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Australian V8s break million dollar auction records

Collectible and desirable Australian-produced Ford and Holden V8 muscle cars are now consistently selling for more than a million dollars, breaking all previous auction house records.

Lloyds Auctions sold a Yellow Glow, Ford GTHO Phase III Falcon under the hammer for a record-breaking $1.3 million on September 25 following a heated online bidding war. The auction house says the online bids roared from $800,000 onwards igniting the competition between prospective owners. “The Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III receives so much attention because it is the pinnacle of Australian muscle cars and has consistently held its value over its lifespan since its release in 1971, so they attract bidders including enthusiasts, collectors as well as investors,” Lloyds Auctions chief operating officer Lee Hames says. A 1996 HSV VS GTSR also broke an auction record for its model on September 25 selling under the hammer for $1 million. This vehicle was build #001 off the production, still wrapped in its original plastic and showing 86km on the odometer.

“This classic is incredibly hard to find for Holden enthusiasts, it is one of 85 ever built, rarer than the two-door A9X Torana. Because of its collectability and the interest we have had on the vehicle since its publish we are not surprised this vehicle achieved seven figures,” Hames says.

The 1996 HSV wasn’t the only rare model to go under the hammer on September 25. Lloyds Auctions says an HSV GTSR W1 sedan build #017 sold to a Holden enthusiast for $750,000 whilst an HSV GTSR W1 Maloo Ute reached a hammer price of $1,250,000 but went into negotiations expected to sell in the coming days.

“Nine months ago we saw a W1 Maloo Ute achieve seven figures at auction alongside a high six figure amount for a W1 Sedan and nine months later they have held if not increased in value and we expect this trend to continue,” Hames says.

“Holdens and Fords continue to appreciate in value, anything of a limited build, celebrity affiliation, significant history or chrome bumpers just keeps going up in value and we urge any Holden or Ford enthusiast looking for advice to give us a call right now,” he says.

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