If you’re sick of high fuel prices fleecing you at the bowser then this story may not be for you. At the upcoming Shannons Sydney Winter Classic Auctions, on July 21, three classic pumps—a manual model from the 1930s and two electric pumps from the 1950s and 60s—will be offered with no reserve. Prices of up to $5,000 are expected, and perhaps beyond.
The rising pump prices are being driven by a combination of demand from collectors, the shrinking availability of good original pumps and the increasingly high quality of restorations, according to Shannons National Auction Manager, Christophe Boribon.
“We have seen a noticeable increase in interest in classic bowsers over the last 2-3 years,” said Boribon. “Like all our memorabilia lots, we offer them for sale unreserved because we know there will be high demand, keen bidding and they will always sell for the right price.”
Boribon said there was a general upsurge in interest in automotive memorabilia, with private individuals, businesses and collectors creating garage themes in cafes, showrooms and homes.
“Classic metal and neon signs are always highly sought after at our auctions, but a classic pump is invariably the centrepiece of any collection or garage display,” he said.
Most pumps offered for sale at Shannons auctions, like the rare circa 1950s Double Gilbarco Electric in Golden Fleece livery and the circa 1960s Wayne AS70 in BP livery being sold on July 21, are cosmetically restored, but the 1930s Gilbert & Barker 6 Gallon manual pump at the same auction is unrestored.
Because of its greater rarity and livery, the Double Golden Fleece, should command $3,500-$5,000, while the two other pumps are each expected to sell in the $2,000-$3,000 range. However Boribon said that the manual pump could be expected to bring $4,000-$7,000 had it been restored.
“In Australia, Golden Fleece and Shell are generally the most popular liveries, followed closely by Mobilgas and Texaco,” he said. “They just walk out the door at every auction.
“However there are serious collectors out there who are always on the lookout for rarer early manual models and they are prepared to pay $15,000-$20,000 for something really different.”
Along with the pumps, Shannons is offering a range of other garage memorabilia at the Sydney auction, including enamel and plastic garage signs, a Michelin transistor radio and travel clock and a reproduction 1932 child’s pedal car.
Many of the vehicles in the auction are also from the same era as the pumps, such as the 1959 Cadillac ‘Series 62’ coupe, which would have been on intimate terms with pumps like the Wayne or Gilbarco had it been in Australia at the time.