Aussie muscle-cars go under the hammer

Iconic Australian muscle-cars from Holden and Ford will go under the hammer at the Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction on September 17.

Headline acts will be an early-production 1970 LC Holden Torana GTR XU-1, a rare Tuxedo Black 1974 LH Holden Torana SL/R 5000 and what many consider the Holy Grail of collectable Australian muscle cars, a 1971 XY Ford Falcon GT.

The Torana GTR XU-1 Coupe, finished in Bathurst signature colour Plum Dinger, is believed to be among the first batch of just 12 XU-1s produced.

It was built for Adelaide United Motors Holden dealer principal Vin Kean in 1970, and is offered in original condition as a five-owner car. It is expected to fetch between $130,000 and $140,000.

Also up for grabs is a rare, Tuxedo Black Torana SL/R 5000. Just a handful of the iconic 5.0-litre V8-powered Torana sedans were finished in black paint and the 1974 example on offer is a two-owner example maintained to a very high standard.

It is offered with ‘no reserve’ and has an estimated selling range of $95,000 to $110,000.

Ford fans will be equally well catered to at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction with a very collectable ‘XY GT’ — one of three GT variants on offer.

Finished in Vermillion Fire duco, the Falcon GT is one of just 22 built in this specification and comes with a certified Australian Classic Car History Services (ACCHS) report.

Equipped with a 351ci V8 and reproduction Toploader, the model is expected to sell for between $130,000 and $150,000.

The Shannons Spring catalogue also includes a restored and ACCHS-certified 1975 XB Ford Falcon GT sedan ($70,000-$85,000) and a three-owner 1969 XW Ford Falcon ‘GT Replica’ in Wild Violet paint ($55,000-$65,000).

Meanwhile, Brock enthusiasts can bid on a 1980 VC Holden Commodore HDT (build no. 39) which is offered with no reserve and a guiding range of $48,000-$58,000.