A factory original 1970 Holden HT Monaro GTS 186S coupe that has covered just 35,300 miles since new - principally in the hands of its original, careful owner - is a standout car in Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction on Monday September 3.
One of five Monaros from 1968 to 1974 in the sale, the car could set an Australian auction record for a six cylinder GTS Monaro, with Shannons quoting a selling range from $50,000-$60,000, but admitting those figures may be conservative.
"This is unquestionably one of the best and most original HT Monaros for sale in Australia," said Shannons National Auction Manager, Christophe Boribon. "When it arrived at our Melbourne showroom, all you could see were the heels of our auction team. We see very few cars in this condition underneath!"
Originally delivered by Melbourne's Reg Hunt Motors, the Monaro was in the hands of its original owner until 1999. Judged by its condition, it has been 'babied' all its life and is being sold with detailed maintenance records and a large number of receipts, including the original sales papers.
The car's only non-factory items are its refreshed but correct Daytona Bronze paintwork and replacement rear muffler, but the unmarked Antique Gold interior trim is as it left the production line.
"This is a time-warp car," said Boribon. "You cannot re-create originality and this car is exceptional in its condition. It will be bought by someone who wants one of these iconic Australian cars just the way they were delivered."
Equally appealing to many Monaro fanciers at the auction will be the Bright Blue metallic 1968 HK Monaro GTS 307 Coupe - arguably the most collectable Monaro after the iconic 'Bathurst' HK GTS 327 and HT GTS 350 models.
The Sydney-built car was delivered new in Adelaide with its two-speed automatic transmission and has remained in South Australia since - currently with its fourth registered owner.
In 2001 the Monaro underwent a complete overhaul. The original 307 V8 motor was rebuilt, the body was stripped to bare metal and respray, while the interior was re-trimmed at the same time.
The car is believed to retain its original engine, but now has a four-barrel carburettor and extractors fitted. With Monaro values rising steadily, Shannons expect the car to sell in the $65,000-$75,000 range.
Monaro lovers on a tighter budget looking for an unrestored and largely original early example, will be drawn to the Mandarin Red 1970 HG 186 manual coupe being auctioned with no price reserve.
Sold new through Melbourne's Garry & Warren Smith Holden in 1970, the car left the factory with Rally Red paintwork but was repainted in the present eye-catching colour around 17 years ago.
Used as a daily driver until 2000, the Monaro has been in the same family for 37 years and Shannons say presents as a good, honest car.
Its engine was rebuilt in 1998 (at 157,000 miles) and the brakes overhauled in 2005, with the car's odometer now reading 179,273 miles.
Other than a Phillips CD player, the interior remains in very standard condition, with Shannons estimating it will sell in the $10,000-$14,000 range.
Shannons also have two V8-engined HQ Monaro GTS Coupes in the same auction.
The Silver 1974 308-cid coupe has been owned by the same family for the past 33 years and its life is fully documented in the comprehensive history file that accompanies it.
Fitted with power steering and twin mirrors, the car was only used by its lady owner to run to the shops and drop the kids at school, spending most of its time carefully garaged. The Holden was never used for towing and reportedly was washed every weekend without fail, explaining its faded original paintwork. Shannons expect it to sell for $22,000-$30,000.
The 1973 Cian Blue 253-cid V8 coupe was used as a daily driver until 2002 and has had regular maintenance, including two transmission rebuilds, over the years.
According to Shannons, the car has never been modified or suffered accident damage and remains in lovely condition throughout. Fitted with period mag wheels, it comes with an owner's manual and receipt file and is being offered unreserved, with a guiding range of $15,000-$20,000.
Other iconic Australian cars of the same era in Shannons September 3 Melbourne auction include a 1971 Chrysler Charger E38 R/T coupe that has been part of a leading Australian Muscle Car collections and has covered just 91,745 miles since new and a 1970 Ford Falcon XW GT sedan.
For media information and publication quality photos, please contact:
Michael Browning (03) 9879 9111 / 0418 324 328
For further auction information, contact:
Christophe or Greg on (03) 8543 2288 or 0413 567 308.
To view all auction lots click here
