Auction watch: HSV Coupe 4, Maserati Ghibli, Mazda RX-8 and more!

A bit of a theme with Grays Auctions this week, showing a few cars that promise gutsy performance, while hedging that with the desire for practicality.

2005 HSV Coupe 4

Holden created a storm when the two-door VT Commodore was revealed, giving way to the re-emergence of the Monaro, but HSV put their stamp on the car with their all-wheel drive effort that provided all the noise and fun of that Gen III V8, but kept enough back seat room for practicality.

This example is one of 134 made, and looks to have been well kept, so this one-owner car could well be waiting for a discerning collector.

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1978 Leyland Mini manual coupe

Those wanting a coupe that's a little smaller, but no less classic, can take a look at this late-70's beast.

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1974 Bentley Sedan T-Series

Well before influencers were breathlessly ASMRing into microphones and flicking hood ornaments, Bentley made these luxury highway yachts.

One for those who appreciate old school chic.

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2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

The Evoque has always been striking, and time has been kind to the styling, in this author's opinion. Up for grabs is this example from 2015.

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2003 Mazda RX8 manual coupe

Winner of the 2003 Wheels Car of the Year, this RX8 comes in manual guise, ready for those who want to experience that rotary's smooth rev up to 9000rpm.

Those "freestyle" – ie suicide – doors add much needed practicality to this well-balanced sports car, if you don't mind the added labour of maintaining a rotary engine – or dropping in an LS V8 instead.

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2017 Maserati Ghibli Sport sedan

Rounding out this week's auction watch is one of the great ways to have your cake and eat it.

The Maserati Ghibli promises all the performance and theatre of an exotic Italian, but delivered with four-door practicality so you can share the experience with more passengers.

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Take a look at Grays' entire listings here [↗]