Bonhams does, at least at the latest count, three auctions a year at Goodwood.
Two take primacy, the Festival in June-July and the Revival in September. These are high-zoot events with lavish manufacturer support, legions of drivers-you’d-love-to-meet and some of the most sublime racing and rally cars ever known (and a few that are delightfully obscure.)
The April Members’ Meeting is, to quote Monty Python’s Flying Circus, “something completely different.”
The Goodwood Members’ Meeting not about flash, it’s dedicated racers and enthusiasts looking for intriguing cars, many with competition histories.
This year’s Bonhams Goodwood Members’ Meeting auction had a good consignment of racing cars, but also a sizable contingent of intriguing but not-in-the-least competition cars including 29 lots from the Key Museum in Izmir, Turkey, many with earlier U.S. auction results that is informative of recent trends.
Here are the numbers:
Year | Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Sold < Low Est | Sold > High Est | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ | Exchange Rate |
2019 | 74/104 | 71.2% | 60.8% | 16.2% | $107,251 | $67,251
[62.8%] |
$7,936,553 | $1.3010 |
2018 | 76/106 | 71.7% | 47.4% | 18.4% | $66,513 | $44,819
[67.4%] |
$5,054,968 | $1.3919 |
2017 | 72/89 | 80.9% | 47% | 19.7% | $98,419 | $54,777
[55.7%’] |
$7,086,177 | $1.2372 |
2016 | 79/99 | 79.8% | 46.8% | 19% | $108,351 | $53,412
[49.3%] |
$8,559,709 | $1.4514 |
Chris Sharpe attended and made the on-site notes. The final content has been edited by Rick Carey who remains solely responsible for the presentation.
31 of the 104 lots are reported here, sorted by Lot Number.
Lot # 18 1967 Maserati Mistral 3.7 Spyder, Body by Frua; S/N AM109S069; Red/Black; Estimate $455,350 – $585,450; Recent restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $403,310. – 235bhp on Lucas mechanical fuel injection, twin-overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine, ZF five-speed gearbox, independent suspension at the front by wishbones and coil springs, live axle/semi-elliptic rear axle. – 50,396 miles from new. One of only 46 3.7-litre models. Current ownership of 30 years. Represented as a matching numbers car. Bumpers recently rechromed and a new hood. Recent mechanical thorough refurbishment. Body restored 20 years by McGrath Maserati including fitting new sills and a respray of the coachwork. Paintwork is 8 out of 10. Dirty wire wheels, hood frame is aged, dirtyish carpets. Quarterlight seals are worn through. Sun visors are saggy. Bit of a shame, a poorly presented car that deserves better. – It may be one of 46 3.7-liter Mistrals, but wouldn’t it be better to have a 4-liter? It’s encouraging that it still has the Lucas FI when so many have been converted to Webers, and the ZF 5-speed helps. The offer here reflects the disappointing presentation and should have been higher to be realistic.
Lot # 32 1924 Bentley 3-Litre Drophead Coupe ‘Simplex’, Body by H.J. Mulliner; S/N 747; White, Black fenders/Green leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $338,260 – $416,320; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $260,200. – Passenger side mounted spare, black painted wire wheels with 2 short prong knock-ons, B type 4 speed gearbox, negative earthed, 5 jet Smiths carburetor, fitted with the desirable 4.5 litre steering box. – Modified over the years with some swapped engine parts and the original body revised to 4-seats enclosed within the top from the original 2/4 rumble seat design. The paintwork is old, chipped on corners and cracked here and there. The chassis is dusty and there is oil on the sump. The brightwork is not over polished. The convertible top is aged. The interior looks well used but useable, with cracked and worn leather. Sound and usable but showing age and use. – “Age and use” are what a good Bentley 3-Liter should show, all in service of a wonderful driving experience. This is an appealing example made more usable by the coachwork revision. The reported high bid is reasonable for its condition and mixed-up configuration. It was offered by Coys at London in September 1992 where it was reported bid to $92,428 (GBP 52,000 at the time.)
Lot # 48 1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer, Body by Vanden Plas; S/N RL3428; Green, Black fenders/Green leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $780,600 – $1,040,800; Older restoration, 4+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $593,935 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $683,025. – Vanden Plas body, modified 15/50 rear axle, overdrive added, single exhaust silencer and interchangeable Young batteries, twin front shock absorbers, rear-mounted spare, – Represented as the original engine, gearbox, chassis and bodywork. Single family owned since 1939, documented by Dr. Clare Hay. The paintwork is pretty rough. There’s rust on the brake drums, surface corrosion on the chassis and flaking black paint along the exterior and under the side rails. The exhaust has corrosion on all areas but not rotten. The brightwork is unpolished. The windshield and convertible top frames are very scabbed and almost dangerous. The interior follows suit, very worn and used but serviceable. A true car with nothing to hide. Originally this Bentley had a fabric body but in 1963 the bodywork was restored and re-paneled in aluminium. In 1987 the engine and gearbox were rebuilt. After 10 years’ storage it was recommissioned in recent years. A very honest car, which clearly has nothing to hide. – When talking about patina this Bentley is a prime example of careful long term preservation and cherished use. It is a marvelous, honest, old Bentley that deserves every penny of the healthy price it brought. Restoration would obliterate its exceptional history, a disservice to the family who kept it in one piece and its preservation.
Lot # 49 1953 HAR Jaguar Formula Libre Monoposto; S/N 2; Red/Black; Estimate $65,050 – $91,070; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $71,555 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $82,288. – Jaguar XK six, triple side draft Webers, wire wheels, heat wrapped side mounted exhaust, torsion-bar front suspension, de Dion rear end and ENV 110 pre-selector gearbox. – Started out with 2-liter Riley six power, later with a supercharged 1.5 liter ERA and later with a 2-liter ERA. Updated to the present deDion rear suspension and after that a Jaguar XK six. Later rebodied with another XK six in the 80’s. The paintwork is to a good standard for a race tool special, with lumps and bumps but generally sound. Minimal interior, with the alloy sheet metal looking correctly aged. Having been displayed at Brooklands museum for many years the tyres look aged and this is symbolic of the need for thorough recommissioning work before this speed machine could be confidently driven in anger. This Formula One specification special looks right for its era. – With an HWM-style nose and 250F profile tail this HAR Jag looks the part. Its long racing history confers eligibility in a number of events, including the Monaco GP Historique and it should be notably quick with its prepped XK engine. At this price it is a notable value if only as a probable entry ticket and a car that, with its checkered history, can be driven with verve and little concern of bumps and bruises.
Lot # 52 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Sports Saloon; S/N DB51900R; Light Sierra Blue metallic/Black leather; Estimate $754,580 – $858,660; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $722,055 plus commission of 14.70%; Final Price $828,217. – 3,995/325hp Vantage specification, chrome wire wheels with 3 eared knock-ons, ZF five-speed gearbox, heated rear screen, Motorola radio, power aerial. – The paintwork is superb, prepared and sprayed to a very high standard. The chrome work is freshly repaired and shows an excellent standard of finish. The front grille is original and a little aged. Some of the window seals are imperfect. The interior leather is perfection, no folds or creases at all. GBP 340,000 full body off restoration, new Connolly leather, new carpets and trim, full rechrome, a genuine complete restoration to a good standard, impressive work. – A thorough restoration like this helps set a benchmark for an as new car. Every aspect is A1, body finish, mechanical refurbishment, upholstery and trim. A thoroughly desirable Aston that brought a thoroughly respectable price that both the buyer and the seller should find satisfying.
Lot # 53 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 17741; Rosso, Black sills/Sandy beige leather with black bars; Estimate $325,250 – $390,300; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $253,695 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $291,749. – RHD. 5 spoke alloy wheels with 3 eared knock on, inclined black leather trimmed steering wheel, ordered new with options of air conditioning and a Voxson radio. – One of only 58 UK right-hand drive examples, Delivered new to Elton John, Ferrari Classiche certified, 9,750 miles, represented as original matching numbers> 2012 engine out overhaul and service including cambelts. The original paintwork is buffed up and well preserved with no obvious damage. The engine bay has been detailed to a fair standard. Wheels are freshly painted but not well enough prepped, there are small indentations. There is some corrosion evident on the hubs but only minor. The tyres look fresh. The seats look old with creases and are a little soiled but genuine and not worn or torn. A great honest car that looks genuine and correct to the history provided. – This is an important transitional Ferrari model with meaningful celebrity history, low miles and carefully preserved originality. It is a bargain at this price.
[This photo is from RM Amelia in 2011]
Lot # 55 1901 Toledo Model A Steam Runabout; S/N 36; Deep red, basket weave finish/Black leather, deep buttons; Estimate $45,535 – $58,545; Older restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $58,545 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $67,327. – Thin wire spoke narrow soapbox wheels with white cycle tyres, brass lights, tiller steering, leaf spring suspension. – Very smart paint finish on all surfaces. Good detailing on all exposed metals but with a slight yellowing due to transportation and storage, no doubt. The white wall tyres look slightly yellow. With any Veteran vehicle that has stood for a long time, even closeted museum cars, extensive mechanical attention is required, particularly for steamers’ boilers. Restored in 1995 and been huddled up in museums ever since, looks good but action required. From the Key Museum, Izmir, Turkey. – Considered to be one of the best early steam cars, restored in the USA in 1995 and what a superb job they did. Every finish on the car is impressive. Clearly well made with quality materials, the craftsmanship shines through. The copper and steam heart is a joy to see. Essentially beyond perfect, a showpiece and not expensive for a powerful steamer that is Brighton-eligible even at this top-of-estimate range result, especially since it brought $96,250 at RM’s Amelia Island auction in 2011.
Lot # 58 1908 Columbia Electric Victoria Phaeton; S/N 5928; Brewster Green/Black leather; Black leather top; Estimate $39,030 – $65,050; Older restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $66,351 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $76,304. – Handle bar steering, front lamps with side lights incorporated, spoked wood varnished wheels, white tyres. – The exterior green paint is better than new with the coach painted gold letters of the Columbia make perfectly written. All surfaces are prepared and painted better than new. Over restored? That’s open to interpretation. Without a test drive, the wonderful old carriages must be presumed to require full mechanical overhaul. You might get lucky and some aspects will be acceptable but not all the components will be problem free: no one gets that lucky! Key Museum, Izmir, Turkey collection. – Sold by RM at Amelia in 2012 for $66,000 and this is a surprising result despite the outstanding preservation of this Columbia’s restoration.
Lot # 60 1915 Trumbull 15B Cyclecar; S/N 637; Cream/Black leather with shallow buttons; Estimate $26,020 – $32,525; Older restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $22,117. – 104/14 ALAM hp, 3-speed, open body with wood frame folding convertible top, Cream body matched wire spoke wheels with black tyres. Handle opening half size carriage coach doors, single left sidemount. – The main cream body has a very good finish and presentation without any corner abrasions or marks. The black fenders gleam with pride. The wheels and hubs are immaculately presented and the tyres look fresh and maintain good air. The seat leather is excellent, faultless. The dash and dials are superb. The radiator just holds a little dust and age but it’s incredibly hard to keep all those fins fresh. A strong little car that may require some use and recommissioning but you could easily have a great friendship with. – Sold by RM from the Sichel Collection at Hershey in 2010 for $29,700 and well-preserved since then so it is little surprise it went unsold at this bid.
Lot # 61 1958 Fiat-Abarth 750 GT ‘Double Bubble’ Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N 497034; Red/Black leather with red piping; Estimate $117,090 – $156,120; Competition restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $97,575 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $112,211. – 750 GT engine with large capacity alloy sump, ported cylinder head, Weber 32 carburetor, dual valve springs, alloy wheels, alloy interior door and window handles, full complement of original superb instrumentation, wood rimmed polished alloy steering wheel. – The exterior looks bright with the perfect shade of red on a well prepared body. Panel fits are good. The interior has a wonderfully crisp and well-presented black leather with red piping. All the alloy trims and controls are nicely polished. You know the seller cares when rubber floor and transmission coverings are new, a great touch as they can be very hard to obtain. The windshield has lots of rubber sealant showing, which is a minor let down on a well presented car. The windshield and guttering trim has been polished but is slightly damaged. A well presented car in nearly all departments. Desirable Zagato bodywork with double bubble roof in very good condition following a concours standard restoration in 2010. Not represented as the original engine, but prepared to a high standard. Key Museum, Izmir, Turkey collection. – Sold by Bonhams at Scottsdale in 2012 for $111,150 in essentially the same good, but not pristine condition as it was presented here. The result here must have been disappointing and the new owner got a delightful Fiat-Abarth for a modest price.
Lot # 62 1916 Brewster Coupe; S/N 2344; Bright Blue, Black wings and detailing/Pale blue ribbed cloth; Estimate $32,525 – $39,030; Older restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $26,020. – Nickel brightwork, Klaxon electric horn, body color wood spoke wheels, blackwall tires, McConnell electric wiper, reverse sloping windshield with sliding glass panel in front of driver, Warner speedometer, Motometer, Knight T-head four, dual rear spares, front and rear window pulldown shades. – The exterior paint and all surfaces, top to bottom are resurfaced, prepped and polished to a show winning standard but slightly aged. The front fenders edges are chipped. The painted wood wheels are marked here and there but look solid and strong with no dangerous gaps in the spokes to the rims. The interior is perfection, simply superb, unmarked and perfectly restored. My only question being the seat covering material is too modern to look right for the period. The brass work isn’t freshly polished but is still in good order and not pitted. These museum cars have been transported through different climates, so the appearance of the brass is to be expected. The tyres are good and look newish. A generally impressive showing for an oldtimer, a credit to the design and restoration. Key Museum, Izmir, Turkey collection. – One of only 24 survivors. Had a cozy museum life recently so could benefit from a thorough service and long test drive. It was sold for $55,000 by RM at Hershey in 2010 and failed to find an even slightly interested audience here at Goodwood, which is unfortunate because the Brewster is a high quality automobile.
Lot # 63 1935 Auburn Replica 851 Speedster; S/N NCS89851; White, Cranberry fenders/Red leather; Cranberry cloth top; Estimate $52,040 – $91,070; Older restoration, 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $42,933. – General Motors 396ci, 6.5-litre V8 engine with Patriot aluminium cylinder heads, automatic, 5-stud red painted wire wheels with white wall tyres, alloy engine turned dashboard, 3 spoke drilled wood rimmed steering wheel, external radio aerial, external chrome manifold exhaust pipe covers, factory-type chrome bumpers, rare stock trim pieces, a special windscreen, custom leather interior, power disc brakes, and a tilting steering column. – Up close the panel finish is poor and uneven, the paint is also a letdown. Coachlines are poorly masked and have bled under the tape, a professional skilled coachline painter wasn’t available. The steering wheel looks very wrong and incorrect. Not the best recreation you’ll ever see, a poor showing. – Described as taking 1,000 hours to build and sold by Auctions America at Ft. Lauderdale in 2012 for $55,000. It brought a realistic bid for its condition and replica status here and could have moved on without undue regret.
Lot # 64 1938 Delage D6-70 Coupe de Ville; S/N 51797; Deep black, Gold coachline/Black leather; Estimate $36,428 – $45,535; Older restoration, 4 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $29,923. – RHD. Black canvas tendelet, Delage’s 2,729cc overhead-valve ‘six’, Cotal pre-selector four-speed, spoked steel wheels with chromed hub caps, enclosed single sidemount. – The exterior is poor, with rough paintwork in many areas. The decrepit dashboard, worn rubber mats and well used black leather seats match the poor standard of the exterior. The wheel hubs are dull, so are the door handles and all the exterior metalwork. The side glass has black paint on it. Coach line is poorly masked and cracking. The bumpers are completely rusty and pitted. A poor condition car throughout and a fine example of why you need an independent “eyes on” appraisal. The auction pictures make this car look presentable from a distance. It isn’t. – Sold by RM from the Aalholm Museum in 2012 for $44,419 (GBP 28,300 at the time) and in rather parlous condition, the reported high bid here is realistic for the condition of this Delage. Accepting it might have been momentarily painful, but it would be gone to a new home.
Lot # 65 1934 Pierce-Arrow Twelve 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 400144; Gold, Green fenders and accent/Biscuit cloth ribbed; Estimate $52,040 – $78,060; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $45,535. – 429/160hp V12, 3-speed, suicide rear doors, body coloured wire wheels with chromed hub caps, external twin horns, radiator cap archer mascot, twin fender mounted spare with tyre cover, bakelite on steel black steering wheel, long raked stick shift with polished steel knob, floor hinged pedals. – Full restoration in 2012 but the paintwork is cracked on the front scuttle and bonnet edges. The quarter light glass is delaminating. The chrome trim on the centre of the hood is lifting and separating, like a 1970s brassiere. The interior is superb and well retrimmed to a an excellent standard. Generally, a good car let down by a series of issues with the exterior, which makes an average first impression. – Sold by RM at St. Johns in 2012 for $39,600 (GBP 25,200 at the time), it is a wonder it wasn’t let go at this ample premium over its acquisition cost, particularly with the cheesy colors and many issues. This was a realistic offer for the car, its condition and its coachwork.
Lot # 66 1932 Hupmobile Custom Roadster; S/N 5021; Gold, Aubergine fenders and accent/Green with yellow piping UGH!; Estimate $104,080 – $130,100; Customized restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $91,070 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $104,731. – 350ci (5.7-litre) Chevrolet V8 and B&M automatic, red painted wire wheels with chromed hub caps, brown plastic three spoked steering wheel, wood dash panel, split windshield, leather door pockets, dash top mounted rear view mirror, original engine and drive train included, modern power-assisted hydraulic brakes with Speedway Motors’ GM 11″ front discs, 12-volt, including lights and gauges. – A sublime paint finish, near perfection. The headlight lens are faded and yellowing. The chrome adornments are perfect. The slight signs of age reflect this swanky gent’s recent slumber. Built by Harold Ipsen based on a Hupmobile sedan. 6-inch channeled body. – Little Hupmobile remains after a series of idiosyncratic restorations and modifications. Even though it brought $112,320 at Bonhams Quail Lodge auction in 2009 it is amazing it brought this much in the UK.
Lot # 69 1947 Delahaye 135M 3-pos. Drophead Coupe, Body by Antem; S/N 800939; Blue/Light grey, Blue piping; Blue Cloth top; Estimate $286,220 – $364,280; Recent restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $208,160. – RHD. 3,557/115hp, triple carbs, preselector 4-speed, Applex clear plastic steering wheel and dashboard buttons, chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires. – One of only seven bodied by Antem, the 1948 Paris Motor Show car The coachwork is fresh and very good but done to mediocre standards. Slight orange peel finish and imperfections along the side panels. The headlight lenses are dull. The chrome trim is superb and fresh. A wonderful car that clearly has been restored to concours cleanliness by museum mechanics, having regularly been entered in shows helps this exquisite car hold its chin up. It is a cosmetically good showing let down by that panel finish. The interior is superb but disappoints with cheap silver nylon modern carpeting. The Perspex controls are a delight. A great car that needs slight improvements to shine. Key Museum, Izmir, Turkey collection. – Sold by RM from the Aalholm Museum in 2012 in parlous condition for $157,319 (GBP 100,300 at the time, this is GBP 160,000) and restored by the Key Museum to good but erratic standards and not as good as it deserves to be. The trouble is that it would take a nearly complete re-restoration to bring it to the condition it deserves, a consideration reflected in the bid it brought here.
Lot # 70 1930 Ford Model A Deluxe Roadster; S/N A4654610; Blue/Mid brown leather; Estimate $23,418 – $28,622; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $18,214. – Wood spoked wheels with white wall tyres, dual side-mount spares, driving lights, dual tail lamps, whitewall tyres, radiator stone guard, and the popular ‘quail’ radiator cap. – This everyman’s car has a good standard of paintwork with no obvious problems to attract the eye. The wheels and tyres present well, hold air with slight yellowing of the white walls. The interior is well presented, the seats have good quality leather with a depth of rich brown colour to be proud of but there is dirt in the seams. Externally all looks inviting but lift the hood and oh dear! There is rust down the engine block from a head gasket leak. The bulkhead has water splash trails, the driver kept going once the head blew? This another prime example of needing to thoroughly check a car before you bid. A head gasket is not too bad but how hot did that block get? I’d close the hood and walk away. – Sold by RM at Hershey in 2010 for $26,400. Nine years later it is still a respectable car but its issues make this a realistic offer for it.
Lot # 73 1948 Chrysler New Yorker Town & Country Convertible; S/N 7410581; Green, Wood moldings/Beige leather; Light Green top; Estimate $130,100 – $169,130; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $104,080. – Large chrome grille and bumpers, wood paneling, white wall tyres on steel wheels with chromed hub caps, fog lights. – The exterior makes a grand first impression with all that heavy chrome frontage and wide wood beams but the finish is slightly deteriorating, small imperfections beginning to show, the slippery slope of old father time. The interior beige leather is old, dirty and neglected. In 1994 this woody had a complete body-off restoration at a total cost of $120,470 but time has been slightly unkind to this old girl. Key Museum, Izmir, Turkey collection. – Sold by RM at Monterey in 2010 for $110,000 and none the better for the passage of nine years. The Goodwood bidders were realistically unimpressed by its condition and made a reasonable and realistic offer for it. At this bid letting it go might have brought twinges of regret, not only for a short time.
Lot # 74 1960 Facel Vega HK500 Coupe; S/N HKZ8; Blue, Silver sills/Cream leather, black piping; Estimate $117,090 – $156,120; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $123,595 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $142,134. – 383/355hp Chrysler Hemi V8, dual Edelbrock 4-barrel carbs, 4-speed transmission, walnut veneer dashboard, silver steel wheels with 3 eared knock-ons, superbly crafted switches and instrumentation. – Paintwork is average and not quite good enough. The exterior trim has been polished and refitted. The seals show a quickish turnaround restoration that lacks the detail to impress for such a great car. Interior leather is good but showing a little dirt on the driver’s seat and other areas. Key Museum, Izmir, Turkey collection. – Taking the 4-speed into account, as well as the competent if not exceptional restoration, this result is a sound value appropriate to this HK500’s equipment and specifications.
Lot # 75 1951 Jaguar Mark V 3½-Litre Drophead Coupe; S/N 647349; Silver/Bluey Green; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $104,080 – $130,100; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $84,565. – Rear wheel spats, steel wheels with chromed hub caps and white wall tyres, three position top, chromed driving lights, wood dashboard. – The paint finish is superb but let down by minor chips and imperfections. The wheel paint is chipped on the rims and the white walls are yellowing. The top canvas is fresh but the securing trims are aged. Interior leather is good but slight creasing showing. Dash wood is unfortunately cracked. Sun visors and headlining are covered in a very poor cheap cloth. Rear mirror glass has those black age spots. A good car let down by all-important details. – Sold by Bonhams at Scottsdale in 2012 for $125,800 and not at all surprising that it didn’t sell at this bid at Goodwood. There are many very good Mark V 3 1/2 Liter Dropheads around and the issues noted here will not be inexpensive to remedy. The reported high bid is modest, but realistic.
Lot # 76 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Custom; S/N 8347993; Blue/Dark red; White canvas top; Estimate $52,040 – $78,060; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $48,137 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $55,358. – 346ci, 150bhp V8, Hydramatic, steel wheels with Cadillac sombrero style chromed hubcaps and white wall tyres, twin carburetors on a period correct Edmunds intake manifold, dual exhaust, lowered, chopped “Carson” removable hardtop. – Good bodywork and paint with slight ripples and uneven areas. Panel gaps are wideish. The seat leather is aged with a nice acceptable patina but still looks supple and useable. Wheels and tyres are showing well, the chrome looks deep and has lustre. The top is in good useable condition but not pristine. A subtly customized Cadillac convertible in good shape. Key Museum, Izmir, Turkey collection. – Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2012 for $80,500, this mildly customized Cadillac is worth more in the States than it is in the UK and at the price presents the new owner with an arbitrage opportunity to repatriate it to the West Coast in August. It has style and panache.
Lot # 77 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Coupe; S/N 1880146500134; Red/Mid Tan leather; Estimate $520,400 – $650,500; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $403,310 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $463,807. – 2996/175hp 6-cylinder, 4-speed, steel wheels, MB body coloured hubcaps, white wall tyres, walnut veneer dashboard, ivory white steering wheel with chrome horn ring, twin Solex downdraft carburetors, sunroof, fog lights, Becker Mexico radio. – Exterior is a bright color but not good enough on close inspection, poor finish in areas and cracks beginning. The wheels are slightly aged and tyres are yellowing. The seat leather has been retrimmed but not using the original perforated leather inserts. The retrim leather is a smooth finish type and is slightly creased and showing a little dirt unfortunately. The all-important walnut wood on the dashboard is immaculate and very expensive to recreate if damaged, a big plus point. Apart from exterior distractions an otherwise superbly maintained and presented hand built Germanic legend. Key Museum, Izmir, Turkey collection. – Sold by RM at Amelia in 2007 for $187,000 (GBP 96,800 at the time, this is GBP 356,500) in generally comparable condition, a big home run for the Key Museum that should have come first and provided more flexibility to convert some of the no-sale results into sales on the strength of this success.
Lot # 78 1950 Healey Tickford Sports Saloon; S/N C1951; Green/Cream leather; Estimate $32,525 – $39,030; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $24,719. – RHD. Riley 2.4 litre/106hp straight four with twin SU carburetors, 4-speed, steel wheels with chromed hub caps, trailing arm independent front suspension. – One of only 222 built but on first impression is sadly lacking. Dull paintwork is not rusty but just unloved. Chips and scrapes, saggy panels, the list goes on. The cream leather seats are dirty and uninviting. The carpets are old and need replacing. Originality doesn’t sit well on this Healey, she’s very tired looking and much in need of restoration. – Sold by RM from the Aalholm Museum in 2012 for $46,270 (GBP 29,500 at the time, this result is GBP 19,000 hammer), the result is disappointing to the seller, but equally a disappointing car to the bidders who hedged their bidding appropriately to the Healey’s condition. It’s a restoration project largely devoid of preservation patina or history.
Lot # 79 1972 De Tomaso Pantera Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N THPNMA03022; Red/Black leather with black and white striped seats; Estimate $65,050 – $91,070; Recent restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $58,545 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $67,327. – Ford Cleveland 351/248hp V8, 5-speed, aftermarket alloy wheels with long eared 3 prong knock-ons. – The bright coachwork makes a good first impression and doesn’t disappoint. Crisp finish and fit, the panel gaps look right. The interior leather is good and clean. Dash and dials look original and well maintained. The door seals and floor carpets look used and dirtyish, the only minus points. Wheels are well polished if not recently. A good showing from a cool customer. Key Museum, Izmir, Turkey collection. – Sold by Russo and Steele at Monterey in 2010 for $40,400 and turned here at a seriously modest price for a largely original and well preserved example.
Lot # 81 1936 SS Jaguar SS1 Coupe; S/N 193467; White, Dark Blue fenders and padded roof/Light Blue leather; Estimate $91,070 – $130,100; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $104,080 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $119,692. – Chromed wire wheels, external rear-mounted spare wheel which is part covered, twin chromed external front mounted horns, bonnet louvres, roof mounted landau bars. – A good first impression is made by elegant coachwork prepared to a good standard with no large imperfections. The door and bonnet fits are slightly loose but acceptable. The seat leather is good but a rather dull colour. The hexagon clocks are a delight! They sit proudly on a superbly matte varnish light grain wood dashboard. This interior has the most wonderful art deco sunbeam door cards that splayed beams outward from a bottom centre point, marvelous. A great car that deserves a loving home. Key Museum, Izmir, Turkey collection. – William Lyons’ design genius is nowhere better reflected than in the SS1 Coupe, a sleek, svelte delight even though undistinguished by its 4-cylinder Standard engine. He got it, and it is still exciting and even imaginative 83 years later. Whether the engine in this one is 2.1 or 2.7 liters is not clear, but it hardly matters, it’s all about the style of this diminutive coupe. It sold in 2012 at RM’s Aalholm auction for $83,287 (GBP 53,100 at the time, this result is GBP 92,000) and has been repainted since in a much more striking livery, a superb little car in decent condition for a price that will pale beside the admiration it gets wherever it appears.
Lot # 84 1989 Lola LC89 Formula 1; S/N 3; Blue, Yellow, Red/Black; Estimate $175,635 – $214,665; 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $124,733 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $143,443. – Lamborghini V12 engine, metal frame wishbones with onboard coilover adjustable dampers, carbon vented brake discs, rear diffuser. – Raced by Larrousse 1989-90 driven by Philippe Alliot, Eric Bernard, Michelle Alboreto and Aguri Suzuki with no significant results. The engine is an empty shell with no engine management electronics. Paint is old and dull in Japan 1990 livery driven by Suzuki. Tyres are dried out and cracked. Interior is dirty, racing harnesses are dirty and will require replacement. Looks like a lot of work to recommission and that’s before you get to the large cost of engine performance and then suspension and brakes. Basically, this is garage decor. – The car is mostly complete, but missing engine internals and a management system ECU which will not be easy to return to fine-tuned working order. Its history and drivers do not warrant a restoration and this, even well under the pre-sale low estimate, is a magnanimous price to pay for a display car.
Lot # 85 1966 McLaren M1B Can-Am; S/N 3021; Orange, White nose band/Black; Estimate $195,150 – $260,200; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $195,150 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $224,423. – 5.8-litre Chevrolet V8 engine, 4 spoke black painted alloy (magnesium?) wheels, roll cage with driver hoop, twin fender mounted aero mirrors, two additional sets of wheels and some running spares are included in the sale, – First impression is good, compact but strong. The traditional McLaren racing orange livery looks right as does the panel finish and fit. Interior is basic but satisfactorily presented. The equipment, steering, gearing and pedals look well cared for. This car has had recent work by Lanzante Limited including a fully refurbished gearbox. Without firing up the all-important engine one cannot truly judge this car, so you can only assume huge costs and be relieved if the expense is not required. There is, however, no period racing history. Valid FIA HTP, this McLaren M1B is eligible to race in CER, Masters and, of course, the Goodwood Members and Revival meetings. – The McLaren-Elva offered here is the beginning of McLaren’s dominance of North America’s Can-Am series, the fabulous “run what you brung” free-for-all that produced some of the most exciting racing ever seen. Not having any history before 2002, it should be regarded as a bitsa, for which this is an appropriate price.
Lot # 96 1988 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N ZA9C005A0JLA12410; Rosso Siviglia/Magnolia leather, Red piping; Estimate $338,260 – $390,300; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $312,240. – RHD. V-rear wing, alloy wheels, front spoiler, Anniversario version’s side skirts, driving lights, original tool roll, Alpine stereo, air conditioning. – One of 14 RHD Countach 5000 QVs, represented as the original engine and documented history from new. Paint looks good at first but areas on top of the rear fenders show fresh unoriginal paint that is poor. I’d have to thoroughly check if this car has had a rear end repair. The door glass frames are poor with flaky black matte paint. The deep dish alloy wheels and tyres are fresh. Overall, not quite right, with some stories to tell. – It’s not surprising that this RHD Countach didn’t sell at the reported high bid, but it’s even more suprising that the pre-sale low estimate was so modest. It was offered by Bonhams at the Goodwood Revival two years ago with a reported high bid of only $303,853 (GBP 230,000 at the time, this bid is GBP 240,000). The seller must be an optimist.
Lot # 97 1968 Ford Tribute GT40 Replica Coupe; S/N ?; White and blue/Black; Estimate -; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $442,340. – Gurney-Weslake 302 with 4 Webers, ZF 5-speed, original Ford nose, rear and doors, many original parts, accurate 1968 style crossover fuel chassis, deep alloy wheels with large 3 eared knock-ons, quick release fuel fillers, right hand gear change, ventilated race bucket seats and harness, new aluminium radiator and oil cooler (both made to original specification) and a fan. – This recreation has superb panel finish and gaps. The paint is very good. The Perspex side windows are perfection, if screws are even slightly over tightened the Perspex will spider crack but none here, superb. Exemplary preparation on this race car but again with driving one can only assume all is well from the clues. – Described by expert Ronnie Spain as “best GT40 representation…Bar none!”, but still a superbly built fake believed to be on a spare tub from Ford Advanced Vehicles. Workmanship by Terry Drury, a Ford engineer, and his family is outstanding. It’s still a replica and the bidders’ judgment of its value is difficult to fault.
Lot # 107 1969 Lotus Type 59 Formula 3; S/N 59F328; Red Gold White/Black; Estimate $78,060 – $104,080; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $71,555 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $82,288. – 997 Cosworth MAE engine, Hewland gearbox, single throat downdraft Weber carburetor, lightweight space frame square tube monocoque, roll hoop, split rim polished alloy wheels with 3 eared knock-ons, three dash mounted gauges, special cast rear magnesium uprights, outboard coil over dampers, twin Talbot rear view mirrors – An original Gold Leaf Team Lotus Car driven by Bev Bond with three wins, three seconds and four 3rds in 1970. Used in the movie Rush. Eligible for Historic F3. Paint pretty good for a racer, a bit chipped here and there but bright and well-polished. Alloy wheels are not well prepared and need a buff and paint. Mechanicals look superb as expected on a race car but the proof is in the pudding, not to mention the bills from the race prep shop. From a gentle perusal this looks like a superb machine. – This is a quality F3 Lotus albeit with good success in 1969-70 but no famous backsides imprinted on its seat. This is a healthy but not unrealistic price to pay even with the prospect of serious recommissioning and updating bills before it can be safely turned loose.
Lot # 108 1960 Lamborghini Cingolato 3402 CTL Crawler Tractor; S/N 2CTL3784; Blue, Orange/Brown; Estimate $18,214 – $23,418; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $31,224 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $35,908. – Air-cooled three-cylinder diesel engine of 2,193cc producing 40bhp at 2,200rpm, crawler tracks, headlights, nose mounted exhaust, rear lights, toolbox, grille badge, and stickers. – Resplendent, this wonderful machine was restored in 2015 and looks fresh and almost unused since. All the track links and mechanicals look correct. One of only 73 made, a wonderful piece of Italian engineering. – Lamborghini and Porsche wheel tractors are commonplace compared with this Lamborghini crawler, a classy way to plow even the most sloppy field although the cleated steel tracks aren’t adapted for parade duty. It’s worth what the Goodwood bidders would pay for it, even 1/3 over the pre-sale high estimate. Comparables are seriously hard to find and the bidders were on their own to decide what it was worth to them and this is a result difficult to argue with.
It’s really amazing that I get all this history, commentary, etc. for my enjoyment and education via email. Can’t thank you enough. Phil
Tell your friends, ‘cuz I’m a crappy promoter and need all the help I can get.
Rick