Muscle in to make your mark

An as-new 2008 Shelby Mustang GT500.

Australian auction house Shannons expects a 1971 go-fast Ford Falcon to fetch around A$300,000 ($378,000) in a special "muscle car" sale in Melbourne next Monday.

The Monza green XY GT HO Phase III has been restored to the highest level and Shannons believes it is the best value example currently for sale across the Ditch.

It quotes guiding price range of A$260,000 to A$300,000, but believes it could top A$350,000 in a rejuvenated muscle car market.

Among the other Aussie icons up for grabs include a handful of Holdens - a GTS 327 Monaro, a VL Brock Commodore, a VL Walkinshaw and an HQ Monaro GTS 5.0 litre.

The bright blue metallic 1968 HK 327 GTS Monaro Bathurst coupe is also in immaculate condition and was featured on Holden's 2000 calendar. Shannons expects it to sell in the A$125,000 to A$145,000 range.

Ford fans could have an as-new 2008 Shelby Mustang GT500 coupe fitted with an uprated 5.4-litre V8 engine.

The 1988 Panorama Silver VL Walkinshaw is No 376 of the 500 built and is in outstanding condition, having covered just 27,900km since new. It is expected to sell for A$80,000 to A$90,000.

The red 1986 VL "Brock" Group A SS Sedan (No 120 of 500) is expected to fetch A$62,000 to A$68,000 - or around A$40,000 more than its original A$29,600 price - complete with the number plate HDT-120.