Auction house Shannons has recorded $8.5 million in sales at its online Spring auction that saw 94 per cent of the lots sold and a Lamborghini Countach hit a record top price at auction of $490,500.

The huge increase in buyer interest has been driven by the current focus on classic cars and the effects of COVID-19 on restrictions to travel and the inability to easily spend disposable income.

The auction also showed demand for number plates with a massive $2.65 million result during what Shannons described as a buyer “frenzy”.

The auction record was for an immaculate red 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Coupe, which sold for $490,500 after late competitive bidding.

But interest was strong across the board with Ford and Holden V8 Supercars also battling it out for record prices.

A restored Ford XW Falcon GT-HO Phase II fetched $373,500 and a three-owner 1968 Holden HK Monaro GTS 327 coupe went for $301,000 after a final-hour duel between determined rival bidders.

Shannons reports that other top results for Australian-made cars included the $45,501 paid for a 1978 Holden LX Torana SL Hatchback in “project” condition and $50,000 for a restored 1968 Holden HK Kingswood utility.

Three air-cooled Porsches produced strong values, with a beautiful Australian-delivered 1971 911E 2.2 Sportomatic coupe fetching $225,500; a 1969 911T 2.0 Sportomatic coupe in “project” condition brought an excellent $115,000; and an early four-cylinder 1965 912 coupe sold for $93,000.

Mercedes-Benz SL models continued to post strong results, with a classic 1968 280SL convertible selling for an impressive $189,000; a 1998 SL500 R129 convertible bringing $72,000; and a 2003 SL500 W230 Convertible also exceeding its pre-auction high estimate at $64,000.

Other solid results for German cars included a beautiful, Australian-delivered 1962 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 1 Coupe that made $62,800; a South African-delivered, right-hand drive 1970 Volkswagen Beetle Karmann Cabriolet sold for $38,000; a 1976 Kombi Camper van went for $46,500; and a beautiful, fully-restored and an on-trend Queensland-built Meyers Manx Beach Buggy achieved $35,000.

Equally impressive was the $146,000 paid for a converted right-hand drive Maserati V6-engined 1973 Citroen SM and an Australian auction record $80,500 achieved by a stunning 1970 Mini Cooper S Mk II. There was also the $57,500 paid for a 1974 fuel-injected Citroen DS23 Pallas and $39,500 given for another 1970 Mini Cooper S Mk II.

Shannons said that British sports cars also produced outstanding results, with $66,500 paid for a restored 1962 MGA 1600 MkI (upgraded to MkII specification) roadster; $104,000 achieved by a restored 1958 Austin-Healey 100/6 BN4 roadster; and $57,500 for a beautiful 1955 Triumph TR2 roadster.

Of the nine Japanese sporting cars, the surprise result was the $33,500 paid for a rare 1992 Autozam AZ-1 Turbo gull-wing door micro car that was expected to sell in the $16,000-$22,000 range, while a 2000 Mitsubishi EVO 6.5 Tommi Makkinen sedan and one of the 100 Australian-delivered Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R coupes each sold for $91,000.

The auctioneers said that the standout result of the classic American cars in the auction was the $256,000 paid for a right-hand drive (converted) 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; $130,000 given for an immaculate 1960 Chrysler 300F Coupe; and an excellent $82,610 paid for a spectacular left-hand drive 1961Cadillac Series 62 Convertible.

The 22 motorcycles in the auction also saw some strong results, including $45,000 paid for a 1953 BMW R68 motorcycle; $37,750 given for a rare ‘sand cast’ 1969 Honda CB750 KO; $27,500 for a 1979 Kawasaki H2C 750cc three-cylinder superbike; and $30,500 for a British 1937 AJS V-Twin 37/2 990cc motorcycle.

Black and white New South Wales and Victorian number plates continued their popularity with collectors unabated, with all three-digit plates achieving more than $220,000, with the top price being $344,944 for VIC 247.

The top four-digit result was $180,500 for the VIC plate and birth year 1.992.