Camaros, Alfa Romeos, Zagatos and more! - Auction Action

By: Mark Higgins

Date: 24.04.2024

The auction world is full of surprises, with ever changing values, along with the occasional bargain. Here are some of the highlights, presented by Donington Auctions

1968 & '69. The first and last l88 Corvettes

Sold: $3.96m

MECUM, Lot U78

A rare pair indeed and offered together as such. The multi award-winning ’67 convertible is the first production Corvette L88 and the only L88 convertible finished in Tuxedo Black. It sold with the Protect-O-Plate, 1968 title, and CCAS affirmation. 

The 1969 Coupe is the last L88 made, December 4, 1969, the final day of production. It sold with the original tank sticker, ownership history, NCRS certificate and judging sheet, and title search back to the original owner. It had undergone a body-off resto and has its matching-numbers 427/430hp V8 with aluminium heads and intake manifold. Finished in Fathom Green with Saddle leather interior, it won the NCRS Topflight award in 2013.

1988 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

Sold: $8440

Barrett Jackson, Lot 6

You get a lot of US muscle car for your money these days. The Camaro IROC-Z was created to support a race series and this one has a 350ci V8 with an auto transmission. Finished in green with a new grey interior, it sports factory T-Tops, 16-inch alloy spoke wheels, power steering, air-con and power windows. It had a bit of body damage but at the price, it’s still good buying.

1991 Alfa Romeo SZ

Sold: $114,250

RM Sotheby’s, Lot 106 

One of 1036 made, this Alfa Romeo SZ coupé has travelled 5836km. When Fiat bought Alfa in the 1980s, it needed a model to get tongues wagging. The Alfa SZ did that. A collaboration between Citroën SM stylist Robert Opron and Antonio Castellana at Centro Stile Fiat and made by Zagato. Most ended up in collections, like this one that sold with a three-piece luggage set.

1990 Citroen 2CV Charleston

Sold: $51,600

Retromobile auction, Lot 1 

This 2CV has travelled a tad over 6000km from new, with the same owner, a Citroen mechanic, for the past 33 years. In original condition and meticulously preserved, it has been used sparingly. It sold with service logbooks, manuals, the full original tool set, jack, crank, grille protection for cold weather and a spare wheel. Under the bonnet, the original twin-cylinder engine runs perfectly. It retains all markings and factory labels.

ON THE BLOCK: 1968 Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato Series 1

Guidng range: $105,000-$115,000

Visit: doningtonauctions.com.au

This rare Australian-delivered Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato Series 1, 1.3S, has a steel body with aluminium bonnet, doors and spare wheel hatch. A five-owner car, one had it for 44 years and from whom it was bought as a barn find. It underwent a two-year resto beginning in 2018 with all the mechanicals recommissioned and the body refinished in its original Rosso Corsa. Inside, the trim today is mostly original in black leatherette, with new black carpets. A period WH Lowe dealer sticker adorns the rear window and there’s even an original registration sticker on the quarter window.

1980 BMW M1

Sold: $865,000

RM Sotheby’s, Lot 127

Built for racing, the M1 was penned by Giugiaro, with a chassis by Dallara and fibreglass body by Trasformazioni Italiana Resine. Fifty-six were built for racing and 399 for road use. This is build number 276 and has been with the vendor since 2010. Factory records confirm that the car retains its matching-numbers 3.5-litre straight-six engine, while the odometer displays just 21,142km.

1993 Cadillac Allante convertible

Sold: $10,100

Barrett Jackson, Lot 13

Launched in the mid-1980s Cadillac offered the Allante as an alternative to Euro soft tops. The body was made in Italy by Pininfarina and shipped to Michigan for attachment to the car by GM. This one has a 4.6lt Northstar V8 and 4T80-E 4-speed auto that replaced the original units at 72,358 miles. Finished in Pearl White over a black leather interior, this one has been owned by one couple for the last 19 years and has been well maintained and always garaged.

1972 Lotus Europa

Sold: $23,251

Collecting Cars

What a steal. The Europa was a stunning example of the marque’s lightweight 1970s sports car. Knee high and mid-engined, this one is powered by a rebuilt version of the more desirable twin-cam inline four and matched to a four-speed manual. It has independent suspension all-round. Arriving here from the USA in 2011, this left hooker stands out in bright yellow with black interior. 

1970 Citroën DS 21e Cabriolet 

Sold: UNDISCLOSED

Retromobile auction, Lot 22

A very rare electronic fuel-injected engine version of Citroen’s flagship DS21. With well-documented history, a comprehensive resto and repainted in its original Swan White over new red-leather trim, this DS 21E is one of 15 built with this engine and hydraulic gearbox combo, considerably boosting performance. It is the most exclusive, high-performance factory cabriolet version available.

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