October was apparently the month of the large and extravagant - with a sprinkling of classic Aussie icon.

Our five biggest CARBIDS sales included two substantial Mercedes-Benz and BMW SUVs, a Ford Ranger Raptor for anyone who thinks a regular ute is a bit too sensible, and a seven-seat Lexus.

But sneaking into fifth place was a classic - a 1972 Chrysler Valiant Charger that had spent more than a decade hiding under blankets in a homemade Canberra garage.

Here's the rundown:

1. 2020 BMW X5 M Competition

$58,000 (excluding buyer's premium) | Closed 22 October

Yes, another BMW X5 M Competition. One of these also appeared in our August top five, although that example was white. This one came finished in Sapphire Black Metallic, presumably for those who prefer their ridiculously powerful family SUVs to be slightly less conspicuous.

Under the bonnet sits BMW M's 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, producing 460kW and 750Nm - or enough to send this substantial SUV from 0–100km/h in around 3.8 seconds. Which is an impressive achievement for something that can also accommodate the weekly shopping, the children and quite possibly the children's friends.

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2. 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor

$53,000 (excluding buyer's premium) | Closed 7 October

Not far behind was Ford's answer to a question nobody really needed to ask: what if we built a ute that thinks it's a Baja racing truck?

The second-generation Shadow-Black-coloured Ranger Raptor ditched its predecessor's four-cylinder diesel for a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 producing 292kW and 583Nm, driving all four wheels through a ten-speed automatic transmission.

There's also sophisticated Fox suspension, enormous ground clearance and a Baja driving mode, for when you ... I don't know, drive the Baja.

3. 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS 400d 4MATIC

$52,000 (excluding buyer's premium) | Closed 14 October

If the BMW was all about going very quickly, the Mercedes-Benz GLS was about doing everything in considerable comfort.

Mercedes calls the GLS the S-Class of SUVs. And given its enormous proportions, seven-seat cabin and extensive luxury equipment, that's not entirely unreasonable.

Power comes from a 2.9-litre twin-turbo diesel straight-six, producing 243kW and 700Nm, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

This Obsidian Black example had also been wrapped in black, with imposing 23-inch wheels and a cabin featuring massaging seats.

4. 2021 Lexus RX350L Luxury AWD

$33,940 (excluding buyer's premium) | Closed 29 October

And now for something a little more sensible. Well, relatively speaking.

The RX350L was Lexus's attempt to squeeze a third row of seats into its popular RX luxury SUV, adding extra length behind the rear wheels to accommodate two additional passengers.

Under the bonnet sits a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre petrol V6, driving all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. No turbochargers, no enormous performance figures, and certainly no Baja mode.

Finished in Matador Red, this 2021 Luxury model offered seven-seat practicality with the sort of refinement and comfort Lexus has spent decades building its reputation on.

5. 1972 Chrysler Valiant Charger VH

$30,820 (excluding buyer's premium) | Closed 7 October

Now for something with a proper backstory. This 1972 Chrysler Valiant Charger spent more than a decade tucked away under blankets in a homemade garage in Braddon, Canberra, before being rescued by YouTube channel Beyond the Redline.

Its former owner was apparently quite the handyman. The garage itself had been assembled using whatever materials were available, including glass windows salvaged from old cooktops. And when the Charger's original plastic door pull broke, he simply made a replacement out of wood. As you do.

Finished in Alpine White, the VH Charger retained its 245ci (4.0-litre) straight-six engine. It wasn't one of the fire-breathing V8 versions, but that was hardly the point. With its distinctive fastback styling, wonderful backstory and decades of character, this was easily one of the more memorable cars we've sold this year. 

And at $30,820, someone clearly agreed.

You can read its full story here.

Honourable mentions

• 2017 Mercedes-Benz E43 AMG AWD – $30,001 (excluding buyer's premium) | Closed 14 October

• 2020 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE – $29,990 (excluding buyer's premium) | Closed 1 October

• 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS 350d AMG Pack – $29,990 (excluding buyer's premium) | Closed 7 October

Missed out on these ones? There are plenty more where they came from. Check out our current CARBIDS auctions here.