Mercedes', Sunbeams, Chevrolets + more - Auction Action

By: Mark Higgins

Date: 27.08.2024

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

1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II

1990 MERCEDES-BENZ 190E 2.5-16 EVOLUTION II

The 190E Evo II was Mercedes’ entry in touring-car competition. This is build number 211 of 502 and has a fettled 2.5lt Cosworth inline-four Benz motor, paired with a dogleg five-speed manual transmission. The stunning exterior with its outrageous adjustable rear wing is finished in Blue Black Metallic. It runs the AMG Power Pack, a limited-slip diff, self-leveling suspension, and 17-inch Evo II alloy wheels and shows 95,000km on the clock.

SOLD: $486,000 - Bring a Trailer

2010 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT8

In the past decade Australians could get their mitts on a Mustang or a Camaro but not a Dodge Challenger. What a shame as it would’ve recreated the Aussie muscle-car scene of the ’70s with the big three. This lavishly equipped SRT8 has covered just 12,906 miles. Matching its American rivals in the grunt department, this one runs a 6.1lt V8 and six-speed manual combo, along with discs all ’round and big alloy wheels. 

SOLD: $49,700 - Mecum Tulsa, Lot S255

1974 VOLKSWAGEN WESTFALIA

This 1974 four-berth Westfalia pop-top with a 1.6-litre engine and four-speed manual is believed to have spent some if its time here, before being shipped back to the Old Dart. A factory right-hand drive, it has had a respray in its original orange. Inside is a rock-and-roll bed, an overhead double bed, gas hook-up, sink, hob, storage cupboard, wardrobe, swing-out table, stool, opening side louvres and external electric hook-up. These are a rare find.

SOLD: $17,640 - Brightwells, Lot 4

1965 SUNBEAM TIGER

'Missed by that much' was one of Maxwell Smart’s favourite sayings in the TV comedy series Get Smart and he drove a 1965 Sunbeam Tiger in the show’s opening. The Sunbeam is another Carroll Shelby American V8 powered, British sports car. This one is painted Forest Green with a black leather interior. Its recognised by The Rootes Archive Centre Trust and offered with certificate and sold with workshop manuals, 1965-issued ‘buff’ logbook, spare wheel and tool roll.  

SOLD: $126,560 - RM Sothebys, Lot 2

1964 CHEVROLET BEL AIR SEDAN 283

In the sixties Chev sent out numerous models in CKD form for assembly in Australia. This ’64 Bel Air has been in the one family since it was put together at the GM-H plant in Dandenong. Bought new in Tassie, it has had some restorations during its 60-year journey. The refreshed white paintwork is showing its age and there are spots of rust around the rear window, but it’s in fine fettle and largely all original. Under the acreage of bonnet is a 283ci V8 engine hooked up to a Powerglide automatic transmission.

ON THE BLOCK: Estimate $22,000-$28,000 - Donington Collector Car & Number Plate Auction Lot 101

1970 CHEVRON B16

This Chevron was built for the highly competitive, ’70s sports-car era, but ended up as the test car for the marque. It remained with Chevron until the late 1980s and after a complete restoration, popped up in the USA historic racing scene in 2013. Under the fibreglass body is a mid-mounted 2lt Ford Cosworth four, hooked to a Hewland FG400 five-speed manual transaxle. It sold with a raft of spare parts, documentation and invoices back to the 1980s and logbooks. 

SOLD: $268,100 - Bring a Trailer

1965 FORD MUSTANG GT

Here we have a desirable factory K-code Mustang GT coupe, with a high-performance 289 V8 paired to a four-speed manual gearbox. Painted two-tone blue with an ivory interior, it has the optional Rally Pack with front discs, fog lights factory-style chrome wheels and redline tyres.
It sold with its factory radio and standard-spec intake manifold. 

SOLD: $66,800 - Mecum Tulsa Lot S204

1995 TVR CHIMAERA 4.0

TVR launched the Chimaera at the 1992 Earls Court Motor Show. It's powered by a Rover V8 mated to a 5-speed gearbox. A four-owner car in Metallic Masala Pink with grey leather interior, it has travelled 42,226 miles and been with one long-term keeper for 18 years. Always garaged and covered, it had a body-off refurb five years ago. In honest condition, it went with the original TVR service manual and handbook, and comprehensive history file.

SOLD: $14,140 - Iconic Auctions Lot 20018

2007 BMW (E92) M3

The M3 is one of the Bavarian marque’s successful motor-sport achievements, and the road-going versions are highly desirable. The E92 version with its 310kW 4.0lt V8 engine and six-speed manual gearbox combo is one of the best. A two-owner car, this Silverstone Silver with black-leather interior has been well maintained and looking at it, it’s hard to believe it has done almost 191,000km. The E92 epitomises the brand’s ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ tagline. 

SOLD: $34,000 - Trading Garage

1993 MERCEDES-BENZ 320CE CONVERTIBLE

The brilliant W124 Series was the last of the bank-vault Benzes. This 320CE convertible is an Australian-delivered example with a 3.2lt inline-six, the odo showing 184,585km. The Bruno Sacco designed W124 defines its 1980s birth and still drives brilliantly. They are sought after by those who know. Painted dark blue with a blue soft-top, the cabin exudes luxury with grey trim and woodgrain trim inserts.

SOLD: $30,500 - Trading Garage Lot 254

1970 CHEVROLET NOVA SS

Another American muscle car, this one from the start of the seventh decade. Featuring white with black trim and a small-block 400ci with aluminium heads and an auto gearbox, its grunt will sure grab your attention. The suspension has also been reworked and now has tubular upper and lower control arms. The disc-brake front end with a Wildwood master cylinder will pull you up, and giving it a mean sound is the custom dual exhaust.

SOLD: $52,140 - Mecum Tulsa Lot S236

1967 PONTIAC GTO HARDTOP

The Pontiac GTO is recognised as the birth of the muscle-car revolution. A matching-numbers drivetrain with a 360hp V8, and dealer fitted Tri-Power auto which was no longer a 1967 factory option. Its interior and steering wheel are original and it has a factory tacho, Delco pushbutton AM radio and air-con, power steering and power brakes. A Hurst shifter,  bucket seats, PMD Rally wheels with Cooper Cobra tyres complete the look.

SOLD: $81,475 - Mecum Tulsa Lot S122

1968 RENAULT 10 - R8 GORDINI TRIBUTE

Bob Watson won the Australia Rally Championship in one of these. A French motor-sport classic, this boxy R8 Gordini tribute has had a resto and many modifications. It has a rear-mounted 1.6lt four fed by a pair of Weber 45 DCOE carbs and a four-speed manual ’box. A three-owner car, it’s a talking point at car events and ideal for some gentle and fun competition. 

SOLD: $24,751 - Collecting Cars

1972 FORD FALCON 500 XY 4X4

In the early ’70s Ford built a jacked up XY ute with a 4x4 driveline. Only 432 were made and our own Rob Blackbourn had a hand in the project. This one has had a resto, with fresh paint and its 4.0lt inline-six has had a rebuild. It shows an unverified 68,659 miles. Inside is a brown vinyl-trimmed interior. It sold with an owner’s manual and a letter from the original owner.

SOLD: $61,735 - Collecting Cars

1982 MINI 1275E CONVERTIBLE

Here’s an incredibly rare, Leyland-approved, Mini convertible built for the South African market by local firm, Carvalette. It’s not an aftermarket job, but an official Leyland factory-approved conversion done on new cars. It sold at a price 35 per cent premium above the Mini Clubman 1275E it was based on. It’s unclear how many were made, but only a handful survive. A true collector’s piece.

SOLD: $14,300 - Iconic Auction Lot 20021

1926 SUNBEAM 3.0-LITRE SUPER SPORTS 'TWIN CAM' TOURER

Founded by John Marston in 1899 and based in Wolverhampton (UK), Sunbeam was one of the premier British marques of the period. Only 305 Sunbeam twin-cams were made, between 1925 and 1930, and just around 80 and fewer of the rare Super Sports variant. This project is almost complete and just needs someone to jump in and complete the final details. A lot of work has been done by restoration experts at Historic Vintage Restorations.

ON THE BLOCK: Estimate $70,000-$85,000 - Donington Collector Car & Number Plate Auction

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