Detroit darlings star at Shannons Spring Sale

On September 25 the Shannons Spring Sale will take place and a certain headline-grabber is a pristine 1967 Shelby GT500 (Mustang) Fastback first delivered in Colorado on April 28 1967.

With production number 01788 the car is painted in 'Brittany Blue' and running a black-trimmed interior, the left-hand drive Shelby emerged from a decade of storage in North America and was imported to Australia some 15 years ago.

A top-notch full restoration was completed in 2004 and, since 2008, the car has been part of a Melbourne enthusiast's collection.

Factory-fitted extras underscore the desirability of this GT500, including a shoulder harness, extra cooling package, power disc brakes and power steering.

With such a provenance, and given its exceptional condition, Shannons is predicting a range of $250,000 - $280,000 when the Shelby is auctioned on September 25.

A more affordable Mustang is also on the list: a 1967 C-Code V8 Hardtop professionally converted to right-hand drive and upgraded with front disc brakes, power steering and Pedders suspension with gas shock absorbers.

The C-Code 'Stangs were produced with the 289 cubic-inch V8 engine and you should be thinking between $26,000-$32,000 for this Detroit classic.

And 'classic' is certainly an apt description for a superbly restored left-hand drive 1957 Chevrolet Belair Sports Coupe for which is tipped to get bids between $75,000-$85,000.

The pillar-less hardtop is powered by the standard 283 cubic-inch V8 engine driving through a two-speed Powerglide transmission and was exceptionally restored in Texas in the mid-1990s. A Victorian collector imported the car 12 years ago.

Looking resplendent in the Belair's hero colour of 'Turquoise', with a two-tone blue/black vinyl/cloth interior, this model features the rare factory four-barrel 'Power Pack' option as well as air conditioning and power steering.

Continuing the Chevrolet theme, Corvette enthusiasts should also be paying attention with two left-hand drive C1 Roadsters going to auction. There is a rare 1954 example restored and currently owned by a Corvette collector and, also fully-restored, a 1961 model in black with white scallops and wire wheels.

The word on the street is that these will attract $100,000-$115,000 for the white '54 'Vette and $95,000-$115,000 for the '61 model.

And the Chevrolet badge also adorns a well-presented and nicely engineered left-hand drive pickup which has a predicted price of $18,000-$24,000. Modified and running a small-block 350 cubic-inch V8 with an automatic transmission, the Chevy pick-up has extensive mechanical and cosmetic upgrades, including 22-inch alloy wheels.

Another noteworthy US classic is a 1924 Buick Master Six. This has been exceptionally restored by Colin McConnell at Village Engineering in Echuca, Victoria. Running the glorious seven-passenger open bodywork, a new bonnet, new carpet and replated nickel parts, Shannons reckons the beautiful Buick will see bidding in the range of $50,000-$60,000.

Other American cars up for auction by Shannons at the Melbourne Spring Auction include a right-hand drive 1947 Packard Clipper 8 Coupe ($18,000-$24,000), a 1938 Dodge D8 Touring Sedan ($14,000-$18,000) and a Holden-bodied 1932 Chevrolet which has just completed a ground-up restoration($30,000-$35,000).