Homegrown classics

27 January 2023

Australia really punches above its weight when it comes to raking in the big bucks.

Our revered homegrown Holdens and Fords and Chryslers are more popular and valuable than ever, as the results of a recent Shannons auction bear out.

I really like this one: a 40-year-old tradie’s ute selling for $51,500. Not too shabby! The lucky seller of the Holden WB Kingswood 4.2 V8 made a killing, and good on them.

How about this? A 1969 Ford Falcon XW GT manual sedan for $115,500. Nice.

Then there was a 1975 four-door Holden HJ Monaro GTS with a rip-roaring 4.2-litre V8 engine and manual transmission – a lovely specification, even if I do say so myself – which sold for ‘only’ $70,000.

For the non-mortals amongst us, there was a 1977 Holden LX Torana A9X SL/R5000 ($230,500), a 1971 Ford Falcon XY GT sold for $232,000, and a 1990 HSV VN Commodore Group A SS sedan – that outsold a 1989 Ferrari Testarossa on the day – for $266,000, ouch!

Another one of my favourites – and more in my price bracket – a 1955 Holden FJ sedan sold for $16,000. 

Now you’re talking.

I have always loved my cars – from the classics to today’s cutting-edge dream machines. However, when it comes to the (now) classics, if I had known what the future held, I might have loved them a lot more at the time.

I wonder if my old Ford Territory will make a million bucks one day?

Oh well, thank goodness for local auctions and motor shows like Motorclassica. At these events I – and my fellow classic car lovers – can look and appreciate our favourites without having to mortgage the family home.

Will I be seeing you at these events in 2023?

Words: VACC CEO Geoff Gwilym. As featured in the Herald Sun on 27 January 2023.