- 'No reserve' stunning wide-bodied Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 Coupe
- 'No reserve' low kilometre Australian-delivered Mercedes-Benz 500SL
- 'No reserve' one owner, 1979 Porsche 924 'Turbo'
They are built on opposite sides of Stuttgart, but Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are serious home-town rivals – particularly when it comes to their classic models.
That rivalry will be tested on the auction block at Shannons upcoming Spring Classic Auction in Sydney on November 18, when sporting models of each marque face the gavel – all with 'no reserve prices.
For most Porsche enthusiasts, the main attraction will be a Guards Red, Australian-delivered 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 Coupe that underwent a professional wide-body 'Turbo-look' conversion in the 1980s, using fully galvanised steel panels.
Comprehensively optioned with black leatherette and red Scottish tweed trim, air conditioning, 15-inch Fuchs alloy wheels, front and rear a centre console and sunroof, the Porsche is one of just 73 Australian delivered 1977, 911 Carrera 3.0 coupes, ensuring it has great collectible potential.
The current Sydney owner bought the car approximately seven years ago and has done very little mileage in that time, with the Porsche's odometer currently reading 159,502km.
Offered tantalisingly with 'no reserve', it is expected to sell in the $80,000-$100,000 range.
From Mercedes-Benz comes a desirable Australian delivered, well maintained and low kilometre 1994 Mercedes-Benz 500SL Convertible.
Finished in its original Almandine (metallic burgundy) with contrasting cream leather upholstery, the 5.0 litre V8 engined SL with both hardtop and electric soft top and the rarely seen rear seat option, was delivered in 1994 through Sandersons of Rose Bay to a local resident before it moved to the ACT, where it was later acquired by its current Canberra owner.
Used sparingly and always garaged, the SL was showing just 81,400km on its sodometer at the time of cataloguing, a remarkably low figure given the car is now 25 years old. Offered at 'no reserve', it is expected to sell in the $25,000 - $35,000 range, making it a remarkable proposition considering its original new price was $285,000.
An attractive alternative for Mercedes-Benz buyers is another Australian delivered sports roadster - a 1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SL.
Finished in metallic burgundy with contrasting cream MB-Tex upholstery, this 4.5 litre V8-enginded SL is an early build car that was first sold through York Motors in Sydney.
The car has formed part of a small private collection of Mercedes-Benz cars belonging to a club member in Broken Hill, NSW for the past seven years and is now showing 258,480km of mainly country driving on its odometer.
Thanks to regular servicing and recent work, it comes to auction in good mechanical and cosmetic condition throughout. Offered with 'no reserve, it is expected to sell in the $22,000-$28,000 range.
Finally, for Porsche enthusiasts looking for an inexpensive daily driver or club car, Shannons have a great looking Porsche 924 that has been professionally upgrade with a turbocharger and matching 924 Turbo cosmetics.
Ordered new through John Newell Porsche of Darlinghurst in 1979, the 924 was Porsche's first front-engined sports car and possessed a unique blend of practicality with near perfect weight distribution, endowing it with excellent handling.
The Porsche's first and only owner made the decision to upgrade the 924 in 1987 with a turbocharger and intercooler installed by Phil Ward Automotive Services, along with a turbo bonnet, rear spoiler and rear valance.
Still looking good in its original Alpine White, the car has been driven sparingly in recent years, covering only 1,069km between 2008 and 2013 and now showing just over 50,000km on its odometer.
Offered with 'no reserve' and expected to sell in the $10,000-$15,000 range, it would make an inexpensive first Porsche, with 'daily driver' or club car potential.
To view all Shannons November 18 Sydney Spring Auction lots, visit www.shannons.com.au
For more auction information contact: Stuart Roberts (02) 8019 4179, or Damien Duigan (02) 8019 4180
For media information and publication-quality photos, please contact: Michael Browning 0418 324 328
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