A rare Australian find, a left-hand drive 1938 Cadillac V16 Series 38-90 convertible coupe, is among classics up for sale at the Shannons May 22 Sydney Autumn Auction.
The Cadillac is in very good condition throughout, with its maroon paintwork’s deep finish matched by the car’s dazzling chrome and rich leather upholstery. Conceived in the “Roaring Twenties” as the last word in luxury motoring, the V16 wasn’t ready until the Depression started to curtail sales, yet it continued to be popular, Shannons says.
Formerly in the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the car was sold to a collector in Texas in 2006 before the current Australian owner – a Cadillac collector and enthusiast – bought it in the United States in 2010.
The Cadillac has won several awards and trophies at various car shows and is the 276th example of 315 Series 90 V16s produced in 1938.
Shannons expects it to sell in the $215,000-$240,000 range.
Another classic for auction is a low mileage Mercedes-Benz 300B Adenauer limousine first owned by the Victa Lawnmower family.
One of very few Mercedes-Benz 300 limousines delivered new in Australia, this ‘Medium Red’ 1954 model was the updated ‘B’ version specially ordered by Mervyn Victor Richardson, who developed the Victa Rotary lawn mower in 1952.
The car was discovered by the current owners in 1996 on the Southern Highlands estate ‘Invergowrie’ in Exeter – originally built for BHP industrialist Sir Cecil Hoskins – during an open gardens day.
The 300B has since been refurbished, with new paintwork, leather, carpets and headlining, while a full rubber kit was purchased direct from Mercedes-Benz in Germany. The engine, gearbox, clutch and brakes have been overhauled, along with a new exhaust system.
The Mercedes-Benz has 32,838 miles (52,847km) showing on its odometer – believed genuine as it aligns with the windscreen service sticker.
This German limousine is offered for sale with ‘no reserve’, with Shannons expecting it to sell in the $40,000-$46,000 range.
Shannons also has two other Cadillacs and a Mercedes-Benz S Class saloon – all offered with ‘no reserve’.
For Cadillac enthusiasts, there is a fabulous black with red leather, right-hand drive 1960 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible, refurbished since it was bought from a Queensland enthusiast by the current owner about two years ago.
It is expected to sell in the $40,000-$50,000 range.
A white 1984 right-hand drive ‘Arnold Palmer Gold Key Limited Edition’ Eldorado Biarritz Convertible with a host of options is also for sale.
In remarkably original condition, still with its signature gold keys and delivery audio cassette, the Cadillac was sold to Australia and converted to right-hand drive in 2000. The current owner, a Cadillac enthusiast and collector, acquired the Eldorado in October 2007 with only 6000 kilometres on its odometer. The car has done very little mileage since.
It is expected to sell for $34,000-$38,000.
Mercedes-Benz buyers can also bid on an extensively refurbished and Australian-delivered 1974 Mercedes-Benz 350SE Sedan showing 155,000km at the time of cataloguing and expected to sell with ’no reserve’ for $15,000-$20,000.
The auction at 65 Reserve Road, St Leonards, includes public viewing on May 20, 9am-4pm, and May 21, 10am-4pm.
The May 22 auction starts at 7pm.
Visit www.shannons.com.au for more.
