The Bonhams Simeone Museum 2014 auction was held October 6th at the Simeone Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, resulting in nearly $4 million in total sales and an 80% sell-through rate. The results from Bonhams’ 3rd annual auction focusing on original condition automobiles were up 20% over last year.
The top result at this year’s Simeone Automotive Museum auction went to the rare 1907 American Underslung 50HP Roadster that was the subject of a bidding battle among collectors in the room and the telephones. In the end, the Brass Era beauty smashed its pre-sale estimate and was purchased by a private American collector for $1,430,000, making a new world auction record for the marque. Furthermore, as previously announced, a portion of the proceeds from the car’s sale is being generously donated to the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum.
Another vehicle that sold very well was the 1958 Lancia Aurelia B20S 6th Series Coupe by Pinin Farina in original, barn-find condition. Selling for $62,700, this restoration project car demonstrated just how desirable genuine models from this Italian manufacturer have become.
The well-known ‘American Rolls-Royce’ – the 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Piccadilly Roadster, brought $220,000 after spirited bidding. With its entire history having taken place in the United States, this motorcar was built completely in Massachusetts – its chassis by Rolls-Royce in Springfield and its coachwork by Merrimac – and was in the long term stewardship of collector Frank Cooke, also of Massachusetts.
Additional highlights come from many of the other Pre-War automobiles like the 1932 Cadillac V16 542B 5-Passenger Sedan, which sold for $181,500, and the 1925 Cunningham Series V6 Phaeton that made $162,250. Mid-century sporting cars from Europe also performed well with a 1961 Porsche 356B T5 Roadster selling for $134,750, a 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster making $123,200, and a 1959 Austin-Healey 100/6 Roadster achieving $85,800.
Rupert Banner, Bonhams Vice President of Business Development, said, “We’re delighted with the results of our auction, which continues to grow and supports the Simeone Foundation in a number of ways. It’s particularly appropriate that Pennsylvanian F.C. Deemer’s American Underslung “Honeymoon Roadster” should make its record price in the state in which it was delivered and spent most of its life, and we’re very grateful to the seller of the car who generously agreed to donate a portion of their sale proceeds to the Foundation.”
Bonhams Simeone Museum 2014 – Top Five Auction Results
1. 1907 American Underslung 50HP Roadster – $1,430,000
2. 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Piccadilly Roadster – $220,000
3. 1932 Cadillac V16 542B 5-Passenger Sedan – $181,500
4. 1925 Cunningham Series V6 Phaeton – $162,250
5. 1961 Porsche 356B T5 Roadster – $134,750
For complete results, visit Bonhams.com/Simeone.
Bonhams is preparing for its next US sales scheduled for early 2014, with motorcycles the focus in Las Vegas and motor cars taking center stage in Scottsdale. Owners interested in consigning machines to either of these auctions should contact [email protected].
[Source: Bonhams]
