Strong early bidding, particularly for highlight vehicles and New South Wales Heritage numberplates, has been a feature of Shannons current timed, online Summer Auction that concludes tomorrow evening, February 28, with over 85 per cent of lots receiving bids. over 85% of all lots already receiving bids.

Rather than pounce at the last minute, keen buyers have already signalled their intention about many of the notable Classics, placing many 'on the market' after exceeding their reserve prices.

In notable bidding to date:

Number plates
Early New South Wales number plates have been in particularly solid demand, with total bidding to date of more than $6 million and attracting offers within their upper guiding range, while of the Victorian Heritage numerical plates, 10 of the 18 listed are within the range. Of the  four rare Queensland numerical plates, Q-74 has already seen a bid of $500,000.

Motorcycles
Of the 47 motorcycles, outfits and scooters, the top bid so far has been $40,000 for a four cylinder Kawasaki Z1A 900 that has covered zero kilometres since its total restoration.

Classic cars
The top money so far bid for one of the 138 Classic vehicles in the auction is $291,000 for a XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III sedan finished in the model's hero colour of Vermillion Fire, followed by $205,000 for a restored and ex-concours 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 coupe, $205,000 for a 1980 Aston Martin V8 Volante Convertible and $200,000 each for two Porsche 911s – a magnificently restored 1981 911SC coupe and a 1990 Type 964 Carrera 4 Coupe in similar restored condition.

Other notable bids so far are:

• $151,000 for a stunning 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 fuel injected convertible that is expected to sell for $155,000-$165,000;
• $98,000 for a faithfully-executed 1971 Ford XY Falcon 'GT-HO Phase 3 Replica' Sedan;

A very strong $61,000 has been offered for a two-owner 1971 Chrysler VG Valiant 245 Pacer that has had a documented $55,000 spent on its body restoration alone;

• A 1980 Leyland Mini Moke Californian that has emerged 'as new' from a bare metal restoration has attracted 15 bids topped by $37,500 – the same so far offered for  a superbly-restored and Australian-built 1970 Morris Cooper S MkII;
• $93,000 has been bid for a 2000 model right hand drive Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster.

Shannons timed online summer auction  continues until tomorrow evening, February 28, from 6pm AEDT.

To view all auction lots, visit www.shannons.com.au To talk to a Shannons Auction Team member directly, call the 1300 078 500.