What’s News

The first Datsun 240Z to land in Australia (build #4!) up for auction at Burns & Co Auctions December Classic & Collectable Car Auction.

The Datsun 240Z was a highly desirable and revered sports car, and it proved to be a huge success in the Australian market.

Burns & Co are excited to offer for auction in our December Classic & Collectable Car Auction this rare and significant investment quality, matching number 1969 Datsun 240Z which is build number 4!

Factory records indicate that 438 right-hand drive 240Z models were produced at Nissan’s Shati Hiratsuka facility in 1969. However, due to mechanical issues, production was halted, and no 240Zs were made available to the public that year, although nearly 1,000 other RHD Fairlady variants for the Japanese domestic market were released. Datsun management expressed doubts regarding the commercial viability of the 240Z model.

This particular vehicle, production number HS30 00004, arrived in Australia aboard Datsun’s car carrier, Oppama Maru, in April 1970. Although unclear, it is thought that “Number 4” was originally headed for the London Car show until Datsun Australia requested it be offloaded in Perth and brought to Melbourne for use in press releases and market assessment. It successfully passed compliance checks and was first registered in October 1970. It remained with Datsun’s Head Office on Elizabeth Street in Melbourne for approximately two years, serving as a demonstrator and being loaned to select dealership executives and heavily promoted throughout 1970/71 in car magazines and other media promotional activities.

After reading numerous positive reviews, Dr. Harry Corbett and his wife visited Elizabeth Street in Melbourne to view and test drive vehicle number 4, leaving them quite impressed. Ultimately, in 1972, Datsun sold the 240Z number 4 to a medical professional in Geelong. In 1974, Harry recognized the car with its new owner while refueling in Olinda, near their residences. He approached the owner with an offer to buy the vehicle should it ever be available for sale, and was lucky enough to secure it.

During the mid to late 1980s, Harry enlisted Ray Stanley from Bayswater, and together they undertook a meticulous effort to restore number 4 to its original condition as closely as possible. Harry’s son was entrusted with the care of the vehicle, which he regularly showcased at NDSOC car club events. For several years, 240Z number 4 was carefully preserved and displayed before it was moved on.

The current owner was in the market for a new car in the early 2000’s and had a love for the 240z from childhood. A chance trip to the Z shop in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs to enquire if they might know of any ‘Z’s’ on the market led him to an available Z which turned out to be the very rare number 4, a car he has cherished now for 22 years. Two years ago, the current owner was contacted by Nissan Headquarters as they were about to launch a new generation ‘Z’ and were keen to have number 4 as part of the promotion to highlight the roots of their new generation Z’s. It has remained on show at Nissan Headquarters for over two years until recently.

The owner has now decided it is time to pass on this rare and highly collectable piece of global motoring history to a new custodian. While the owner has had a number of offers, from as far away as the USA, to sell number 4 over the years, it is now being offered for sale for the first time in over 20 years. This means that one lucky buyer will have the opportunity to pick it up on the December 8th when it is offered via auction at the Burns & Co Classic & Collectable Car Auction.

The full catalogue for this auction will go live around the 28th of November when pre-bidding on the car will be open ahead of the live auction on December 8th which will take place at the Burns & Co Auction Rooms at 4 market Drive, Bayswater, Victoria.

More information, including videos of this car can be found here. Other stock for our December Classic & Collectable Car Auction can be seen here as it is added.

Have you got a Classic & Collectable Motorcycle you’re looking to auction?

Our next Classic & Collectable Motorcycle Auction is on the evening of Monday the 2nd of December 2024 and we are currently taking entries (please note updated date of auction).

CLICK HERE to submit your vehicle details and our team will contact you.

Or call
Michael Saide 0437 637 644 (Newcastle / Central Coast)
Anton Cooper 0427 383 531 (Melbourne)
Or call the office 03 8657 4292 (Other areas)

Next Level Auction
Thursday 14th November from 6.00 pm (AEST)

BID NOW

(Click and drag below images to view) – To see all available items view the BID NOW link above

Three Part Collectable 1950’s – 60’s AMERICANA, DINER, MOVIE, HOLLYWOOD, AUTO Timed Online Auction
over 3 consecutive nights
Closing out from 7.00 pm (AEDT) all nights

PART 1 – Lots 300 to 450 – Monday 11th November closing out from 7.00pm (AEDT)
PART 2 – Lots 451 to 600 – Tuesday 12th November closing out from 7.00pm (AEDT)
PART 3 – Lots 601 to 790 – Wednesday 13th November closing out from 7.00pm (AEDT)

A great selection of 1950’’s 1960’s and 1970’s Americana spread over 3 catalogues and all closing on weeknights at a convenient, evening time slot.

Lots of choice, lots of colour, lots of opportunity and offering great variety across all subjects of the time including Diner / Milk Bar, Petrol and Oil, Automotive, Soft Drink and Tobacco, Movies and Hollywood, Toys and Games along with amusements including pedal cars, bikes and much much more.

Closing from 7.00pm AEDT Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 11th, 12th, 13th November.

Collectable 1950’s – 60’s AMERICANA, DINER, MOVIE, HOLLYWOOD, AUTO Timed Online Auction Part 1
Monday 11th November closing out from 7.00pm (AEDT)

BID NOW

Come and join the Burns & Co team!

Burns & Co has enjoyed tremendous growth since putting its footprint into Bayswater, Vic in 2019. We opened a new facility in Thornton (via Newcastle) in New South Wales in late 2023 and only recently expanded and improved our Bayswater, Vic auction rooms to be now state of the art and one of the market leaders.

Our rapid growth has bought about the need for an additional staff member to join our Thornton, NSW facility with a focus on the following:

• Co ordinating the delivery/collection of memorabilia/collectable items
• Co ordinating the collection and drop off consignments to/from clients, as well as vendor management
• Setting up of auctions at our Thornton facility
• Photographing, cataloguing collectable auctions
• Assisting with receival of cars and motorcycles into our facility
• Assisting with the delivery of cars and motorcycles out of our facility
• Prepare cars and bikes for cataloguing and photography
• Meet and greet clients and contactors upon arrival into our facility
• Develop valuation skills
• Attend to the show floor during viewing times

The successful applicant will bring to the table the following:

• A neat and tidy appearance (uniform provided)
• A team first attitude (not negotiable)
• An interest in collectables
• Some general knowledge / interest in cars and / or bikes
• A reasonable level of fitness
• A minimum of a current car license – MR or HR would be an advantage
• The ability and desire to work some weekends (auction / inspection weekends), with the expectation of some travel interstate
• Ability to communicate with staff, clients, contractors
• Basic computer skills

The successful applicant will receive:

• Fully maintained phone
• A fun place to work where no two days are the same
• Great bunch of people already in the business who are passionate and bring a team first approach
• Company uniform
• Exciting business with lots going on

For further understanding about the services we offer visit our Facebook page Burns & Co Auctions or our website at www.burnsandcoauctions.com.au

If the above sounds like you and you’re ready for the challenge please call Ashley Burns on 0408 618 294 or Michael Saide on 0437 637 644.

Or for more information view our advertisement at Burns And Co Jobs in All Australia – SEEK.

Applications close Friday 22nd November 2024 5.00pm with an immediate start for the right applicant. We’ll review applications as they are made, so we encourage early submissions.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.