Ian 'Pete' Geoghegan's famous 1967 Ford Mustang GTA was a winner on the racetrack nearly 40 years ago, taking the hugely talented Sydney driver to three consecutive Australian Touring Car Championships in 1967, 1968 and 1969. It was also unbeatable at the Australian Motor Show Auction presented by Shannons at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre late last month, taking the gavel as the auction's top-money car.
Recently-restored to its trademark Castrol racing livery, the well-known white Mustang surged easily through the $250,000 and finally $300,000 barriers, before being knocked down for $320,000 to a Sydney enthusiast. It is believed the un-named buyer, intends to continue the Mustang's legendary racing history in Group N historic races.
The Mustang was one of a number of unique and special vehicles and memorabilia to sell for a combined total of more than $1.113m at the auction - a near record result.
A rare silver 1934 model 20/25 Rolls-Royce coupe named 'Cecilia', also picked up her skirts and sold for $80,000, despite having once had a few bullet holes in her chassis and a shady past. Originally a present to gangster's moll, Cecilia Hall, from her Melbourne boyfriend, who was in a gang with the notorious 'Squizzy' Taylor in the 1930s, the car is the only Swept Tail sports Rolls-Royce 20/25 coupe in Australia.
Other notable sales in the seventh Shannons Sydney Motor Show auction were the $100,000 paid for a 1962 Bentley S2 Continental 'Flying Spur' saloon - almost the value of its recent restoration - and $75,000 for a 1957 Jaguar XK150 Drop Head Coupe.
A very low mileage, 1988 Ferrari 328 GTS sold for $79,500, while a 1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 coupe stopped the hammer at $48,000.
Five brand new Harley Davidson built between 1983 and 1992 were also offered for sale by a private Sydney collection, most still in their packing crates. Three of the Harleys - a 1991 Fat Boy, a 1992 Dyna Glide Daytona and a 1991 Dyna Glide Sturgis Anniversary model - sold for $24,000, $25,500 and $25,000 respectively, while a 2002 model V-Rod with 11,000km on the odometer went for $28,000. A 1954 BMW R25/3 also sold without reserve for $9200 after fierce floor bidding, while a 1998 Ducati 916SPS 'Carl Fogarty Replica' went for $23,000.
Two three-digit vitreous enamel black and white NSW plates were in strong demand, with '232' bringing $66,000, just shading the more fancied '356' which sold for $65,000.
Garages signs and petrol pumps continued to prove themselves excellent property.
A 1960s double-sided 80 x 60cm enamel Michelin shield went for $2050 after hectic floor bidding, while a number of bidders fought over a pair of 1920s fuel bowsers with a restored Rapid Six manual pump in Golden Fleece livery bringing $6300 and an earlier Esso pump selling for $3300.