• Top vehicle price was $244,500 for restored Mercedes-Benz 190SL
  • 'Project' Porsche 356A Cabriolet sells well above reserve for $230,000
  • High demand for NSW & Vic numerical number plates continues

Shannons first 2021 online auction that closed on February 23 produced a spectacular result, with $10.7 million in total sales and an impressive 97 per cent clearance rate.

Amongst the many auction highlights:

  • A Melbourne-delivered 1958 Porsche 356A Cabriolet in 'project' condition sold to a collector for $230,000 after torrid bidding – $110,000 above its pre-auction high estimate. The successful bidder at this stage plans to restore the car back to its original condition.
  • An Australian-delivered 1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster with a factory hardtop sold after 39 bids for a world-class price of $244,500;
  • A stunning, restored 1969 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 litre Series 2 Coupe achieved an Australian auction record $244,000;
  • A unique, Australian custom-built Mercedes-Benz 300SE coupe equipped with a 6.3 litre V8 engine sold for $200,000;
  • A substantially-original and unrestored 1971 Ford XY Fairmont 351 'K-Code' sedan finished in distinctive 'Yellow Glow' offered with 'no reserve' sold above its high estimate for $131,000 after solid interest, while a XY 'K-Code' GS sedan that was mechanically refurbished but cosmetically unrestored, $105,750;
  • A very original and very low kilometre 1977 Honda Accord 'manual' coupe that was expected to sell with 'no reserve' for $5,000-$8,000 attracted 88 bids before selling for an astonishing $36,250, many times its new price;
  • An attention-grabbing American-built early Mercedes-Benz 500K replica roadster fitted with a 1969 Ford 302CID V8 engine, sold with 'no reserve' for $78,000;
  • A restored and rare-in-Australia 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth hatchback sold for an excellent $116,800
  • A very clean 1936 Bentley 4¼ Litre 'Barker' Saloon sold above expectation for $115,000;
  • A restored, right hand drive 1969 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible, made an excellent $62,000;
  • A beautiful, right hand drive 1969 Ford Mustang 351 Convertible easily topped its pre-auction high estimate to sell with 'no reserve' after 96 bids for $90,000;
  • 'Project' cars – those requiring further work to complete or restore – all performed well in the auction, led by the Porsche 356A. Another early Porsche – a 'no reserve' 1968 four cylinder 912 coupe in need of some cosmetics – brought $43,000, while a 1966 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III BJ8 restoration project in need of completion, also sold with 'no reserve' for $40,621.

The 21 motorcycles and two Vespa scooters all performed well, with the top seller being a restored 1929  Model J V-Twin 1,000cc Harley-Davidson that sold for $64,000.

Other notable two-wheeler sales were a 1928 BMW R62 750cc solo, that made $40,000; a 1952 Triumph Thunderbird 650cc with a matching classic sidecar ($25,053), while a 1961 Vespa Piaggio 150cc scooter made $15,600.

The top prices paid for the 47 numerical Victorian and New South Wales number plates in the auction included $230,000 paid for the NSW heritage plate '373', followed closely by the 'Porsche' NSW plate '964' ($223,000). Both plates attracted more than 100 bids apiece.

The top-selling four-digit plate was NSW '1228' ($153,800), while the prized five-digit consecutive numbers NSW plate '54321' sold for $100,500.

Commenting on the excellent result, Shannons National Auctions and External Relations Manager, Christophe Boribon, said interest in the collector market and heritage number plates had remained strong in the past 12 months as people reappraised their priorities.

"We are seeing record demand, resulting in positive prices and strong clearance rates achieved at our timed online auctions," he said.

To view all auction results and progressive bidding, visit www.shannons.com.au

To talk to a Shannons Auction Team member, call the 13 46 46, Option 6 (Auctions).