It's 'Australia Day' at Shannons

SYDNEY – Jan 17, 2012: It will still be ‘Australia Day’ on February 20 at Shannons, with nine home-grown classics – including five of ‘Australia’s Own’ Holdens – assembled for the upcoming Sydney Summer Auction.

Heading GM-H quintet is a stunning 1957 FE Special Sedan with a beautifully-restored body finished in Shoreline Beige, a wonderfully-original Moroccan Tan and Egret Ivory two-tone interior and featuring many rare period extras that is expected to sell in the $18,000-$24,000 range.

Introduced in July 1956 and produced for just two years, the FE was a radical departure from the rounded styling of its FX/FJ forerunners featuring such modernities as a one-piece curved windscreen, 12-volt electrics, a key-operated starter and pendant clutch and brake pedals. Wow.

Equally desirable for classic Holden enthusiasts is the two-tone Ivory over Saltbush Green 1964 EH Special Sedan presented in very original, unrestored condition. Fitted with the 149-cid ‘red’ motor and three-speed manual transmission, the EH has a guiding range of $20,000-$25,000.

Muscle car enthusiasts will be drawn to the ivory and black 1976 LX Torana SL/R 5000 four door sedan that is being offered for sale with no reserve.

Although the SL/R is not fitted with its original engine, it is expected to sell in the $25,000-$30,000 price bracket.

Other interesting Holdens include a substantially customised metallic green 1955 FJ Holden that features a fully-engineered VN Commodore V6 engine and automatic transmission conversion ($14,000-$18,000) and a rare 1962 EK Special Station Wagon offered with no reserve ($8,000-$12,000).

Ford enthusiasts have the opportunity to acquire a nicely-presented and very original Polar White 1968 Falcon XT GT sedan – one of just 317 fitted with the optional three-speed automatic transmission. Shannons are quoting a guiding range of $35,000-$45,000 for this increasingly hard to find and collectable model.

Other interesting Australian Fords in the auction include a largely original 1969 Falcon XW Sedan fitted with the model’s base 221-cid six cylinder engine and three speed manual transmission ($10,000-$15,000) and a two-owner and very original 1970 ZD Fairlane ‘K’ Code 351-cid V8 T-bar automatic sedan that has covered 128,687 miles from new ($24,000-$30,000).

Finally, Chrysler enthusiasts have the chance to acquire a rare 1966 Valiant VC Wayfarer Utility that has been tastefully upgraded, both mechanically and cosmetically, including the fitting of a rare 273-cid V8 engine and three-speed automatic transmission.

The vehicle’s odometer shows just 59,323 miles, which the vendor believes to be genuine and Shannons are quoting a guiding range of $18,000-$24,000.