Australian record for VW Kombi

An Australian record price for an 11-window Volkswagen Kombi headlined the Shannons Melbourne Summer Classic Auction results on Monday (November 23).

The two-owner, Australian-assembled 1967 split-window Microbus benefitted from a comprehensive restoration and presented in superb condition.

Offered with no reserve and at a pre-sale estimate of $60,000-$80,000, the white-over-red van realised $158,000 on the night, thanks to furious on-floor bidding between two punters.

It was the best result for an 11-window Kombi at an Australian auction, though a 23-window 1960 Samba Microbus was sold via Shannons for $202,000 earlier in the year.

Another ‘splitty’, this time a 1961 Kombi Ute, also sold on the night, for $42,000.

Another machine to double its pre-sale estimate was a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL, fitted with the famous 6.3-litre V8 engine. Coming from a private collection, it went to a new owner for $50,500.

The hyped VK Commodore SS Group A Group 3 fell short of its pre-sale estimate and was passed in as a result.

This didn’t stop other Aussie muscle cars from performing strongly, with a Ford Falcon XR GT taking $105,000, and XA GT Sedan $85,000 and an LC GTR XU-1 Torana hammering for $78,000.

Another six-figure star was the 1929 Rolls-Royce 20/25hp Coupe that made $101,500, beating its top estimate by an impressive $30,000.

Interestingly a right-hand drive-converted 1989 BMW E30 M3 Convertible sold for $53,500 -- a strong result given the softer perception of the soft-top against its illustrious coupe sibling… and of converted E30 M3s.

At the lower end of the scale a no-reserve 1986 Porsche 944 in good condition went for $7750 and a 1950 Studebaker Champion $10,000.

Sadly, the big-ticket Maserati Birdcage recreation failed to reach its reserve and was passed in on the night, against an estimate of $600,000-plus.

Shannons recorded 81 per cent vehicle sale rate on the night. It combined with 100 per cent of automobilia lots to attract $1.8 million in total sales.