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A stunning, restored 1968 Holden 327 ‘Bathurst’ Monaro four-speed manual coupe heads a bevy of important high performance cars in Shannons timed online Winter auction from August 15-22.

The well-optioned, matching-numbers and never-raced metallic blue Monaro, with its unmarked black trim and nominal 1160 miles covered since its complete restoration, comes with a matching metallic blue tool chest and a set of Holden workshop manuals.

The car was delivered new by Dwyers of Wollongong

It is among a treasure trove of desirable Australian Holden performance cars in the auction that also includes a rare, first-generation, base-spec, six-cylinder 1968 Holden HK Monaro 186 Coupe; a 1971 Monaro HQ V8 sedan in ‘Project condition’; a 1984 Commodore VK SS Group A; a 1986 Commodore VL SS Group A; a 1984 Commodore VK SS Group A ‘Tribute’ and a 1982 Holden VH SL/E ‘SS replica’ sedan.

With just one owner since 1972, the the base-spec 186 Coupe was the 471st standard Monaro built at Holden’s Pagewood, Sydney plant 55 years ago. Showing just 7515 miles on its odometer, it is a rare find, still running its original 186 engine and two-speed Powerglide transmission.

Offered with ‘no reserve’, it is expected to sell in the $50,000-$60,000 range.

Very attractive to Holden restorers is the 1972 HQ Monaro V8 coupe, with 253ci V8 and T-bar automatic, offered in ‘project’ condition. It still has decent body shape, but needs extensive work to its interior and mechanical components to restore it to its original spec, or to create something more exotic. It is expected to sell in the $45,000-$55,000 range.

Australian sporting models from Ford’s blue corner include a great 1969 ‘Vermillion Fire’ Falcon XWGT Automatic; a very desirable 1974 Falcon XBGT manual ‘running project’;  a 1978 Falcon XC ‘Rally Pack’, six-cylinder automatic sedan; a  1972 XAGT;  a 1966 Falcon XR ‘GT Tribute’ and a 1971 Falcon XY Ute ‘GT Tribute’.

The XWGT is one of just two XWGTs factory painted in the special order colour of ‘Brambles Red’ (Vermillion Fire), which was the hero racing colour of the XYGT sedans.

Sold by Shannons in 2000, this genuine GT is equipped with a Cleveland 351ci V8, rather than the earlier Windsor unit fitted to most XW GTs and was a suspected dealer replacement in the early 1970s.

It has travelled 30,000 miles on its set of original silver 12-slotter steel wheels since the Shannons auction and remains in very good condition, having always been garaged and kept under a cover.

Inside, its interior presents as original and it comes with a period Pioneer eight-track stereo, a Smiths under-dash air-conditioner and a rear window venetian blind.

Any early Falcon GT is hot property and Shannons expect this very nice XW to sell in the $160,000-$200,000 range.

Also in the auction is a beautiful Ivy Green XA GT manual  sedan, from a deceased estate. Enhancements include a sequential gearshift, chromed 12-slot steel wheels, external bonnet pins and a bare-metal respray.

As values of XAGTs have risen recently, with its role as forerunner of the GTHO Phase IV now fully appreciated, Shannons expect this impressive example to sell for $54,000-$85,000.

The Falcon XB GT manual in the auction line-up represents the end of an era for Ford Supercars. For 1973, Ford Australia equipped its flagship LTD and Landau models with four-wheel disc brakes and the 351ci V8 engine  destined for the XB Falcon GT, which followed some months later.

In total there were 1950 sedan and 949 hardtop XB GTs built before production ceased in June 1976. Prices have risen sharply in recent years and will doubtless continue this trajectory.

This amazing survivor XB GT Hardtop comes with remarkable provenance and is now ready for a ground-up restoration.

The current owner acquired the car when it was approximately eight months old, after it had been driven to the mines in Western Australia, where the owner worked at the time, before going to Mt Isa in Queensland. It was then parked up long term in Brisbane.

This GT Hardtop is complete and is a desirable addition to any automotive collection, either fully restored or left in its still-original condition. The engine runs, but the car needs a mechanical overhaul to be considered drivable.

A nicely done ‘GT Tribute;’ version of the 1966 Ford XR Falcon Sedan, replicating the white with red stripe car driven into second place outright at Bathurst by Sydney brothers Leo and Ian Geoghegan, is also for sale. Now running an upgraded 302ci V8 and a four-speed manual it has an expectation of $90,000-$110,000 because of the quality of its workmanship.

To view all Shannons August 15-20 timed on-line Winter auction vehicles, visit www.shannons.com.au

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