Hispano-Suiza tops auction charts Down Under

| 10 Nov 2015

It's not the first car you would expect to turn up in Australia, but a c1924 Hispano-Suiza H6B that had slipped off enthusiasts' radar for more than 20 years became the top seller at Shannons' 9 November sale. The saloon fetched $170,000AUD , almost doubling its pre-sale estimate of $70-90,000. 

Despite strong interest from overseas, the well-preserved classic is expected to remain in Australia, where it was delivered when new. 

A prolonged battle between an enthusiast int he room and a phone bidder from South Australia pushed the price of a 1965 E-type 4.2 Coupé to $158,000 – just behind the H6B project. 

The next highest price was achieved for a well-presented 1986 Ferrari 328GTS, which fetched $155,000. 

Another Australian-delivered import, a Mercedes-Benz 280SL convertible sold for $88,500, and was complete with its hard top. 

A low-mileage Buick Riviera looked like great value at $55,000, while a 1985 BMW M635i made $48,500.

Just $4500 less was enough to secure a 1924 British Star Mercury tourer with a long Australian history, which was followed by a 1964 Fiat 2300S Coupé at $40,000. 

A 1962 Holden EJ Special Station Wagon was well bought at $23,500, as was a 1982 Toyota BJ42 Land Cruiser, which cost its new owner just $24,000.