Classic cars and rare number plates fetch BIG DOLLARS at Shannons online auction

Back in April, I found a 1969 Velocette Sportsman 500cc up for auction at Shannons in Sydney. It was a ripper, with incredible originality and only one owner from new.

Shannons had listed the buyer guide at $18,000 – $20,000 and the bike was part of their social distancing approved timed online auction – basically ebay without wading through listings for HDMI cables and steak knives. 

So, the results are in and while the Virus hasn’t been good for local restaurants, the extra time at home gave bidders the chance to go wild. 

In the end, the beautiful Velo went to its new owner for an impressive $39500. And that wasn’t the only thing to change hands, with a 97% clearance rate! 

The $164,500 paid for an Australian delivered 1977 Porsche 930 was strong, but perhaps a little down on what I expected, while the $161,500 paid for a tidy but tired 1960 Mercedes 190SL was way over what I would pay for one of my least favourite Mercs. 

Mindbogglingly for me, number plates continued to show strong gains, with NSW ‘280’ moving on for $220,000. That money would have been much better spent on the 1958 MGA ($27k and in need of restoration) AND the Special Equipment Jaguar XK120 (immaculate and $151,000) AND the Velocette, because you sure as hell can’t enjoy a number plate! Still, each to their own, I guess.  

The success of the timed online auction sees Shannon’s scrambling to find more listings. Got something cool tucked away in the shed?