KEY POINTS:
Australian muscle car fans on both sides of the Tasman will be watching the outcome of an auction in Melbourne next Monday when five special vehicles from the golden Bathurst era go under the hammer.
Top of the pile is a fully restored 1970 Ford Falcon XW GT-HO sedan finished in Candy Apple Red and regarded by auction house Shannons as a very good example of this increasingly collectable model.
The four-speed manual is expected to sell for between A$350,000 ($413,634) and A$380,000, a potential record price for an XW GT-HO.
Just as desirable for Holden enthusiasts is a 1968 Holden HK GT 327 (Bathurst) Monaro coupe, finished in the most desirable colour for this model, Warwick Yellow.
Its matching engine, chassis and paint codes indicate that this Monaro was the 74th GTS 327 built at Holden's Elizabeth plant in Adelaide.
Its original paint and upholstery is still in good condition and it is expected to sell in the A$150,000 to A$175,000 price range.
Holden Torana L34 enthusiasts will be captivated by a "Bathurst spec" 1974 SL/R 5000 sedan, finished in the rare original Sable Metallic.
It was fully restored in the early 1990s and has had two owners since, with the current custodian adding only 5000km in the past seven years. The L34 is expected to fetch A$100,000 to A$120,000.
Equally desirable for Holden fans is a 1972 Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1, finished in the rare colour of Phantom Grey II metallic.
It is one of a limited run of 200 Bathurst specials built during August/September 1972.
Fitted with the special HX camshaft, lightened flywheel, the straight-six 3.3-litre engine was blueprinted and balanced to raise power to 158kW (212bhp), while revised suspension and 13-inch alloy rims ensured Peter Brock was able to give Holden its first Torana victory at Bathurst that year.
At some stage, the original engine block was replaced but the car is otherwise in original condition and is expected to sell for between A$80,000 and A$100,000.
For muscle car enthusiasts on a tighter budget, there is a 1971 Chrysler VG Hemi Pacer Coupe up for grabs.
Shannons says the car remains in original condition throughout, with an indicated 31,745 km on the clock. The Hemi Pacer is priced to sell at between A$22,000 and A$28,000.
