Next Shannons auction goes back to the '50s

The 2019 Melbourne Winter Classic Auction is set to feature plenty of classics, from a 1936 Rolls-Royce to a couple of collectible Ford Falcons, but many of the highlights will come from the 1950s.

One of the headline acts in a field of 72 vehicles that should fetch prices anywhere between $15,000 and $180,000 next week is a 23-window 1959 Volkswagen Kombi with upgraded mechanicals that’s set to go for $100,000-$130,000. In 2015 an eleven-window Kombi doubled pre-sales estimate at Shannons with the winning bid hitting $158K.

There are also ‘50s American classics such as a 1956 Oldsmobile 98 Starfire Convertible and a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sports pillarless coupe.

The Rolls-Royce mentioned earlier is a 25/30HP Saloon decked out in original Park Ward coachwork and is expected to sell for somewhere between $70,000-$80,000.

Then there’s a 1983 Porsche 930 Turbo with only two previous owners, which is tipped to sell somewhere between $160,000 and $180,000, and a rare 1972 Ford Falcon XA GT manual coupe.

Another Falcon will make an appearance in the form of a mechanically-rebuilt 1962 Ford Falcon XL that’s been fitted with the optional Ford 170 Pursuit Six engine. It’s set to go for somewhere between $20,000 and $25,000.

There’s even some post-war machines available, including a ready for restoration 1949 Allard M1 Drop Head Coupe, a Holden-bodied 1939 Willys 98 Sedan and a 1948 Willys Jeep Overland Station Wagon.

A 1965 Datsun 520 Ute with just 106,000km on the clock will also find a new home. The ‘Datto is expected to sell with no reserve for $10,000-$14,000.

Last on our list of collectible vehicles is a circa-1961 Lambretta 175Li 3-wheeler van. The classic Italian van started its life in India before making its way to Australia.

The 2019 Melbourne Winter Classic Auction vehicles can be viewed at the Shannons showroom in Melbourne before the auction takes place in Heatherton on Monday (July 15).