Million dollar babies
For all the dazzling vehicles currently on display at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, there are only two worth more than the magic million dollars.
One is the understated and luxurious Maybach 57 S limousine that you'll find inside the Motor Show on one wing of the Mercedes-Benz stand; the other is the standout vehicle of the Shannons auction display in the MEC's Concourse area - a 1930 Invicta Low Chassis Type 'S' roadster.
The spectacular Invicta was the much-loved personal vehicle of Shannons Insurance founder, the late Robert Shannon, who purchased in 1988 and drove and raced it regularly until his death seven years ago in March 2000.
Designed to compete directly with Bentley in motorsport, it was one of the first 64 of 77 examples manufactured between 1930 and 1933 and is now believed to be one of around half that number remaining worldwide and one of only two in Australia.
While Maybachs are often the choice of corporate captains, deposed heads of state and exiled royalty, the opportunity to purchase the Shannons Invicta for the first time in nearly 20 years has attracted worldwide interest from an eclectic group of enthusiasts, including several major collectors.
Daimler-Chrysler quotes $1,050,000 for a new Maybach 57 S, which is powered by a 6.0 litre V12 engine producing 450kW.
Shannons is quoting a guiding range of $900,000-$1,100,000 for the 4.5 litre six cylinder Invicta in Monday's Motor Show auction which starts at 2.30pm. All 60 auction lots are on display free to the public in the interim.
May the best marque win!
A better 'Benz
Shannons potentially have the most expensive and also the cheapest Mercedes-Benz cars at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
The most expensive new 'Benz you'll find on the Mercedes-Benz stand inside the Melbourne International Motor Show is the new V12-engined CL 65 AMG coupe at $459,900.
But similar money could buy you a much rarer 1948 model in the Shannons auction, with a one-of-a-kind W124 A320 Cabriolet originally built as a design study expected to sell in the $450,000-$600,000 range.
It is on display free to the public in the Concourse area of the MEC until the close of the Show at 6.00pm on Monday evening following the Shannons auction.
The cheapest Mercedes-Benz at the MEC is likely to be the well-presented metallic burgundy 1985 model 380SE saloon that is one of a dozen lots being offered for sale unreserved in the same auction, with Shannons estimating its selling price at between $4,000 and $8,000.
New Signature series number plates
Number plates these days are often worth more and ultimately are better investments than the cars they are bolted to and at Monday's Shannons Motor Show Auction, VicRoads' new limited-edition Signature Plates will face the acid test.
From Tuesday March 13, the new VicRoads plates will be available in a range of two-letter, two-letter/one-number and two-letter/two-number imprints in the purchaser's choice of black with gold, silver or white in either standard or slimline formats.
However at Monday's Shannons auction, which starts at 2.30pm, just five examples of the new plates will go under the hammer unreserved in a special preview sale, with collectors keenly monitoring the result.
First up is 'RR', which could mean 'Rolls-Royce', Range-Rover' or maybe your own initials, followed by 'GT', both of which Shannons expect to sell in the $10,000-$20,000 range. Then come 'GT.0' ($5,000-$15,000), 'SS' ($10,000-$20,000) and 'RT' ($5,000-$15,000).
Meanwhile Shannons are also offering a further 11 white on black vitreous enamel all-digit plates for sale at the auction.
The three-digit plates '353', '429' and '765' are the most valuable and are expected to sell in the $25,000-$40,000 range, while other interesting numeric combinations are '38.888', '8.168', '2.123', '30.000', '9,444' and '66.111', with estimated selling prices from $8,000 to $20,000, depending on the plate.
Fast lane opportunity
With an Australasian record 25 V8-engined Formula 5000 racing cars entered for this weekend's Shannons Phillip Island Classic historic race meeting, interest in the open wheelers that raced in Australia's premier racing category from the late 1960s until the early 1980s is undergoing a major revival.
Monday's Shannons Motor Show auction provides historic racing enthusiasts with an ideal opportunity to join this fast lane, with a 1975 March F5000 going under the hammer.
Presented in period 'Lane' sponsorship, this car first arrived in Australia in 1976 and is an ideal vehicle for the various Formula 5000 revival series being staged in Australia, New Zealand, America and Europe.
With interest in the category at an all time high, finding a suitable car with good period history is becoming increasingly difficult and this vehicle represents an unrepeatable opportunity for the historic racing enthusiast.
Shannons are quoting a guiding range from $80,000-$110,000.
Also in the auction for more budget conscious enthusiasts are two Australian racing car specials - a Ford-based 1962 'Bulant' Mk 1 single-seater and a 1937 Austin 7 race special - with expected auction prices of $18,000-$24,000 and $8,000-$12,000 respectively.
Collectible motorcycles under the hammer
A number of rare vintage and thoroughbred motorcycles from an exclusive private collection are going under the hammer at the Shannons Melbourne Motor Show auction on Monday March 12 from 2.30pm, providing enthusiasts with the rare opportunity to purchase the classic of their dreams.
Highlights of the Jack Northover collection include a superb 1939 Brough Superior 11-50 motorcycle with sidecar that is expected to sell in the $38,000-$46,000 range, a rare1924 Rene Gillet G motorcycle with sidecar ($30,000-$36,000), a very collectible 1928 Norton 18 500cc 'Flat Tank' ($18,000-$24,000), a striking 1936 Zundapp K800 solo ($24,000-$28,000) and a rapid 1962 Norton Dommiracer 650cc ($18,000-$24,000).
Media information, contact:
Michael Browning (03) 9879 9111 / 0418 324 328
For further auction information, contact:
Christophe, Greg, or Simon on (03) 8543 2288 or 0413 567 308.
