Classic Holdens head to auction

Shannons has released the catalogue for its spring online auction, due to commence from November 11 and featuring a selection of rare and desirable Holdens, as well as a 1971 Valiant Charger of a type that’s very hard to find.

Finished in Dynasty Gold metallic paint, the 1977 Holden LX Torana SL/R 5000 A9X sedan that is lotted for auction comes with two-tone tan vinyl upholstery, making this one of but two cars in this colour still in existence – and literally unique in being the only car of its type in Australia with that colour matched to the two-tone trim.

Build number 360 of the A9X production batch, this Torana’s first owner took delivery of it 43 years ago in Warrnambool, on Victoria’s south-west coast.

In 1992, the Torana was subjected to a bare-metal restoration and its 5.0-litre V8 was reconditioned at the same time by a former HDT technician.

From new, the Torana came as standard with the A9X option’s wider flares, plus rear disc brakes, the Salisbury rear axle and a 3.08:1 final drive ratio for the GU4 differential.

Most importantly for many, the A9X features one P. Brock’s signature on the glovebox.

In total, it has travelled just 122,673km and Shannons anticipates it will sell for a sum of money in the range of $180,000 to $220,000.

The other Toranas up for grabs at the Shannons auction are a 1972 LJ model GTR XU-1 in Zodiac Blue and a 1970 LC model GTR in Classic White.

Sold in Mackay and spending most of its life in Queensland, the XU-1 has also been fully restored, but departs from its original specification with lowered suspension all round and wider (nine-inch) Globe Sprintmaster alloy wheels at the rear in apposition to the eight-inch wheels at the front.

Currently residing in Sydney, the XU-1 is expected to sell for a figure between $125,000 and $145,000.

The LC GTR is powered by a 161S ‘red motor’, an inline six-cylinder, drawing breath through a two-barrel Stromberg carburettor. Other highlights of this engine include twin exhaust manifolds and a revised air cleaner.

Although the GTR wasn’t in the same league as the XU-1, it was fitted with a four-speed manual gearbox, front disc brakes and uprated suspension with a front anti-roll bar.

Shannons advises that this car is being sold without reserve, and the auction house is estimating the GTR will fetch between $50,000 and $60,000.

Shannons will also be matching up an enthusiastic bidder with a 2017 VFII Holden Commodore Director, one of the final three editions of Commodore to mark the end of the GM brand’s local manufacturing operations.

This particular car is number 300 of a 360-unit production run and, like all the Director models, was based on the flagship Calais.

Power comes from a 6.2-litre LS3 V8 producing 304kW and 570Nm, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Numerous HSV-supplied bits are fitted and this particular vehicle has never been registered. In fact, it’s yet to have its pre-delivery done – which strongly suggests this car is one of the 110 originally sold to Holden dealers. The odometer reading is just 17km.

Shannons projects that bidding for this vehicle will finish somewhere between $70,000 and $80,000.

When too many Holdens still aren’t enough, Shannons has a VN Commodore SS Group A in the catalogue.

This vehicle is number 80 of the 302 cars built to that specification, and is mostly standard apart from the HRT-blueprinted engine.

If you’re mad-keen on this car, be prepared to spend between $60,000 and $70,000 to snaffle it up, Shannons advises.

Another Holden available – at a much more affordable range of between $25,000 and $30,000 – is a VZ Monaro CV8 manual from 2002.

Or, even more affordable still, is a 1993 HSV-enhanced Commodore +SIX sedan. It’s powered by the cast-iron V6 rather than a V8, but as one of just 58 units modified by HSV, this no-reserve vehicle could be a dark horse at a price between $8000 and $10,000.

Finally, for those who are seeking something a bit different, Shannons is selling a 1971 VH Valiant Charger R/T E38 ‘Big Tank’.

This vehicle was developed and homologated specifically to compete at Bathurst.

The E38 was fitted with a three-speed manual gearbox, rather than the four-speed unit of the E49 Charger, but remained a remarkably quick car in its day – thanks to the ‘six-pack’ 265CID (4.3-litre) inline six-cylinder engine, fed by three side-draught Weber carburettors.

The E38 Charger came with a standard Track Pack, comprising alloy wheels, uprated brakes, faster steering and a limited-slip differential, which could be specified in different ratios.

An additional option fitted to this car was the 35-gallon (159-litre) long-range fuel tank.

The current owner of the Charger has been in possession of this car for 23 years. Shannons believes the car is worth between $160,000 and $180,000.

Shannons will conclude the online auction on November 18.