January 2025 Auction Report: New Year Begins in a Blaze of Variety

Market Analyst Cliff Chambers pops his head up from the near constant stream of online auctions to report on some of the more interesting models that found new owners, or at least should have, during the first few weeks of 2025.

People who love cars of all shapes and ages would have been scanning auction sites during early January for bargains that were about to (hopefully) manifest.

Those wanting one of the most impressive vintage cars sold in this country during recent years might have been left gasping, though, when a 1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost sparked an hour-long bidding duel and eventually soared to a remarkable $452,500.

That auction was conducted online by global facilitator Collecting Cars, which recently announced its total sales since the business was established sits at around $75 million worth of vehicles, number plates and automobilia.

Also in January, the site facilitated the sale of several late-series Porsches, most of them in the $300,000 price bracket. However, it would have been the early 2.4-litre 911 that sent most pulses racing before eventually selling at $142,500.

This 911 was one of several desirable examples sold on Collecting Cars, with this 2.4-litre model bid to $142,500 (Image: Collecting Cars)

Well below the money they were achieving around 18 months ago was an excellent VC HDT Commodore that reached $111,000 and, at $76,500, a very scarce Triumph TR5 PI.

Burns & Co delivered its usual array of interesting lots on January 19, highlighted by a GTHO Phase II Falcon with documented Bathurst 500 history. 

It was a tidy car with all the correct paperwork, but $205,000 as a top bid was quite frankly insulting – especially since several days later, a trashed XY GT automatic also located in Melbourne netted its seller $30,000 more.

The best of the rest at Burns was a spectacular 1934 Ford ‘street rod’ with the obligatory LS3 Chevrolet engine that was successfully bid to $156,000. In the quest for the top bid, it narrowly outgunned a stunning 1967 Corvette roadster with the ‘big block’ 427ci (7.0-litre) V8. The ‘Vette was bid to $152,500 and unsurprisingly didn’t sell.

One that did find a new home at well below its expected value was a genuine HDT VL Group A, one of only 173 Plus Pack (Polariser) VLs released before the company’s split from Holden. Not long ago, cars like this were making $120-130k, but the hammer dropped at just $84,000.

Despite this being one of 173 VL SS Group A Plus Pack models, complete with the iconic Polariser, the winning bid was a mere $84,000 (Image: Burns & Co)

Burns always field a selection of lower cost cars that entice the uncertain to take their first steps within the classic car movement, and their January sale was no exception.

The second car to cross the block was a tidy Jaguar XJ6 Series 2 that made $16,500. It was followed minutes later by a very authentic $20,500 XP Falcon and exceptional HX Holden Premier V8 at only $25,900.

Burns’ event was followed a week later by Lloyds on the Gold Coast. The event presented a skimpy catalogue but some excellent buys to help welcome 2025.

Topping the list of sales on the day was a poorly presented but obviously desirable DeLorean that sold at $104,000. At that price it was $20K to the good of a very presentable replica of Peter Brock’s ‘Big Banger’ VK Group A Commodore with an $84,000 winning bid.

From there the available money got tight, with successful offerings including a $13,000 Mini Deluxe and very scarce Type 3 VW 1600 Wagon which found a new owner at just $8020.

This highly-publicised XY GT was one of the highest-bid cars in January, reaching a $236,000 sale price (Image: Retro Rides)

Among the no-sales at Lloyds were some cars that still looked likely to achieve a result after some negotiation, including a tidy Mazda RX-7 Series 3 that was bid to $25,200 and a Holden 48-215. It was the sale’s final lot and hit $18,500 before being referred. 

Closing out the month was a timed auction promoted by Melbourne-based Chicane Auctions. It featured three GT Falcons including the aforementioned ‘barn find’ XY, along with a decent looking XR GT and XA GT sedan. Both sold at less than $140,000.

More expensive than these two Fords but still well bought was a Porsche 930 Turbo at $205,000, while the XY GT with its dents but unique combination of factory options still reached $236,000. 

Please note: All figures quoted are Hammer Prices in Australian Dollars and do not include any applicable Buyer Premium.