Bonhams, Fernandina Beach, Florida, March 10, 2016
As the days before the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance fill up with auctions, it is hard to get in the hotly contested spotlight. Bonhams eloquently made its presentation by being first (on Thursday) and bringing a quartet of important automobiles that would attract attention anywhere:
Bugatti Type 57SC Sports Tourer
Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A
Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (the only 275 GTB on Amelia’s auction docket this year)
And, just for good measure, the most creative car on any auction docket, the 1896 Armstrong gas/electric hybrid.
With that kind of lineup it’s no surprise that Bonhams more than doubled last year’s total sale even with a lower sell-through rate that last year’s inaugural Amelia Week sale and the skewed-high pre-sale estimates that were also typical of the other auctions. It’s hard not to do well when your Bugatti sets a record for the marque at $9 3/8 million all-in and accounts for over a third of the sale’s total. It was all by itself 70.5% of last year’s entire 64-car sale.
Here are the numbers:
[table id=149 /]
Being first in the week carries some disadvantages. Bidders’ expectations are still being set, particularly in the wake of some softness in Scottsdale, and there are toothsome cars coming up at other auctions; infecting bidders with trepidation about spending their allowance early in the week. Bonhams auctioneers also set a sloth-like pace that tests onlookers’ endurance.
But it can’t be denied that Bonhams specialists are uniformly enthusiastic and well informed, imparting a vigor to their sale that is palpable.
Bonhams kicked off the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance week in excellent fashion, setting a standard for quality consignments that established the tone for the week.
Bonhams Amelia Island 2016 – Auction Report
Lot # 109 1964 Sabra Sports GT Coupe; S/N GT4818; Engine # S305658; Light Blue/Blue leatherette, Dark Blue cloth inserts; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $93,500 – 1701/61hp Ford Consul engine with dual SU carbs, 4-speed, centerlock wire wheels, Firestone tires, woodrim steering wheel, Smiths gauges. – Very good paint and chrome. Very good interior. Almost spotless restored engine bay and underbody. Done to like new condition. Originally owned by the wife of the Belgian Consul General to Isreal. Has to be one of the best of its kind, although with a car this rare there is not much competition. – Israel’s contribution to sports car history (although a lot of the design and construction came from Reliant in the UK), the Sabra is a rare bird with less than 400 built. Placing a value on one is therefore difficult, but almost six figures for an obscure fiberglass-bodied, 61hp Consul-powered sports car is a huge result even if it was within Bonhams’ presale estimate, and probably the most anyone’s ever paid for a Sabra.Lot # 112 1982 Aston Martin V8 Volante; S/N SCFCV81C7CTL15260; British Racing Green/Tan leather; Beige top; Estimate $160,000 – $200,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $192,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $211,200 – Quadruple Webers, 5-speed, alloy wheels, Avon tires, tan leather boot cover, wood dash and window trim, wood shift knob and console, dash clock, power windows, air conditioning, Pioneer cassette stereo. – Somewhat dull bumper plastic. Fantastic original paint. Passenger’s side door not quite flush. Excellent recently redone upholstery and new top. Fairly dull switchgear and seat belt buckles. A 35-year old, 20,480-miles used car that looks a tenth of its actual age. – It’s a Volante and it has Webers and a 5-speed, plus it’s finished in gorgeous traditional colors. It ticks all the right boxes for Aston V8 fans, so the Amelia bidders were willing to forgive its light signs of wear and bid it to the top end of Bonhams’ presale estimate and at the very top of V8 Volante values. It is a superior car that brought a superior result.Lot # 114 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider; S/N AR370395; Engine # AR001020678; Red/Cream leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $52,800 – Silver steel wheels, Signet blackwall radial tires, no radio. – Freshly repainted in a hurry. The paint is still curing and outgassing. Poorly masked, abundant overspray inside the doors. Underbody sprayed assembled over old undercoat. Worn older upholstery with some cracks and abrasions. Described as three owners from new but still an auction car as presented here. – This result is nothing if not generous for this car’s condition and quickie repaint, a price more appropriate to a Veloce in this condition than a Normale, despite the auction’s fabulously generous estimate. The repaint and other superficial attention robbed it of any hope of getting an originality premium.Lot # 115 1973 Maserati Bora 4.9 Coupe, Body by Giugiaro; S/N AM11749534; Engine # AM1071149534; Blue, Stainless steel roof/Black leather; Estimate $180,000 – $220,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $170,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $187,000 – Quadruple Webers, Pirelli P4000 tires, dual mirrors, locking filler cap, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Maserati Classiche certification, tools, jack, build sheet, owner’s manual, jack. – One of just 275 Bora 4.9s. Represented as matching numbers. 2009 restoration. Unusual but very attractive colors changed from the original red. Unknown early history. Very good paint. Lightly worn driver’s seat. A few very small dents and scratches in the stainless roof. Beautiful car. Done recently enough to still be fresh but it wasn’t a no expense spared job. – This is a huge result for a Bora, even taking the 4.9 engine and solid presentation into account, but still a significant value compared with its counterparts from Maranello.Lot # 117 1987 BMW M635CSi Coupe; S/N WBAEE1401H2560534; Cinnabar Red/Beige leather; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,900 – 3.5/286hp, 5-speed, alloy wheels, Michelin tires, rear spoiler, sunroof, power windows, air conditioning, Alpine CD stereo, service history, books. – One owner for most of its life. The bumper plastic is dull but the paint is very good. There is some curb rash on the wheels. Worn but sound upholstery. The rest of the interior is quite good. Certainly not perfect, but remarkably good considering the 99,443 miles on the odometer. – A highly unusual car, the first of BMW’s M-series and one of 1,767 built for the U.S. It has obviously been cherished for years and this result is a bargain for its condition. It has nowhere to go but up in value.Lot # 118 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N E7FH236160; Thunderbird Bronze, Bronze hardtop/Bronze vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $39,600 – 312/270hp, dual quads, automatic, Vintage A/C, cassette stereo, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, power steering, power brakes, hardtop only. – Very good older paint, chrome and interior. Neat, orderly engine compartment but the fan, A/C belt is misaligned, probably in the rotary A/C compressor installation. A quality older restoration that is holding up very well. – Always popular and with enough power from the dual quad engine for it to keep up with modern traffic, the Vintage A/C doesn’t hurt its value (except for the belt issue) as it is an accepted upgrade by T-bird clubs to enhance using their cars. Its restoration (said to date back to ancient history – the 1980’s) is holding up impressively and it could have brought the low estimate without being expensiveLot # 120 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing; S/N 1980405500587; Engine # 1989807500496; Red/Tan leather; Estimate $900,000 – $1,200,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $820,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $902,000 – Rudge centerlock wheel with body color centers and polished rims, Michelin blackwall tires, Talbot outside mirror, hinged steering wheel, fitted luggage, air conditioning added. – Very good color changed paint, chrome and interior. Replacement engine block. Broken driver’s outside door latch handle. Deck lid emblem was rechromed over small pits and the rear and quarter window lock trim is dull. Engine is orderly but the chassis is covered in road grime. A good used car with fresh cosmetics. Wade Carter estate. – The car collectors’ faith in what might be is evident in the generous price paid for this sound but needy Gullwing. Its history of seventeen years with Wade Carter and for some time before that with John Calley offers some confidence in its underlying quality, but it also has a replacement block. The executors should be grateful to Bonhams for getting this much.Lot # 121 1950 Jaguar XK 120M Roadster; S/N S672788; Engine # W5834-8S; Old English White/Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $78,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $85,800 – 3442/180hp, centerlock wire wheels, Dunlop Road Speed tires. – Slightly dull but presentable paint. Uneven panel gaps. Big gouge taken out of the paint right behind the passenger’s side door. Paint coming off of the red painted brake drums. Good, lightly worn interior. Long crack at the back of the hood. Represented as matching numbers. Titled as a 1953 with chassis 672788. Extensive mechanical and cosmetic work done in the early 1990s, but never fully apart and enjoyed since. Recently serviced. A 94,831-mile XK120 that’s been well maintained and is in reassuring driver condition. – This XK 120M isn’t going to wow JCNA judges, but it is more than handsome enough to be an exceptional driver particularly at this price which doesn’t really recognize the quality of its care and presentation. The transaction is fair to both the buyer and the seller.
Bonhams Amelia Island 2016 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 123 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Coupe, Body by Scaglietti; S/N 10325; Engine # 10325; Silver/Black leather; Estimate $2,700,000 – $3,200,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,500,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,750,000 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin X tires, power windows, Motorola pushbutton radio. – Very good fresh clearcoat repaint and new seat coverings. The rest is in good, sound older restored condition that shows no shortage of miles since it was done. Owned by the late Wade Carter since 1971, kept up but never restored. – Somewhat suprisingly this is the only 275 GTB in the Amelia Island auctions. Its combination of uniqueness among the Amelia auction offerings. its long single owner history and orderly originality should have gotten buyers’ juices flowing, but they didn’t and it is a remarkably reasonably priced transaction.Lot # 125 1990 Lamborghini Countach Silver Anniversary Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N ZA9C005A0KLA12923; Rosso Siviglia/Black leather; Estimate $450,000 – $550,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $380,000 – OZ Racing wheels, Pirelli P Zero tires, wing, six Webers, power windows, air conditioning. – Cracking in the seam between door and engine cover. Otherwise very good original paint. Excellent original interior. Looks almost new, not 26 years old, and shows 2,700 km. – Sold at RM London in 2014 for $373,287, a huge result at the time, well over RM’s high estimate. The market for like-new Anniversary Countaches has grown notably since, and the reported high bid, an appropriate offer, might have been more acceptable to the seller if the car hadn’t been bought so expensively in 2014. As many have noted, you make your money when you buy, not when you sell.Lot # 126 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Convertible; S/N 121042109500296; Engine # 1219216502973; Dark Grey/Green leather; Green cloth top; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $170,000 – Blaupunkt multiband radio, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, side-facing rear seat, two tops, luggage. – Freshly restored and beyond perfect. Great paint, smooth inviting interior, brilliant chrome. Underbody is like new. – The restoration of this 190SL missed nothing, except the boat. That is, the 190SL boat has left its high value cruise route and is now settling back to doing bargain weekend runs. Many much less fastidious restorations have brought more when the 190SL Frenzy was in full swing, but that time is past and this car arrived in the market dressed up but seeking a value no longer prevalent. It might get more by waiting, but the trend is not encouraging.Lot # 127 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III Phase 2 Convertible; S/N HBJ8L41566; Golden Beige/Red Ambla; Black leatherette top; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $69,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $75,900 – Overdrive, centerlock wire wheels, Michelin tires, black vinyl boot cover, banjo steering wheel, overdrive, wood dash, BMIHT documented. – Excellent paint. Very good chrome. Very good interior. Almost spotless underneath. Straight body, even gaps. A full nut and bolt restoration by Kurt Tanner finished in 2004 but still has nothing to fault it for. – The market for good Big Healeys hasn’t moved all that much, as this solid example’s auction history shows. In 2004, RM sold it in Monterey for $82,500, then again in Arizona in 2011 for $85,250. Only 166 miles have been added to its odometer since 2004. The Big Healey market has softened since 2011, as this appropriate result indicates.Lot # 128 1958 Jaguar XK 150S 3.4 Roadster; S/N T831629DN; Engine # VS154939; Carmen Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $160,000 – $175,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $143,000 – Overdrive, chrome wire wheels, old tread pattern Michelin blackwall tires, fender mirrors, black steering wheel. – Represented as numbers-matching its JDHT Certificate. Very good older paint, chrome, interior and top. Very good panel fits and gaps. Underbody and engine are like new. A very well preserved older restoration that has had some recent work. – Last seen at the Dragone brothers auction in Westport in 2013 in somewhat neglected condition. Time has been taken to freshen it to the point where it looks much better. The bidders reacted and conferred a solid price on it that may even be something of a good value for an S.Lot # 130 1986 Ferrari Testarossa Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFSA17A8G0065247; Silver/Beige leather; Estimate $180,000 – $240,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $154,000 – R134 air conditioning, Schedoni luggage (that doesn’t match the upholstery), 5-spoke alloy wheels with BFG blackwall tires, single driver’s side mirror, books, keys, tools. – Good original paint. Lightly stretched seats with scuffed driver’s bolster. Clean original underbody. Thoroughly documented and not riding on TRX tires. – There were four Testarossas in the Amelia auctions and this one brought a representative price but one with little premium for its originality and extensive service history. In the runup of Testarossa prices this is a quality car bought relatively reasonably.Lot # 132 1966 Jaguar XKE SI 4.2 Roadster; S/N 1E1187; Engine # 7E529249; Signal Red/Black leather; Black top; Estimate $275,000 – $325,000; Modified restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $150,000 – 5-speed, Wilwood brakes, adjustable shocks, braided steel lines, stainless exhaust, alloy radiator, chrome centerlock wire wheels, Vredestein tires, black cloth boot cover, woodrim steering wheel, Kenwood CD stereo. – Replacement engine block and head. Trunk lid isn’t flush and sticks up on the left side. Headlight bezels aren’t flush. Very good interior. A desirable SI 4.2, but with the modern upgrades and CD stereo plus the handful of shortcomings, this is for someone to drive and enjoy. Not a show car, and not for someone who values authenticity above all else. – The fate in the market of this XKE, which should be a superb tour car, illustrates the difficulty of recovering the cost of even subtle modifications for more performance, better handling and more comfort. While they contribute to driving enjoyment the departure from stock configuration not only separates the car from mainstream collecting values but also makes any comparison with comparable values difficult, leaving bidders in a fog of uncertainty unless they really know what they’re doing, and bidders like that are few and far between, particularly for cars modified at great cost like this one. This is going to be a hard sell, except to the rare and possibly unique buyer who wants an XKE that performs like a Corvette.
Bonhams Amelia Island 2016 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 133 1960 Maserati 3500GT Spider, Body by Vignale; S/N 101925; Engine # AM101925; Grey/Burgundy; Estimate $800,000 – $1,000,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $800,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $880,000 – 5-speed (original 4-speed included), chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, blackwall tires, front disc brakes, power windows ebony woodrim steering wheel, Carello halogen headlights, fog lights. – Good old paint with some polishing swirl. Very good chrome and interior. Panel gaps are even, fits are flush. Engine compartment is orderly and like new. Chassis has some age and road grime. Underbody is nearly like new., but the running gear and chassis are covered in road grime and the front wheels are dirty with brake dust. – One of the most beautiful automobiles in the Amelia Island auctions (or on the show field, for that matter), this Vignale-bodied 3500GT exudes class and refinement. And it’s been driven (if not assiduously detailed for the auction) which imparts some confidence that it may function as intended. The price is right on the money, a result both the buyer and seller should feel good about.Lot # 134 1964 Jaguar XKE SI Roadster; S/N 880239; Engine # RA3732-9; Metallic Blue, Metallic Blue hardtop/Claret leather; Claret cloth top; Estimate $225,000 – $295,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $160,000 – Chrome wire wheels, Michelin XVS blackwall tires, Blaupunkt multiband radio, two tops, JDHT documented with a color change. – Freshly restored with gorgeous paint, delicious interior and bright chrome. Even gaps and flush fits. – The estimate is closer to appropriate than the high bid is.Lot # 135 1981 Frisbee GB-2 Can Am; S/N 2; Blue/Black; Estimate $145,000 – $175,000; Competition restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $95,000 – Ted Wenz 302 Chevy with Lucas/McKay fuel injection and 540hp, Hewland DG-300 5-speed transaxle, modular wheels, LED brake light, many spares including a body and a Lozano Brothers engine built for Sullivan in 1981. – Unlike most of its contemporaries in the final years of the Can Am, this is one of two Frisbees based on a Trevor Harris tub purpose built to the series regulations. Winner at Las Vegas driven by Danny Sullivan in 1981. Very good paint. Clean and orderly historic race ready. – This is a serious historic racer’s serious ride, reputed to be unusually good-handling and winner of its most recent race at Road Atlanta last July. The spares package is worth almost as much as the reported high bid, but these are not easy cars to direct to a new, caring and competent home.Lot # 136 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo 930 Cabriolet; S/N WP0EB0935KS070209; Grand Prix White/Red leather; Black top; Estimate $175,000 – $250,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $165,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $181,500 – White CCW wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, cross-drilled rotors, black cloth boot cover, snorkely brake light, whale tail spoiler, white face VDO gauges, Alpine stereo, climate control, Euro front bumper. Comes with tools, compressor, manuals, build sheet copy, title from the original owner, original U.S. bumper and Fuchs wheels. – A genuine factory built slant nose. Bought new by Andre Agassi and owned by him until 1996. Records and tools. 56,851 km. Touch up on the right front fender. Otherwise very good original paint. Very good, barely worn interior, reupholstered in red in place of the original black. Clean underneath. A real slant nose, final year 930 with celebrity ownership, this car has a lot going for it and has been remarkably well kept. – A visual statement in GP White over Red leather, this 930 Turbo has been meticulously maintained and imbues confidence in its quality and condition. The celebrity history is a small plus, but the real value is in the configuration and presentation. It is a very good value at the price it brought here, a car with serious bragging rights.Lot # 137 1978 Ferrari 308 GTB Coupe, Body by Scaglietti; S/N 24721; Black/Black leather; Estimate $100,000 – $130,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $82,500 – Blaupunkt CD stereo, air conditioning, 5-spoke alloy wheels, Doral blackwall radial tires, owner’s manual, tools. – Erratically masked repaint, good new upholstery. Weakly and variably finished window frame trim. Road grimy chassis. A tired old car dressed up for the auction. – Offered at Mecum’s Monterey auction in August with a reported high bid of $105,000, this 308 GTB is unusual in its black-over-black livery, but isn’t in very good condtion and isn’t backed up by any maintenance history. The much lower bid here is indicative of a more experienced group of bidders. The consignor would be well advised to hear their opinion and be guided accordingly in adjusting expectations.Lot # 138 1967 Porsche 911S Coupe; S/N 306131S; Engine # 961094; Light Ivory/Black vinyl; Estimate $140,000 – $180,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $115,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $126,500 –Fuchs wheels, all season tires, dual Webers, gold brightwork, Blaupunkt pushbutton AM/FM, VDO dash clock, sport seats with headrests, heater. – First year 911S. Driver’s side door isn’t flush. Pitted front vents. Uneven gaps on the hood. Very good paint other than some tiny spots of surface rust poking through in the drip rails. Very good interior. Correct replacement crankcase. Full restoration finished in 2014, but it missed on a few details that stand out in a market with no shortage of very good 911S’s. – A no reserve lot that amazingly fell flat when it crossed the block, this is a downright bargain in today’s market, even for an imperfect car like this, and a transaction that’s massively favorable to the buyer.Lot # 139 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Sports Tourer, Body by Vanden Plas; S/N 57541; Engine # 29S; Metallic Blue/Blue leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate on request; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $8,850,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $9,735,000 – RHD. Chrome wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, folding windshield dual Brooklands aeroscreens, inset rear spare, Marchal headlights, hydraulic brakes. Accompanied by the recently discovered, original and correctly stamped crankcase and block. – First delivered to George Rand with this bodywork and probably raced in ARCA at Roosevelt Raceway in 1937. Eventually returned to England and found its way after the war to Jack Robinson in Trinidad where it stayed until 1985 then was restored for Peter Agg in the UK who kept it until 1995. Good older paint, chrome, interior and glass. Exceptional coachwork with teardrop fenders and sharply cutdown doors. Competently restored a while ago and driven since Some minor edge chips, dirty chassis, but very shiny, polished engine. Not good enough to show but more than good enough to drive. – Opinions in the Bonhams marquee were divided about the Vanden Plas coachwork on this Type 57SC, some saying it looked ‘too British’ while other conveniently overlooked the blocky cutdown doors and 4-seat tonneau to focus on the low hood and delicious teardrop fenders (as well as contemplating how it’d look with its original rear wheel spats.) The bidders fell, not surprisingly, in the latter camp, paying more this open Type 57SC than for any other of its type at auction. Repaint it in its original grey and try the spats on for size; she should be the belle of the ball.Lot # 140 1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 Convertible; S/N AR3041888; Yellow/Black vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $25,000 – $35,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,800 – Steel wheels, blackwall tires, covered headlights, AM-FM, headrests. – Owned by the original buyer and his family until 2013. Good repaint and redone interior. Engine compartment is the original paint but sound, clean and orderly. Body is exceptionally solid. An encouragingly good and well kept Alfa Spider that doesn’t show the neglect so often seen and represented as being 18,372 miles from new. – Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2013 from the original family for $24,750, then at the same place two years later (last August) for $31,900. The result here is a serious bargain.
Bonhams Amelia Island 2016 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # 142 1910 Thomas Flyer Model K 6-70 Flyabout Phaeton; S/N 318; Red/Red leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $900,000 – $1,200,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $742,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $816,750 – RHD. Red wood spoke wheels, 38 inch black tires, dogleg windshield, Solar acetylene headlights and kerosene sidelights, electric starter added. – 748 cubic inch six rated at 70 ALAM horsepower, three plugs per cylinder, double chain drive. Bought by Chattanooga Fire Chief Thomas Wilcox for the fire department and retained by them until 1956 when it was sold … to Chief Wilcox’s grandson, Tommy Lynch. Later acquired by Harold Coker, the first of 11 Thomases he would own. Replica coachwork built during Coker’s restoration completed in 1972. Good older cosmetics that has been toured and shows it with an earned and charming patina. – A magnificent automobile that is reputed to go like the wind, now attractively mellowed after a quality old restoration and years of caring ownership and regular use. A legendary automobile for which an appropriate price was paid.Lot # 143 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFJA09B000052631; Rosso Corsa/Beige leather with Red inserts; Estimate $375,000 – $450,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $320,000 – Centerlock wheels, Momo leather-wrapped steering wheel, air conditioning, power windows, Pioneer cassette stereo, Michelin TRX tires – Long paint crack on the roof spoiler. Good, lightly swirled original paint. Very good, lightly worn interior. Final year for the 512 BBi. Major engine-out service in 2015. Very well preserved and all original. – The originality and recent service are valuable, but no more valuable than the high bid reported here contemplates. It would not have been unrealistic for it to have sold at this level.Lot # 146 1937 Delahaye 135 Cabriolet, Body by Chapron; S/N 4842; Engine # 10346; Dark Blue, Dark Grey fender margin accents/Blue leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $475,000 – $550,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $395,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $434,500 RHD. 3-position top, body accent color wire wheels, blackwall tires, single rear spare, Marchal headlights, upgraded 3-carburetor intake. – Good paint, interior and major chrome. Instrument faces are old and dirty. Underbody has been quickly repainted over old, peeling undercoat. Very good interior wood. A handsome car, but not particularly well presented. – The 3-carb intake adds just enough power to make this Delahaye enjoyable to drive and its combination of style and performance is attractive, at least as attractive as the price it brought.Lot # 149 1948 Allard M Drophead Coupe; S/N 625; Burgundy/Burgundy leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $40,000 – RHD. 221 cubic inch Ford Flathead, stock intake and heads, body color steel wheels with hub caps, Avon tires, single wing mirror, rear fender skirts, suicide doors, banjo steering wheel, wood dash and window trim, column shift 3-speed. – Bubbles and cracks at the front of the hood. Slightly dull chrome. Light scratches and cracks on the front bumper. Maroon paint on he underside the cloth top where it meets the A-pillar. Dull, lightly scratched window frames. Rough wood on the windows. Decent older interior otherwise. Doors are wavy. Restored in the late 1980s and in presentable driver condition, not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s showing its age. – The reported high bid would buy a Model A roadster with comparable history and presentation. The Allard is more car and somewhat more valuable than the reported high bid.Lot # 150 1994 Porsche 928 GTS Coupe; S/N WP0AA2921SS820063; Silver Metallic/Dove Grey leather; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $132,000 – 350hp, 5-speed, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, sunroof, rear spoiler, rear window wiper, power windows, air conditioning, console clock, factory radio, Carfax, original window sticker, books. – Small chip in the right front fender. Two more on the nose and another couple on the hood. Very good, shiny original paint otherwise. Very good, lightly worn interior. 24,000 miles. Not quite like new, but almost. A rare car and the last, most developed, and fastest of the long-lived series of front-engine water-cooled Porsches. – Bonhams had little luck with 911s in Scottsdale, so there were only two of them in Amelia. Right beside them during the preview, however, was this 928 GTS that was one of the biggest surprises of the auction. An $85,000 car when new, it far exceeded its presale high estimate. With all the attention that 90s 911s have gotten, it seems people are starting to appreciate the rare, pretty, fast and comfortable 90s GT that is the 928 GTS. This is a curve-busting result for a 928.Lot # 152 1896 Armstrong Gas-Electric Hybrid Phaeton; S/N None; Black/Maroon leather; Estimate $175,000 – $275,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $420,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $462,000 – 6.5 liter opposed twin, sequential 3-speed with reverse. – Enumerating the ways this 120-year old car is far ahead of its time will take a while, but it’s worth taking the time after saying its older UK restoration gave more emphasis to preservation than to appearance and Holman Engineering’s recent work has brought it to fully functional working condition. Keep in mind that when this car was built Henry Ford was still trying to figure out how to get his Quadricycle out of the barn, the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens and Walter Arnold received the first speeding ticket for exceeding the East Peckham, Kent speed limit of 2 mph. You get the idea: it was a long time ago. Harry E. Dey’s vehicle was built for the Roger Mechanical Carriage Company of New York which had been importing French carriages and automobiles. Armstrong Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut built Dey’s conception under contract. Dey’s implementation was nothing if not prescient: 1) a DC generator (dynamo) built into the 2-cylinder engine’s flywheel; 2) electric starting (only, there’s no crank) with the dynamo operating as a motor; 3) wheel steering; 4) electrical clutch (fly by wire) closed by electromagnets that get stronger as the engine/dynamo goes faster; 5) sequential 3-speed shift (with mechanical reverse gear) integrated with the clutch for ‘automatic’ shifting; 6) a mixing chamber carburetor throttled by a butterfly; 7) tubing peripheral frame; 8) coil and spark plug ignition; 9) mechanically advanced ignition timing; 10) moving a switch while in motion will convert the dynamo to a motor for extra power. Dey recognized that the power pulses from the 2-cylinder engine were raucous, so he made the transmission drive gears from impact-absorbing laminated rawhide (now replaced by brass gears, it’s hard to get good rawhide in the 21st century.) There is plenty more, despite this looking like a crude carriage with an engine, but that’s more than enough to mark this as a milestone that got lost after its first showing in New York. Roger went broke and the Dey vehicle went back to Armstrong who had built it and sat in their Bridgeport mill until 1963 when the company was sold and an executive recognized this as an important and complete, if deteriorated, artifact. Dennis David also recognized its importance and it was eventually restored, with due consideration to its originality and survival in the UK by Robin Loder. Brought back to the States some years ago its operation has been refined by Holman Engineering and now it operates as intended. Its history is firmly established with period publications and as-found photos. It has been VCC dated in the UK and will start in the first wave of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run where its 20 mph top speed may see it back in London before the last runners even leave the starting line. – ‘There was no right way’ to build a self-propelled vehicle in the transition from 19th to 20th centuries. Every inventor had his own ideas, but none had more original and prescient ideas than Harry E. Dey as embodied in this vehicle. It is marvelous, and motored around the lawn outside Bonhams marquee at prodigious speeds, all while in only the first of its three gears. Offered at RM’s Hershey auction with a $550-750,000 estimate but not running it fell short at a bid of $375,000. Now rendered with all its potential, it brought an appropriate price. Look for it at the Brighton Run next year after even further development where it will confirm American imagination, ingenuity and skill. Sold to Evert Louwman for his peerless collection in the Netherlands, the price is immaterial.Lot # 153 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Roadster, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 1880155500016; Engine # 1999805500019; Black/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $950,000 – $1,150,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $800,000 – Column shift 4-speed, chrome wheels with body color accented hubcaps, Becker Mexico AM-FM, fog lights. – Engine compartment is neat but not fresh. Chassis is lightly road grimy. Paint, chrome, upholstery and interior wood are very good. Radio panel wood doesn’t match the dashtop and glove box door. Underbody shows age and use. An attractive car that was restored two decades ago and has been driven sparingly since. – It’s hard to characterize a 300Sc Roadster as a ‘driver’, but that’s what this old restoration is. 300Sc Roadster buyers aren’t, as the moderate interest here shows, drivers. This one is too good to restore, but not good enough to show, placing it in a value-limbo that the high bid here shows.
Bonhams Amelia Island 2016 – Auction Report Page Five
Lot # 156 1967 Fiat Dino Spider; S/N 135AS0000076; Engine # 135B0000000149; Orange, Black hardtop/Black vinyl; Black top; Estimate $135,000 – $155,000; Enthusiast restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $105,000 – 1987cc/162hp, 5-speed, Cromodora centerlock alloy wheels, Nova 70 blackwall tires, Sony cassette stereo, two tops. – Good paint, chrome and interior. Overspray in wheelwells. Clean but not orderly engine compartment. A presentable enthusiast restoration. – A sound but not impressively presented early Fiat 2-Liter Dino Spider, it could very well have gone away for the reported high bid.Lot # 162 1928 Chrysler Imperial 80L Travelette, Body by Locke; S/N D769732; Black, Cigarette Cream fenders and accent/Black leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $350,000 – $400,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $330,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $363,000 – Folding windshield, Black wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts, hand painted faux caning on the rear compartment, vacuum windshield wipers, – 1977 AACA National First Prize winner that has been redone to high standards. There are a few small flaws in the paint but nothing of note on the chrome or interior. One of perhaps as few as 5 built with this coachwork. – Presented in better-than-good condition, the distinction of this Lincoln is its rare coachwork and that may substantiate the price it brought. Other than ‘rare’, however, Locke has done better work.Lot # 164 2006 Ford GT Coupe; S/N 1FAFP90S46Y401952; Engine # 1FAFP90S46Y401952; Red, White stripes/Black leather; Estimate $325,000 – $375,000; Unrestored original, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $290,000 – BBS wheels, Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, Red calipers, stereo, all factory accessories, books and documentation. – Under 200 miles. One owner until 2016. Like new. – Even Bonhams has a GT in showroom condition. Like new is the norm for these cars, so this one doesn’t stand out from the others. The reported high bid was a reasonable one, and not far below Bonhams’ presale low estimate. Ford GTs are not rare, even ones with delivery mileage, and twice the sticker price is about what they’re worth.Lot # 166 1966 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine, Body by James Young; S/N 5LVF41; Maroon/Tan leather; Estimate $140,000 – $180,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $128,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $140,800 – Wheel covers, dual wing mirrors, Spirit of Ecstasy, Lucas driving lights, suicide rear doors, bench seat, footrests, Smiths rear clock, power windows, dome interior courtesy lights, power division, tinted rear glass. – One of 25 James Young PV16 limousines with reverse-curved rear quarter windows. Delivered new in NYC. Comes with factory records. Paint blister on the right front, just where the bodywork creases. Several small scratches right behind right front wheel well. Tiny dent at the back of the right front door. Fuel filler door isn’t on straight. Good older paint otherwise. Good chrome. A few niggles don’t take much away from the fact that this is an imposing, elegant automobile. – Sold at Gooding & Company Scottsdale in 2011 for $154,000 and still as impressive today as it was then, it represents a lot of car for a moderate price in this transaction.Lot # 167 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 154083; Engine # 15083; Black/Parchment leather; Black cloth top; Estimate on request; Older restoration, 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,700,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,970,000 – RHD. Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, Bosch headlights, dual spotlights with mirrors, dip beam light, chrome exhaust headpipes, dual inset rear spares, mother of pearl instrument panel. – Built for one of the Embiricos brothers. Concours restored for Don Williams in the 1980’s with consistently excellent cosmetics including beautiful interior wood and a tight fitting and sleek top that looks far better it is up than piled up over the rear deck when it’s down. – Top up this is one sleek, sexy 540K, a car that should never have its top retracted and piled up in a disorderly stack behind the seats. A later 540K with oval chassis members and sodium-cooled valves, it is one of perhaps 32 built in this Cab A configuration. Viewed from most angles with the top up it erases any thoughts of Special Roadsters and is by any measure a sound value at this price.Lot # 168 1965 Lotus Elan S2 Drophead Coupe; S/N 264530; Engine # LP3132; Yellow, Yellow hardtop/Black vinyl; Estimate $55,000 – $75,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500 – Dual Webers, Silver steel wheels with hub caps, Toyo tires, wood shift knob, leather-wrapped steering wheel, both tops. – Doors not flush, although they came from the factory that way. Scratch at the front of the hardtop. Excellent interior. Very clean underneath. Spotless engine bay. Paint rubbed off at the front of the driver’s side door. Originally brown. Full restoration started in 1980, but not actually finished until last year. Not perfect, but more perfect that when it came out of the Lotus factory was. Very pretty, usable and fresh. – Thirty-five years is a long time for a restoration to be in process and things done early in the process inevitably get at least some patina not seen in a more expedited restoration, which may explain some of the small details that were noted on this Lotus. Overall, however, it is exemplary and brought a result appropriate to its presentation and history but something of an astute acquisition for the driving enjoyment it will impart.Lot # 170 1939 Lagonda V12 Drophead Coupe; S/N 14113; Engine # 14113; Red/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $450,000 – $550,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $417,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $458,700 – RHD. Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, Lucas tri-bar headlights, fog lights, dual enclosed spares with mirrors, fender skirts, – Excellent paint, interior and chrome. Good interior wood that should have been sanded and varnished at least one more time. Underbody is clean and crisp. A show car that hasn’t been egregiously overdone. – Bill Harrah owned this car thirty years ago and it was sold at the 1985 Harrah’s auction for a then-impressive price of $51,000. No less impressive today with a 1990’s restoration it is one sweet automobile at an appropriate price.
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Lot # 171 1963 Porsche 356B S90 Cabriolet, Body by Reutter; S/N 15771; Engine # 806510; Black/Black; Black top; Estimate $140,000 – $160,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $136,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $149,600 – Michelin tires, black cloth boot cover, dual Solex carbs, woodrim steering wheel, Blaupunkt AM/FM pushbutton, VDO dash clock. – Engine case replaced in the 1970s with a factory supplied and stamped replacement. Delivered new to Brumos and reportedly sold to Peter Gregg, who kept it briefly. Finished in original colors. Present owner for 25 years and restored about 20 years ago. Long, light scratch on the hood and another near the left front hood vent. Very good older paint otherwise. Very good interior. Clean, lightly used underneath. An older restoration that’s held up quite well. – Only the restoration’s age kept this beautiful S90 Cab from being worth another $15-25,000 more and it represents a very good value for the money in a car that should provide its next owner with a long term, satisfying ownership experience.Lot # 173 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I 4-Dr. Sedan, Body by James Young; S/N CLC14; Burgundy/Parchment leather; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Older restoration, 1- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $180,000 – RHD. Wheel covers, Bridgestone tires, Spirit of Ecstasy, dual wing mirrors, Lucas driving lights, wood dash and window trim, bench seat, column shift, power glass division, fold out tables in the back. – Displayed at Geneva when new. Excellent chrome. Very slightly uneven door gaps. Exquisite interior wood. Very good, very lightly worn upholstery. Very clean engine bay and underbody. Well done and beautifully presented. Restored quite some time ago but used sparingly since, it still has great presence. – Bid to a result more than the price realized by the Phantom V a few lots earlier, this Cloud I could have recognized the bidders’ value scale and gone away at the reported high bid.Lot # 174 1935 Riley MPH Roadster; S/N 44T2415; Engine # 154132; BR Green/Parchment leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $600,000 – $750,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $800,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $880,000 – RHD. 1726cc/70hp dual SU carb six, 4-speed pre-selector, silver painted wire wheels, Blockley tires, folding windshield, dual aeroscreens, radiator stoneguard Rotax headlights, preselector gearbox. – Delivered new to Jacob Waeny in Berne, Switzerland, powered by a 15/6 engine, perhaps from new. Bought by Bob Lutz in 1963 and restored for him in the 1970’s, later restored again to its present condition. Disappointing old repaint with flaws and small chips. Aged but sound upholstery. Clean, orderly chassis showing limited use. Exceptionally pretty, low to the ground, with sweeping clamshell fenders and a sexy beetleback tail. – Probably the best Riley MPH out there, little changed from how it began life and carefully preserved by car guys who know cars like Bob Lutz and Willem van Huystee. It’s just a choice car with beautiful classic coachwork. Over the high estimate? Not to worry, be happy for its quality and appearance. This is one exceptional ride.Lot # 175 1933 Maserati 8C Roadster; S/N 3004; Engine # 3004; Red/Black leather; No top; Estimate on request; Competition restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $910,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,001,000 – RHD. Cycle fenders, silver painted wire wheels, dual aeroscreens, Marchal headlights, small modern driving lights and taillights. – Not a real car, but a quality bitsa based on crankcase and axle 3004 with period bits like an aero screen, oil tank, water filler cap. The frame is wholly reproduced. Covered in event stickers with old, chipped paint and lightly worn upholstery that goes with its history. Chassis is aged and road grimy but orderly. An honest old bitsa that should run like a bear. – An enigma wrapped in a paradox that does nothing to detract from this honestly, if a bit effervescently, described Maserati. It is a bitsa, built up from a few original parts, but those are choice and the execution is outstanding. Driving it will be an experience amply supported by the ample price it brought.Lot # 176 1935 Bentley 3 1/2 Liter 4-Dr. Sedan, Body by Park Ward; S/N B117DK; Engine # R4BM; Old English White, Royal Blue/Brown leather; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $83,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $91,300 – Dual SU carbs, wheel covers, sliding sunroof, Dunlop blackwall tires, dual horns, Lucas headlamps, driving lights, single central driving light, fox radiator mascot, single spotlight, rear-mounted spare with cover, center-hinged doors, B-pillar trafficators, wood dash and window trim, floor shift. – Fairly dull older paint. Small dent in the front passenger’s side door. Large cracks around the hub in the rear spare wheel cover. Pitted exhaust tip. Several long, light stress cracks in the right front fender. Tidy undercarriage. Dull, lightly pitted spotlight. Chips and cracks around the turn signals. Old wood and upholstery. Still a stately car, but it’s visibly aged no matter where you look at it. For cruising and touring. – An invitation to Bentley Driver’s Club and RROC events awaits the buyer of this sound, solid and very drivable 3 1/2 liter Park Ward saloon where the ‘Silent Sports Car’ will reward its owner with some well-deserved approval. The fact that it is well broken in argues in favor of further use, as does the reasonable investment that it represents.Lot # 182 1949 MG TC Roadster; S/N TC9064EXU; Engine # XPAG9764; Red/Red; Tan top; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,800 – Arnott supercharger, centerlock wire wheels, 5-speed, blackwall tires, Lucas King of the Road driving lights, badge bar, rear-mounted spare, quick-release filler caps, aluminum brake drums. – Spotless restored engine bay and undercoated chassis. Very good paint, chrome and lightly worn interior. Cracked steering wheel rim. Not overdone. Formerly in the Gene Ponder collection. A usable, correct hot rod TC in pretty colors. Fun, quick and pretty. – Sold at RM Monterey in 2011 for $66,000, then sold at Gooding Amelia Island in 2012 for $48,400. Despite how much fun this blown TC must be to drive, it had only five more miles on the odometer when it crossed the block here for even less. While the two previous results were a bit expensive, the latest transaction for this tastefully, appropriately modified MG was favorable to the buyer but not a steal.Lot # 186 1958 Jaguar XK 150 3.8 Drophead Coupe; S/N S837510DN; Engine # NC50548; Silver/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,200 – 3,781/220hp, 4-speed with overdrive, painted centerlock wire wheels, Lucas driving lights, dual wing mirrors, LeCarra woodrim steering wheel. – Originally a 3.4 now upgraded with a non-matching 3.8. Rough, slightly dirty top and top frame. Dirty, rough wheels. Dull, lightly scratched chrome. Uneven door gaps. Hammer marks on the wheel lobes. Big cracks at the top of the driver’s side door. Good, lightly worn interior. Blisters on the left front fender and at the bottom of the driver’s side door. Tidy underbody. It has gotten attention at various points, but has never been fully restored and is not a particularly good car. – An RM veteran, this car was sold by them in 2000 for $49,500, then in Monterey in 2005 for $57,650 and again in Arizona in 2011 for $68,750. This car hasn’t gotten any better, and while the market has moved upward for top quality examples, it’s been relatively soft for mediocre cars like this.
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Lot # 191 2005 Porsche Carrera GT Targa; S/N WP0CA29845L001107; Silver/Black leather; Estimate $800,000 – $900,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $680,000 – Yellow calipers, cross-drilled rotors, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, power windows, air conditioning, wood shift knob, all its original accessories, roof panel, manuals and original window sticker. – Freshly given a 150 item pre-purchase inspection with no deficiencies. No chips or scrapes. Very good interior. Like new, although that seems to be the norm among the 1,200 Carrera GTs produced. – The Carrera GT buyers must have been on a tour or something and not in the Bonhams marquee because the reported high bid is nowhere close to what GTs have been bringing.Lot # 194 1946 Delahaye 135M Coach, Body by Guillore; S/N 800410; Engine # 800410; Blue, Light Blue/Red leather; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $125,000 – RHD. Single Solex carb, Cotal pre-selector, body color wheels with hub caps, Lester wide whitewalls, driving lights, rear-mounted spare wheel with cover, pop-out windshield, wood dash and door trim, banjo steering wheel, triple carb intake manifold included. – Some scuffs on the whitewalls. Light scratches on the nose. Long, deep scratch on the right front fender. Paint blister there as well. Orange peel at the bottom of the passenger’s side door. Pitted, lightly scratched window trim. Paint flaking off gear selector. Good wood and upholstery. Holding up well and looking pretty, but its best days are clearly behind it. Older body-off restoration, done in 1993. Subdued, even conservative styling for a Delahaye as well, but still undeniably elegant. – This isn’t a bad opportunity to hop up a 135M for better performance (or at least more underhood pizzazz) with practical 4-place enclosed coachwork. The reported bid here, though, appropriately recognizes the age of the restoration.Lot # 197 1952 Cunningham C3 Roadster; S/N 5236; White, Blue Stripes/Blue leather; No top; Estimate $275,000 – $325,000; Rebodied or re-created, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $250,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $275,000 331 – Chrysler, 4-barrel, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Kumho blackwall radials, vee windshield, turn signals, taped rim three-spoke steering wheel, SW gauges, 3-speed. – Original Cunningham C3 chassis with a C2R-style alloy body, original automatic transmission replaced by a T-10 4-speed and a replacement engine. There’s not much ‘original’ about this car. Good paint with some masking gaps on the striping. Aged chassis with some surface rust on the body framing and exterior overspray. Aged engine with alternator and shiny Weber 4-barrel. An honest car that doesn’t misrepresent what it is and will be great on tours. – A car that never existed, but tastefully created using period stuff. The seller should be grateful for this price. The buyer can show off, but not make reference to the ample price that was paid.Lot # 198 1935 MG PA Airline Coupe, Body by Carbodies; S/N PA0835; Engine # 770A135P; Red/Maroon leather; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $132,000 – RHD. 847c/36hp, dual SU carbs, 4-speed, chrome centerlock wire wheels, sliding sunroof, rear-mounted covered spare, banjo steering wheel, wood dash, rear quarter mounted trafficators. – Good older paint. Crack on right rear. Very large touch up on left rear. Lightly scratched sliding side windows. Very good, lightly worn interior. Wavy doors. Restoration completed in 2004 and shown, but that was clearly a while ago. What sets it apart, though, even in this setting, is its rare coachbuilt Airline coupe bodywork. It would be a star at any MG gathering. Its neat sliding metal sunroof with cathedral windows is another party piece, not like it needed one. – Despite a few nicks and cracks this is an excellent restoration now a dozen years old and holding up very well. It also can’t escape notice with its bright red paint that compels a closer look at the radical streamlined body, a milestone in British coachwork. The price it brought reflects the effect it had on everyone who looked at it. The fact that it cost $3,667/horsepower is immaterial.Lot # 199 1951 Allard K2 Roadster; S/N K2029; Red/Beige leather; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $93,500 – 331/200hp Cadillac, Carter 4-barrel, 3-speed, painted centerlock wire wheels, Nankang tires, dual sidemount spares with mirrors, side exhaust, de Dion rear suspension. – Titled as a 1952. Slightly dirty wheels. Grille isn’t flush with the body. Dry, cracking headlight gaskets. Red paint on the door hinges. Dull, slightly beat up windshield frame. Uneven door gaps. Filler cap gasket is cracked. Gloppy, uneven paint finish inside where the spares fit. Light signs of use underneath. A car done to enjoy and not fret over while you’re doing it. Rare, fast and charming even if it’s far from perfect. – Sold by RM in Amelia Island in 2012 for $104,500 in if anything even worse condition than it was presented here. Its odometer now shows just 6 more miles than it did four years ago. Not having the panache or charisma of a J2 the more pedestrian K2 is however a practical, enjoyable tour car, especially with Cadillac V8 power, for a much more approachable price. This one won’t win any car shows, but on a bright Spring day on a windy back road the driver won’t care.Lot # 200 1985 BMW M635CSi Coupe; S/N WBAEE310601052229; Lapis Blue/Dark Blue leather; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $24,200 – Alpina wheels, Yokohama tires, sunroof, rear spoiler, fender flares, air conditioning, power windows, factory cassette stereo. – Cracks in both fog lights and one in the right tail light. Very light curb rash on passenger’s side wheels. Small, light cracks in the rear spoiler. Very good original paint and interior. Euro-spec car. A rare BMW, and remarkably kept, especially considering the 212,126 miles showing on the odometer. – Interesting that the catalog says this Euro spec car was ‘imported from Germany to California in July of 1985’. How did it get by Customs without getting a pass from DOT and EPA not mentioned in the catalog? Despite its rarity and performance the price appropriately reflects the uncertainty inevitable in a car with over 200,000 miles.Lot # 201 1957 Chevrolet 3100 Cameo Carrier Pickup; S/N V3A57J110624; Blue, White/White vinyl with Blue cloth inserts; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $42,900 – 265/155hp, 3-speed, hub caps and trim rings, Silvertown whitewalls, windshield visor, bench seat, column shift, factory radio, varnished wood bed floor and sideboards. – Tiny dent in the hood. Old tires, slightly scuffed whitewalls. Two tiny chips right behind radio antenna. Otherwise very good paint and brightwork. Good, not exquisite older wood. Fully restored. Not done yesterday and not done to exacting standards, but still beautiful and done to better than typical truck standards. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson Orange County in 2011 for $38,500, then at Auctions America’s Auburn Fall in 2014 for $39,600. It has retained its value as it has retained the quality of its restoration and is bought appropriately here.
