Stunning GTS 327 'Bathurst' Monaro heads Aussie Supercar pack in Shannons Winter Auction
- Restored and immaculate 1968 Monaro GTS 327 ‘Bathurst’ coupe to suit collector
- Three fabulous Ford Falcon GTs
- Stunning Falcon XR ‘GT replica’
- Many special 1980s Commodores and Falcons
A stunning, restored 1968 Holden 327 ‘Bathurst’ Monaro four-speed manual coupe heads a bevy of important high performance cars in Shannons timed online Winter auction from August 15-22.
The well optioned, never raced metallic blue HK Monaro, with its unmarked black trim and nominal 1,160 miles covered since its complete restoration, comes with a matching metallic blue tool chest and a set of Holden workshop manuals and was delivered new by Dwyers of Wollongong.
The HK was winner of the Victorian State Title (HK, HT, HG Class) in 2013, a reflection of the restoration quality, and a year later, purchased by the vendor at the Motorclassica auction. The Monaro has been used sparingly since purchase, and been carefully and secured stored. As a testament of its restoration and upkeep, the Monaro was invited and went on to win an award at the prestigious 2022 Motorist Concours event at Point Leo Estate.
This exceptional HK Monaro GTS 327 is expected to sell in the $320,000-360,000 range.
It is amongst a treasure trove of desirable Australian Holden performance cars in the auction, that also includes another first-generation base-spec six cylinder 1968 Holden HK Monaro 186 Coupe, a 1971 Monaro HQ V8 Coupe in ‘Project condition’, a 1984 Commodore VK SS Group A, a 1986 Commodore VL SS Group A, and a 1982 Holden VH SL/E ’SS replica’ sedan.
With just one owner since 1972, this was the 471st standard Monaro built at Holden’s Pagewood, Sydney plant 55 years ago. Showing just 7,515 miles on its odometer, it is a rare find today to find one still running its original 186 engine and two-speed Powerglide transmission. Offered with ’no reserve’, it is expected to sell in the $50,000-$60,000 range.
Very attractive to Holden restorers is a 1972 HQ Monaro V8 coupe offered in ‘project’ condition. While still in decent bodily shape, but needing extensive work to its interior and mechanical components to restore it to its original 253ci V8 with T-bar automatic spec, or to create something more exotic, it is expected to sell in the $45,000-$55,000 range.
Australian sporting models from Ford’s blue corner include a great 1969 ‘Vermillion Fire’ Falcon XW GT Automatic, a very desirable 1974 Falcon XB GT manual ‘running project’, a 1978 Falcon XC ‘Rally Pack’ six cylinder automatic sedan, a 1972 XA GT, a 1966 Falcon XR ‘GT Tribute’ and a 1971 Falcon XY Ute ‘GT Tribute’.
The XW GT is one of just two XW GTs factory painted in the special order colour of ‘Brambles Red’ (Vermillion Fire), which was the hero racing colour of the sedans.
Sold by Shannons in 2000, this GT is equipped with a Cleveland 351ci V8, rather than the earlier Windsor unit fitted to most XW GTs, a suspected dealer replacement in the early 1970s.
It has travelled some 30,000 miles on its set of silver 12-slotter steel wheels since purchase by the current owner and remains in very good condition, having always been garaged and kept under a cover,
Inside, its interior presents as original and it comes with a period Pioneer eight-track stereo, a Smiths under-dash air-conditioner and a rear window venetian blind.
Any early Falcon GT is hot property, and Shannons expect this very nice XW to be no different and sell in the $160,000-$200,000 range.
Also in the auction is a beautiful Ivy Green XA GT manual sedan coming from a deceased estate, whose enhancements include a sequential gearshift, chromed 12-slot steel wheels, external bonnet pins and a bare metal respray.
As values of XA GTs have risen recently, with its role as forerunner of the GT-HO Phase IV now fully appreciated, Shannons expect this impressive example to sell for $65,000 -$85,000.
The Falcon XB GT manual in the auction line-up represents the end of an era for Ford Supercars, but for 1973 Ford Australia equipped its 1973 flagship LTD and Landau models with powerful 4-wheel disc brakes and the 351ci V8 engine destined for the XB Falcon GT which followed some months later.
In total there were 1,950 sedan and 949 hardtop XB GTs built before production ceased in June 1976 and prices have risen in recent years, a reflection of the rarity of this model and desirability amongst Ford collectors.
This amazing survivor XB GT Hardtop comes with remarkable provenance, but now is ripe for a ground-up restoration.
The current owner acquired the car when it was approximately eight months old after it had been driven to the mines of Western Australia, (where the owner worked at the time) before going on to the mines of Mt. Isa in Queensland . It was then parked up long term in Brisbane.
This GT Hardtop is complete and would be a desirable addition to any automotive collection, either fully restored or left in it’s still original condition. The engine runs, but the car will need a mechanical overhaul to be considered drivable.
A nicely done ‘GT Tribute;’ version of the 1966 Ford XR Falcon Sedan replicating the white with red stripe car driven into second place outright at Bathurst by Sydney brothers Leo and Ian Geoghegan, is also for sale. Now running an upgraded 302ci V8 and a four-speed manual it has an expectation of $90,000-$110,000 because of the quality of its workmanship and finish.
