Bonhams, Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, May 31, 2015
By any measure, Bonhams is through hard work and dedication turning its auction in conjunction with the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance into a consistent success.
This year’s total was helped by having 51 of the 95 lots offered without reserve and selling to the highest bidder from the time the first bid was taken. That’s well over half the entire consignment and goes a long way to achieving the 87.4% sell through.
One million and a half dollar car, the Bugatti Type 57S Stelvio Convertible, along with a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 sold for $775,000 and a Porsche 911RS 2.7 sold for $594,000, brought in a total of over $2.9 million, pushing the average transaction to a record for this sale.
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The backbone of the sale were twenty-four cars from Missouri’s Evergreen Collection, twenty of them offered without reserve and all but one sold on the block or shortly thereafter. They brought a total of $2,162,650, 28.8% of the entire sale total.
The Saturday preview for Bonhams Greenwich auction is open to the public on the first day of the Concours (The Concours Americana), giving spectators a chance to peruse the auction offerings and speculate based on the published estimates how easy it is to acquire a fun car for not a lot of money [32 of the cars sold were hammered on bids of $30,000 or less; 18 were $20,000 or less.] It makes for a diverse crowd.
Listening to the comments on Saturday it is clear that many of the spectators know little to nothing about the cars on offer, nor probably about the cars in the Concours. Yet they are drawn to the show and to the auction by a continuing interest in old cars, an interest (and willingness to part with $40 per adult in daily admission – cleverly, the Concours organizers invite kids under 12 in for free) that shows there is a much larger pool of potential collectors than even the most optimistic count of active participants takes into account.
That is the most valuable attribute of the Greenwich Concours and Bonhams auction there, it exposes many, many people to the cars, and to their accessibility. It may be six- and seven-figure cars that build the numbers, but it is $40,000 cars that build the hobby.
Monterey, Hershey, Kissimmee and Scottsdale are preaching to the choir of already committed participants who journey from near and far with intent and involvement. Even Barrett-Jackson and Mecum reach an audience already conditioned by regular television coverage and ready to buy, buy, buy.
The hobby needs more shows like the partnership between the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance and Bonhams.
[On-site observations are by the editor and Andrew C. Newton; the editor is responsible for the final content.]
Bonhams Greenwich 2015 – Auction Report
Lot # 201 1929 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup; S/N Engine No.; Engine # CA112717; Gray, Black fenders/Brown leather; Black vinyl top; Estimate $18,000 – $24,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,800. No Reserve. Black wire wheels, Firestone whitewalls, wood stake bed, single sidemount spare with black vinyl cover, painted horn, bench seat. – Very dull chrome. Dull paint. Scratches on the fenders and running boards. Chips flaking off on the door hinges. Paint blister on the passenger’s side door. Door fit is off. Good, lightly worn top. Very dull, dry wood. Tailgate is beat up and chipped with rust coming through on the exposed spots. Slightly scruffy underbody. An unremarkable Model A that got a basic restoration some time ago, but cool in that it’s a roadster pickup. – This Model A Roadster Pickup shows plenty of evidence of being used for some time as a weekend errand runner, an application for which it is ideally suited and which, at this price, it can continue to fulfill for many years to come. Usually worked to death in farms and orchards, the few survivors suffered further depredations to their numbers at the hands of hot rodders who recognize their charm and adaptability while taxing the torque-handling capacity of their frames with Detroit V-8s. It should be a rewarding purchase for the new owner at this price.Lot # 204 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Duetto Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N AR664804; Engine # AR0053614416; Red,/Black leather; Black vinyl top; Estimate $12,000 – $18,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $23,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $25,300. No Reserve. Dual Weber carbs, Ansa exhaust, hub caps, pushbutton radio. – A much older and much used restoration. Chips on the bottom of the hood. Dinged up and scratched chrome. Alfa Romeo grille cover is dented and crooked. There are two small dents on the right side of the tail. Dull paint overall that has scratches and crazing on the tail. Grimy but complete engine bay. Worn but complete top. Aged but tidy and complete interior. A pretty beat up old Alfa Spider, but sound underneath. – This Alfa was bid to a price for a healthy #3 car, but it is notably worse than a healthy #3 car. The seller should go home happy. Curiously, it was sold at Bonhams Beaulieu auction in the UK last September for $18,759 and was repatriated to its original destination with good results for the seller. This is the Duetto to have, with Webers and a smog control system that is limited to recycling crankcase oil fumes. Dustin Hoffman never drove a ‘Graduate’ with Spica fuel injection, he drove one of these.Lot # 207 1966 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III Phase 2 Convertible; S/N HBJ8L32079; Engine # 29KRUH6808; Ice Blue,/Blue vinyl; Blue leatherette top; Estimate $55,000 – $70,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,200. With Reserve. Silver painted wire wheels, Michelin XZX blackwalls, overdrive. – Good older repaint, chrome and original interior. Dirty engine compartment with many miles. An honest driver quality early BJ8 owned by the same family since 1968 and given a competent but not exhaustive restoration six years ago. – A few years ago Austin-Healey restorers would be lined up to buy this car, give it a nut-and-bolt restoration and re-sell it for six figures. Not so much today as the bloom is off the BJ8 Phase 2 rose and this is a realistic price for a good, sound, driver quality car.Lot # 208 1957 Morgan Plus 4 Tourer; S/N 3506; Dark Green,/Dark Green leather; Estimate $38,000 – $45,000; Modified restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $46,200. With Reserve. Weber carbs, rollbar, chrome wire wheels, banjo spoke Bluemel’s steering wheel, Brooklands aeroscreens, no bumpers, full tonneau cover, stainless steel exhaust, oil cooler. – Very good paint, chrome and upholstery. New scratch on the right side of the hood. Sharp, clean engine compartment, underbody and chassis. A very good Morgan. – A classic, by any standards, thoughtfully upgraded for more power and spotlessly presented in ready to drive and enjoy condition, the Greenwich bidders responded with enthusiasm and gave it a premium which its condition and performance deserved.Lot # 210 1967 Mercedes-Benz 300SE Convertible; S/N 11202312009508; Engine # 18998712001298; Cream,/Dark Brown leather; Dark Brown cloth top; Estimate $100,000 – $140,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $99,000. With Reserve. 2996/160hp six-cylinder, Bosch mechanical fuel injection, color-coded hub caps and trim rings, Michelin Rain Force tires, column-shift automatic, bucket seats, VDO dash clock, Becker Grand Prix radio, burled wood dash, power windows. – Very good paint with a chip above the right headlight. Good older chrome. Lightly worn top with very lightly scratched plastic rear window. Very good, lightly worn interior. A tiny bit of fluid on the valve cover but otherwise very clean engine bay. A car that’s received quality maintenance restoration over the last few years but hasn’t been done top to bottom. – This was the first lot of the day with the potential to be a six-figure transaction, at least according to Bonhams’ presale estimate. While it missed the mark by 10%, this was still a very healthy number for a very good but far from concours quality 300SE convertible, a rare and magnificent car notable for its self-leveling pneumatic suspension. Collectors would rather have a V-8 280SE 3.5.Lot # 209 1965 Austin A35 Van; S/N AAC853922; Engine # 1ABUL39393; Blue,/Black vinyl piped in White; Estimate $13,500 – $15,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $11,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $12,100. No Reserve. 948/34hp, single SU carb, 4-speed, cream wheels, hub caps, blackwall tires, dual wing mirrors, Austin hood ornament, bucket seats. – Grubby engine bay. Dull, pitted chrome, especially around the grille trim. Decent repaint. Visibly worn but complete interior. Recently given a basic repaint and mechanical servicing, this is a neat, casual classic right-hand-drive little van that’s a rare sight in this country. It would be a perfect accessory in the paddock at a vintage race accompanying an open wheel Cooper or Lotus. – ‘Butcher, baker, candlestick maker’ this A35 van has almost limitless possibilities for business promotion, and it’s way cute on top of that. It doesn’t have a lot of value for an individual collector, but for someone trading in British cars (cheese, furniture, tea, etc.) it is almost unbeatable, and there are plenty of them in Fairfield County.Lot # 211 1949 MG TC Roadster; S/N TC8868EXU; Engine # XPAG9639; Black,/Maroon leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $22,000 – $26,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500. With Reserve. RHD. Red centerlock wire wheels, badge bar, rear-mounted spare wheel, rear luggage rack, woodrim steering wheel. – Dull, pitted chrome. Dull old paint. Cracks on the front of the hood. Scratches and cracks on the fenders and hood louvers. Cracks around doors. Dusty, dirty but unripped top. Shabby but dry and complete underneath. Interior is a bit worn and the seat has some long scratches on it. Surprisingly clean engine bay. All original and consigned by the original owner’s son. It looks rough, but this car is all there and still usable. It’s also, like all collector cars, only original once. – A slight premium for the patina and originality was paid here with a price several grand over what an older restoration in this condition would bring, but the Greenwich bidders refrained from going bonkers over ‘originality’.Lot # 212 1939 Ford Model 91A Deluxe Coupe; S/N 184899568; True Black,/Red vinyl; Estimate $52,500 – $57,500; Modified restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000. With Reserve. 265/150hp flathead bored .030 over, Mercury crank, 9:1 compression, Offenhauser heads, Isky 3/4 race cam, dual carb Edelbrock intake, Mallory electric ignition, aluminum flywheel, 12 volt electrics, floor-shift 3-speed, red steel wheels with hub caps and trim rings, dual mirrors, whitewalls, split rear window, dash clock, Pioneer stereo, banjo steering wheel, aftermarket Moon tachometer. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Very clean, detailed engine bay. Body-off restored to high but not excessive standards and tastefully modified. – Very well done and attractive, a sleeper ’39 Ford rumble seat coupe that clearly caught the attention of the Greenwich bidders for its style, quality and performance. It is expensive but also a classic street rod showpiece.
Bonhams Greenwich 2015 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 213 1936 Ford Model 68 Convertible Sedan; S/N 182947764; Ivory,/Brown leatherette; Brown cloth top; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $35,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $39,050. No Reserve. Radio, brown wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, marbleized shift knob. – Very good paint, chrome, interior and top. Well done interior woodgrain. Underbody and chassis are like new, but the engine compartment is not as good. Sharp, crisp gauges. A quality older restoration with better than new cosmetics. – Sold by RM at Meadow Broom in 2010 for $25,300 and in essentially the same condition here with just one more mile showing on its odometer. The estimate is facetious, but the bidders got it right and paid a realistic price for it.Lot # 214 1928 Packard 443 Club Sedan; S/N 230711; Engine # 230903A; Silver, Purple fenders and accent/Grey cloth; Estimate $45,000 – $60,000; Enthusiast restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $31,900. No Reserve. Silver disc wheels, wide whitewalls, drum headlights, pulldown rear window shade, bud vases. – A remarkably superficial restoration with mediocre paint, good interior, fair dashboard and interior wood. Dull interior brightwork. The plater was ignored in this restoration. – Sold by RM at Hershey in 2010 for $33,000, this is a neat old Packard, but its presentation is entirely superficial and gives no confidence at all that the stuff that isn’t apparent on the surface is done any better than what can be seen, which isn’t very good. It is a CCCA Full Classic ™ with all that implies for events, tours and shows, and is presentable which at this price is a car with utility for a modest price.Lot # 215 1949 Chrysler Town & Country Convertible; S/N 7410234; Engine # C4618557; Gulf Green, Wood/Dark Green leather; Dark Green cloth top; Estimate $70,000 – $80,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $59,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $64,900. With Reserve. 3-speed Presto-matic semi-automatic transmission, wheel covers, Coker Classic whitewalls, dual mirrors, bench seat, dash clock, pushbutton radio. – Chipped painted steel wheels, one scratch above the right front wheel, lightly worn top. Otherwise phenomenal paint, chrome and wood. Upholstery is a bit older but still quite good. Used, mostly original engine bay. Received a high quality cosmetic restoration almost 15 years ago and has been sparingly used since. – Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2012 for $80,500 and bought for a realistic value here. It’s a cool thing and a good value in an older restored T&C at this price.Lot # 217 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster; S/N 1210401002014; Engine # 12192110020404; Dark Grey, Dark Grey hardtop/Dark Red; Black cloth top; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $81,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $89,100. With Reserve. Weber carbs, two tops, hubcaps, trim rings, narrow whitewalls, AM-FM. – Mediocre repaint, especially on the hardtop, dirty underbody and engine compartment. Good upholstery but pitted interior and dash chrome. An auction car represented as two owners from new. – 190SLs have been bringing some bizarre prices in mid 6-figures and in this context this results is a return to a semblance of reality. It’s still expensive for an auction-restored Weber-carbureted 190SL, but not like some other recent transactions that defy rationality for a 105hp boulevard cruiser.Lot # 219 1975 Porsche 911S Anniversary Targa; S/N 9115210050; Engine # 6450094; Diamond Silver,/Black leatherette with Blue inserts; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $66,000. With Reserve. 2687/157hp, 5-speed, black Fuchs wheels, Yokohama tires, newer Alpine stereo, fog lights, replacement Sports seats. – Very good paint with a few small chips on the nose and light scratches below the windshield. Top vinyl is a bit warped. Left rear fender trim fits erratically. Used but tidy engine bay. A sound, mostly original car that’s been in Connecticut from new and gotten the necessary work when it was needed. It’s a very good driver. Number 100 of 1,500 Diamond Silver 911Ss built in 1975 to commemorate Porsche’s first 25 years that included tweed fabric on the seats (this car has newer front seats without the tweed) and a signature plaque on the dash. – Silver Anniversary cars command a small premium over regular ’75 911S Targas, but overall ’70s 911s are among the less expensive variants of the model. That said, this was a huge number for this car and yet another sign that the 911 market isn’t slowing down.Lot # 220 1964 Porsche 356C Coupe; S/N 130625; Engine # 714437; White,/Black vinyl; Estimate $65,000 – $80,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000. With Reserve. Silver wheels, hubcaps, BFG blackwall radials, antenna but no radio. – Fair old repaint with a sag over the driver’s door. Lumpy body corners and door bottoms, flaky window frame chrome. Erratic underbody with old undercoat. Wrapped steering wheel rim. Not reassuring. – This is a better price than the erratic condition of this 75hp Porsche deserves. It looks better than it is.Lot # 221 1972 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Coupe, Body by Park Ward; S/N CRX9306; Brewster Green, Black vinyl roof/Black leather; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $32,000. With Reserve. Wheel covers, Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, column-shift automatic, power windows, Sony cassette stereo, wood dash and window trim. – Originally delivered in Italy and now offered by only its third owner with 19,366km from new. Numerous small, light scratches on the hood and front fenders but otherwise very good shiny 20 year old repaint. Very good roof vinyl. Lightly scratched chrome. Very good interior with lightly worn but sound upholstery. Used but clean underneath. A sound maintained car that’s gotten attention it needed when necessary, but still nothing more than an attractive driver quality Rolls. – As distinctive and exclusive today as it was forty years ago, this Corniche coupe has lived a remarkably settled and complimentary life while accumulating nearly negligible mileage. It’s been used, and it shows, but it also has been cared for consistently, and that shows, too. It’s surprising in the moneyed enclave of Greenwich that it didn’t find a more appreciative audience, but not surprising that the seller opted to wait for a more receptive opportunity to part with this fine example.Lot # 222 1954 Jaguar XK 120 Drophead Coupe; S/N 678344; Engine # F3004-8; Black,/Biscuit leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $64,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $70,950. With Reserve. Hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, skirts, fender mirrors. – Good paint, chrome and upholstery. Top is older, badly creased from being folded and has torn out snaps. Dash and interior wood are good. Gauges are good. Tunnel carpet is torn and much older than the footwell carpets. Underbody is done, but aged. – Highly original even with its older paint, upholstery, top and partial carpets and neatly kept but showing its age, the result here is an appropriate compromise among desirability, originality and condition. Its presentation with the spats and whitewalls is particularly appropriate on a drophead coupe.
Bonhams Greenwich 2015 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 223 1958 Fiat-Abarth 750GT Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N 100586161; Red,/Black leather; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $92,000. With Reserve. 920cc/70hp modified engine with single Weber carb, big valves, Abarth radiator, alloy wheels, spinner hubcaps, covered headlights, comfort seats, double bubble body, original parts included. – Very good paint and new upholstery. Sound old door panels and interior trim. Good exterior chrome but scraped aluminum moldings and rusty tailpipes. Yellowed gauge faces, scratched steering wheel spokes. Old undercoat. Neat, clean nearly like new engine compartment. A good looking, highly usable 750 Double Bubble. – This might be a $125K car in its original configuration but the modifications – as desirable as they are for driving enjoyment – exact a penalty with collectors and the reported high bid appropriately reflects it even though the original parts reportedly come with it and could make returning it to original configuration a reasonable proposition.Lot # 224 1938 Bantam Boulevard Delivery; S/N 60365; Engine # 63544; Maroon, Burgundy/Burgundy leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $35,000 – $40,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $38,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $42,350. With Reserve. Hub caps and trim rings, whitewalls, wind wings, rear fender skirts, carriage lights, suicide doors, varnished wood in the rear compartment. – Light scratches on the wind wings. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Clean detailed engine bay and undercarriage. Lightly discolored top. Very pretty restoration of an unusual body style Bantam. It needs nothing, and has received AACA Senior National First Prize and an AACA Grand National First Prize in 2010. The Bantam could be had in a variety of body styles, and only 72 of these cute Boulevard Delivery Bantams are thought to have been built. This could very well be the best one that exists. – A bizarre cross between a town car and a panel van, complete with carriage lights, it would be the perfect hearse … for small animals … or ideal for delivering jewelry, pate de foie gras or orchids in dense urban high net worth neighborhoods. It’s also terrific for riding around on a sunny Sunday enjoying the double takes of passersby. The price? It is what it is, neither bargain nor extravagance.Lot # 226 1902 Oldsmobile Model R Curved Dash Runabout; S/N 7325; Black, Burgundy accent/Black leather; Black leather top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. No Reserve. White tires, chrome spoke wheels, Neverout kerosene headlights. – Good paint, brass, nickel tiller upholstery and very good red cloth lined top. Paint chipped on the engine cover and cracked on the wood. Still a quality old restoration. – Sold by RM at the J.E. Morgan auction in 2003 for $31,350, this is a nearly shoo-in entry to the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run at a moderate price.Lot # 235 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 LWB Kombination Roadster, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 408153; Engine # 408153; Burgundy, Red/Beige leather, Red piping; Beige cloth top; Estimate $750,000 – $850,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $704,545 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $775,000. With Reserve. Luggage, steel wheels, recessed rear deck spare with chrome cover, backup light, Bosch head and fog lights, radio, mother of pearl instrument panel, banjo spoke steering wheel, opening vee windshield – Factory replacement engine. Poor old repaint, pitted, peeling chrome, dirty, dry underbody, cracked, worn interior but complete and good as a pattern. Sound body. Runs and drives but the starter failed, is being rebuilt and will be supplied to the buyer when it is completed. Filthy engine. 1953 Connecticut inspection sticker. Runs and drives. – Bid to $650,000 on the block, closed later at this price. An unusual combination of a Mannheim L-head chassis with Sindelfingen open sporting coachwork. It was offered at the Dragone brothers auction two years ago where it was reportedly bid to $850,000 although no actual bidding was apparent during the sale. The result here is unusually strong for a Mannheim M-B, especially in contemplation of a complete and expensive strip and rebuild and the seller should be very pleased to get this much for it.Lot # 236 1939 Delahaye 135M Competition Convertible Coupe, Body by Chapron; S/N 48700; Engine # 48700; Metallic Green,/Green leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $300,000 – $500,000; Unrestored original, 4- condition; Hammered Sold at $270,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $297,000. With Reserve. RHD. U.S. made BLC headlights with sealed beam bulbs, Marchal fog lights, cowl trafficators, Black wire wheels, 4-spoke leaf spring steering wheel, rear mounted spare. – 11/21/53 Phillips 66 Junction city Kansas Froelich Oil Company service sticker at 28,900 km. Body #5658? Tired and flawed old paint possibly over black. Cracked upholstery, torn faded top. Barn find dirty engine and chassis. Runs and drives. – Sold at Branson Spring in 2012 for $205,200, this Delahaye has attractive coachwork and the more desirable Competition short wheelbase chassis. A true barn find with real concours potential, although a comprehensive service to driveline, chassis, electrics and brakes and a set of seat covers would make it usable as is on the road and might be a pleasing interim application commencing the restoration it deserves. It is a CCCA Full Classic ™ and a sound value at the price.Lot # 237 1939 Packard Twelve 1708 Convertible Sedan; S/N 12532017; Engine # B602387; Silver-Grey,/Red leather; Black cloth, Red binding top; Estimate $160,000 – $180,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $146,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $160,600. With Reserve. Column shift, radio, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, Packard Road and Fog lamps, rollup division, rear seat center armrest, trunk rack, heater, running board courtesy lights. – Cracked steering wheel rim. Very good paint, chrome, interior. Clean, orderly underbody and engine. Good body and window seals. Doors fit and close very well. A quality older restoration that has had little use, is holding up well and is said to run and drive extremely well. – Column shift was standard on Packard sixes and eights in 1939, but offered only as an expensive $240 option on the Twelves which were in their last year of production. This car was sold by RM in Ft. Lauderdale in 2009 for $176,000, then a year later by Gooding & Company at Amelia for $170,500. The result here in Greenwich is a lot of automobile for the money.Lot # 241 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N E7FH257378; White, White hardtop/Black, white vinyl; Estimate $55,000 – $65,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $41,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $45,100. No Reserve. 312/270hp, dual quads, automatic, P/S, porthole hardtop only, Town & Country radio, skirts, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls. – Mostly original with a flawed old repaint over old paint. Surface rust under the paint on the cowl, cracked on the right front fender. Good interior but dull gauges with fogged lenses. Original underbody. Once owned by country music artist Jim Owen. – A desirable but also tired car that represents a sound value for the new owner. There’s no premium in the price for Jim Owen’s ownership. If anything, it brought a discount in Fairfield County, Connecticut, decidedly not country music country.Lot # 242 1954 Allard K3 Roadster; S/N K33261; Engine # 526208987; Powder Blue,/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000. No Reserve. 331ci Cadillac V8, automatic transmission, louvered hood, flip-up fuel caps in left and right rear fenders, side exhaust, chrome wire wheels, narrow whitewall all season tires. – An older restoration that looks to have been driven little. Neat car. – Sold at RM’s Arizona auction in 2012 for $57,500 in a post-block transaction and now showing only 46 more miles on the odometer, this was one of the most admired cars in the Greenwich auction and its result, despite being well below the pre-sale estimate, showed it was also appreciated by the bidders.
Bonhams Greenwich 2015 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # 245 1966 Morgan Plus 4 Tourer; S/N 6155; Engine # 161586ME; BRGreen, Black fenders/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $25,000 – $35,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,800. No Reserve. Chrome wire wheels, blackwall radial tires, fender mirrors, Lucas driving lights, H4 halogen headlights, folding windshield, Brooklands aeroscreens, luggage rack, rear-mounted spare, woodrim steering wheel with a Bulova Accutron watch in the hub, front disc brakes. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Full weather equipment. Underbody has been done, then used a little but still highly presentable. – This Morgan shows little change from when it was sold by RM at Amelia in 2009 for $28,600 and is a sound value for what it brought today.Lot # 247 1988 Lamborghini Jalpa 3.5 Targa, Body by Bertone; S/N ZA9JB00A4JLA12376; Black,/Black leather; Estimate $70,000 – $100,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $86,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $94,600. No Reserve. Alpine CD stereo, A/C, P/W. – An unrestored car, original except for a repaint, with 482km on the odometer which was replaced at approximately 5,000km. Excellent cosmetics, fresh and clean engine compartment, unmarked original interior. – Lamborghini values keep marching on with this one selling for $47,300 at Auctions America’s Ft. Lauderdale auction in 2013, then for $66,000 at Motostalgia’s Houston (Keels & Wheels) auction in 2014. It has actually put 63 more km on the odometer since 2014. It is hard to imagine there is a better example out there than this and even at this price it carries only a slight premium for originality and low miles. It’s actually a bit better acquisition with the adjusted odometer reading, so the new owner can take it out and drive it without taking a serious hit to the value.Lot # 250 1957 Pontiac Star Chief Safari 2-Dr. Station Wagon; S/N P757H55759; Black, White accent/Black, White vinyl; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Modified restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $46,200. No Reserve. 350/350hp, 5-speed, spinner wheel covers, radial whitewalls, woodgrain steering wheel, aftermarket A/C, limited slip, P/S, Hurst shifter, bench seat, knee-knocker tach, dual cylinder P/B, AM-FM. – Done to very high standards both cosmetically and mechanically, this Safari wagon looks as good under the hood as it does on the outside, which is perfect aside from some sap drips from sitting outside under trees during the auction preview. – It was an education to watch some of Bonhams seriously experienced classic car experts troll over this Safari: they were amazed at its quality and attention to detail. The effort expended by the restorer/modifier was apparent in every area but it brought less than a comparably modified, stock-appearing Chevy Nomad, a serious performance value for the new owner and a car that will be absolutely killer towing an American V-8 powered historic race car to Monterey or Thompson.Lot # 251 1973 Porsche 911RS 2.7 Touring Coupe; S/N 9113600463; Light Ivory, Black ‘Carrera’/Black leatherette; Estimate $550,000 – $700,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $540,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $594,000. With Reserve. 5-speed, Black Fuchs wheels, Becker Mexico cassette, power sliding sunroof, A/C, Pirelli P6000 tires, fog lights, power antenna, heated rear window, limited slip, headrest seats. – Very good paint, chrome and interior showing only light wear. Originally delivered to Brazil and restored there some years ago. – Sold at Bonhams Quail Lodge auction in 2009 for $232,500, and offered here with 1,100 more kilometers showing on its odometer. The result here is 2.6 times its 2009 hammer bid, in line with the nearly staggering popularity of Porsche 911s today. It’s a lot of money, but also a lot of Porsche and could have brought significantly more. The new owner got a good value at this price.Lot # 252 1959 Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile; S/N 110B017116; Engine # 110000084377; Red,/Red, White leather; Black vinyl top; Estimate $25,000 – $35,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,700. No Reserve. Single Weber carb, hub caps, folding vinyl roof, bucket seats. – Very good paint and chrome. Chip on the passenger’s side door. Clean engine bay and underneath. Excellent interior. Taillight molding is coming loose. A very good restoration of pretty high quality for a microcar, but not done yesterday. – ‘Cute’ was not high on the Greenwich bidders’ shopping lists and this little Bianchina brought very little money for its condition and high cuteness quotient.Lot # 254 1956 DeSoto Fireflite Convertible Pace Car; S/N 50383118; Engine # S2420602; Ivory, Gold accent/Gold vinyl, cloth; Gold vinyl top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $56,100. No Reserve. 330/255hp, pushbutton automatic, pushbutton radio, P/W, Gold wheel covers, whitewalls, dual rear antennas, dual outside mirrors. – Fair old paint, chrome, interior and top, painted over edge chipped old paint. Cracked steering wheel rim, dull interior chrome, dash and gauges. Scuffed whitewalls. Underbody has been restored but then driven. Last registered in 2006, one family owned from new, 60,626 miles, recently serviced. – A wonderful example of Virgil Exner’s ‘Forward Look’ design theme and carefully maintained by long term owner Gus De Gazio after the death of the first owner, his brother Patrick, it is valued both for its history and for its preservation. The long storage isn’t encouraging but is abundantly discounted in the price it brought here.Lot # 255 1949 Hudson Commodore 8 Convertible; S/N 49487337; Engine # 304474; Gray Metallic,/Red leather; Red top; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. With Reserve. 255/128hp, 3-speed, overdrive, hub caps and trim rings, Carter carb, rear fender skirts, bench seat, dash clock, radio, wood dash and window trim, power windows, amber driving lights, red vinyl boot cover. – Decent, lightly scratched chrome. Somewhat wavy bodywork. Lots of touch ups on the right rear. Crack near the trunk. Excellent interior. Restored in the 1980s before being used in the 1990 film The Two Jakes with Jack Nicholson. Recently mechanically serviced. A well kept car, but it’s been driven around and accumulated its fair share of cosmetic flaws. – Sold by Christie’s at Le Mans in 2006 for $42,185, then here in 2007 for $41,800. Its odometer today shows only 38 more miles than it did eight years ago, and the car is in essentially the same condition now as it was then but better and more conscientiously presented with fresh mechanical re-commissioning to make up for eight years’ storage. These step-down Hudsons are much better driving cars than most of their early post-war competition, performance that is still appropriate and valued today.Lot # 257 1950 Jaguar Mk V 3 1/2 Liter Drophead Coupe; S/N 647341; Old English White,/Biscuit leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000. No Reserve. Body color steel wheels with hub caps and trim rings, whitewalls, dual wing mirrors, Jaguar hood ornament, driving lights, landau bars, rear fender skirts, dash clock, radio is missing. – Very good older repaint. Scratched and dinged up front chrome. Very good, lightly worn interior. Good wood. Worn steering wheel. Light bezels are lightly pitted. Lightly discolored top. A sound older restoration and as a Drophead Coupe with the 3.5-liter engine (up from the standard 2.5), it’s the most desirable Mk V. It is past its prime, however, and it doesn’t come with much in the way of history or paperwork. – There is very little premium for the extra power of the 3 1/2 Liter engine in this result, but also full recognition of the age of the restoration and cosmetic issues. The compromise makes sense. The new owner got a bit more automobile, but also a bit more work to bring it up to standards that will render it a proud driver.
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Lot # 258 1979 Jaguar XJ-12 L Sedan; S/N JBVLV49C307607; Engine # 7P40614LA; Tudor White,/Tan leather; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,800. No Reserve. 5343/284hp V-12, Bosch-Bendix-Lucas D-Jetronic fuel injection, 3-speed GM Turbo Hydra-Matic, Dunlop narrow whitewalls, dual fuel tanks, wood dash, power windows, cassette stereo, climate control. – Tidy engine bay. Very good paint and exterior plastic. Very good interior with hardly any wear on the upholstery. Very clean underneath. All original and with just 6,955 miles on it. Judged 99.9 points by JCNA. The Series III XJ came to the US primarily equipped with the 4.2-liter XK straight-six, and only six of these twelve-cylinder cars are thought to have been sold here. Buying a neglected V-12 Jag is financial suicide, but this fantastic babied from new example is the complete opposite of neglected. It’s rare, it’s beautiful and it’s very cool. – The XJ-12 is a relatively affordable V-12. This all-original car is among the very best that exists and an incredibly rare sight in this country, making its under estimate price somewhat remarkable.Lot # 259 1978 Checker Marathon NYC Taxi; S/N A11299882936E; Yellow ‘Checker’,/Black; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $7,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,700. No Reserve. The last Checker Marathon taxi to operate in New York City. Fully equipped with lights and meter, even narrow whitewalls. – 1 million miles, three engines and innumerable sets of upholstery and body panels, rusty and beat up, an historic relic. Recently electrically and mechanically refurbished to (barely) working condition. – Sold in 1999 after retirement for charity, bringing $134,500, then sold at Christie’s Greenwich auction in 2006 for $9,400, Earl Johnson’s ‘Janie’ isn’t getting any better with age, but still retains the beat-up charisma so lacking in the smog-free people movers that now ply the City’s streets. The new owner got some bragging rights, at least.Lot # 262 1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N P5FH148999; Torch Red, Black hard top/Red, White vinyl; Estimate $35,000 – $40,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $24,000. With Reserve. 292/193hp, 3-speed, chrome wire wheels, Firestone whitewalls, Hurst shifter, Sunpro temp and oil pressure gauges, dash clock, radio, two tops. – Hardtop is lightly scratched all over and has microblisters throughout as well as a few small dents. Dull chrome. Chip on top of the right headlight. Sap mark on the tail. Some light scratches on the front fenders. Clean underneath. Slightly dirty engine bay. Worn steering wheel. Warped dash. White part of the seats is lightly discolored. Metal parts of the interior are pitted. Hood and trunk fit are way off. A shabby old T-Bird. These are not rare, and finding a better one wouldn’t be hard. – Sold by RM at Hershey in 2013 for $30,250, a result that looks nearly unattainable in this car’s present condition despite having the desirable 3-speed manual transmission. It’s hard to sell a shabby car at auction unless there’s a very good story to go with the neglect. This T-bird didn’t have any story at all.Lot # 263 1960 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N 0Y73J162501; Black,/Black; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $38,000. With Reserve. 430/350hp, chrome wire wheels, bias ply whitewalls, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, remote spotlight-mirror, skirts, rear antenna, P/W, power seats. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody is undercoated like new. Clear, sharp dash and gauges. A quality T-bird. – Lavishly equipped with just almost as many comfort and convenience features as are found on economy class rental cars today, this Square Bird is no worse today than it was in 2002 when it was sold at Christie’s auction at Rockefeller Center in 2002, despite showing about 870 more miles on the odometer. There is no earthly reason why it should not have brought at least as much today as it did 13 years ago and the Greenwich bidders missed a good opportunity by not picking up on this sharp T-bird.Lot # 265 1960 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk I Bugeye Roadster; S/N AN5L39233; Engine # 10CCD0H46164; Red,/Black leather piped in Red; Estimate $20,000 – $25,000; Modified restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. No Reserve. 1,098cc, Judson supercharged 70hp, Weber carb, Datsun 5-speed, aluminum radiator, chrome centerlock wire wheels, Falken tires, wood shift knob, woodrim steering wheel, no front bumpers. – Very clean engine bay and underbody. Very good paint other than a touch up below the left headlight. Excellent interior. Body-off restored by the previous owner and fitted with a period correct Judson supercharger, a larger 1,098cc engine from a Mk II Sprite (the Bugeye originally came with a 948) and a Datsun 5-speed. The work was of high quality and completed last year and 85 miles ago. A fresh, neat Bugeye with extra go and lots of eyeball. – Mods of course typically take away from a car’s value, but the alterations to this car were both tasteful and purposeful, and driving it is probably about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. People crawled all over this sharp little Sprite in the preview where it attracted as much attention as any car in the auction. Enough people wanted it that it brought a price 10 grand over what a good Bugeye normally would, and is still a lot of performance for the money.Lot # 266 1958 Jaguar XK 150 Roadster; S/N S830174DN; Engine # V2655-8; Pearl Grey,/Oxblood leather; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $120,000 – $140,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $115,500. With Reserve. Overdrive, chrome wire wheels, Avon blackwall radials, black steering wheel rim and spokes, Lucas fog lights. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody is neat and clean, done to competent driver standards. An attractive Jag with a competent older restoration that should be a very good driver that the new owner will be proud to be seen in. – This is a very good car for the money, but realistic for both buyer and seller.Lot # 267 1953 Austin-Healey 100/4 Roadster; S/N BN1L140217; Ice Blue,/Dark Blue; Dark Blue leatherette top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,200. With Reserve. Overdrive 3-speed, silver painted wire wheels, Pirelli Cinturato tires, bumper overriders, books, tool roll, service manual, restoration photo album, BMIHT certificate. – Sound older paint, chrome, interior and top. Trunk lid is twisted and closes proud on the left side. Underbody is sketchily done and showing a little beginning surface rust. Restored in 2011, the condition looks older than that, nothing, however, that prevents it from being a great driver. – This isn’t quite the choice restoration that the catalog implied, but is more than good enough to be worth every penny the new owner paid. The formerly large difference between the 100/4 and BJ8 Big Healeys is contracting as collectors appreciate how good the early truck-engined Healeys really are in contrast to the more luxurious near-GT cars of the 3000 era.
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Lot # 268 1967 Triumph GT6 MkI Coupe; S/N 1KC1075L; Engine # KD7382E; Red, Silver hood stripe/Black cloth; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $17,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,250. No Reserve. Dual Zenith carbs, Minilite wheels, Yokohama tires, Stebro exhaust, dual mirrors, Nomex racing bucket seats with racing harnesses, roll cage, leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood shift knob, power windows, later Autometer gauges, carbon fiber dash, aftermarket Pioneer stereo. – Competition restoration done during the 1990s. The work included stiffening the frame, a replacement engine, heavier duty frame and suspension, roll cage, fuel cell and aluminum radiator. Although it was finished in 2001, it was never raced and has reportedly been driven less than 1,000 miles since completion. The older repaint is very good and still shiny, but there is a big scuff in front of each rear wheel and cracks around the driver’s side door handle. Very good chrome. Imperfect door fit. Very good interior. This is a neat car for vintage tours or rallies and not all that expensive, but the carbon fiber dash and modern gauges just do not look right in a vintage Triumph. – Apparently, the anachronistic interior didn’t put people off and this car achieved a very big number for a GT6 in any condition. It’s had a lot put into it, so hopefully the new owner will at least get his money’s worth with competition use.Lot # 269 1960 Lancia Appia Cabriolet, Body by Vignale; S/N 812014479; Engine # 814004646; Ivory,/Tan leather; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $52,800. With Reserve. Blaupunkt multi-band radio, chrome wire wheels, Goodyear blackwalls. – Fair older repaint with minor corner cracks. Good major chrome, wavy bumpers. Good older upholstery and interior trim. Dull exterior aluminum trim. Doors don’t close quite flush. Engine compartment is restored but driven. It is a better car than all the picky comments imply. Remained in the same Italian family until 2012, when it was fully restored in Portugal. It has been enjoyed on the open road since, but is still a very strong car. – With its Michelotti-designed body this Lancia could be a Triumph, but it is much more imaginatively designed and built under the skin even if with only 53hp it isn’t going to win any drag races. It got plenty of positive attention both during the preview and on the auction block and brought a healthy price that is still a good value for the Appia Cabriolet’s style and sophistication.Lot # 270 1946 Volkswagen Type 11 Beetle 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1061937; Olive Green,/Green vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $125,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $60,000. With Reserve. Hub caps, blackwall tires, Dunlop Weathermaster tires on the rear, mismatched 4 ply tires on the front, bucket seats, trafficators. – Dull repaint over the original red with numerous scratches on the nose and front fenders. Small dent on the tip of the nose. Several chips on the doors. Wavy bodywork on the driver’s side. Scratched window glass. Chips painted over on the tail. Very good seat upholstery. Missing steering wheel center cap. Built at the Wolfsburg factory while it was still under British military supervision. The Beetle was not sold in the US until 1948, and this one was brought over by a US serviceman and displayed in a Boston-area VW showroom since the 1970’s. Other than an old repaint, it’s mostly original and barely used. It could be the oldest Beetle in the country and that’s the main thing it has going for it. Its condition is that of a fairly ratty old Beetle, but its significance is huge. – It’s hard to put a value on a car like this except that it’s above the reported high bid. It is a dream car for Beetle collectors, but Beetle collectors rarely have high five or six-figure money to satisfy their collecting urges. It should go right on a transporter and head to Monterey when it will meet a more appreciative audience.Lot # 271 1971 Porsche 911T Targa; S/N 9111113033; Engine # 6117592; Sepia Brown,/Tan vinyl; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500. No Reserve. 2195/125hp, dual Weber carbs, 5-speed, Fuchs wheels, Michelin tires, tinted glass, Blaupunkt AM/FM stereo, original tool roll and owner’s manual. – Some light scratches on the front fenders, a handful of rock chips on the nose, a large chip right below the Targa hoop on the right side that shows rust coming through, a chip on the right rear fender and a touch up on the driver’s side door. Good roof vinyl. Small dent in the right front fender and another on the driver’s side door. Excellent interior. Used but clean engine bay and underbody. A two-owner, mostly original model Targa represented as 34,605 miles and two owners from new. It’s a very solid case of preservation, but it has suffered its fair share of nicks over the years. – Somewhere between a time capsule and a restoration project, this well maintained, known mileage, two owner 911T fixed window Targa brought serious money, particularly for a car painted (how Seventies) Sepia Brown. The Greenwich bidders paid a deserved premium for preservation and the seller should be ecstatic over the car’s reception here.Lot # 273 1968 Mazda Cosmo 110S Coupe; S/N L10A10419; Orange,/Black vinyl, Houndstooth cloth; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $115,000. With Reserve. Twin rotor Wankel, 982/110hp, 4-speed, RHD, silver wheels, hubcaps, trim rings, fender mirrors, power antenna, cassette stereo, later Sony cassette under the dash. – Fresh, sound repaint over old white paint, but consistently badly masked. Pitted fender mirror chrome, scuffed bumpers, good original interior. A rare car but in mediocre condition. – It was a crowd-pleaser in Greenwich, drawing plenty of admiring looks and close inspections of a car most of the people there had never seen in the metal. That close inspection, however, didn’t work to the Cosmo’s advantage, showing up the sloppy masking and pitted chrome that did nothing to reassure bidders of the underlying quality of the potentially expensive mechanical function below the surface. They stopped bidding at a prudent price; the seller held out for more and now the car will become more Cosmo-politan as it heads out in search of a buyer enthusiastic enough to discount the presentation, or await adjustment of the consignor’s expectations.Lot # 274 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster; S/N 12104010025037; Engine # 12192110002980; Black,/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $135,000 – $150,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $141,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $155,100. With Reserve. CD stereo, body color wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, whitewall tires, comes with its original unrestored hardtop. – Lightly soiled but very good original upholstery. Excellent repaint and chrome. Old undercoat with some rusty fasteners. Pitted door handles. Orderly engine compartment has been competently restored, then driven a little. Weber carbs. A sound and very presentable cosmetically restored driver. – Cataloged with Solex carburetors, they have been replaced by appropriate (and more reliable) but incorrect Webers. Described as a 2 year restoration, it must have been sitting in a corner of the shop for most of that time and then rushed to completion before being driven enough to take off whatever restoration luster may have been present. It’s a mediocre 190SL, but that is even at $155,100 factored into the price.Lot # 275 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible; S/N 7A1090773; Carlsbad Black, Chrome wheel well scallops/Blue leather, Light Blue inserts; White vinyl top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $65,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $72,050. With Reserve. Chrome wire wheels, bias ply whitewalls, chrome wheel well scallops, Dynaflow, P/S, P/B, P/W, power seat, signal seeking radio, dual outside mirrors. – Good older repaint with a small crack at the left trunk corner, hood edge chip and checking on the passenger’s door. Underbody was done like new but has been driven. Upholstery, particularly on the driver’s seat, is worn and surface cracked. Top is old, liner is older and torn. Window seals are original, hard and deformed. Never a show car and even farther from it now. – Sold by Christie’s in Tarrytown in 2000 for $68,150 with 1,100 more miles showing on its odometer here, it is otherwise as sold fifteen years ago, just older, and that makes the price it brought here appropriate. Really good ’54 Skylarks are six-figure cars, and this one can be but only after much work and expense. It is better to preserve, drive and enjoy it (and get rid of the chrome wheel well scallops, which are gaudy beyond belief.)Lot # 280 1958 Vespa 400 Transformabile; S/N 8252; Engine # 18258; Blue,/Dark Blue leather; Black vinyl top; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $13,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $14,850. No Reserve. Air-cooled 2-stroke engine, single Solex carb, hub caps, folding Transformabile roof, suicide doors, luggage rack. – Pretty good older paint with some cracks and chips around the drip rail. Very good interior. Restored in 2011 and now presents a bit noticeably better than driver quality. – Vespa did in fact try their hand at making a car in a short-lived experiment from 1957-1961. The cars were actually built in France and featured unibody construction as well as independent suspension at both ends. The number of scooters Vespa has sold is approaching 20 million, making the 28,000 Vespa 400 automobiles sold seem extremely rare. With the microcar market fairly strong, this car brought a healthy price, but it was still less than the cost of restoration and less than half of what a comparable and much more common Isetta would go for.
Lot # 281 1959 Porsche 356A Convertible D, Body by Drauz; S/N 85588; Engine # P704654; Red,/Black vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $140,000 – $180,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $100,000. With Reserve. Later 1600 Super engine, chrome wheels, hubcaps, Dunlop blackwall tires, Stirling Moss woodrim steering wheel, Blaupunkt multi-band radio mounted under the dash, original steering wheel, another Stirling Moss wheel and a restored Blaupunkt Frankfort radio are included. – Good repaint and interior. Minor bright trim pieces have scratches. Underbody is clean and dry but not restored. Doors and hood fit flush and line up well. Steering wheel held on the hub with mismatched screws. Engine compartment has been done but driven and is oily with leaky carbs. A car with potential or just a realistic weekend driver. – This is a disappointing example of a highly appreciated Porsche and it deserved to be shunned by the Greenwich bidders. Claimed to be a five year restoration, it is sloppy and important areas have been ignored. The seller has two choices: take a realistic price like the one offered here or spend the tens of thousands needed to undo and redo the inattentive, sloppy work and turn it into a $200K showpiece.Lot # 282 1955 Siata 208S Roadster, Body by Motto; S/N ST449BC; Engine # 639658; Dark Red,/Cream leather; Estimate $160,000 – $220,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $135,000. With Reserve. 1.2 liter modified FIAT with dual Weber 32 IMPE carbs on a Nardi intake, silver painted wire wheels, Michelin MX blackwall tires, quick fill gas cap, top frame and side curtains included – Very good paint. Good but lightly soiled upholstery. Orderly underbody and engine. Wood steering wheel rim would benefit from being refinished. Engine is not original, but appropriate to the car. – Closed post-sale for an undisclosed amount.Lot # 283 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 Targa; S/N 9114410108; Engine # 6341265; Aubergine, Brick Red Carrera script/Brick Red leatherette; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $77,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $85,250. With Reserve. 2687/175hp, Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, 5-speed, Aubergine spoke, matte rim Fuchs wheels, Yokohama tires, H4 headlamps, ducktail spoiler, aftermarket stereo, Momo leather rim steering wheel, very dark tinted glass, fixed window Targa. – Used but mostly good, clean engine bay with a visibly pitted fan. Good, lightly worn interior. Decent original paint with microblisters on the right rear fender and on the nose. A strong car, but not the world’s best, although pretty close for one so original. Used on vintage tours and rallies by owners Rich and Jean Taylor, and that’s the kind of application that this car is best suited for. Number 108 of 200 Carrera 2.7 Targas built in 1974. Represented as matching numbers and received an engine rebuild three years and 2,000 miles ago. – Sold by RM in Monterey in 2007 for $38,500, then again by RM in Arizona in January 2008 for $30,250. The 2.8 times value here, 12 years later, is what has happened to 911 values. Don’t ask to make sense of it, just realize that it’s the prevailing market.
Lot # 284 1938 Bugatti Type 57S Stelvio Convertible, Body by Gangloff; S/N 57748; Engine # C51[sic]; Royal Blue,/Dark Blue leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $900,000 – $1,100,000; Older restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,450,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,595,000. With Reserve. RHD. Chrome wire wheels, blackwall Michelin tires, preselector gearbox, adjustable shocks, trafficators. – Known history from new, original body and originally supercharged. A quality older restoration with very good paint, chrome and interior. There are some minor edge chips. The engine is sharp and clean but has a replacement cylinder block; the underbody shows use and age. – About as pure as any Bugatti can be, thoroughly used throughout its life by a succession of owners who appreciated its blood line, style and performance and a gorgeous example of Gangloff’s Stelvio style with teardrop fenders, a car that looks almost as good with the top up as down, or vice versa. Condition is largely without fault or complaint and it burst out of its moderate pre-sale estimate range to reward generations of caring keepers (and drivers) for their sympathy and understanding. A magnificent automobile.Lot # 285 1956 Velam Isetta Coupe; S/N 103372; Ivory,/Black, Ivory leatherette; Black leatherette top; Estimate $25,000 – $35,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $13,200 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $14,520. No Reserve. Folding sunroof, Jaeger speedometer in the steering wheel hub, Marchal headlights, owner’s manual, parts book. – A sound but tired mostly original car with a superficial repaint, sound interior and some quick touchup with aluminum paint on the bumpers and wheels, Rear window is popping out of its seal. A rare Isetta looking for a good home. – Built to Isetta’s design in France by Vehicule Leger a Moteur with 2-stroke Isetta engines but revised, even more egg-like, bodies and bubble side windows. Is it a twin, or a single with two pistons? Microcars peaked with RM’s auction of Bruce Weiner’s [second] collection two years ago. There was a Velam in the Weiner auction, it was about as good as this and it sold for $37,375. The buyer here got all the Isetta panache, a rare and attractively bodied variant and a bargain price, too.
Lot # 286 1935 SS Jaguar SS1 Sports 2-seater; S/N 248943; Engine # H112E; Red,/Tan leather; Tan cloth tonneau cover top; Estimate $55,000 – $65,000; Rebodied or re-created, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $63,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $69,300. With Reserve. RHD. Body color wire wheels, blackwall tires; Bluemels banjo spoke steering wheel, folding windshield, rear mounted spare, P100 headlights with stoneguards, no doors with cutaway cowl. – Very good paint, chrome and upholstery. Cracked, chipped steering wheel covered up with a leather rim wrap. Chassis was done better than new with little use but some age. A very nice Jag but with strange body design. Originally an Airline Coupe, this body was built in the early 90’s during restoration with a Standard engine in the U.S. and is nothing if not bizarre. – The restoration is very well done, but the original Airline Coupe, even if re-created, would be more attractive and appropriate. This is a hot rod, but a charming one, although at this price its charm is fully valued.Lot # 288 1950 MG Y-Type Supercharged Saloon; S/N Y5241; Engine # XPEG2248; Silver, Gunmetal Fenders/Dark Red leather piped in White; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,900. No Reserve. Magnacharger supercharger, single SU carb, Datsun 5-speed, MGB rear axle, coil over shocks, chrome centerlock wire wheels, blackwalls, dual wing mirrors, Lucas headlamps, single Lucas King of the Road driving light, badge bar, Boyce Motometer, sunroof, suicide front doors, wood dash and door trim, wood sunroof trim, aftermarket cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, aftermarket tach, water temp gauge and boost gauge, rear passenger armrest. – Good, shiny paint overall with small cracks near the windshield and driver’s door edge. Several small scratches on the tail. Imperfect gaps. Tidy, used engine bay. Two long scratches on the passenger’s side rear door. Very good interior with almost no wear. A very pretty, seldom seen and tastefully modified classic MG saloon. Restored a while ago to high but not quite concours standards and it has had a few unforeseen encounters since but nothing at all major. According to the Bonhams catalogue, it has had three engine rebuilds and done 100,000 miles since the mods were done. – One of the last 10 cars to sell and offered at no reserve, this car nevertheless brought a very healthy price for a 1950 Y-Type. In this case, the mods had a certain appeal to the Greenwich bidders and helped the car rather than hindered it. Like the supercharged Bugeye Sprite sold earlier today there was abundant interest in this car during the preview, particularly when the bonnet was raised. Unlike the Sprite, it was bought economically and is a serious performance value for the price. An astute buyer got far more car than money.Lot # 289 1957 Jaguar XK 140MC Fixed Head Coupe; S/N S815888; Engine # G9388; White,/Dark Red leather; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $82,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $90,200. With Reserve. C-Type cylinder head, stainless steel dual exhaust, Tremec 5-speed (original Moss 4-speed included), aluminum radiator, chrome centerlock wheels, whitewalls, dual wing mirrors, Lucas driving lights, aftermarket power steering, wood dash and window trim, 4-spoke woodrim steering wheel, original radio with newer speakers, locking filler cap. – Sizable scrape on the left of the rear bumper. Paint cracks near the passenger’s side window. Touch up below right quarter window. Bad paint masking around the windows. Imperfect panel fit. Very good newer interior with almost no wear. Clean, used engine bay and underbody. A three-owner car that was acquired by the consignor in 2003 and given periodic restoration work in between uses. – The aftermarket stuff on this pretty XK140 MC Coupe makes it more usable, and the bidders appropriately balanced the loss of ‘correctness’ with the payoff in driving enjoyment. Even a tick over the high estimate the style, quality and driving enjoyment of this Jag is deftly valued.Lot # 290 1910 Chalmers-Detroit Model K Touring; S/N 15980; Dark Green, Cream chassis/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $75,000 – $90,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $63,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $69,300. With Reserve. RHD. Atwood-Castle acetylene headlights, C.M. Hall kerosene sidelights, Nonpareil bulb horn, Stewart speedometer and clock, single right side spare, dual mirrors, wicker trunk, electric starter, lights and turn signals, top and side curtains – Well restored but generously toured. Some bodywork cracks, good upholstery, bright brass. Not fresh, by many miles and years, but still highly presentable and ready to be toured more. The F-head dual ignition engine is remarkably advanced for its day. – Christie’s sold a similar 1909 Chalmers-Detroit 30hp here in 2007 for $38,500 and the Hershey Auction sold a 1910 in 2002 for $36,720. There is no reason not to think that less than double in eight or thirteen years is anything more than recognition of the quality, style and performance of these excellent Brass era automobiles.
Very enjoyable review Rick. I always look forward to your comments. Great eye for detail and I appreciate your depth of information of “prior sales” as well as prices, good or bad. Also the choice of cars reviewed is always interesting. I always feel, after reading your articles, that i’ve learned something about the collector car market. Thanks.