The Gooding and Company Pebble Beach Auction 2011 will feature the oldest surviving production Bentley in existence, Chassis 3, in addition to a 1931 Brough Superior SS80 once owned by both Steve McQueen and Von Dutch.
“We’re delighted to present extraordinary collector examples of two renowned British marques, the 1921 Bentley Chassis 3 and McQueen’s beloved 1931 Brough Superior SS80, at our Pebble Beach Auctions,” says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company. “Both the Bentley and Brough Superior represent special opportunities for collectors who value provenance, historical significance and authenticity.”
Chassis 3, the Oldest Surviving Production Bentley – This 1921 Bentley 3-Litre was the first customer car to leave the Bentley factory. Chassis 3 is a matching-numbers car with brass brightwork and an original aluminum body with fully disappearing top as specified by the first owner. It’s participation in vintage Bentley rallies, and many other recent events, attests to the car’s usability. The estimate on the Chassis 3 Bentley is available on request.
1931 Brough Superior SS80 – Of the hundreds of motorcycles Steve McQueen personally owned, this pre-war SS80 was one of his personal favorites. It was also McQueen’s only Brough Superior, a historically significant, high-performance British motorcycle marque made famous by World War I British army officer T.E. Lawrence, otherwise known as Lawrence of Arabia, who for many years had been a major proponent of the motorcycles. Purchased in the 1970s and for some time thereafter, McQueen shared the Brough Superior SS80 with his close friend and renowned artist Von Dutch. The ex-McQueen and Von Dutch 1931 Brough Superior SS80 is offered in unrestored condition and with a letter of authenticity written by Steve’s son, Chad McQueen. Its estimate is $100,000 – $200,000 and it will be offered without reserve.
The Gooding Pebble Beach Auction 2011 will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 20 & 21 at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, located at the corner of Portola Road and Stevenson Drive. Preview days will start on Wednesday, August 17 continuing through Sunday, August 21, 2011. 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 more information, visit www.goodingco.com or by call (310) 899-1960.
[Source: Gooding]
