Hard Chargers grid up for Shannons MotorEx Auction
• ‘Fully-loaded’ E38 R/T ‘Bathurst’ Charger
• Low mileage and original Charger R/T 2 Barrel coupe
• Very original, low mileage 1965 Valiant AP6 Regal Sedan
A brace of sought-after Chrysler VH Valiant Charger R/T coupes will cross the block at Shannons Sydney Custom & Collectable Auction at MotorEx on Sunday, July 21.
The harder Charger of the pair is a very desirable 1971 E38 R/T ‘Bathurst’ coupe powered by the powerful 280HP (209kW) triple Weber carburettor version of the model’s 265-cid straight six-cylinder engine.
Just 316 E38 Charger ‘homologation specials’ were built and they remain one of the most collectible of all Australian Muscle Cars.
The E38 being auctioned was the 31st of the 316 cars built and it was the first example painted in popular Mercury Silver.
The body is stamped ‘SO A 898’, which means ‘Special Order Adelaide’ and the car is thought to have been the original press vehicle.
As a result it was fully ‘loaded’, with the prized E38 (280HP) engine, the ‘Track Pack’ big tank (that occupied most of the boot), a power brake booster, plus the model’s bonnet, mudguard and interior dress up packages – the latter including the optional cutting edge transistor push button radio.
The Charger no longer retains its original engine, but has been fitted with an original R/T motor number D363B00273 to correct E38 specification and it was repainted several years ago in its correct factory colour.
The well-presented and tidy E38 has been part of a large Australian Muscle Car collection since it was purchased at a Shannons auction in 2007. Because of its iconic, collectable status and condition, it is expected to sell in the $80,000-$90,000 range.
Also desirable for Australian Muscle Car collectors is a time warp 1971 Chrysler VH Valiant R/T 2 Barrel 265-cid coupe in the auction, painted in one of the model’s trademark colours, Vitamin C.
Only 1,300 of the 17,918 VH Chargers built were R/T models and Shannons believe this very original example to be one of the very best available.
Over its 90,365 recorded miles (believed genuine) every wearing part has been replaced or overhauled except for the engine, which is still running strongly.
The body retains its original paint and there is no evidence of any rust repairs, while the Charger’s interior also appears factory-fresh. The seats have been re-upholstered to the original trim pattern, while the dash pad, roof lining and door cards remain untouched.
Offered with its rare original log books, Shannons expect this R/T Charger to sell in the $42,000-$48,000 range.
Another great car for Chrysler enthusiasts in the Shannons MotorEx auction is a 1965 Chrysler Valiant AP6 Regal Sedan with three-speed automatic transmission presented in excellent condition and showing just 105,644 miles from new.
Believed to be a three-owner car, this 225-cid AP6 benefits from much recent work and is expected to be highly sought-after at its anticipated selling range of $8,000 - $12,000.
