The only problem with doing this auction remotely is that it invites reviewing hours of professional video of the cars in the Festival of Speed, not in the Bonhams auction.
A cagey conclusion: The Goodwood Festival of Speed in July or the Goodwood Revival in September are events no one who loves competition cars should fail to attend. They are spectacular, with cars, mechanics, team owners and drivers who are both legends of the past and, like McLaren’s Lando Norris, legends of the future.
But, to the auction.
It was less than a barn-burner. Back in 2013 Bonhams had an 86% sale rate and $53.8 million in sales here. This sale’s performance has trended down since then, and the 2020 disruption by Covid-19 did nothing to help even though the 2021 Festival of Speed was fully populated with vaccinated old enthusiasts.
The 60.7% sale rate was the second lowest to 2016’s 59.6% for Bonham’s Goodwood auctions and while some of the results were healthy, none were exceptional even though several of the cars offered were, a) in really good condition; and b) had commendable histories. That was particularly true of the competition cars, of which there were many.
It was particularly disappointing that the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 TT3 didn’t sell, not in a market sense but more personally for those of us who consider the Tipo 33 in all its variations to be the pinnacle of Alfa competition since WWII. It’s a car that should be screaming its way around historic racing venues, mixing it up with Porsche 908s and Ferrari 312s.
Here are the numbers:
| Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Sold < Low Est | Sold > High Est | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ | Exchange Rate |
| 37/61 | 60.7% | 50.8% | 3.3% | $269,507 | $143,265
[53.2%] |
$9,971,773 | $1.3842 |
Chris Sharpe attended and reported 27 of the 61 lots. Five lots were bid to >$1million; three were sold for a total of $3,766,182. Photos are by Chris Sharpe. Lots are in lot number order.
Lot # 203 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Group A Rally; S/N 7A8GF090701004045; Blue/Black; Estimate $110,736 – $138,420; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $94,126. – RHD. 6-speed manual gearbox with Atlas internals, Carrillo con-rods, Omega pistons, heavy duty studs, Group A IHI turbo, Proflex suspension, Alcon brake kit/rotors/hats/calipers, ATL fuel cell and Bosch fuel pumps, ProDrive seats (currently removed and replaced by new in-date seats), new Willans harnesses, fire extinguishers, Coralba tripmeter, PBMS carbon foot-plates/door panels/map holder/Terratrip mount, Motec dash and data logger, flocked dash, Peltor intercom, Group A headlights, Hella 400 spotlights, Kevlar under-body protection and aluminium sump guard. Spares include an original ProDrive driver’s seat and an additional set of wheels. – Group A rally car, built by Possum Bourne Motorsport (PBMS) in New Zealand and driven by Possum Bourne in the 2002 FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), in which Bourne won three titles. Won the APRC Hokkaido Rally and finished second in the V-Rally International Alpine Rally, both in Japan. Rebuilt to its current specification in 2004 and last used in 2019, but represented as ready to race. It has good finish paint for a rally car and new decals. The sill jacking points have slight dents above the holes, and the rear bumper looks more tired than the rest of the bodywork. The glass is darkened to suit sunny rallies. The wheels are good but the tyres look older. The interior is holding up well with slight dust and petrol fumes. The carbon door cards with “Possum Bourne” etched in look superb. A usable modern historic rally car with some good history. – According to Bonhams, this WRX was built as close as possible to the specs of the Subarus built by ProDrive, which built the WRC-winning cars. So for someone who wants to channel their inner Petter Solberg on the rally scene but doesn’t want to pay for (or can’t find) a ProDrive WRC Subaru, this car represented a good value. No deal at Goodwood, though, as bidding was conservative but arguably fair on a car for which there are limited opportunities to use and high running costs.
Lot # 205 1962 Lotus Elite Coupe; S/N EB1611; Black/Black leather; Estimate $69,210 – $96,894; Older restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $62,289 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $71,632. – RHD. 1,198-cc Climax engine, dual Weber carburetors, ZF 4-speed gearbox, woodrim steering wheel, chrome wire wheels. – Represented as being in single ownership for 35 years until 2015. Fully restored in 1995 and further refurbished by the consignor, who bought it in 2015. The black paint finish is very good. The wheels, engine, and interior are all very clean. A straight, well cared for and honest Lotus with the more desirable ZF gearbox and extra grunt from the Weber carbs. – The Type 14 (aka the Elite) is a featherweight at barely 1100 pounds. Even the new Lotus Emira weighs nearly three times as much. Its novel fiberglass monocoque construction, combined with potent engines and independent suspension (transverse wishbones at the front and Chapman struts at the rear), made the Elite a genuine pocket rocket. Despite numerous class wins at Le Mans, Elites have a reputation for being fragile and of the 1000 or so cars built there aren’t a ton of Elites left. This is a solid and well-configured example, but after a £65,000 ($84,050) no-sale at the Bonhams Goodwood Speedweek sale last October, the seller cut his losses and let the car go. It’s a modest result for a well-restored ZF-shifting Elite, and the new owner has a heck of a lot of car for the money.
Lot # 207 1966 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe; S/N DB52212R; Engine # 4002206; Autumn Gold/Deep Red Connolly leather; Estimate $692,100 – $830,520; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $609,048. – RHD. 3,995/282hp, 5-speed ZF gearbox, chrome wire wheels, power steering, air conditioning, tool roll and radio manual, pushbutton radio. – Represented as a matching numbers car built in July 1966, which was several months after DB5 production officially ended but the reason for this car’s construction is unknown. Restored in the mid-1980s in its original colours and with the engine rebuilt at the factory in 1995 with a replacement block stamped to the original number. Good older paint that is holding up well other than some small bubbles on a leading edge of the drivers’ front wheel arch. The surface lacquer is also peeling on the driver’s rear quarter wing top area. Good chrome work is let down by dusty wheels and marks on the knock-ons. The rear lights are due for a refresh, and the headlamps have dust ingress. Good grille with minor imperfections. The seat leather trim is top quality but aged and sagging. The carpets are similar. The engine fares better and looks well-maintained. This is a driver-quality DB5 in unusual but intriguing colours. – What’s also intriguing is this DB5’s build date, but there’s no confirmed story there that would actually make the car more desirable or valuable. The bidders weren’t generous with this car recognizing it for the flawed car with a replacement block that it is. But they were fair, and at the reported high bid it could have gone to a new home.
Lot # 208 1931 Bugatti Type 49 Open Tourer, Body after Van Vooren; S/N BC149; Black/Grey; Estimate $276,840 – $346,050; Older restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $235,314. – RHD. 3,257cc SOHC inline-8 with three valves per cylinder and twin-plug ignition, downdraft carburetor looks like a U.S. Stromberg 2-barrel, enlarged radiator, Cotal electromagnetic 4-speed gearbox (Lot 208A is Bugatti Type 49 gearbox number 24), cast alloy vane type wheels, part fabric body, three driving lights, Van Vooren style Weymann-type coachwork. – This Type 49 Bugatti is well known and much loved in UK club events. The chassis rails and main components were located in Switzerland and built by HH Posner. The engine came from New York and has been rebuilt by S Longland-Hart in Suffolk. The 4-speed gearbox is of the Cotal electromagnetic type, which allows gear changing even under full throttle. You would have to describe the bodywork as in average condition but it’s honest. The cast alloy wheels are an incredible design with their cooling air scoops. The chassis has been altered but looks strong with only minor surface corrosion. The original sections that were removed to shorten the wheelbase are kept with the car. A used and patinated car made up from bits of this and bits of that but recognized by a Bugatti Owner’s Club chassis number, a usable Bugatti for events. – Disappointing utilitarian coachwork with a rear body section that looks like a pickup truck bed and many issues with the car’s assorted bits from here and there. Proven on many events, though, and respectable but came up a bit short in the bidders’ eyes.
Lot # 209 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition Coupe; S/N WDD1993761M0011241; Crystal Antimon Grey Metallic/Black leather; Estimate $249,156 – $332,208; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $346,050 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $397,958. – LHD. 5,439/641hp supercharged V-8, AMG SPEEDSHIFT R 5-speed automatic transmission with three manual modes, 19-inch light-alloy wheels, Sensotronic Brake Control brake-by-wire system with carbon-ceramic discs, full leather, scissor lift doors, 722 badges. – With the same owner since late 2007. Showing 4,998 miles and still looks just about new but dormant for some time and does not start. 20% VAT if it stays in the U.K. – The 722 Edition of the SLR McLaren was introduced in 2006, with “722” being a nod to the starting number of the legendary Stirling Moss/Denis Jenkinson 300 SLR that won the 1955 Mille Miglia. The 722 Edition wasn’t just badges and a few extra digits on the price tag (£32,500, to be exact), as it came with a more powerful engine, lighter wheels, improved suspension, a lower ride height, bigger brakes, and tweaked aerodynamics. Today, 722 Editions understandably command a hefty premium over the base cars, but in general SLR McLarens are valued considerably lower than most of their hypercar peers from the 2000s. Although this SLR would have cost about £350,000 when new in 2007, this result is appropriate for it in 2021.
Lot # 211 1928 Maserati Tipo 26B Competition; S/N 35; Red/Red; Estimate $1,245,780 – $1,799,460; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; With Reserve; Post-block sale at $1,057,723 plus commission of 13.96%; Final Price $1,205,412. – RHD. 2,109/150hp supercharged straight-eight, 4-speed, finned drum brakes, replica alloy body, many early documents. – Sold new to Juan Augusto (aka John) Malcolm and thought to be the first Maserati imported into Argentina in 1928. A colourful character, his racing career and ownership overlapped with Fangio. This car has decent racing history in Argentina until 1938. Eventually rebodied, acquired partially restored by Corrado Cupellini in the late 90’s. Recently inspected by Maserati specialist Peter Shaw, he “considered that the chassis side rails and engine are substantially the originals.” The gearbox casing is newer with modified Fiat components. The bodywork is a more recent addition. The dark red paint is oil-stained from heat and use. The chassis is also painted dark red and looks well-preserved. The suspension looks well used and tired with minor surface corrosion. The friction dampers look due for replacement. The castle nuts and split pins on the chassis leg end will need to be changed. The painted wire wheels are dusty but look strong. The tyres appear fairly recent and in good order. The dash and controls look well used. The engine looks stained but has no obvious leaks. An interesting racer that will get you to all the best events. – Exactly how a much-raced old Maserati should be, historic raced and used with authentic and re-created patina that makes it ideal for further historic competition. This transaction was closed post-block and at a price that balances condition, originality and history with its performance and event eligibility.
Lot # 212 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Mk2 Coupe; S/N DB6MK24255R; Engine # 4004598VC; Canyon Pearl Red/Light beige; Estimate $221,472 – $304,524; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $311,445 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $358,162. – RHD. 3,995/325hp, triple 2-barrel Weber carburetors, ZF 5-speed gearbox, power steering, chrome wire wheels, Britax lap seat belts, pushbutton radio, woodrim steering wheel, power windows. – Aston Martin made 240 DB6 Mk2s and the Vantage specification is distinctive for its wider wheels and flared arches. This example was restored in the 1980s and was a Concours winner in its early years, plus it has known service history from new. The resprayed paint is quite new and good generally but has suffered a lacquer issue on the driver’s rear wing top. The exterior trim has been refitted without an update. The front grille is superb, perhaps a replacement or very thoroughly refurbished. The tinted glass is unmarked. The chrome work is good. The wheels have road dust. There is age to the leather with creases and slight soiling, and the carpets are similar. Reportedly has a sticking brake master cylinder. A great tourer that could easily be improved. Dormant for some time and will need recommissioning. 5% duty if it remains in the UK. – This DB6 has all the good stuff like Webers and ZF 5-speed that make it a sought after collector car but it’s not presented at its best and no small amount of work will be needed before it can be enjoyed on the road. The bidders didn’t seem to care, however, and paid a price that put a premium on its specifications and appearance while ignoring what it needs to be roadworthy. The seller should be supremely happy with this result.
Lot # 214 1993 Ruf Porsche RCT Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ96ZNS400165; Midnight Blue Pearl/Grey leather; Estimate $262,998 – $304,524; Visually maintained, largely original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $207,630. – RHD. 3,600/370hp Ruf 6-speed manual gearbox, bespoke Speedline alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, Ruf designed suspension, Ruf exhaust system, aerodynamic package, front spoiler, large rear wing, air conditioning, Becker Mexico stereo, electric sunroof. – This RCT (Ruf Carrera Turbo) is described as having a unique and known history. It was delivered new to the UK as a standard Carrera 2 but went to Ruf to be fitted with the turbocharged RCT engine and other Ruf upgrades. Also served as Ruf’s first demonstrator for the UK. Engine rebuilt at 51,000 in 2000, and currently showing 60,351 miles which are represented as from new. The front bumper has a vertical crack line. The alloy wheels look freshly refurbed but, through the spokes, the brakes look all-original and aged. The leather interior looks original in superb order for the mileage. – Although Porsche hasn’t built the 964-generation 911 since 1993, there are more people “reimagining” (aka customizing) 964s than ever these days. Ruf, however, is one of the oldest Porsche tuners of them all and it actually never stopped building the RCT. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Ruf’s own website reads. For about $425,000 you can have a “new” one, at least after you supply your own donor car. That makes even Bonhams’ high estimate for this used but tidy RCT seem like a decent deal. It was also £150,000 no-sale (about $194,000 at the time) at RM London 2018, but it was reasonable for the consignor to expect at least a few more bids this time around.
Lot # 216 1935 Aston Martin 1 1/2 Litre Mark II Short Chassis Tourer; S/N L4528S; Claret/Black; Estimate $276,840 – $346,050; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $193,788. – RHD. 1,495/56hp, 3-speed, all wheel cable drum brakes, wire wheels, single sidemount spare, radiator mascot, headlight stoneguards, folding windshield, rear-mounted spare. – Originally supplied to the UK then residing in the Pate Museum Collection in Cresson, Texas until June 2010. Purchased at the Pate auction by the current vendor the car has had the engine and all mechanicals rebuilt at Ecurie Bertelli totalling almost £50,000 and are dated from 2011-2014. A stainless steel exhaust and all-new chrome were fitted. The car has covered only 2,000 miles since this restoration. The coachwork has very good modern paint. The chassis and leaf springs are painted matte black. There’s a little water staining around the suspension and exhaust but this is England. The manifold chromed flex-hoses have a little surface corrosion. The chrome is good with only the finest of swirls. The wheels are good with some road dust. The large finned drum brakes are impressive. The engine is tidy and well kept. The interior has superb quality leather and good carpeting. The tonneau cover needs a clean. A good presentation for a desirable sports tourer. – Sold for $187,000 (£129,000 at the time) at RM’s Pate Collection auction in 2010 and extensively refurbished since then at no small expense, the seller had good reason to anticipate more than this bid for a quality Aston that is ready to hit the road. The high bid is only £140,000 and the car attracted only five bids, a surprising lack of interest for a sweet and pretty car.
Lot # 219 2005 Ferrari 575M Superamerica Convertible, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFGT61C000144215; Nero Daytona/Black leather; Estimate $622,890 – $830,520; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $456,786 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $525,304. – RHD. 5,748/533hp, 6-speed manual, sports exhaust, light adjustable electrochromic retractable glass panel roof, five-spoke modular alloy wheels, yellow calipers, Scuderia shields, Limited Edition badging, – Ferrari’s fastest convertible with a 199-mph top speed, and one of just 559 Superamericas. Also a UK-delivered right-hand drive car with a 6-speed manual (one of 5 cars so-equipped), so this is a rare car indeed. Currently showing 22,086 miles and represented with the same owner since 2007. Last serviced in 2017 and less than 300 miles ago. The headlight covers show some small stone hits. The black leather seats only have slight wear on the driver’s bolster, but everything else is holding up superbly. The wheels are clean but the tyres are worn. A used but desirably configured example of one of the most desirable Ferraris built in this century. – While this car does show some light wear and has more miles than some collectors might want, that third pedal counts for a lot on modern Ferraris and it brought a big premium over what other flappy paddle 575 Superamericas have sold for recently. In dollar terms the premium seems a little bigger than it actually is thanks to the current exchange rate, but the premium is still there nonetheless.
Lot # 220 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Ellena Berlinetta, Body by Ellena; S/N 0817GT; Red metallic, Silver roof/Tan leather; Estimate $968,940 – $1,245,780; Older restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $618,737 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $711,548. – LHD. 2,953/280hp Colombo V-12, triple 36 DCL Webers, 4-speed, Marchal headlights and grille-mounted fog lights, Borrani wire wheels. – Represented as the 25th of 50 cars clothed by Carrozzeria Ellena (successor to Carrozzeria Boano). First registered in Rome and in Italian ownership until the 1970s, then went to the USA, then back to Europe in 2005. Restored by DK Engineering in the UK and given a new factory-supplied block. Ferrari Classiche Certification followed. Superb paint and panel fit showing the restoration was completed to an excellent standard. The driver’s door handle chrome is scratched and worn, which is commensurate with 16 years use since it was replated. Superb interior leather and good quality carpets that show slight soiling on the driver’s side only. The wheel knock-ons have some small marks. A genuine car that isn’t hiding anything and has been used as intended, but lightly. – This car sold pre-restoration for $141,000 at Bonhams Greenwich in 2005 and was a £120,000 ($187,100) no-sale at RM London 2008, but the early 250 GT Ferrari market has grown by leaps and bounds since then, especially for historically underappreciated models like the 250 Boano/Ellena. Here at Goodwood, it was unsold at a £490,000 high bid on the block but later settled at this £514,050 all-in result equivalent to a £447,000 hammer bid. It seems modest against Bonhams’ more-than-generous estimate range, but the last 250 GT Ellena sale we saw was for a more recently restored car that brought $671,000 through an RM “Online Only” auction in May.
Lot # 226 1955 AC Ace Roadster; S/N AE69; Engine # 100D21179; Pacific Green/Black leather; Black top; Estimate $346,050 – $415,260; Older restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $283,761. – RHD. 1,971/120hp believed factory replacement 100D2 engine in 1960, 4-speed with overdrive, woodrim steering wheel, spare wheel and used hammer, canvas tonneau cover, chrome wire wheels. – Built in 1955, before AC started selling Ace-Bristols, but according to Bonhams it went back to the factory in 1960 to have its current Bristol engine fitted. Owned since 1966 by Crosthwaite & Gardiner’s John Gardiner and his family and restored by him. With only 800 miles covered since restoration in 2007 this handsome sports has been very cossetted and it looks great for it. The fresh-looking paint is unmarked and the panel fit is exemplary. The exterior chrome is mint. The front badge looks original and is so over polished there’s no paint left on it, it’s worn smooth. The front grille is near perfect. There minor pitting to the headlight rims. The engine is clean but shows age from heat cycles and time. There’s a very recent radiator in matte black. The wheels and tyres are fresh. The seat leather and carpets are superb and look as good as new. A simply wonderful presentation, top marks. – Although this mostly gorgeous Ace didn’t leave the factory with the optional and more desirable 100D2 Bristol six, the reported high bid here is modest even for a base model AC-powered Ace in this condition and the decision to hold out for more was understandable although considering the history the reported high bid deserved serious consideration.
Lot # 227 2016 Ferrari 458 Speciale Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFF75VHT9F0208710; White, Black stripes/Black Alcantara, Yellow inserts; Estimate $304,524 – $387,576; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $249,156. – LHD. 4,497/597hp, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, carbon-ceramic brakes with yellow calipers, forged alloy wheels painted black, front and rear parking cameras, front and rear parking sensors, fire bottle, SF shields. Assembly No. 126541. – Delivered new to Bahrain then imported into the UK in March 2016. Represented with only 400 km with a full annual service history. Like new as one would expect. The driver’s seat has slight staining but only shows because of the light yellow colour when compared to the seemingly unused passenger’s seat. – Offered at Bonhams Bond Street auction in December 2019 with the same mileage where it no-saled at £210,000, $275,667 at the time but under a misread chassis number, ZFF78VHT9F0208710, with which it was also cataloged here but corrected with a saleroom notice. The bidders were even less taken with it today, which does not bode well for the seller’s expectations the next time it tries to be sold
Lot # 229 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible; S/N DB5C1512R; Caribbean Pearl Blue/Dark Blue Connolly leather; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $1,799,460 – $2,353,140; Cosmetic restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,273,464. – RHD. 3,995/280hp, 5-speed ZF gearbox, chrome wire wheels, power steering, alternator electrics, Sundym glass, tool roll, Motorola pushbutton radio and electric aerial, Lucas driving lights, Talbot wing mirrors. – Bought new by Peter Sellers in 1964, the year both “Dr. Strangelove” and “A Shot in the Dark” were released. He then sold it to the Earl of Snowdon, the photographer/filmmaker and husband of Princess Margaret. The Earl then gifted it to his son, now the 2nd Earl of Snowdon, as a 25th birthday present and it has since been used in numerous tours and rallies. Said to have had the first car phone in Britain but it isn’t currently fitted. Very good repaint with only the smallest of stone chips to the frontal area. The grille is the best I’ve seen fitted to a DB Aston. The wheels have silver sprayed spokes and polished rims, which is rare. The Talbot racing wing top mirrors don’t sit quite right on the front wing tops but they are a distinctive feature. There a slight water stains in the headlamp bowls. The interior is aging in nicely, and the carpets are good quality but not the original Wiltons. Well-maintained and certainly well-connected. – For Aston fans in Goodwood this year there were three DB6s, two DB5s, a DB4 Series IV, and a DB Mark III to choose from. But the most valuable and indeed one of the star cars of the whole auction was this DB5. As a DB5 convertible (one of 123 built) and configured in RHD it is already a serious car, but the connection to an A-list car-loving celebrity and the royal family make it a further standout. Then again, maybe not. Bidding opened at £800,000 and crawled to this £920,000 high bid, which is about right for the car’s condition and doesn’t account for the ownership history at all.
Lot # 230 2017 Lamborghini Aventador S LP740-4 Coupe; S/N ZHWEG4ZD3HLA06359; Grey metallic/Black leather, Alcantara inserts; Estimate $304,524 – $359,892; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $249,156. – RHD. 6,500/730hp, 7-speed ISR automated manual, four-wheel steering, permanent four-wheel-drive, carbon-ceramic brakes, lavishly optioned – UK market example with just 4900 miles and it has been just 500 miles since its last service. The paint is near perfect but the front bumper looks resprayed, maybe after a minor bump, and Bondo lines are evident to the naked eye. The wheels have lots of carbon dust but it will wash off. The driver’s seat bolster shows some wear but the interior is otherwise perfect. A barely used V-12 Lamborghini. – The Aventador S was revealed in late 2016, with the S LP740-4 Coupe representing an update to the first models, the 4 signifying not only four-wheel drive but also four-wheel steering. The starting price was around £225,000, so although this one has options and low miles, it could have gone to a new home at this reported high bid of £180,000.
Lot # 231 1972 Maserati Ghibli SS Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N AM115492472; Black/Black leather; Estimate $221,472 – $276,840; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $193,788 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $222,856. – RHD. 4,930/355hp V-8, quadruple Webers, 5-speed ZF manual transmission, leather seats, electric windows, alloy wheels, Pirelli P4000 tires, power steering, factory air conditioning, woodrim steering wheel, well documented including build sheets and complete ownership history including Adam Clayton of U2. – Desirable RHD 4.9 SS, represented as one of just eight built in righthand drive. Originally painted in Rosso Fuoco. Restored in the 1990s and repainted black under the current ownership. Very good recent paint with only minor swirls. The panel fit is very good for such big doors and hood. The exterior chrome follows suit with minor polishing lines. The passenger’s sill trim is clearly dinted [sic]. The wheels are good but the paint is slightly dull. Good leather with forgivable age creases. The interior retains some smell from petrol fumes. A hard-to-find configuration and only minor age on this lovely Maserati. – We watched this car remain a £175,000 ($226,293 at the time) no-sale at Bonhams’ Goodwood Speedweek auction just last October, where it was the second-to-last lot of the sale. At the time we noted that the bidders were probably hedging their bets while contemplating the cost of returning this Ghibli SS to its original Rosso Fuoco, and felt 
that offer should have been taken. We were right, but the seller wisely adjusted expectations and took this more modest but far from lowball offer for it.
Lot # 232 2006 Bentley Continental GTZ Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N SCBCE63W66C038781; Light green metallic/Dark green leather; Estimate $553,680 – $692,100; Cosmetic restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $470,628. – RHD. 6.0/552hp, twin turbo W-12, 6-speed semi-automatic transmission, permanent four-wheel drive, walnut and engine turned aluminium interior trims. – This car started as a standard Continental GT and was converted by Zagato in 2009. It now shows 8,600 miles. Clean exterior and a wonderfully sumptuous interior with just a hint of use on the driver’s seat bolster. Represented with a full service history. A rare car, lightly used and holding up well. – The Continental GTZ was conceived in a conversation between Bentley Motors Limited CEO Dr. Ing. Franz Josef Paefgen and Dr. Andrea Zagato, President of Zagato at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2006. Just nine examples were made. With its high rear haunches and double-bubble roofline, it follows Zagato’s traditional body lines even though this is a big car, and by Zagato standards looks a bit conservative. Although standard Continental GTs of the 2000s are surprisingly cheap these days (to buy, not to maintain), this car is in a different ballpark when it comes to exclusivity and value. It sold for £235,200 ($379,636 at the time) at RM’s London sale in 2014, and despite Bonhams’ generous presale estimate a bid that’s over £100,000 higher than that just five years later doesn’t seem too low.
Lot # 233 1959 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV Vantage Coupe; S/N DB4973R; Engine # 1171SS; Roman Purple/Grey leather; Estimate $415,260 – $553,680; Older restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $394,497 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $453,672. – RHD. 3,670/266hp, three SU carburetors, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, woodrim steering wheel, Motorola pushbutton radio, Webasto sunroof, DB4 GT instrument panel – One of around Vantage-spec DB4s made. In single-family ownership since 1970. Replacement engine 1171/SS in 1970. Nearly all receipts and documentation from new including extensive work and resprays in 2001 and the last in 2006. The paint is good generally although the colour is very subjective. There are minor chips to the front and the driver’s door edge is chipped quite badly. The front grille has minor corrosion and marks, but the exterior chrome has been replated recently to a high standard. The pull-back Webasto sunroof looks tired. The seat coverings and carpets are either original or just very old and they are completely shot, cracked and worn. Though some people like patina, this interior just looks a bit rough. The fustiness adds to the need for a retrim. The wheels are good but dusty. The engine is tidy enough but with corrosion on the manifolds from storage. A very honest car that needs some affection. – Although bidding opened at just £200,000 the biding moved rapidly through twelve more bids to this result, a fine compromise among specifications, history, replacement engine and condition that is a reasonable result for both the buyer and the seller.
Lot # 234 Ferrari Dino 246/60 Formula 1; S/N 0011; Rosso Corsa/Light Blue cloth; Estimate $1,245,780 – $1,799,460; Competition restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,176,570 plus commission of 13.76%; Final Price $1,338,521. – 2,417cc four-cam V-6, three twin-choke Weber 42DCN carburettors, dry sump oil lubrication, 4-speed, Dunlop disc brakes, woodrim steering wheel, wire wheels, race harness, fire extinguisher. – Represented as out of long-term storage, owned by Corrado Cupellini and in running but long-displayed and not run condition. Built to its current configuration in the late 1970s for Corrado Cupellini, who used in historic racing during the 1980s. The engine and mechanicals are from different years on this Dino, and its chassis has been through different iterations and stamping codes, so Bonhams has been careful not to claim too much, not even its eligibility for FIA historic racing. There is also another similar era chassis included in the lot which is claimed another racer could be built from. The bodywork is a later addition and sits right with all the correct proportions. The paint finish is good and in a wonderfully bright and correct shade of red, but upon closer inspection there are some small bubbles appearing on the panel work. The wheels are dusty but solid, and the knock-ons are somewhat marked. The small Perspex windscreen is cracked, perhaps from entry and exit. The steering wheel is a very small diameter and certainly a later addition. Generally a well-presented racer and certainly gorgeous, but there is the question of authenticity here that the market will answer. – The word “believed” figures frequently in the description of this Dino 246, from describing the engine to the chassis. The 0011 chassis number was used several times by Ferrari leaving even the most diligent chassis number anoraks scratching their heads. What is known, however, is that it is one of few survivors of this period and comes with a generally accepted 246/59 bare chassis frame. That’s a lot of potential and whether with this frame or with the /59 frame it is a potentially valued entrant from the early Dino front-engined F1 period. The bidders thought so, too, with this handsome price. And it looks great, too.
Lot # 238 1928 Bugatti Type 40 Torpedo Sports, Body by Duval; S/N 40557; Engine # 495; Blue, Black fenders/Red leather; Estimate $276,840 – $346,050; Unrestored original 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $207,630. – RHD. 1,496cc four, 4-speed gearbox, Duval coachwork, black painted wire wheels, radiator stoneguard, Magondeaux headlights, two oval side mirrors, single sidemounted spare, Jaeger Roman numeral instrumentation plus modern Monit time trial digital clock/stopwatch. – Represented with a nearly complete ownership history and with original coachwork by either Maleyre or Duval, although Bonhams credits Duval. Believed to be completely original (body, chassis, engine, axles, gearbox), which is a big plus for a classic Bugatti. Aged paint but with very good panel fit. The front wings are formed over the chassis rails beautifully. The headlamps are yellowing but that’s fine. The wheels and suspension bare all the signs of originality and time. The wood dashboard looks like a later addition, but the original steering wheel and controls are sublime. The leather seat and door card covers may or may not be original they are so wonderfully matured they are perfect for this car. The engine was rebuilt in the mid-2000s and the top end gone through in 2015. It may not be the Bugatti’s most desirable model or wear the finest coachwork, but this is a well-mellowed and charming car that is eligible for a lot of great events. – While the Type 40 is not Bugatti’s most exciting model, and this coachwork isn’t the most attractive, all in all this is a modest offer that fails to take into account originality, preservation and the potential for active use in some of the most enjoyable events and tours. Bidding was sparse, however, with only four announced bids at the venue displaying a distinct lack of interest which is unfortunate.
Lot # 240 1936 Riley 1 1/2-Litre TT Sprite Competition Sports; S/N 22T1750; Blue/Black leather; Estimate $276,840 – $415,260; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $249,156 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $286,529. – RHD. 1,498/52hp with dual SU carbs, 4-speed, competition chassis, larger drum brakes with new brake cooling ducts, quick release Le Mans fuel cap, painted wire wheels, single aero screen, fire extinguisher, faired in rear view mirror, Jaeger instrumentation, long tail, cycle fender body, FIA papers. – A Works racer chassis that has in-period racing history at Le Mans, the French Grand Prix, and RAC Tourist Trophy. Sold initially to France and stayed there until 1965 when Henry Geary, the former Riley Competitions Department and ‘AVC 19’ mechanic, found it. Henry reunited the chassis with the original body and spent his last years restoring the car. His daughter then finished the project in 2009. Reunited with the original body and many of the Riley competition parts in 2019. This Sprite still has its original four-cylinder engine and had a recent gearbox overhaul. This racer makes a great first impression. There are some chips and minor corrosion but it adds to the character. The wheels look freshly painted and the tyres are good. The suspension and brakes look well-maintained with new brake air cooling duct scoops as a recent addition. The seat leather is used but good. The steering wheel, controls, and instruments all present well. The engine bay and exposed chassis are in very good order with most surfaces polished or painted. Comes with its first French body built for Pierre Ferry. An enticing, usable historic racer. – An unusually historic race car, reasonably successful in the Thirties and eligible for pretty much any event the owner wants to enter. Its condition is perfect for a competition car: good enough to be presentable but not so good it can’t be driven with verve and confidence. Loose and selling at a bid of £170,000 in a contest between phone and internet bidders with the phone bidder ultimately successful with this £180,000 bid, £207,000 with commission. The successful bidder really is successful as this is an historic, highly desirable Riley bought for a realistic price.
Lot # 241 1972 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 TT3 Sports Prototype; S/N AR11572010; Red, White/Black; Estimate $2,491,560 – $3,045,240; Competition restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,799,460. – RHD. 2,998/440hp 4-cam V-8, 5-speed transaxle gearbox, tubular spaceframe chassis with aluminium body and substructure, fire system, chromed roll hoop, deep magnesium alloy race wheels with Avon semi-slick racing tyres, rear-mounted modern led centre rain light, white powder coated twin central exhaust, high mounted rear view mirror. Comes with period spares and the original 1972 Le Mans engine block. – An Autodelta/works car entered at the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans. Driven by Andrea de Adamich and Nino Vaccarella to a fourth place finish behind two works Matras and a Porsche 908LH, despite losing an hour in the pits with clutch trouble and a minor crash that damaged the nose. Sold on to a British racer who used it at Brands Hatch before selling it on to Pink Floyd manager Steve O’Rourke. It then passed through a few more hands, including a spell in Japanese collections, and the car has survived with a lot of original components and panels. The chassis appears strong and true. The paintwork has a good finish for a racer. The headlamp covers look recent and are unmarked. There are some stone chips on the bonnet edge but nothing more. The engine has been race service refreshed in 2020. The driver’s headrest restraint looks deflated. The wheels are freshly painted. Wheel balance weights are stuck on secured traditionally covered in gaffer’s tape. The engine bay looks smart and the chassis looks well protected. The exterior smacks of history and race use with all the mechanicals looking smart and well-presented but as with any race car, a thorough examination and shakedown would be a good idea. – A factory race car surviving in such remarkably complete and well-preserved condition is rarely found. Bidding was active but came up well short of the consignor’s expectations, perhaps because there is another s/n 010, a Tipo 33 TT 12. This car was sold by RM at London in 2011 for $935,214 (£588,000 at the time) and other than regular maintenance and the 2021 engine refresh it remains in largely as-raced condition. The reported high bid here is not an insult to the car or its history.
Lot # 244 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Coupe; S/N DB63283R; Dawn Blue/Grey leather; Estimate $179,946 – $221,472; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; With Reserve; Post-block sale at $149,494 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $171,918. – RHD. 3,995/282hp, automatic, stainless steel wire wheels, pushbutton radio, woodrim steering wheel. – Unrestored and showing 83,156 miles represented as original from new. The body looks straight and true. There are imperfections in the older repaint but it is generally presentable. The chrome was replated at some point a while ago, as well. The interior looks original and genuine, which is getting rarer for these DB cars. The seat leather is creased and sagging slightly and the carpets are sun faded but the originality is pleasing. Its general appearance is of a car that has been used and enjoyed exactly as an Aston should. – Bid to £95,000 on the block and sold later at this result, an effective hammer bid of £108,000 and a sound value that recognizes its originality and preservation.
Lot # 246 1990 Ferrari F40 Berlinetta; S/N ZFFGJ34B000084104; Rosso Corsa/Red cloth; Estimate $1,107,360 – $1,661,040; Visually maintained, largely original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,072,755 plus commission of 13.94%; Final Price $1,222,249. – RHD. 2,936/478hp, 5-speed manual, original manuals and tool kit included. – One of only 78 Ferrari F40s built for the UK market as well as a more desirable, clearer breathing non-catalytic converter and non-adjustable suspension model. First owned by Sir Paul Vesty, who in turn sold it to the Earl of Mexborough in 1993. A claimed 17,789 km from new with full Ferrari service history including a 250-hour detailed restoration in 2015 and a cambelt change in late 2020. Superb paint finish with the carbon weave correctly showing through as it should on the early models. The alloys are slightly pitted. The engine looks exactly right for a 31-year-old F40. The rear quarter window has fine scratches which could potentially be polished out. The interior looks very well kept and the red seat cloth looks new with no marks at all. The impressive exhaust surfaces are shiny and polished. A good showing from an achingly gorgeous car. – With 1,315 examples produced the F40 isn’t exactly rare by the standards of Ferrari halo cars, but it is (forgive the automotive cliche) an icon and good examples have been (in dollar terms) seven-figure cars since the mid-2010s. This one is desirably configured, but even given its condition and mileage this is a modest result. Bidding opened at £700,000 and had a slow back and forth between the internet and a bidder in the room, the latter of whom won out with a successful hammer bid of £775,000.
Lot # 253 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Pack Volante; S/N SCFCV81V3KTL15790; Black Pearl/Light Tan leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $415,260 – $553,680; Older restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $387,576. – RHD. 5,341/432hp X-Pack engine upgraded by R.S. Williams to 7-litres, 5-speed, air conditioning, alloy wheels, tinted windows, full Connolly hide trim, wool carpets, power windows, power convertible top, black painted Nardi woodrim steering wheel. – One of 166 Vantage Volante V8s ever made, this example was originally delivered in left-hand drive to Monaco in Suffolk Red paintwork. Five months later it was returned to the factory and was converted to right-hand drive and from automatic to a manual transmission. In 2012 the car received a 7.0-litre R S Williams engine, new sills, a respray to its present colour, and a full retrimming. The paint finish is of very high quality and is holding up superbly with only one minor chip visible. The front grille trim is fading slightly. The wheels and tyres are perfectly fresh. The light tan leather is of the highest quality, simply incredible. The Wilton-type carpets follow suit. The throttle pedal is worn and is the only item on the car that shows genuine use. – This car sold for £387,900 (about $500,000 at the time) at the Bonhams Aston Martin sale in 2017. It’s still a great-looking, rare, fast car and Aston prices aren’t exactly lower than they were four years ago. Why it attracted just a handful of quiet bids on the block at Goodwood isn’t clear. It was the last Aston Martin of the auction, so maybe all the Aston fans had already left or spent their stash. Bid close to the low estimate, it is surprising that Bonhams couldn’t put the deal together.
Lot # 254 1983 BMW 635CSi E24 Group A Competition Coupe; S/N E24RA108; White, Red decals/Black; Estimate $193,788 – $249,156; Competition restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Post-block sale at $142,434 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $163,799. – LHD. 3,430/300hp, 100-litre fuel cell with dry break refueling connectors, race suspension dampers and brake calipers, split rim alloy wheels, race seat, harness, fire system, period dashboard and gauges, roll-cage, air jacks – This E24 635 is a genuine factory-built BMW Motorsport chassis with in-period European Touring Car Championship race history. Restored in 2017, and the bare chassis shell was dip-painted and reassembled to modern historic racing specification. Good paint and panel fit but as you would expect the driver’s door has been slammed shut a few too many times and needs some adjustment. The roll cage looks fresh and strong. The bare shell interior is mint and fresh bright white. The external trim has been poorly refitted after respray but on a race car it isn’t a big deal. The Cobra race seat looks new but there are strong petrol fumes in the cabin. The wheels look curiously old, like a set from storage that has been put back on to sell the car. An extra set of BBS wheels and Dunlop SP Sport tires come with the lot. – This BMW sold for €162,400 (£138,100, $172,063 at the time) at RM’s massive single collection Duemila Route sale in 2016. That was before its restoration and it was in aged, neglected condition and painted in an unusual green/yellow paint scheme. It also, remarkably, sold for over 14 times RM’s presale estimate. Bringing it back to life can’t have been a cheap project and letting it go at this price must have been a tough pill to swallow. Bidding was open on it for all of 25 seconds in Goodwood and closed at a reported bid of £110,000 but the car was reported sold post-block with this £102,900 effective hammer bid result. Duemila Route had many other seemingly irrational results (we called the transaction result for this BMW “preposterous”) that have generally come back to earth in subsequent transactions.
Lot # 261 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Convertible; S/N 11102712002926; Green/Beige leather; Beige top; Estimate $235,314 – $304,524; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $200,709. – LHD. 3,499/200hp, automatic, wheel covers, Becker Europa radio with modern Sony attached control unit, power windows. – 11,309 examples of the Mercedes-Benz 280 SE with the 3.5 V8 power plant. This one was imported from New York to the UK in 2010. Good paint with minor bubbles on some surfaces. The exterior chrome has been plated a while ago and has some imperfections. The wheel covers are clean and straight. The interior is this car’s best point, the retrimmed beige leather is simply wonderful. The carpets are clean as well, with only a bit of wear at the driver’s heel. The dashtop wood trim close to the windscreen is in good condition but the front of the dash has warped a bit and is misshapen. The instruments and controls all appear original and in good order. The hood, although packed away, looks good. A used but well cared for 3.5. – Even for a 280SE 3.5 cab that shows some wear and age the reported high bid is barely respectable.