Shannons will put a fine range of cars under the hammer at its upcoming Spring Auction, starting on 31 August.

There’s something for everybody, but here’s a hand-picked selection of toys that tickled our fancy.

XW GTHO Phase II Falcon

High on the list is this XW GTHO Phase II Falcon. Debuting in 1970, the Phase II got a 351 Cleveland donk with a 780cfm carb and hotter cam, backed by a Top Loader gearbox.

Other additions to the homologation Falcon included a twin-plate clutch, long-range fuel tank and optional Detroit Locker for the Daytona nine-inch diff.

This desirable Brambles Red example was sold by McLeod Ford, and has had the same owner since 1995. It’s in need of some minor fettling to be made perfect, with a few small interior parts missing and a weeping gearbox and diff.

Shannons gives the Falcon a guiding range of $350,000-$450,000 – less than half the price of a recently sold Phase III. A bargain?

Ford Cortina Mark II GT

The Ford Cortina GT’s Bathurst heritage dates back to the first time the Armstrong 500 was staged at Mount Panorama, when Harry Firth and Bob Jane claimed victory in a Mark I. The Mark II GT arrived in 1966, with a larger body and modern lines.

Only 1449 were built locally, with just 25 coated in the GTHO-spec Vermillion Fire paint you see here.

This 1970 model was optioned with seatbelts, radial tyres and push-button radio, and was powered by a 93hp Kent Crossflow engine.

The car has its fair share of rust woes, but it’s nonetheless a rare vehicle in original condition. The Shannons guiding range is $38,000-$48,000.

Holden HK Monaro GTS 327

Next up is a gorgeous HK Monaro GTS 327, finished in iconic Warwick Yellow.

With a three-owner history, it’s lived in country Victoria, Queensland and even the UK. Originally a Silver Mink car, it copped a respray and refurbishment in 2013.

Though it’s currently running a Tremec T5, the original four-speed Saginaw ’box and tailshaft are included with the sale.

Unfortunately, it’s suffering from tinworm in the lower body seams, front subframe and boot.

While the Shannons range of $180,000-$240,000 may seem steep for a repainted car in need of rust work, it’s worth noting an excellent (but also resprayed) GTS 327 sold at auction last year for a staggering $379,000.

Ford Falcon XA Superbird

The XA Superbird debuted as a show car in 1973, sporting a huge bird of prey motif across each side designed by Peter Arcadipane (the man behind Ford’s Concorde show van and Mad Max’s Pursuit Special).

It caused such a stir that Ford put the Superbird into limited production, though the ‘bird design was much smaller on the vast majority of these cars – for better or worse.

This example harks back to the 1973 show version. It’s a genuine RPO 77 with the full-size decals, and was ordered in Lime Glaze with Jewel Green accents.

The second owner added their own touches – including XB dummy side vents – before it was resprayed in a different colour.

The car was returned to its Lime Glaze glory around 2005. At the same time, it had the original 302-cuber replaced by a 360hp 351 Cleveland, backed by a new auto and nine-inch diff with 3.9:1 gears. Aside from some minor rust bubbles in the passenger door jamb, the job has held up well.

All the original driveline parts are included in the sale, plus an ultra-rare set of new-old-stock Superbird decals. Shannons has placed a guiding range of $140,000-$160,000 on the car.

HSV VS GTS

Sometimes it’s hard to believe we’re living in a world where VS Commodores can be club-registered (at least for now), but this HSV GTS is a certified piece of history.

It’s build number 001, packs a 5.7-litre Harrop-stroked iron lion, and proudly wears Peter Brock’s signature.

The iconic three-spoke alloys are intact, as is the original Panther Mica paint. The odometer reads just 91,459km, while the interior presents well.

Come auction time, Shannons says the GTS should fetch between $120,000 and $150,000.

HSV VT II Clubsport R8

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better VTII than this 250kW, LS1-powered ClubSport R8. Apparently one of just 90 that were built with the T56 manual ’box, while this one got a lick of perennially cool Sting Red.

The original Coulson seats and engine bay are as clean as you’d expect for a car with 17,236km on the clock. The price estimate here is $60,000-$70,000.

Holden LX Torana

Two-door Toranas are pulling crazy money right now, whether they’re a poverty-pack UC or fully laden Bathurst racer.

This six-cylinder LX has been stripped and partially repainted, and comes with a heap of spares including an extra rear hatch, bumpers and trim.

It’s a blank slate ready for a factory restoration, A9X-ification or tough streeter build. There’s no reserve on this car, but the Shannons guide estimates $30,000-$40,000.

Ford XB Falcon GT

Here’s a relatively affordable way into the classic GT fraternity. This February ’74-built XB is a real-deal GT, though it’s seen better days body-wise.

The vehicle report mentions rust in the doors, boot floor and gutter rails, plus a few other faults around the body.

The good news is there’s still a 351 between the rails, backed by an FMX auto. Optional power windows and factory a/c help sweeten the deal.

It’s getting harder to find imperfect GTs, so if you’re looking for something in need of love, this could be the one for you! Shannons reckons it should take $70,000-$80,000.

Pontiac Firebird

Those of us with less coin haven’t been forgotten. Just $10,000-$15,000 could nab you a right-hook Pontiac Firebird with a small-block Chev under the bonnet. It’s chump change compared to current asking prices for Aussie two-door muscle.

Chevrolet Biscayne

While the ’58 Chevrolet is less loved than its ‘tri-five’ predecessors and the following ’59, this Biscayne offers comfortable land-yacht motoring on a budget. It’s an older restoration with some rust appearing, so it’s ready for either another freshen-up or stress-free family cruising.

The Shannons Spring Auction will kick off on 31 August and finish on 7 September. You’ll find the full list of items here.

A little something else…

If you’ve grabbed the 40th anniversary edition of Street Machine, you’ll have seen our epic poster with every cover displayed.

Well, now you can download it – and our mates at Kustom Kraft Design have already grabbed the download to wrap the door to the boss’s office!