Shannons Melbourne Summer auction highlights

Shannons is preparing to move plenty of classic cars at its next Melbourne auction on Monday February 19, but we’ve picked out a few that we reckon should get the blood pumping on a lively drive.

1968 Holden HK Monaro GTS 327

Starting with the oldest of our picks, the ’68 Monaro is also the most expensive car offered at the auction. It’s here not because we think it’ll be the sharpest of drivers, but its value and historical significance makes it one worth watching.

If you haven’t quite got the $200K-or-so that Shannons reckons will secure the HK, a ‘74 HQ GTS 308 is also up for auction at a more accessible $60,000 - $75,000 range.

Both are manual, and only likely to get more valuable.

2007 FPV BF Cobra

Staying within the realm of Aussie V8s, this tribute to the classic Cobra badge is a one-owner 12,300km car that shows few signs of use.

Shannons estimates it’ll move along for $45,000 - $55,000, but recent unexpected shifts in the rare muscle car market could mean that turns into far more… or less.

1977 Porsche 930 Turbo

Off to Germany, this classic Stuttgart stormer is expected to be the second-most expensive car at the auction, with a guiding range of $110,000 - $130,000 quoted by Shannons.

Being one of the earliest turbocharged production cars makes is not only desirable, but also significant.

It’s 4-speed manual equipped, and has been living in Australia since 2004. However, it’s been restored and converted to RHD, as well as having 122,000kms on the clock.

1987 BMW E30 M3

The first, and arguable most iconic M3 is soaring in value right now, but you can still pick one up for five digits.

Shannons says $65,000 - $75,000 should be enough for this tidy LHD US-import, but almost 100,000km on the clock suggests it’ll need careful attention under its next owner.

2002 Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG

The rather rare (in Australia, at least) C32 AMG is an example of brains beating brawn – its supercharged 3.2-litre V6 could punt it from 0-100km/h in almost the same time as a VFII Commodore SS.

At an estimated $15,000 - $20,000, it’s also a performance bargain, though a couple of savvy bidders could shoot themselves in the foot by pushing the price up in an effort to score that bargain for themselves.

1996 Subaru Impreza WRX

Moving into Japanese classics, we had to include this tidy first-gen WRX. With one owner for most of its life, and only 23,657 kays showing, it seems like the $22,000 - $26,000 range given by Shannons makes it a steal.

Even better is the fact that it’s unmodified, an unfortunately rare attribute for a ‘90s Japanese classic.

1992 Toyota MR2 Targa

Lastly, and for something a little different, this gen-2 MR2 (or W20 MR2) with 50,432km on the odo should prove to be an unusual track-day racer or mountain-driving targa-top.

With a mid-mounted engine and rear-driven powertrain, the one-owner car should prove a unique driving experience for even a well-rounded enthusiast. Shannons reckons it’ll go for between $8,000 - $12,000.