Aussie blast from the past at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction
- Restored classic Australian sports car
- ‘No reserve’ MGB and Austin-Healey BJ8
- Highly collectible 1954 Corvette Roadster
One of Australia’s best-known sports car specials – an Ausca Roadster from the late 1950s – will cross the block at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction on September 19.
This beautifully-presented Ausca Roadster being auctioned by Shannons in Melbourne on September 19 is a rare surviving Australian-built sports car of the late 1950s era.
Developed by then-Repco engineer Paul England in conjunction with his friend Bill Hickey, the Ausca was modelled on Maserati’s pretty AG GCS/53 sports-racing car and, with its bespoke 16-gauge steel tubular frame, proved highly competitive in motorsport against more fancied opposition from the outset.
England’s personal Holden-powered car made its competition debut at Melbourne’s Fisherman’s Bend in February 1956 and ultimately enjoying a long and successful racing career.
A small run of copies of the original body was made, mounted on a variety of chassis, including MG, Triumph and Healey. They used a mixture of running gear and some of them raced, including one built by well-known actor Gus Mercurio.
The simple but well-presented interior of the MGB-engined 1959 Ausca Roadster being auctioned by Shannons in Melbourne on September 19.?
Now recognised as a part of Australia’s motoring heritage, the original Ausca was recently displayed in the Shifting Gear exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, celebrating design innovation and the Australian car industry.
The Ausca being auctioned is one of just a handful of these important Australian specials to survive, with its MGA motor replaced by a later 1800cc power unit from an MGB.
Beautifully presented, the Ausca has undergone considerable refurbishment at some point, with its fibreglass shell and paint both in good condition, while its classically-simple cockpit is very clean.
As the car has been set up with indicators and harness-style seat belts for road use, Shannons say this rare Australian special would make a wonderful club car, or could be modified to run in Historic events. It is expected to sell in the $36,000 - $42,000 range on September 19.
This highly-desirable 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8 Mk3 is coming out of long-term ownership to be sold with ‘no reserve’ at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction on September 19.
Classic British sports cars from the same era in the auction include a nicely-restored 1959 Austin-Healey ‘Bug Eye’ Sprite Roadster ($26,000-$30,000).
This nicely-restored 1959 Austin-Healey ‘Bug Eye’ Sprite Roadster is expected to sell for $26,000-$30,000 at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction on September 19.
A well-presented, UK-delivered 1974 MGB Mk II Roadster ($10,000-$14,000) and a very desirable circa-1967 Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8 Mk3 Convertible coming from long-term ownership ($40,000-$50,000) are both being offered with ‘no reserve’.
This UK-delivered 1974 MGB Mk II Roadster would make a great entry-level classic at its anticipated selling range of $10,000-$14,000 at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction on September 19.
Finally from the top shelf there is a beautiful 1963 Austin-Healey 3000 BJ7 Mk II Convertible ($70,000-$78,000) and a stunning and equally collectible left hand drive 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster ($100,000-$115,000).
This stylish and collectible left hand drive 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster is expected to bring $100,000-$115,000 at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction on September 19.
