Deutsch auction

There's the usual gaggle of muscle cars at the upcoming Shannons Sydney Autumn Classic Auction on May 5, but in among the GT Falcons, Mustangs and sundry classic Holdens, bidders can take their pick of some attainable German exotica.

Lot 10 is a Porsche 911 Speedster dating back to 1989. The open-top car is one of just 10 locally delivered in Australia and features the trademark low-rise windscreen and the wide-body 911 Turbo body. Finished in Guards Red and beige leather, the Speedster is powered by a 3.2-litre flat six driving through a five-speed Getrag G50 manual with a short-throw shift.

Having covered just 12,000km since new, the Speedster is described by Shannons as being in 'as new' condition. The auctioneers expect the car to fetch between $75,000 and $95,000 -- cheaper than a new Boxster, but more collectible.

Not a local delivery from new, but a desirable car nonetheless, the 1983 BMW 635CSI to be sold as lot 26 was imported from Hong Kong in 1999. The current owner has brought the car back to good condition and has improved on its original specification with the fitment of 14-inch BMW alloys. With 114,000 miles showing on the odometer, the car's estimated worth ranges from $7000 to $12,000. If you're a BMW enthusiast and not just a speculator, this could be a good car to relive the fun of a classic 6 Series.

Three models from the 'three-pointed star' are putting in an appearance at the auction also. One is a 1971 250CE which was locally delivered by the importer. It's expected to go for between $12,000 and $18,000.

Of more interest to the wind-in-the-hair types are the 1959 220SE Cabriolet and the 1968 280SL 'Pagoda Roof' Sports. The former was purchased by a Tasmanian buyer from new and is -- according to Shannons -- one of just 19 RHD examples of the type out of a total production of 1942 units. With just 137,000 miles on the odometer, the 220SE is in concours condition and has won a number of awards up and down the east coast of Australia. As a guide, Shannons suggests that this car will fetch between $130,000 and $150,000.

The 280SL remains an iconic example of the marque and the particular example at the Sydney auction was purchased in 1968 by an Ansett Airlines pilot who took delivery of the car in Port Moresby, New Guinea. Within a year, it had been shipped to Brisbane and relocated subsequently to Sydney and Melbourne with new owners.

The car has been resprayed and re-upholstered. Shannons expect the winning bid will fall somewhere within the range of $55,000 to $70,000.

To comment on this article click here