...BUT EUROPEANS TOP THE BILL
This restored 1950 Cadillac Series 62 sold for $141,000 at Shannons (above); while this one-owner 1970 HG GTS Monaro 253 V8 sold for $70,000. Pictures / Supplied
Two spectacular 1950s American two-door cruisers, customised in Australia, sold for big bucks at Shannons Sydney winter motor auctions this week.
A black and cream leather 1950 Cadillac Series 62 sold for $146,339 after a long bidding duel that began at $92,000.
A sleek black-over-silver 1955 Buick pillarless coupe styled after the Roadmaster owned by American comedian and car buff Jay Leno, also sold above its highest pre-auction estimate, at $136,998.
A striking Candy Apple Red two-door 1949 Buick Sedanette, also extensively customised in era-correct style, brought $92,371, while a fully restored right-hand-drive converted 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville sol for $84,586 on the night.
The other Big American in the auction -- a pristine 1969 Shelby GT500 Mustang delivered new as a batch of six into Japan in 1969, sold for $115,000.
Though their results showed strong interest in the American market they were all trumped during the auction by a collectible 1965 Mercedes-Benz 300SE Cabriolet, and an equally-desirable Series 1 1963 Jaguar E-Type Roadster. Benefiting from a full interior re-trim in 2011 and an engine rebuild in 2015, the factory right-hand-drive 'Benz was pursued by two overseas and several local bidders in a protracted duel that drove its price to $192,000.
The E-Type, which was a Personal Export later delivered near-new to Australia, was also sold above its high estimate, making $164,000 -- indicative of soaring interest worldwide in these iconic Jaguar sports models.
Other sales included:
• 1929 Rolls-Royce 20/25 fitted with striking two-door coupe bodywork by local coachbuilder Martin & King sold on estimate for $101,726
• beautiful American-delivered 1957 Jaguar XK150 Drophead Coupe restored and converted to right-hand-drive in Australia during 2000-2005, brought $91,346
• fully restored 1970 Mark II Morris Mini Cooper S believed to be one of approximately 1000 cars supplied to the New South Wales Police Force sold for $50,863, indicating the rising collectible value of these Australian-built Cooper S vehicles
• well-preserved, one-owner, Canberra-delivered 1970 HG GTS Monaro 253 V8 with 243,000km (believed genuine) on its odometer sold with "no reserve" for $72,600
• A 1968 Triumph TR5 Overdrive model with the optional "Surrey Top" offered with 'no reserve' sold on estimate for $58,132.