Classic bikes sold as Shannons auction chalks up $7 million

The latest Shannons timed online auction has delivered nearly $7 million after a flurry of final-hour bids snatched up most of the classic bikes and cars on offer.

With an impressive clearance rate of 90 per cent, the auction total was $6.96 million. Leading the way for the motorcycle component was a 1938 Matchless Model X which sold for $70,000.

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The Matchless Model X is a pre-war British V-twin and is one of only 21 built in 1938. It was originally expected to sell for between $30,000 and $40,000.

Other notable motorcycle sales included a 1958 BMW R 50 with matching German Steib sidecar ($53,500), a 1976 Kawasaki Z900 A4 ($35,200), a 1973 Kawasaki H2A 750cc ($32,500) and a 1961 Lambretta Li 125 scooter ($17,500).

The auction also featured an Australia-build 1913 Monarch ‘Jap’ 500cc, a 1988 DNEPR (Rocket) MT11S sidecar outfit, and 1972 Norton Commander 750cc.

At the top of the auction results was a restored 1971 Ferrari Dino 246 GT coupe, which sold for a mind-numbing $640,000. That was followed by a 1966 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Series 1 roadster, which chalked up $271,000.

Also sold at the auction was a 1969 Ford Falcon XW GT-HO Phase 1 ($190,000), a 1973 Ford Falcon XA GT ($145,500), and a 1971 Holden LC Torana GTR XU-1 ($140,000). There were also a number of classic Australian muscle cars sold, including a 1972 Holden HQ 253 V8 sedan ($85,500) and a 1978 Holden HZ GTS Monaro manual sedan ($80,500).

Japanese sports cars also featured prominently with a 1995 Mazda RX-7 SP ($166,000), a 1994 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R coupe ($142,500), and a 1983 Mazda RX7 Series 3 rotary coupe ($46,000) all selling for impressive prices.