- Stunning aero-engined 1922 Delage CO2 Hispano-Suiza special
- Vintage Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghost Tourer in complete 'oily rag' condition
- Two delightful 'brass era' 1914 Veteran tourers
Some of the oldest vehicles are expected to bring the best prices in Shannons Summer Timed Online Auction from February 22- March 1.
The highest quoted price for any lot in the auction is the $530,000 - $580,000 sought for a magnificent 1922 Delage CO2 Hispano-Suiza Aero engined Special built by the proprietor of the renowned Delage Garage in Melbourne for his own use.
Based on a 1922 Delage CO2 chassis, one of the most technologically advanced cars of the era, it is powered by a Hispano-Suiza V8 aircraft engine of a similar vintage, displacing a hefty 18.5-litres and developing 261kW and a stump-pulling 1,355Nm of torque.
Designed by Swiss aviation and automotive pioneer Marc Birkigt, the engine was
lighter and superior to contemporary rotary power plants, with thousands built under licence in various countries and used in allied aircraft, including in the famous French SPAD World War I fighter.
The car's fully restored chassis today retains its original Delage front and rear axles, four-speed gearbox, radiator shell, brake drums, steering box and Hartford friction shocks, but the stylish boat tail body was modelled on a 1923 Delage LSR.
To cap off this totally-impressive vehicle, the interior was upholstered in Ostrich leather – with all work completed to the highest standards of fit and finish.
Initially registered in Victoria, the Delage joined a prominent collection based in Tasmania around 14 years ago, but was rarely driven or shown.
Returning to Victoria for a full engine rebuild, the current Sydney owner acquired the Delage in 2013 and has since attended high-profile events include Motorclassica, the Australian Concours d'Elegance (taking out The Elegance Award), while more recently the Delage won both the People's Choice Award and was a class winner at the 2021 Sydney Harbour Concours d'Elegance.
Importantly for future owners, the Delage comes with a spares package that includes four new tyres, a wheel spanner and jack, spare inner tube, car cover and wheel hub extractors. There is also a CD documenting the engine rebuild, along with invoices covering the work carried out.
Aero-engined specials rarely come on the open market, particularly one of this quality and Shannons believe this unique and very special machine will appeal to international collectors and enthusiasts at its estimated selling price of 530,000 - $580,000.
Also appealing to the International market is a Vintage Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghost Tourer in complete 'oily rag' condition.
Better known as the Silver Ghost, the landmark 40/50 horsepower introduced in 1906 was the first Rolls-Royce to become a commercial success for its combination of superb engineering, the finest quality materials and unsurpassed production techniques
Clad in handsome aluminium skinned tourer coachwork in the style of a Barker body, with a full hood, this Rolls-Royce was one of the very last high performance Alpine Eagle chassis produced and still has its original factory fitted, matching number, high compression engine.
Originally delivered to England in 1922 but almost at once brought to Australia, this 1922 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle Tourer was owned early in its life by the McKellar family.
It was upgraded early in its life by the Sydney dealer to a later front axle, which gave it the benefit of front brakes, meaning it could be driven to its full potential, while the low rake of the AE steering column and the light alloy body creates a great and sports like driving experience.
The car's current owner reports that this Rolls gives trouble free motoring and has in recent years been on many long drives without incident.
Priced at $170,000-$190,000, this is an entry level for such a desirable car and it could either be enjoyed in its current 'oily rag' condition or cosmetically upgraded to a beautiful, fully restored light weight tourer.
Also on the agenda with International buyers will be a restored and very rare 1927 Vulcan LFS 14Hp 6 'Twin Cam' Tourer – possibly the only one ever built by the long-gone British marque in Southport, UK.
Imported to Australia when new and now fresh out of a restoration by its owner, completed late last year, this Colonial 14/40 with its 1696cc twin-cam six-cylinder engine is ready for a new owner to enjoy all the hard work just done, with the virtual certainty there won't be another one parked beside it!
Because of its rarity on the world market, it is expected to sell with 'no reserve' in the $30,000 - $40,000 range.
Another rare survivor is a 1925 Amilcar Model G tourer, coming to auction from long-term ownership.
Featured in Bill Boldiston's valuable reference book, this delightful 1925 Amilcar is understood have been in South Australia since before World War II and is believed to have been comprehensively overhauled mechanically but its previous owner.
Boasting just two owners for the past 44 years, this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the more original Model G Amilcars left, with many survivors dismantled for parts or modified into specials over the years.
It is expected to sell with 'no reserve' in the $30,000 - $40,000 range.
Two delightful 'brass era' 1914 Veteran tourers are also included in the auction – a 1914 Hotchkiss AG that has been in the one family since the 1960s and is almost certainly the sole surviving example of its kind and a very rare right hand drive 1914 Renault DG Runabout.
Just 50 Hotchkiss Model AG Tourers were produced in 1914 before the company was instructed by the French government to return to making guns as World War One overran Europe, but as the cars were regarded by experts as being on a par with Rolls-Royce for quality, early Hotchkiss cars were owned mostly by the European rich.
This very special Hotchkiss was rediscovered in the 1960s, where it lay abandoned near West Wyalong, where it had been acquired n payment of a debt.
This much-treasured and unique machine – still in wonderful condition – has remained with the same family from the 1960s until now. It comes with a certificate of authentication from the Veteran Car Club of Australia, dated 15 April 1971, and several magazine articles documenting Hotchkiss history and telling the tale of this spectacular specimen.
This is a very special opportunity to acquire one of the finest cars of the immediate pre-World War One era, with Shannons anticipating it to appeal to a global audience at its projected sale price of $90,000 - $110,000.
The Renault DG, which has benefitted from an older restoration, comes to auction from a large private collection and is an excellent example of the 'brass era' of early motoring.
It would certainly be a star at any veteran club rally at its estimated selling price of $40,000 - $55,000.
To view all auction lots, visit www.shannons.com.au To talk to a Shannons Auction Team member directly, call the 1300 078 500.