SHANNONS AUCTION RARE SPORTING CLASSICS IN SYDNEY

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Four very different sporting classics from Australia, Britain, Germany and Italy will go under the hammer at the Australian International Motor Show Auction presented by Shannons at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre on October 19.

Vintage sports car enthusiasts have already shown great interest in the 1931 4.5 Litre Blown Bentley roadster replica that was built in Australia over a 12-year period by John Hayes under the guidance of acknowledged Bentley expert, the late ‏Jumbo' Goddard.

Based on an Austin Sheerline chassis frame, this unique machine with its 165HP (123kW) 5.75-litre Rolls-Royce B80 straight-eight engine and dry-sump lubrication, has similar power to the original Blower Bentley, but is additionally fitted with a limited-slip differential and a Jaguar E-type four-speed gearbox.

The car's coachwork is a professionally made replica of the body typically found on the Vintage Cricklewood Bentley and is appropriately finished in green with matching interior trim, while the instruments and windscreen are a mixture of SS Jaguar and Bentley items.

Since completion and certification by a Motor Engineer, the Bentley replica has very little mileage, spending some time on display in the Launceston Motor Museum. It is being sold with full NSW registration, with Shannons expecting bids in the $55-$65,000 range.

From Britain comes a rare 2000 model Lotus 340R roadster ˜ build number 16 out of 340 ˜ that is believed to be one of just a couple of these uncompromising roadsters on Australian roads.

Based on the Elise platform, the extreme Lotus 340R was a limited production, lightweight roadster intended for either road or track use. With no doors, roof or side windows, it offered minimal passenger comfort and maximum driving involvement, particularly when fitted with the optional 190HP (142kW) upgrade of the Elise's Rover K-Series engine.

Capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds, the 340R being sold is road registered in NSW, has covered just 24,649km and would make an ideal track day car at its estimated selling price of $90-$110,000.

German sports car enthusiasts are catered for with a 1989 Porsche 911 Wide Body Speedster that has covered just 58,540 kilometres from new ˜ most of them in the hands of its owner of the past 15 years.

One of six wide-body 911 Speedsters delivered in Australia in 1989 out of 139 right-hand drive cars built, the Speedster with its cut-down windscreen and minimalist weather protection is an appreciating classic, with Shannons expecting this immaculate black example for sell for a similar price to the Lotus 340R - $90-$110,000.

Finally, Shannons are offering Ferrari enthusiasts the opportunity to own one of the all-time great V12 models, with a red 1985 Testarossa Coupe targeted to sell in the $80-$95,000 range.

This factory right-hand drive Testarossa was imported into Australia from England in 1997 and is believed to be a two-owner car from new.

After spending a number of years in storage, the car has just undergone a $15,000 service prior to the auction and comes with its original log books, some invoices and photographs of work carried out.

These four sporting classics are amongst 25 vehicles and 27 number plate and memorabilia items in the Shannons auction, which will be staged in the Parkside Ballroom, Level 1, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre from 2.30pm on Sunday October 19.