vehicles in top condition with excellent provenance,” he said. “And, as always, good V8-engined cars are always popular!”
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Bonhams begins Down Under
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A rare 1925 Bentley Speed Model Tourer and a barn-find Bugatti set to spark bidding battles The date for Bonhams’ first motoring auction in Australia as a wholly owned subsidiary of the international company has now been set – Sunday, October 3 in Sydney – and the early entries are sure to help shake off the winter blues. Leading the charge is a delightful 1925 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model Tourer, which carries original coachwork by Vanden Plas. “This Australian delivered, matching-numbers example is in wonderfully correct and original condition, even retaining most of its original upholstery. It is one of the finest examples of its type I have ever seen,” enthuses Bonhams’ motoring specialist Robert Glover. “Speed Model 3-Litre Bentleys in any form are highly sought after in the current market. And obtaining a matching-numbers car that retains its original and desirable Vanden Plas coachwork is becoming increasingly challenging and thus we expect to receive interest in the car from both Australian and international collectors of the marque.” It’s estimated at around $290,000–340,000. Continuing the vintage theme, the Bonhams team has also consigned an extremely original and very rare 1928 Sunbeam 20/70HP ‘Light Tourer’. It is thought that as few as three examples of 12/70 HP Sunbeams survive anywhere in the world. This one is expected to achieve upwards of $50,000. For those who enjoy their garage time, another interesting lot will be the 1926 Bugatti Type 38 restoration project that was unearthed from a barn in Queensland earlier in the year. A great ‘entry level’ into the magical cars from Molsheim, the project is estimated to achieve between $15,000-$25,000. James Knight, international director of Bonhams’ motoring division comments: “I was extremely interested in the collections I saw and collectors I met during my recent visit to Australia. The early consignments to our sale are very encouraging and clearly demonstrate why Bonhams feel it so important to re-establish our brand in Australia and continue servicing the market for the long-term.” |
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