Quirky Rare Cars at Webb's Collectors' Cars Auction
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This is only Electric Car Shopper in New Zealand. Photos: Webb’s
They may be small, but they will definitely make a big impact at this weekend’s Webb’s Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia auction at its Mt Eden head office.
Among the Mercedes and motorbikes up for auction are two quirky little items: a 1960s electric car and a miniature Land Rover and trailer.
The dinky 1960s Electric Car Company Shopper has an estimate of $25,000 - $30,000 and was decades ahead of its time.
The unusual and seldom-seen Electric Shopper FG-75, produced by the Electric Car Company of California, Long Beach.
Introduced in 1960, the fibreglass-bodied FG-75 was marketed as a stylish two-person electric runabout decades before electric vehicles entered the mainstream.
Finished in light blue with a white roof, this example retains its manufacturer's identification plate and California licence plate. It runs and drives, with working lights, and presents as a remarkable survivor from the formative years of practical electric motoring.
It is understood to be the only New Zealand example.
This Land Rover Toy was bought for the vendor’s grandkits.
The other dinky drive is the Toylander 2 Land Rover Toy that is styled after the iconic Land Rover Series II. With an estimate of $3,000 - $3,500, it was purchased by the vendor as a kit for construction with his grandchildren.
Powered by an electric motor, it runs and drives and features forward and reverse modes, adjustable speed control, foot brake, handbrake, lights, folding windscreen, opening tailgate and pneumatic tyres.
The robust monocoque body accommodates one adult and two children and has a manufacturer-stated safe top speed of approximately 8kmph.
Finished in classic Land Rover green, it is offered with a matching trailer, spare wheel for bonnet mounting and accompanying manufacturer's literature.
The 1964 MGB is a New Zealand original.
I’m a sucker for the MGB, so I have to include a 1964 model with an estimate of $18,000 - $20,000.
This 1964 example is an original New Zealand-delivered car and is accompanied by a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate confirming matching engine and chassis numbers. The odometer shows approximately 68,000 miles.
The interior has been restored to original specification during the vendor’s approximately six years of ownership, while the car retains its original chromed wire wheels.
This rare Rolls-Royce has been extensively restored.
Now it's time to move on to a vehicle much larger than the aforementioned auction items, a 1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 HP Rippon Bros Limousine ($140,000 - $200,000).
It was developed from the successful 20/25 and fitted with a larger 4257cc six-cylinder engine.
The Rolls-Royce underwent an extensive restoration undertaken by renowned Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist Bruce McIlroy.
But its early life in New Zealand included participating in the 1961 New Zealand Rolls-Royce and Bentley Club National Rally.
The vehicles can be viewed now at Webb’s Normanby Road head office until Sunday‘s event from 2pm.
