Modern Classic Ferraris Star In High-Octane Month For Auctions In Australia

May was another great month for auctions in Australia, with our team consigning a wide range of collectible, classic and high-performance vehicles from across the country.

Our team has been developing considerable expertise in consigning fine Ferraris in recent months, and we were pleased to send two examples to new custodians in May. A 2001 Ferrari 360 Modena F1 fetched $121,000 late in the month, finished in the marque's iconic Rosso Corsa, and featuring Scuderia wing shields and a Challenge Stradale ‘Tricolore’ racing stripe; while a 1991 Ferrari 348 TS in rare Giallo Modena was one of our first sales in May, reaching $93,500. This example was originally supplied to the Middle East in left-hand drive and was supported by the sought-after Ferrari Classiche certification.

This was also a particularly interesting month for modified, track-focused and custom machinery, led by a 1999 Ford GT40 DRB Replica which sold for $151,500. Built by DRB in tribute to Ford's nigh-unbeatable Le Mans legend, it was powered by a 5.0-litre 'High Output' (HO) Ford V8 sourced from a circa 1995 Mustang. The motor was significantly uprated, fitted with Ford Turbo Swirl alloy race heads, a custom-ported factory induction system, an upgraded drive pulley, Steeda Performance camshaft, high-performance distributor and ignition system, larger injectors, the Autronic SM2 engine management system and a Porsche 930 Turbo starter motor, and breathing through a ‘Bundle of Snakes’ GT40 exhaust.

It wasn’t only the cars that were custom this month, either. We were pleased to offer a wild 2005 American Ironhorse Legend to market, which reached $17,500. This custom bike was finished in purple with flame graphics running across the bodywork, and was equipped with a chrome-plated Edelbrock nitrous oxide kit.

Some four-wheel-drive favourites also caught our eye in May, including a 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution that fetched $40,500. This was a particularly well-preserved example of the sought-after homologation special, one of around 2,500 understood to have been produced. It was joined by a highly original example of Mercedes’ W460 230GE, which fetched $42,250 during the month. Powered by a 2.3-litre inline-four, the car was originally delivered into Japan and rode the correct 15-inch five-spoke alloy wheels.

As always, some of our strongest performers in May were the classics; led by a lovely 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster which sold for $150,000. The elegant open-top British sports car benefitted from restoration work, including a respray to Pastel Blue Metallic, and was offered from the care of a longstanding family ownership. It was joined by a similarly handsome 1967 Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pagoda, which generated significant interest in its closing minutes to fetch $106,000.

Our last highlight is also our smallest: a Porsche 911 Carrera Junior children’s car, which sold for $26,601 early in the month. Powered by a four-stroke Honda G100 engine and featuring a manual gearbox with clutch, these Carrera Junior cars are extremely rare, with only 224 examples believed to have been built.

Our consignment teams around the world are always keen to hear about special cars, so if you have a rare supercar or sought-after limited-edition model that needs to find a new home, then contact us today to find out more.