THE POST-COVID WORLD will undoubtedly look very different, and many of the things we’re learning to adopt will no doubt continue once the pandemic has passed.
One of the almost inevitable changes will be the way we buy cars at auction, and the most recent Shannons auction has shown that we’re not afraid to attend and buy at online auctions.
Shannons Winter Timed Online Auction closed on August 26 and attracted a record number of bidders, with total sales exceeding $7 million for 145 of the 149 lots on offer.
The highlights include $308,500 paid in the final minutes for a 1972 Porsche 911E 2.4 presented in lovely condition by its 99 year old owner of the past 45 years; $222,500 for a 2004 Ferrari 360 manual Spider after a spirited bidding duel; and $82,000 for a heavily customised 1963 Holden EJ Panel Van retro-fitted with a fuel injected V8 engine.
Every category in the auction produced strong results, with the top automobilia sale being $21,750 paid for a three-piece Shell embossed enamel garage sign – nearly four times its conservative pre-auction high estimate; a record $251,000 for the New South Wales black and white numerical motorcycle number plate ‘2’; $78,000 for the five-digit Victorian ‘lucky’ plate ’88-881′; and $42,500 for a very low kilometre and well-preserved 1989 Yamaha FZR750R-R ‘OWO1’ motorcycle.
Shannons National Auctions and External Relations Manager, Christophe Boribon, said the combination of a week-long build-up from the opening of online bidding, the competitive pressure of multiple enthusiasts chasing the same lot and the generally more buoyant mood in the community eager to escape the gloom of COVID-19 restrictions, all contributed to the record result.
“Nearly three quarters of all lots had already exceeded their reserve prices and were technically ‘on sale’ two days before bidding closed,” he said. “However, the real surge in prices for many lots came in the auction’s final minutes, as the reality of securing that special lot dawned on bidders.”
Most lots attracted multiple bidders, the majority being from Australian enthusiasts.
More than 100 bids were placed on a collectible 1991 Honda NSX manual Coupe before it sold for $145,000; 72 bids drove the price of a ‘no reserve’, heavily customised and V8-engined 1963 Holden EJ Panel Van to $82,000; while 106 bids were made for the NSW Heritage black and the white numerical number plate ‘2020’ – a memorable year for everyone – that sold for a NSW auction record price of $260,000 for a four-digit plate, while ‘2021’ with a similar number of bidders, brought $152,000.
Another auction highlight was the $79,500 achieved after 38 bids by a fabulous 1973 ‘Red Pepper’ XB Falcon 302 V8 Coupe whose long-time lady owner received it as a Mother’s Day gift in 1985.
There were many spectacular last-minute bidding duels in the auction as the clock ticked down sequentially, with many lots resolved by bidding contests of $500 increments.
Amongst other auction highlights:
- a right-hand drive 1928 Ford Model A Hot Rod Tudor brought $61,500;
- two early Volkswagens brought excellent results, with a 1961 Karman Ghia Type 1 Coupe selling for $40,000 and a 1955 oval window ‘Beetle’ bringing $46,500 after 36 bids.
- amongst the limousines, a 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300D Adenauer Cabriolet fitted with a Holden 202ci six-cylinder engine, brought $60,500;
- a 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT manual coupe was in demand with Japanese performance car collectors before selling for $42,000;
- a well-optioned 1974 Holden HQ Premier 308 sedan in outstanding time warp condition, almost doubled its pre-auction high estimate to sell for $50,500;
- a rare 1977 Chrysler CL Charger 770 265 coupe, factory-optioned with a four-speed manual gearbox, brought $60,000;
- a restored 1963 Jaguar MkII 3.8 manual saloon, slated to sell in the $35,000-$45,000 range, sold for an excellent $56,500;
- amongst the sports cars, a 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL Convertible went for $123,500; a 1976 Porsche 930 Turbo 3.0 that was brought back to the road after 15 years’ storage, sold for $232,000; and a superbly-restored and rare 1973 Jaguar E-Type V12 ‘manual’ roadster made $240,000.
The next Shannons Classic auction – the Shannons Timed Spring Online Auction – takes place from 11-18 November, with auction entries closing on 30 September.