Eclectic mix at Shannons

Latter-day rarities from Japan will be in evidence at the Shannons Late Summer Auction to be held in Melbourne on February 19.

Among the four cars up for grabs is a very low-kilometre first-generation Subaru WRX that is in as-new condition, with just 23,657km showing on the odometer. From the era when nobody knew about the capabilities of the now-famous WRX, the four-door sedan has spent the bulk of its life in storage, in recognition of its future status.

It will be offered without reserve and is expected to attract bids in the $22,000 - $26,000 range.

Toyota's mid-engined W20 series MR2 is also represented, with a 1992 example going under the hammer. The red MR2 goes into a guiding range of $8,000 to $12,000, with 50,432km on the odometer and a history of ownership by an enthusiast collector (its second owner) for more than 10 years,

The intriguingly named Suzuki Mighty Boy was not taken too seriously when it was introduced locally in 1985, but has since acquired a degree of notoriety among collectors of unique cars. That is why the example up for bidding at Shannons is expected to bring between $5000 and $8000.

With something like only 400 Mighty Boys existing in Australia today, the 30,000km, auto transmission Mighty Boy is a sample of a declining population.

At the other end of the performance spectrum is the Datsun 240Z coupe that first arrived in Australia in 1970 as a Japanese sports car inspired by the likes of Porsche's 911, which it roughly equated in overall size. The basic design couldn't have been much more different, however. A front-mounted inline 2.4-litre six-cylinder engine power the rear wheels sat under the long bonnet of the 240Z, which was relatively quick for its day.

The car up for bidding is not standard. It's been upgraded with a turbocharged engine, enlarged to 3.0 litres, and is supported by upgraded suspension, 16-inch Superlite alloy wheels and a fully refurbished interior. It is expected to sell, without reserve, for between $30,000 and $45,000.

On the Euro sporting front, there will be an Australian-delivered Series 2 E-Type coupe showing a mere 65,000 miles on the odometer. The iconic Jag has just been repainted and mechanically refurbished. A price between $100,000 and $120,000 is anticipated, according to Shannons.

Another Jag lotted for the auction is a classic 1962 Mark II Jag sedan that is expected to bring between $22,000 and $28,000, with the desirable 3.8-litre engine, manual transmission, red leather interior and wire wheels.

Then there's a 1977 Porsche 930 Turbo, a second-generation 3.3-litre with stupendous performance even by today's standards. The engine has been rebuilt. Fitted as standard with a four-speed manual gearbox, the Guards Red/black interior Porsche was imported from the USA in 2004 and converted locally to right-hand drive. Recognised as the world's first turbocharged production sports car, the 930 Turbo is expected to bring between $110,000 and $130,000 at auction.

Alongside it will be a locally-delivered, Maritime Blue 1992 911 Carrera 2 Cabriolet with 133,000km on the odometer. It's expected to sell for between $85,000 and $100,000.

From BMW, there's a left hand drive 1987 E30 M3 Coupe which should bring between $65,000 and $75,000.

It is joined by two German classics from Mercedes-Benz - a 2002 C32 AMG sedan with a guiding range between $15,000 and $20,000 and, a 1997 SL500 convertible that should bring between $28,000 and $34,000.

Stepping further back into history, the auction will also include a right hand drive Auburn 653 Phaeton, which has been in the same Adelaide family since new in 1935 and is expected to bring between $90,000 and $110,000, plus two Rolls-Royces - a 1927 New Phantom limousine ($80,000 to $90,000) and a 1929 20/25HP saloon ($80,000 to $90,000).

From the USA, there's a right-hand drive 1938 Graham 96 Spirit of Motion sedan that underwent a major restoration in 2009. The rare, Australian-delivered Graham will be offered without reserve, and is likely to bring between $20,000 and $25,000 at auction, Shannons advises.

Another USA brand, Ford, is also represented, with a fully-restored 1928 Model A Sports Coupe, complete with rear dickie seat, and is anticipated to bring between $30,000 and $36,000.

Visit the Shannons website for more detailed information and to view the whole catalogue for the Late Summer Auction.