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Bonhams Scottsdale 2012 – Auction Report

Bonhams, Westin Kierland Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona, January 19, 2012

Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor

Bonhams joined the Arizona auction extravaganza this year, finding a choice location at the Westin Kierland Resort just across Scottsdale Road from the Scottsdale airport, about as centrally located as it’s possible to be and verdantly situated in something of an oasis of green grass, manicured bushes and plentiful close-in hardtop parking.

It was refreshing and rivaled RM’s Phoenix location at the Biltmore but with more grass. Grass is a rare luxury in Scottsdale, the antithesis of dust, gravel, cactus and prickly bushes that are the Valley of the Sun’s native environment, as pretty much anyone who’s parked at WestWorld knows only too well.

With a 64.7% sale rate and just under $6 million total Bonhams didn’t set any Scottsdale records but the cars on offer were better than the numbers indicate, particularly the ex-Marlene Dietrich Rolls-Royce. The Stutz faux-Bearcat was a driver’s dream and several barn-find cars excited the bidders’ imaginations.

The sale started in Bonhams’ style with a choice selection of automobilia and art highlighted by an offering from David E. Davis’s collection that had collectors in their seats early, holding their paddles in the air with determination.

First time in Scottsdale? Bonhams did it right and set themselves on a path to success.

Ed Lenahan ably assisted in reviewing the Bonhams cars. A full list of the cars offered is found here.

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Bonhams Scottsdale 2012 – Auction Report

1967 Fiat Abarth TC Berlina Corsa
Lot # 303 1967 Fiat Abarth TC Berlina Corsa; S/N 1667; White, Yellow/Black; Estimate $50,000 - $70,000; Modified for competition during restoration 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $46,800 -- 1050cc/110bhp, 5-speed, limited slip, oil cooler, Girling disc brakes, stripped interior, roll cage, 5 point racing harness, fire system, metal front flares, fiberglass rear flares, contemporary formula-car driver's side mirror, painted Campagnolo cast wheels with Hoosier race tires. Paint and bodywork wears evidence of recent racing. Lots of dings and chips. Driver's side fender has cracked paint. No show car, this, but a credentialed car for the track described by the consignor as "The fastest Berlina Corsa on the West Coast" with race results to prove it. Professionally built to high standards of fit, finish and function, this is a long-raced car restored with correct, but not original components. The downside is that it didn't attract as much money as a completely original car. The upside was that the new owner purchased a pedigreed and competitive historic race car for relatively little money. It is a great value to a competition oriented buyer.
1955 Porsche 356A Speedster for sale
Lot # 306 1955 Porsche 356A Speedster, Body by Reutter; S/N 80697; Engine # P35285; Silver/Black leatherette; Black leatherette top; Estimate $80,000 - $100,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $86,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $100,620 -- Chrome wheels, Prototipo leather rim steering wheel, four hubcaps. bumper overriders. Barn find. Dull paint, stiff upholstery, stripped dashboard but little rust; new floors and battery box included. Nose has been repaired. Titled under the engine number; the engine has been removed and disassembled. This was the first of several barn finds Bonhams brought to its first Scottsdale sale and represents a straightforward restoration project, albeit one that will need to be complete and will almost certainly involve sourcing some incredibly hard to find two dollar part. It should be fun, but at this price it will not be financially rewarding.
1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 Convertible for sale
Lot # 309 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 Convertible; S/N 8T03S178845-02895; Sunlit Gold/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $110,000 - $140,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $88,000 -- 428/360hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires, cassette stereo. Restored like new with good older paint, chrome, interior and top. Represented as numbers-matching. No longer fresh, but a very nice tour car. The Shelby bidders were not keeping track of Bonhams' sale and missed the chance to pick up this quality restored 4-speed GT500 convertible. It could have sold for $100K without being expensive.
1956 Austin-Healey 100M For sale
Lot # 310 1956 Austin-Healey 100/4 M Roadster; S/N BN2-L/231026; Engine # 1B/231026; Black, Red/Black; Estimate $90,000 - $120,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $80,000 -- Four cylinder, overdrive 4-speed, factory 100M specification, headlight stone guards, silver painted wire wheels, leather hood strap, wood-rimmed steering wheel, competition lap belts. Factory installed M Le Mans kit after purchase by its first owner, then raced by J.C. Kilburn on the West Coast. Repaint shows signs of age with many small cracks and chips. Small bulge at front fenders suggests a front-end bump at some point. Inner rear fenders show some rust perforations and inner door pockets show surface rust. Sheet metal screws strangely have been punched through from the trunk to the inner fender. Updated for modern historic racing with feul cell, kill switch, 4-point belts. Far from pristine but a serious vintage racer. This car had a complete and interesting history but didn't play out as well in the flesh. Had the entire car been original some of the strange fixes and corrosion could have been overlooked or even relished. As it was, the shiny repaint made this Austin-Healey less attractive, like gilding the lily.
1964 Ford Mustang Convertible for sale
Lot # 311 1964 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 5F08D110588; Engine # C6AE-6015-C; Wimbledon White/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $30,000 - $40,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Post-block sale at $32,174 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $37,644 -- 289/210hp, 4-speed, wire wheel covers, P/S, narrow whitewalls, cassette stereo. Good paint, chrome and interior. Chassis given a lick and a promise, but up to weekend cruiser standards. Early Mustang convertibles, especially the V-8s, are always a reliable purchase. There are plenty of activities for them, many parts suppliers (both new and used) and a ready resale market. This is appropriate money for it, and interestingly is pushing into 2-seat Thunderbird territory.
1933 Rolls-Royce 20-25 Drophead Coupe for sale
Lot # 312 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Drophead Coupe with Disappearing Top, Body by Carlton; S/N GGA 29; Engine # A8P; Black, Grey/Maroon leather; Estimate $120,000 - $150,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $98,000 -- RHD. Polished wheel discs, blackwall tires, fog light, trafficators. Built for art dealer Arthur Jeffress. Quick old repaint over superficial prep, good interior, erratic chrome. Chassis cleaned up and repainted. An attractive open Rolls in less attractive condition. The Bonhams bidders didn't overlook this 20/25's condition shortcomings and wouldn't match the seller's expectations. It would have cost nearly $115,000 with commission at the reported high bid, more than enough for this car.
1967 Jaguar E-Type Series One 4.2 Roadster
Lot # 313 1967 Jaguar XKE SI 4.2 Roadster; S/N 1E13662; Engine # 7E10521-9; Maroon/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $135,000 - $155,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 15.60%; Final Price $144,500 -- Chrome wire wheels, blackwall 185/65R15 Mastercraft tires, no radio. Fresh, shiny restoration, polished up underhood. Excellent cosmetics, freshly done by Classic Showcase in their inimitable style. Title reads J671E13662 This is a generous XKE, generously restored by Classic Showcase on their specialist assembly line. They turn out truckloads of a few, selected models each year, know how to do it, know where to buy the right parts and have the skills to produce sharp, attractive cars, as is this one. It brought a superior price, despite the Monkey Ward tires.
1969 Porsche 911S Coupe for sale
Lot # 314 1969 Porsche 911S Coupe; S/N 119300089; White ‘Martini’/Black cloth; Estimate $100,000 - $125,000; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $70,000 -- Fuchs wheels, fire system, Formuling leather rim steering wheel. Bored out 2-liter engine, 5-speed transaxle, ZF limited slip, roll cage, 930 Turbo brakes. Good paint with minor chips. Fresh and clean inside. Old undercoat and suspension but looks ready to race. Prepared for Monte Shelton with appropriate attention to detail and safety. To the right competition oriented buyer this uprated 911S would be an opportunity purchase. Unfortunately the opportunity is not at the reported high bid and the car deserves to bring more.
1919 Stutz Series G Bearcat Special
Lot # 315 1919 Stutz Series G Bearcat Special; S/N G3096; Yellow/Brown leather; Estimate $45,000 - $55,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 15.83%; Final Price $139,000 -- RHD. Drum headlights, sidelights, Klaxon electric horn, varnished wood spoke wheels, blackwall tires, Stutz Series G dual valve 4-cylinder, 3-speed Stutz transaxle, electric starter and lighting. A made-up car with chipped paint, seam pulled in driver's seat. A used old restoration in Bearcat roadster style in sound and usable condition. Looks the part, with no worries about ruining an irreplaceable relic. No Reserve. Modestly estimated, the Bonhams bidders recognized this faux-Stutz for what it was, a scintillating drive that will be equally enjoyable around town or on weekend jaunts as it is on tours. It has no history or provenance but nearly limitless possibilities and is, despite its modest estimate, as much car as money at this price.
1962 Jaguar E-Type Series One flat floor Roadster
Lot # 316 1962 Jaguar XKE SI flat floor Roadster; S/N 876432; Engine # R3294-9; Silver/Red; Black leatherette top; Estimate $40,000 - $50,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $64,350 -- Chrome wire wheels, narrow whitewalls, pushbutton radio. Welded louver, inside bonnet latches. Represented as matching numbers. Original throughout, stored since 1976 with a dull old repaint, sound old upholstery, dented console trim, grungy original engine and chassis. A restoration project, but a great one. Originally Opalescent Bronze with Black interior, a color scheme that would vastly enhance its visual effect and value. It's worth a lot more than this restored, although a comprehensive restoration would both be too expensive and compromise its originality. Repaint it in the original color and leave the upholstery in the present dark red and enjoy the heck out of it sounds like the best plan.
1923 Duesenberg Model A Touring Rubay
Lot # 318 1923 Duesenberg Model A Touring, Body by Rubay; S/N 892; Engine # 1260; Cream, Black/Black leather; Cream cloth top; Estimate $175,000 - $275,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 14.38%; Final Price $183,000 -- 260/100hp straight eight engine, twin spotlights, black leather trunk, painted wire wheels. Formerly owned by William Harrah. Strong older paint. Brightwork well cared for with nice patina. Older but well-cared-for leather is in keeping with the condition of the car. Tire sidewalls showing signs of dry-rot. Purchased by the consignor at the 1986 Harrah's disposition sale and amazingly well preserved considering it was done some three decades ago. Model A Duesenbergs may not pack the same visual punch as the celebrated model Js but they still display the same level of engineering bravado and technical skill that made the marque famous. This was a great car from any angle and it would not have been surprising had it reached its high estimate. A tribute to the caliber of Harrah's restorations, it is a sound value at this price.
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Transformal Phaeton Hibbard and Darrin
Lot # 320 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Transformal Phaeton, Body by Hibbard & Darrin; S/N S317KP; Engine # 20178; Green, Black fenders and accent/Black; Black cloth top; Estimate $425,000 - $525,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $470,000 plus commission of 11.49%; Final Price $524,000 -- Lefthand Drive. Green paint flecked with Gold, Gold coachline, body color wheel discs, whitewalls. Gorgeous paint, chrome, upholstery and interior wood. Concours restored and still Concours. Given to Marlene Dietrich by Paramount Studios and Otto von Sternberg in 1930. A car fit for a screen star, restored to the same standards. Acquired by John O'Quinn in 2007 and restored with the same gold-flecked paint that distinguished it in Marlene Dietrich's ownership. Never shown and ready for Pebble Beach. This is one of the stars of the Scottsdale auctions, a superbly and freshly restored Hibbard & Darrin Phantom I that has never been shown. The car by itself is Pebble Beach material. Mixed with its glamorous Hollywood history it is the stuff of legends. A star by any standard, and not an expensive one at that.
1972 DeTomaso Pantera
Lot # 321 1972 DeTomaso Pantera, Body by Ghia; S/N THPNMD04032; Engine # 03002; White/Black vinyl; Estimate $35,000 - $45,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $35,100 -- Alloy DeTomaso wheels, Becker Europa II AM-FM. Crazed original paint, corroded wheels, sound interior, aged Goodyear Arriva tires. Original engine and chassis. Good chrome. A surprisingly good barn find, mechanically gone through and brought back to running condition and too good to restore. Sadly, most Panteras have been "kustomized" at least with a GTS package of flares, wings and spoilers and an assortment of engine mods. Few exist today in pristine original condition like this. It deserves to be maintained to show future generations how it was when Lincoln-Mercury peddled an Italian hybrid. The price is fair to both the buyer and the seller.
1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 for sale
Lot # 322 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 11837L170677; Honduras Maroon/White vinyl, Grey cloth; Estimate $55,000 - $65,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $42,000 -- 409/360hp, 4-speed, bench seat, P/B, column mounted 90 degree tach, pushbutton radio, heater, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. 'Bubbletop' body. Restored like new but with badly waterspotted paint. Good interior and chrome. The paint can be fixed and even at the low estimate this would be a premium car at a realistic price.
1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sedanca de Ville Barker
Lot # 323 1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sedanca de Ville, Body by Barker; S/N 79JS; Engine # CL65; White/Light Blue leather; Estimate $200,000 - $300,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $155,000 plus commission of 14.52%; Final Price $177,500 -- RHD. . Body-color wheel discs, blackwall tires, rollup division, silk shades on division and rear window, smoker's kit and vanity, spotlight, halogen driving lights, dual outside mirrors, windshield visor. A mediocre old restoration, ageing and weak. It's hard to be enthusiastic about this formal PII, and the Bonhams bidders appropriately weren't. It needs so much, and offers so little with its formal body when it's done. The hammer price was appropriate but with Bonhams' nearly 15% buyer's premium borders on excessive.
1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible for sale
Lot # 324 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 20867S100504; Engine # F0132RE; Red/Grey vinyl; Estimate $50,000 - $60,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $38,000 -- 327/340hp, 4-speed, cassette stereo, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. Decent paint, chrome and interior. Orderly underhood. A sound driver quality Corvette. Offered at Bonhams Wally Lewis collection auction in 2011 and reprised here to an audience that was no more receptive. Even at this bid -- $12,000 under the low estimate -- the price with commission would be a pricey $44,460. The 327/340hp engine is desirable, but only into the low $40's.
1947 Delahaye 135M 3-Position Drophead Coupe Figoni and Falaschi
Lot # 327 1947 Delahaye 135M 3-Position Drophead Coupe, Body by Figoni & Falaschi; S/N 800954; Engine # 95200; Dark Blue/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $250,000 - $350,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $425,000 plus commission of 11.65%; Final Price $474,500 -- RHD. Marchal headlights and fog lights, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, skirts, radio, biplane bumpers. Fabulous transparent Orange plastic gauge faces, dashboard knobs and steering wheel center. Good paint and ample chrome, aged upholstery and soiled top. Chassis shows age and use. Modified coachwork with pre-war elements. This car was bright orange, matching its gauge faces and dashboard knobs, when it was offered at Bonhams Quail Lodge auction in 2007. Its current color is more appropriate but less striking. There are some delicious bits, like the front fender marker lights, and details and it was one of the most admired cars at Bonhams' Scottsdale auction, admiration reflected in its price. Some details like Figoni's signature door capping shields are lacking but do little to detract from the car's extraordinary effect.

Bonhams Scottsdale 2012 – Auction Report Page Two

Bonhams Scottsdale 2012 – Auction Report Page Two

1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Roadster
Lot # 330 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Roadster; S/N 11304410004415; White, Black hardtop/Black leather; Estimate $55,000 - $65,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $52,650 -- Correct but non-numbers matching engine, 4-speed, air conditioning, Becker Europa radio. High quality repaint on straight body with consistent panel gaps, appealing contrasting black hardtop and black hubcaps. Black leather interior has tight seams and clean leather, Headliner clean and tight. Dashboard has excellent chrome trim and paint. Engine bay needs detailing. Some minor stone chips at fender edges. A low mileage Mercedes one good detailing away from the show field. The Mercedes SLs of 1963-1971, like this 280SL, sport such contemporary design it's very hard to believe that the oldest among them is now nearly 50 years old. That same contemporary bodywork also cloaked a chassis that was light years ahead of the 190 that preceded it in terms of performance and drivability. With relatively high production numbers and Mercedes' legendary durability, many of these SLs are still around and prices for good cars hover at this point. This was a fair price for a very good original car.
1924 Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8 Torpedo Phaeton
Lot # 332 1924 Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8 Torpedo Phaeton, Body by Sala; S/N 384; Engine # 480; Dark Red/Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $425,000 - $525,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $400,000 plus commission of 11.75%; Final Price $447,000 -- RHD. Polished alloy disc wheels, Grebel headlights, vee windshield, Grebel spotlight, cobra mascot, dual sidemounts, crystal appointed liquor cabinet. Excellent paint, chrome, upholstery and lavish interior woodwork. Concours restored and maintained. 2007 Meadow Brook class award. A show-stopping automobile. This was a sub-$200,000 car when offered at Kruse Auburn in 2000 in pre-restored condition. Today it is more than a match for any Packard or Cadillac of its era. The new owner got a great car for a most reasonable price.
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan for sale
Lot # 334 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan, Body by Murphy; S/N 2225; Engine # J-355; Maroon, Black fenders/Saddle leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $650,000 - $750,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $650,000 -- Pilot-Rays, dual chrome-wrapped sidemounts with mirrors, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, mesh hood sides, outside exhaust headpipes, black metal luggage trunk. CCCA National First Prize # 709, 1975 AACA National First Prize. Good paint, dull aluminum trim, yellowed dual side whitewalls. A quality old restoration that is showing age but will respond to attention. Offered by Brooks at Quail Lodge in 2000 at a reported high bid of $440,000, then by Bonhams at the same venue in 2007 with a bid of $780,000 and updated with new paint and other attention since. This car isn't getting any better with age, even with the more recent cosmetic attention. It could have been sold without regret at the reported high bid.
1959 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Convertible
Lot # 337 1959 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Convertible; S/N 599K04120; Polaris White, Cardinal Red/White, Red, Grey; White vinyl top; Estimate $60,000 - $90,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $70,200 -- 394/315hp Rocket V8, automatic, wide white wall tires, Autronic eye, boot cover, P/W, power antenna, spinner wheel covers. Impeccable two tone paint over perfect bodywork, fantastic chrome. Engine compartment appears as new with factory decals and replica in-period Delco battery. There were two types of people admiring this car: those who said it was perfect, and liars. This car has options galore and bodywork that deserves a credit somewhere for the craftsmen who did it. Everything is in place and impeccable. The entire car, in fact, was simply better than new. At this price, this Olds simply cannot be repeated.
1971 Ford Mustang 429 Super Cobra Jet Fastback for sale
Lot # 338 1971 Ford Mustang 429 SCJ Fastback; S/N 1F02J170058; Highland Green, Silver hood/Black vinyl; Estimate $60,000 - $80,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $56,000 -- 429/375hp, automatic, Magnum wheels. Eagle GT II tires, Drag Pack, P/W, A/C. Good repaint, chrome and original interior. An older restoration of a 24,481 mile car to generally like new condition with some age but little use. Numbers-matching. Quite impressive in all respects, if it were a '70 Boss 429 a '1’ could be added without question to its value, but it's 'just' a '71 429 SCJ with an automatic. It was sold a year ago at RM's Ft. Lauderdale sale for $32,450, a result that was cheap, but it isn't so wonderful that it deserves to bring any more than the reported high bid here.
1954 Cramer Comet
Lot # 339 1954 Cramer Comet; S/N A070974; Metallic Blue/White, Blue leatherette; Estimate $100,000 - $150,000; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 16.67%; Final Price $122,500 -- A marvelous exercise in excess. 1350hp Allison V-12 engine, GM truck 4-speed, Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac and Studebaker body elements, aircraft-style instruments and switches. Documented in contemporary Hot Rod and Popular Science magazines. Cracked, crazed old paint, worn original upholstery, dusty, grimy engine and chassis. But it runs, and draws folks from near and far with the roar of its giant V-12. It is an object of wonder. Its performance must be thrilling, the direct descendant of the Speed Cars between the wars. Saying it is more car than money is an understatement.
1932 Packard DeLuxe Eight 904 Individual Custom Convertible Victoria for sale
Lot # 341 1932 Packard DeLuxe Eight 904 Individual Custom Convertible Victoria, Body by Dietrich; S/N 194181; Engine # 194200; Maroon, Black accent/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $600,000 - $700,000; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $550,000 -- Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, smokers' kits. Excellent older paint, chrome, interior and top. A concours restoration that isn't fresh any more but still impresses. This is super coachwork, restored to within a nano of Pebble Beach condition. It's also within a nano of selling at the reported high bid.
1967 Porsche 906E for sale
Lot # 342 1967 Porsche 906E 'Long Nose, Short Tail' Endurance Racing Coupe; S/N 906-159; Engine # 910-032; Dark Blue/Dark Blue cloth; Estimate -; Competition restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $980,000 -- Leather rim Prototipo steering wheel, halogen headlights, roof-mounted rear view mirror. Very good paint and interior. Fresh, sharp cosmetics and restored like new. 7th overall at Sebring in 1967 driven by Joe Buzzetta and Peter Gregg for Porsche System Engineering. Otto Zipper's 1967 USRRC Under-2 liter co-championship driven by Scooter Patrick. Restored for Warren Eads by Robert Hatchman. Whether for enduros or sprints this is a mount with both history and performance. Its restoration may be a little aged but it won't take much to check it out and put it on the front of most historic racing grids.
1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Trouville Towncar
Lot # 343 1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Trouville Towncar, Body by Brewster; S/N S257KR; Black/Tan velour, Black leather; Beige cloth roof; Estimate $140,000 - $160,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $120,000 -- 7.7 liter straight six, 143.5 inch wheelbase, single Notek driving lamp, windshield frame mirrors, dual sidemounts with fabric covers, rear trunk with cover, chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires, jump seats, rollup division. A handsome older restoration with patina. Driver's side turn signal housing broken and poorly repaired. Cloth top stained in places but sound. Some bright work, like grill slats, need polishing. This is a quality car with the exception of some readily corrected issues that nevertheless failed to meet its estimate. Maybe the seller was unlucky. Or maybe the buyers were more interested in open cars. Either way an opportunity was missed.
1951 Jaguar Mk V Three Position Drophead Coupe
Lot # 345 1951 Jaguar Mk V 3-pos. Drophead Coupe; S/N 647349; Engine # Z3232; Ivory/Blue leather; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $110,000 - $140,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $108,000 plus commission of 16.48%; Final Price $125,800 -- 3 1/2 liter, 4-speed, three position top, fender skirts, fender mounted mirrors, body color steel wheels, Lucas fog lights, whitewalls. Excellent paint and exterior brightwork. Brand new cloth top. Original leather interior shows little age. Wood trim is cracked along instrument panel and varnish is thin and chipped in places throughout. Visually impressive but not too nice for the road. This was a good car, but all the money and then some for its older restored condition
1929 Packard 640 Super Eight Touring
Lot # 347 1929 Packard 640 Super Eight Touring; S/N 177660; Engine # 177309C; Beige, Grey, Brown fenders/Brown leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $100,000 - $125,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $111,150 -- 345/105hp straight eight, 104.5 inch wheelbase, fold down rear windscreen with wind wings, spotlight, dual sidemounts with mirrors, twin front flag mounts, wide whitewall tires, twin spotlights, Pilot-Rays, fog lights, Cream wire wheels, wide whitewalls. Restored by Hibernia some years ago and for many years owned by the village of Amityville, NY. Excellent older paint and chrome. A quality car restored to the standards of a past era. The subject of an older restoration that cost some $150,000, this Packard was quite the buy. Big and imposing in a just-right 1920s sort of way, the Packard is the perfect car for parades, tours, or Sunday drives. Its colors are dated, but that does little to lessen its appeal and detracts not at all from its use on tours. It is a sound value at this price.
1954 Porsche 356 Coupe Bent Window
Lot # 349 1954 Porsche 356 Coupe, Body by Reutter; S/N 52410; Engine # 33413; Black/Wine Red leather, Maroon piping.; Estimate $85,000 - $105,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $93,600 -- Telefunken radio, "bent-window" windshield, louvered wheel trim rings, 5.00-16 Continental blackwall tires. Good fresh lacquer repaint, original upholstery, original undercoat on underbody. Fresh, attractive and very sympathetic cosmetic restoration of a delicious old Porsche. Why do Speedsters bring 1/3 million dollars when this gorgeous, highly original, rare Bent Window coupe does not even bring six figures? The answer if fad, and fashion. This is a great Porsche for a firmly modest price.
1931 Cord Front Drive L-29 LaGrande Speedster
Lot # 350 1931 Cord Front Drive L-29 LaGrande Speedster; S/N 2927156; Engine # FD2687; Cranberry, Cashmere Cream/Maroon leather; Estimate $250,000 - $350,000; Rebodied or re-created, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $258,000 plus commission of 12.71%; Final Price $290,800 -- Chrome wire wheels, Jaeger clock, altimeter. A meticulously re-created example of a car that has been lost, done by the Tyree Brothers in Turlock, California for Arnie Addison. Teardrop fenders with matching door handles and hinge covers, working top, liquor decanters and glasses in passenger's door pocket. Beautifully presented in concours condition. Estimate raised at the sale from $200-300,000. Sold by RM in Arizona to John O'Quinn in 2007 for $418,000 in essentially the same condition as it displayed today (cataloged under its engine number.) The odometer today shows just 5 more miles. It is a marvelous re-creation of a lost, important, automobile bought reasonably.
1958 Fiat-Abarth 750 GT Zagato Double Bubble
Lot # 352 1958 Fiat-Abarth 750 GT Double Bubble, Body by Zagato; S/N 497034; Engine # 517332; Red/Black leather, Red piping; Estimate $110,000 - $140,000; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $111,150 -- Alloy wheels, spinner hubcaps. Very good fresh paint, chrome and interior. Dull aluminum window trim. Old undercoat on chassis. Fresh, clean but not overdone engine. A correct Fiat-Abarth 750 GT with history back to the early 70's, acquired in 2010 disassembled and freshly completed to high standards complete with many usually missing fine details and original glass and instruments. Not claimed to be the original engine, however. Displayed at the 2011 Palo Alto Concours, Concours on the Avenue and The Quail in Monterey. Choice. Some Abarth collector must have found fault with this Double Bubble to see it change hands so modestly. It looks like a great deal for the money.
1977 Porsche 911 RSR IMSA Racing Coupe for sale
Lot # 353 1977 Porsche 911S/RSR IMSA Racing Coupe; S/N 9117200114; White/Black cloth; Estimate $170,000 - $210,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $140,000 -- Race ready with very good cosmetics. Raced at Daytona and Sebring in 1978, at Watkins in 1981, back at Daytona and Sebring in 1984 and more through 1985. It never finished very well, but it was a factor and has been freshly restored to 1974 configuration but with Brembo brakes, ATL fuel cell and more. There's no substitute for real racing history, although the bidders at the Kierland didn't seem to be willing to pay for it.
1956 AC Ace Bristol Roadster
Lot # 354 1956 AC Ace Bristol Roadster; S/N BEX 175; Engine # 514; Black/White leather, Black piping; Estimate $190,000 - $220,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $195,000 plus commission of 13.59%; Final Price $221,500 -- 100D engine with triple Solex carbs and replacement head, white painted wire wheels, blackwall tires. Scuffed old repaint, otherwise original. Cracked but sound old upholstery with dead padding. Cracked old Michelin X tires. Known single owner from the Fifties until the present. Almost too good to restore but not good enough to drive. All things can be forgiven in the case of a car that's been owned, driven and enjoyed for decades, especially one as pretty as an Ace Bristol. This is restored Ace Bristol money, but the new owner got much more in both history and bragging rights. It would be a shame to restore it, not to mention a financial drubbing.
1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR Fastback
Lot # 355 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR Fastback; S/N 8T02R210932-03805; Highland Green/Black vinyl; Estimate $90,000 - $115,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $70,200 -- 10-spoke alloy wheels, blackwall Eagle GT tires, P/S, P/B, 4-speed, pushbutton radio, console gauges. Represented as numbers-matching. Spots in the paint, otherwise a competent older restoration to like new condition with some age and use. No Reserve. With so many GT500KRs having automatics this 4-speed with power steering and brakes is unusually choice. Its price is a bargain to the new owner.
1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Limousine for sale
Lot # 357 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Limousine, Body by Henney; S/N 50LP6237H; Engine # 0EL6520; Black, Black leatherette roof/Grey leather, Grey cloth roof; Estimate $200,000 - $250,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $145,000 -- P/W, power division, front and rear radios, automatic, wheel covers, wide whitewalls, skirts, dual outside mirrors, dual heaters, jump seats. raised roof. Good older paint, chrome and interior. 125 inch wheelbase stretch built by Henney for the Truman White House for use in New York City (not in Washington) and used for years thereafter. A competent older restoration that shows little age or use. There are many facets to this Lincoln: its White House fleet history; its rare coachwork; its quality old restoration; its frumpy design. There are possibly eight more like it, or even sixteen, so it's not exactly exclusive, and it sure isn't pretty. That makes the reported high bid pretty appropriate for it.
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Imperial Cabriolet for sale
Lot # 361 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Imperial Cabriolet, Body by Hibbard & Darrin; S/N 127XJ; Engine # JX45; Blue, Aluminum; Dark Blue fenders/Blue leather, Beige cloth; Estimate $150,000 - $175,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $130,000 -- RHD. Marchal lights, driving light, cream wire wheels, top hinged windshield, sliding division, jump seats, drinks cabinet, vanity, rear-mounted enclosed spare, Blue leather roof, gold plated interior trim and sumptuous wood accents. Built for Robert T. Neely, founder of Nedick's (that's a synonym for orange drink, if you're not from New York.) An older cosmetic restoration to nearly like new condition now showing age but paint, chrome and wood are still very good. Sold by RM at Amelia Island in 2006 in less aged but essentially the same condition for $231,000, then a no-sale at RM Arizona in 2008 for $180,000. Bonhams sold it at Greenwich in 2009 for $227,000. It's worth more than the reported high bid here and even at the low estimate would be a handsome and luxurious Rolls at a modest price.
1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Roadster for sale
Lot # 364 1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Roadster, Body by Wm. Watson; S/N 50S6; Engine # G224; Cream/Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $40,000 - $60,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $61,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $71,370 -- RHD. Nickel brightwork, Marchal lights, rumble seat, rear-mounted spare. Flared clamshell front fenders, body color centerlock wire wheels. Shaky body history but possibly original to the chassis and almost definitely dating to the Thirties but with later fenders. Sound old restoration with years and miles on it but appealing and certainly intriguing. Even at a tick over the high estimate this is an appealing and eminently usable R-R Twenty. Its spare design without bumpers and seating only two in a coach style tonneau is distinctive and sporting in a style not often seen on Rolls-Royce chassis, even the light Twenty. Put its over-estimate price down to style and flair.
1987 Porsche 962 Group C Racing Coupe for sale
Lot # 365 1987 Porsche 962 Group C Racing Coupe; S/N RLR962-106B; Engine # 956348; White, Teal 'Nisseki' /; Estimate $450,000 - $550,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $375,000 -- RHD. Winner at Norisring, second at Brands Hatch, fifth at Nurburgring and winner at Kyalami driven by Mauro Baldi and Dr. Jonathan Palmer for Richard Lloyd Racing. Sold to Japan. Tired, dirty. Raced hard and put away wet in 1991 and not touched since. Peeling paint. A particularly unappealing old race car that needs at least 'everything' and probably more that that. This is history in search of an acolyte willing to spend boatloads of money to re-create its original privateer history. The tub of this car is in another, or, maybe it's the other way 'round. Either way it needs help.
1987 Porsche 962 T for sale
Lot # 366 1987 Porsche 962 T; S/N 956308; White, Teal 'Nisseki'/Black; Estimate $225,000 - $275,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $375,000 -- RHD. Cracked bodywork under serviceable paint. Aged, used chassis. Built up from spares as a display car and never raced although it has, from the outside at least, a complete engine. It's probably safer to say there was no interest in this Porsche. It could be a devastating historic enduro racer. But only after spending a boxcar load of money on it.

[Source: Rick Carey]