Of other no reserve lots, some keen prices were bid and taken from the floor, which was well filled but generally subdued throughout. The first lot, a pretty 1965 Karmann Ghia in White which garnered some serious get-down-on-your-knees inspection pre-sale went for a bargain $7500 (est: $8-12,000). Another non-reserve German, a 1980 Merc 450SLC with injected and thoroughly thirsty V8 with poor paintwork and ‘substantial underbody rust’ according to auction manager Chris Boribon went for a paltry $2300 ($8-12,000), after a tongue-in-cheek $1000 bid opened proceedings after an anxious wait.

Along with the Hummer, a cosmetically refurbished and highly presentable 1959 MGA 1600 Mk1 energised crowd and Shannons team alike as two telephone bidders slugged it out. Eventually this little gem sold for $21,500 ($14-18,000).

Frustratingly, other bidding battles often faded as low estimate values were breached. The key Europeans included a marvellous Mercedes-Benz 190SL in red (similar to another sold by Shannons four months previously for an Australian record $170,000) stalled at $96,000 which was not enough to find a new home. Admittedly the bidders could be forgiven for their disappointment as this was $6,000 above the bottom estimate ($90-105,000).

An original RHD HK 500 Facel Vega, very rare in Australia and with big-block Chrysler motivation was also passed in, at $108,000 ($100-125,000). This trend continued when a splendid blue Ferrari 330GT 2+2 with sumptuous light blue leather reached an impasse at $154,000 ($150-180,000). This was a very competitive price range in the current world market for its condition as described by Shannons.

The ‘no sale’ story continued through the American muscle machines with all three open air Corvettes and both sixties Mustangs failing to attract enough interest to move on. As for Aussie muscle- traditionally the best indicator of confidence in our collector car market- the news was similarly staid. Vehicles from each of the big three (Ford, GM-H and Chrysler) ranged from $32-165,000 pre-sale but each was passed in. Perhaps the biggest disappointment was the White A9X Hatch, fully restored with the cachet of a Neil Burns (ex-HDT) engine rebuild, which stalled at $108,000, well short of $130-160,000 estimates. An XA GT sedan, in the right shade of red with black bonnet and in storage since 1993 only attracted $67,000 against $68-76,000. The highpoint in Aussie attractions was an immaculate Grey E49 Charger, but it also hit the wall at $148,000 before it was passed in (curiously $8,000 above pre-sale estimate ($140-165,000)).

Small relief was provided by 1961 Holden EK, an older but well executed restoration that sold for $11,500 ($8-12,000). A Customline with several paint marks but in otherwise sound condition attracted solid bids to sell for $16,700 ($14-17,000). A 3.4 litre Jaguar Mk2, originally auto but now with a 4 speed overdrive manual, hit it’s mid-estimate at $14,000, an attractive price for a usable classic.

Shannons now look forward to 2009 and their showcase sale in March’s Melbourne International Motor Show. As Christmas passes and consumers settle into the economic conditions, the government is attempting to stimulate spending by improving borrowing conditions. The flow on effect should see investors turn back to quality classics, especially now that sellers are being forced to reduce their pricing expectations. 2009 is shaping up to be a buyers market and auctions should recover as a result.

For full auction results visit www.shannons.com.au

Highlighting the sale, and sparking serious international interest is the collection of significant Lotus single-seat racing cars previously owned by the late Hon. John Dawson-Damer. From 1971 until 1984 Dawson-Damer developed his collection and it is internationally renowned as the largest privately owned collection of this marque’s racing history, outside the Chapman family.

Top of the list is a highly significant example of the first Lotus to win a world championship: Lotus 25 chassis number R4, ex- Jim Clark and Richard Attwood. Clark won 7 GP races in this very chassis in 1963, on the way to his first driver’s championship. With continuous history supplied, the chance to acquire this perfect piece of world motor racing history is estimated at $1.1 million to $1.8 million.

Other Lotus marvels include a front-engined F2 spec Lotus 16 (est: $320-480,000), an ex-Gregory/Bonnier 18 from 1961 ($260-400,000), and another ex-Clark car in the form of a Type 39 Tasman special, later owned by Leo Geoghagen. A technically interesting but not so well known GP Lotus, the 1969 Type 63 (only 2 ever made), which utilised a Ferguson 4WD system and was used by 2 world champions in period- Mario Andretti and Jochen Rindt- is estimated at a relative bargain of $175-265,000.

Rounding out the GP collection with a nice symmetry is an example of the last Lotus champion, the type 79. This vehicle, chassis 79/5 is an ex-Andretti and Carlos Reutemann machine and is estimated to sell for between $480-620,000.

Still in keeping with the motorsport theme are a pair of scarlet racers- a 1952 twin supercharged 1.5l Grand Prix Alta ($120-160,000) and a well known Australian delivered Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 formerly owned by Lex Davison. This car participated in the first speed event to be held in Victoria in post-WW2 times, in Ballarat in 1947. By 1948 it had been rebuilt with the 2 seater sports bodywork it wears today. Bonhams suggest contacting them direct for an estimate on the contacts below.

In terms of pure road cars, top billing in terms of value has to go to the Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Volante. 1 of 29 built to this specification and presenting in a striking Aquamarine colour and believed to have covered only 92,000 miles since new, the Aston is estimated to sell at $400-500,000.

A beautiful short-chassis 1938 Lagonda V12 ($150-180,000) will compete with a range of Bentley and Rolls-Royce metal, ranging from the $32-38,000 estimate of a 1953 R-Type saloon to a 1961 RR Mulliner Park Ward Convertible at $160-200,000.

The quality of entries for this sale promises much, with the motoring department at Bonhams confident of exceeding the $5 million mark to cap off what has been a record year. With their global connections a sale of this calibre can only mean good things for the Australian Classic Car industry.