Bonhams, Audrain Concours Auction, October 1, 2021

Benefactor Nick Schorsch, CEO Donald Osborne and Museum Executive Director David DeMuzio, along with a pantheon of employees and volunteers spared no effort in bringing a world class concours d’elegance to Aquidneck Island and Newport, Rhode Island.

After an auspicious debut in 2019 and an involuntary hiatus in 2020 the 2021 Audrain Motor Week and Newport Concours was a nonstop sequence of events, tours, presentations and displays that rivaled Monterey, compressed into the winding one-way streets of historic Newport.

The event this year was augmented by an auction by Bonhams with consignments designed to appeal to the diverse interests of the Audrain Museum collection, concours entrants and spectators.

First-time auctions are often tentative forays into unknown territory as the auction company searches for consignments that appeal to a heretofore unknown audience. The Bonhams docket reflected that diversity, but it seemed to hit a sweet spot with pretty much every lot. There were antiques, heavy and light classics, American Muscle, sports cars and recent supercars.

The 82.9% sell-through, $164,000 median transaction and 14.6% selling over the pre-sale high estimate show how universal the appeal was. The bidding was faster than usual for Bonhams … and in some cases so fast that auctioneer Rupert Banner was hard pressed to keep up with a sea of waving bidders’ paddles.

Engagement was high, as were some of the transaction results, and the Bonhams auction was an unmitigated success.

Come back in 2022 for more of the same, with a year’s experience to emphasize what worked best in 2021.

Here are the numbers:

Cars Sold/ Offered Sale % Sold < Low Est Sold > High Est Average Sale Median Sale Total $
34/41 82.9% 39% 14.6% $270,671 $164,400

[60%]

$9,202,800

One lot, Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona s/n 14207 brought a bid of $590,000 on the block and closed later at an undisclosed price. It is included here at the reported hammer bid.


Lot # 2 1948 MG TC Roadster; S/N TC6982; Dark Green, Gold accent/Green leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Modified restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $53,760. – 1,250/~75hp, supercharged, 4-speed, wire wheels, Lucas headlights and fog light, dual rear-mounted spares, folding windshield, Brooklands aeroscreens. – Exceptional paint, chrome and upholstery. Pristine engine compartment. Done to high quality standards everywhere let down only by a 1/4-inch chip on the top of the passenger’s door. A singular TC with exceptional performance. – This result is a lot of money for a TC, but this is a lot of MG TC in both restoration and performance and it deserved to bring the superior price that it did. The first car of the auction, its result set the tone for the rest of this very successful first time venue.

Lot # 5 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Coupe; S/N 11304412023667; Golden Beige, Golden Beige hardtop/Cognac leather; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $67,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $75,600. – 2,775/160hp, automatic, hardtop, air conditioning, Becker Europa radio, hubcaps, Dunlop SP40 narrow whitewalls, no sign of a soft top. – U.S. delivered. Attractive but mediocre older repaint, sound interior. The usual freckled M-B body trim chrome. Tidy but unrestored engine compartment. A benign driver of no particular distinction. – With 190SLs bringing six figure prices a handsome driver quality 280SL for this price is an attractive alternative, not to mention the extra performance of its 2.8 litre 160hp engine and the user-friendly automatic. It’s not the best 280SL around (by a long shot) but it’s sound, usable and presentable, a sound value at this price.

Lot # 6 1965 Maserati Sebring Coupe, Body by Vignale; S/N AM10102053; Engine # 2256; Maroon/Black leather; Estimate $120,000 – $160,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $150,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $168,000. – 3,485/235hp, three dual choke Weber carburetors, 5-speed, silver wheels, aftermarket air conditioning, tool roll, jack. – Replacement engine and 5-speed. Over $100K spent at Bob Smith Coachworks over several years on cosmetic attention and upgrades through 2011. Sound paint and chrome. Lightly used upholstery. Bright, clear gauges. Orderly engine compartment. – Maserati prolonged the life of its 3500GT through several iterations including the Sebring which perpetuated the same engine and chassis under new coachwork. Always satisfying, the developed 3500GT delivered excellent performance with evolving style. This is a sound and developed example that brought a superior price based upon its history and presentation.

Lot # 7 1971 Jaguar XKE SII Roadster; S/N 2R1475; Engine # 7R13708; Black/Lipstick Red; Black top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $100,800. – 4,235/265hp, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Fuzion tires, AM-FM radio. – Sound repaint over old paint on the exterior and the frame. Orderly engine compartment. Good upholstery. Bright gauges. A presentable but not exceptional E-Type. – This E-Type looks good at ten feet, but not so much in detail. The colors are striking and the engine compartment is nearly cherry. The overall presentation, however, is that of a car given a lot of paint, and not a lot of preparation before paint. The bidders here didn’t seem to notice and this is a generous but not irrational result.

Lot # 8 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Coupe; S/N DB4605L; Engine # 370621; Fiesta Red/Fawn leather; Estimate $250,000 – $300,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $275,000 plus commission of 11.82%; Final Price $307,500. – 3,670/240hp, 4-speed, overdrive, chrome wire wheels, fog lights, Motorola radio. – Indifferent quality repaint while assembled with erratic masking. The windshield is too narrow for the body with gaps on both sides. Big spot on the right rear fender looks like a paint remover splash that was just wiped off. Good chrome and lightly soiled upholstery. A superficially presented auction car that hasn’t been driven since the 00’s. – The seller should be seriously overjoyed with the price brought by this mediocre Aston, a car so full of defects they defy enumeration. This is a disappointing car that brought a price that should have bought a much better one.

Lot # 10 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta; S/N 14207; Engine # B824; Rosso Chiaro, Silver painted nose panel/Black leather; Estimate $650,000 – $750,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Reported sold but not confirmed, hammer bid $590,000. – 4,390cc/352hp, 5-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, Voxson 8-track stereo, Veglia air conditioning, silver painted nose panel, popup lights, tool kit. – Represented as the original owner until 2017, only one owner since then and 29,134 miles. Represented as the original paint but it appears to have been repainted. Otherwise very clean, orderly and well-maintained. – Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2017 for $660,000 and bid to $590,000 here. It was reported sold by Bonhams after the auction with an undisclosed result.

Lot # 11 1934 Packard Twelve-Series 1107 Club Sedan; S/N 73652; Burnt Orange, Pumpkin fenders and roof/Tan leather; Estimate $125,000 – $145,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $85,000. – 446/160hp, 3-speed, burnt orange wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, luggage rack, Depress Beam headlights, Pilot-Rays. – Restored some years ago in what are described as period-correct colors, an appropriate Halloween car in fallen leaves burnt orange and pumpkin. The paint, chrome and interior are sound. It is reportedly recently mechanically serviced and while it shows its restoration’s age is sound, presentable and usable. – An intriguing car hampered by its gaudy Halloween colors. The livery proved too much for the bidders here at Audrain who just couldn’t find enthusiasm to match the car’s handsome coachwork and famed V-12 drivetrain.

Lot # 12 1963 Shelby Cobra 260 Roadster; S/N CSX2047; Red/Black leather; Estimate $750,000 – $950,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $657,500 plus commission of 10.76%; Final Price $728,250. – 260/164hp, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, grille guard, sun visors, wind wings, full weather equipment. – Good recent repaint. Older upholstery in good condition. Decent chrome and a good largely original engine compartment. The catalog records the engine horsepower as 260hp, an unlikely strong 260 V-8 and probably a typo for the correct 164hp. Known history from new and a real car. – Sold for $577,000 by RM at Arizona in 2020 and recently repainted and updated with a more correct presentation since then. A real early Cobra that’s never been stolen, disassembled or banged up and despite being below the low estimate this is a healthy price for the early 260/164hp engine and worm-and-sector steering.

Lot # 14 1933 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Sedan, Body by LeBaron; S/N 16145947; Engine # 16860; Dark Blue, Black fenders/Caramel leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Concours restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $330,000 plus commission of 11.52%; Final Price $368,000. – 491/200hp V-16, 3-speed, chrome wire wheels, double-side whitewall tires, dual sidemounts. – Concours restored six years ago, shown only at the 2016 Ault Park Concours and occasionally in local shows. Excellent paint and chrome. Pristine interior and tight-fitting top. Immaculately maintained and still fresh enough to be shown proudly. – A magnificent and rare automobile with practical and adaptable convertible sedan coachwork. The caliber of its restoration (which according to the catalog text proceeded for an amazing forty years until finally being realized in 2015) is apparent not only in how it appears but also how well it is holding up. It is as expensive as it deserves to be in this transaction.

Lot # 16 1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 13141; Engine # 13141; Ice Blue/Brown leather; Estimate $140,000 – $170,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $167,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $187,600. – 4,390/320hp, 5-speed, Cromodora centerlock alloy wheels, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, power windows, Michelin MXV tires, books and tools. – Sound repaint and original upholstery although the leather color is mottled on the front seats. The engine compartment is orderly and clean but not restored and has some paint loss. The chassis and underbody are road used. A presentable driver-quality “Queen Mother”. – By all outward appearances and from the ownership chain described in the catalog this is a Ferrari that has been looked after and used sparingly throughout its life. The bidders were reassured by its appearance and history and spent a reasonable amount of money on it even though the leather finish is off-putting.

Lot # 17 1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Liter Touring, Body by Vanden Plas; S/N PL3477; Engine # PL3476; Black/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $700,000 – $950,000; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $587,500 plus commission of 10.85%; Final Price $651,250. – RHD. 4,398/110hp inline four, 4-speed, black wire wheels, Michelin tires, rear-mounted spare, folding windshield, dual Brooklands aeroscreens, spotlight, Marchal headlights, full weather equipment. – Originally bodied by Mulliner with Weymann pattern fabric saloon coachwork, acquired this Vanden Plas Tourer body (originally from 4 1/2 Liter s/n FS3607) in the late 40’s. Chipped and scratched old paint, surface cracked upholstery. Orderly, road-used engine and chassis. Just completed a 5-day road tour. – Few examples better exemplify the adage that Bentleys are made to be driven than this 4 1/2. While it didn’t leave Cricklewood with this coachwork the body is correct and originally on a 4 1/2. Otherwise it is complete and matching numbers throughout, a rare find and well-known among New England Bentley owners. It is an appropriate value at this price.

Lot # 18 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Coupe; S/N ZARJA181480040149; Yellow Pearl/Black leather; Estimate $275,000 – $325,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $310,000 plus commission of 11.61%; Final Price $346,000. – 4,691/450hp V-8, 6-speed AutoManual, alloy wheels, Bose stereo, yellow calipers, air conditioning, carbon fiber trim, window sticker and factory build record documented. – 4,202 miles and like new. Regular service documented. One of 84 North American 8C Competiziones, one of two in Pearl Yellow. – The Audrain bidders must have been reading the Hagerty Price Guide as the hammer bid here is exactly what the Guide indicates and the all-in result with commission is just under the “1-condition” estimate of $357,000.

Lot # 20 1928 Chrysler Imperial Roadster, Body by Locke; S/N EP495C; Black, Cream Yellow sides/Black leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Older restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $123,200. – 309/110hp six, 3-speed, black wire wheels, Lester wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts with mirrors, luggage trunk rack, rumble seat with glass panel windows in the cover and its own door on the right side. – 1974 AACA and unnumbered CCCA National First Prizes. Owned for some years by classic car tire producer Tom Lester. Lester believed it was built for boxer Jack Dempsey who is pictured in a similar Chrysler. A sound but aged old restoration with flawed paint, a dribbly engine and worn upholstery. – Offered by RM at the New York Auto Salon in 2000 where it was reportedly bid to $70,000. The passage of time and not a few miles is apparent but it is still in usable condition if not particularly visually impressive. The result here is reasonable and the new owner will have a story to tell.

Lot # 21 1933 Lincoln Model KB Dual Cowl Phaeton, Body by Dietrich; S/N KB2408; Engine # KB2408; Light Blue/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $170,000. – 448/220hp V-12, 3-speed, chrome wire wheels, dual side whitewall tires, dual sidemounts with mirrors, luggage trunk. – Sound older paint except for shrinkage on the right front fender. Good replaced front seat upholstery and sound surface cracked original rear seat. Good gauges and dashboard. The engine compartment is orderly, showing some age, fluid leaks and miles. Probably restored years ago for Roy Warshawsky of J.C. Whitney. A sound older restoration with excellent performance and a record of only nine built with the coachwork in 1933. – In the Thirties the Lincoln KB was second only to the mighty Duesenberg Model J in power. This is a well-restored and maintained example that needs nothing to be enjoyed on the road and the seller’s reluctance to part with it for this price is understandable.

Lot # 22 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe; S/N 1980405500128; Engine # 1989805500104; Silver/Cinnamon leather; Estimate $1,300,000 – $1,600,000; Older restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,410,000 plus commission of 10.35%; Final Price $1,556,000. – 2,996/240hp, 4-speed, Rudge centerlock wheels, fitted luggage, Excelsior tires. – Excellent older paint, interior, chrome. The engine compartment is presented in as-delivered finishes and colors. Both Gullwing doors stay open. – Acquired by the Academy of Art University in San Francisco at the Gooding Pebble Beach auction in 2009 for a then-appropriate $544,500 and showing today only 218 more miles on its odometer and none on the car itself. The factory-fitted Rudge wheels are an important attribute that adds significantly to the value and that is appropriately reflected in the price this car brought today.

Lot # 24 1912 ALCO 40 Tourer; Light Yellow, Red chassis and wheels/Red leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $350,000 – $450,000; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $335,000 plus commission of 11.49%; Final Price $373,500. – RHD. 454/60hp T-head four, 4-speed, Solarclipse acetylene headlights, single right side spare, buffered spring shackles, jump seats, wicker trunk, folding windshield. – Formerly owned by Dr. Sam Scher and Richard C. Paine, Jr., two of the most respected early car collectors, and one of only four known surviving 4-cylinder ALCOs. Restored long ago but maintained, driven and preserved throughout its history and much too good to restore. – Built in Providence, RI by the American Locomotive Works, the ALCO was the supreme American automobile of its time using the finest materials and production methods available only within its vast steam locomotive factory. It also was fabulously expensive. The age of the restoration, which probably dates to Dr. Scher’s ownership, renders it fit only for touring and for instructing newcomers in the technology that that was incorporated in some cars 110 years ago. It is impossible to argue with the price it brought, yet it also represented very good value for the money.

Lot # 26 1910 Buick Model 16 Toy Tonneau; S/N 5758; Dark Red, Black accents/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $100,000 – $130,000; Older restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $95,200. – RHD. 318/48hp overhead valve 4-cylinder, 3-speed, single right side spare, Warner speedometer, red wood spoke wheels, Lester tires, Buick branded acetylene headlights, kerosene sidelights and taillight. – Restored and modified for tire magnate Tom Lester for long distance tours including pressure engine oiling. Chipped and scratched old paint. Worn and cracked upholstery. Road used engine. A grand tour car said to be capable of over 60 mph. – Buick had overhead valve engines (which for forty years they called “valve in head”) from the very beginning and the company became the heart of General Motors and for a time the best-selling marque in the U.S. under the erratic leadership of Billy Durant. The list of pioneer auto executives who learned the trade at Buick is part of the company’s now-forgotten legacy, Walter Chrysler and Charlie Nash among them. Buick built 2,252 Model 16s in 1910 and this well-equipped Toy Tonneau is a good example. Even though it is well and truly used it has had the attention it needed for years and with some fettling (some of which took place in the yard outside the auction venue) it should shine on tours. An historic marque and model with important provenance, it is a good value in this transaction.

Lot # 27 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I Drophead Coupe, Body by H.J. Mulliner; S/N LSMH245; Ming Blue/Ivory leather; Ivory leatherette top; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $352,500 plus commission of 11.42%; Final Price $392,750. – 4,887/155hp inline six, automatic, wheel covers, whitewall tires, power windows, tachometer, barometer, power steering, Radiomobile radio, jack, owner’s manual. – Ordered new by S. Prestley Blake, founder (with his brother Curtis) of the Friendly Ice Cream chain and committed Rolls-Royce enthusiast. Sold to the Yankee Candle collection in the early 90’s. Never restored but partially repainted and reupholstered in the original color and pattern. One of only 11 lefthand drive SCI DHCs built. A princely (or perhaps “Prestley”) example that has never wanted for anything it needed or desired, carefully preserved and maintained. – This is a realistic result for a well-preserved lefthand drive SCI Mulliner DHC in this condition but one that has little if any premium for the Press Blake history or the many bespoke features he specified. It is a car that will be happily owned, driven and displayed at RREC events where its provenance will be especially appreciated.

Lot # 28 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 40837S100315; Riverside Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Modified restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $165,000. – 1962 327 4-barrel Chevrolet engine, 4-speed, AM-FM, Fuel Injection callout on the front fenders, centerlock alloy wheels gold line tires, come with a rebuilt ’64 Corvette FI engine 4103393F1017RF with a Holley 4-barrel. – Raced from new in Canada by Laurie Craig, driven on demonstration laps by Stirling Moss and Ken Miles at the time. Its history was carefully reconstructed by the consignor, documented in correspondence and with original race results, programs and tchotchke. Very good paint and upholstery. – Offered in RM’s Online North America online auction in July 2020 where it was estimated at $135,000-$165,000 and was bid to a reported $92,000. Why, a little over a year later, it should ascend to this generous estimate range, 48% over that which would have been sufficient then, get bid to the exalted result it did here and then go home with the owner is a complete mystery. Is it the Stirling Moss/Ken Miles history? But they drove it only on demonstration laps. The price makes little sense, but the decision to look for this much and then not accept a bid even close to the estimate is completely irrational. This result has no relevance.

Lot # 29 1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50hp London-Edinburgh Tourer, Body by Peel’s Ltd.; S/N 2583; Engine # 95C; Black/Green leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $1,450,000 – $1,850,000; Concours restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,225,000. – 7,428/75hp inline six, 4-speed, Colonial specifications, body color wire wheels with conical wheel discs, dual windshields, umbrella basket, single right side spare, nickel brightwork, Boa Constrictor and electric horns. CAV headlights, Elliott speedometer. – Originally a Connaught torpedo tourer body, later emigrated to Australia where it served as a tow truck and with a funeral director. Acquired by serial Silver Ghost collector Faris Palfeyman who had this body, originally on a Sunbeam, installed in the 60’s. Represented as the matching numbers chassis and drivetrain. Excellent paint, brightwork, interior and top. The engine compartment is a symphony of copper, brass, polished aluminum and bright paint. Far better than it was before the 2017 restoration, a concours car. – This is a rare and spectacular piece and its preservation and original configuration makes overlooking the ex-Sunbeam body easy to do. The decision not to accept the reported bid, however, is not as spectacular as the car is.

Lot # 30 1948 Jaguar 3 1/2 Litre 3-pos. Drophead Coupe; S/N 637160; Metallic Grey/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Recent restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $162,400. – 3,485/125hp, 4-speed, trafficators, full tool tray, top hinged windshield, black wire wheels, Blockley tires, JDHT documented. – Replacement engine. Impeccably restored with excellent paint, upholstery, interior wood, gauges, top and engine compartment. Does not appear to have seen any significant road use. An elegant and distinctive lefthand drive early postwar Jaguar. – Ambitiously estimated but in the end bought for a responsible price that gives weight to the replacement engine but recognizes the restoration’s caliber.

Lot # 31 1921 Stutz Bearcat Series K Roadster; S/N 10555; Engine # K10557; Blue, Rust, Black fenders/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $500,000 – $600,000; Unrestored original 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $430,000. – RHD. 360/88hp T-head four, 3-speed, Warner speedometer, drum headlights, S&M spotlight, single rear spare on the rear deck, old cracked Firestone tires, running board occasional (Mother-in-Law) seat – All there, original and marvelous. Believed to be just 11,486 miles from new in the possession of the first owner’s property caretaker having never changed hands except by bequest to the caretaker then to ‘Chasing Classic Cars’ Wayne Carini. The original paint is worn off in areas but only lightly surface rusted underneath. The upholstery is ragged and recently reinforced. Offered with maps from the period, a Boston Stutz agency bag and the original build tag. Runs like a train after being attended to by Evan Ide. Pebble Beach FIVA Award winner. Far from pristine, but far too significant and original ever to be ruined by a restoration. The essence of a survivor from a time when it should have been turned into a hot rod. – Sold for $594,000 by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2016 a year after being feted at Pebble Beach, this bid is $110,000 less than it brought there and is thorougly disappointing. It may be that the notoriety has worn off but the appeal of running, driving, original cars with performance and recognition has not; it should have brought well more than the reported high bid here, a disappointment and a missed opportunity.

Lot # 32 1963 Ol’ Yaller Mark IX Race Car; Yellow/Black vinyl; Estimate $150,000 – $250,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $162,400. – 401/310hp Buick V-8, four 2-barrel Weber carburetors, 4-speed, kidney bean centerlock alloy wheels, full width Plexiglas windscreen, driver’s rollbar, dual outside mirrors, side outlet exhausts. – Crashed at some point and with no early racing history notes, then restored in the 90’s and historic raced before being donated to the Petersen Museum. The last of Max Balchowsky’s Ol’ Yallers. Good paint but the rest of the car is in long museum display condition, that is, unrestored and still bearing the detritus of its historic racing career. – An undistinguished career means Ol’ Yaller Mark IX depends mostly on the reputation of Max Balchowsky for its value and that didn’t get the bidders here very excited. It has great historic racing potential but after being displayed at the Petersen for years will need extensive safety checks and mechanical recommissioning before developing its potential. The price it brought is fair to both the buyer and the seller.

Lot # 33 1947 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible; S/N 7059472; Engine # C3944156; Dark Blue/Tan leather; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $65,000 – $85,000; Older restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $57,500. – 323/135hp, 2-barrel, Fluid Drive, wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, dual heaters, clock. – Restoration completed in 2018 with very good paint, chrome and interior. The big doors fit well. Crisp gauges. Quality engine compartment. – This may be a top of the line Chrysler convertible but it attracted less interest than almost any other lot in this sale. The consignor should take this result as a reality check.

Lot # 34 1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 42 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton; S/N 2525799; Blue, Dark Blue fenders and accent/Light Grey leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $115,000 – $130,000; Concours restoration 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $123,200. – 366/125hp inline eight, 4-speed, body color artillery-style wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts with mirrors, spotlight, luggage trunk, dual windshields, Dawley headlights. – A high quality older restoration holding up well while reflecting careful use and touring. Very good lightly creased upholstery and bright interior woodwork. Clean, sharp engine compartment showing only limited use. Bright, crisp gauges. An older restored Pierce that was proudly displayed with the engine cover open to show its quality. – It’s not a Duesenberg but in quality and style it is every bit the part and is an intrinsic value that makes this price a sound value.

Lot # 35 1961 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible; S/N 61E068822; Topaz/Topaz leather; Rose cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $72,800. – 390cid/325hp, automatic, power everything, exterior color wheel covers, whitewalls. – Good older paint in the original color, upholstery, chrome and top. Not pristine, but gorgeous. – Dollars per pound, and especially dollars per inch, this is the deal of the auction, a gigantic, opulent, luxurious Eldo Biarritz. And even by those standards it’s a sound value at this result.

Lot # 36 1933 Auburn 8-101A Cabriolet; S/N 1329F; Engine # GU62364; Cream, Red accent/Red leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $78,400. – 268/101hp inline eight, 3-speed, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, dual sidemounts with mirrors, rumble seat, luggage rack, Pilot-Rays, steering column mounted mechanical S-W tach, turn signals added – 1983 AACA National First Prize and Presidents Cup winner. Sound older paint, chrome, interior and top. Bright, crisp gauges, Orderly engine compartment showing its age. A handsome and intriguing Auburn with style and performance. – This is a sweet CCCA Full Classic ™ ride. No longer a show car, but more than good enough to be toured and shown at the end of the day with pride, this is a solid car for a moderate price.

Photo courtesy Bonhams

Lot # 38 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe; S/N WP0AD2A96CS766518; Ruby Red Metallic/Sand Beige leather; Estimate $90,000 – $110,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $142,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $159,600. – 3824/530hp Twin Turbo six, 7-speed AutoManual, heated sport seats, yellow gauge faces, carbon fiber trim, carbon ceramic brakes, Sport chrono. – 1,793 miles, one owner. Like new. – Opened at $50,000, the bids then challenged auctioneer Rupert Banner’s ability to keep up. It was nothing less than crazy, but still under the $203,500 base MSRP, ignoring this example’s extravagant options. Will recent Porsche limited editions hold their value? By this result’s conclusion the answer seems to be, yes.

Photo courtesy Bonhams

Lot # 39 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Coupe; S/N WDDRJ7JA1EA010810; Sepang Brown/Beige leather; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $250,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $280,000. – 6199/583hp V-8, 7-speed AutoManual, carbon ceramic brakes, 19-20 inch alloy wheels, Designo interior, red calipers, all the bells and whistles. – 1,490 miles and like new. – The window sticker says $228,225. The bidders can be forgiven for getting enthusiastic about the best sounding car on the Formula One grid, but it’s better bought by someone 5’10” (like Berndt Maylander) than someone 6’1″. The bidders were not deterred by the estimate range and spoke their mind in a rapid and enthusiastic sequence that left bidders looking for a rational result holding their paddles in their laps.

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