• Early NSW '31' number plate top seller at $1,648,000
  • Total auction sales of over $13.4 Million
  • Strong 81 percent clearance rate - market leading

 A classic 250km/h British grand touring car in 'project' condition needing its full restoration completed was the top-selling vehicle in Shannons Timed Online Autumn Auction which concluded on May 30.

The once-glorious 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage vied for top honours in the 245-lot auction, finally selling after 10 bids for $226,000, with a 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Coupe ($186,000), a time-warp 2017 Holden HSV GTS-R sedan that has covered just 2,036km since new ($153,000), and a rare 1995 V12-engined Ferrari 456 Coupe ($120,000) to take the honours in the week-long national auction.

Other exotic European GT cars to sell well included a left hand drive DeTomaso Pantera Coupe ($91,000) and a BMW 840Ci coupe ($38,500).

Shannons Autumn Auction continued to deliver strong results with high bidding participation from the enthusiasts motoring community in the Auction realising a clearance rate of 81 per cent and $13.4M in total sales.

As expected from recent Shannons auctions, the top-selling lots of the sale were heritage black and white numerical number plates, with the early New South Wales-issued '31' attracting a top bid of $1,648,00 to win the 'state of origin' war over the Victorian plate '52' ($1.457,00) in the auction's final hours.

The triple digit VIC plate '535' sold for $500,000; NSW '232' sold for $470,000; NSW '421' went for $311,000; VIC '7-799' sold for $318,000. Another Victorian plate '91.111' with a strong Porsche flavour sold for $221,000 and the 'lucky' plate VIC '13.888' brought $201,000.

Amongst the motorcycles, the top-seller was a rare restored 1916 Indian Power Plus 990cc selling for $67,000, a 1926 Indian Big Chief 1200cc twin sold for $49,500, ahead of a 1929 Harley-Davidson JD 1200 ($44,000) while the top selling Japanese motorcycle was a Suzuki RG500 sports bike at $28,500.

Quality early American cars were also in demand, with a rare 1928 Cadillac LaSalle V8 Boat Tail roadster bringing an excellent $52,000, while a stately 1937 right hand drive Packard 120 sedan sold for $48,000.

The only power boat in the auction – a superb circa 1948 Chris Craft 20ft Custom Cruiser – sold for an excellent $80,000.

Commercial vehicles continued their popularity with collectors, with a 1982 Holden WB Kingswood Ute selling for $39,500; a 1974 Holden HQ 'Sandman Tribute' Panel Van bringing $38,000, a very authentic 1971 Holden HG Belmont 186 Ute selling for $22,000, while a 'HSV-Enhanced' Holden Commodore VR Wagon brought $23,000.

A Ford F-250 Dual Cab Utility fitted with the optional 7.3 litre diesel powertrain sold well for $63,000, while a  restored 1978 Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser 4.2 litre station wagon, produced an on-estimate $26,500.

The other Japanese vehicles in the auction to perform strongly, were a 2000 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti sedan ($45,000) followed by a 1979 Mazda Series 1 rotary-engined coupe ($37,000).

Collectible classics to post good results included a stylish Volvo P1800S coupe that exceeded expectations, selling for an excellent $84,000 after 40 bids, a restored circa-1957 Volkswagen 'Oval Window' Beetle that brought an excellent $23,000; a 1989 Subaru Brumby Ute that sold for $15,000, and a unique 1951 DKW Schnellaster van that made $40,000.

Amongst the plethora of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the auction, the standouts were a 1993 V12-engined 600SL Convertible ($53,000), while a  stylish1993 320CE Cabriolet brought $42,500.

To view all Shannons May 23-30 online Autumn auction results, visit www.shannons.com.au

For media information and publication-quality photos, please contact:  Michael Browning 0418 324 328 or email michael@browning.com.au.