Chevrolets, Jaguars, Fords + more - Auction Action

By: UC Staff

Date: 24.07.2024

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

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop

1955 CHEVROLET BEL AIR HARDTOP

This 1955 Bel air Hardtop replica honours GM's 50 millionth car. It was originally built in late 1954 with the resto completed early January 2024. It has a new repro body and frame and used many of its original parts in the reassembly. It's smothered in 5.5 gallons of Tribute Gold paint and the stainless and chrome parts are plated in 24 carat gold. The dash, steering column and steering wheel are original, from one of the 5000 gold ’55 Bel Airs built to commemorate the 50 millionth milestone.

SOLD - $658,100
Mecum, Lot S243

1968 Jaguar E-TYPE SERIES 1.5

This Series 1.5 E-Type has been with the vendor, a British vehicle enthusiast, for over 10 years. It has undergone a thorough resto at some point and it’s obvious a lot of TLC has been given to this bright red classic with biscuit trim. Period correct in every way including the HMV push-button radio. The chromed wire wheels add to its beauty.

SOLD - $148,000
Donington, Lot 2

1973 ALFA ROMEO GTV 2000

Regarded as Giorgetto Giugiaro's finest design, the 105 series was arguably the best looking Alfa ever, with the 2000 GTV the last of the series. This example had a recent comprehensive resto costing £25,000 and is painted in the rare colour of Rosso Etna, used on the current GTA/GT AM. Originally a Japanese market car, it was imported to the UK in 2017. 

SOLD - $82,240
Iconic Auctioneers, Lot 204

1965 SHELBY GT350 FASTBACK

This car would’ve got a fair workout in its early days, as it was the Ford PR car given to journos to road and track test. It’s one of 562 Shelby GT350s produced in 1965 and has undergone a complete restoration. Under the fibreglass bonnet is a K-code 289ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual. It’s finished in Wimbledon White. The 1965 GT350 has no rear seat as per race rules. In its place is a fiberglass floor with a spare tyre mounted beneath the rear window.

SOLD - $749,760
Mecum, Lot F147

1955 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C1

The 1955 Roadster here is a NCRS Top Flight award winner and underwent a complete resto in 2021. It has been driven 100 miles since. 1955 was significant for the Corvette, being the first time a V8 was offered. This one has a matching numbers 265ci mated to a two-speed Powerglide auto and is one of 700 Corvettes produced for 1955. An estimate hasn’t yet been posted, but start saving!

ON THE BLOCK
Mecum, Lot R821

2005 Ford GT

This Ford GT once sat in the shed of musician Kid Rock. With a mere 2110 miles on the clock it's one of 669 built in the red with the white stripes combo in 2005. It’s fully optioned and behind the passenger compartment sits a supercharged DOHC 5.4lt 550 HP, aluminium V8 mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. 0-100 km/h is done in 3.5 seconds and its top speed is 330km/h. It is up for grabs with a Ford GT poster signed by designer Camilo Pardo. So far nobody has put down enough to own it. 

NO SALE - PASSED IN 
Mecum Indy Auction

1927 LANCIA LAMBDA SEVENTH SERIES TORPEDO

This Seventh Series Lancia Lambda has the original 2370cc Tipo 78, number 7256 engine, and other major components (including gearbox 4070 and differential 7377), making it one of the more original survivors. The Series 216 body is also original to the car. It spent its early life in Queensland before moving to Sydney and undergoing a complete resto. It’s finished in Brewster Green with dark brown leather upholstery. 

SOLD - $170,000
Donington, Lot 18

1980 FORD ESCORT RS2000 CUSTOM

Everyone wanted one of these in the early 1980s. This matching numbers, three-owner car is finished in Signal Red with a chocolate brown interior. It underwent a resto taking 25 years, including many spent in a sealed, dehumidified workshop. It has Recaro pews, 7-inch Ronal alloys, the signature droop snout front and rear spoiler. Upgrades include a five-speed gearbox, Bilstein rear shocks. It has NOS Capri 2.8i struts with vented discs and bigger calipers.

SOLD - $75,900
Iconic Autioneers, Lot 207

1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

This bright blue metallic Corvette was built for GM Styling boss Bill Mitchell. He was responsible for 1963-67 Corvette Sting Rays and the 1963-65 Buick Riviera, which he claims was his career highlight. Powering Mitchell’s Vette is a 327 V8, built in-house by GM Styling to 365hp specs. The engine has special Corvette finned valve covers, chrome ignition shielding, chrome air cleaner and a chrome fan. It has a three-speed Hydramatic and four-wheel discs.

SOLD - $493,180
Mecum, Lot T209

1985 MG METRO 6R4 'GROUP B' EX-WORKS

ThE MG METRO 6R4 was never going to win a beauty award, but it did sell for a record price. This ‘works’ 6R4 with chassis 207 was built for the Group B rally era and is one of nine. It competed in two events – its debut was the Monte Carlo rally, driven by Tony Pond. The 6R4 is all-wheel drive, has a turbocharged 410hp engine and is made of composite materials and built to ultimate tarmac specifications. A genuine rallying artefact.

SOLD - $820,300
Iconic Auctioneers, Lot 254

2018 Holdon Commodore RS

ORIGINALLY OWNED by Triple 8 Racing, whose drivers include Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Shane Van Gisbergen. It was wrapped to look like the Red Bull racers and used as the team promo car. It sports V8 Supercar race wheels, a body kit and lowered stance. It has half the cylinders of the Supercar but does have a turbo and a nine-speed auto. it sold with owner’s pack, stamped service book and supporting invoices.

SOLD - $18,888
Collecting Cars

1969 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 429

FOR Ford fans, nothing beats the Boss 429 Mustang in the 1969 body, hence the extraordinary price this one achieved at auction. The Boss 429 engine was built for one purpose: NASCAR. Numbered KK2029 it’s one of 859 built in 1969 and underwent a three-year comprehensive resto. Finished in signature Candy Apple Red exterior with black vinyl interior it sold with a Deluxe Marti report, the original build sheets and resto receipts. 

SOLD - $416,500
Mecum, Lot F223

1983 BMW 323I E21 COUPE

This BMW 323i has the biggest six-cylinder engine in the 3 Series in Australia and connected to a five-speed manual. Finished in the original Alpine White colour with Mocca cloth interior, the books confirm it sold early 1983 and now shows just 115,212 kms on the odo. It was owned by Sydney collector for several years and it has received regular maintenance. More than $14,000 was spent on a major service in August 2023. 

SOLD - $34,000
Donington, Lot 19

1951 ALFA ROMEO 6C-2500 SPORT BERLINA GT

Only 200 Berlinetta 6C 2500 Sport were made and just 20 survive today. This one was in the one family for 69 years and the resto project has been ongoing since 1983. Originally sold in Milan in 1951, it came to Australia and owned by a doctor. On his passing his wife took it over. In 1973 it had an engine bearing failure and it went into storage. The couple’s son took on the project, which hasn’t been completed. A big resto job but well worth it.  

SOLD - $120,000
Donington, Lot 53

1988 AUDI QUATTRO 

ThE Quattro is where the whole all-wheel drive phenomenon really took off for Audi. It re-wrote the rules for rallying and was an automotive pioneer. This rare, one-owner second-generation MB example shows 49,960 miles from new (613 miles in the past 24 years). It’s powered by a 2.2lt turbocharged, 10-valve, five-cylinder engine, a five-speed manual and a Torsen torque-sensing differential. It also sports uprated brakes with twin-piston callipers.

SOLD - $73,000
Iconic Autioneers, Lot 215

1986 TOYOTA CELICA GT4

This rally-derived coupe has a few minor mods and sold with a professional inspection report from 2022 labelling it an "excellent original example". Four-wheel drive with a turbo 2lt four and five-speed manual, they rarely come up for grabs. This one has been with the vendor for three years and travelled 148,267 kilometres from new.

SOLD - $13,333
Collecting Cars

1975 JAGUAR XJ6C COUPE

A few years ago you couldn’t give these away despite their beauty, being a limited-edition model and also hand-built. It’s also the last car Sir William Lyons designed before retiring. The pillarless two-door was plugged as the 'Corporate Sports Car' in its advertising. Garaged since new, this silver grey with blue leather trim Series II coupe, has the silky smooth 4.2lt DOHC straight-six engine and three-speed auto combo.

SOLD - $65,200
Hemmings Auctions

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