Bonhams Fairfield Concours d’Elegance, Westport, Connecticut, September 18, 2011
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
Bonhams returned to the Fairfield Concours d’Elegance for its second year and, in common with the concours, expanded to two days with an opening day sale of automobilia and Rolls-Royce and Bentley parts from the estate of Bob Jefferson.
One of the Fairfield Concours special classes was barn finds and one of the class highlights was the Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Coupe which headlined Bonhams’ auction on Sunday. It was joined in the auction by several other barn finds and near-barn finds which both matched the concours’ theme and gave attendees the intriguing possibility of turning a lump into next year’s concours star.
There were a number of very good values among the vehicles sold making attendance a great opportunity for collectors looking for unusual and unusually economical ways to add interesting vehicles to their collections. The Bugatti at $337,000 was not one of them, but was a sound buy in a complete, running car ready for restoration.
[table id=36 /] Bonhams Fairfield Concours d’Elegance 2011 – Auction Report (See Reference – Auctions Explained, A Note on Conditions and Character). Lot # 705 1955 Austin-Healey 100/4 Roadster; S/N BN1L223573; Engine # 1B214732; Black/Red leather; Estimate $55,000 - $65,000; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $42,000 -- Silver painted wire wheels, Dunlop SP Sport blackwalls, leather word strap, quick release full cap, Lucas driving lights, no bumpers, aluminum cylinder head, electronic ignition, overdrive 4-speed. Tonneau cover, but no top or side curtains. Attractively restored with good cosmetics. Not like new but good enough. A car for rugged British-style drivers who don't need weather protection. Apparently they were thin on the ground in Westport and only able to come up with this much. It might have bought the car if the seller were desperate (or despondent), but not in normal circumstances. Lot # 717 1973 Ferrari 246 GTS Dino, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 4366; Yellow/Black vinyl; Estimate $150,000 - $170,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $142,000 -- Kenwood cassette stereo, Uniden scanner, no A/C, Cromodora Dino 14x6 1/2 alloy wheels, BFG Radial T/A. Good repaint and interior. Bad dash covering. Old undercoat on chassis. Originally Nocciola Metallizato (Hazelnut) with Tobacco interior. It would have been much more unusual and appealing in the original color scheme. In its present mediocre condition the reported high bid should have been ample to buy the car. Lot # 718 1927 Franklin 11B Sport Touring; S/N N/A; Maroon, Putty fenders/Putty leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $16,000 - $18,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $19,890 -- Decent older paint and interior. Thin nickel, pitted windshield frame. Chassis and underbody quickly sprayed. A usable, cosmetically redone, sound old car that doesn't rise to the stature of restored. No Reserve. Recognized as a CCCA Full Classic (tm), this is a sound and usable car for a bargain price, maybe the least expensive way to participate in CCCA events in the world. It may be mid-estimate but it's also a real value. Lot # 721 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Trouville Town Car/Sedanca, Body by Brewster; S/N S241FP; Engine # 22417; Black/Grey leather; Beige cloth; Estimate $20,000 - $30,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $39,780 -- Lefthand drive. Bosch drum headlights, drum cowl lights, jump seats, rollup division, dual sidemounts, trunk rack. Started life as an Oxford, later fitted with this Town Car coachwork by the second owner and later permanently enclosed in its present condition. Mostly complete, straight and sound but tired and aged. Needs everything. A straightforward restoration project with the formal body or a candidate for adaptation to something more sporting, the bidders obviously saw the potential in this PI and bid accordingly. Lot # 722 1952 MG TD Race Car; S/N TD12427; Engine # XPAG/TD2/LHX12835; Yellow/Black vinyl; Estimate $20,000 - $30,000; Modified for competition during restoration 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $17,550 -- Full width roll bar, cycle front fenders, bucket seats, fuel cell, 5-point harness, aeroscreen, oil cooler, open hood sides. VSCCA logbook. Well used but tidy. This is a bargain entry into vintage racing, fun, reasonably safe and eligible for plenty of events. A good value. Lot # 723 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Coupe; S/N DB6/2722/L; Engine # 400/2697/V; Metallic Dark Blue/Dark Blue leather; Estimate $300,000 - $375,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $310,000 plus commission of 12.26%; Final Price $348,000 -- Blaupunkt multiband radio, chrome wire wheels, P/W. Good paint, chrome and interior. Wiper scratched windshield, stretched driver's seat cushion. Old undercoat repainted and flaking off in wheelwells. This is a reasonably good and consistently maintained example but the price is optimistic for its history and condition. Lot # 724 1925 Peugeot Quadrilette Type 172 Two-Seater; S/N 10811; Green, Black fenders/Black vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $15,000 - $20,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $13,500 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $15,795 -- Lefthand drive. Phares Besnard kerosene headlights, large right side acetylene spotlight and kerosene taillight. Superficial repaint, quick interior, old top and oily, dusty chassis and engine. Rough and ready but extremely cute and likely to be very enjoyable whether in this condition or as the subject of a reasonably priced and straightforward restoration (although why bother?) Lot # 725 1986 Bertone X1/9 Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N ZBBBS00AXG7157264; Black, Grey/Black vinyl, Brown cloth; Estimate $8,000 - $12,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $5,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $5,850 -- A/C, CD stereo. Original, but not like new, a used car with 55,198 miles. A curiosity, to be sure, and modestly priced as well. Lot # 726 1987 Maserati Quattroporte 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N AM33049A005616; Silver/Saddle leather; Estimate $8,000 - $12,000; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Post-block sale at $2,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $2,340 -- A/C, Alpine CD stereo. Fair repaint, dirty interior. A typically tired and ignored, but not entirely neglected, QP III. It is sound and original except for the repaint and doesn't show any obvious body rot. Capable of consuming significant miles in an hour of highway driving at prodigious fuel cost and presenting a visage that is one of the most aggressive-looking 4-door sedans ever built and they are still high speed 4-passenger sedans to be reckoned with even in the era of M-series BMWs, Cadillac CTS-Vs and AMG Mercedes. No bidding interest on the block and passed but later acquired at this price by a quixotic bottom-feeder who appreciated the luxurious interior, generally complete condition and potential as a commodious tow car for diminutive Lancias ... or conversion of the interior into furniture and of the 4-Weber 4-cam V-8 into an impressive coffee table base. At much less than a dollar a pound, this is filet mignon at a hamburger price. Lot # 728 1964 Lancia Flavia Convertible, Body by Vignale; S/N 815334-2093; Engine # 8158006196; White/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $60,000 - $80,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $42,000 -- White hardtop, AM-FM. Excellent paint, chrome and upholstery freshly done and very sharp, but steering wheel spokes are pitted, radio and dash plastic knobs dull and oxidized. Done, but not finished. The only Lancia buyer in the room apparently preferred its Italian antithesis, the Maserati Quattroporte, a wise decision in view of the less than thorough attention to details in this Flavia's so-called restoration. A disappointing car that was reasonably bid to this level and no higher. Lot # 729 2000 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Convertible; S/N SCFAB4232YK400155; Engine # AM2/00155; Metallic Dark Huntsman Green/Biscuit leather, Green piping; Green top; Estimate $45,000 - $55,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Post-block sale at $29,915 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $35,001 -- Automatic. Seats lightly soiled but otherwise pristine with 25,760 miles from new. Bid to $38,000 on the block but closed later for $35,000 all-in. The commission calculation adds the extra dollar. It's a lot of car for the money. Lot # 730 1989 Ferrari Testarossa; S/N ZFFSG17A4K0080559; Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $55,000 - $65,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $45,000 -- A/C, factory alloy wheels, Dunlop SP Sport blackwalls, SF shields. Several owners, but only 19,637 miles from new. Good paint, lightly scuffed driver's seat bolster and belts. The bidders were looking for a bargain, but it was not to be. Lot # 731 1998 Bentley Azure Convertible, Body by Pininfarina; S/N SCBZK14C4WCX61622; Metallic Green/Parchment leather; Estimate $70,000 - $90,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $55,000 -- Clean used car. This would be an ideal Westport cruiser even at the low estimate, a 'station car' for Acura money. Lot # 732 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster; S/N 674160; Engine # W9314-8; Silver-Grey/Claret leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $50,000 - $70,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $70,200 -- Steel wheels, blackwall tires, skirts. Head number A 8002-8. Reproduction data plate. Good older paint, chrome and interior. Once was restored like new, now has plenty of miles and looks like a three year old used car. Dirty, neglected engine and underbody. Worn carpets and top. A good driver. Bonhams offered this car at its Quail Lodge sale barely a month ago where it found no buyers at a reserve of $70-100,000. Offered here at a more reasonable reserve, the reserve was met at $42,000 and determined bidders pursued it assiduously from there in small increments. This is not a very good example of its type, and this is a generous price for it, particularly including the commission. Lot # 733 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sports Saloon, Body by Gurney Nutting; S/N 109SK; Engine # JE25; Light Grey, Red accent; Grey leatherette roof/Red leather; Estimate $160,000 - $180,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $135,000 -- RHD. Grey wire wheels, wide (yellowed) whitewalls, B-pillar Trafficators, dip beam light, Lucas headlights, fender mirrors, rear-mounted spare. Quick repaint over old paint, sound older interior and wood that needs attention. Old, oily chassis and underbody. A recently superficially freshened old restoration that should have been left alone. The coachwork is not a particularly attractive example of Gurney Nutting's work and the neglected present condition is not far from warranting a complete re-restoration. Within those constraints the reported high bid was enough for the car, even with the Continental chassis.
Lot # 735 1949 DeSoto Custom Deluxe Station Wagon; S/N 6229408; Light Beige/Brown leatherette; Estimate $75,000 - $90,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $58,000 -- Thru row seating, wheel covers, wide whitewalls, dual remote spotlights, pushbutton radio, clock, heater, enclosed rear spare. Decent paint, chrome and interior. Thickly varnished old wood. A presentable driver quality old restoration. This DeSoto has been peddled all over the U.S. since 2003 with varying results, the most recent being at Auburn Fall in 2003 where it sold for $43,990 and at Branson Spring in 2008 where it brought a nearly unbelievable $81,000. The high bid here appropriately reflects the car's inherent value and its slowly deteriorating condition. It is crossed up with Lot 734, the Bentley Arnage, in the catalog on Bonhams' website. Lot # 736 1991 GMC S15 Syclone Pickup; S/N 1GDCT14Z1M8802546; Black/Black velour; Estimate $15,000 - $20,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $15,100 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $17,667 -- Automatic, cassette stereo, vinyl bed cover, alloy wheels. 3,155 miles and nearly like new but not recently serviced and will need careful re-commissioning. No Reserve. A leftover from Bonhams Wally Lewis auction in June and bought right at this price. Lot # 737 1964 Mercedes-Benz 600 Limousine; S/N 10001412000107; Black/Grey leather, Light Grey cloth; Estimate $75,000 - $90,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $58,500 -- Front and rear Becker Mexico cassettes, A/C, cruise control, division, jump seats, bar compartment, Euro headlights. Mostly original except for a mediocre old repaint and aged and worn as expected. Mostly good original interior wood veneer. Described on the block as 'everything works.' This is reasonable enough to go into livery service or a shared-ride vehicle for discerning car poolers. The ultimate post-war Mercedes-Benz, still appreciated by collectors and a sound value at this price. Lot # 738 1968 Jaguar XKE SI 4.2 2 + 2; S/N IE78934BW; Engine # 7E55280-9; Red/Black leather; Estimate $25,000 - $35,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $18,000 -- Automatic, chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, Alpine cassette, A/C. Open headlights. Dull but sound original paint, weak chrome, worn original front seats, badly surface creased and cracked but not torn (yet.) A sound original car with many needs. The bidders had a different view of this Jag than the consignor. To the bidders it's a hunchback 2+2 that desperately needs a lot of work. To the consignor it's an unmolested original XKE. The bidders were more right. Lot # 739 1899 Locomobile Style 2 Stanhope; S/N N/A; Black, Red/Black leather; Estimate $50,000 - $70,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $49,140 -- Righthand tiller steering, nickel trim, chrome and stainless bicycle-style wheels with treadless balloon tires. Includes custom trailer. Sound and attractive old restoration not used in a while and needing thorough recommissioning. An early starting time on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run awaits this Loco, nearby Bridgeport's finest product and a experience in steaming. It's a good value at this price. Lot # 741 1963 Fiat 600 Berlina 'Abarth' Recreation; S/N 1537289; Engine # 1687224; Light Green/Green, White vinyl; Estimate $12,000 - $16,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $11,500 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $13,455 -- Whitewalls, spinner hubcaps. Erratically masked and painted assembled. Good new chrome and interior. Chassis repainted over old dirt. Superficially redone auction car. No Reserve. Sold by RM in Monterey in 2005 for $17,600, then by Bonhams in Greenwich earlier this year, both times as a "Fiat-Abarth" without qualification. Subsequent events seem to have caused it to be re-classified as a re-creation and brought it back to auction. It's bound to be a fun driver, though, even as a Faux-Abarth, particularly at this modest price. Lot # 745 1920 Stutz Model H Touring; S/N H8631; Engine # 6324; Rid, Black fenders/Brown leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $50,000 - $70,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $53,820 -- RHD. Red wire wheels, (yellow) whitewalls, overdrive added, dual rear spares, spotlight, Klaxon horn. Sound and usable old restoration with more recent paint. Surface cracked front seat upholstery, water stained top liner, dull nickel and chrome, road grimy chassis. A usable but not particularly presentable tour car. No Reserve. This old Stutz has an abundance of patina but also ample charisma and and appeal. It has plenty of enjoyable weekend tour miles still in it and dogs and grandkids can crawl all over it without detracting from its already well-used condition. Drive it, enjoy it, work on it and feel secure that it will hold its value while returning dividends of pleasure and satisfaction. Lot # 746 1935 Duesenberg Model J 4-Dr. Sedan, Body by Derham; S/N 2144; Engine # J-310; Maroon; Beige cloth roof/Maroon leather; Estimate $475,000 - $525,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $430,000 -- Wheel discs, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, teardrop chrome headlights, raked grille. Firewall #2144. Very nice older restoration with excellent interior and chrome and good paint with only a few small stress cracks. An imposing and unusual automobile. RM sold this Duesenberg in Arizona in 2004 for $288,200 and it could have changed hands here today at the high bid without regret. Lot # 748 1938 Ford V8 Pickup; S/N N/A; Dark Grey/Black, Red; Estimate $20,000 - $25,000; Customized restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $14,500 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $16,965 -- 85hp flathead V-8, three Stromberg 97s, 3-speed, Yellow wheels, trim rings, hubcaps, blackwall tries, wood bed floor, stainless bed strips. Subtle red and yellow pinstripes. Good paint, chrome and interior. A cruising quality street rod without much spent on its interior other than a good restoration and bucket seats. No Reserve. The interior is this pickup's shortcoming and it can be remedied easily making this truck a very good value at this modest price. Lot # 754 1964 Chevrolet C20 4WD Pickup; S/N 4K254T107616; Metallic Blue/Gold vinyl; Estimate $10,000 - $15,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $13,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $15,210 -- Chevy radio, Sears CB, four wheel drive, Fisher snowplow, sun visors, chrome front bumper, tow hitch rear bumper, bed liner, rear window wiper. Good original paint, chrome and interior. 5,383 miles from new. Bought new by a Maine character who outfitted all his trucks this way but rarely used them, then stored for years. No Reserve. The preservation and rare equipment of this truck make it particularly unusual. Most of its similar contemporaries are now 'field art' slowly being returned to the earth in the form of iron oxide. It's worth what it brought, and the collector car market won't soon see another like it, if ever. Lot # 755 1951 Ford F-4 Stake Body Truck; S/N N/A; Black/Dark Red leatherette; Estimate $20,000 - $30,000; Truck restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $13,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $15,210 -- Grey painted bed wood. Sound paint, chrome and interior. A usable truck restoration. No Reserve. With a business name painted on the door, and maybe a little fresh varnished wood to dress up the bed this will be a valuable advertising vehicle for less than the cost of a full page magazine ad. Lot # 756 1928 Ford Model A Panel Delivery; S/N N/A; Dark Green, Black fenders/Brown leatherette; Estimate $25,000 - $30,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $14,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $16,380 -- Windshield visor and roof covered in Black leatherette with paint overspray. Single sidemount. Sound paint, chrome and interior. Thoughtfully restored some time ago and susceptible to a thorough detailing to bring back much of its luster. No Reserve. This is an unusual Model A body with unusual appeal and a certain amount of practicality to a homeowner, multi-car collector or business owner. At the price it is a very good value. Lot # 757 1928 Ford Model AR Phaeton; S/N N/A; Teal, Light Teal accent, Black fenders/Brown leatherette; Black leatherette top; Estimate $18,000 - $25,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $16,250 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $19,013 -- Black wire wheels, grey tires, rear-mounted spare. An older restoration with failing paint on the cowl but otherwise just showing some age. No Reserve. The early production status of this Model A as well as its unusual phaeton coachwork commend it to Ford collectors or to an individual who wants something different to start a conversation at Ford meets. The price is reasonable. Lot # 758 1938 Reo Speed Delivery; S/N N/A; Dark Green, Black fenders/Black vinyl; Estimate $25,000 - $35,000; Truck restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $15,500 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $18,135 -- Single sidemount, steel wheels, hubcaps, whitewalls. Repainted with some chrome work and mismatched upholstery, otherwise original and aged but sound. No Reserve. A very unusual vehicle that brought a modest price considering its rarity and style. The new owner got good value for not much money. Lot # 761 1959 Fiat-Abarth 750 SS Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N 602924; Engine # 2395274 (originally 656641); Red/Tan leather, Black piping; Estimate $50,000 - $60,000; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $80,500 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $94,185 -- Woodrim steering wheel, steel wheels, Dunlop Racing tires. Generally good repaint except for blisters on left rear fender. Good upholstery, chrome and aluminum trim. Fire system. Missing its headlight covers. Tidy but not fresh non-matching engine that should detail to be much better. Sharp, crisp instruments. Gearbox needs work. No history before the most recent owner's acquisition 15 years or so ago. Enthusiastically received by the Westport bidders. Very enthusiastically. Lot # 763 1936 Bentley 3 1/2 Liter Sports Saloon, Body by Freestone & Webb; S/N B81FC; Engine # N5BS; Black/Brown bather; Estimate $50,000 - $55,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $46,500 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $54,405 -- RHD. Silver painted wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual carbs, tri-bar headlights, single driving light, sliding sunroof. Thick old repaint over old paint, weak chrome, cracked original upholstery. Sound and complete with attractive coachwork but tired, aged and used. This is a 'needs everything' car, but it's all there and has a good looking body which will make restoration straightforward and rewarding, particularly starting at this price. It will be easy to go overboard on the restoration, though, and end up with a beautiful automobile that is forever underwater financially. Lot # 764 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Series 3 Ventoux Coupe; S/N 57701; Engine # 494; Blue/Blue leather; Estimate $150,000 - $200,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $300,000 plus commission of 12.33%; Final Price $337,000 -- RHD. Right front fender primed, left front fender partially stripped by grinding off the original paint, the rest of the body original, dull and dusty. Dull bright trim, surface creased and cracked original upholstery. Complete instruments, sound interior wood trim and steering wheel rim. Original matching numbers engine and chassis and original body with engine fire damage. History gap in the 40's and 50's but one owner since 1964 who fixed the operating faults but never completed the bodywork repairs. Bonhams' Eric Ide addressed the 47 year old problems and brought it to life for the auction where it was driven onto the Fairfield Concours field and across the auction block. Early clouds of smoke from Marvel Mystery Oil were gone by the time it reached the block, an impressive presentation. Bidding went right to $210,000, then slowed to steady competition among three bidders to this price. It is much more complete and sound than it first appears, being primed, stripped and original in patches that emphasize its barn-find character and disguises its completeness and originality. The new owner was overjoyed -- as were the family of the long term owner -- a happy ending to an epic tale.
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[Source: Rick Carey]
Interesting comments about the Maserati Quattroporte sale, especially that you could reasonably turn it into a coffee table. I find these cars scary and intriguing just the same. That said, they are not in the same performance ballpark as today’s 12-second quarter mile machines. Those listed are amazingly fast.
I didn’t mean the car as a coffee table base. It is the engine, with a thick glass top resting on the Webers.
I’m a former QP owner and know what it’s like to drive one (mildly exhilarating) and the menacing effect which that gaping grille has when coming up on slowpokes in the lefthand lane.
On the other hand, there are three separate fuse boxes and a wiring diagram which looks like a spilled pot of spaghetti.
It may not be as fast as an AMG, M or CTS-V but there’s nothing like sliding into that capacious butterscotch leather interior with burl wood trim to define luxury or listening to the pulse of eight wide open Weber throats.
For Two Grand? That’s a thrill.
Amazing value at that price. Worth at least $8 to $10k in parts if not trashed. Still if there are no enthusiasts for this sale then a brave person I guess.
PS I have 3 of them…….