“Auctioning Is Just So Much Easier Than Trying to Sell It Ourselves.”

When Andy and his wife Donna were tasked with finalising the estate of Donna’s late stepfather, among the items left behind were two very different pieces of motoring history.

A 1962 Volkswagen Kombi Ambulance, complete with a log book showing its former service with St John Ambulance in Upwey, Victoria, and a charming 1920s Chevrolet 2 Door Sedan.

Both vehicles had formed part of Carl’s private collection and were entrusted to Burns & Co to be offered UNRESERVED in our August/September Muscle, Classics & Motoring Auction.

For Andy and Donna, choosing auction rather than trying to sell the vehicles privately made the process considerably easier.

“Auctioning is just so much easier than trying to sell it ourselves, and I think we’re getting a much better result doing it as well. I’m sure of it.”

And when the hammer fell, the family couldn’t have been happier with the overall outcome.

“We’re just so pleased with the results.”

“The VW went for way higher than what we expected. The Chevrolet went for a little less than what we expected, but overall we’re just over the moon.”

But there is a particularly meaningful story behind where the proceeds are ultimately headed.

Donna’s stepfather had left instructions that the proceeds from his estate be divided between four organisations important to him, including St John Ambulance, the CFA, Puffing Billy and Scouts.

It makes the sale of the Kombi particularly fitting, given its own history serving with St John Ambulance in Victoria.

For Andy, it wasn’t only the auction result that impressed. He also spoke highly of the service he and Donna received throughout the process, particularly from Burns & Co’s Anton Cooper.

“Anton came out to the property to check out the vehicles and some of the collectables, and he’s just been more than helpful. The whole process has been very easy.”

The same applied when it came time to retrieve the vehicles from the property.

“Even the guy that came out to pick up the vehicles was just super helpful. He just couldn’t do enough.”

And the family’s experience with Burns & Co isn’t necessarily finished yet.

Andy and Donna are continuing to work through a number of collectables from the estate and are planning to speak with our memorabilia team about potentially offering further items at auction.

We’re pleased to have been able to make one part of the process a little easier for Andy and Donna, while helping them honour Donna’s late stepfather’s  wishes and achieve an overall result they were “over the moon” with.

Thank you to Andy and Donna for entrusting Burns & Co with these two special vehicles.

Thinking of selling?

Whether you’re selling one vehicle, an entire collection or helping to finalise an estate, we’d love to have a conversation.

Let Burns & Co do the hard work.

👉 burnsandcoauctions.com.au/submit-your-vehicle

Or feel free to get in contact with a member of our team:

📞 Ashley Burns – 0408 618 294
📞 Anton Cooper – 0427 383 531
📞 Jason Todd – 0400 321 919

Selling a cherished classic car is never an easy decision.

For Gary, the choice to part with his genuine two-owner 1974 Holden HQ Kingswood Sedan – a car he’d owned since 1976 – came with plenty of emotion and uncertainty.

The Salamanca Red HQ was offered UNRESERVED in our July Muscle, Classics & Motoring Auction, eventually selling for $46,433 including Buyer’s Premium.

Like many vendors, Gary admits he was nervous about selling without a reserve.

“I actually balked at it at the time Ashley suggested it… I had to make a quick decision and I trusted him.”

That trust was tested in the days leading up auction night.

Watching the early bidding, Gary became concerned that his HQ wasn’t going to reach the figure he hoped for.

He called Burns & Co Director Ashley Burns during the auction.

The advice was simple.

“He said, ‘Stop looking at it… it can change so quickly.'”

Gary took that advice, stopped watching and let the auction do what it does best.

By the end of the night, the market had spoken.

Reflecting on the experience afterwards, Gary couldn’t speak highly enough of the Burns & Co team.

“Wonderful. I couldn’t fault it.”

“Everything you said was right.”

What impressed Gary most wasn’t simply the final price, but the way the team worked throughout the process.

“The team takes it right to the very limit to get the best result. They’re not just knocking it down when they feel like it – they just get the best out of everything.”

He also praised the professionalism of everyone involved.

“When I came in to look at the cars before the auction, all the boys were fantastic. You couldn’t have a nicer group of people.”

“Very, very professional.”

Perhaps the greatest compliment came when Gary explained he was already recommending Burns & Co to others.

“I’m already telling people about it… If I need you again, I’ll definitely bring my car there. I’ve still got a couple more yet.”

Thank you, Gary, for trusting Burns & Co with the sale of your HQ Kingswood. We genuinely appreciate your kind words and look forward to helping you again when the time comes.

Thinking of selling?

If you’ve been considering selling, we’d love to have a conversation.

Submit your vehicle today and let Burns & Co do the hard work.

👉 burnsandcoauctions.com.au/submit-your-vehicle

Or feel free to get in contact with a member of our team:

📞 Ashley Burns – 0408 618 294
📞 Anton Cooper – 0427 383 531
📞 Jason Todd – 0400 321 919

Another successful Burns & Co Muscle, Classics & Motoring Auction has concluded, delivering a clearance rate exceeding 92% across three exciting auction nights and once again demonstrating the strength of genuine competition in a live auction environment.

With more than 2,500 bidder logins recorded throughout the three-night event, buyers participated from every Australian state, creating strong competition across the exceptional catalogue.

Combined with active online bidding, phone bidding, absentee bidding and a packed auction floor in Bayswater, vendors benefited from multiple bidding avenues competing simultaneously to achieve outstanding results.

A Proven Formula for Strong Results

Every Burns & Co vehicle benefits from:

• Professional presentation and marketing
• A live auctioneer driving competitive bidding
• Floor, online, phone and absentee bidding
• A nationwide buying audience
• Specialist marketing to enthusiast buyers
• Dedicated teams operating from both Victoria and New South Wales

This combination continues to deliver the competitive environment Burns & Co has become known for when selling muscle cars, classics, motorcycles and automotive collectables.

In our July auction alone, with another packed Burns & Co Muscle, Classics & Motoring Auction that created genuine competition under the hammer, top 15 cars all sold above $95,000, with the top 5 all selling above the $200,000 mark.

View results across all 3 nights here: https://burnsandcoauctions.com.au/july-muscle-classics-motoring-auction/

And, when we look at the 2026 year to date, Burns & Co is proud to have delivered exceptional results for vendors with the top 10 cars all over $225,000.

THE BEST CARS KEEP COMING TO BURNS & CO!

*All prices mentioned include Buyer’s Premium.

Now Accepting Entries for August/September

Following another successful event, Burns & Co is now accepting entries for the August/September Muscle, Classics & Motoring Auction.

Whether you’re selling a single vehicle, downsizing a collection or dispersing a lifetime’s passion, our experienced team can provide a free, no-obligation appraisal and discuss the best strategy to maximise your result.

We’re currently seeking:

• Muscle Cars
• Classic Cars
• Modern Performance Vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Project Vehicles
• Collections & Memorabilia

Thinking of Selling?

Contact one of our specialists today:

Ashley Burns – 0408 618 294

Anton Cooper – 0427 383 531

Jason Todd – 0400 321 919

Phil Shaw (NSW / QLD) – 0437 637 644

Or submit your vehicle online:

burnsandcoauctions.com.au/submit-your-vehicle

The question always arises here at Burns & Co as to how we are able to create the best environment for achieving record breaking prices and the secret lies with our passion, performance and auction process!

Our Next Level Collectors Auction last night came to an awesome conclusion, with the final lot of the night, a Superb Original Neptune Double Sided Pole Sign selling for an Australian Record price for a light box of $51,260!

These prices aren’t always easily achievable, but here at Burns & Co we have an army of a team that puts in the hard yards to make sure every item that comes through our doors gets the best opportunity to earn the best price it can.

So how exactly do we create the right environment to sell for every lot?

The first key thing is to obtain the item, which is something we thrive on as we are nation wide travelling business. It doesn’t matter how rural you are, we’ll come and collect!

Presentation is the next key step to success here. The Neptune Double Sided Light Box that sold for a record price likely wouldn’t have reached the price it did based on how it initially presented as the lenses were detached from the pole, Our team went to the effort to clean and bring the item back into it’s original state.

Once the item is at our auction house in Bayswater and prepared accordingly, it’s time to find the right auction to suit it. Between the Classic Car Auctions, Livestream Auctions & Timed Online Auctions, we’ve got a lot of suitability for any given item that comes through our doors!

Finally, once the catalogue is finalised and the auction is live, our marketing team presents the catalogue to the nation, and with over 125,000 followers across our socials, each item in every catalogue is capable of finding the right buyer.

Here about the process from our Principal & Head Auctioneer Ashley Burns himself in the video below!

Thinking of Selling?

We’re always in the process of setting up another one of our premier collectors auctions, so why not join the fun?

Whether you have a handful of rare tins, signs, bottles or more, you’re not going to find a better place to sell than Burns & Co.

If you’re keen to enquire, call…

Ashley Burns
📞 0499 075 441

Price includes a 16.5% buyer’s premium.

For many enthusiasts, model cars are much more than miniature vehicles. They represent racing history, iconic Australian motoring, childhood memories and decades of passionate collecting.

At Burns & Co, we’ve seen first-hand just how strong that passion remains.

Across the first half of 2026, we’ve conducted a series of specialist Model Car & Collectables Auctions, presenting hundreds of quality diecast models, limited editions, motorsport memorabilia and complete private collections to a national buying audience.

From Holden and Ford Bathurst winners through to signed Allan Moffat, Dick Johnson and Colin Bond pieces, collectors have competed strongly throughout the year, delivering consistent results across every auction.

One of the biggest takeaways hasn’t been a single record price—it has been the remarkable consistency of the market. Multiple lots have comfortably exceeded the $1,000 mark (including Buyer’s Premium), while quality limited editions, signed models and Bathurst-winning cars continue to attract spirited bidding from collectors across Australia.

These results reinforce what we’re seeing across the collector market: quality, rarity and provenance continue to drive strong demand.

Whether it’s Holden, Ford, Bathurst, ATCC, Supercars, Formula One, American Muscle, European classics, trucks, construction equipment or associated collectables, specialist buyers are actively seeking fresh material.

TOP 20 MODEL CAR RESULTS OF 2026

All prices include 22% buyer’s premium.

A Growing Specialist Category

Burns & Co now conducts specialist Model Car & Collectables Auctions on a regular basis, providing vendors with access to a national database of dedicated collectors.

These auctions have become one of our most consistent collector categories, attracting competitive bidding across everything from single rare models through to complete lifelong collections.

Whether you’re downsizing, managing an estate or simply wondering what your collection may be worth, our experienced team can help identify, catalogue and present your items to achieve the strongest possible result.

Thinking of Selling?

We’re currently inviting entries for upcoming Model Car & Collectables Auctions.

Whether you have a handful of rare models or a lifetime collection, Burns & Co conducts specialist model car auctions regularly and is now inviting entries for upcoming sales.

Contact our specialists

Declan Bateson
📞 0499 075 441

Riley Burns
📞 0477 890 897

The Last of the Last: Ford Australia’s Final Saleable FGX XR6 Turbo Ute Heads to Auction

When Ford Australia ceased local manufacturing in 2016, it marked the end of one of the most iconic chapters in Australian motoring history.

Now, one of the vehicles that symbolised that historic moment is set to go under the hammer with Burns & Co Auctions.

This 2016 Ford FGX XR6 Turbo Ute is accompanied by a Ford Australia Certificate of Authenticity, recognising it as:

“The final saleable standard specification FGX Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute built by Ford Australia.”

The certificate is signed by Graeme Whickman, then President and CEO of Ford Motor Company Australia and records the vehicle’s production date as 29 July 2016.

Finished in Smoke Metallic with black trim, the ute is powered by Ford’s legendary turbocharged six-cylinder engine and paired with the highly desirable factory six-speed manual transmission. With just 3,340 kilometres showing, it represents a remarkable opportunity to acquire one of the final chapters in Australia’s automotive manufacturing story.

An exclusive farewell to Australian manufacturing

The current vendor, John, purchased the ute directly from Ford in 2016.

John recalls attending what he describes as an invitation-only auction for Ford dealers, held at Avalon Airport following the closure of Ford Australia’s Broadmeadows manufacturing plant.

According to John, only a handful of historically significant vehicles were offered.

“They had about six different vehicles at the auction,” he recalled, “it was a Ford dealer invitation-only auction.”

What John remembers most, however, wasn’t just the vehicles -it was the people.

Ford invited many of the employees who had built the final vehicles to attend the event, creating a fitting farewell to decades of Australian manufacturing.

“They invited the employees who actually built the cars. The engine builders, the body builders and the people who worked on the production line for that final build were all there.”

According to John, Ford made the occasion a celebration, bringing together employees and dealers to recognise the people behind the Blue Oval’s Australian legacy.

“It was quite a significant day for Ford Motor Company. It was the last of the last of the last.”

Preserved for a decade

John understood the significance of the ute from the day he bought it and has treated it as a collector’s vehicle ever since.

He has never personally driven it.

The majority of the kilometres were accumulated while the vehicle remained with Ford, including use by one of Ford’s engineers before it was offered for sale.

John believes the vehicle’s specification makes it even more desirable.

“Instead of just building a ute, they built a turbo manual ute, which is pretty rare. That made it pretty significant in a lot of ways.”

Since acquiring it, the ute has been carefully preserved as part of John’s private collection.

It is offered with its Ford Australia Certificate of Authenticity, original owner’s manual and supporting documentation, with the owner’s manual also recording Ford Motor Company as the original owner.

Passing it on

After ten years of ownership, John’s decision to sell has nothing to do with the vehicle itself.

Having sold the warehouse where his collection was stored, he has begun downsizing.

“Otherwise, I’d keep it,” he said. “I’ve had my enjoyment out of owning it, and now somebody else can enjoy it.”

John hopes the vehicle finds a home with someone who appreciates its place in Australian motoring history.

“It’s a very significant part of Australian motoring history. It’s pretty damn special.”

Coming to auction

The 2016 Ford FGX XR6 Turbo Ute will be offered as one of the headline vehicles in Burns & Co’s August/September Muscle, Classics & Motoring Auction, closing across:

Monday 31 August, Tuesday 1 September & Wednesday 2 September 2026.

Whether you’re a lifelong Blue Oval enthusiast or a serious collector of Australian-built performance vehicles, opportunities to own a vehicle of this significance are exceptionally rare.

View the full vehicle listing:

https://burnsandcoauctions.com.au/portfolio/the-last-2016-ford-fgx-xr6-turbo-ute-6-cyl-manual/

The auction catalogue is continuing to grow, and entries are still being accepted.

Thinking about selling? Submit your vehicle for consideration here:

https://burnsandcoauctions.com.au/submit-your-vehicle/

Every classic car has a story, but few come with the history and personal connection of this LX SS Torana.

In a special video recorded ahead of Burns & Co’s June Muscle, Classics & Motoring Auction, renowned engine builder Ian Tate OAM reflects on a friendship that spans decades.

“A young bloke came in wanting a job… young Frank. He was one of the best apprentices we’ve had.”

That young apprentice was Frank, the long-time owner of this remarkable Torana.

As Ian explains, Frank grew up working on the very cars that defined Australia’s performance motoring era, from L34 Toranas through to the Brock Commodores that became legends of Australian motorsport.

Years later, when it came time to complete the engine for this Torana, Frank returned to someone he trusted.

The result is a beautifully presented LX SS Torana featuring a carefully built Holden V8 that Ian describes as delivering performance comparable to the cars raced by Peter Brock during the golden era of Australian touring car racing.

But beyond the specifications and performance figures lies something more important – a car that has been driven, enjoyed and cherished.

As Frank recalls, countless hours were invested in restoring and refining the vehicle, creating a car that has provided years of enjoyment for him and his family.

Ian’s advice to the future owner is simple:

“Enjoy the car. These cars are meant to be used, not sit under a cover in a garage.”

With its unique provenance, personal history and connection to one of Australia’s most respected automotive figures, this LX SS Torana represents an opportunity to acquire not just a classic Holden, but a piece of Australian motoring heritage.

Watch the video here:

We’re Hiring | Administration Manager

Burns & Co Auctions continues to grow, and we’re excited to announce that we’re looking for an experienced Administration Manager to join our management team at our Bayswater headquarters.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of one of Australia’s leading auction companies specialising in Classic, Collectable & Muscle Cars, Motorcycles and Memorabilia.

Working closely with Director Ashley Burns, the successful applicant will play a key role in overseeing the administration and planning functions that keep our business running efficiently. From payroll and staff planning through to company compliance, accounts administration and supporting our growing team, this is a varied and rewarding position suited to an experienced administrator who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment.

With auction facilities in Melbourne and Newcastle, Burns & Co has experienced tremendous growth over the past five years and is continuing to build an exceptional team dedicated to delivering outstanding service for our vendors and buyers across Australia.

If you’re highly organised, enjoy leading people, have excellent attention to detail and are looking for a long-term career with a unique Australian business, we’d love to hear from you.

Position: Administration Manager
Location: Bayswater, Victoria
Hours: Full Time | Monday to Friday | 8:00am–4:00pm

Applications close Monday 20th July 2026.

👉 View the full position description and apply via SEEK:
https://au.seek.com/job/93068525?tracking=SHR-IOS-SharedJob-anz-1

Alternatively, confidential enquiries can be directed to Ashley Burns on 0408 618 294 or via ashley@burnsandco.com.au.

We’re Hiring | Memorabilia Team Member

Burns & Co Auctions are market leaders in the field of both in-house and on-property auctions for Classic and Collectable Cars and Motorcycles, along with Memorabilia and Collectables.

Originating in Mildura, Northwest Victoria in 2015, the business has rapidly grown to now be recognised and respected as a national brand and a leader in its chosen fields.

In 2019, the business commenced its relocation into Bayswater, Victoria, with further expansion occurring in 2025 through the opening of our NSW operation in Beresfield, near Newcastle.

The Burns & Co business consists primarily of three teams – Automotive, Memorabilia & Collectables, and Administration & Marketing – and we’re now looking for a new team member to join our Memorabilia & Collectables team.

Could This Be You?

This position will complement and assist our existing team, and the successful applicant will ideally bring with them a passion for history and our past, a passion for early advertising and marketing, a passion for collecting and an eye for attention to detail.

Or maybe you’ve had the desire to become a leading auctioneer but have never had the opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join an industry-leading brand and company and learn the auction business back to front and from the ground up.

The Role Includes:

• Collecting, receipting and preparing items for auction
• Photography and cataloguing lots
• Conducting auctions, either timed online or simulcast
• Deliveries, including door pickups, courier consignments and Australia Post

All our auctions are catalogued and conducted through EasyBids, and full training will be provided in all aspects of the position.

Last year, Burns & Co conducted around 120 auctions with a turnover of approximately $40 million, so it’s a busy place with no two days the same!

A Unique Opportunity With Plenty of Upside

This is a full-time position based in Bayswater, Victoria, suited to someone who is well presented, punctual and looking for a unique opportunity with plenty of upside.

There’s opportunity for growth in all aspects of the business, including cataloguing, administration, auctioneering and logistics.

If you’re brimmed full of enthusiasm, physically fit, have a willingness to learn and are a naturally passionate person, we’d love to hear from you.

A current driver’s licence is essential, as is a team-first attitude.

A further plus would be a willingness to undertake the odd road trip, with some interstate travel from time to time, along with the occasional weekend commitment when we conduct on-property auctions.

The opportunity to obtain your HR and forklift licence will also present down the track.

Interested?

Feel free to call Ashley Burns on 0408 618 294 for further information or just an initial chat.

Please submit your application to ashley@burnsandco.com.au and include a covering letter.

Applications close 5.00pm Friday 18th September.