Bonhams, Audrain Motor Week, Newport, RI, October 4, 2024

This was Bonhams fourth year at the Audrain Motor Week. The sale total was barely over half of what they had realized here in prior years. There were only 37 lots crossing the block (figuratively speaking as the cars were on static display in the Tennis Hall of Fame indoor court).

Fortunately 24 of the 37 lots were offered without reserve because only five of the 13 lots with reserve (38.5%) were hammered sold. Only one lot reached a hammer price over its pre-sale high estimate. Some of what reached the block should have been rejected upon seeing them, like the XKE SII Roadster with rot bubbles festering up under the stressed out paint (Lot 103).

There were several lots that few even knew existed like the Peugeot 205 CTI Cabriolet. Classics like the ’34 Packard Eight 1102 Convertible Victoria and ’36 Chrysler Imperial Airflow Sedan were ignored. Bidders were perhaps distracted by recent supercars in the restricted parking outside the Van Auersperg pavilion.

Audrain Motor Week is an eclectic event, celebrating old cars but also catering to the inclinations of a younger audience skewed toward supercars and electrics. Newport Motor Week’s direction is dispersed, but it may need to become a leader rather than a follower both to establish its eminence and to give some direction to recognition and trends as well as the grand Newport, RI setting.

Bonhams struggled this year and will continue to struggle until some direction is found.

Here are the numbers:

Year	Cars Sold/ Offered	Sale %	Sold < Low Est	Sold > High Est	Average Sale	Median Sale	Total $
2024	29/37	78.4%	82.8%	3.5%	$126,517	$71,680 [56.7%]	$3,669,000
2023	51/53	96.2%	47.3%	16.4%	$142,240	$77,280 [54.3%]	$7,254,240
2022	35/44	79.6%	62.9%	8.6%	$197,137	$97,440 [49.4%]	$6.899,780

On-site observations are by Rick Carey. Six lots of recent Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars from the collection of Ernie Boch, Jr. are reported without comment.

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Lot # 102 1953 MG TD Roadster; S/N TD21119; Primrose/Dark Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Cosmetic restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $10,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $11,760. – 1,250/54hp, 4-speed, steel wheels, hubcaps, Firestone tires, lace-on leather steering wheel rim cover, fender mirrors, rear-mounted spare. – Indifferent quality old repaint with some dirt and dust inclusions. Sound upholstery with some use creases. Dirty, oily engine compartment. Edge chips. Sound and usable but aged and used. – The first four-wheeled lot on the block at Bonham’s auction at the Tennis Hall of Fame today, its mediocre presentation foreshadowed what was to come. The result was modest (mediocre?) and represented a good value for an enthusiast owner or someone who sought to experience the old British Sports Car feel for a reasonable price. In a sense its price is small change in other transactions today which sold well below what they had brought in recent auction transactions.

Lot # 103 1971 Jaguar XKE SII Roadster; S/N 2R13734; OE White/Dark Blue leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $43,680. – 4,235/265hp, triple SU carburetors, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Goodyear tires, Pioneer SD stereo. – Awful, rusting, neglected, water damaged. Door bottoms and fenders have huge rust blisters. Trunk lid doesn’t fit flush. Stinks of mildew and mold. All four wire wheels are rusted. Don’t touch it, something might rub off and get on you. – Bonhams sold this XKE at Scottsdale two years and nine months ago for $98,000 and reused the photos from that sale to illustrate this car, conveniently not showing the festering rust bubbles and water soaked door panels. It has apparently been in outside storage since then, without even rudimentary protection from the elements. The effect of its neglect is plain to see and only hints at the vermin who may have inhabited it or feasted on its wiring and plumbing. It is a noxious car and only an optimist or opportunist would consider paying even this much for it. Be wary, very wary, of it the next time it shows up for sale likely after getting a superficial redo to make it look good. It is an awful, neglected, mistreated car.

Lot # 104 1996 BMW Z3 James Bond Roadster; S/N 4USCH7325TLE00762; Atlantic Blue/Taupe leather; Taupe cloth top; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $22,400. – 1,796/114hp, 5-speed, CD stereo, P/W, A/C, luggage rack, air conditioning, luggage. – 8,145 miles and barely used. – Passed around like a toke at a doobie party, this Bond Z3 is a collection display car of little note. It no-saled at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in 2011 for $19,000, then sold there a year later for $25,970. At Bonhams Evergreen Collection sale in 2015 the odometer displayed 5,170 miles against the 8,145 it shows today. At Bonhams Greenwich auction in 2015 it sold for $24,200 and in this transaction shows that it is of little collector interest. That may change over time, but the opportunity cost of the money tied up in it waiting for a market epiphany buries its return on investment and it wouldn’t (couldn’t?) be worth much less if it were driven a few thousand careful miles a year.

Lot # 105 1964 Porsche 356C Cabriolet, Body by Reutter; S/N 160079; Engine # 820834; Ivory/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $90,000 – $130,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $78,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $87,360. – 1,582/107hp SC engine, 4-speed, chrome wheels, hubcaps, Blaupunkt multiband radio, Solex carburetors. – Replacement 1964 production SC-spec engine. Good older repaint and possibly original upholstery. Restored chassis with miles and road use. Thin chrome on the door tops. Orderly and lightly used engine compartment. – “SC” badged but an SC only on account of its engine swap, this Porsche sold at Auctions America’s Ft. Lauderdale auction in 2017 for $129,800, a reasonable price at the time for an SC Cab but wholly inappropriate for an engine-swapped 75hp 356C. That imbalance was remedied here in Newport with Bonhams honest description and history and is a decent value in this transaction even considering the age of the restoration. [The cataloged 95hp for the SC engine is correct for German DIN testing with auxiliaries but SAE horsepower without auxiliaries is 107hp.]

Lot # 106 1958 Jaguar XK 150S 3.4 Roadster; S/N T831711DN; Engine # VS1564-9; OE White/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Cosmetic restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $100,800. – 3,781/250hp, 4-speed, overdrive, chrome wire wheels, Bridgestone tires, Lucas fog lights, white steering wheel. – Oily, aged engine compartment and chassis. Good older repaint and upholstery. Good panel fits and gaps. Block and cylinder head numbers are the same and match the JDHT Certificate. Not fresh but attractively presented and a significant evolution in Jaguar’s history. – One of the better cars offered at Bonhams Audrain auction this year, there is little to complain about other than the age of the restoration and obvious use since it was restored. It appears to have been well-maintained, modestly used and only exhales oil like most Jags of the period. This mid-estimate result is a credit to both Bonhams assessment of the market and the consignor’s recognition of the situation. It is a result that is fair to both the buyer and the seller.

Lot # 107 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster; S/N 12104010020474; Engine # 12192110020595; Ivory/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $67,200. – 1,897/105hp, 4-speed, Becker Europa AM-FM, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, ivory steering wheel. – Represented as the numbers-matching engine with “Reedmoral” Weber style carburetors. Ugly rattle can painted engine compartment. Weak chrome trim. Good upholstery. Dusty repainted chassis. Cracked old windshield frame seal. Not pretty. – This is a thoroughly disappointing 190SL with shortcuts that only hint at what else might have been compromised in preparing it for auction. A quick look under the hood from onlookers brought the response, “Look, it has Webers”. A common replacement for the air leak prone Solexes that came from the factory, Weber carbureted 190SLs are common, but these weren’t Webers, rather a Weber knockoff called “Reedmoral” with appropriate Weber jetting inside and a kluged-up throttle linkage. The rattle can painted engine compartment was a disgrace. A dressed up pig with decent paint and upholstery but hopeless under the skin, this is a disaster waiting to happen and it brought a disaster-prone price.

Lot # 108 1972 Lancia 2000 Berlina; S/N 820210004423; Metallic Green/Green cloth; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $8,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $8,960. – 1,991/114hp flat four, 4-speed, steel wheels, hubcaps, Michelin front, “Remould” rear tires, Sky-Tek cassette stereo, woodrim steering wheel. – Sound repaint, aged and rusty window trim. Sound upholstery. Rusted outside mirror back. Clean chassis and underbody. A tidy and unusual Berlina. – The mismatched tires are a concern and indicate that no one has really been very concerned with this Lancia’s condition, but it is a typical Lancia (before it became yet another Fiat-clone brand) with its flat four engine that, even with a single 2-throat carburetor, was unusually potent, if not powerful. Conventional never factored into the design of real Lancias and this is a good and impressively moderately priced example if the brand’s innovation.

Lot # 109 1984 Mercedes-Benz 240GD SUV; S/N WDB46033117055708; Green/Olive leatherette; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $30,240. – 62,399/71hp diesel 4-cylinder, 4-speed, 2-speed transfer case, all-wheel drive, front disc brakes – Good repaint, work original upholstery, torn driver’s seat cushion. Original used chassis. Reportedly transformed from a Danish farm vehicle to this shiny G-wagen at a cost of $65,000, it has been enjoyed but has many miles left and might even be able to run on recycled fry oil. – Offered by RM at Auburn Fall in 2018 where it failed to find a buyer even at a purported bid of $32,500, this isn’t a suburban momma’s G-wagen, swaddled in luxury and accoutrements. It is a working G-wagen true to the original concept, and it brought a utility vehicle price far below the estimate range and what must have been the consignor’s expectation. It is real money for a real vehicle and should be rewarding crawling in low range across rocks, streams and through hedgerows. It belongs on Jeremy Clarkson’s farm

Lot # 110 1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 38-C-4 Touring; S/N 36793; Engine # 2402; Red, Black fenders and accent/Saddle leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $130,000 – $160,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $110,000. – RHD. 414/72hp six, 4-speed, Dawley headlights, red wood spoke wheels, Westinghouse spring shackle dampers, dual right side spares, top-hinged windshield, electric Klaxon horn. – Discolored radiator nickel. Good older paint, upholstery and top although the top line is motheaten. Very good gauges. Orderly engine compartment showing age and use. Same for the chassis. A marvelous tour car that will show well enough at the end of a day’s run. – A history of great American Classic Cars’ values herein: Sold by Gooding at Amelia in 2011 for $181,500 as an older and driven concours restoration. RM sold it at Hershey in 2017 a bit depreciated and more used for $154,000 and now here where it couldn’t muster a buying bid. Its odometer showed 49,509 miles at Amelia, 49,704 miles at Hershey and only 49,705 miles here, having migrated down from a “2” condition in 2011 through a “2-” in 2017 to its “3+” condition here, a steady decline in both condition and in collectors’ value, which is appropriate but not encouraging.

Lot # 111 1936 Chrysler Imperial Airflow C-10 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 7015285; Engine # C104141; Del Monte Beige/Beige cloth; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $62,000. – 324/130hp eight, 3-speed, overdrive, skirts, fog lights, wide whitewalls, radio, heater, crank out windshield. – Cracked paint at the base of the right windshield post, otherwise very good clearcoat paint, upholstery, interior trim and chrome. The chassis was restored like new and shows a little age but no significant use. Bright, clear gauges. – Sold by RM at Hershey in 2015 for $176,000, freshly restored and impossible to criticize, it was offered by RM at Amelia in 2018 where it was sold for $100,800. It is not really less good today, only older, but no one cared, which is sad. The Airflow was a dramatically different concept although still conventional in layout. Chrysler tumbled one down a hillside, then drove it away to show how strong it was, but it wasn’t conventional and in the Thirties departures from conventional were suspect even for people who could afford an Imperial, of whom there were very few at the time. That seems to be the case today, too, and collectors who want a classic car want it to look “classic”. They weren’t here in Newport and this Imperial has suffered from the March of Time and limited interest.

Lot # 112 1937 Packard Super Eight Series 1502 Convertible Sedan; S/N 399089; Green/Brown leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $66,000. – 320/135hp, 3-speed, overdrive, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, body color wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, radio. – Restored to high standards, shows little if any use and only minor age. Hood sides scratched from scraping on the sidemount struts. – Bonhams offered this lovely Packard Super Eight at Greenwich in 2016 where it was unsold on a reported high bid of $100,000. It wasn’t reviewed there at the time but it could not have deteriorated much in the past eight years yet brought a bid of $34,000 less here. The result is typical of the lack of interest shown here for cars of the classic era and sets a low bar for RM’s Hershey auction next week. At this bid and even at the low estimate it would have been a value leader on tours and weekend drives.

Lot # 113 1932 Delage D8C Faux Cabriolet, Body by Vanvooren; S/N 34737; Engine # 1377; Red, Dark Red, Black padded roof/Brown leather; Estimate $180,000 – $240,000; Older restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $79,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $88,480. – RHD. 4,061/120hp, four SU carburetors, 4-speed, helmet fenders, wheel discs, dual rear-mounted spares, Phares Besnard spotlight, top-hinged windshield, Marchal headlights with stoneguards, radiator stoneguard, owner’s manual, original sales brochures – Old paint now starting to crack and microblister. Sound older upholstery and padded roof. Aged and driven engine compartment and chassis. An attractive car with an older restoration that is starting to come apart and fail. – Reported sold by Christie’s at Royal Albert Hall in 1987 (the Bugatti Royale auction) where it sold for $117,175, £66,000 at the time. Withdrawn from Bonhams Quail auction two months ago. The result here is £67,400, to all intents and purposes the same price it brought at Royal Albert Hall thirty-seven years ago, and to all intents and purposes the same car it was then except that a full cosmetic restoration is claimed in the 90’s. This is a desirable and rare car but its value history is discouraging, a theme that was prevalent today in Newport for classic era cars.

Lot # 114 2002 BMW Z8 Roadster; S/N WBAEJ13472AH61824; Black, Black hardtop/Black, Red leather; Estimate $180,000 – $220,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $179,200. – 4,941/400hp V-8, 6-speed, two tops, manuals, tool kit – Barely stretched upholstery. A few small scratches and chipguarded nose. Clean used car. – The Z8 is old-school with a potent V-8 and a 6-speed manual. It is an attractive theme and a 2005-6 Pontiac GTO of the same era (6 litre, 405hp, 6-speed) is similar in concept if not in value. They are cars to be driven, enjoyed and used up for the simple joy and satisfaction of their performance, rarity and handling. Even without knowing the mileage of this Z8 its appearance tells a story of careful and limited use, even enough to support this price.

Lot # 115 1989 Porsche 930 Turbo Flachbau Cabriolet; S/N WP0EB0935K00653; Engine # 68K00653; Guards Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $350,000 – $425,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $300,000. – 3,299/282hp, 5-speed, red Fuchs wheels, Continental tires, air conditioning, Porsche CD stereo. – Two owners from new, 9,842 miles. Good lightly scuffed original paint with tiny nose stone chips. Good original upholstery. Represented as the original engine and transmission. As nice as could be asked for and obsessively preserved as an artifact, not a car. – A real showpiece, but every mile clocked off on the odometer approaching five digits will decrement its value as an artifact and there are only 58 miles left before it becomes a five digit used car. It is a marvel of preservation and it could have been sold with limited regret at the reported high bid.

Lot # 116 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible Custom; S/N 1542780636; Engine # GA209432; Viper Red/Black leatherette; Black cloth top; Estimate $20,000 – $25,000; Modified restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $19,040. – 1,971/160hp Porsche 914 engine, dual 44 IDF Weber carburetors, Porsche Type 901 5-speed, Bluetooth stereo, Porsche Fuchs style chrome wheels, Continental tires, folding back seat, Momo leather rim steering wheel, 4-wheel disc brakes, Porsche seats – Very good paint and interior except for a deep scratch on the left side and a cracked rear fascia. Excellent chassis almost better than new. Thoroughly modified and upgraded to high standards of fit, finish and function. – This is an amazing value, bought for a price that wouldn’t touch the cost of the professionally modified Type 4 Porsche engine. It was bought by the seller on a whim through BaT in March then sorted out. He paid $22,500 for it and has more than that invested in it today.

Lot # 117 2019 Allard Motor Works J2X Mk III Roadster; S/N J2X9035; Engine # CLS3A0509; Rosso Corsa/Saddle leather; Estimate $100,000 – $140,000; Unrestored original 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $75,000. – 6,162/430hp GM LS3, Tremec 5-speed, Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes, wishbone coil spring independent front suspension, chrome wire wheels, Goodyear tires, dual aeroscreens, woodrim steering wheel, dual paperclip roll bars, outside fuel filler, cycle front fenders, outside exhaust pipes, grille guard, rear nerf bars. – New car with 185 miles. Excellent paint and upholstery. Brilliant chrome. Series built in Canada by Allard Motor Works and lavishly equipped but inexplicably showing only 185 miles. – This should be a delightful car to drive with its 4-wheel independent coil spring suspension, powerful LS3 engine and 4-wheel disc brakes, an Allard J2X tribute with the handling faults of the original J2X largely remedied. Its reception by the bidders was lackluster considering that the car had no faults and excellent craftsmanship.

Lot # 118 1959 Fiat-OSCA 1500 Berlinetta Aerodinamica, Body by Bertone; S/N 118S000628; Engine # 0004; Silver/Blue leather, White piping; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Older restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $360,000 plus commission of 11.39%; Final Price $401,000. – 1,491/104hp OSCA four, single Weber carburetor, 4-speed, hubcaps, Firestone tires, covered headlights. – An aerodynamic study designed by Franco Scaglione for Bertone, one of two built and the sole surviving example. The BAT connection is evident in the tail fins and greenhouse profile. Replacement engine fitted but the original block comes with the car. Excellent paint and interior. The chassis is restored like new. Lightly scratched windshield. Bright chrome. A beautiful and singular design study restored better than new. – Never shown since it was restored, this should be a shoo-in for Pebble Beach next August, especially with the special twin cam OSCA engine under the hood. The high bid is 10% short of the low estimate even though the final price with commission added is just over it. The new owner should be very satisfied with both the car and its cost, a result that is fair to both the buyer and the seller.

Lot # 119 1962 Facel Vega HK500 Coupe; S/N HKW9X; Red/Cream leather, Red piping; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Cosmetic restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $102,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $114,240. – 383/360hp Chrysler wedge, dual quads, automatic, power steering, Robergel chrome wire wheels, Michelin XVS tires, pushbutton radio. – Sound older paint and lightly aged and stretched upholstery. Decent chrome. Filthy unrestored engine and chassis. Restored long ago and subsequently used. Ernie Boch, Jr. Collection. – Offered at the Rick Cole Monterey auction in 1991 where it was bid to $36,800 but not sold – like many cars in that depressed market year – in freshly restored condition. It is no longer even close to that condition but despite needing a thorough cosmetic freshening, if not a new full restoration, it blew the top off its estimate, the only car to do so here at Bonhams Newport.

Lot # 120 1969 Mercedes-Benz 600 SWB 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 10001212001366; Dark Green/Cognac leather; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $72,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $80,640. – 6,329/250hp V-8, automatic, Becker Grand Prix radio, air conditioning, wheel covers, Michelin tires, halogen headlights, privacy curtains, optically triggered ignition distributor. – Very good paint and chrome. Sound upholstery with stretching and creases. Hood fits slightly proud. Nearly spotless engine compartment. Minor scrapes on the interior wood. A quality driver. Ernie Boch, Jr. Collection. – In addition to this M-B 600 Ernie Boch, Jr. offered a fleet of Bentleys, a fleet of maintenance-intensive cars that only a car dealer with his own repair shop can afford. There was a time when the market for M-B 600s was supported by Russian oligarchs for whom a 600 was the ultimate status symbol but that market has dried up in the wake of Ukrainian war sanctions and they now have dropped in value to reflect how complicated they are and expensive to maintain. This one still has its pneumatic self-levelling suspension and other elaborate features and is in very presentable and well-maintained condition but it is a money pit to own.

Lot # 121 2001 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph Park Ward 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N SCALD61E91CX07619; Black/Tan leather; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Not evaluated condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $57,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $63,840. – 5,379/322hp V-12, 5-speed automatic. – 14,861 miles. Ernie Boch, Jr. Collection. –

Lot # 122 2003 Bentley Azure Mulliner Final Series Performance Convertible; S/N SCBZK25E13CX01198; Black/Tan leather; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Not evaluated condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $53,760. – 6,750/420hp turbo V-8, automatic. – One of 47 LHD of 62 total built. 26,121 miles. Ernie Boch, Jr. collection. – Offered by Auctions America at Santa Monica in 2016 and bid there to $55,000 but didn’t sell.

Lot # 123 2002 Bentley Continental T Coupe; S/N SCBZU25E52CX01505; Black/Black leather; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Not evaluated condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $64,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $71,680. – 6,750/420hp turbo V-8, automatic. – 23,534 miles. Ernie Boch, Jr. collection. –

Lot # 124 2003 Bentley Azure Mulliner Final Series Performance Convertible; S/N SCBZL25E83CX01232; Dark Green/Tan leather; Green cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Not evaluated condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $72,800. – 6,750/420hp turbo V-8, automatic. – Repaired and TrueFrame certified accident damage in 2008. Ernie Boch, Jr. collection. – “Damage” is not a word buyers want to hear when contemplating buying an expensive Bentley.

Lot # 125 2003 Bentley Continental R Mulliner Final Series Coupe; S/N SCBZB25E13CX01864; Black/Cotswold Beige; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Not evaluated condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $115,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $128,800. – 6,750/420hp turbo V-8, automatic. – One of 11 Final Editions built, one of 6 in lefthand drive. 5,432 miles. Ernie Boch, Jr. collection. – $328,990 MSRP when new.

Lot # 126 1999 Bentley Continental SC Sedanca Coupe; S/N SCBZZ22E8XCX65051; Verdant Green/Spruce Beige leather; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Not evaluated condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $215,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $240,800. – 6,750/420hp turbo V-8, automatic. – Accident damage in 2002 noted on the CarFax. 19,867 miles. One of 48 LHD built. Ernie Boch, Jr. collection. – $360,000 when new.

Lot # 127 1954 Kaiser-Darrin 262 Convertible; S/N 161001233; Light Green/Light Green leatherette; Light Green top; Estimate $100,000 – $140,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $64,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $71,680. – 161/90hp, 3-speed, overdrive, chrome wire wheels, BFG whitewalls, 3-speed, heater, wind wings. – Good older paint and interior. Orderly chassis. Clean, orderly, restored engine compartment. A good driver. Ernie Boch, Jr. collection. – Appropriately priced for what it is, a sound and well-maintained older restoration. The cachet of “first fiberglass bodied sports car” and Dutch Darrin’s beloved pocket doors have always made Kaiser-Darrins particularly attractive cars and great starter classic even with the slightly strangled 1-barrel carbureted straight six engine.

Lot # 128 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 Coupe; S/N ZARAA669XB1001296; Metallic Grey/Beige leather; Estimate $30,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $43,680. – 2,492/154hp V-6, 5-speed, alloy wheels, Goodyear tires, Blaupunkt cassette stereo. – Released by Alfa to Mario Andretti for demonstrations but not owned by him. Good original paint and interior appropriate to the 36,007 miles represented as from new. The Pirelli P600 tires have good tread but sidewall cracks. Some rust bubbles on sills and rockers. Good external plastic trim. The engine compartment is original and shows age. Cherished and well-preserved with negligible mileage or wear. Ernie Boch, Jr. collection. – Offered by RM in its Online Summer auction in May 2020 where it was bid to $28,000 and received much more enthusiastically here probably on account of its Mario Andretti history. The GTV6 is a delightful driver with great handling from its deDion rear axle and a decently powerful 2.5/154hp engine. It also has the advantage of being understressed and remarkably reliable after being properly and thoroughly maintained when new. This is an exceptional price for a GTV6, but it is a singular and well-preserved example.

Lot # 129 1988 BMW M3 EVO II 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N WBSAK010002191883; Metallic Macao Blue/Grey leather, cloth inserts; Estimate $130,000 – $150,000; Unrestored original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $112,000. – 2,302/220hp four, 5-speed, BBS style alloy wheels, Continental tires, sunroof, power windows, roof mounted radio antenna, BMW cassette, air conditioning, wing, chin spoiler, tools. – 159,793 km. Good original paint with minor nose stone chips. Wiper scuffed windshield. Clean and tidy engine compartment. Well-maintained and preserved original homologation special, one of 501 built. – This is a strong price considering the mileage, but this is a strong car that has clearly been cherished by its owners and maintained in excellent condition. It will be appreciated by all at any gathering of BMW fanatics.

Lot # 130 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 2-Dr. Sedan, Body by Tickford; S/N WF0EXXGBBEGG39043; Black/Black, Red cloth; Estimate $160,000 – $220,000; Unrestored original 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $120,000. – RHD. 1,993/224hp turbo twin cam four, 5-speed, Rial alloy wheels, Continental tires, cassette stereo, sunroof. – One of 500 homologation specials built for Ford by Tickford and powered by a turbocharged Cosworth twin cam four. Decent original paint and interior. Driver’s seat cushion is very stretched. The chassis is original and used appropriately to the 48,510 miles on the odometer. – People looked askance at this Sierra Cosworth in the auction preview, a righthand drive car in a lefthand drive market that isn’t familiar or known. That created an understanding vacuum and desultory bidding for an otherwise exciting and well-maintained car that is exceptionally rare on this side of the Atlantic. It probably belongs in a Bonhams UK auction where it will be known and appreciated.

Lot # 131 1987 Peugeot 205 CTI 1.9 Cabriolet; S/N VF320DDF207965093; Red/Black, Red cloth; Black cloth top; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $20,160. – 1,905/130hp four, 5-speed, Pioneer cassette stereo, Speedline alloy wheels, Michelin tires, windshield header radio antenna. – A significant (according to the catalog) car for Peugeot and definitely cute. It has a few small nose stone chips, otherwise is nearly unused, clean and tidy. Squadra Lupo collection. – Surprisingly few paid any attention to this cute little Cabrio and despite its rarity on this side of the pond it sold for a price less than a 1987 VW GTI Hatchback with 28 fewer hp. It could be a lot of fun, but it was lost on the crowd in Newport and is a good value in this transaction.

Lot # 132 1968 Jaguar XKE SI 4.2 Roadster; S/N 1E11449; Engine # 7E5488-9; Opalescent Dark Green/Biscuit leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $160,000 – $200,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $162,400. – 4,235/246hp, 3 SUs, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Dunlop tires. – Represented as numbers matching. Excellent older paint now a little polishing scuffed. Barely used upholstery. Good chrome throughout. Orderly engine compartment showing some age but few miles. A very good example, barely used since its restoration. – A spot-on result for this car’s excellent colors and meticulous restoration. There were many misses among the Bonhams Newport cars – strange things no one knew well if at all – but this E-type showed that when a recognized car restored to high standards and presented well showed up the bidders were more than willing to pony up to own it for consistent market value.

Lot # 133 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR Fastback; S/N 8T02R216049-04280; Black/Black vinyl; Estimate $160,000 – $200,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $162,400. – 428/335hp, 4-speed, Shelby 10-spoke alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires, pushbutton radio, power steering and brakes, Marti Report documented. – Sound older repaint with a collection of small chips. Hood stands proud at the back. Scuffed and lightly dented windshield trim. A decent but aged and used older restoration with recent attention and paint in France. – Like the XKE that crossed the block just before, this is a known quantity vehicle, one of dozens and dozens of GT500KRs sold at auction every year at Mecum or Barrett-Jackson. It is not as good as the price it brought, which should have bought a restored showroom condition example, but it isn’t unreasonable, either.

Lot # 134P 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster; S/N 1980427500473; Engine # 1989807500513; Silver Grey/Olive Green leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $1,200,000 – $1,400,000; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,050,000 plus commission of 10.48%; Final Price $1,160,000. – 2,996/250hp, 4-speed, chrome wheels, hubcaps, Michelin XWX tires. – Good paint and upholstery. Weak bumper chrome. Orderly restored engine in a compartment that is older. Good glass. Three deep chips near the hood right rear corner. – This is rather startling actually. This was a star car at the Gooding & Company auction of the Peter and Merle Mullin collection six months ago where it sold for $1,105,000 all-in, one only four lots in that auction that weren’t French. It shows up here with only 23 more miles on its odometer and dropped into the sold column on a hammer bid $55,000 less than its all-in price six months ago, a moderately unprofitable interlude even if the seller netted the full hammer price. A favorite of the Mullins, who used it frequently on tours, it was a sound value then and is so today as well, just not quite as sound.

Lot # 135 1979 Clenet Series 1 Roadster; S/N CLE791104; Black/Caramel leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $33,600. – 351 Ford, automatic, chrome wire wheels, whitewall tires, rear-mounted spare, CD stereo, crystal ashtray, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, heated seats. – Very good recent paint and new interior. Aged gauges and dashboard. Good chrome. Chassis sprayed assembled with many shadowed areas. A pretty driver. – Bought on BaT a little over a year ago and spiffed up in the current owner’s collection. The BaT price was $70,000 and even though the pre-sale estimate range indicates the owner expected to take a loss he probably wasn’t prepared for a loss of this magnitude. The problem were few people interested in the car and even fewer who had a concept of what it might be worth.

Lot # 136 1935 Riley 9hp Imp Roadster; S/N 6027683; Engine # 47252;, /; Estimate $140,000 – $180,000; condition; With Reserve; Withdrawn– Sold by Bonhams at Greenwich in 2016 for $140,800.

Lot # 137 1932 Alvis Type TJ 12/50 Touring, Body by after Cross & Ellis; S/N 9632; Engine # 10196; Green/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Rebodied or re-created 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $16,800. – RHD. 1,645/52hp four, 4-speed, black wire wheels, top-hinged windshield, single right sidemount spare. – Discovered in a British barn in the early 90’s wearing a Lea-Francis body. Usable repaint over old paint and some chips. Paint lifting along the beltline molding. Good lightly used upholstery. Dirty, oily engine compartment and chassis. Weak chrome. A usable tour car with replica coachwork from original Cross & Ellis drawings by Tony Leech at Caleng Engineering in the U.K. showing age and miles beyond the 1,683 on its odometer. – Offered by Bonhams at London in October 2020 where it was reported bid to $38,799 (£30,000, this result is £12,800). It attracted no interest at all here in Newport, even from a committed Alvis owner and stumbled to this rather pathetic final bid but at MG TC money it represents an unusual and attractive car for a bargain price.

 

Lot # 138 1934 Packard 1102 Convertible Victoria, Body by Dietrich; S/N 72719; Engine # 375159; Cream, Burgundy fenders and accents/Burgundy leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $110,000 – $140,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $90,000. – 320/120hp inline eight, 3-speed, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, luggage trunk, Solar headlights. – Good older paint, better chrome and upholstery. Good but folding-soiled top. Bright, crisp gauges. Clean engine compartment with some nearly inaccessible water spots and dust behind the radiator that were overlooked during the auction preparation but otherwise an exceptionally well-preserved old restoration. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson in 2003 when it was freshly restored to concours condition. Now visibly aged but still more than elegantly presented in condition that will be outstanding on the tours and events for which it is so well suited. The colors are a bit dated from the older restoration but it still is a quality representative of Packard quality and performance during the classic era. It is not surprising that the consignor reasoned the car was better than the money offered for it here.

Lot # 139 1909 Stoddard-Dayton Model 9A Touring; S/N Engine No. A3724; Engine # A3724; Dark Red, Black accents/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $49,000. – RHD. 251/35hp inline T-head four, 3-speed, dogleg windshield, Solar (electrified ) headlights and sidelights, Prest-O-Lite tank, bulb horn, body color wood spoke wheels, Lester tires, leather covered luggage trunk. – Sound older paint and upholstery. Some paint cracking along the panel edges. Orderly engine compartment and chassis showing age and use but also consistent attention. The brass, of which there is plenty, needs attention. – The Stoddard-Dayton’s valve actuation is fascinating with a single camshaft and rocker arm that actuates both the exhaust valve (when the single pushrod moves up) and the intake valve (when a spring on the pushrod converts it to a pullrod and opens the intake valve). In operation it is an epic, syncopated performance, a mechanical fascination that is both ingenious and creative but not very reliable. This Stoddard-Dayton is far more important than the bid it brought here.

Lot # 140 1940 Oldsmobile Series 60 Special Station Wagon, Body by Hercules; S/N DMV86662CA; Engine # 230/95hp; Egyptian Ivory/Brown vinyl; Estimate $55,000 – $60,000; condition; No Reserve; Withdrawn – 230/95hp six, 3-speed.