Bonhams, Greenwich Concours, June 2, 2019

Weather, sometimes the bane of the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, cooperated in magnificent fashion this year with three days of glorious sunshine complemented by cooling breezes off Greenwich Harbor.

It gave the Concours the perfect opportunity to show off its unusual two-day event, taking full advantage of the limited space in Roger Sherman Baldwin Park by featuring America vehicles on Saturday and a field of European cars on Sunday.

It’s a concept invented by Greenwich Concours founders Bruce and Genia Wennerstrom and now emulated by other concours to broaden recognition of entrants and interests.

Featured marques in the Concours were Iso, Arnolt and Bentley as well as the coachwork of Zagato, all with rows and circles of elegant, beautiful and often unique examples.

The auction, now in its fifteenth year, the twelfth under the Bonhams banner, has established itself as a fixture. The Saturday viewing is open to the public and draws a marquee-full of concours spectators, treating many of them to their first look at a major collector car auction. The exposure is good not only for the concours and the auction itself but also for the hobby.

With a median transaction value of $32,000 many of the auction cars are within the resources of concours spectators who may just stop back on Sunday to register to bid and see if they can become participants rather than just spectators.

The 2019 Greenwich consignments illustrate just how difficult it is getting to find cars to consign to auctions. Only 31 of the 101 auto consignments had low estimates in six figures, only 20 were bid to six figures on the block and just half of those were sold which accounts for the surprisingly low transaction total for the sale.

Here are the numbers:

Year Cars Sold/ Offered Sale % Sold < Low Est Sold > High Est Average Sale Median Sale Total $
2019 74/101 73.3% 83.8% 5.4% $59,599 $32,000

[53.7%]

$4,410,339
2018 113/123 91.9% 54.9% 15.9% $92,628 $48,160

[52%]

$10,467,000
2017 84/90 93.3% 70.2% 4.8% $88,284 $44,000

[49.8%]

$7,415,870

I attended and wrote up the 54 lots described here, so any and all complaints (including fuzzy photos) are entirely my responsibility.

The Bonhams Greenwich auction report is sorted by lot number.


Lot # 109 1984 BMW M 635CSi Coupe; S/N WBAEE310201050039; Delphin Metallic/Beige leather; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $40,320. – 3453/286hp, 5-speed, limited-slip differential, fender flares, chin spoiler, plastic rear spoiler, Michelin TRX tires, sunroof, Becker Mexico radio, P/W. – Purchased new by Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, then crown prince of Abu Dhabi and now president and ruler of the United Arab Emirates. Imported to Florida in 1986. Very good paint with light chips on the hood and chin spoiler. Small dent in driver’s side door. Good interior with lightly worn seats. Tidy original engine bay. Very pretty and original car. – Sold here five years ago for $38,500 and still in essentially the same condition, its Rest of World performance engine and 5-speed make it even more desirable, as this result indicates.

Lot # 113 1991 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R Coupe; S/N BNR32214694; White/Grey cloth; Estimate $32,000 – $38,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $18,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $20,720. – 2,586cc/276hp twin turbo six, 5-speed, strut tower brace, after market air filters, white 5-spoke alloy wheels, all-wheel drive – Sound original paint and upholstery. Rusty, dinged underbumper air ducts. A used car. – Skyline GT-Rs are now becoming eligible for U.S. import having reached 25 years old and they’re showing up frequently at auction, putting pressure on prices which have declined from the earliest arrival at RM Arizona in 2016 which sold for $82,500, although not as much as indicated by this rather sketchy example which sold at a bargain price.

Lot # 114 1947 Packard Custom Super Clipper 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 21226676; Black/Beige cloth; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $8,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $9,520. – 3-speed, wide hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, fog lights, grille guard. – Old paint with edge chips and small scrapes. Sound front seat upholstery but worn and faded original rear seat and door trim. Scratched chrome and rusty door window frames. Cracked passenger’s window. Surface rusted original underbody. A difficult compromise between preservation and use, with preservation gradually losing out. – A disappointing car despite its preservation appeal and the Greenwich bidders can be forgiven for not paying any more than this.

Lot # 116 1951 Buick Series 50 Super Estate Wagon; S/N 16238410; Carlsbad Black, Wood/Dark Red; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $19,040. – Dynaflow, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, pushbutton radio, heater. – Quick old repaint, peeling old varnish, pulling seat seams, thin, peeling, pitted chrome. Sound wood with no significant water stains. Clear gauges. Surface rusted wheel wells. In static storage for years and needs everything. – Sold at Bonhams auction at the Simeone Museum in 2017 for $19,800 ($18,000 hammer) and begging for some attention to get it running and driving. Importantly, the wood is remarkably good despite the peeling old varnish, and that is arguably the most important consideration in a wood-bodied station wagon and went a long way to keeping people bidding well into the pre-sale estimate range. It is a sound value at this price.

Lot # 120 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III Phase 2 Convertible; S/N HBJ8L42070; Engine # 26KRU7H16669; Healey Blue metallic/Blue leatherette; Blue vinyl top; Estimate $55,000 – $75,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $42,560. – Chrome wire wheels, Vredestein tires, badge bar, Lucas fog lights, headlight stoneguards, heater, LeCarra woodrim steering wheel, overdrive. – Good clearcoat paint, some thin trim chrome. Stretched older upholstery. Fair engine compartment with age, use and dirt. Proceeds to various charities. – This is a sound and usable driver-quality Big Healey more than good enough to be enjoyed as-is, particularly at this modest price that confirms the continuing gradual slide in Big Healey prices.

Lot # 121 1958 Jaguar XK150 3.4 Fixed Head Coupe; S/N S835370DN; Engine # V32068; OEWhite/Dark Red leather; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $45,360. – Chrome wire wheels, Pirelli Cinturato tires, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, fog lights, halogen headlights, overdrive. – Cracking, edge chipped old paint. Thin flaking chrome. Sound older upholstery except for a peeling dashtop. Clean older restored underbody showing miles. The passenger’s door doesn’t close flush. Proceeds to charity. – While this XK 150 won’t win any prizes at JCNA gatherings it will be a pleasure to drive, particularly with the overdrive that will make highway cruising much more relaxed. The price it brought reflects both its condition and equipment and is fair to both the buyer and the seller.

Lot # 122 1965 Sunbeam Tiger MKI Convertible; S/N B9471991LRXFE; Black, Black hardtop/Black leatherette; Black top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $68,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $76,160. – 302 Ford, Holley 4-barrel, Edelbrock heads and intake manifold, 5-speed, Hurst shifter, aluminum radiator, headers, centerlock style alloy wheels, Toyo tires, Wilwood four wheel disc brakes, modified front suspension, electric power steering, two tops. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Clean, orderly engine compartment. From the Tsuru Collection with all proceeds to charity. – Thoughtfully modified to be much more powerful and enjoyable on the road or around town and in very good cosmetic condition, the price realized here is generously positioned for its driving potential if not its collectors’ correctness. It was sold by Mecum at Monterey in 2015 for $110,000 and reported bid to $105,000 at Russo and Steele Monterey in 2017, the latter a generous price for a modified Tiger.

Lot # 123 1953 Facel Ford Comète Coupe, Body by Facel Metalon; S/N 1016; Engine # 606523; Olive Green/Tan leather; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $54,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $61,040. – French V8-60, 3-speed, column shift, plastic cord wrapped steering wheel rim, wheel covers, wide whitewall Silvertown tires, Marchal headlights and fog lights, Seduction radio. – Indifferent quality old repaint with fisheyes and orange peel. Good upholstery and carpets. Mostly good chrome. Dirty underbody with old undercoat. Wavy body panels. An interesting and unusual car with a variety of problems. From the Tsuru Collection with all proceeds to charity. – Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2011 for $42,120 where it was noted that the “Seduction” radio was an outstanding and very French feature, as it still is today. It’s added almost 5,000 km since then, use that is not apparent on a tidy and well-presented old car. It was one of the most heavily viewed vehicles in the preview with many opportunistic bidders hoping it would be overlooked. That turned out to be a pipe dream as generous hardly begins to describe this result.

Lot # 124 1968 Porsche 912 Coupe, Body by Karmann; S/N 12803530; Light Ivory/Black vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $42,560. – 1,720cc/102hp, dual Webers, Fuchs wheels, Vredestein tires, headrest front seats, 5-speed, Momo Prototipo leather rim steering wheel, MSD ignition, underbumper fog lights. – Later engine and 5-speed. Engine rebuilt in 2017. Good 2014 repaint and interior. Lightly scuffed aluminum trim. Orderly but not restored engine compartment. Good panel fits. There’s a curious scuff at the back edge of the roof. Orderly and usable. Tsuru Family Collection, proceeds to charity. – Clean and tidy, this is a quality 912 made an even better driver by the bigger engine, Webers and 5-speed. It brought a reasonable compromise price balancing its reassuring presentation with the modifications.

Lot # 125 1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N AM115492152; Engine # AM115492156 (see text); Red/Cream leather; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $139,732 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $156,500. – 5-speed, air conditioning, Blaupunkt multiband radio, power windows, silver painted alloy wheels, Michelin XWX tires. – Replacement engine. Very good older paint with a smattering of small chips and water spots. Good interior and chrome. Flat, flush fitting panels. The underbody is clean. A quality older restoration with some miles since it was done and represent to have been mechanically refreshed but not rebuilt in 2017. – Reported sold at Mecum’s Monterey auction in 2015 for $324,500 and showing 1,238 more miles on the odometer today (49,169) than it did four years ago. That result was expensive, but this post-block result is a very good value while reflecting the fact this Maserati hasn’t had much recent exercise with likely expensive recommissioning work in its future. The replacement engine is a factor, too, but even then this is a remarkably inexpensive Ghibli SS.

Lot # 126 1971 Volvo P1800E Coupe; S/N 184353035233; Ice Blue/Black leather; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $29,120. – Blaupunkt AM-FM, 8-track under the dash, air conditioning, Carello fog lights, overdrive, thoroughly documented from new and comes with tools, pouch, Owner’s manual and keys. – Very good 1983 repaint and shiny chrome. Curdled quarter window seals. Orderly unrestored engine compartment. Represented to be two owners and 48,327 miles from new – The result here has a healthy premium for known miles, ownership history, good care and preservation. The pre-sale estimate is outrageous and would be optimistic even for a P1800ES wagon.

Lot # 131 1970 Jaguar XKE SII Low Drag Lightweight Coupe Replica, Body by Vicarage; S/N P1R43671BW; Silver-Grey/Dark Green leather; Estimate $190,000 – $230,000; Facsimile restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $145,000. – 4,580cc/300hp, triple Weber 45DCOE carburetors, JT5 5-speed, limited slip, AP brake calipers, Koni shocks, Dunlop style centerlock alloy wheels, Eagle GTII tires, Momo leather rim steering wheel, Pioneer cassette stereo, outside fuel filler, air conditioning. – Vicarage replica used as a Top Gear and Car and Driver road test car. Aluminum body panels. Good older paint. Erratic panel fits. Good interior. Lightly used and consistently maintained. – The real thing is worth millions even having been resuscitated from the original’s remains and the design is charismatic and widely remembered. The bid here is appropriate to a quality Series II E-type Roadster and even at a price closer to the pre-sale low estimate this is a lot of Jaguar performance and style for the money. The consignor was justified in taking it home in search of a more enthusiastic audience, perhaps at Quail Lodge in August?

Lot # 132 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300d Cabriolet D; S/N 1890108500900; Engine # 1899808500699; Medium Red/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $275,000 – $400,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $245,000. – Automatic, Becker Mexico AM-FM, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, Bosch fog lights. – Cab D body swapped from another 300d. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. The engine compartment is like new, as is the chassis and underbody. Impressively beyond perfect even though the restoration is now thirteen years old. – This 300d is an interesting challenge, being a correct chassis and body, just not born together. The restoration and presentation are seriously impressive, done to high standards of fit and finish especially for being thirteen years old. Taking all that into consideration the reported high bid here in Greenwich seems to have been realistic and holding out for a more accepting venue may turn out to be optimistic.

Lot # 133 1961 Jaguar XKE SI flat floor Fixed Head Coupe; S/N 885099; Engine # R2252-9 (see text); Opalescent Dark Green/Biscuit leather, Green piping; Estimate $130,000 – $160,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $110,018 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $123,220. – Flat floor, welded bonnet louvers, inside bonnet latches, chrome wire wheels, Vredestein tires, AM-FM, aluminum radiator, high torque starter, 5-speed. – Good older paint, chrome and interior. The (replacement block) engine has been cleaned up for the auction but the engine compartment is aged and superficially redone. The cam cover and dashpots are show polished. Upholstery is very good and barely worn. A quality older restoration/modification now showing its age. – Sold for $16,200 at Barrett-Jackson in 2001 prior to restoration and in the depths of the post-crash collector car market when selling anything was an event. This post-block transaction is reasonable for both parties and recognizes the conflicting attributes stemming from its flat floor welded louver status, replacement engine block and performance modifications.

Lot # 137 1930 Bentley 4 1/2 Liter Sports Tourer, Body after Vanden Plas; S/N FS3601; Engine # FS3603 (see text); BRGreen/Green leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $525,000 – $675,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $430,000. – RHD. Cycle fenders, folding windshield with wind wings, dual aeroscreens, Zeiss headlights, Toby teardrop cowl lights, diver’s helmet taillights, turn signals, Weymann-style fabric body, C-type 4-speed with added overdrive, dual magnetos. – Originally a Weymann Saloon by Vanden Plas, rebodied at some unknown point with this Le Mans replica, original-style brass body SU carbs. Good older paint and upholstery with some touring miles but excellent, consistent care. The upholstery has a few light scuffs and is lightly creased but still very good. The engine compartment is clean and orderly and the mixed nickel and chrome brightwork is bright. This is clearly a cherished and regularly used Bentley with pleasing patina. – The non-original body is only slight cause for concern for this Bentley as these Le Mans replicas are far more common today than the original closed coachwork worn by so many when new. It is a pleasing car, obviously given great car and used frequently enough to keep it in good fettle. The seller’s reluctance to let it go is understandable; it is worth more than the reported high bid.

Lot # 139 1935 Pierce-Arrow Model 1245 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 3120071; Black/Beige cloth; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $27,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $30,800. – Dual enclosed sidemounts, body color wire wheels, wide whitewalls, K-D fog lights, back seat heater. – Pimply paint applied over damp primer. Worn original upholstery with some moth holes. Rusty chrome. Oily, grimy chassis. Completely redone mechanically and said to run and drive perfectly on Pierce Society and CCCA tours. Started up during the preview, it idled silently and smoothly. – The trouble is that it looks like dreck and despite all the efforts to make it run well the result here reflects its nasty appearance and holey upholstery. For the right buyer, however, this is a wonderful find at a modest price. Now, the difficult decision is to keep it largely as-is or spend a fortune to bring its appearance in line with its function.

Lot # 144 1966 Morgan Plus Four 2+2 Roadster; S/N 6140; White/Black leather; Black top; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $16,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $17,920. – TR4A engine, Silver painted wire wheels, Michelin XZX tires, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, luggage rack, fender mirrors, Pioneer CD stereo. – Cracked, dull old paint and chrome. Bent front bumper. Cracked, torn front seat upholstery. The rear seat is marginally better. Panel cracks suggest trouble with the body framing. Rough. – One of three Morgans at Bonhams Greenwich, all in similar condition which suggest a common owner or a group who enjoy driving their Morgans not showing them. The Greenwich bidder perceived this Morgan for what it is and paid an appropriately modest MG TD price for it, gaining superior performance in a trade-off for challenged appearance.

Lot # 146 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport Cabriolet, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 915811; Engine # SS928114; Red/Brown leather; Dark Brown cloth top; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $375,000 plus commission of 11.33%; Final Price $417,500. – RHD. Chrome wire wheels, Excelsior tires, beautiful woodrim 2-spoke steering wheel, translucent sun visors, trafficators, column shift. – Represented as the original engine. Restored in 2016-17 with excellent paint without even polishing swirl, similarly excellent chrome and interior. The underbody is like new with only a few miles evident. An excellent recent restoration with minimal miles, Best Alfa Romeo at Concorso Italiano in 2017. – Offered at Mecum’s Monterey auction in 2011 as a sound but aged cosmetic restoration, a bazillion dollars have been spent since then bringing it to, and maintaining it in, its present excellent condition. The steering wheel alone is worth a major premium. Envelope body Pinin Farina 6C 2500s are not graceful, but they are evocative and they are eligible for just about any event, particularly a 3-Weber Super Sport. They don’t get any more reasonably priced than this taking the restoration and its preservation into account and the new owner got a great and historic performance car for a moderate price.

Lot # 148 1958 BMW Isetta 600 Sedan; S/N 129300; Engine # 129300; Red, Ivory roof/Cream vinyl, Grey cloth; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $31,360. – Wheel covers, Michelin X tires. – Good paint, chrome and interior. Orderly engine compartment. Restored to very good standards – According to the catalog the owner spent $12,000 rebuilding the 2-cylinder BMW engine, which beggars comprehension. It is a sweet little thing, more practical with its four (tiny) seats than a 300, and is a sound value at this price.

Lot # 150 1955 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT 4th Series Coupe, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N B203618; Engine # B204372; Dark Red/Beige cloth; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $95,000. – RHD. 2,451cc/135hp V-6, Nardi intake with twin dual choke Weber carburetors, floor shift, hood scoop, Carello headlights and fog lights, woodrim steering wheel, Cinturato HS tires. – Poor quality repaint now shrinking and cracked. Crazed grille emblem. Fair interior, good gauges. Scratched rear bumper. Overspray in the wheelwells. Rather original, but disappointing, a Lancia that needs a good home. – The consignor and the people who gave it its pre-sale estimate may have thought, with good reason, that the features and preservation of this B20 GT deserved a six-figure price, but the bidders in Greenwich observed the many needs and reached a different conclusion, putting a restoration project price on it. Their opinion is well-founded and should be acknowledged by the consignor.

Lot # 151 1961 Morgan 4/4 Series III Roadster; S/N A642; BRGreen/Black leather; Black top; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $29,120. – Bluemels steering wheel with leather rim wrap, Silver painted Dayton wire wheels, Vredestein tires, wind wings, single rear-mounted spare, front disc brakes. – Cracked and edge chipped old paint. Badly surface cracked old upholstery and interior trim. Discolored gauge faces. Dirty underbody. Orderly engine compartment. – The Series IV front disc brakes add notable driving value to this 4/4, enough to make the price paid here realistic.

Lot # 152 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 Duetto Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 1480964; Red/Black vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $32,480. – Roundtail body, chrome wire wheels, Pirelli Cinturato tires, Luisi woodrim steering wheel, 5-speed, no radio, Marchal fog lights. – Decent upholstery but the rest of the interior is ratty. Decent repaint and good headlight covers. The wire wheels look peculiar. A marginal driver. – The bulbous Marchal fog lights perched atop the front bumpers give this Duetto Spider a frogeye look entirely inappropriate to its svelte Pininfarina body design, not to mention the grotesque chrome wire wheels. The roundtail Duetto body overcome both those drawbacks and brought a price that is by any measure generous. This would have been a reasonable acquisition at 2/3 this result considering that the wheels need to be thrown into the dustbin and replaced by stock steel wheels or a set of Panasport alloys.

Lot # 155 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Drophead Coupe; S/N 677199; Engine # W85188; Suede Green/Olive Green leather; Green cloth top; Estimate $90,000 – $110,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $74,000. – Fender mirrors, chrome wire wheels, Vredestein tires, Lucas tri-bar headlights. – Later cylinder head. Flat panels, even gaps, flush fits. Very good lightly stretched upholstery, good carpets and interior wood except for some chips on the driver’s door capping. Restored underbody with some miles. Restored in 2006, a prize winner at the Concours d’Elegance of the Eastern U.S. and represented as 69,368 miles from new. Should be a satisfying driver. – Collectors don’t value XK 120 Dropheads nearly as much as they do Roadsters but the lined top folds nearly flat with the rear deck and the higher side window sills covering the rollup windows are friendly to open air motoring. As such a quality XK 120 drophead like this is enjoyable and (take it from one who drove an XK 120 Roadster in the Fifties) sublimely comfortable. Modern collectors are missing a bet by valuing them less than Roadsters and should have bid more for this competent and attractive example.

Lot # 156 1957 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster; S/N 83376; Engine # P65734; Red/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $280,000 – $340,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $230,000. – Hubcaps, Vredestein tires, Euro bumpers with overriders, turn signals, coupe seats (from new), original sales brochure, Kardex copy, tool kit. – Represented as the matching numbers drivetrain and correct date-coded wheels, U.S. delivery with coupe seats. The grey steering wheel rim is scratched and scuffed. A radio antenna hole in the left front fender is plugged. The paint, chrome and especially the interior are very good and fresh but the chassis and underbody are older. – While this isn’t a pristine, magnificent 356A Speedster it is a very good one and it is worth more like the pre-sale low estimate than the reported high bid here, or it is a sign that Porsche 356 Speedsters are losing their appeal in the face of many being in the market.

Lot # 158 1958 Jaguar XK 150S 3.4 Roadster; S/N T831277DN; Engine # VS13119; Ice Blue/Dark Blue leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $140,000 – $180,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $117,600. – 4-speed, overdrive, Chrome wire wheels, Coker Classic bias ply tires, fender mirrors, Lucas headlights, windshield washer, heater, JDHT Certificate documented, original tool kit and Owner’s Handbook. – Represented as fully numbers-matching. Good, maybe a little too good, clearcoat paint. Good upholstery and carpets but glaring bright blue door and windshield fuzzy trim. Orderly engine compartment with water spots on the carburetor dashpots and oily residue on the bottom of the block. The cylinder head and block numbers match. The underbody has been restored like new with a little subsequent use but no damage. The passenger’s door gaps taper and the hood is bowed. – In the late 50’s and early 60’s (before the E-type) the XK 150 S was the be-all and end-all of Jaguar performance. It had a proven chassis, lusty engine, diligent torque and the thing all earlier Jag XKs lacked, 4-wheel disc brakes that could stop it again and again. The result here counts as nothing less than an exceptional value, a quality XK 150S bought for a modest price and one that apparently needs nothing before being driven and enjoyed.

Lot # 160 2003 Morgan Plus 8 35th Anniversary Edition Roadster; S/N SA9PE240730R12991; Connaught Green/Woodsmoke leather; Green cloth top; Estimate $55,000 – $65,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $49,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $54,880. – 3.5/200hp Rover V-8, 5-speed, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel, chrome wire wheels, badge bar, Lumax driving lights, single rear spare, luggage rack, leather bonnet straps. – <6,000 miles, original. Good original paint, lightly soiled upholstery, good chrome. About what you’d expect for the age and miles. – The notion of a Morgan with a V-8, even with a 5-speed, is incongruous, but the craftsmanship of Malvern Link is continuous and satisfying. This is 4/4 money for a Plus 8 and a good value.

Lot # 161 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster; S/N 1210425501579; Black/Red vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $100,000 – $130,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $84,000. – Becker Mexico multiband radio, hubcaps and trim rings. – Flawed orange peely repaint, sound older upholstery with patina. Oily, road grimy chassis and underbody. Erratic chrome. Loose right front wheel well eyebrow. Two owners from new, sound but tired. – 190SLs continue to bring remarkable prices for their sedan chassis and anemic 105hp engines. They’re 2-seat T-birds with a 50% premium and this is what one like this is worth.

Lot # 162 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale, Body by Bertone; S/N AR381122; Engine # AR0012101335; Dark Green metallic/Tan vinyl; Estimate $90,000 – $110,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $79,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $88,480. – 5-speed, Silver steel wheels, hubcaps, Michelin XZX tires. – Oily old engine compartment with a replacement engine. Sound paint, good chrome but dented bumpers under the rechrome. Good interior and carpets. Dirty steering wheel and foggy gauges. Freshly painted wheels over scrapes and chips. Disappointing. – “Disappointing” borders on “nasty”. This is a superficially redone replacement engine Sprint Speciale. For Alfisti, though, it borders on a fever dream: a sound, complete (even with a replacement engine) example of one of Alfa Romeo’s singular show cars rendered in production. The result here is appropriate for its presentation, but for an Alfisti it is a dream come true at an approachable price.

Lot # 164 1961 Austin-Healey 3000 MkI BN7 Roadster; S/N HBN7L10865; Red/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $45,000. – Silver painted wire wheels, Michelin XZX tires, pushbutton radio, heater, 4-speed, overdrive. – Represented as fully numbers matching. Good older repaint, upholstery and chrome. The paint is lightly polishing swirled. The underbody has been done and driven for a while. A reassuring Healey. – Offered at Bonhams auction at the Simeone Museum eight months ago where it was reported bid to $50,000 and having found even less favor here at Greenwich it again returned home with its consignor. The result is a disappointment but is rather meager for a sound, attractive, usable BN7.

Lot # 169 1949 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe de Ville 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N; Engine # 496289515; Blue, Blue-Grey roof/Grey vinyl, Blue cloth; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $68,000. – Sombrero wheel covers, wide whitewalls, automatic, skirts, pushbutton radio, heater. – 1998 AACA National First Prize and still looks the part. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Clean, sharp engine compartment aside from fuel stains on the carburetor. The underbody is like new. – 1949 is the first year for Cadillac’s famed overhead valve V-8 engine and the combination with the also new for 1949 Coupe de Ville 2-door hardtop body is particularly desirable. On top of that, this is an excellent old restoration that is holding up remarkably well and is presented in subtle, attractive colors that complement the Coupe de Ville body’s lines. The consignor is obviously searching for a bit more than the reported high bid, a bit optimistically as it turns out because this is a realistic compromise among configuration, equipment and the restoration’s age.

Lot # 171 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N E53F001075; Engine # LAY494788; Polo White/Red vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $140,000. – WonderBar radio, heater, spinner wheel covers, wide whitewalls, windshield washer and comes with three hardtops: a prototype made by Jim Rockefeller, a Scott and a Parrish Plastics. – NCRS Top Flight in 1996, known ownership history from new, same owner since 1985. Old repaint starting to craze and crack. The engine compartment has been cleaned up on top but not down below which is oily but not dirty. Good upholstery and top. Scratched side curtain trim, driver’s side Plexiglas and faded old cloth covered gaskets. The three hardtops are unrestored. – It’s not often that a ’53 Corvette, in this case the 75th built, comes to market with such a clear history. The three hardtops are a welcome bonus and even with the restoration showing the effect of passing years it is worth at least Bonhams pre-sale low estimate, if not more. The reported bid here was a bottom-feeder.

Lot # 172 1956 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E56S003317; Engine # 0546487F56GR; Venetian Red, Beige coves, Red hardtop/Red vinyl; Beige vinyl top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $68,000. – 265/225hp, dual quads, 3-speed, power windows, power top and hardtop, electric wipers, windshield wipers, WonderBar radio, heater, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, T-3 headlights. – Orderly engine compartment with some oily residue on the block. Very good older paint with one tiny chip behind the driver’s door. Good glass, chrome and top. Restored in 2016, NCRS Top Flight, and looks like it. – After thorough detailing this ’65 Corvette would be ready to be judged again and with its amazing combination of options it is sure to be highly regarded even though the majority of ’56 Corvettes were heavily optioned including 2,682 of the 3,467 built (77%) with the power top. A bid much closer to the pre-sale low estimate is appropriate.

Lot # 173 1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible; S/N 242677P101050; Engine # 035676 WT; Cameo Ivory/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $42,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $47,600. – 400/335hp, 4-speed, power steering and brakes, buckets and console, Hurst shifter, styled wheels, red line tires, pushbutton radio, heater. – Originally air conditioned, but not any more nor is there any representation that the engine and gearbox are original to it. Sound older repaint, scuffed stainless bright trim. Pitted interior chrome trim, dirty steering wheel with a vinyl wrapped rim. Orderly engine compartment with cleaned up oily residue. Road grimy, oily chassis. Scratched wheels. The doors stand slightly proud. A handsome and usable driver-quality GTO convertible. – Loss of the A/C unit is slightly troubling, but not enough to make this result anything less than a very good value.

Lot # 176 1962 Ford Galaxie 483 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 2D51G163083; White/Grey vinyl, cloth; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $38,080. – 483/500hp “experimental” Ford dual quad V-8, 4-speed, bench seat, radio delete, wide steel wheels, hubcaps, 275/60R15 Eagle ST tires. – ?8,048 miles showing. Dull old paint with prep scratches underneath. Delaminating windshield, dull scratched aluminum trim, good rechromed bumpers. Scruffy except for a clean and orderly engine compartment and a fanciful story about Holman & Moody as the source for the engine, replacing the original 406/405hp triple 2-barrel engine. – The first of a dozen exotic Fords from a Texas Ford collector, most of them with exotic origin stories. Like most of its counterparts less attention has been paid to this Ford’s appearance than to its massive engine and the bidders in Greenwich were uniformly unimpressed.

Lot # 177 1963 Ford 300 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 3U53R175318; Blue/Black vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $29,680. – 427/425hp, 4-speed, bench seat, heater, pushbutton radio, Sunpro dashtop tach and underdash engine gauges, aftermarket air conditioning with modern rotary compressor, front disc brakes, aluminum radiator, heater. – Fair older repaint over old paint. Pitted, peeling trim chrome. Old, curdled window seals. Good upholstery and carpets. The top of the engine compartment is decent but down deep and underneath it is aged and road grimy. – The second of a dozen high performance Fords from a single Texas collector, this 300 is missing its trim tag, a troubling oversight. The bidders in Greenwich discounted the origin story, and even the correctness of the VIN, and priced it as a performance hop-up with challenged cosmetics.

Lot # 178 1963 Ford Galaxie 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 3G51R193476; Viking Blue/Blue vinyl, cloth; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $26,500. – 427/425hp, dual quads, 4-speed, line lock, flame cut Kelsey Hayes heavy duty wheels, hubcaps, bench seat, heater (not connected), pushbutton radio, Sun knee-knocker tach. – Edge chipped and splotchy original paint. Sound original upholstery, chrome and bright trim. Orderly unrestored engine compartment with new header tank and radiator shroud. Road grimy chassis. – Reported “Sold” on Hammerprice, not on Bonhams Results list which suggests the deal went sideways.

Lot # 179 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 XL 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 4A68R126865; Rangoon Red/Red vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $36,960. – 427/425hp, dual quads, 4-speed, 15″ wheels, buckets and console, heater, pushbutton radio, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. – Sound older repaint and lightly soiled and used original interior. Wiper scratched windshield. Decent chrome but dull aluminum trim. The engine compartment looks good but the attention extends only as far as the eye can easily see. The bottom of the car is neglected and road grimy. – Another of the Texas Fords with a creative origin story and mixed condition although physically it is one of the better ones in the collection. The bidders didn’t seem to care, and 390 money for it, a bargain purchase.

Lot # 180 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 427 SOHC 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 5F66M100016; Springtime Yellow/Black vinyl; Estimate $300,000 – $400,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $112,000. – 427/657hp SOHC V-8, dual quads, 4-speed, bench seat, 7.75-15 Firestone tires, heater, radio delete, dual circuit brakes, Pyrex headlight covers. – Ripply old repaint good interior and brightwork. Good but overdone engine compartment with some erratic details. Superficial attention to the chassis and underbody. An engine showcase. – The standout among the dozen high performance Fords from Texas at Bonhams Greenwich auction, and also one of the most fanciful origin stories, involving a super-secret Ford test site in upstate New York called the “X-Garage” a 7-hour drive from Dearborn. A mysterious Mr. Henderson worked there and as the story goes he sometimes appropriated vehicles after testing was finished instead of sending them back to Dearborn to be destroyed. This is purported to be one of those cars and is distinguished by its “M” coded VIN which various sources indicate is a dual quad 427 SOHC. Unfortunately, it’s not this SOHC as the car was recovered from a field with a 390 under the hood then restored with another 427 SOHC. Represented to be the original color although that’s hard to authenticate in the absence of its data plate. Reasonably well restored and highly intriguing particularly when the hood is open.

The price? It’s what the justifiably skeptical Greenwich bidders were willing to pay for it.

Lot # 181 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 427 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 6P66R114996; Springtime Yellow, Corinthian White roof/Black vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $32,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $35,840. – 427/425hp, dual quads, 4-speed, steel wheels, hubcaps, 7.10-15 Firestone tires, electric wipers, bench seat, heater, AM-FM radio. – Lightly orange peely old repaint with a few edge chips. Stone chipped windshield and left quarter window. Good chrome and aluminum trim. Orderly engine compartment showing age, superficially repainted chassis and underbody. The odometer shows 23,250 which could be all it’s covered from new based on a 1971 lubrication sticker showing the mileage as 21,506. Presentable and in decent driver condition. – Offered by Auctions America at Carlisle in April 2011 where it was reported bid to $57,500, a reasonable offer at the time. The result here is nothing but a bargain for the new owner.

Lot # 182 1966 Ford Galaxie 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 6N61Q116341; White/Black vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Modified restoration, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $22,400. – 427/410hp, single 4-barrel, Edelbrock intake manifold, Hedman headers, Top-loader 4-speed, Hurst shifter, power steering and brakes, buckets and console, pushbutton radio, heater, wheel covers, red line tires. – Erratic repaint assembled. Dull chrome, shadowed emblems. Shiny engine with paint loss. Superficial engine compartment preparation and quick paint. Road grimy chassis. Started life with a 428/335hp Q-Code engine, purportedly upgraded with this engine as an in-warranty replacement when the original motor blew and later gained the Top-loader 4-speed. – Stated in the catalog to be Springtime Yellow, but I’m not (yet) colorblind. With its replacement engine and indifferent presentation the Greenwich bidders can be understood for their parsimonious bidding. As a weekend driver it will be particularly enjoyable and the power steering and brakes add to its appeal.

Lot # 183 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback; S/N 8T02J188438-02802; Lime Gold/Black vinyl; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $61,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $68,320. – 302/250hp, 4-speed, power steering and brakes, pushbutton radio, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Goodyear Speedway tires, console gauges, grille-mounted driving lights. – Scratched driver’s door window. Disastrous old repaint with tactile texture. Good interior, chrome and very good engine compartment. Like new chassis with storage dust but no evident use. – This Shelby needs a repaint, urgently, and that is factored into the price it brought here. It is consecutively numbered with the next lot in today’s sale, both in the same colors, and if someone bought the pair the combination has even more appeal. At this price it is a good value with financial headroom to make up for the awful paint.

Lot # 184 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback; S/N 8T02J188439-02803; Lime Gold/Black vinyl; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $54,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $60,480. – 302/250hp, 4-speed, power steering and brakes, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Goodyear Speedway tires, pushbutton radio, heater, grille-mounted driving lights. – Sound repaint with fine texture and fisheyes. Good chrome and interior. Restored engine compartment, fresh and orderly. – The paint on this GT350 is marginally better than on the prior lot, with sequential chassis numbers, but this one has the fanciful Mr. Henderson of Ford’s experimental upstate New York “X-Garage” history. If anything the somewhat better paint of this GT350 should have brought a little more than the previous one, but bidder fatigue may have become a factor. This is a bargain.

Lot # 185 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback; S/N 0F02Z141588; Engine # KK2481; Grabber Blue, Matte Black hood scoop/White vinyl; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $144,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $161,280. – 429/375hp, 4-speed, Hurst T-handle shifter, power brakes and steering, smog air pump equipped, pushbutton radio, heater, chrome Magnum wheels, Polyglas GT tires, KK# 2481. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. The engine compartment is like new. Good panel fits and gaps. The roof over the doors wasn’t wet sanding well and has a hint of orange peel. Generally very good, a quality restoration done 10 years ago and holding up exceptionally well. – This is a much better Boss-9 than the price it brought gave it credit for, a result that should be exceptionally pleasing to the buyer, but less to the seller.

Lot # 186 1967 Ford 427ci SOHC V8 Engine; Engine # 003; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 25.3%; Final Price of $32,575. – 427/657hp, dual quads, Top-loader 4-speed gearbox. – A 427/gazillion hp engine and gearbox mounted on a trailer display once installed in a ’67 Galaxie 500 s/n 7F55D100003 with lost paperwork. – A fabulous engine and gearbox combo, bought for a modest price even after including the Automobilia buyer’s premium of 25.3% on the successful hammer bid of $26,000.

Lot # 188 1964 Chevrolet Corvette FI Coupe; S/N 40837S107999; Engine # 7107999 F1127RF; Riverside Red/White; Estimate $300,000 – $400,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $240,000. – 327/375hp Fuelie, 4-speed, 36 gallon tank, metallic brakes, steel wheels, Firestone Indy tires, 36-gallon fuel tank, 3.55 Positraction, F40 suspension, radio delete. – NCRS American Heritage Award winner, one of 38 Big Tank Sting Rays. Roll bar but no fire bottle or belts. Lightly scratched chrome rear bumpers. Sound but older paint. Nearly spotless engine bay and frame. Raced in the SCCA A-Production during 1964-65. Apparently won at Osceola and driven at the Daytona Continental 2000 Kilometers by G.C. Spencer and Cale Yarborough. Body-off restored in 2016 to high standards, but showing age and some use since. Replacement engine with a restamped block. – This Corvette’s history is a sorry saga of missed opportunities. Since appearing at Mecum Kissimmee in 2016 fresh from restoration where it was reported bid to $400,000 it went to Mecum’s Harrisburg sale six months later and stumbled to a $225,000 high bid. At Kissimmee in 2017 the reported high bid was $250,000, and now it’s come up short once again here in Greenwich. It’s clear the problem is not venue, it’s the car and the consignor’s expectations.

Lot # 190 1965 Chevrolet Corvette FI Coupe; S/N 194375S110000; Rally Red/Black leather; Estimate $100,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $80,000. – 327/375hp, 4-speed, woodrim steering wheel, centerlock alloy wheels, red line tires, power steering, brakes and windows, side exhausts, aftermarket cassette stereo (original radio included.) – No visible engine number but represented as matching numbers. Very good paint and chrome. Good original upholstery, interior trim and clear, crisp gauges. The top of the engine compartment is good but the bottom and the chassis are road grimy and neglected. – They probably meant “the original engine”, rather than “matching numbers” in a case of vernacular gone awry. It’s a sound Corvette but with no described history or specialist judging which makes the reported high bid entirely reasonable.

Lot # 191 1963 Chevrolet Corvette FI Roadster; S/N 30867S111876; Engine # F0231RF; Riverside Red, Riverside Red hardtop/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $67,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $75,040. – 327/360hp, 4-speed, centerlock alloy wheels, red line tires, WonderBar radio, two tops – Waterspotted, swirled, stone chipped but remarkably good original paint. Good upholstery, chipped steering column and vinyl wrapped steering wheel rim. Good chrome showing some age. Good engine compartment with some oxidation and cleaned up fuel and oil residue. Generally an impressive and original Fuelie represented as matching numbers. – Corvettes did not do well at Greenwich this year with most of them going home with their consignors. This one found a new home, but at a seriously discounted price that gave its configuration and originality no credit at all. This would be a good value for a Vette with much less going for it; for this car it is a bargain.

Lot # 192 1924 Bentley 3/5.3 Liter Le Mans Replica, Body after Vanden Plas; S/N 712; Engine # 904; BRGreen/Dark Green vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $375,000 – $450,000; Modified restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $350,000 plus commission of 11.43%; Final Price $390,000. – RHD. 5.3 liter four, lengthened wheelbase, body color wire wheels, Blockley tires, dual sidemounts, folding windshield, dual aeroscreens, diver’s helmet taillights, Lucas tri-bar headlights, headlight and radiator stoneguards. – Originally delivered with Vanden Plas Tourer coachwork, later rebodied as a saloon then returned to Le Mans replica coachwork. Fitted with this overbored Neil Davis engine in a long term project through several owners. Well done and highly presentable with little use apparent despite a history of some 15,000 touring miles since it was completed. – If a 4 1/2 Liter Bentley four has a distinctive “Thump, Thump” the tympanic rumble of this 5.3 liter four promises to create chest compressions of singular magnitude. The car is a fairly typical built-up Bentley but one that has epic touring stature and is a sound value at this price.

Lot # 195 1959 Fiat-Abarth Allemano Spyder, Body by Allemano; S/N 100502156; Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $55,000 – $75,000; Competition restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $45,000. – Cromodora alloy wheels, Avon race tires, full width Plexiglas windscreen, braced driver’s rollbar, two seats, Hellebore woodrim steering wheel, underdash engine gauges, 1,050cc four, 110hp, 40DCOE Webers, long tube headers, 5-point Simpson belts, fire system, racing logbooks since 1990. – Race car from new, engine rebuilt to 1000 TRC specs with 8-port aluminum head. Utilitarian but thorough competition preparation. The most recent tech sticker is from CVAR in November 2018. – Carlo Abarth and his team of tuning demons were nothing if not prolific in the breadth and diversity of variants they built, extracting giant-killing horsepower from every engine they touched. Even the Abarth Catalog Raisonné can’t encompass everything that issued forth from the Abarth shops in the Fifties and Sixties, including this 1,050cc/110hp dual 40 DCOE Weber firecracker. It promises to be singularly exciting on the track and the consignor’s determination that the reported high bid is insufficient to recognize its endorphin production is reasonable.

Lot # 196 1954 Fiat OSCA Barchetta, Body after Fantuzzi; S/N 40651; Red/Tan leather; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Rebodied or re-created, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $70,000. – RHD. Twin cam OSCA 272 DS engine with dual Webers, 4-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, grille mounted Carello fog lights, full width Plexiglas windscreen, woodrim steering wheel, outside fuel filler, Jaeger gauges. – Built up with a 1964 OSCA dual ignition engine, FIAT 110E front chassis clip and suspension. Good paint with a chip under the rear of the driver’s door. Freshly built and therefore like new because it is. – This is a homebuilt. It’s a pretty nifty and attractive homebuilt and the workmanship is impressive, but it is an expensive project to give a home for a powerful OSCA engine and until it finds someone willing to trade dead presidents for it the value is indeterminate.

Lot # 197 1959 Abarth 750GT Double Bubble Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N 718273; Engine # 0142613 (see text); Carmine metallic/Black leatherette; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Competition restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $67,200. – 750 overhead valve/70hp, single Weber, Isky camshaft, 4-speed, rollbar, fire system, fuel cell, 5-point belts, AutoMeter tach. – Cracked headlight covers, crazed right side window visor, none on the left, no wiper arms, good side and rear windows. Good clearcoat paint. Good upholstery. The window pockets in the doors are coated with body shop detritus from a repaint while assembled. Cracked aluminum bumperettes. Rough but usable. – Even with all kinds of issues this is a neat little Abarth 750 Zagato for a price that leaves the new owner seasons of historic racing before even thinking about a restoration. It’s an appropriate value even at the pre-sale low estimate.

Lot # 198 1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 7 Passenger Touring; S/N 14656; Engine # B43105; Ivory, Black fenders and accent/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $150,000 – $175,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $130,000. – RHD. Westinghouse front and rear spring shackle dampers, Dawley-style Bausch & Lomb headlights, jump seats, footrest, Maroon wood spoke wheels, dual right side spares, Klaxon electric horn, bulb horn, Black cloth covered luggage trunk, nickel brightwork. – Good older paint, brightwork, top and upholstery. The brass horn begs for polishing, as does the dashboard brass. The chassis is oily and road grimy. There are paint chips and interior wear from being toured. A quality old restoration with plenty of touring miles. – Pierce built some of the highest quality cars of the Teens with big, powerful T-head 6-cylinder engines and commodious coachwork with cast aluminum panels that were rugged and quiet. This is an exceptional example distinguished more by its evidence of use and miles than by its condition, a superior automobile that might have been sold for the reported high bid here, but might not if the consignor takes into account how enjoyable it is on tours.

Lot # 201 1952 Jaguar XK 120 Engine and Chassis; Engine # W59558S; Rust/None; No top; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Unrestored original, 5 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $7,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $7,840. – Bare but complete engine, driveline and chassis. – There is a chassis number barely stamped in the left frame rail and unreadable. Everything is rusty. The wheels turn. The valley between the cam covers is filled with acorn shells. Someone stuffed rags in the exhaust ports and the gearbox shifts into gear to keep it from moving. Did squirrels eat the body? – There’s real potential in this XK 120 relic although admittedly far from being realized even with gallons of Liquid Wrench applied for months to soak into every fastener. It begs to be repurposed with a Fifties fiberglass body from Almquist, Bocar, Kellison, Woodill, Glasspar or Devin. At this price it is a reasonable if difficult project.

Lot # 202 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupe; S/N 11102412001692; Willow Green/Black leather; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $24,640. – 2,778/160hp, automatic, air conditioning, Becker Grand Prix multiband radio, underdash cassette stereo, wheel covers, painted narrow whitewalls, fog lights, sunroof. – Big gouge down the entire right side including bumping the door handle out of place. Cracked, torn upholstery. Weak trim chrome, delaminating windshield, cracked interior wood varnish, curb rashed wheel covers. Sound older repaint. A sound car, aside from the right side gouge and scruffy upholstery. – The bodywork repair is more significant than let on, not least because the passenger’s door handle is a half-inch out of place. That taken into account, though, this is a reasonable price for an otherwise desirable and attractive car.

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Comments

    • Bo Bell
    • June 12, 2019
    Reply

    Seems if one had the wherewithal and/or correct timing to get a good value on an automobile at an established collector car auction – there was an excellent opportunity at this venue! Year over year, they had to be a bit disappointed in the sale results. A few well bought cars! Well done reporting!

      • rickcarey1
      • June 12, 2019
      Reply

      Bo,
      Your observations are spot on and some new owners went home very happy both with the cars they bought and with the prices they paid.
      Rick

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