Every enthusiast with a V8 heart should be beating a path to Shannons Melbourne Winter Auction on July 17, where a range of sought-after bent-eight beauties from the US and Australia will be crossing the auction block.
The standout vehicles – both yellow – from the red and blue corners are a brace of V8 Muscle Car coupes from the ‘60s and ‘70s: a stunning, very collectible 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 coupe and an ultra-desirable and very well optioned 1976 Ford XB Falcon GT Coupe.
The Daytona Yellow with contrasting black stripes Camaro is one of only a handful of Z28s in Australia. It was rotisserie-restored to a very high standard for its Australian owner by Arizona Muscle Cars in the United States over a recent two-year period and graced the front cover of Unique Cars magazine in 2014.
Adding to its value and driving appeal, the Z28’s 302-cid V8 is fitted with the optional cross ram intake manifold and is fitted with the model’s four-speed manual transmission with a Hurst shift.
Shannons expects this definitive late 1960s American Muscle Car to sell in the $100,000-$120,000 range.
Home-grown Holden V8 alternatives include a freshly-painted 1969 Holden HT Monaro 186 Coupe upgraded mechanically with a 350 V8 and auto transmission ($50,000-$60,000); a very original 1980 HDT VC Commodore 5.0 V8 Sedan with books and a history file ($40,000-$48,000); and a 1971 Holden HQ Monaro GTS 253V8 four-speed manual Coupe ‘restoration project’ offered with ‘no reserve’ that is expected to bring $25,000-$30,000
Ford enthusiasts have an equally exciting range of V8 Muscle models to choose from at Shannons Melbourne Winter Auction, topped by a superb and increasingly collectible 1976 Ford XB GT Coupe finished in Yellow Blaze with black cloth and vinyl trim.
The striking Coupe with its signature 351 Cleveland V8 and T-bar automatic transmission, is an older restoration that is fully-optioned with a black vinyl roof, 5-slot wheels, power steering, power windows, air conditioning (not connected)and rear window louvres.
The XB GT featured in the special ‘Edition 351’ Ford issue of Unique Cars magazine and is presented in beautiful, original condition. With Falcon XA and XB GT Coupes currently in high demand, this very desirable example is expected to sell in the $85,000-$100,000 range.
Local Ford Muscle car enthusiasts also have the next best thing to a GT to bid for: a beautifully-presented 1973 Ford XA Fairmont GS 351 Sedan equipped with a K-Code 351 V8 mated to a four-speed manual transmission and a 9-inch differential.
Finished in one of the most desirable colour combinations for Ford enthusiasts of Wild Violet with a White vinyl interior, the GS featured in the special issue 351 of Unique cars covering Ford Muscle Cars
The Toowoomba, Queensland-delivered Fairmont has had just four documented owners from new. It is being offered with ‘no reserve’ and is expected to sell in the $35,000-$45,000 range,
Those looking for a very application of Ford V8 power will be drawn to the beautifully-presented silver with black stripes 2007 RMC Cobra Replica showing just 1,200km on its odometer.
Fitted with the popular combination of Ford’s 302-cid V8 and five-speed Tremec manual gearbox, Jaguar front and rear ends and inboard discs, the Cobra presents in as-new condition and accordingly is expected to sell in the $40,000 -$50,000 range.
However, the largest V8 engine in the auction comes from Germany and will be found under the bonnet of a 1979 Mercedes-Benz 6.9 litre 450SEL Saloon.
Finished in metallic Silver Green with contrasting cream MB-Tex upholstery, this one- owner-from-new, Australian-delivered ‘big-Benz’ remains in very original condition, with its odometer showing just 66,700km. However, as its paintwork requires some attention, it is expected to sell with ‘no reserve’ for $8,000-$12,000
