ASX down, A9X up

A9X Torana fanciers don't appear fussy about hatches versus sedans. That seems to be the message from the Shannons Melbourne Motor Show Auction held on Monday, March 10. A 1977 example of Holden's homologated touring car winner sold for $192,000, but a hatch from the same year -- and in the same colour -- failed to sell.

The auctioneers expected the fully restored LX model Torana A9X sedan to fetch between $140,000 and $180,000, so the final bid was $12,000 clear of the high range estimated value.

This particular car, a sedan painted in Jasmine Yellow, had required nine years to restore, after being recovered from behind a block of flats in inner Melbourne, where it had lain for 12 years.

The second A9X, the hatch, failed to sell at auction. Shannons estimated this lot to be worth between $210,000 and $250,000, to the right buyer.

One other Torana -- also an LX model of similar vintage -- was a 5.0-litre Torana SS hatch that sold for $53,000 -- $13,000 above the high range estimate.

According to Shannons, over 65 per cent of all lots were sold at the auction, fetching more than $2 million.

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