• Driver level Mercedes-Benz 190SL sells for $161,500
  • NSW number plate '280' brings $220,000
  • 1969 Velocette 500cc Sportsman brings an outstanding $39,500
  • Excellent 97 per cent clearance rate

Shannons Timed Online Auction that closed on June 3 produced a very strong result, with 98 of the 101 lots sold and good prices paid for classic vehicles and Heritage numerical number plates from NSW and Victoria.

Standout vehicle sales included:

  • $164,500 paid after a fierce last-minute duel between two determined enthusiasts for an Australian-spec driver level 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0 coupe coming from long-term ownership;
  • $161,500 given for a factory right hand drive 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster that had been restored some years ago, but could benefit from further refurbishment today;
  • $99,000 for a comprehensively refurbished Hemi Orange, four-speed manual 1971 Chrysler VH Charger R/T Coupe, believed to be the3rd Charger R/T built and possibly the earliest surviving example in Australia;
  • $92,000 after 32 bids for an exceptional, left-hand-drive 1965 Chevrolet Corvette 327/350HP Convertible.

Following the official completion of the auction, the 1957 Porsche 356 A 'improved coupe' sold in its $170,000-$190,000 guiding range, while the 1976 Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 Coupe also found a new enthusiastic owner.

 Amongst the 21 black and white Heritage number plates on offer, the top seller was the New South Wales triple digit plate '280', which attracted the auction's top 80 bids before selling for $220,000. The Victorian triple-digit plate '474' receive 58 bids before selling for $145,500.

The top-selling four-digit Heritage plate was NSW '2.360' at $92,000, while the top Victorian four-digit plate was '1.717' for $83,000 and the best five-digit result was the VIC plate '77.888' at $71,500.

Restored former working vehicles produced some of the outstanding results of the online auction, with a wonderfully original 1949 Ford V8 'Single Spinner' Ute attracting 38 bids before bringing $45,000; a freshly restored 1960 Holden FB Ute sold for $43,000 after 20 bids and a 1970 Holden HG Belmont Panel Van offered with 'no reserve' sold for $23,000 after 39 bids.

'Project' vehicles were also very popular with online bidders, with a 1955 MG TF 1500 selling for $40,500 after 42 bids, while a rare 1958  MGA 1500 Fixed Head Coupe similarly offered with 'no reserve' brought $27,500.

Meanwhile, a very attractive 1936 SS 1½ Litre Saloon that came to auction requiring interior completion, sold with 'no reserve' for $18,500; a 1948 Jaguar MKIV 1½ Litre Saloon with a Jaguar Heritage Certificate that could be further improved brought $25,000 and a 1950 Jaguar MKV 'Modified' Saloon professionally re-powered with a rebuilt Holden 3.3 litre in-line six-cylinder engine and matching four speed manual transmission, sold for $20,500.

At the other end of the Jaguar price scale, a fabulous Special Equipment XK120 Roadster sold above its pre-auction estimate for $151,000, while a rare, lovely,  Australian-delivered 1956 XK140 Fixed Head Coupe went for $125,000.

Other classics to punch well above their weight in the online auction included a left hand drive 1972 Plymouth Barracuda Coupe that sold for an excellent $53,351 after a furious last-minute bidding duel, while a beautifully-restored 1970 Mini K1100 sold for $29,000 after a similar flurry of late bidding.

The six classic motorcycles in the auction were in high demand, with a 1969 Velocette 500cc Sportsman selling for an outstanding $39,500, while a 1960 Harley-Davidson FL Duo Glide attracted 50 bids before selling for $38,500.

Following the success of the sale and with restrictions on large indoor gatherings still in place, the auction team is now preparing and sourcing entries for another Shannons Timed Online Auction, which will be running for a week this time from Wednesday 19 - 26 August, with lot details to be announced soon.

For the results of Shannons Timed Online Auction lots, visit www.shannons.com.au  For further information, contact the Melbourne or Sydney auction teams on 13 4646 (Option 6), or by email on auctions@shannons.com.au

Alternatively, contact the Shannons Auction Team directly:

Melbourne: (03) 8588 0809 (main auction number)
Or, Christophe (03) 7025 4974; David (03) 7025 4983; 'Tiny' Rodney (03) 7025 4977; Ryan (03) 7025 4984, or Lisa (03) 7025 4971.

Sydney: (02) 8019 4119 (main auction number)
Or, Damien (02) 7911 6012; Stuart (02) 7911 6009, or John (02) 7911 6005.