• Ex Al Turner/Allan Moffat GT-HO Phase III Falcon sells
  • Total sales of $13 million with 90 per cent clearance rate
  • Ex-Sir Elton John Ferrari sells above expectations for $420,000
  • Rare M Spec NUR 2002 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R makes excellent $378,500
  • Early Holdens bring spectacular results

The historic New South Wales number plate '96' first fitted to a 30HP Daimler circa 1915 pipped high horsepower rivals including a Falcon GT-HO once owned by ex-Ford executive Al Turner and a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa presented to Sir Elton John on his 40th birthday to become the top selling lot at Shannons '40th Anniversary' Timed Online auction, which closed on November 30.

Topping $1 million-plus including its Buyers' Premium, the historic black and white numerical plate that had been in the same family for more than 100 years was pursued by eight determined enthusiasts over the seven days of the auction before the clinching bid of $999,880 in the sale's final hour.

For a while it seemed likely that the NSW two-digit number plate would be trumped by the fabulous ex-Al Turner and ex-Allan Moffat 1971 Falcon GT-HO Phase III sedan, however bidding for the storied Ford stalled at $930,000, tantalisingly close to its reserve price, only to sell shortly afterwards for an undisclosed price above the passed-in figure.

Another highlight lot of the auction was the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa presented to British singer Sir Elton John as a 40th birthday gift. Bidding started at a conservative $220,000, but saw a battle in the auction's closing minutes before it sold for an excellent $420,000.

A super-rare M-Spec Nür version of the Nissan R34 GT-R coupe – one of just 285 M-Spec cars fitted with the special N1 engine – was in high demand with Japanese performance car enthusiasts before selling for $378,500.

The top-selling Australian Muscle Car in the auction was a beautiful and very collectible Holden LX Torana A9X Sedan that brought $290,000.

Meanwhile, the very last Holden Monaro built in 2005 and showing only delivery kilometre from new endured a long battle through a bid extension, finally selling for $230,000. Interestingly, the same buyer purchased the earlier 2001 Monaro CV8 – the first Gen 3 Monaro built – completing a book-end collection.

Demand for black and white numerical number plates remained as high with collectors as in previous Shannons online auctions, with all eighteen of the Victorian and New South Wales plates on offer selling for a combined total of more than $4.36 million.

All five Victorian 3-digit plates sold strongly, with '485' achieving the highest price of $350,555, while the sole NSW 3-digit plate '322' brought $360,000.

Australian working vehicles continued to be treasured by collectors, with a record $115,000 paid for a restored 1956 Holden FJ Panelvan; $98,000 for a 1977 Holden HZ 5.0-litre V8 Manual Sandman panelvan; $75,000 for a 1971 Ford Falcon XY 500 V8 Utility; and $50,000 for a 1956 Holden FE Special Sedan.

Of the classic Fords, the two 1973 Falcon XA GTs were popular with bidders, with a Coupe finished in eye-catching 'Wild Plum' bringing $151,991 and a White sedan selling for $148,000, while a four-speed manual 1970 Falcon XW GT beat them both at $161,000.

Amongst the older classic Fords, the standout was a restored 1965 Falcon XP Deluxe Coupe that sold for an excellent $74,500.

Classic Porsches were also popular with enthusiasts, with a converted 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0 selling at the last minute for $151,000; a rare right hand drive converted soft rear window 1967 911 'Targa' bringing $145,000; a desirable 1988 911 3.2 Carrera coupe selling for $139,720 and a modified 1976 911S 2.7 coupe selling with 'no reserve' for $97,500.

Manual transmission front-engined Porsche 928 models were also sought after,  with a 1990 928GT Coupe easily beating its pre-auction high estimate to sell for $122,000.

Of the early vehicles, the outstanding result was the $86,000 achieved by the oldest car in the auction – a 1912 Daimler TE20 four cylinder tourer.

Other notable sales amongst more humble classics included the $40,500 paid for a 1954 'Oval Window' Volkswagen Beetle; $37,800 paid for a 1955 Ford Customline sedan and $47,500 paid to  secure a 1953 Vauxhall Velox Vagabond Convertible.
 
Motorcycles also sold strongly,  topped by $70,000 paid for a 1941 Harley-Davidson EL 1000cc Knucklehead; $37,500 paid for an immaculate 1974 Kawasaki Z900; while at the lower end 98 bids were placed for a restored 1957 Lambretta LD125 scooter before it sold for $12,000.

To view all auction results, visit www.shannons.com.au
To talk to a Shannons Auction Team member, call the 13 46 46.