Bonhams ‘Preserving the Automobile’, Simeone Museum, Philadelphia, October 5, 2015
Now in its fourth year, Bonhams’ annual tribute to the unrestored has become a fixture on the auction calendar.
A sale composed entirely of crusty, rusty, grimy, vermin-chewed barn finds would require a hand sanitation station after every car. Fortunately for those attending, the ‘Preserving the Automobile’ consignment includes several well maintained older restorations as well as a few pleasingly well maintained (or freshly mechanically resuscitated) original cars.
It’s the mix, and the always intriguing possibility of something truly unusual begging for an understanding and sympathetic new home, that makes this auction an expedition.
That, and the chance once again to visit Dr. Fred Simeone’s marvelous collection – which this year has quietly grown to include, on display if not changing hands, the Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Tre Posti which was offered at Gooding’s Pebble Beach auction in 2014.
This year’s ‘Preserving the Automobile’ included lots from several collections including a number from the Evergreen Collection in Missouri and several pieces from Alexis du Pont’s collection. Du Pont’s Morgan Super Sport was the hit of the show, a tired, non-running car that brought a world record price. It’s the kind of surprise that always seems to turn up here.
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Bonhams Simeone Museum 2015 – Auction Report
Lot # 207 1954 MG TF Roadster; S/N HDE432667; Engine # 39054; Dark Green/Green leather; Beige vinyl top; Estimate $18,500 – $22,500; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $11,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $12,100. No Reserve. 1,778cc Volvo engine and 4-speed transmission, fender mirrors, silver painted wire wheels, Michelin XZX tires. – Sound and presentable old paint, good upholstery, chrome and aftermarket top. Orderly but oily engine compartment. Clean, dry underbody. A pampered and well preserved largely original car, except for the engine swap. – Completely stock appearing, but with nearly double the horsepower of the car onlookers will expect, this TF promises to be fun to drive and a whole new take on the concept of a classic British sports car. It was bought very reasonably not only for its condition but also for its performance.Lot # 209 1964 Ford Falcon Ranchero Pickup; S/N 4H27U180177; Prairie Tan/Gold, Cream vinyl; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $6,800 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,480. No Reserve. 170/101hp, 3-speed, accessory cassette stereo, underdash engine gauges, cream bedcover, wheel covers, blackwall radial tires. – Sound clear coat repaint three years ago, good interior and chrome. New tires. Engine has been out and painted but put back in an aged and largely original compartment. Underbody repainted over old undercoat. Sound body with no evidence of rust. A presentable, usable, practical driver with 79,375 miles from new. – Done to a reasonable standard appropriate to its pedestrian drivetrain, but eminently usable in the way a pickup should be, this is a sound value in a sound Ranchero.Lot # 211 1981 Ferrari 308 GTSi; S/N ZFFAA02A9B0036295; Red, Black roof panel, White air dam nose/Black leather; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. Reserve. A/C, radio missing. – Dull, blotchy paint with tape adhesive marks. Sound upholstery and dashtop. Missing fuel filler door, night mirror and roof spoiler. Nose modified with an air dam from Koenig. Driver’s door pocket broken off. Original nose radio and mirrors included but in California. Sound body. – Generally needy and likely to have many more needs become apparent as the new owner gets into it, this is a project for someone with skills and money although it is unlikely to prove to be financially rewarding even at this modest price. The bidders were not keen on the prospects and so, apparently, was the seller who let it go, probably without regret even at this price.Lot # 212 1958 Jaguar XK 150 Roadster; S/N S830831; Engine # V4419-8; Burgundy/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $55,000 – $65,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,200. Reserve. Chrome wire wheels, luggage rack, fender mirror. – Chipped, scratched, microblistered old paint, cracked, torn original upholstery and top. Grimy engine, chassis and underbody. Sound body. A worthwhile and approachable project, but a project all the same. – This Jag is pretty far gone and it is difficult to imagine it being ‘preserved’ with its blistered paint, torn upholstery and filthy trunk and engine compartment. Restored it could be a six-figure car, but the new owner will have to get on it right away to be assured of catching the present inflated market.Lot # 213 1955 Arnolt-MG Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N 26873; Engine # 27325; Dark Green Metallic/Beige vinyl Red piping; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $39,600. No Reserve. Automatic radio, Arvin heater, body color wheels, whitewalls, aluminum valve and side cover. – Superficial, scratched old repaint applied over poor prep. Pitted trim chrome. Sound upholstery. Dry, surface rusted underbody, largely original engine compartment. Flaky bumper chrome. Tired and needs everything but a sound basis upon which to build. – An unusual collaboration between MG and Bertone, mid-wifed by Stanley ‘Wacky’ Arnolt. 100 built of which 65 were coupes like this and only about a third remain so it will make a real impression among MG fans. Given its rarity and style it is a sound buy even at this over-estimate price.Lot # 214 1960 Triumph TR3A Roadster; S/N TS57907LO; Engine # TS58043E; Dark Green/Parchment leather; Parchment leatherette top; Estimate $20,000 – $22,500; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,700. Reserve. Hubcaps, radial blackwall tires, left fender mirror, Stromberg Carlson radio. – Scratched old repaint over original red paint. Sound but surface cracked original leather. Decent chrome. Dirty but dry original underbody. A sound mostly original car with great potential. – Aside from the old repaint this is a sound and reasonably well preserved TR in condition that supports the 64,324 miles showing on its odometer. The price it brought is reasonable enough that the few things it needs will be attended to without making it expensive.Lot # 215 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SE 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 11202210004361; Engine # 18998510000145; Black/Saddle leather; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $41,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $45,100. Reserve. 4-speed, sliding sunroof, Becker Mexico radio, wheel covers, air suspension, narrow whitewalls, wheel well moldings. – Fair old repaint with some dirt inclusions. Orderly but aged engine compartment and underbody. Very good original interior, dashtop and wood. Suspension and fuel system freshly rebuilt. A freshly resuscitated survivor in very good and usable mechanical and cosmetic condition. – With only 170hp this is not one of Mercedes-Benz’s better performing coupes, but it is no slouch, either, and is built to the highest standards of quality and luxury. Freshly sorted with careful attention to mechanical details it should be a rewarding car to own and drive, especially as this realistic price.Lot # 219 1938 Wanderer W25K Roadster; S/N 252702; Engine # 252922; Dark Red/Dark Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $350,000 – $450,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $290,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $319,000. Reserve. Supercharged 2-liter overhead valve 4-cylinder, white rim banjo spoke steering wheel, silver painted wire wheels, Bosch headlights, inset rear spare, blackwall tires. – Sound recent paint over old paint, dull bright trim, some dressed up with chrome tape. Sound, slightly aged upholstery, cracked dashboard wood. A little messy but clean underhood. Underbody painted quickly over peeling old paint. Superficially restored but pretty much all there and sound. Supercharger drive makes a wonderful whine. – Offered by Bonhams at Amelia seven months ago where it was reported bid to $400,000. It wasn’t worth that then, but is certainly worth this much now, not so much on account of its equipment but certainly for its rarity. There is great intrinsic value in being the only one in town and in this case this is probably the only one in its time zone.
Bonhams Simeone Museum 2015 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 235 1950 Daimler DB18 Special Sports Convertible; S/N 53820; Engine # 317047; Dark Metallic Green, Gold/Beige vinyl; Beige vinyl top; Estimate $28,000 – $35,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,700. No Reserve. RHD. Fluid Flywheel, fender mirrors, center facing rear seat, skirts, pushbutton radio, tri-bar headlights. – Bad, chipped, blistered old repaint. Sound but cheap upholstery, cracked, torn top. Orderly old underbody. Fair interior wood and chrome. Dead old body seals. Needs a good home. – A somewhat daunting project of no great intrinsic value except for its rarity, particularly on the Atlantic’s western shores. The price it brought reflects general lack of interest reinforced by its tired and aged condition.Lot # 240 1960 Hillman Minx IIIA Convertible; S/N B1037859HLCX; Engine # A1930973HLCX; Black/Red leatherette; No top; Estimate $7,000 – $10,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $7,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,700. No Reserve. Column shift manual, pushbutton radio, Red steel wheels, hubcaps, narrow whitewalls. – Poor old repaint with chips and scratches, sound interior, top frame in the boot but no cloth to speak of. Rusty grille chrome. No radio aerial. Grubby original underbody. Sound but aged and neglected. – Cute and quite cheeky; many people pay more than this for a golf cart.Lot # 241 1986 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country Turbo Convertible; S/N 1C3BC55E7GG109742; Black/Beige leather; Black vinyl top; Estimate $9,000 – $15,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $4,200 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,620. Reserve. 146hp Turbo engine, automatic, cassette stereo, power windows, wire wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, air conditioning, cruise control, power top. – Good original paint, chrome and interior. Very good plastic side framing and panels. A clean original K-car of which only 501 reportedly were built. – Reported sold by RM in Ft. Lauderdale in 2008 for $12,650. Despite its good, preserved condition here at ‘Preserving the Automobile’ it brought little interest except from the buyer who pitched a lowball bid and went home with an artifact of American automobile history.Lot # 242 2000 Qvale Mangusta Convertible; S/N ZF4AH01A9YM000064; Dark Green Metallic/Tobacco leather; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $16,500. No Reserve. 5-speed, Nakamichi CD changer stereo, air conditioning, P/W, power seats, iPod connection. – Good original paint except for a scratch on the roof panel and scratches around the pitted fuel filler and passenger’s door handle. A clean but used car. – Impressively rare and fully equipped with creature comforts, this Qvale Mangusta is a good compromise between rarity and comfort, particularly at this price, which could have been a third more without being a mistake.Lot # 248 1909 International Harvester Model A Runabout; S/N 1547; Dark Green, Black fenders/Black leatherette; Black leatherette top; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $68,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $74,800. Reserve. RHD. Wheel steering, solid tires, single acetylene headlight, E&J kerosene sidelights and taillight, double chain drive, drum rear brakes. – Worn, dull, chipped old paint, torn upholstery and threadbare top. Grimy chassis and engine but said to run and drive well. Sound and complete, a straightforward project, or could be resuscitated and driven. – Sold at the Dragones’ auction in Westport in 2013 for $38,500, the price it brought here is indicative of the rather exceptional growth in the value of dirt and scale since then. High Wheelers, too, have enjoyed a strong market recently and the combination brought an exceptional result.Lot # 250 1913 Napier Type 44 Touring; S/N 11667; Engine # 18798E605; Blue/Blue leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $150,000 – $180,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $143,000. Reserve. RHD. CAV electric lights, single right side spare, Black centerlock wire wheels, applied wicker accent, folding rear windshield, full weather equipment, divers helmet taillights, clock. – Aged, chipped, scraped old paint. Surface cracked old upholstery, polished through the blue dye to original brown leather. Road grimy chassis and engine. Represented to be the original coachwork. A delightful, honest, used old car with an intriguing history including being used by Randolph Churchill (son of Sir Winston) during a campaign for Parliament. – Offered by RM at Amelia in 2008 where it was bid to $190,000, by Gooding at Pebble Beach in 2010 where the bidding reached only $95,000. This result is on the good value side of appropriate considering the quality and performance of the Napier, its age, preservation and history.Lot # 251 1910 Buick Model 16 Toy Tonneau; S/N; Engine # 1367; Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $62,091 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $68,300. No Reserve. RHD. Corcoran acetylene headlights, kerosene sidelights and tail light, wood spoke wheels, New Haven clock, dogleg windshield, Buick Motometer, acetylene generator, bulb horn. – Good older paint, brass, upholstery and top. A quality older restoration showing age and tour miles but also good care and attention. – While the restoration of this rare early Buick is not fresh it is every bit good enough to be displayed with pride at the end of a day’s touring. The price it brought represents the quality of the Buick and its older restoration as well as the satisfaction of touring with its 45bhp engine.
Bonhams Simeone Museum 2015 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 256 1949 Allard L-Type Tourer; S/N 792; Black/Olive Green leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $51,700. Reserve. RHD. Ford flathead V-8, 3-speed, Bluemels Brooklands banjo spoke steering wheel, steel wheels, blackwall tires, folding windshield, oil filter. – Old but sound paint, surface cracked original upholstery, cracked old top. Runs, but doesn’t stop. Grimy old single carb engine and engine compartment. A project Allard. fresh out of 41 years of storage. – This is about right for this Allard’s condition. It will never be a J2X but might warrant something more potent than the stock 221 inch flathead under the hood, a prospect that is possible at the price it brought and even considering the considerable work it will take to make it usable and presentable.Lot # 257 1962 Jaguar XKE SI Roadster; S/N 877020; Engine # R4933-9; Black/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $154,000. Reserve. Silver painted wire wheels, blackwall radial tires, no radio, JDHT certificate showing matching numbers engine, chassis and gearbox. – Two owners from new showing 72,278 believable miles on the odometer. Scuffed old repaint, sound upholstery, thin chrome. Road grimy chassis, underbody and engine. Replaced master cylinder. Sound body, cracked old body seals, good dashtop. Could be resuscitated and driven but will be easy to restore. – This is a late 3.8 liter with inside bonnet latches and heel wells. While some recent Series I E-type transactions show prices in excess of $200,000 this car is not close to there, even with the two owner history and originality. It is expensive.Lot # 258 1971 Porsche 911T 2.2 Coupe; S/N 9111100515; Engine # 6115052; Silver/Black vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. Reserve. Blaupunkt cassette stereo, Momo shift knob, Fuchs wheels, Kumho blackwall radials, headrest seats. – Quick clearcoat repaint, sound original upholstery with dead driver’s seat cushion. Badly scratched side window trim. Poor door fits. Orderly but aged engine compartment. Dirty original underbody and chassis. Filled passenger’s door bottom and in front of both rear wheels. Would have been better without the paint: even if it was ugly, it would be honest. – An unattractive Porsche with little going for it except that it’s an early 911. Bought realistically for what it is, both the buyer and the seller should be satisfied with this transaction.Lot # 261 1906 Rainier Model D 45/50hp 7-Passenger Touring; S/N 1603; Dark Blue, Black fenders/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $250,000 – $350,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $230,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $253,000. Reserve. RHD. Gray & Davis acetylene headlights and kerosene sidelights, 412 cubic inch/50hp T-head four cylinder with side camshafts, Pierce-Arrow rear axle, bulb horn, Vigilant kerosene taillight, Warner speedometer, platform rear suspension, wood spoke wheels. – Surface rusted everywhere but sound and complete. Tattered upholstery and top, original side curtains. Grimy engine and chassis. Fresh, brightly polished head and sidelights and radiator. A straightforward preservation or restoration project. – Known history from new with a few owners: the Asbury family who bought it new; their chauffeur, Calvin Johnson; and the Buess family from 1947 until the 1990s. The broken original rear axle comes with it, and it is said to have been driven as recently as five years ago (although it sure doesn’t look like it.) There is a strong argument for making it run and drive reliably while leaving the rest untouched, but no matter which course is followed, preservation or restoration, it is an important car for a realistic price.Lot # 271 1937 Morgan Super Sports Barrel Back roadster; S/N D1731; Engine # MX2654; Green, Dark Red cycle fenders/Green leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $15,000 – $25,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000. No Reserve. RHD. Matchless engine, Lucas headlights, rear-mounted spare, vee windshield. – Scratched, peeling, curdled old repaint with the original Dark Red showing through. Stiff, cracked original upholstery. Torn, threadbare old top. A sound and complete project car. Alexis du Pont Collection. – Holy Moly! This is, by a third, the most expensive Morgan Super Sports ever to change hands at an auction and it is easily one of the most ratty. Lightning struck here, for no apparent reason.Lot # 272 1952 Cooper Mark VI Formula 3; S/N MK6/21/52; Engine # TR54198NA; Yellow/Red leather; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $26,400. No Reserve. Triumph ‘Speed Twin’ power, alloy wheels with integral brake drums – Raced successfully when new by Alexis du Pont and now sound and complete but old, dirty and dilapidated. Alexis du Pont Collection– A rare example with Triumph twin power instead of the ubiquitous Norton Manx or JAP singles, this is a highly cool car ready to keep its new owner occupied through the winter in anticipation of next year’s vintage racing season. Even over the estimate it represents a good opportunity in a successful F3 car.Lot # 273 1958 Cooper Mark XII Formula 3; S/N MKXII/1/58; Yellow, Red stripe/No; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $26,400. No Reserve. Norton Manx power, alloy wheels with integral brake drums, roll hoop. – Dirty and neglected but sound, original and all there. Alexis du Pont collection, one owner from new. Alexis du Pont Collection. – An even more potent car than the Mark VI sold before it, a straightforward project that could be on the track soon after the thaw and bought at a realistic price. The choice between the Mark VI’s Triumph twin and the bark of the Manx is not easy but at these prices it is feasible to have both.
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