Inside This Week’s Classic Car Auction Market – 10 Upcoming Sales inc Classic Cars, Diecast Models & Heritage Plates
Upcoming classic and collectable car auctions across Australia. This week we highlight 10 sales. Upcoming classic and collectable car auctions across Australia. Vintage, veteran, and historic vehicles heading under the hammer — a weekly roundup from specialist and general auctioneers nationwide.
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Our Auction Picks this Week
Each week we highlight unique and interesting sales that caught our eye. The full list is below.
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National Classic & Prestige Vehicle Auction
Seven classic and prestige vehicles are going to auction in Dandenong South VIC, offered by Slattery. The lineup includes a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS, a 1985 Holden Commodore SL, and a 1974 Volkswagen Kombi Van.
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The Premium Number Plate Auction
Over 200 personalised and heritage number plates are going to auction through Donington Auctions in Melbourne VIC. The list includes single-digit plates, low-number combinations, and distinctive letter sequences with strong resale potential.
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National Classic Cars & Motoring Collectibles Online Auction
Classic cars and motoring collectibles are crossing the block in a national online auction run by Pickles. Lots include a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1, a 1974 Leyland P76, and a 1965 Morris Mini Cooper S, plus signage, memorabilia, and spare parts.
FAQ
Which auction houses specialise in classic cars in Australia?
Burns & Co in Victoria, Lloyds, Slattery, Grays, and Pickles all run regular classic car sales. Donington in Victoria is the stoundout for having an exclusive focus on automobila and exotic cars.
Are classic car auctions a good way to buy?
Can be, provided you do your research. Auction is transparent: you’re buying at what the market will pay on the day. The risk is condition: inspect thoroughly, or have a specialist do it for you, before bidding on any significant piece.
What paperwork should I expect with a classic car?
Ideally: original title, service history, heritage certificate (for number-matching cars), and any restoration invoices. Many lots at general auction have minimal documentation, so factor this into the value and what you’re prepared to pay.
Are classic car prices holding up?
The Australian market has softened slightly from its 2021–2023 peak, but genuine, well-documented cars in original condition continue to attract strong prices. Anything “restored to show standard” is more market-sensitive.
Trends & Insights
Chicane Auctions delivered a standout 90% clearance rate at its July sale around July 20, with Australian muscle cars once again driving the top end of the market (TradeUniqueCars, Jul 20). A 1976 Ford Falcon XB GT Hardtop led the charge at $151,000 plus buyer’s premium, while two Holden HZ GTS sedans followed at $101,000 and $68,250 respectively. The sale also saw a rare 1977 Chrysler Valiant CL Charger, one of only 183 matching-numbers E44 318ci V8 four-speed manuals, change hands for $85,750 plus BP (TradeUniqueCars, Jul 20).
Beyond the local heroes, the Chicane catalogue demonstrated that well-executed modified vehicles and modern tributes remain in demand. A multi-award-winning 1932 Ford Roadster hot rod with a supercharged Chevrolet V8 achieved $150,000 plus BP (TradeUniqueCars, Jul 20). Meanwhile, the limited-production 2017 Tickford Mustang Bathurst ’77 Special, a modern homage to the 1977 Bathurst win, sold for $88,750 plus BP (TradeUniqueCars, Jul 20).
The broader auction landscape is shifting. Shannons has confirmed it will no longer facilitate classic car auctions, a move that reshapes the competitive field for dedicated houses like Chicane and Lloyds (Shannons, Jul 25). Lloyds Auctions is stepping into the gap with its July LIVE Classic, Muscle and Barn Finds event on July 25 at Carrara, QLD, featuring over 115 lots, with additional online classic car sales planned for early August (Lloyds Auctions, Jul 25).
Buyers should watch the Lloyds Carrara sale this week for potential value in barn finds and project cars that may not carry the premium of fully restored examples.
Last updated: 27 July 2026
Rod’s Tips
Numbers matching matters and buyers know it. A Holden Monaro or Falcon GTHO with matching numbers and documentation is worth multiples of a comparable rebodied or re-engined example. Verify before you bid, not after.
Patina beats a bad restoration every time. An original, unrestored car with honest wear is increasingly valued over a car that’s been heavily worked. Know which you’re looking at.
Japanese classics are the sleeper market right now. Early Skylines, Supras, and SA22/FC RX-7s are appreciating quickly. If you’re watching this space, act before the market prices you out.
Victoria
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The Premium Number Plate Auction
More detail
This is a pure plate auction, not a car sale, so the focus is entirely on the metal. The catalogue spans everything from prestige Victorian heritage plates to modern personalised combinations. Classic car collectors often chase plates that match their vehicle’s era, and this sale has plenty of pre-1960s options.
Key lots include several single and double-digit Victorian plates, which historically hold their value better than most investments. There are also themed sets, initials, and short numeric runs that appeal to both enthusiasts and investors. Bidders should check the reserve structure: some plates carry minimum bids, others are absolute.
Donington Auctions runs this format regularly, so the process is straightforward. Online bidding is open now until the close date. If you are after a specific letter or number combination, scan the full lot list early. Plates in high-demand categories often draw competitive bidding in the final hours.
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The Automotive Book & Literature Auction Part I – Sydney
More detail
This one’s for the shed-wall crowd and the restorer chasing a missing piece of paper. Donington Auctions has pulled together a dedicated book and literature sale, which means lots are likely to include factory workshop manuals, owner’s handbooks, sales brochures, and hardcover histories on the usual suspects: Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche, Holden, and Ford. If you’re mid-restoration on a project car, the right manual here could save you hours of guesswork and a few hundred bucks in reprints.
The catalogue leans into the collector end, so condition and rarity will drive the bidding. Watch for original dealer brochures and early Motorsport or Wheels magazine runs, which often outperform the cars themselves in percentage terms. Also worth a look: any factory-published parts books, as they’re getting harder to find in decent nick. Donington runs these sales regularly, so if you miss out this time, there’s usually another round coming, but the Sydney-sourced lots here have a distinct local flavour you won’t see every day.
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The Automotive Book Auction Part II – Melbourne
More detail
This one’s for the bloke who’d rather read about the car than drive it. Donington Auctions has pulled together a solid run of printed material covering the usual suspects: European sports cars, Aussie muscle, and motorcycles. If you’re restoring a project and need the factory specs, or just want a shelf full of nostalgia, this is where you start.
Lot highlights are thin on specifics, but the category tells the story. You’re looking at original dealer brochures, service manuals, and possibly hard-to-find workshop guides for cars that never saw a digital workshop. For a resto job, having the right manual can save you hours of guesswork, and this auction is a chance to grab that reference material before someone else does.
The close date is 9 August 2026, so there’s time to sort through what’s listed. Donington runs a tight ship on condition reports, so if a lot’s got wear or stains, it should be noted. Bid on the lots that match your project, not just the shiny covers.
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A Gentleman’s Collection of Fine Dinky & Corgi Models
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This is a proper single-owner collection, not a mixed dealer lot. The focus is squarely on the golden era of British diecast, with Dinky’s pre-war and post-war cars well represented alongside Corgi’s later toy range. If you’re after the likes of a Dinky 29A or a Corgi 111, this is where you’ll find them, often in original boxes with the tissue paper intact.
Donington Auctions has built its name on classic and performance cars, so they know how to present a collection like this. The catalogue leans towards condition and completeness, meaning the better lots will carry a premium, but there’s still room for a bargain if you’re happy to chase the less flashy pieces. Check the photos carefully for paint chips and box wear, as they’ll be the difference between a good buy and a great one.
The sale closes 10 August 2026, and bidding is online through the Donington platform. Given the single-owner provenance, expect serious interest from diecast specialists, so have your limits set before the final day.
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The Classic & Vintage Motorcycle Auction Including Rare Spares
More detail
Donington Auctions is building a dedicated catalogue of classic and vintage motorcycles for this August sale. The focus is on quality over quantity, with consignments expected to cover pre-war rarities, 1970s Japanese icons, and British singles and twins. Any bike that fits the collector or performance bracket is being considered.
If you have a restoration project, a barn find, or a fully sorted classic, now is the time to get it in the door. The auction house has a strong track record with European marques and muscle cars, so they know how to present a motorcycle to the right buyers. Consignment terms and valuation appointments are available through their Melbourne office. Serious sellers should contact them well before the August 10 close date to secure a spot in the lineup.
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Classic & Collector Car Auction
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This is a consignment call, not a live sale yet. Donington Auctions is building its next classic car event in Melbourne VIC, targeting serious metal from European sports cars to Australian muscle. If you have a performance car, a rare motorcycle, or a collector-grade vehicle sitting around, this is the time to get it in front of buyers.
The auctioneer has a strong track record with high-end classics. They are specifically after European marques like Porsche, Ferrari, and Jaguar, plus home-grown muscle. Motorcycles are also welcome. The close date is 31 August 2026, so there is time to sort photos, paperwork, and reserve prices. No lots are listed yet, but the focus is clear: clean, desirable, saleable metal. If you are thinking of selling, get in touch with Donington Auctions direct.
National / Online
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National Classic Cars & Motoring Collectibles Online Auction
More detail
This is a solid spread for anyone into Aussie and American metal. The Mustang Mach 1 is a genuine 351 Cleveland car, and the P76 is the rare V8 variant that collectors chase. The Mini Cooper S is a classic British rally-bred machine, likely needing work but worth a look.
Beyond the cars, the collectables section has period petrol bowsers, enamel signs, and a stash of NOS parts. Bidding closes on August 18, so check the listings for condition reports and inspection details. Pickles runs this one from multiple locations, so factor in transport costs if you’re interstate.
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Classic, Muscle & Barn Finds
Lloyds Auctions — multi-lot online auction. Categories include vehicles, jewellery, collectables, plant and equipment, and general goods.
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