Car collection with $1.5m price tag
An Auckland auction house is showcasing $1.5 million worth of luxurious and rare vintage collectors’ cars before they go under the hammer on Sunday, December 8.
Headlining the auction at Webb’s in Mt Eden, Auckland, is a 1988 Holden HSV VL SS Group A Walkinshaw, pictured above, which is described as a stunning example of Australian motorsport history. It has an estimate of $240,000-$260,000.
Built to homologate the VL Commodore for specific use in Group A Touring, the Walkinshaw was the genesis of a line of cars that would dominate the V8 Supercars championship for decades to come.
While initially not branded as HSV, these cars have become sought-after collectibles, for their association with the division and the limited number produced.
Another notable lot is a 1971 Holden HG Kingswood Station Wagon in original condition that comes complete with forest green vinyl and sunny yellow paintwork.
A 1964 Porsche 356 “Outlaw”, pictured below, a 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, a 2012 Ferrari California, and a 2016 Aston Martin Vantage N430 Roadster are also expected to draw the attention of bidders.
Caolán McAleer, head of collectors’ cars at Webb’s, says: “We really didn’t know how things were going to go this year, with so many murmurs of uncertainty in the economy. But across our auctions, it's clear there’s still strong local and international demand for exceptional cars.
“From luxury to rare to quirky, the level of interest and competitive bidding is soaring, and we’re thrilled to bring this collection to auction.”
One of the more unusual offerings at the sale is an Atco Junior Safety-First Training Car, which was designed in the 1930s to teach children aged 7–17 in the UK the fundamentals of driving and road safety.
Webb’s says the model is one of possibly as few as five surviving examples from an original production run of 200 units.
The meticulously restored example going under the hammer works like a fully functional car, complete with clutch, brake, handbrake, gearstick, starter lever and the accelerator on the steering column, which was common at the time. It is estimated to sell for between $10,000 and $20,000.
The Atco Junior, pictured below, features a 1hp, 98cc, single-cylinder, 2-stroke Atco-Villiers lawnmower engine, crank start, and chain transmission, and has a top speed of 13-16kph. It also comes with a period-accurate toolbox.
McAleer adds: “It’s a delight to see something as unique as this Atco Junior Car come up for auction, it’s so different from the luxury vehicles we typically handle.
“Especially as we approach World Was II’s centenary, this piece encapsulates a distinct way of living and the ingenuity of its time.”
The cars are available to view at Webb’s in Normanby Road, Mt Eden, from Thursday-Saturday, December 5-7, between 10am and 4pm, and Sunday, December 8, from 10am-noon. The live auction starts on Sunday at 2.30pm.
