A rare opportunity has come forward for motor sporting fans to own the legendary Steve Johnson Tru Blu #17 Touring Car & Dick Johnson's Q17 Heritage Plate when they go under the hammer at Lloyds on the GC500 supercars weekend this month.
There are not many names more famous than Johnson in Australian motorsport, and the beloved icon of the Tru-Blu is now being offered to the public.
This iconic car has won three TCM races with the highlight being at Bathurst in 2021 with Steve Johnson behind the wheel.
"This vehicle is ready for the next custodian to hit the track or keep it preserved as a centre piece in a collection, it is a must have for racing fans," said Mr. Lee Hames, Chief Operations Officer for Lloyds Auctions.
The bodyshell and suspension have been computer-enhanced by PACE Innovations, which designed the Supercars control chassis.
Not only is Steve's touring car on offer in the auction but also on offer is the extremely rare Queensland Heritage Plate 'Q17' currently owned by Steve's father and former Australian Touring Car Champion Dick Johnson.
With online bidding for the plate already exceeding $85,000 the plate has increased in value over 1400% since last being sold in the Great QLD plate Auction in 1985.
This plate was originally owned by Alfred L. Stewart of Windemere Rd, Hamilton, Brisbane but recently and more famously owned by Australian motorsport legend, Dick Johnson. The plate was first registered in 1921 on a Studebaker.
"Off the back of Lloyds' successful sale of heritage plates NSW1 for $11.5 million and Q1 for $5.6 million, we are expecting a great result for Q17," said Mr. Hames.
"Both of these items are extremely collectable and sought after and we expect them to reach great prices come auction day," continued Mr. Hames.
Who will win the auction block title come the 26th of October? Stay tuned as these two pieces of automotive history will be going under the hammer with many more classic cars.
The Lloyds LIVE monthly classic car auction is closing Saturday 26th October from 12pm during the GC500 Supercars weekend.
You can view the entire auction here.
You can view the Steve Johnson race car here.
You can view the Queensland heritage plate here.