A bumper week of auctions saw plenty of money laid down
Snapshot
- Two major auctions ended this week
- Muscle cars taking in excess of $100,000
- Some bargains still to be had
IT’S been a big week for muscle-car sales in Australia, with several locally built cars selling for well over $100,000.
Queensland’s Seven82Motors wrapped up its June Stock Drop auction this week, which featured a variety of restored and resto-modded Aussie cars.
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A genuine HG GTS Monaro topped the sale-price list, fetching $188,125. The Indy Orange example is a factory 308/four-speed car, though it currently runs a T5 manual. Under the back end is a Salisbury 10-bolt diff and Bathurst-spec tank. It underwent a bare-metal restoration in 2005, where the interior was retrimmed in correct black vinyl.
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Exorbitant pricing of genuine Falcon GTs has led many to seek out quality replicas such as this XW-based tribute, which was taken home for $137,600.
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Though it appears to be a stock GT externally, it’s powered by a 408ci Windsor with forged internals. Backed by a 3900rpm converter, C4 auto and Truetrac nine-inch rear, the package is good for 420hp at the wheels.
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Real-deal Holden Sandmans continue to show desirability, as evidenced by the sale of a non-matching V8 car for $104,275.
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XX7 stampings from Holden’s Brisbane factory confirm the HJ’s authenticity. Though it’s no longer running the matching-numbers 308, the replacement unit was freshened up with a mild cam and 600 Holley carb, backed by the factory-specified M21 four-speed.
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This windowless HR van also created a bidding frenzy, eventually going under the hammer for a whopping $67,725.
According to Seven82Motors, the van had a full restoration in 2019. It received a warm 186 with an XU-1-spec cam, Yella Terra rockers and a single Holley carb. Though the exterior was given plenty of old-school rake through a set of 15×10 rear Dragways, the interior was left as a factory-look clean slate.
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Iconic American coupes fared well at the auction, including this hot ’69 Charger. The LHD example packs a Six-Pack V8 stroked to 500ci, and sold for $156,950.
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Rivalling the Charger was this right-hook Boss 302 Mustang in Grabber Orange. It retains the matching-numbers 302ci powerplant, backed by a four-speed manual ‘box. A lucky buyer took it home for $166,625.
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A number of auction prices have yet to be announced by Seven82Motors, including that of a stunning Contessa Gold LX Torana SS hatch and an 80s-style XT Falcon ute.
The 2021 Shannons Winter Online Auction also ended this week, providing some equally impressive numbers for muscle old and new.
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An unrestored XW Phase I GTHO finished in Grecian Gold sold for $190,000, falling just short of Shannons’ $210,000 estimate. The quickest Aussie-built muscle car upon release in 1969, this example included a stash of original spare parts from its long-term country owners.
Though values of Phase I GTHOs have appreciated considerably (another car sold for $83,000 at Shannons in 2011), they still represent just a fraction of those commanded by their Phase III successors.
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Hot on the heels of the GTHO was this low-production HSV GTO LE coupe, which sold at $152,000. One of just 100, the 2006- built special edition ran a 297kW LS2 powerplant. This particular car is one of 50 painted in black, with a desirable six-speed manual sending power to the wheels. The V2 Monaro pulled up stumps in 2006 to make way for the new VE Commodore range, making this last-hurrah coupe a true grail item for HSV collectors.
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This ‘barn-find’ HQ SS hit $85,500, again beating Shannons’ $50,000- $60,000 price range. The unrestored, one-owner car shows just 166,000 miles, with its original wheels and 253-cube V8 still in place.
In comparison, a 308ci, four-speed HZ Monaro GTS also in unrestored (though cleaner) condition commanded $80,500.
More affordable was this VC Commodore wagon, packing an entry-level 173ci six and floor-shift manual combo.
