High Performance Classics Bring Back 'smiles Per Hour'

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 07, 2008 – The diverse collection of high performance classic vehicles assembled for the auction includes serious heart starters from Australia, Germany and the USA.

The most 'smiles per hour' are offered by the stunning 600 horsepower-plus 2002 CSV Mondo GT 427 coupe that is expected to sell for less than the cost of its extensive engine modifications alone.

Built by Peter Dichiera and his Corsa Specialised Vehicles in Mildura, the Mondo GT is an even more muscled Monaro CV8, featuring a potent 427-cid iron block engine, an aggressive styling kit, sports suspension, uprated brakes and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The car's daunting specification includes an Eagle crank and rods, Diamond pistons, a 7-litre baffled sump, ported LS6 heads with competition valves, heavy duty lifters and Yella Terra rockers, competition cams, a three-inch mandrel-bent exhaust and Bilstein coil-overs.

Inside, there's a Bond half roll-cage, a Pioneer sound system, a Playstation 2 and a TV with satellite tracking.

With the engine modifications alone believed to have cost around $50-$60,000, Shannons quoted guiding range of $40-$65,000 for the Mondo GT 427 represents an outstanding 'bang for buck', considering that a factory-built HRT427 Monaro coupe recently sold in Sydney for $920,000!

Also Australian made, ultra-high performance and V8-powered, but completely different, is the highly modified 1970 Bolwell Mk VII in the auction.

The 18-year transformation from Aussie kit car to Supercar can be credited to the Bolwell's Sam Matandos, who has owned and worked on the car since his father brought it home for him as a present when he was just eight years old.

Today the car that was originally designed to house a Holden grey motor packs a modified 269kW Boss 302-V8 coupled to a Tremec 5-speed Top Loader gearbox, an independent Jaguar rear end and Spax coil-over suspension and much, much more.

Although more than $100,000 has been lavished on the Bolwell over the years, Shannons estimate it will sell in the $50-$60,000 range - around a quarter the price of its 2008 success displayed at this year's Melbourne Motor Show.

Porsche collectors and historic racing enthusiasts will be more interested in the metallic green 1975 model 911 Carrera 2.7 that is also in the auction.

Originally owned by well-known English Porsche racer Nick Faure, the original right hand drive car is equipped with the correct factory front and a rear spoilers, Fuchs forged alloy wheels, a factory sunroof and is reportedly in good mechanical condition.

Shannons expect it to sell in the $65-$75,000 range, making it excellent value at a time when locally delivered examples of the same model are being advertised for sale at up to $120,000.

Finally, for American Muscle Car fanciers, there is a highly desirable black with gold side-stripe, left hand drive 1969 Shelby Mustang GT500.

Presented in good original condition, the Shelby features the model's potent 428-cid engine, coupled to a three-speed automatic transmission and has the optional Tilt Steering column. A highlight for Shelby fans is Carroll Shelby's signature on the glove box lid.

While a similar Shelby GT500 sold at their recent Melbourne Winter auction for $145,000, Shannons say the Sydney Shelby has a very realistic reserve and expect it to sell in the $90-$120,000 range

For further media information and images, contact:
Michael Browning +61 3 9879 9111 / 0418 324 328

For further auction information, contact:
Ian or Isaac on +61 2 9438 9315 or Christophe on 0413 567 308

To view all auction lots and results visit http://www.shannons.com.au