Two very desirable German cabriolets from the early ‘50s and ‘60s head a number of sporting cars welcoming summer with open tops at Shannons Sydney Spring auction on 15 November. The stunner of these sun-seekers is a rare, red with cream leather upholstery 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220A Cabriolet that recently emerged from a four-year restoration at renowned Brisbane car restorer, Sleeping Beauties. Powered by a 2.2 litre straight six cylinder engine producing 60kW, the stylish ‘Benz is one of just 1,278 two-door 220A Cabriolet models produced by Mercedes-Benz during 1952-‘53. The car being auctioned spent its early years in Switzerland before making […]
Two very desirable German cabriolets from the early ‘50s and ‘60s head a number of sporting cars welcoming summer with open tops at Shannons Sydney Spring auction on 15 November.
The stunner of these sun-seekers is a rare, red with cream leather upholstery 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220A Cabriolet that recently emerged from a four-year restoration at renowned Brisbane car restorer, Sleeping Beauties.
Powered by a 2.2 litre straight six cylinder engine producing 60kW, the stylish ‘Benz is one of just 1,278 two-door 220A Cabriolet models produced by Mercedes-Benz during 1952-‘53.
The car being auctioned spent its early years in Switzerland before making its way to America and finally Australia, where it is believed to be one of very few in the country to retain its original left hand drive configuration, adding considerably to its world market collectible value.
The vehicle is being sold with its period in-dash Becker radio and two pieces of bespoke luggage. It is expected to sell in the $135,000-$160,000 range.
Also red, from Germany and equally desirable is a 1964 right hand drive Porsche 356C Cabriolet that was the subject of a fully body and interior restoration just three years ago.
The Porsche was imported from Portland, Oregon by the current owner in 2003 and was professionally converted to right hand drive on its arrival. The car’s earlier-model 356B 1600 Super engine was stripped down and rebuilt 20,000km ago and according to Shannons the car drives and handles superbly.
It will be sold with a brand new, unused carpet set, a set of original chrome wheel rims and its personalised New South Wales number plates, ‘CAB64C’, with Shannons quoting a guiding range of $100,000-$120,000.
Other desirable convertible classics in the 15 November sale include an Australian-delivered 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230L ‘Pagoda Roof’ convertible in exceptional condition. The multiple trophy-winning car comes with both soft and hard tops – both in excellent condition – and is expected to sell in the $56,000-$66,000 range.
Mustang fanciers will be chasing the 1967 left hand drive Mustang convertible presented in lovely original condition ($32,000-$38,000), while British sports car enthusiasts will be drawn to the rare (in Australia), low-kilometre (47,800km) 1992 Lotus M100 Elan presented in very good condition ($16,000-$20,000).
Meanwhile for vintage sports car enthusiasts, the 1931 Bentley Continental Special Roadster replica built in Australia by John Hayes under the guidance of Bentley authority the late ‘Jumbo’ Goddard over a 12 year period will make a fascinating and usable tourer at its expected sale price of $42,000-$48,000.
For media information/images, contact: Michael Browning 0418 324 328. For further auction information, contact: Ian (02) 8019 4180 or Christophe 0413 567 308.
