Modern Classic: Cars from Webb’s Auction

This 1973 Porsche 911T is going to auction with a price range of of $100,000-$125,000. Photo: Webb’s

Whenever the latest catalog of Webb’s Collectors' Cars, Motorcycles and Automobilia auction lands in my letterbox I get excited.

They say reputable classics are as good as gold or vintage wine. Well that's what I say and the reality is, if a car is very special and aged, they are not making more of them are they?

The trick, as a buyer, is to not only have a passion for a classic but be sure you have the holding power to ride through world market corrections without having to fire sale your pride and joy. 

With each catalog I thumb through quickly to see if there are any Mercedes-Benz Pagodas for sale, especially as  two auctions ago a 1968 Mercedes 280SL achieved $241,500 off an estimate of $100,000 - $130,000, setting a New Zealand record. A 2000 Mini Classic Cooper sold for $59,225 (estimate $30,000 – $35,000).

In August Webb’s offered the First Class Classics Collection with 80 per cent of the marques selling with the distinguished 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, used by Queen Elizabeth II for her Royal visits to New Zealand, selling for $193,775.

Webb’s next auction is at 2.30pm on July 12 in Mt Eden and there are a few cars I like.

My pick is the 1973 Porsche 911T with just over 23,000 miles. It has the 2.4-litre engine and puts out 96kW, thanks to fuel injection. It is apparently Australian delivered and wound up in New Zealand in 1985.  Service records are lost but the current vendor, who has had it since 2004, did an initial complete restoration and further work in 2012. It sounds in impeccable condition and with a range of $100,000-$125,000, on the money if the garage stretches to it. 

My second pick is a glorious 1972 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3. At the time of its manufacture this was the fastest four door car in the world. This example, up for auction, arrived in New Zealand in 1979, although registration records indicate that date was 1987.  This is part of the joy of these classics is the sleuthing mission to determine the real history.

This 1972 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 has a price guide of at $90,000-$100,000. Photo: Webb’s

According to Webb’s, the original importer into New Zealand kept the car for 29 years, with the car hitting the market in 2008 and passing through several owners since, the latest who entrusted it to Webb’s due to lack of garage space. Records indicate 6526 were sold, 790 of those in a right hand drive configuration. 

Like the Porsche 911T, the price seems on the money at $90,000-$100,000, especially given that the 300SEL 6.3 probably cost twice the cost of the 911T when new. 

My third pick is a slightly tired around the edges Mercedes-Benz300SE from 1986. What makes this car special is that it is New Zealand new and it is still held in the original family. It has 180,000 kilometres on the clock, which is not bad for a 33-year-old car. Reading the specs, some electrics may need some attention (the central locking not working) and leather looks tired. However, it otherwise looks well loved and would be a good buy for $9000-$12,000. 

This 1986 Mercedes-Benz300SE would be a good buy for $9000-$12,000. Photo: Webb’s

The trouble I find, when I look at classics, is I want to rescue them all. The bigger trouble is that my garage is well and truly full.

I'd love to create a beautiful big classic car museum in Muriwai for people to enjoy looking at classic cars. I have a very vivid picture of what would work; I'd add some personal cars to the collection, and I would invite owners who need to free up shed space to leave their cars there too. Who knows, it may even include special classics for sale.  

The only proviso would be that owners would have to be comfortable to show off their cars (perhaps behind ropes or barriers, free from smeared fingerprints). 

There would be a cafe and outdoor play equipment. It would be a day destination from Auckland and a way to appreciate yesteryear. 

And I wouldn't have to feel guilty rescuing beautiful classics from auctions like these at Webb’s. 

Ah well, dreams are free.