• Record prices paid for 2, 3, 4 and 5-digit numerical number plates
  • Total sales of nearly $12.8 million
  • Early Vic number plate '14' sells for $2,270,500
  • Lamborghini Diablo GTR top selling vehicle at $700,500

Auction record prices were paid for collector number plates, motorcycles and classic cars at Shannons Timed Online Auction that closed on May 24.

The standout result was $2,270,500 paid for the early Victorian number plate '14', which last changed hands for $75,000 at the 1988 Shannons Motor Show Auction.

The previous record held for one of the 90 two-digit Victorian Heritage plates in circulation was $1.1m for number 26 at Shannons Autumn Auction in March 2020.

While the '14' plate is currently not in use, photos from 2014 show the unique enamel plate on a burgundy Bentley Arnage saloon.

The record price paid for any Australian number plate  was $2.45 million for NSW number '4'  at a Shannons auction in 2017.

Bidding for the '14' plate opened at $1.7 million, but surged beyond $2 million in the auction's final hour though strong competitive bidding by two enthusiasts , underscoring the continuing value of early Australian number plates as proven investments.

Other number plate highlights included:

• $541,000 paid for the Victorian Heritage plate '690';

• $290,000 for the Victorian Heritage plate '2-012';

• $202,500 for the Q            ueensland numerical plate '202,500'.

Amongst the 131 vehicles on offer, the left hand drive 2000 Lamborghini Diablo GTR race-prepared coupe – the fourth of 30 built to compete in the European Lamborghini GTR Supertrophy series and the winner of Australia's Sandown 500 race in 2002 and the Nations Cup in 2003 and 2004 – sold on expectation for $700,500 after just two bids.

Of the 41 motorcycles, scooters and sidecars in the auction, the clear standout was a superb 1949 Vincent H.R.D Rapide C-Series 1,000cc bike that sold after strong competitive bidding for an auction record $124,000.
Motorcycles and side cars from the Bruce Armfield collection all performed well. As well as the Vincent, a circa-1959 Triumph Tiger T100 'Alloy' model offered with 'no reserve' sold for $14,500, a 2000 model Mini Pocket race bike brought $1,850, while two very stylish German Steib side cars – a black Model S 500 and a burgundy Model S 350 – brought $12,000 and $9,000 respectively.

In other great two-wheel results,  a restored 1983 Ducati 900S2 that had one family owner from new and came to auction with just 2,700km on its odometer, brought $38,000, while a classic 1959 Harley-Davidson brought $36,000 after a protracted bidding duel.

Some of the fiercest bidding was seen for the cars, with the many highlights including:

  • a well-optioned, black 1962 Holden EK Special Sedan that sold for $43,000;
  • a stunning, rare and restored 1957 Morris Minor Styleside Utility that was pursued by enthusiasts before selling for $29,000;
  • a 1984 Holden WB 253 Utility that brought $46,000;
  • a 1958 Messerschmitt KR200 glass-topped three-wheeler offered with 'no reserve' made an excellent $45,000 – $11,000 above its pre-sale high estimate, reflecting the model's growing collectability;
  • a 1972 left hand drive BMW 3.0 CS Coupe sold with 'no reserve' above its guiding range for $82,000;

An impressive result amongst the 4WD vehicles for sale was the outstanding $79,000 commanded by a beautifully-restored 1976 Range Rover 'Suffix D' two-door model, while a restored left hand drive 1943 Willys Jeep sold for $42,000 and a 1986 Toyota Landcruiser FJ62 Station Wagon made $30,000.

Australian muscle car enthusiasts were spoiled for choice, with a restored 1971 Chrysler Valiant VH E37 Charger R/T coupe comfortably exceeding expectations and setting a new Charger auction record when it sold for $200,500.

That price was comfortably clear of the $165,500 paid for a restored, but rebodied 1972 Ford Falcon XA GT Coupe and the $152,000 achieved by a restored 1968 Ford Falcon XR GT Sedan, while a 1973 Holden Torana GT-R XU-1 brought $146,500.

Amongst the smorgasbord of British and European sporting cars on offer, an Australian-delivered 1963 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster went on estimate for $252,000; a 2003 Ferrari 360 F1 Spider sold for $165,500;  an Australian-delivered 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 'Targa' brought $142,000; a 2004 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage 'Anniversary Edition' went for $105,500; a desirable 2008 BMW E92 M3 V8 coupe with a manual gearbox brought $67,655; a 2002 Maserati Spyder Cambiocorsa convertible made $63,500 and a Porsche Type 996 Carrera 4 Cabriolet sold for $55,000.

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