A selection of classics from Bentley and Rolls-Royce will be among the headline offerings at the 2013 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction, to be held August 17th and 18th in Pebble Beach, California. Among the headline offerings at Gooding’s 10th annual Pebble Beach sale will be a line-up of British classics featuring coachwork by noted makers such as H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward and Barker & Co.
“Our 10th Anniversary Pebble Beach celebration is highlighted by a selection of important classics,” says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company.“We are pleased to offer an elegant line-up of high quality Bentleys and Rolls-Royce for all collecting tastes and styles.”
Leading the offering is a numbers-matching, original-bodied 1929 Bentley Speed Six Grafton Coupe, Chassis FR2630 (estimate: $3,000,000 – 4,000,000). One of a limited number of examples to survive, this Bentley is finished in black and boasts original interior and woodwork. The Grafton Coupe is one of just 182 Speed Six models built by Bentley, based on the two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner. With coachwork by Freestone & Webb, the closed-coupled passenger cabin and helmeted fenders help to produce a handsome, low-slung appearance. The Speed Six has benefited from several long-term owners allowing for its original state.
The official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will also feature a dark green 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Three-Position Sedanca Coupe, Chassis 71MW (estimate: $1,000,000 – $1,300,000). With it Gurney-Nutting body style, the Rolls-Royce is one of 18 examples believed to have been built. It is a numbers-matching, original bodied example that is well documented with just six owners from new. The Sedanca Coupe was restored by marque specialist Jeff McDonald of McDonald Vintage Restoration to ‘as delivered’ presentation. This car has won Best in Class at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours, the Gwenn Graham Most Elegant Convertible, Most Elegant Rolls-Royce at the 2013 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, 10 subsequent Best of Show awards at Concours events across the US and participation in the Windsor Castle Concours of Elegance.
Another featured Bentley is a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback, chassis BC5LD (estimate: $1,750,000 – $2,250,000). This H.J. Mulliner R-Type Fastback is the second of seven left-drive, center shift examples supplied from new with the big-bore 4.9-liter engine. Discovered in 2000 in the care of the family of the second owner, this is a complete and original car that includes a dark green interior with contrasting green and grey trim. It was completely restored by leading US marque specialist, Vantage Motorworks in Florida. Since restored to original specification, this car has never received less than first place at any Concours –- winning its class at Amelia Island, Pebble Beach, Meadow Brook and the Quail Motorsports Gathering. It has also received an AACA First Prize. This 1954 Bentley R-Type includes several rare features and accessories such as a Continental Touring Spares Kit, Revelation suitcases, original owner’s handbooks and important documentation.
Also of note is a 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Drophead Coupe, chassis BC8D (estimate: $1,000,000 – $1,500,000). One of only four R-Type Continentals that received Drophead Coupe coachwork by Park Ward, this car is finished in black over Smoke Green with green trim and was featured on the Bentley stand at the 1954 Paris show. The Concours quality restoration was performed by marque specialist P&A Wood to original specification, resulting in awards at Bentley Drivers Club and RREC events.
Another British on the auction block is a 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Three-Position Drophead Coupe (estimate: $300,000 – 400,000) with design and coachwork by Barker & Co., one of the oldest coach building houses. Numbered GTZ 48, this car was featured during the 1933 Paris Salon on the Barker stand. This original and preserved example features the original black exterior with red leather interior. Additional classic highlights include a 1958 Bentley S1 Continental James Young Saloon (estimate: $300,000 – 400,000) and a 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Permanent Sedanca (estimate: $200,000 – $250,000), among others.
The 2013 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auctions will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 17 and 18 at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, located at the corner of Portola Road and Stevenson Drive. Preview days will start on Wednesday, August 14, and continue through Sunday, August 18. The auctions will commence at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach Auctions catalogues are available for $100 and admit two to the viewing and the auctions. General admission tickets to the viewing and auctions may be purchased on-site for $40.
For additional information, visit goodingco.com or call (310) 899-1960.
[Source: Gooding and Company]
The cars of those years had some character