Cars, collectables sell at SA Collectors’ Auction

The ‘August Collectors’ Auction’ was loaded with hundreds of petroliana, garagenalia and other automotive-related collectable items. While most were smaller items, many fetched big prices, including $17,700 for a Shell ‘stick man’ embossed three-panel enamelled tin sign. Another three-panel Super Shell enamelled sign sold for $16,700, while two sets of similar Super Shell signs sold for $6,400 and $5,900.

Most of these signs were sourced locally in Adelaide and had been painted over and were in use as fencing panels before their origin – and value – were discovered.

An Ampol oil bottle rack made $1,700 and a rare Firezone upper cylinder lubricant drum hammered for $1,200, while a Neptune embossed oil bottle, only produced for 1929, sold for a stunning $3,700.

Despite being in poor condition, a Cross Kerosene sign sold for $550, with a 1950s-’60s Holden vinyl travel bag selling for $420.

Other marque-branded collectables included signs, flags, posters and ephemera for Holden and Mitsubishi, with pedal cars, veteran car accessories, miscellaneous spare parts, scale model steam engines and radiator mascots included, too.

While there were only five cars consigned for the auction, all were collectable and three sold. A 1956 Volkswagen Beetle sedan made $31,500 to be the top-selling lot overall. Coming to auction with no reserve, the VW was described as being an older restoration (approx. 30 years ago) that still presented in good condition. A 1928 Austin 7 coupe, achieved $10,400, while an early ‘low light’ (1948-’53) Morris Minor convertible sold for $1,200. The other two cars, both hillclimb/clubman-style specials, were passed in.

More than a dozen classic motorcycles were also consigned, along with related clothing and collectables. The top-selling motorcycle was a 1951 BMW R51/3 that sold for $14,200.

Total clearance rate from the auction was 90 per cent. For more information, go to https://www.scammellauctions.com.au/