Classic right-hand drive Jaguar achieves $128,000 at auction

Bidders spend big coin on Aussie and European classics at Shannons Late Autumn Auction in Sydney.

This Australian-delivered Jaguar XK120 sold for $128,000 at Shannons Sydney Late Autumn Classic Auction.

SEVERAL bidders pushed the price of a rare right-hand drive 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster to $128,000 at auction this week.

The Jag had been stored unused in a Sydney garage for about 30 years, but found a new owner at the Shannons Late Autumn Auction in Sydney.

One of just 192 steel-bodied examples delivered in Australia topped the money paid for two later-model Jaguar E-Type Coupes - an Australian-delivered, two-owner-from-new and low mileage 1971 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series 2 Coupe in need of cosmetic attention that brought $65,000 and a factory right-hand drive 1972 Jaguar E-Type V12 coming from long-term ownership that sold for $50,000.

Shannons national auction manager Christophe Boribon said the XK120's price reflected growing world values of early XK models, which he said are now achieving their rightful recognition alongside contemporary Aston Martin and Ferrari models.

The sale was one of the highlights of Shannons first auction held in conjunction with the Hot Rod & Custom Auto Expo, when 80 lots including 37 items of automobilia went under the hammer at Sydney's Rosehill Racecourse.

The best-selling lot once again came from rare number plates. The New South Wales black and white numerical number plate '201' brought $222,000 after strong floor, phone and online bidding, while another enthusiast snapped up the '1943' birth-year plate for $102,000.

Australian muscle cars performed strongly at Shannons Sydney Late Autumn Classic Auction on Sunday, May 27, with this 'Barbados Green' 1974 Holden HQ Monaro GTS 253 sedan with four-speed manual gearbox going for $55,500.

Classic Australian muscle cars performed well with a 1983 Holden HDT VH Commodore SS Group 3 sedan showing less than 100,000km on its odometer sold for $65,000; a 1971 LC Torana GTR painted in eye-catching 'Yellow Dolly' achieved $60,000; a 'Barbados Green' 1974 Holden HQ Monaro GTS 253 sedan with four-speed manual gearbox went for $55,500, while a 1976 LX Torana V8 Hatchback upgraded with 308-cid running gear made $45,000.

Two other classic Holdens - a restored and mechanically-upgraded 1954 FJ Special Sedan and a 1972 HQ SS 253 V8 sedan both brought $34,000.

The auction's charity lot, a striking, 'Lettuce Alone' 1979 Holden HZ Ute rebuilt with a Holden 308-cid motor by five local Hunter Valley boys aged 15-17, sold well above estimate for $35,500, with proceeds from the sale going back to the Cessnock PCYC to fund future Project Rebuild schemes.

Another highlight was a 1989 Robnell 'Cobra-replica' Roadster fitted with a stroker 472-cid V8 that went for $76,000.

This stunning low-kilometre 1986 M635 CSi sold for $100,000 at Shannons Sydney Late Autumn Classic Auction on Sunday, May 27.

European sporting vehicles also performed well, with two high-performance BMW coupes, a low-kilometre 1986 M635 CSi and a rare 2003 M3 E46 - one of just 27 sold in Australia - selling for $100,000 and $120,000 respectively.

A pair of Mercedes-Benz SL models also performed well, with a 1996 SL500 making an excellent $35,500 and a 1987 560SL selling for $38,000. A rare 1973 Volvo P1800ES also went for $38,000 and a 1963 BMW Isetta made an excellent $37,250 after strong bidding.

Among the British classics, an Australian-assembled and superbly-restored 1970 Mini Cooper S MkII sold for $50,000 and a 1974 MG TF 1250 went for $35,000.

This rare 1973 Volvo P1800ES sold for $38,000.

Classic American Fords also performed well, with a 1957, left-hand-drive Thunderbird Convertible selling for $58,000, a1965 right-hand drive Mustang convertible bringing $41,000 and a huge, right-hand drive 1959 Ford Fairlane Galaxie 2-Door Hardtop sedan going for $31,000.

Finally, children and collectors also left the auction pleased, with a c1950s Austin J40 Pedal Car selling for $4,600, a Ford Model T powered by a 3.5HP Briggs & Stratton Petrol Engine going for $3,100 and a c1940s Cyclops Tricycle with Sidecar smashing is pre-auction estimate to sell after heated bidding for $2100.

This funky 1963 BMW Isetta 300 microcar sold for $37,250 after strong bidding.

Originally published as Classic right-hand drive Jaguar achieves $128,000 at auction