Strong results at SEVEN82MOTORS March auction

SEVEN82MOTORS’ March stock drop online auction was one of their biggest ever, with 50 cars on offer, plus a bunch of collectables for the man cave. The Queensland company’s first auction for 2023 was on a par with their last for 2022 in terms of numbers and quality, with highlights including some very desirable restored and restomod classics, as well as a few quirkier choices – from a Chrysler Newport wagon to a classic Honda trike!

From Aussie classics to American muscle, high-quality customs and restomods, as well as hot-rods, street machines, pickups, modern performance cars and top-down classics to catch the last of Summer, there was something to appeal to just about everyone in the SEVEN82MOTORS March Online Auction.

As with past auctions, every vehicle consigned for this one was to the very high standards of quality, condition and presentation you’ve come to expect from SEVEN82MOTORS.

Against some elite-level showcars that included the ‘Notorious’ 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda and rare modern muscle in the form of a Dodge Viper RT/10 and an HSV W427, the top-selling vehicle - a 1970 Ford Bronco 4x4 - was something of a surprise, especially as it was one of the No Reserve lots in the 6-11 March auction.

A rare vehicle in Australia, this Bronco was sourced from Arizona and imported to Queensland where Resident Restorations in Toowoomba were entrusted with its restoration.

Being from a dry state, the Bronco was in solid condition, but was nevertheless subjected to a full- body-off restoration, with the chassis powdercoated and the body resprayed in Wimbledon White before they were reunited. New rubbers, new glass, a new removable softop and roll cage were all sourced, with the roiling stock updated to 15-inch polished wheels on 32-inch A/T tyres.

While the Bronco could be had with a 302 V8 in period, the version fitted to this example was a blueprinted 302 crate motor, with alloy heads, an Edelbrock manifold, Holley 750cfm carby, electronic ignition, ceramic-coated headers and a custom stainless steel exhaust with Varex electronic bypass valve to change the note from mild to wild at the flick of a switch.

Producing 370hp, the engine was matched to a three-speed automatic and the Bronco’s standard four-wheel drive system, with all the work done by Cal’s Garage in Toowoomba.

Inside, all-new trim, including modern seats, seat belts, a Tuffy Security centre console and distressed tan leather upholstery for the seats and doorcards was completed by KR Auto Trimmers, while full carpeting sits over Car Builders insulation matting.

Instrumentation has been updated with a Dakota Digital dash unit and a similar upgrade for the sound system was fitted in the form of a Retrosounds unit with Bluetooth.

While SEVEN82MOTORS were expecting this lot to do well, the final price of $240,000 was outstanding and shows not only that there’s a market for quirkier classics like this, but also that the Bronco has a following here in Australia.

Rising interest in Chevrolet’s Corvette for its 70th Anniversary this year may explain why three units were consigned for the March auction, covering a broad spread of the all-American sports car’s production.

Two of the three sold, with a restomodded 1962 example leading the way, selling for $202,500.

Sitting on a modern chassis from Street Shop, the upgrades applied to this classic C1 Corvette included C4 Corvette independent suspension and disc brakes all round. The engine was upgraded to an LS2 V8 with Ram Air induction and the transmission to a Tremec 5-speed manual.

Eighteen-inch Budnik wheels were an obvious change, but more was done to the exterior, including two-inch wider rear guards and deleted cove/guard trim.

Inside, this car’s upgrades included AutoMeter Cobalt gauges in the original housings, new leather trim, new carpets, power windows, power locking and air conditioning.

At the other end of the Corvette spectrum in terms of age, a 2012 Corvette ZR1 coupe combined performance with practicality, as it had a supercharged LS9 V8 (as used in the HSV GTSR W1) and a right-hand drive conversion completed by Corvette Clinic in Victoria.

A one-owner car with just 495 miles covered from new, this Corvette ZR1 was ordered with every possible factory option, including carbon fibre exterior parts, the Premium Equipment Group and (Chevrolet) Centennial Edition Package.

Finished in Ebony metallic that was only available on Centennial Edition cars, the interior of this Corvette was trimmed in complementary black leather and Alcantara, with conveniences including power windows, power seat adjustment, cruise control, keyless entry/starting and a premium Bose sound system.

The rarity of such a Corvette in Australia – and one so well equipped – was reflected in the $175,000 it sold for.

In terms of Aussie attractions, a pair of classic Falcon hardtops – a ’73 XB GT and ’77 XC - sold for an identical $172,500 each, but they were very different animals.

The 1973 XB GT was a one-off car in its original specification that included a 351 w/4spd manual, factory-fitted Golde sunroof, power windows and air conditioning. Restored over several years and completed in 2018, variations from factory spec included a modern sound system, battery relocation, a .30 thou bore of the original engine and an automatic transmission.

The 1977 XC was a full custom build, known and EVILXC and the subject of a feature in Street Machine. Multiple changes to this hardtop started with a supercharged 572ci V8 producing over 1000hp at the crank, a hand-built trans and diff, custom suspension, custom paint and a full custom interior, including Ferrari leather on Holden VF Commodore front seats, a BMW 7 Series rear seat, custom dash, Dakota Digital gauges, Pioneer sound system and plenty more.

Fans of original and upgraded classic Holden muscle had plenty to tempt them at this auction, too, starting with a 1971 HQ Monaro LS that had been rebuilt as a very tidy street machine from an incomplete project, with the upgrades including a tricked-out 400ci SBC, T400 auto, 9-inch, sway bars and modern disc front brakes.

Repainted in Sunset Red candy pearl and fitted with B45 Simmons wheels, refurbished or replaced chrome was also fitted, while the interior was completely retrimmed using factory-look Winner Products, aftermarket gauges, a B&M shifter, new stereo and custom centre console. 

The level of equipment and style on this custom Monaro LS saw it sell for $106,000.

For Torana fans, there was a 1975 LH Torana SL/R sedan that was a genuine example, updated to make it a tough streeter. Changes included fitting A9X flares and a repaint in the popular Barbados Green, as well as a set of Weld wheels, including big 15x10 rears.

The engine was upgraded to a 355 Stroker with all the modern gear, with the transmission updated to a T400 auto, while a shortened 9-inch, Strange 4.11 TrueTrac centre and 31-spline billet axles completed the driveline. Steering, suspension and braking were also either upgraded or rebuilt.

Inside, a full retrim and period Recaro front bucket seats were added, plus AutoMeter gauges and a B&M shifter.

Tastefully modified, this neat street performance car sold for $110,000.

If older Holdens are your style, there was a pair of classics from GM-H in this auction in the form of a 1953 48/215 ute and 1955 FJ sedan.

With the ute, the only deviations from original spec in its restoration was a 12-volt upgrade and leather seat trim. Offered with No Reserve, this Glenn Green ute with a black interior, sold for $76,500.

On the FJ sedan, the 138 Grey Motor was original, but a four-speed had been fitted and modern Holden Sting Red paint applied outside. Inside, HR Premier buckets, a custom console, comprehensive sound system (with amps, subs in the boot) and new gauges were fitted. A multiple trophy winner, this tastefully modified FJ sold for $54,500.

A pair of panel vans in the auction included a 1977 Chrysler CL Valiant with Sports Pack that had been restored to mostly original spec and a customised 1972 Holden HQ van with driveline, exterior and interior upgrades. The Valiant van sold for $42,500 on No Reserve, while the Holden was passed in.

Finally, working vehicles of the American kind included a 1959 Chev Apache restomod and a 1956 Ford F100 with a similar custom makeover, both of which sold for over $100,000. 

The build of the Chev had been only completed recently and included things like a 6.0-litre LS V8, T400 auto trans, disc brake front end, 20-inch Detroit Steel artillery wheels, new glass and new timber tub lining. Inside, a bolstered bench seat, one-off doorcards, Dakota Digital gauges, an Alpine sound system, air con and Bluetooth with Apple CarPlay were all fitted with the goal of making a comfortable driver.

The visual and practical appeal of this classic Chev pickup saw it sell for $118,500.

The ’56 Ford F100 was even more practical, as it had a right-hand drive conversion and hidden tow bar amongst its many modifications. Known as ‘Marilyn,’ this pickup was purchased by the vendor in 2011, then completely rebuilt, with a modern driveline, suspension, brakes and interior fitted.

Colonial White paint extended to the grille and wheels, with whitewall tyres and tucked bumpers front and rear adding to the impact of its creamy finish.

Under the body, boxed chassis rails, a welded-in K frame, EL Falcon front end and four-link rear were some of the mods made to allow this almost 70-year-old pickup to handle a 347 Windsor stroker V8, matched to a C4 auto and XA GT 9-inch diff.

Inside, a factory look (albeit in RHD) was retained, but modern touches included power windows, power steering, air conditioning, central locking, a hidden stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, Dakota Digital gauges and an integral ignition key.

In the tub lined with American Oak, a storage box fitted with a power lid that can be opened from within the cabin.

This super-clean, super-stylish restomod American pickup sold for $160,500.

Goodies for the man cave in the SEVEN82 MOTORS March Online Auction included various American and Aussie dealer/service signs, lightbox frontages, statues and a custom Chevrolet ‘bowtie’ table and chairs, but the highlight was a C1950 Wayne petrol bowser, restored in Ampol livery with a working illuminated globe that sold for $10,500.

To see more vehicles and other results from the SEVEN82MOTORS March Online Auction, click HERE.