'Little Italy' Lines Up For Shannons Auction

MELBOURNE – January 31, 2011: Lovers of small things Italian have already shown big interest in Shannons Melbourne autumn Classic auction on Monday March 7 where a line up of iconic mini cars and scooters is going under the hammer with no reserve prices.

Fiat 500 fanciers have a choice of two nicely restored examples, a rare, black with red trim and collectible 1960 ‘suicide door’ 500D Nuova and an equally charming red with black trim 1969 500F model.

Both are powered by Fiat’s legendary 500cc two cylinder engine and have four-speed manual gearboxes with the earlier car expected to sell in the $9,000-$12,000 range and the 500F likely to realise around $8000-$10,000.

Also with no reserve in the auction is a pair of 1950s Vespa 150cc scooters – both with the sought-after factory 10-inch wheels – a red 1955 model ‘project’ in need of restoration ($1,500-$3,000) and a restored silver 1959 GS model ($5,000-$8,000).

And for something different, there’s a rare restored 1958 Vespa Ape three-wheeler that’s expected to sell in the $6,000-$10,000 range.

But if you are looking for something even smaller, Shannons also have a replica vintage pedal car ¬¬– again unreserved – that is expected to sell for $2,000-$2,500.