Photos: Classic car cavalcade going under the hammer
On the final day of the 2008 Brisbane Auto Show, a number of classic cars will be going under the hammer. There's everything from a Holden FJ to muscle and vintage cars.
On the final day of the 2008 Brisbane Auto Show, a number of classic cars will be going under the hammer. There's everything from a Holden FJ to muscle and vintage cars.
1954 Holden FJ Special
There are two classic Holden sedans on the blocks this Sunday. There's this restored FJ, which is expected to go for around AU$30,000, and an unrestored 1952 48-215 (FX) for at least a third the price.
Between them the FX and FJ put the country on wheels. The 48-215, commonly referred to as the FX, was launched in 1948 as the car "made in Australia, for Australia" although it was essentially a rejected American Chevy design. Featuring a 2.15-litre straight-six, the car was an instant success. Buyers were impressed with its 80mph (129km/h) top speed and 30mpg (7.8L/100km) frugality. Demand far outstripped supply and, at one stage, Holden released an ad assuring all that "Holden is worth waiting for".
In 1953 Holden released an updated model, the FJ. Basically the FJ was an FX with detail revisions -- the most noticeable change was the new, rather ornate horizontal chrome grille and chromed mini-tailfins. The Special model had niceties like armrests and a cigarette lighter.
1971 XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III
Today's V8 Supercars -- think of the cars that do battle at the Bathurst 1000 every year -- look like the Commodores and Falcons that do daily service on our roads. But in reality, they're stripped out and souped up for racing duties and, apart from their bodies, actually bear little relation to the everyday models we drive and ride in.
It wasn't always this way though. Back in the '60s and '70s, Holden, Chrysler and Ford produced race-oriented yet road-going versions of their regular sedans and coupes. Beneath its striped bodywork, this GT-HO Phase III had a 351 cubic inch (5.75L) V8 that could propel it from standstill to 400 metres in 14.7 seconds and a top speed of around 230km/h.
The GT-HO is one of the most sought after Aussie muscle cars because it was the pinnacle of the Falcon tree and with the Phase III the last of that line, it's little surprise that the owners are hoping for a cool AU$700,000 or more.
1928 Stutz BB with Weymann-type sports body
Initially founded in 1911 in Indianapolis as the Ideal Motor Car Company, Stutz was an American luxury car maker that failed to survive the Great Depression, folding in 1935. The marque was resuscitated in 1970 for a line of ultra-exclusive sedans and coupes before production stopped again in the '80s.
This BB Sports Tourer has a 4.9L inline eight-cylinder engine, an engine configuration popular before the Second World War. The BB featured here is expected to fetch somewhere between AU$90,000 to AU$115,000
1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback
After retiring early from competitive racing, racing driver Carroll Shelby set up his Shelby-American company in 1959. Here he helped to created the famous AC Cobra, a lightweight British-made sports car powered by a big American Ford V8.
In the mid '60s, Shelby turned his hand to tuning Ford Mustangs. This GT500 is powered by a 428 cubic inch (7L) V8 and is one of the fruits of his labour before he turned his hand to modding Chrysler and GM cars. The owners of this Mustang are hoping for over AU$170,000.
1973 Plymouth 'Cuda 340 Hardtop
This 1973 model V8 Barracuda was one of Plymouth's last contributions to America's muscle car era. At one stage there were an amazing eight V8 engines to choose from, ranging from 318 cubic inches (5 litres) to 440 cubic inches (7.2L), as well as two six-cylinder options.
By 1973 however, performance had been blunted by both tighter emissions laws and stricter safety regulations. The model pictured above has a 340 cubic inch (5.6L) V8 engine and is expected to go for upwards of AU$53,000.
1927 Auburn 8-88 Seven-Seater
Like the Stutz we've already seen, Auburn was another American luxury car maker which failed to survive the Great Depression. By the end of the company's life it was part of the same family as other famous nameplates, including Cord and Duesenberg.
The 8-88 seen here is powered by an inline eight-cylinder engine and should go for around AU$70,000.
1972 Chrysler VH Valiant Charger E49 R/T
Like the Ford Falcon GT-HO, Chrysler's R/T Chargers were made with racing in mind. Unlike the muscle cars from the Ford and Holden stables, the R/T Chargers had a six-cylinder Hemi engine.
In the case of the E49, it's a 265 cubic inch (4.3L) six with 225kW on tap and driving through a four-speed manual gearbox. The owners of this E49 are expecting at least AU$220,000 for their example.
2007 FPV Falcon GT Cobra
Yes, it boasts the same 302kW, 540Nm 5.4L "Boss" engine as the other V8s in FPV's tuned Ford line-up, but there's cobra badging aplenty and R Spec suspension as standard. Plus, we're certain that those racing stripes are good for at least another 10kW.
With this car's 399 siblings already spoken for, this six-speed manual Cobra with just 50km on the odo' is expected to fetch between AU$85,000 and $105,000 -- that's at least AU$20,000 over the list price of AU$65,110.