Bonhams, Greenwich, June 5, 2022

After a diversion in 2021 with an online sale with previews at Hagerty’s “Garage + Social” in Bedford Hills, NY, Bonhams returned to Greenwich in 2022, albeit on the parking lot of insurance company W.R. Berkley on the hillside above the Delamar Hotel and Roger Sherman Baldwin Park’s Greenwich Concours.

Pulled together in weeks, Bonhams auction was a curious mixture of 59 lots, of which 48 were offered without reserve.

Notably, most of the lots offered were tired, neglected, sunburned and dusty, but desirable exemplars of fine Aston Martins, Facel Vegas, Jensens, Maseratis and Rolls-Royces. The consignment reprised many similar lots offered by Bonhams in the past year or so in the U.S., EU and U.K. This is but a stub of a fabulous stash of cars now dribbling out bit-by-bit where they can be most successfully bought.

Had they been brought to market in a single sale, as RM did in 2016 at Duemila Route, it would be a fantastic event but would have glutted buyers’ appetites. Dribbled out over more than a year at various venues the reception has become one for the individual cars, and they brought encouraging prices here in Greenwich despite having sat for five, ten or more years in a “warm and dry” climate. The pervasive fine dust under the hoods might suggest a Middle Eastern climate.

The interesting dynamic is that Hagerty now owns the Greenwich Concours. Their affiliate, Broad Arrow auctions, had a preview of cars from their upcoming Jim Taylor auction at the Concours, but no auction.

The numbers speak for themselves, as well as to the preponderance of No Reserve cars.

Year Cars Sold/ Offered Sale % Sold < Low Est Sold > High Est Average Sale Median Sale Total $
2022 54/59 91.5% 40.7% 5.1% $107,863 $84,000

[77.9%]

$5,824,580
2021

Online

41/43 95.4% 14.6% 34.2% $105,549 $78,400

[74.3%]

$4,327,500
2020 No Auction
2019 74/101 73.3% 83.8% 5.4% $59,599 $32,000

[53.7%]

$4,410,339

All reported cars were viewed on-site by Rick Carey, sorted in lot number order


Lot # 101 1953 MG TD Roadster; S/N TD29193; Engine # XPAGTD229609; Black/Red leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Older restoration 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $14,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $15,680. – 1,250/55hp, 4-speed, silver painted wheels, LTR Sports tires, fender mirrors, folding windshield, wind wings, luggage rack. – Tired, dull, chipped old paint. Stiff, cracked upholstery. Thin chrome. The steering wheel rim under the wrapped cover is gone except for the wire armature. The chassis has been restored but is aged and used. Oily, grimy engine compartment. Tired, aged and ignored. – Bought right for what it is, this TD has the potential to be cleaned up after years of use and neglect and turned into an enjoyable weekend driver at an affordable investment.

Lot # 102 1966 Fiat 500 Jolly Replica; S/N 110F2781795; Engine # 110000034283; Light Blue/Wicker; Blue, White stripes top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Rebodied or re-created 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $89,600. – 499cc/22hp twin, 4-speed, body color wheels, hubcaps, whitewall tires. – Freshly done and like new. The wicker varnish is crisp and clear. The engine compartment is gorgeous. – When is a Jolly not a Jolly? When it’s a modern replica, even built on a period Fiat 500 chassis. But the model’s appeal, particularly on a bright, sunny day in mega-rich Greenwich, Connecticut, shows in this pricey transaction that is likely to spark a run on old Fiat 500s and molds to make Jolly bodies. The seller must be overjoyed at this result which is far more than it cost to build it.

Photo Courtesy Bonhams

Lot # 103 1992 Acura NSX-T Coupe; S/N JH4NA1285TT000122; Brooklands Green Pearl/Beige leather; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Unrestored original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $53,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $59,360. – 2,977/252hp V-6, automatic, silver painted alloy wheels, Continental tires, air conditioning, power windows and seat. – Original throughout, showing 59,795 miles on the odometer and the car. One owner from new with expected evidence of use in the form of bumps and scrapes as well as lightly worn upholstery. One of 30 in this color. Repaired right door and rocker panel. – The Honda NSX (imported to the U.S. as an Acura) was a revelation. It didn’t boast tire toasting horsepower but it was a superbly designed integrated automobile built to quality standards that were unknown outside Japan. They have held their value well over the years and still command healthy prices as this one, with its rare color, did.

Lot # 104 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe; S/N 680906; Engine # W7758-8; Pastel Blue/Dark Red leather; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $76,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $85,120. – 3,442/160hp, 4-speed, steel wheels, hubcaps, trim rings, skirts, fender skirts. – Good older paint with a few small flaws and chips. Flat panels and even gaps. Very good upholstery, sound interior wood and chrome throughout. The underbody and chassis have old undercoat and show age. Replacement cylinder head. A sound and usable Jag cosmetically restored in 2018.. – This is not nearly as good a Jag as the estimate range or the catalog description imply and the bidders were right to hedge their bets with this price. It could have brought a bid more without being expensive, but not enough to make a difference.

Lot # 108 1967 Maserati Ghibli Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N AM115102; Red/Black leather; Estimate $100,000 – $150,000; Visually maintained, largely original 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $134,400. – 4,719/330hp, ZF 5-speed, centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin XWX tires, AM-FM, air conditioning. – Failing old paint, sound upholstery, failing chrome. Rust blisters all along the front of the hood. Used and neglected. – The angry rust blisters on the hood only hint at the surprises awaiting the next owner of this Ghibli which has been sitting unused for fourteen years. It was honestly presented and estimated and the bidders took their direction to heart with this result. There is a possibility it won’t be as expensive to fix as it might be but 14 years is a long time to sit.

Lot # 110 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 Duetto Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N AR1480958; Red/Black vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $75,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $44,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $49,280. – 1,779/111hp, 5-speed, BWA alloy wheels, Nankang tires, bolt in roll bar. Momo leather rim steering wheel, Blaupunkt Seattle cassette stereo, headlight covers. – SPICA injection. Good older paint and upholstery. Clean and orderly engine compartment with red painted cam covers. Filled right side. Touched up scrape on the right rear fender. Thin bumper chrome and scratched up old door handles. – It’s just a car, but a tremendously enjoyable one for the coming summer and bought for an appropriate price which values the “roundtail” Duetto-style bodywork. Alfas of this period are one of few models where the convertibles are worth less than their Bertone-bodied GTV Sprint coupe counterparts.

Lot # 112 1962 Facel Vega Facel II Coupe; S/N HK2A163; Engine # TY846187; Bleu Facel Irise/Blue leather; Estimate $180,000 – $240,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $210,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $235,200. – 413/390hp Chrysler “Max Wedge” V-8, dual quads, Pont-a-Mousson 4-speed, power windows, RCA multiband radio, chrome wire wheels, Pirelli P4000 tires, Marchal Euro headlights. – Quick old repaint with two big star chips and a fluid stain on the hood. Sound original upholstery. Wiper scratched windshield. Original and used underneath. Restored a while ago and neglected since, it is a promising project, but not one to be undertaken lightly. – One of four Facel Vegas offered here and one of two with the Pont-a-Mousson 4-speed (most have Chrysler Torque-Flite automatics.) Often overlooked, Facels are fast, luxurious and surprisingly well built. They’re also big. The combination of the Max Wedge dual quad V-8, 4-speed and rare color make this a special example that the bidders valued fully in this transaction. It won’t be inexpensive to get back on the road but when it is the new owner will enjoy its distinctive styling and shattering performance to the detriment of many better known contemporaries.

Lot # 117 1974 Jensen Interceptor III Convertible; S/N 23111546; Engine # 5C00101; Bordeaux Metallic/Cream leather; Beige leatherette top; Estimate $50,000 – $80,000; Visually maintained, largely original 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $32,480. – 44/330hp, automatic, chrome wire wheels, narrow whitewalls, woodrim steering wheel, Blaupunkt CD stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – Indifferent quality old repaint. Big rust blisters across the front of the hood (monkeypox?) Sound but aged upholstery. Dirty and neglected having sat for 14 years without being used. – Unloved by the seller and similarly unloved by the Greenwich bidders who saw rust blisters and scampered for the exits. But being No Reserve it had to sell and the seller should be grateful for getting this much for it.

Lot # 121 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante; S/N SCFCV81V8KTL15767; Engine # V5855767LFA; Windsor Red/Parchment leather; Cream leatherette top; Estimate $130,000 – $170,000; Unrestored original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $170,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $190,400. – 5,340/315hp V-8, automatic, basket center Ronal alloy wheels, Goodyear Eagle tires, Sony CD stereo, fog lights, power windows and mirrors. – Good original paint, chrome and interior. Lightly used, presentable and usable with 15,009 claimed miles from new. Stored eleven years since 2010. Mechanical freshening will not be cheap but cosmetically any needs are minimal. – Recognizing the extra value of the 315hp Vantage engine and even discounting for the 3-speed automatic this Aston is appropriately valued in this transaction.

Photo courtesy Bonhams

Lot # 124 1967 Ford Bronco Half Cab Pickup; S/N U14FLA43009; Rangoon Red, White roof/Red, White vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $95,000; Truck restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $50,000 plus commission of; Final Price $50,000. – 170/90hp six, automatic, white wheels, Radial A/W tires, Pioneer CD stereo, black fiberglass fender flares, locking front hubs, folding windshield. – Sound paint with orange peel of varying severity. Good upholstery. Most chrome is good. The chassis, however, is old and dirty. A usable driver treated to an unsatisfying truck-quality restoration. – The consignor should face the fact that the “new Bronco” craze has passed and a superficially cosmetically restored example like this, even if it looks okay at 20′ is no longer sought by collectors, or anyone else for that matter. The reported high bid here should have been more than sufficient to separate it from the owner and to get anywhere close to the pre-sale estimate the body needs to be repainted by a competent shop and lifted off the frame that needs comprehensive stripping and rebuilding. This is a disappointing cosmetic restoration to superficial truck standards and it deserved to be shunned at Greenwich.

Lot # 125 1987 Ferrari 412 2-Dr. Sedan, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFYD24B0000655505; Engine # 00219; Marrone Metallic/Beige leather; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Unrestored original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $47,040. – 4,943/318hp, fuel injection, automatic, 5-spoke alloy wheels, Michelin TRX tires, air conditioning, Blaupunkt cassette stereo. – Good original paint except for a peeling area at the base of the driver’s windshield post. Dusty old engine compartment. Shows 6,400 believable miles on the odometer and the car but the self-leveling rear suspension needs to be overhauled to correct the tail drag. – A tall onlooker took particular interest in this 412 and its red counterpart, noting that the 412 that a tall guy can drive with comfort. He added that he’d owned several and had found them to be both fast and reliable including an experience in Nevada years ago when he’d been cruising at 120mph for hours, then pulling in for gas (“at those speeds you can see the gas gauge fall”) when a State Trooper pulled in a few minutes later. The Trooper pulled up alongside, rolled down his window and waggled his finger in reproof saying, “Keep it down” with a smile. Favored by few except basketball stars, the 412’s reputation hasn’t kept up with other Ferraris of the time but deserve new attention for their room, style and performance. This is what they’re worth and for anyone who can tolerate the 3-speed GM Hydramatic automatic it is an affordable way to get the Ferrari V-12 experience.

Photo courtesy Bonhams

Lot # 126 1957 Jaguar XK 150 Fixed Head Coupe; S/N S834585; Engine # V1856-8; Cotswold Blue/Red leatherette; Estimate $30,000 – $50,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $40,320. – 3,442/190hp, 4-speed, underdash CD stereo, chrome wire wheels, Dunlop tires, aluminum radiator – Mediocre old repaint and interior. Dirty, neglected engine compartment with the correctly numbered engine block but replacement straight port cylinder head and 3″ SU carburetors. Faded carpets. Paint scraped on the driver’s door, cracked at the rear roof joint.Orderly engine compartment. Not bad, but not good either. – Reported sold at Russo and Steele Scottsdale in 2011 for $33,550 as a Sunday rerun. Neglected here, but still a car with some appeal if only because after sitting for years it can be mechanically sorted and driven with some confidence. The price it brought reflects the minimal attention it has had in eleven years and is a realistic value in this transaction.

Photo courtesy Bonhams

Lot # 128 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Convertible; S/N 8T03J180337-02981; Acapulco Blue/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Cosmetic restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $115,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $128,800. – 302/250hp, automatic, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires, Pioneer cassette stereo, woodrim steering wheel, power steering and brakes, original invoice and Marti Report documented. – Decent paint, chrome and interior showing some age and use. Scratched wood shift knob. Orderly but road used and dusty chassis. – Reported sold by Auctions America at Hilton Head in 2016 for $83,600, not much has changed on this so-called GT350 with its 302 V-8 and with under 200 miles on its odometer since 2016, a Shelby in name and body panels only. The price it brought is optimistic, the estimate range is even more so, but it is one of few cars in this auction that can, with due attention to years of static storage, be driven as it was bought.

Lot # 131 1963 Facel Vega Facel II Coupe; S/N HK2B141; Engine # TY8712253; White/Bordeaux leather; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $179,200. – 383/355hp Chrysler, TorqueFlite automatic, chrome wire wheels, narrow whitewalls, Pioneer stereo, power windows. – Dirty, rusty wire wheels, old undercoat. Sound, aged original upholstery. Edge chipped old repaint over old paint. Fair chrome. It has been sitting for at least a dozen years (and probably more before that) and requires comprehensive mechanical attention. – Like so many of the cars in this Bonhams auction this Facel II is not bad, it’s just far from good and this is reasonable price for it. It has “potential” but it will be expensive to realize what it might be.

Lot # 135 1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Liter Touring, Body after Vanden Plas; S/N FB3320; Engine # FB3322; BRGreen/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $650,000 – $725,000; Rebodied or re-created 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $545,000 plus commission of 10.92%; Final Price $604,500. – RHD.4,398/110hp 4-cylinder, 4-speed C-gearbox, body color wire wheels, Blockley tires, dual sidemounts, Zeiss headlights, Bosch horns, fabric covered body. – Originally bodied by Harrison, probably as a drophead coupe. Rebodied in the 70’s with this Vanden Plas replica coachwork for John Middleton by Elmdown Engineering. Good older paint with some touring scratches and chips. The upholstery is sound but older than the exterior paint. Good new top. The chassis is restored and toured. A handsome and eminently usable Bentley. – A lovingly maintained Bentley throughout many years with the sudden performance which only nearly 1,100cc per cylinder can produce, a classic of classics that embodies many of W.O. Bentley’s best ideas. It is not let down by its older Vanden Plas replica coachwork, nor its well-maintained and regularly used condition and is a sound value in this transaction.

Lot # 136 1958 Facel Vega Typhoon Coupe; S/N FV458317; Metallic Green/Beige leather; Estimate $160,000 – $200,000; Unrestored original 4- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $120,000 plus commission of; Final Price $120,000. – 354/375hp, dual quads, Pont-a-Mousson 4-speed, power windows, chrome wire wheels, Dunlop Gold Seal tires, radio missing, fog lights. – Scratched, scraped, partially ground down to bare metal. Bad chrome. Worn, surface cracked original upholstery. A project car. – But what a project car it is, with thunderous performance from its Chrysler Hemi V-8 and unexpected launch from the 4-speed manual gearbox. Admittedly it takes a particular vision and concept to undertake a ratty project like this only to end up with a Facel Vega Typhoon that few if any onlookers recognize for its performance and luxury. At full song the sound of this thing should be activating and electrifying. In its present condition, however, it is a long way from its potential and it is impossible to argue with the bidders’ reluctance to step into the comprehensive restoration it needs with a price beyond that reported here.

Photo courtesy Bonhams

Lot # 137 1982 Aston Martin V8 Volante; S/N SCFCV81CTL15279; Engine # V5805279LFA; Black/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Unrestored original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $117,600. – 5,340/300hp, Weber carburetors, 3-speed automatic, alloy wheels, Michelin XW4 tires, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, air conditioning, chrome bumpers. – Sound original paint with edge chips and swirl. Sound upholstery. Old, dirty undercoat. Corrosion spotted wheels. A sound but aged original Aston. – Like many (if not most) of the cars in Bonhams Greenwich auction this Aston has sat for years and needs a thorough mechanical refresh before its potential can be explored. The price it brought here recognizes the attention it needs.

Lot # 140 1957 Porsche 356A Speedster, Body by Reutter; S/N 83100; Engine # P801530; White/Black leatherette; Black cloth top; Estimate $275,000 – $325,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $255,000 plus commission of 11.96%; Final Price $285,500. – 1,582/90hp Super 90, dual Weber 40 IDF carburetors, Typ 741 4-speed with hillclimb gears, limited slip 6.33:1 diff, chrome wheels, hubcaps, Vredestein tires, headlight stoneguards, Marchal fog lights, woodrim steering wheel, Raydyot outside mirror, hood straps. – Very good older paint and barely used interior Good chrome. Clean underbody and chassis with old undercoat and some miles. Chrome Carrera trim missing from the engine cover louvers. A few small stone chips on the nose. The lower front corner of the passenger’s door is chipped and rusting. Good moving panel fits. A sound and presentable driver with augmented power and driveline – A charming Speedster, hotted up over the years after a period with a Carrera engine when raced by Glenn Hoffmann in SCCA E-Production. Carrera engine cover. A much modified and enthusiastically raced Speedster now benignly presented in close to its original condition and bought reasonably in recognition of its many modifications. A solid value in a real, if modified, Speedster.

 

Lot # 141 1961 Facel Vega Excellence EX2 4-Dr. Hardtop; S/N EXIIC004; Black/Parchment leather; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Unrestored original 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $87,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $97,440. – 5,913/360hp Chrysler, single 4-barrel, TorqueFlite automatic, silver painted wire wheels, narrow whitewalls, power windows, Marchal headlights and fog lights, air conditioning, power steering. – Believed to be the 1961 Paris Motor Show car. Touched up battered old paint, poor chrome, tattered upholstery. No apparent rot or rust bubbles, needs everything but a sound place to start. – The new owner is betting that the underlying structure and mechanical components aren’t as bad as they appear in the auction preview. That’s not borne out by inference from appearances where everything needs attention and many bits and pieces will have disappeared. This is a big bet on unlikely good outcomes and is expensive.

Lot # 144 1967 Ferrari 412i 2-Dr. Sedan, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFYD24B000061717; Engine # 00219; Rosso Corsa/Tan leather; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Unrestored original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $42,560. – 4942/318hp, fuel injection, 3-speed automatic, Pioneer cassette stereo, 5-spoke alloy wheels, Michelin TRX tires, Momo leather rim steering wheel, air conditioning. – Good original paint and interior. Orderly engine compartment dusty from storage but not neglected. The rear suspension sags. In static display since 2013 and needs much work before realizing its potential. – In good largely original condition this 412i is sound and probably original at 15,439 miles, or at least since being Federalized. The price paid here is only a start of what it will cost to get it back on the road to appreciate its roomy accommodations and high speed performance but is realistic and comparable with the other 412i in today’s Greenwich auction.

Lot # 147 1973 Jensen Interceptor III Coupe; S/N 1408963; Metallic Blue/Parchment leather, Brown piping; Estimate $35,000 – $50,000; Cosmetic restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $41,440. – 440/330hp, single 4-barrel, automatic, alloy wheels, Falken tires, Alpine CD stereo, power windows, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel, air conditioning, power steering, owner’s handbook, jack, tool roll and copy of the Statement of Origin. – Good older repaint even if the color is eye-searing. Good interior and chrome. The underbody and chassis have been restored and are clean and only lightly used while static displayed since at least 2012. – The color would be better in its original Copper Brown and the car would have been much better had it been left alone. It brought a generous price here at Greenwich and might be worth twice as much after being restored, which can’t be accomplished on any reasonable basis after paying this much for a tired car.

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