A 1978 Pontiac Firebird record auction price shows the classic car market is finally starting to get ‘serious’ about online sales, Australian site Retro Rides (RR) Auctions says.
In May, the 1978 Firebird, which was once driven on American TV show The Rockford Files, sold for $189,000 (US$132,000), reportedly a world record for the model.
The production-used car was driven by the show’s star, James Garner (dec), and had been kept at Tweed Heads in NSW, the site shows.
The site says it was formerly housed in US museums before it was auctioned off and eventually made its way to Australia.
The site’s detailed listing for the Pontiac says its NSW licence plate “853 OKG” refers to the date of Garner’s first acting role in August 1953 and to Oklahoma, his home state in the US.
Josh Wygoda, the national sales director for the site, says the result of that sale, and of other vehicles, show growing confidence by collectors and enthusiasts in online platforms.
“What we’re seeing now is a broader range of enthusiasts using the platform,” he says.
“Whether it’s a rare Japanese performance car, Australian muscle, a European sports car, a supercar or heritage number plates, buyers are increasingly seeking specialist marketplaces that can connect them with quality opportunities.”
He says Australian classic car enthusiasts are increasingly prioritising quality and provenance.
“We’re seeing more premium vehicles come to market and, importantly, we’re seeing more serious buyers actively participating.”
ABOUT JAMES GARNER: Born in 1928 and died in 2014, his best-known TV roles were Maverick and The Rockford Files. His film roles include the big-screen version of Maverick (also starring Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster), Space Cowboys, Murphy’s Romance and The Notebook.
PLEASING PONTIAC SALE
He calls the Pontiac Firebird’s sale as “particularly pleasing” since it shows cars like it can sell very well in Australia.
Other standout results from the May auction included $185,000 for a 1960 Porsche 356B (Australian delivered) and $115,000 for a1966 Ford Mustang GT350R Tribute.
Looking ahead, RR Auctions is expecting this month’s auction to be a highlight of the sales year for them.
Among the headline vehicles is a rare 1998 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 22B (one of only 424 made worldwide), the South African export model of a rare 1971 Ford XW Fairmont GT and a low-kilometre Audi R8 V10.
Also up for sale are two Queensland heritage number plates as collectors increasingly target motoring memorabilia, the site says, even as it eyes an expansion into motorcycles.
The June auctions catalogue opens on June 20 and closes on June 30.
OTHER AUCTION NEWS: 1933 British motorcycle sells for $338,000
