Shannons Spring Auction highlights open tops

For fans of classic American muscle, cars don't get much better than a SAAC World Registry-listed AC Mark IV built by Autokraft in 1987 from original Cobra body bucks.

While the iconic American roadster has only 11,584kms showing on its odometer, it was actually used as the test car for the 302-cubic inch EFI engine with US authorities The Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation.

Hence it comes as no surprise to learn the car's first owner was in Michigan – the historical home state of the North American car industry.

A professional conversion to right-hand drive followed the AC Mark IV's arrival in Australia, and in total it has had only a handful of owners.

In beautiful condition, the historically significant AC should attract buyers in the range of $150,000-$170,000.

America's other headline sports car brand is the Chevrolet Corvette and, at the spring auction in Melbourne, Shannons has an early C1 Roadster from 1954, tipped to sell for more than $100,000. Offered on behalf of an avid Corvette collector, the '54 C1 has been superbly restored.

Shannons will also auction a late C1 series Corvette Roadster from 1961. Painted in black with side scallops in white, and running chrome wire wheels, this Corvette will likely sell in the range of $95,000-$115,000.

Other exciting American cars going under the hammer are a rare 1963 Ford Falcon Futura Convertible powered by a 221-cid six-cylinder engine driving through a three-speed automatic transmission ($25,000-$35,000), a freshly-restored Holden-bodied 1932 Chevrolet Roadster ($30,000-$35,000) and a gorgeous 1932 Ford ‘Hot Rod' V8 Pick-Up ($32,000-$38,000).

Across the Atlantic from North America is the Italian town of Maranello, home of Ferrari. And, hailing from there, is a Ferrari GTS Targa from 1987, also listed for Shannons' Melbourne Spring auction.

The open-top Ferrari was delivered in Australia, shows around 77,000kms on the odometer, has been carefully maintained and is expected to sell in the range of $145,000-$160,000.

Germany is also represented at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction with two nicely presented Mercedes-Benz SL Roadsters. Both are 'no reserve' cars and the 1985 380SL will see buyers in the range of $35,000-$45,000, while the 500SL from 1993 should see bidding in the range of $28,000-$34,000.