Bonhams, Fernandina Beach, Florida, March 2, 2023

You wouldn’t know it from the numbers below but Bonhams would have had an over $20 million sale if they’d sold just two more cars, but that is not infrequently the case

A number of lots in Bonhams sale had one or more prior appearance at auction. Some of them were described in detail at Amelia but I have taken the liberty of including others both because of their significant number and for the additional view that they give on the marketplace.

Of the 102 total lots 31 had prior auction appearances (30.4% of the entire sale). “Not viewed” characterizes those lots where they were not thoroughly viewed and described in detail on-site, although they do have “quick condition” evaluations.

Bonhams Amelia auction has become something of a “grab bag” offering with a number of older, used restorations and cars with prior auction history. Even a cursory review of them shows that many got bids here that were less than they had sold for or been (reportedly) bid to recently. That’s not to single out Bonhams, however, as other auctions have similar consignments with prior auction history including 38 out of 109 lots at Broad Arrow (38.9%), 42 of 88 lots at RM Sotheby’s (47.7%) and 32 of 154 lots at Gooding (20.8%) this week.

Here are Bonhams numbers:

Year Cars Sold/ Offered Sale % Sold < Low Est Sold > High Est Average Sale Median Sale Total $
2023 80/102 78.4% 62.5% 11.3% $160,463 $84,000

[52.4%]

$12,837,040
2022 74/84 88.1% 67.6% 6.8% $194,515 $67,200

[34.6%]

$14,394,110
2021 87/106 82.1% 51.7% 18.4% $220,570 $95,200

[43.2%]

$19,189,610
2020 90/115 78.3% 77.5% 6.7% $238,171 $56,000

[23.5%]

$21,435,420

Andrew Newton and Greg Ingold viewed 27 of the 102 lots on-site. The other 24 lots partially described here were not viewed in detail and given only a cursory quick condition rating but had prior auction results in my database which makes them an indicator of market trends. Lots are sorted in lot number order.


Lot # 104 1988 Porsche 924S Coupe; S/N WP0AA0923JN451174; Engine # 46J03920; India Red/Black vinyl, cloth; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $26,880. – 2,479/156hp, 5-speed, phone dial wheels, Bridgestone tires, sunroof, power steering and windows, Blaupunkt Reno cassette. – Represented as 19,389 actual miles. A few sizable chips on the nose and front bumper but otherwise good original paint. Clean plastic and glass. Interior shows nearly no wear. A carefully owned and maintained 924S, the last of the series and the only one to have a proper Porsche engine, even if it is water-cooled and in the front. – Dismissed by many enthusiasts and neglected by many owners, the 924 does actually have rather desirable and collectible variants, like the Turbo and the Carrera GT. The 924S is, on balance, a good car thanks to its detuned 944 engine rather than the 2.0-liter VW engine of old. In effect it’s a cheaper, narrow-body 944. These have still been in “cheap Porsche” territory for much of their existence, though, so this massive price owes a lot to the fact that it’s one of the rare examples treated like a much more valuable car, seldom driven and always maintained. It sold at RM Amelia in 2019 for $21,280, so this result four years later with 410 more miles on its odometer is not a fluke.

Lot # 108 1973 Porsche 911T Coupe; S/N 9113110614; Engine # 6131588; White/Black; Targa top; Estimate $110,000 – $140,000; Not viewed in detail; 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $117,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $131,040. – Represented as “less than 23,000 original miles since new” and recently serviced. – Sold by Gooding & Company at Scottsdale in 2019 for $117,600, then a year later at the same place for $114,800, this results represents a notable jump in value. With 134hp from its 2,341cc flat six and its 5-speed gearbox it also will be fun to drive if only cautiously to avoid compromising its moderate mileage and preservation.

Lot # 110 1961 MG MGA 1600 Deluxe Roadster; S/N 89089; English White/Red; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Not viewed in detail; 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $22,400. – 1,622cc block, MGB valves, Isky camshaft, dual SU carburetors, cutdown windshield, silver painted wire wheels, woodrim steering wheel. – Sold by Gooding & Company at Pebble Beach in 2012 for $37,400, then by Bonhams here in 2018 for $36,400, this car apparently fell out of favor in the past five years and sold here for a pittance, a great value for a new performance-inclined owner who won’t be bothered by the cutdown windshield that is incompatible with a soft top for nasty weather. The odometer shows about 739 more miles than it did five years ago. The car is still attractively maintained and presented.

Lot # 111 1958 Fiat 1200TV Spider; S/N 103G115003546; Black/Black; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Not viewed in detail; 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $44,800. – Sold by RM at Arizona fifteen months ago for $56,000.

Lot # 113 1963 Jaguar XKE SI 3.8 Roadster; S/N 861113; Engine # 7E15096-9; Silver/Red; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Not viewed in detail; 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $78,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $87,360. – 4,235/292hp, three Weber 45DCOE carburetors, 5-speed, roll cage. – Viewed at Bonhams Audrain auction six months ago where it was well-received but ultimately failed to meet reserve after being bid to a reported $100,000. Offered without reserve here and with a shaved estimate range, it is a good value for the money even if it is used just as a high speed road and tour car.

Lot # 119 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe; S/N 680893; Engine # W7726-8; Champagne Gold/Black leather; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Not viewed in detail; 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $89,600. – Sold at Auctions America’s Ft. Lauderdale auction in 2015 for $115,500, then at RM Auburn Fall in 2021 for $82,500, this is classic XK 120 FHC style in a sound and presentable package. It was bid to $92,500 at Bonhams auction at Audrain Car Week six months ago, making this result somewhat painful for the consignor but a solid value for the new owner.

Lot # 120 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N E7FH293698; Black/Red; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Not viewed in detail; 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $51,520. – E-code 312/270hp dual quad engine, automatic. – Sold by Auctions America at Auburn Fall in 2012 for $45,100, then a no-sale two months ago at Mecum Kissimmee on a reported bid of $70,000, it was time for this E-bird to go at No Reserve, and it did, although probably not bringing the kind of interest that the consignor anticipated.

Lot # 121 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1 Convertible, Body by Zagato; S/N SCFAE62313K800073; Gray/Green; Estimate $250,000 – $300,000; Not viewed in detail; 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $215,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $240,800. – Sold here by RM in 2013 for $181,500.

Lot # 124 1995 Lotus Esprit S4S Coupe; S/N SCCFD30C3SHF63141; Engine # LN910950929051T; British Racing Green/Tan leather; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $48,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $54,320. – 2,174/300hp, 5-speed, aftermarket exhaust, OZ wheels, Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, power windows, air conditioning, aftermarket Alpine CD stereo. – Rare S4S model. Showing 27,522 miles and represented with $20k in service. Small rock chips on the nose and very fine cracking in one spot of the front bumper. Lightly stretched upholstery but good interior. A few scratches on the wheels. A high spec turbo four-cylinder Esprit in great colors, lightly used and well kept. – The S4 Sport (aka “S4S”) was the final and ultimate four-cylinder version of the Esprit, before the twin-turbo V8 model took up the mantle in 1996. A full 300hp and 290 lb-ft were available, impressive stuff from a 2.2-liter four-banger and in a car whose design went back about 20 years. This is a used but solid example sold for a similar amount to other used but solid examples within the last few years including here eight years ago (when it was identified by its engine number) for $52,250 and showed 26,797 miles. At least in terms of purchase price, four-cylinder Esprits are one of the few decent bargains left in the world of modern exotics. You get more power from an EcoBoost Mustang these days, but that’s missing the point completely.

Lot # 126 1966 Ferrari 330 GT SII Coupe 2+2, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 8379; Dark Blue/Tan; Estimate $350,000 – $400,000; Not viewed in detail; 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $285,000 plus commission of 11.75%; Final Price $318,500. – Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2014 for $374,000.

Lot # 131 1939 Packard 120 Convertible Victoria, Body by Darrin; S/N B319346A; Yellow/Red leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Not viewed in detail; 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $150,000. – A Hollywood-built Packard Darrin, one of about 30. – Restored in 1999, then cosmetically refurbished in 2006. – Sold at The Auction in Las Vegas in 1992 for $106,050, then by RM at Amelia in a post-block transaction in 2007 for $180,900 and by RM at Meadow Brook in 2010 for $148,500, the buyer being prolific acquiror John O’Quinn. Where it’s been since then is not disclosed, but it would not appear to have had any material work since the 2006 respray and new interior.

Lot # 133 1981 Aston Martin V8 Vantage SIV Coupe; S/N V8VOL12330; Engine # V5802330V; Pearl White/Cream leather piped in Black; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Unrestored original 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $156,800. – 5,340/370hp V-8, quadruple Webers, automatic transmission swap from original manual, GKN alloy wheels, power windows, air conditioning, Pioneer cassette, badge bar. – Delivered new to the Sultan of Oman with a manual gearbox and painted green. No word on when the trans swap happened but the engine is described as original to the car. Dull brightwork. The pearl paint is striking but there are numerous flaws, including several large blisters as well as a run on the left front. Rough interior with seriously worn and discolored seats and door panels. Rough wheels. A bit dirty underneath. Attractive from a distance, but scruffy up close. And, like so many of the old Astons consigned by Bonhams lately, it comes from a large and neglected collection, and will need mechanical attention. – After one of Aston’s many ownership changes, they thoroughly reworked their V8 model and debuted it at the Birmingham International Motor Show in October 1978. “October Introduction” turned into “Oscar India,” which is how this particularly desirable configuration of Aston is commonly known. Among the changes to these Series IV “Oscar India” cars were closing of the hood scoop, commonly fitted driving lights, an integral spoiler, and an upgraded interior with extra wood. In Vantage specs like this one, the car offered supercar performance. But this one won’t be traveling at speed any time soon, even if the buyer did pay a big number. It deserves to be put right, but this Aston will get even more expensive as soon as the hood is opened. “4+” condition is generous for this Aston’s age, tacky paint and neglect.

Lot # 135 1932 Pierce-Arrow Model 54 Convertible Sedan; S/N 1050024; Engine # 239057; Yellow/Black/Red; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Not viewed in detail; 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $92,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $103,600. – Sold here a year ago for $134,400, it crossed the block at RM Hershey five months ago where it was reported bid to a disappointing $90,000. That’s only $2,500 less than the hammer bid on which it was sold today. Entry fees and transportation will deplete that increment to less than nothing, but it’s not as bad as some other No Reserve cars did here at Bonhams today.

Lot # 138 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194678S402351; Blue, White “Sunray DX”/Black; Estimate $400,000 – $600,000; Competition restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $365,000. – L88 427, M22 4-speed, white side exhausts, hardtop, Halibrand alloy wheels. – A standard Corvette built up to L88 specs by Don Yenko for Sunray DX. Raced in period by Yenko, Peter Revson and Pedro Rodriguez. 1968 24 hours of Daytona 4th in class, 12 hours of Sebring GT Class lap record holder. Subsequently raced in SCCA. Restored in 2008. Excellent paint and body. There is some light oxidation on the suffix code pad on the block, the interior shows little use. An excellent, older restoration that’s held up incredibly well. NCRS and Bloomington Gold Special Collection documented. – An historic Corvette effort that saw one of the team cars win the GT class at Daytona in 1968. It’s been on and off auction blocks in recent years starting at B-J WestWorld in 2015 where it was reported bid to $1.1 million. At Worldwide’s Pacific Grove sale in 2017 it was reported bid to $600,000 and at Mecum Monterey in 2021 it was bid to $400,000. A tale of chasing market perceptions downward without ever quite catching up or tumbling to the realization that it is not an L88, but rather a more mundane Corvette built in Yenko’s shop to L88 specs. Based on the history, the seller should have given the reported high bid here serious consideration if there was money in the marquee.

Lot # 139 1951 Porsche 356 “Pre-A” Cabriolet, Body by Reutter; S/N 10118; Engine # 20486; Pascha Red/Tan; Tan top; Estimate $400,000 – $450,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $285,000 plus commission of 11.75%; Final Price $318,500. – 1,286/44hp, 4-speed, hub caps, boot cover, Blaupunkt stereo. – One of 156 Reutter “bent window” Pre-A cabriolets built in 1951. Delivered new to Buenos Aires. Good but older paint. Clean, lightly run engine bay. Some smudges on the door cards and heavy wear on the steering wheel. A very rare, very early open Porsche, presentable. – By nature of their rarity and early build date, these pre-A 356s (1948-55) are particularly coveted additions to any comprehensive Porsche collection and this is an honest, solid example. We last saw it at RM’s all-Porsche 70th Anniversary sale at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta, where it was bid to $460k but remained unsold. We observed then that it was unlikely to find a higher offer somewhere other than a Porsche-centric venue like that, and that given the age of its restoration the reported high bid was more than fair. This result in Amelia, however, is on the low side.

Lot # 141 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Convertible, Body by Park Ward; S/N LSHD34; Green/Tan; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Not viewed in detail; 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $165,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $184,800. –

Lot # 142 1933 Chrysler CL Custom Imperial Phaeton, Body by LeBaron; S/N 7803639; Engine # CL1345; Gray, Burgundy fenders/Burgundy leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $375,000 – $450,000; Not viewed in detail; 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $330,000. – Offered here in 2016 to an unaccepted $580,000 bid, then in 2021 where it likewise came up short on a bid of $480,000, this CL Imperial is a major disappointment with little appreciation for its LeBaron coachwork and 125hp performance, not to mention its aristocratic provenance. It is a body swap where the original owner, Marjorie Merriweather Post (builder of Mar-a-Lago) retained the coachwork from her 1931 CG Imperial for this new chassis. The old restoration is showing its age, however, and looking at it as a re-restoration project the bid here is realistic, if conservative.

Lot # 143 1949 Bentley Mk VI Sedanca Coupe, Body by Gurney Nutting; S/N B320LFV; Black/Red/Red; Estimate $120,000 – $160,000; Not viewed in detail; 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $85,000. – Sold by Brooks at Geneva, Switzerland in 2000 for $64,474.

Lot # 145 1937 Packard Super Eight-Series 1501 Convertible Victoria; S/N 1007219; Engine # 397127A; Beige/Red; Brown top; Estimate $140,000 – $180,000; Not viewed in detail; 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $110,000. – Sold by RM at Arizona in 2018 for $134,400.

Lot # 146 1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast SII Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 8817SF; Engine # 8817SF; Silver/Black leather; Estimate $1,000,000 – $2,000,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,750,000 plus commission of 10.29%; Final Price $1,930,000. – 4,963/400hp, 5-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli P4000 tires, woodrim steering wheel, Blaupunkt pushbutton stereo, power windows, fog lights. – US delivered. Represented as matching numbers and 14,271 miles from new. Formerly in the James Leake and John Mozart collections. Very good older repaint and chrome. Tired, surface rusty wheels with a large spot of exposed rust on one of the lobes. Blistering in the right side drip rail. Good original interior with solid leather but some flaws in the wood and the old carpet is worn through in places. Some dirt and oxidation underneath, and the brakes reportedly don’t work. The engine compartment is clean and orderly but has layers of old paint. A solid and of course very rare car, but deserves a proper restoration. – Usable (when the brakes are fixed) and wonderful to look at even after sitting with little use for many years this is still a wonderful car and one of only 36 built through both Series. Pininfarina got the coachwork right and it still looks sleek and purposeful, although sitting low are the front and high at the rear, an unattractive rake that does the coachwork no favors. The estimate range is enticingly low, drawing bidders in like honey to a bear. In the end even the price it brought is advantageous for the new owner who will nonetheless spend a fortune attending to its many needs. A professional and very expensive restoration is a realistic prospect but it will come out the other end still worth more than it will have cost.

Lot # 147 1991 Citroen 2CV 6 Sedan; S/N VF7AZKA00KA372304; Cream/Gray; Estimate $25,000 – $35,000; Not viewed in detail; 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $21,280. – Gooding & Company sold this Citroen at Pebble Beach eighteen months ago for $20,160, not appreciably different from what it brought today.

Lot # 149 1959 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider; S/N AR1020400137; Engine # AR0020403439; White/Red; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Not viewed in detail; 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $115,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $128,800. – Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2018 about three years and more than a few miles after its restoration for $95,200.

Lot # 150 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Sports Tourer, Body by Vanden Plas; S/N 57541; Engine # 29S; Blue/Blue; Blue cloth top; Estimate $10,000,000 – $12,000,000; Older restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $8,500,000. – RHD. 3,257/200hp supercharged eight, 4-speed, wheel discs, Blockley tires, fender skirts, boot cover, Jaeger gauges, woodrim steering wheel, hydraulic brakes. – Sold here in 2016 and subsequently restored to its original specs. A car with great history and one of the highlights of the week. Beautiful lacquer paint. Excellent wheels, gorgeous interior. There are small rock chips on the rear fenders and a small wrinkle in the right front fender. A vast amount of effort by specialists known for their meticulous work and accuracy was expended in returning it to as-built condition. It is not in concours condition but probably is how it would have looked in the 1930s after a few trips. – Sold here seven years ago where it was the center of attention for its style, rarity, performance and unique Vanden Plas coachwork, as it was also today. The 2016 price was a princely $9,375,000 ($8,850,000 hammer) and it deserved to bring every bit of the eight-figure price forecast by the pre-sale estimate. That it didn’t come even close is a disappointment, but the Vanden Plas coachwork is not Bugatti mainstream, a fact that demands a particularly discerning buyer to appreciate it for what it is.

Lot # 151 1994 Aston Martin Virage Volante; S/N SCFDAM1CJPBL60089; Engine # 8960089A; Edinburgh Silver/Black leather piped in Gray; Black cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $57,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $64,400. – LHD. 5,340/335hp, automatic, alloy wheels, Michelin tires, power windows, air conditioning, Pioneer CD stereo. – Delivered new to Japan, and came to the US last year. 14,278 km, or about 8,900 miles. Small scuff and scrape on the right front. Otherwise good paint and interior. Rare car, lightly used. – While far from the prettiest, fastest or best-equipped Aston out there, this Virage is an extremely rare car anywhere but especially in this country, as it hails from a time when Aston was only selling a handful of cars here at a time. It’s not cheap at this price, but for a premium badge and a lot of exclusivity, it’s not expensive, either.

Lot # 153 1962 Fiat 600 Jolly Beach Car, Body by Ghia; S/N 1001209135; Seafoam Green/Tan wicker; White top; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Unrestored original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $84,000. – 633/29hp, 4-speed, steel wheels, wicker seats, Surrey top. One owner from new, delivered to Monte Carlo but has lived in the UK and US as well. – Original condition with expected wear throughout, one owner, showing 9,140km. Crazed paint with touch-ups and blemishes present. Dry and cracked rubber trim around body. Top is stained and discolored. The driver’s side floor covering is deteriorating, but the wicker seats are in relatively good shape. Some trouble turning over pre-auction. Still charming as all Jollies are, but needs some help. – The 600 Jolly is almost as much fashion accessory as it is car, and this is a scruffy if well-preserved fashion accessory. At this price, it wouldn’t have taken much if any more to buy a much cleaner and shinier example. As is often the case at these auctions, however, charm sells.

Lot # 154 2022 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Coupe; S/N WP0BB2A94NS232298; Black/Black; Estimate $160,000 – $200,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $156,800. – 2,981/443hp, 8-speed PDK, nearly $30K in options including sport package, Sport Seats Plus, front axle lift system and 911 turbo wheels. – 246 delivery miles only. New car in new condition with no visible flaws. – Given all the options on this Porsche when it sold new last year, this price in Amelia represents the reasonable level of depreciation that’s normal in the world of new and used automobiles. The buyer got a mildly discounted new 911 and the seller didn’t take a huge haircut here. Both can be happy.

Lot # 155 1908 Napier Type 23A 7-Passenger Touring; S/N 4134; Engine # 3347; Green/Black; Black top; Estimate $800,000 – $950,000; Not viewed in detail; 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $750,000. – Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2014 for $1,034,000 ($940,000 hammer).

Lot # 157 1992 Nissan Skyline GT-R Coupe Race car; S/N BNR32002808R; Yellow, Green/Black; Estimate $375,000 – $475,000; Competition car, original as-raced 4+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $340,000 plus commission of 11.47%; Final Price $379,000. – 2,568/600hp twin turbo six, 5-speed, gold center BBS modular wheels, new tires in 2021, Group A race car. – Winner of the 1993 Intertec Group A race at Fuji Speedway, driven by Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen in addition to Hisashi Yokoshima winning five Japanese Touring Car series races in 1993, winner of the final JTC series race, then put away. In original, as raced condition with stone chips and cracked paint throughout. The engine compartment is sorted and the engine and driveline are reportedly ready for competition use. The interior is very original and well-maintained. An incredibly original Group A R32. Represented as the last winning GT-R in Group A racing. – Known as “the last Godzilla” for winning the final JTC series race, preserved since then, a piece of Japanese race history that’s worth what the bidders here were willing to pay for it, which is a lot in a venue where Japanese racing history doesn’t have much currency.

Lot # 161 1911 Locomobile Model 40 Demi-Tonneau; S/N 2376; Engine # 2376; Blue, Black accent/Black leather; Black top; Estimate $450,000 – $550,000; Not viewed in detail; 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $420,000. – RHD. 471/60 ALAM hp T-head four, 4-speed, Warner drum speedometer, Rushmore acetylene headlights and generator, Gray & Davis kerosene sidelights and taillight, dual right side spares, Rubes-style bulb horn, cream wood spoke wheels, 36×4 1/2 tires. – Restored nearly 20 years ago, class second at Pebble Beach, then toured. – Mecum peddled this Loco from Monterey 2013 until Monterey 2018, reporting high bids of $450,000 to $370,000 without finding a buyer. It finally sold the current owner in 2018 for an unknown price and after six trips across various auction blocks the reported high bid here is a realistic reflection of multiple bidders’ opinions of value over a decade’s period.

Lot # 162 1992 Ferrari F40 Coupe; S/N ZFFMN34A3N0092396; Engine # F120D04029815; Red/Red cloth; Estimate $2,900,000 – $3,400,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $2,550,000. – 2,936/478hp, 5-speed, air conditioning, US spec, tool roll, spare belts, books, manuals. – 8,677 miles. The original paint is quite good with some light imperfections to the nose from driving, however nothing major. The engine compartment is very clean and the interior shows almost no use. A fantastic, low use F40. Described as “the last-built U.S. spec F40” but it isn’t. That was 93627 which Bonhams sold seven years ago. They just cribbed the catalog description without careful editing. Cavallino Platinum award, Ferrari Classiche certified, freshly belt serviced. – The reported high bid here is reasonable for this car’s mileage and condition. The consignor may have been hoping for a premium based on its fresh, extensive, service, but that distinction is overcome by the lightly used condition. (Thanks to Andrew Riedell for catching the “last F40” error in the catalog.]

Lot # 166 1925 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster, Body by R-R Custom Coachworks; S/N S169MK; Engine # 20694; White/Maroon leather, Beige cloth top; Estimate $275,000 – $325,000; Not viewed in detail; 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $260,000 plus commission of 11.92%; Final Price $291,000. – A Springfield-built originally lefthand drive R-R. Reunited with its original engine recently but after it was bought at Bonhams Greenwich auction in 2014 for $250,000. The engine and installation cost many times the $10,000 hammer bid increment which the Piccadilly (itself a replacement for the original Pickwick Limousine bought by American Optical president and taken from Phantom I s/n S160PM) brought here. It’s all-Rolls, however, and a handsome, sporting car from the period.

Lot # 168 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 30837S120537; Engine # 3120537 F07I8SO; Riverside Red/Red vinyl; Estimate $120,000 – $180,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $212,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $238,000. – 327/250hp, Powerglide, N03 “big tank,” 3.08 Positraction, factory air conditioning, centerlock wheels, AM/FM Radio, power windows, – Aged paint has some hazing. Filled dings in the left fender and a noticeable paint chip on the right door. Weather stripping is old and cracked. Chrome is dull, the engine compartment is aged and dirty, and the underside is aged and oxidized. The interior shows age and some pitting on chrome bits like the horn button. A largely original car with rare but odd options. – This is a real head-scratcher. One the one hand, the story is kind of interesting, the options are very rare, and the preservation is somewhat impressive. Bought new by a fellow in Houston, he optioned it with the large fuel tank not for long-distance racing but for practicality so he could make it from Houston to his ranch in the country and back without having to fill up. The base 327, air conditioning and Powerglide, meanwhile, were for comfort and practicality. On the other hand, while rare options are everything in the Corvette world, these options aren’t particularly exciting. At least two bidders appear to disagree, because this price defies logic. Better equipped and better preserved Split Windows have sold for less.

Lot # 169 1949 Bentley Mk VI Drophead Coupe, Body by Park Ward; S/N B452LEY; Silver/Red leather; Grey cloth top; Estimate $120,000 – $180,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $175,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $196,000. – 4,257/130hp, column shift 4-speed, wheel covers, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemount spares, fender skirts, single driving light, suicide doors, boot cover, original radio, power windows, Smiths dash clock, owner’s manual. – US delivered. Attractive paint other than some blemishes around the edge of the driver’s door. Lovely interior with mild wear to the upholstery. Some road dirt underneath. Nothing seriously wrong, just lightly driven. Attractive car in a rare body style with only three documented owners from new. – An Amelia Award winner in 2012 after restoration and carefully preserved in nearly restored condition with unusual drophead coachwork that exemplifies some of Park Ward’s best work. Its quality and history were recognized by the bidders with this generous result.

Lot # 173 1951 Jaguar XK 120 LT3 Works Lightweight Roadster, Body by Abbey Panels; S/N 660741; Engine # E1012-8; Gray, /; Estimate $400,000 – $600,000; Competition car, original as-raced 5+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $700,000 plus commission of 10.71%; Final Price $775,000. – RHD. 3,442/180hp, C-Type cylinder head, 4-speed, green wire wheels, Avon tires, single Brooklands aero screen, long range fuel tank, quick release fuel cap, Stewart Warner water temp gauge added. – Part of the “Lost Jaguars Collection” of Thomas Hendricks, who intended to restore this Works-built 120 but never got to it. One of three built for potential use at Le Mans, just in case the new C-Type wasn’t ready (it was). Built with standard running gear and chassis but with ultra-lightweight aluminum bodies by Abbey Panels. Purchased by West Coast distributor Charles Hornburg along with LT2 and raced as “XK120 Silverstones.” Phil Hill drove this chassis to a class win at Elkhart Lake in 1951, to a third place finish at Palm Springs, and to a fifth place finish at Pebble Beach in 1952. Also raced by John von Neumann. Later sold on and had a C-Type cylinder head fitted. Scruffy but straight and complete alloy body, although trim is missing throughout. Interior is almost completely gone. Oxidized and dirty underneath. Cobwebs still in the wheel spokes. It needs everything, but it deserves everything. – It takes some explaining to see why this car, which is a basket case condition-wise, sold for over four times as much as a regular XK 120 roadster in concours condition would. But not a whole lot. There were only ever just three of these “LT” cars and just two exist, including this one. That makes it just as rare as a C-Type Lightweight, or eight times as rare as an XKSS, so this really was a possibly once in a lifetime buying opportunity for serious Jag collectors. Combine that with the factory motorsports connection and the US race history, and this price begins to make a lot of sense, at least to a Jag fanatic. Let’s hope we see it finally restored (at great cost) and back on the race grid in a few years’ time.

Lot # 174 1959 Lister-Jaguar Sports Racing Two Seater; S/N BHL125; Dark Green/Black; Estimate $600,000 – $800,000; Competition car, original as-raced 4- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $700,000 plus commission of 10.71%; Final Price $775,000. – RHD. 3,781/300hp D-Type factory engine, triple Webers, 4-speed, alloy wheels, Dunlop tires, Smiths gauges. – The fourth Costin-bodied Lister, successors to the earlier “Knobbly” Listers. Campaigned first with Chevy and later with Jaguar power in period in Britain. Last ran in 1973. Displayed and started over the years but last sold in the 1970s. Dull, cracked paint. Scratched and cracked windows. The wheels are a little beat up but not bad. Oxidized and dirty underneath. It’s a beautiful car even as rough as it looks, and worth putting back on track. – With Brian Lister’s tubular chassis and Jaguar’s XK engines (or, later, Chevrolet V8s), Listers were the cars to beat in late 1950s sports car racing, often beating better-funded efforts from the likes of Aston Martin. With either the factory “Knobbly” bodywork or this more slippery shape by Frank Costin, Listers are common sights today screaming and sliding their way around the track at the Goodwood Revival. The price for this one is far from a bargain, but it bought a very authentic car with no serious issues, and it’s eligible for some of the world’s great vintage racing events where it can go toe to toe with cars that cost several times as much. Not a bad value if you look at it that way.

Lot # 180 1928 Mercedes-Benz 630K La Baule Torpedo Transformable, Body by Saoutchik; S/N 38513; Engine # 60793; Blue, Light Blue tonneau/Red leather, Moiré cloth; Estimate $800,000 – $1,000,000; Not viewed in detail; 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $660,000 plus commission of 10.76%; Final Price $731,000. – Offered by Bonhams here two years ago where it failed to sell on a reported high bid of $850,000.

Lot # 181 1973 BMW 3.0CS Coupe; S/N 2240623; Engine # 2240680; German Silver Metallic/Blue leather; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $77,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $86,800. – 2,986/180hp, Weber carburetors, 4-speed, Alpina wheels, Nardi steering wheel, power sunroof and windows, owner’s manual, tool kit. – Believed to be [sic] 45,075 miles from new. Older quality restoration, now with signs of use. Cracked taillight. Some rub marks to the paint at the front of the car and scratches to side trim. Leather is dry. A solid but used driver with an indifferent quality restoration and plenty of miles. – This 3.0CS is not as nice as it wants to be and it brought a healthy price for its condition regardless of how much drivel was heaped upon it in the catalog. It is, however, reputed to be a California car from new which means that after stripping the old paint it has a good chance of being a solid basis for a cosmetic redo.

Lot # 184 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III LWB 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N LCEL53; Engine # CL26E; Black/Red; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Not viewed in detail; 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $53,760. – Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2002 for $43,700 and apparently little used since then.

Lot # 187 1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 66-A 7-passenger Touring; S/N 14656; Engine # B43105; White, Black fenders/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Not viewed in detail; 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $95,200. – Offered by Bonhams at Greenwich in 2019 where it failed to sell on a reported high bid of $130,000.

Lot # 188 1962 Maserati 5000GT Coupe, Body by Allemano; S/N AM103028; Black/Red leather; Estimate $500,000 – $800,000; Visually maintained, largely original 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $375,000 plus commission of 11.33%; Final Price $417,500. – 4,941/325hp, Lucas injection, ZF 5-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Avon tires, Blaupunkt pushbutton radio, woodrim steering wheel. – One of 32 built. Dirty engine and signs of corrosion underneath. Decent but older paint and chrome, and there is surface rust at the bottom of some of the wheel spokes. The paint looks worse at the back, and it looks like some sort of corrosive material ruined a bit of the paint below the trunk lid. Lovely interior with lightly wrinkled upholstery. Presentable, but has never received serious restorative work and could really use some. – Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2004 for $225,000 and it was in good recently restored shape then. The intervening 19 years have not been kind to it, although collectors’ impression of the 5000GT have grown over time. Its neglect is a sad fact and the consignor should be happy to get this much for a car that will keep a specialist shop in high cotton for months trying to bring it back to life.

Lot # 189 1921 Sunbeam 24/60 4-pass. Tourer, Body by Brewster; S/N 7046B; Engine # B7066; Silver/Parchment; Beige cloth top; Estimate $65,000 – $85,000; Not viewed in detail; 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $58,240. – Offered by Bonhams at the Simeone Museum in 2019, a no-sale on a high bid of $64,000.

Lot # 190 1985 Modena Spyder California Ferris Bueller’s Ferrari Roadster; S/N AZ218752; Red/Tan; Black top; Estimate $350,000 – $450,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $280,000 plus commission of 11.79%; Final Price $313,000. – Ford 302/165hp, automatic, wire wheels, two mirrors, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, Jaeger gauges, Alpine cassette. – One of the cars built to look like a Cal Spider for Ferris Bueller’s day off. Even in 1986, real ones were too valuable to whip around and, in this movie’s case, roll out a window and crash in the woods. Average paint on fiberglass body. Dull brightwork. Some scrapes on the steering wheel. Some mild cracks in the leather. Although the transmission is an auto, there’s still an open gate shifter as if it wasn’t. Presents like an average kit car, but this thing is also a movie star although it is believed to have been built as a promotional display and never used in the movie with the Ford V-8 added later. – Built by a company called Modena Design & Development, this car has a working man’s Ford 302 instead of a silky V-12, but ironically these phony Ferraris built for the film are probably more famous than any of the real Cal Spiders even though they’re aptly described as a “Fauxarri”. They’ve come to market before, with one selling in 2010 for £79,600 ($96,340), two in 2018 for $396,000 and $407,000, and one last December for $377,000. It’s all a lot of money for a fake, but still a fraction of the eight-figure price tag on a real Cal Spider, and in the world of ’80s movie cars isn’t all that expensive. Just look at the $2M Porsche 928 from Risky Business.

Lot # 192 1912 Crane Model 3 Sport Landau, Body by F.R. Wood & Son; S/N 25; Red/Red; Estimate $180,000 – $220,000; Not viewed in detail; 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $150,000. – Offered here in 2021 by Bonhams, no-saled on a reported high bid of $240,000.

Lot # 193 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 Coupe; S/N 1G1YZ23J8L5802613; Bright Red/Red leather; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $57,120. – 350/375hp, 6-speed, manuals and original ZR1 owner extras. – 4,634 miles. Very good original finish with little use showing. The engine compartment is very clean and original. The interior has some visible wear to the driver seat but is otherwise excellent. A striking, original first-year ZR1. – A strong but realistic result given the mileage on this early ZR1. It got a lot more attention here than it did last year on Hemmings, where it sold for a modest $35,175 through an online auction. Put away when new with minimal miles, this ZR-1 a generation after it was sold is still not worth what was paid for it in 1990.

Photo courtesy Bonhams

Lot # 194 1986 Aston Martin V8 Volante; S/N SCFCV81C74TL15412; Engine # V5805412LFM; Regent Grey/Grey leather; Black top; Estimate $80,000 – $140,000; Unrestored original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $170,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $190,400. – 5,340/300hp, Weber carburetors, ZF 5-speed, BBS wheels, Goodyear Eagle GT tires. – Represented as matching numbers. Front valence cracked, taillight lenses slightly discolored, paint and brightwork showing age. Top is torn and leather seats mildly worn. Driver’s door is missing lock cartridge. First registered in Greenwich, CT but later exported to Italy and has been mostly sitting for the past 12 years, an original Volante showing careful ownership. – Impressively preserved while exhibiting consistent care and attention throughout its life, this V8 Volante carries a meaningful premium for preservation and for the appeal of the open top bodywork.

Lot # 195 1960 Facel Vega Excellence 4-Dr. Hardtop; S/N B106; Engine # TY7187; Gold, Charcoal/Red; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Visually maintained, largely original 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $38,080. – 383/360hp Chrysler wedge, single 4-barrel, TorqueFlite, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, suicide rear doors, factory radio. – US delivered, one of 154 built. Faded, scratched chrome with a large dent in the front bumper. The badge on the nose is missing, leaving old glue in its place. Paint looks good from a distance but shows some cracks up close. Imperfect gaps. Surface rust underneath. Cracked steering wheel and worn switchgear but decent interior. An inherently captivating automobile, but this car hasn’t embodied the term “Excellence” in many, many years. Needs a lot, as do the other Facel Vegas on offer here. – It’s a rare, very handsome automobile for not much money even if it is quite rough. At this price it might even be close to economical to restore it. The Chrysler bits will be reasonably easy to source. The Facel Vega-specific bits, on the other hand, won’t and this is a daunting project that will probably end in tears.

Lot # 198 1960 Mercedes-Benz 0319B Panoramique Bus; S/N 319070000632; White, Blue/Blue, Red vinyl; Estimate $130,000 – $150,000; Truck restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $112,000. – 1,897/105hp, 4-speed, Firestone wide whitewalls, Webasto sunroof, four-row seating. – Extensively restored within the last five years. Imperfect gaps. Orange peel in the paint. Dirty wheels and tires. Modern rear seats with city bus upholstery just look wrong in there, but otherwise the interior looks nice. Clean engine. Tidy underneath. Loose rubber around the windows on the roof. Set up as a sort of group tour bus but perfect for road tripping and #vanlife if you feel like yanking them out. – Objectively, six figures for this old van makes little sense. You could buy a brand new Mercedes Sprinter and do a decent job decking it out for much less. But where’s the fun in that? Consider, also, this Mercedes against the old VW buses that bring so much money these days. The Mercedes is faster, more usable, way rarer, no less charming and even boasts just one fewer window than a 23-window Samba, but it’s no more expensive. That’s called “rationalizing”, but at least the gas engine (shared with the 190SL) isn’t a particulate-spewing diesel. It will be a hit in the infield at Sebring or Road America.

Lot # 199 1971 Porsche 914/6 Targa; S/N 9141430383; Engine # 6414137; Signal Orange, Black/Black vinyl; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Recent restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $132,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $148,400. – 1,991/110hp, 5-speed, Fuchs wheels, pushbutton radio. – Matching numbers. Previously owned by Chip Ganassi. Fully restored to like new condition and gorgeous top to bottom, inside and out. There is a large blister near the radio antenna, but that’s the only real flaw. The 60,937 miles showing are believed to be original. – This car was reported sold at Russo and Steel Monterey in 2017 for $115,500. That was a monumental result at the time and appreciation for 914s, especially excellent condition six-cylinder models like this, has only grown since then. The days of 914s being considered ugly ducklings and not “real” Porsches are way past us. Six-figures is what it takes to buy a really good 914/6 these days, and this one exceeded expectations even taking its good color and stellar condition into account.

Lot # 200 1921 Stutz Model K Bulldog 4-Passenger Tourer; S/N 10348; Engine # 10304; Ochre, Black fenders/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $65,000. – RHD. 361/80hp T-head four, 3-speed, black wire wheels, suicide front doors, spotlight, Boyce MotoMeter, woodrim steering wheel, dash clock, dual rear-mounted spares. – Old paint. Aged brightwork, particularly around the windshield. Dry, cracking leather. Tidy but aged underneath. Needs nothing obvious to enjoy as-is, or could be restored somewhat easily for show duty. It’s hard not to like a car with a name like Bulldog. – Neither is it hard not to like a 4-seat touring car with the drivetrain and underpinnings of the Stutz Bearcat, which is what this is. I’ve driven a Bulldog, and it is exhilarating with plenty of power, even more torque and sprightly performance. This Bulldog has a long history, being sold from the Short Collection by Bonhams in the U.K. in 2011 for $79,560, then by Gooding at Pebble Beach in 2013 for $126,500 and RM at Amelia in 2015 for $104,500. Its older restored condition is now aged but this Stutz bought for any number reasonably between its high bid here of $65,000 and the low estimate of $90,000 would be a joy and constant source of satisfaction

Lot # 201 1972 Stutz Blackhawk Coupe; S/N 2K52Y2P184740; Silver/Black leather; Estimate $75,000 – $125,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $53,760. – 455/425hp Pontiac engine, automatic, chrome wire wheels, Nardi steering wheel, sunroof. – General wear throughout, but nothing seriously wrong consistent with the 20,812 miles represented as from new. There are scratches to the door handles and stress cracks at nearly all the window corners. The interior is very nice with minimal use. Originally delivered to M.F. Mickelson. – Among the better known and better built neoclassics, the Stutz Blackhawk was a favorite among celebrities including Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, and Johnny Cash. This one’s first owner wasn’t famous but anybody who could buy a new Stutz in the ’70s was rich, and he built a fortune in the computer hardware business. He reportedly paid $38,550, which is over a quarter million dollars adjusted for inflation. In 2023, however, around 50 grand is a reasonable price for one without celebrity cachet. RadWood awaits.

Lot # 202 1968 Jaguar XKE SI.5 Roadster; S/N 1E17550; Engine # 7E8853-9; Red/Black; Black top; Estimate $130,000 – $160,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $95,000. – 4,235/237hp, triple Weber 45DCOE carburetors, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, aftermarket stereo, woodrim steering wheel, comes with the original intake and carburetors, wheels and JDHT certificate. – Restored in 2015 and still presenting very nicely. Paint done to high standard with a few marks and chips to the hood. Chrome still looks fresh, and the interior is crisp. The engine bay is neat and tidy. Some light scratches to the rear view mirror and some slight misalignment on passenger’s door weather stripping are the only items of note and the bodywork panels are impressively consistent and well-aligned. – 265hp is what Jaguar claimed for the triplex SU carbureted 4.2 but this engine’s 6-throat Weber engine dynoed at only 237hp. Did Jaguar exaggerate? Probably. Either way this promises to be a satisfying Series one-and-one-half with the pure bodywork of the SI and the gearbox and functional changes of the SII. The reported high bid must have come from an opportunistic bottom-feeder and was reasonably declined.

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  1. Reply

    FYI – that F40 was actually not the last-produced example for the US, despite Bonhams’ description. That tidbit was a sloppy copy-paste from when they auctioned the actual last US F40 (#93627) at Amelia 2015.

      • rickcarey1
      • April 11, 2023
      Reply

      GOOD CATCH, Andrew.
      It happens to us all: Get lazy, copy something I’ve done before and, bingo, its changed color hasn’t been updated.
      I’ll make a change.

      Rick

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