| Number plate and automobilia collectors were well | | | | customised 1958 DeSoto Fireflite four-door |
| satisfied at Shannons Melbourne Classic Auction on | | | | pillarless sedan - sold on estimate for $50,000. |
| August 16, driving total sales of nearly $800,000, | | | | Other notable vehicle sales included $28,000 for a |
| with nearly 80 per cent of all lots sold on the | | | | 1972 Holden HQ SS sedan with less than 90,000 |
| night. | | | | miles on its odometer, $24,000 for a tidy, |
| Classic Number Plates | | | | two-owner 1957 Bentley S1 Saloon offered with |
| Ten special Victorian Heritage enamel number | | | | no reserve, while a 1960 replica of a 1903 De |
| plates - including five prized three-digit plates - | | | | Dion/Torbensen 2-Seater Runabout brought |
| found new homes, with the 'fastest' money going | | | | $18,000. |
| on two plates with special Ferrari significance. | | | | Meanwhile a HK Holden Kingswood that in Bob |
| The right to display the plate '599' - associated | | | | Watson's hands won the 1968 Victorian Rally |
| with Ferrari's latest 599 GTB Fiorano V12 | | | | Championship, sold after the hammer for $25,000. |
| front-engined flagship - sold for $94,000, while | | | | Next Auction - Partnership with Motorclassica - |
| '412', which relates to Ferrari's four-seater Grand | | | | October |
| Tourer of the mid-1980s, went for $65,000. | | | | Enthusiasts are now looking forward to the next |
| In contrast, the numerically-earlier and normally | | | | big Shannons auction, which will be staged at the |
| more desirable plate '329' made $55,000, as did | | | | inaugural Motorclassica event- the Australian |
| '955', while '773' went for $51,000. | | | | International Concours d'Elegance and Classic |
| Four and five-digit Heritage plates also did well, | | | | Motor Show - at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition |
| with '1.777' selling for $23,500, while '80.000' made | | | | Building from 22 to 24 October. |
| $20,000 and '20.999' sold for $15,000. | | | | Selected as the auction partner of Motorclassica, |
| Retro Enamel Garage Signs | | | | Shannons will conduct the event's high-profile |
| Automobilia remained in high demand amongst the | | | | classic sale of rare and special vehicles and are |
| crowd of around 400 that braved Melbourne's | | | | currently accepting entries, which are due to close |
| wintry weather to attend the sale, with many | | | | mid-September. |
| period enamel garage signs exceeding their top | | | | Shannons National Auction Manager Christophe |
| estimates. | | | | Boribon said Australia had not seen an event of |
| Highlights included a 6ft. tall Dunlop Tyres | | | | the calibre of Motorclassica for many years. |
| embossed vertical sign that almost doubled its | | | | "This is a unique event themed on the style of |
| high estimate at $2,200, while a similar vertical | | | | Retromobile and Pebble Beach, with an Australian |
| Ampol enamel sign and a large Vacuum Agent | | | | twist," he said. "It is attracting enormous interest |
| wall sign each made well above pre-sale | | | | from both local and international visitors." |
| expectations at $1,400. | | | | Features International Classic Vehicles |
| Original Petrol Pumps | | | | Shannons has already commissioned several |
| Original petrol pumps continued to do well, with a | | | | special vehicles with high international worth for |
| restored 1940s Gilbarco electric pump in Shell | | | | the auction, including a genuine low mileage early |
| livery selling with no reserve for $4,300, while a | | | | Shelby GT350 (Mustang). |
| similar period Gilbarco electric 'Clockface' pump in | | | | The Shelby will be one of 40 vehicles and around |
| Golden Fleece colours made $4,100 and a 1920s | | | | 30 items of exclusive memorabilia in the Shannons |
| ERL manual pump in Texaco colours went for | | | | Collectors' Auction at Motorclassica. All lots will be |
| $2,500. | | | | on display in the Royal Exhibition Building |
| Classic Cars And Motorbikes | | | | throughout the Motorclassica weekend, with the |
| Of the 43 classic car and motorcycle lots in the | | | | auction held at 2.30pm on Sunday October 24. |
| sale, a 1985 Holden VK Group A SS ' Brock' | | | | For further auction information, contact: |
| Commodore described by Shannons as "a very | | | | Christophe, Greg or Rodney on (03) 8588 0809, |
| good example" selling above its guiding range for | | | | or 13 4646 (Extension 4). |
| $63,500, while the auction's cover car - a stunning, | | | | |