Bonhams returned to Monaco in 2022 during the resumption of the Monaco GP Historique, putting Covid behind them with a new location in the Fairmont Hotel.
It was an auspicious start to re-establish the Monaco presence, time to begin a new tradition. The Fairmont is certainly that: First class, luxurious, even posh and part of the Monaco GP circuit’s named corners, now marking the hairpin bend that was formerly the Station and later Loew’s. The grand lobby is almost intimidating, giving a commanding view of the Monaco Harbor entrance (the ancient name is Port Hercules) and Mediterranean Sea.
If you want to eat, though, the only choice is the lobby lounge where that glorious view will set you back €34 for an Angus Burger. It comes with bacon and frites, though.
The Monaco GP Historique is an experience with marvelous cars from the race’s fabled history. Those with longer memories will remember the race cars by their liveries like “Marlboro McLaren” and “John Player Lotus” and there is no reticence about presenting them with cigarette sponsors.
Bonhams played into the competition theme of the weekend with a number of competition and performance cars even within their consignment restricted as it was by the space available in the Fairmont’s ballroom. Some cars were overlooked while others, particularly recent high performance derivatives from M-B AMG, brought superior prices. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Pack Volante was the exception, an older car that destroyed its upper estimate.
Keep in mind, though, that these results are converted to $US prices at a nearly historically low rate of $1.041/€1, an historically good opportunity of U.S. buyers in the European market.
That still doesn’t make a €34 hamburger reasonable, however.
Here are the numbers:
| Year | Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Sold < Low Est | Sold > High Est | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ |
| 2022 | 27/35 | 77.1% | 48.2% | 22.2% | $509,804 | $314,252
[61.6%] |
$13,764,702 |
| 2020 | Covid pause | ||||||
| 2018 | 43/55 | 78.2% | 64.3% | 7.1% | $402,613 | $116,821
[29%] |
$17,312,360 |
34 of the 35 automobile lots offered are reported here, leaving out only the Batmobile re-creation sold for $54,477, the least expensive car in the auction and perhaps the one that would be most successful in creating a sensation on the streets of Monaco.
All were viewed on-site by Rick Carey and are sorted by lot number.
Lot # 102 1999 Williams-Supertec Renault FW21 Formula 1; S/N FW2105; Red, White “Veltins”, “Winfield”/Black; Estimate $104,100 – $156,150; Competition car, original as-raced 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $327,915 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $377,102. – 3-Litre/770hp Renault/Supertec V10, 6-speed paddle shift. – Raced in 1999 by Alessandro Zanardi with little success. Static displayed the last 15 years. Represented as complete with engine and gearbox. Good older paint. Cracks and chips on the driver’s surround. Worn, aged and dusty inside. – Sold by Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival in June 2007 for $90,887, the result here is a triumph for the seller, an expensive price for an F1 car with insignificant race results.. On the other hand it’s one tenth the price of the 1991 Williams RM would sell tomorrow from Nigel Mansell’s collection. Provenance, in the form of RM’s “bought from the driver who raced it who got it from the factory”, is key.
Lot # 103 1976 Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina Coupe, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 18879; Engine # 00036; Black/Beige leather, Black stripes; Estimate $135,330 – $166,560; Visually maintained, largely original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $135,330 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $155,630. – 2,927/255hp, Weber carburetors, 5-speed, Borletti air conditioning, power windows, Michelin XWX tires, cassette stereo. – Very good paint looks more fresh than original but without evidence of repainting or any preparation oversights. Good upholstery only lightly stretched on both cushions. Clean, orderly engine compartment and chassis. Ferrari Classiche certified, original engine and gearbox. Belt serviced in 2019. A very good example that looks better than the 92,808 km on the odometer would indicate. – Bought at the pre-sale low estimate, this superbly maintained Classiche certified fiberglass 308 GTB could have brought more without being expensive. It is a good value at this price.
Lot # 104 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage ‘X-Pack’ Volante; S/N SCFCV81VOKTL15794; Engine # V5805794XA; Lichfield Black/Magnolia leather, Black piping; Cream leatherette top; Estimate $156,150 – $208,200; Unrestored original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $281,070 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $323,231. – 5,340/432hp V-8, automatic, alloy wheels, Goodyear Eagle GT tires, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, air conditioning, power windows, Cibie driving lights. – Stored since it was acquired 14 years ago, two owners from new and 8,294km from new. Good paint with one driver’s door edge chip. The upholstery and top are sound but show some age and sloppy cleaning in the past. The underbody has original undercoat. Good chrome and gauges. Clean, orderly engine compartment with age and road grime. Service is essential after the long storage. – Bought for $261,396 at Bonhams sale at Aston Martin Works Service in May 2008 (€167,700 at the time, this result is €310,500 all-in) and a rare and unusual car. The result here is mind-bending, even with the more powerful X-Pack engine, and becomes even more dramatic when the cost of re-commissioning is factored in, even taking into account the low mileage. This is a hefty premium for the performance engine and low miles.
Lot # 105 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 3.0-Litre Coupe, Body by Mulliner’s of Birmingham; S/N LML574; Engine # VB6J148; Blue Metallic/Cream leather; Estimate $166,560 – $229,020; Recent restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $124,920 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $143,658. – 2,992/140hp, 4-speed, silver painted wire wheels, Retrotrip rally speedometer, Michelin tires, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel, 4-point belts. – Engine rebuilt in 2008 with a new block. Very good unblemished paint and chrome. The interior is, if anything, even better. The chassis has been restored like new and has some road grime authenticating its frequent use. A desirable car for events and touring that has all the earmarks of excellent care and attention. – A very satisfying Aston with enough recent use throughout Europe to substantiate its performance and reliability, it could have brought more without being expensive and is a good value at this price.
Lot # 106 1983 Ferrari 512 BBi Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFJA09B000042971; Engine # F110A00254; Black/Black leather, Grey cloth inserts; Estimate $166,560 – $208,200; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $166,560 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $191,544. – 4,942/340hp, 5-speed, 5-spoke centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin TRX tires, Pioneer cassette stereo, Borletti air conditioning, power windows, Momo leather rim steering wheel. – Very good paint and lightly stretched original upholstery. Orderly engine compartment. An orderly and usable car. – Like the 308 GTB Vetroresina sold a few lots before, also from a German collection, this 512 BBi is impressively maintained and preserved, showing just 46,656 believable kilometers on its odometer. It is not Classiche certified, however, and there is no service history with it which means an immediate and potentially expensive trip to a Ferrari specialist to be checked out and have its service brought current. The price it brought, even well into the estimate range, recognizes that contingency and is fair to both buyer and seller.
Lot # 107 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet; S/N 11102712004473; Light Blue/Blue leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $312,300 – $395,580; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $275,865. – 3,499cc/230hp V-8, floor shift automatic, Becker Grand Prix multiband radio, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, halogen headlights, Bosch fog lights. – Good door and trunk fits but the hood stands high when closed. The upholstery is original with deeply cracked front seat cushions and worn windowsill leather covering. Good gauges and dashtop wood molding. A sound, usable but aged car. – Sold by Bonhams at Paris in February 2020 for $328,727 (€299,000 at the time, this result of €265,000 all-in). Scarcely used since it was acquired with only 20 more kilometers showing on its odometer now than when it was sold two years ago. It needs nothing, except a buyer willing to pay substantially more for it than this parsimonious bid.
Lot # 108 1989 Ferrari Testarossa Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFSA17S000080974; Red/Black leather; Estimate $145,740 – $156,150; Unrestored original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $130,125 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $149,644. – 4,942/380hp, 5-speed, alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, Blaupunkt stereo, power windows. – Part of Gerhard Berger’s 1989 Scuderia Ferrari F1 deal, conveyed directly from the factory through Denzel, the Innsbruck, Austria dealership. Replaced later that year by an F40. Signed by Berger on the dashboard and engine compartment in 2017 and comes with books and manuals. Very good original paint and lightly stretched upholstery. Very clean engine compartment and fresh underbody. Lower left windshield corner beginning to delaminate. One small stone chip below the right front marker light. Impressively clean and orderly. – This is a representative price for a Testarossa in this condition and bears little to no premium for the Gerhard Berger provenance. The new owner got a reassuringly maintained Testarossa for a reasonable price. The “ex-Gerhard Berger” history is free.
Lot # 109 1967 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2, Body by Touring; S/N 1321; Ice Blue/Beige leather; Estimate $249,840 – $291,480; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $257,648 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $296,295. – 3,929/320hp V-12, 5-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Avon tires, power windows. – Road grimy engine compartment and chassis. Sound paint with a small dent and door chip on the left side. Scratched driver’s side window. Good older upholstery, dash and gauges. The wire wheels are good but aging. Sound chrome except for scratched windshield and rear window trim. Stored since acquisition in 2008, with all the neglect that implies visible on the car. A sound driver but showing its age and in need of serious attention after 14 years in storage. – Seriously discounted for its age and a decade of neglect. It’s not a bad car, it’s just ignored and overlooked and will need boxes of (expensive) belts, hoses and suspension joints before it is safe or minimally reliable to drive. The Monaco bidders (and Bonhams when estimating it) left lots of headroom for the anticipated costs and this result is appropriate to its condition.
Lot # 110 1962 Brabham Climax BT3 Formula 1; S/N F1162; Engine # FWMV49910; Blue, Gold stripe/Black; Estimate $468,450 – $676,650; Competition restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $348,735 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $401,045. – 1.5 litre Coventry Climax FWMV V-8, Lucas slide throttle fuel injection, 200+hp, H&H 5-spoke black painted alloy wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, TRS 5-point belts, chrome suspension. – An historic F1 car, the first campaigned under the Brabham name, first to score World Championship points, first to win a (non-championship) F1 race, all driven by founder Jack Brabham. Late raced by Ian Raby with a BRM V-8 and by various others. Restored in the early 70’s at the Donington Collection in its original configuration and colors. Later raced in historic events at Goodwood and Monaco. Good paint with various edge and fastener chips from being used. Some surface rust starting and the tailpipe chrome is blistered and peeling. Otherwise clean and orderly. Raced here four years ago. – There were several significant GP cars in the Monaco auctions but it is difficult not to say that this, the first Brabham GP car and a successful period history, ranks right up there. As its recent historic event history demonstrates, it is eligible for and a sought entry in some of the most desirable historic events. It is a notable value in this result.
Lot # 111 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe; S/N WMX1973771A002146; Engine # 1599; Designo Mystic White Pearl/Light Brown leather; Estimate $104,100 – $156,150; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $197,790 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $227,459. – 6,208/472hp V-8, 7-speed AutoManual, 19/20 inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, Continental ContiSport Contact tires, carbon fiber interior trim, CD stereo, climate control, grey calipers, long options list. – Unblemished with scant evidence of use, because it’s been driven only 70 km since it was new and has had only one owner. – Faced with a complicated import environment from its home in Switzerland that could add 30% to the hammer price, the bidders hedged their bets even with this over high estimate price. It would have been a serious value at the high estimate and given its condition and low miles is still not unreasonable even at this result.
Lot # 112 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 6999; Dark Blue/Beige leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $1,249,200 – $1,665,600; Older restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,353,300 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $1,556,295. – 3,286/260hp, 5-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, Brantz rally computer, Marchal halogen headlights. – Very good paint, chrome, interior and top. The odometer shows 8,262 km and the car is consistent with that use (and really good care) since restoration in 2011. Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified noting a replacement gearbox and color change from the original Celeste over black leather. – Many owners over the years, one of which was Montlhéry dealership Stand 14 where 1972 Monaco GP winner Jean-Pierre Beltoise was a partner. The catalog imprecisely credits Beltoise as a prior owner. That aside, the 275 GTS is in outstanding condition and should be a satisfying acquisition in both quality and value for the new owner.
Lot # 114 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster; S/N 19804210002418; Engine # 19898010002466; Silver-Blue/Beige leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $988,950 – $1,249,200; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $874,440. – 2,996/250hp, 4-speed, polished rim alloy wheels, hubcaps, Galaxy narrow whitewall tires, Becker Mexico radio, Euro headlights. – Represented as the original engine. Excellent recent paint, upholstery and chrome but the dash, controls and gauges are not to the same standard. The engine compartment is restored but aged and dusty down deep with some paint loss. The chassis is restored. A handsome car but still a driver. Cataloged as “sensitively recommissioned in the past 12 months”, its condition is rather unsettling. – The disappointing high bid reflects the disappointing and erratic presentation of this 300SL Roadster. Parts of it are good, other parts were untouched or given minimal attention. It was neglected and ignored, then given a quick makeover to get it ready for the auction. The bidders dismissed it, knowing they’d likely find more that needs attention, and they were right.
Lot # 115 1962 Facel Vega Facel II Coupe; S/N HK2A166; Ivory/Beige leather; Estimate $166,560 – $187,380; Unrestored original 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $119,715 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $137,672. – 383/355hp, dual quads, automatic, woodrim steering wheel, power windows, radio missing, silver painted wire wheels, Uniroyal tires. – Poor old repaint, peeling and chipped. Rust in both sills and generally dinged. Scraped on the passenger’s door. Rusty, dirty wheels. Poor chrome throughout. Aged but sound original upholstery. Needs everything. – A restoration project, bought for restoration project money.
Lot # 116 1953 Alfa Romeo 1900C Cabriolet, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N AR1900C01115; Engine # AR13080031; Black/Green leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $416,400 – $499,680; Recent restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $374,760. – 1,884/100hp, column shift 4-speed, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, silver painted Borrani wire wheels, Michelin tires. – Excellent paint and chrome. The interior is smooth and unblemished. The gauges are crisp and bright. The inside of the top boot is upholstered! Impressively and accurately restored to high standards with only 46 km showing on the odometer since it was completed. – Impossible to fault in any meaningful way, an outstanding example of a rare model of which only some 88 were built and about 30 survive. Having acknowledged that, this high bid is a record price and would have been well over $400,000 had it sold and commission been added, an amount that should have been ample to see it find a new home.
Lot # 117 1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster, Body by Reutter; S/N 84554; Engine # 68672; Black/Tan; Black cloth top; Estimate $333,120 – $364,350; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $312,300. – 1,582/70hp, 4-speed, painted steel wheels with chrome hub caps, Vredestein tires, Glasspar hardtop, dual mirrors, gold badging. – Original engine. Represented as a major restoration in 2013, but it depends on what your definition of “major” is. The paint looks like it was washed and dried with the hard end of a kitchen sponge, and on the hardtop it’s heavily faded. The side curtains look nearly new, but the soft top’s rear window is cloudy and scratched. The tires are discolored. Very good interior and new soft top. Looks older restored and lightly used underneath. Money and time was definitely spent on this Speedster, but it does not make a good first impression. Fresh paint would go a long way here. – Reported some by Artcurial at Retromobile in Paris in 2020 for $292,146 (€274,160, this result is €300,000.) It has been driven under 800 km since then (at least according to the odometer) and does not appear to have seen any substantial work or even much attention since then. The reported high bid is entirely reasonable, even a bit generous, for its condition and the seller should have reconsidered and let it go.
Lot # 118 1927 Bugatti Type 35B Sports; S/N 4888; Engine # 127TC; Dark Blue/Black leather; Estimate $2,082,000 – $3,123,000; Competition restoration 4+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,810,435 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $2,082,000. – RHD. 2,262cc, factory supercharged, 4-speed, alloy wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, single aero screen, single left side spare, no headlights or fenders. – Known ownership from new through many owners in France, Britain and most recently almost 50 years in Belgium. Highly original including the engine. Banged up old paint with sloppy hand touch ups on many scrapes and gouges. Dull road grimy chassis. Tired old upholstery. Just the way a Bugatti should be. – Over the years Bugattis have been subject to any number of modifications, substitutions, rebuilds and restorations. This Type 35B has fortuitously avoided those experiences and vicissitudes, remaining largely complete and as-built. It was rebuilt from a disassembled mess in the 60’s by Kenneth Neve and it has stayed largely that way ever since, an ideal mount for racing or tours and it needs nothing to be enjoyed. The price it brought in this negotiated post-block transaction is no less than it deserves and the new owner should be eminently happy with the car and the value.
Lot # 119 1970 Jaguar XKE SII Roadster; S/N 1R13134; Silver/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $260,250 – $364,350; Unrestored original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $98,895 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $113,729. – 4,235/265hp, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Michelin XVS tires, Pioneer CD stereo, Lucas headlights. – Given to the on-site chef for the movie “Le Mans” by Steve McQueen, it is still owned by its recipient, Fredy Zurbrugg, and is completely original. The original paint is cracked and peeling on the hood and various other scratches and scrapes. Sound original upholstery. Torn top boot cover. Dull woodrim steering wheel rim. Original underbody. Thin, scuffed chrome. Sound and usable, too good to restore. – Bonhams estimated this Jag with a big premium for the Solar Productions/Steve McQueen history, a premium which the Monaco bidders were unwilling to credit except slightly in the result for this tired and well used but original XKE.
Lot # 120 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Coupe; S/N WDB2093421F165719; Silver/Anthracite leather, Alcantara inserts; Estimate $145,740 – $187,380; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $374,760 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $430,974. – 5,439/542hp, 5-speed AutoManual, modular alloy wheels, Dunlop Super Sport tires, silver calipers, CD stereo, carbon fiber interior trim, wing. – 187 km, barely used with no wear or damage evident. – Unlike the constricted 5-liter 500hp engines in the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) race cars the road cars had no regulatory limits and blared out 542 supercharged horsepower from their 5.4 litre V-8’s. This one is unused and one of only 100 built however this result is double what it cost new, an astounding premium even though it bought a really rare car. Even with prodigious performance it still looks like a CLK with aero tweaks. Only those well-informed and very serious will know the difference.
Lot # 121 1997 Porsche 911 GT2 Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ99ZVS392082; Engine # M6460R61V01169; White/Black leather, Grey leather inserts; Estimate $884,850 – $1,197,150; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $947,310 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $1,089,407. – 3600/424hp, 6-speed, red calipers, modular alloy wheels, PZero tires, CD stereo. – 8,846 km and nearly like new. – Astounding performance, really astounding price but appropriate for the model, a phenomenon known only to those who covet such things in a 991-generation air-cooled Porsche. It is bragging rights for some.
Lot # 122 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ95ZJS900207; Engine # 9595065H00182; Red/Tan, Red leather; Estimate $1,457,400 – $1,665,600; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,301,250 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $1,496,438. – 2,849/450hp, 6-speed, alloy wheels, Bridgestone tires, air conditioning, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, black calipers, power windows, power mirrors, heated seats, owner’s manual, service book. – Excellent original paint with three nose stone chips. Very good interior with lightly stretched front seats. The headlight covers are starting to haze. – Luxury, extreme performance and exceptional rarity with only 300 built, the 959 remains an important Porsche engineering and production milestone. Porsche built a few supremely successful Group B rally 959s, a dramatic demonstration of Porsche’s engineering prowess. The few Sport and Komfort 959s were developed from the rally cars and are so valued by collectors that the few early American owners like Otis Chandler and Bill Gates got together to convince the DOT to implement the “show and display” exemption to U.S. import regulations to allow them to be imported and driven here. The 2,500 miles a year allowed under show and display isn’t a lot, but 2,500 miles in a 959 is a life-changing experience and this is a realistic, even slightly modest, price for one with so few miles.
Lot # 123 1929 Bugatti Type 37 Sports; S/N 37385; Engine # 287; Blue/Tan leather; Estimate $832,800 – $1,145,100; Competition restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $780,750 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $897,863. – RHD. 1,496cc inline four, 4-speed, silver wire wheels, single left side spare, dual aero screens, Marchal headlights, right hand throttle placement. – Raced extensively by second owner Gerard Victor Hebraic. Restored in Belgium in the early 00’s. Original engine. Chrome plated suspension. Decent paint and upholstery. Aged and used but sound, orderly and highly presentable. – A tidy and useful little car with plenty of event eligibility even with its unblown 1.5 litre engine. (There were two supercharged Type 37As in this year’s Monaco GP Historique.) Both originality and the preservation of its older restoration are pleasing and reassuring and it is a sound value in this transaction.
Lot # 124 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Cabriolet, Body by Vignale; S/N 0159E; Engine # 0159E; Rosso Bordeaux/Tan pigskin; Tan cloth top; Estimate $1,977,900 – $2,394,300; Older restoration 1- condition; With Reserve; Reported sold but not confirmed $1,769,700. – RHD. 2,562cc/170hp V-12, 3 Weber carburetors (factory upgraded in 1953), 5-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Dunlop tires, woodrim steering wheel with finger buttons, tinted glass visors, Marchal headlights, engine internal # 72, Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified. – 2014 Pebble Beach second in class (runner-up to the ex-Roberto Rossellini 375M that was eventually Best of Show). Excellent paint with minor polishing scuffs. Nearly unused upholstery and interior soft trim. Bright chrome. A quality older restoration, sensitively used and maintained. – Sold by Bonhams at Scottsdale in 2020 for $1,930,000 and showing only 14 km more now than it did then. It was unsold on the block at this bid and later reported sold by Bonhams at an undisclosed price. It is a distinguished car with characteristic Vignale features and would be a solid value even at the all-in price it brought two years ago.
Lot # 125 2016 Porsche 911 R Type 991 Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ99ZGS194358; GT Silver, Green stripes/Black leather, houndstooth inserts; Estimate $312,300 – $416,400; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $296,685. – 3,996/493hp, 6-speed, 20-inch centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, air conditioning, factory sound system, yellow calipers, front axle lift, Sport Chrono package, single-mass flywheel among 26 options. – Clean and no visible wear or blemishes, showing less than 800km from new. Number 532 of 991 built. – Bid to a reasonable price on the block, even if it was €280,000, there is little reason why this R Type should not have been the object of a compromise among the buyer, seller and auction company. A third of a million dollars is serious money even with only 800km and in impeccable original condition.
Lot # 126 1956 AC Ace Bristol Roadster; S/N BEX135; Engine # 100D767; Mist Green/Dark Green leather; Estimate $364,350 – $468,450; Competition restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $416,400 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $478,860. – 1,971/105hp Bristol six, triple Solex carburetors, 4-speed, silver painted wire wheels, Avon Turbospeed tires, wraparound Plexiglas windscreen, Marchal fog lights. – Factory installed replacement engine. 11th at the Reims 12-hours in 1956, entered at Le Mans in 1959 by Armand Blaton/Andre Pilette but did not start due to business commitments. Very good paint and upholstery with scuffed bucket seat bolsters. Orderly but dusty underbody and chassis. The handbrake handle is peeling and rusty. Restored for competition and used appropriately. – While this is a generous price for an Ace Bristol in this condition, this car’s in-period racing history and race preparation are valuable and desirable and the bidders’ enthusiasm for it is amply supported.
Lot # 127 1992 Aston Martin Virage Shooting Brake; S/N DP20991; Engine # 8920991A; Dark Green Metallic/Green leather; Estimate $104,100 – $208,200; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $114,510 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $131,687. – 5,341/330hp, 5-speed, 5-spoke alloy wheels, Avon Turbospeed tires, power windows, air conditioning, CD stereo. – 1992 Geneva Motor Show display car, one of only two prototypes built. Excellent original paint and lightly worn interior. One small edge chip on each door. Clean original underbody and chassis shows age and limited use. Orderly but aged engine compartment. An intriguing car but stored since 2005. – Based on the Lagonda chassis and developed for a specialist market with engine development by Callaway Engineering in Old Lyme, Connecticut. More room inside for passengers and dogs, a distinctive shape, excellent performance and exceptionally rare despite being statically displayed for 17 years and needing thorough, and expensive, recommissioning, contingent costs that are well contained at this price. A sound value in a rare Aston.
Lot # 128 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet A; S/N 1880105500019; Engine # 1880105500019; Granit Grey/Light Grey leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $489,270 – $551,730; Recent restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $478,860. – 2,996/150hp, 4-speed, Becker Brescia radio, hubcaps, trim rings, Firestone narrow whitewall tires, Bosch fog lights, fitted luggage. – Excellent paint. Good major chrome but some thin trim chrome. Good lightly creased upholstery. Clean underbody and chassis that is nearly like new. Not pristine, but extremely good, comfortable, luxurious and prestigious. – Once again in this auction this is a realistic bid for a quality car and it could have been sold for the reported high bid or something close to it.
Lot # 129 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series Coupe; S/N WDB2304791F157947; Engine # 27598360007789; Pearl white/Anthracite leather, Grey Alcantara inserts; Estimate $124,920 – $166,560; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $273,263 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $314,252. – 5,980/670hp, 5-speed AutoManual, 19/20 inch centerlock alloy wheels, Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tires, climate control, factory sound system. – Like new with something like 77km. One of 350 built and one owner from new although static displayed since it was new. – Bonhams scored again and again with their late model supercars like this SL65 AMG, bringing premium prices for cars than have only delivery miles don’t deserve the term “used” even though they’ve been on display since they were bought. Hose and belt replacements, fluid flushes and all the “while we’re at it” add-ons will make this SL65 AMG Black much more costly before it gets back on the road where its 670hp can be used to advantage. When 670hp and 737 lb-ft of torque are at hand more than the 5-speed paddle shift is unnecessary, even at this exalted price.
Lot # 130 1982 Porsche 911SC Rally Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ91ZBS102869; White, Blue “Rothmans”/Black cloth; Estimate $176,970 – $229,020; Competition car, original as-raced 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $114,510 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $131,687. – 2,994/260hp, 5-speed, Rally prepared by Henrard Racing in Belgium, pallets of spares, 
lights, gauges, safety equipment, raised, white Fuchs wheels. – Rallied by Henrard at the 2013 Dakar Classic by Stephane Henrard where it was first overall, then 6th and 9th in the 2013 and 2014 Historic Morocco Rally. Much of the specialty rally electronic equipment is missing. Rallied in the 2021 Dakar Classic by Amy Lerner and Sara Bossaert, the only all-female team. Finished 15th overall, 2nd in class. Returned in January 2022, 35th overall, stage winner on day 9. Post-event serviced. Dirty, dusty and as-rallied. – Looks like a Jacky Ickx Rothmans Porsche 959 and must run as its image implies, it is an invitation to consume miles of sand, rocks, hills and washes at prodigious speed. It couldn’t be duplicated for the price paid here even if the underlying 911SC were free and a fantastic image for the money.
Lot # 131 1966 Maserati Sebring 3.7 Series II Coupe, Body by Vignale; S/N AM11010185; Bianco Polo Park/Black; Estimate $187,380 – $229,020; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $161,355. – 3,693/220hp, triple Weber carburetors, ZF 5-speed, Becker Mexico stereo, air conditioning, black center alloy wheels, Michelin Pilote tires. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. First owned by Peter Sellers’ son Michael. Replacement engine block and replacement cylinder head with Weber carburetors. A modest celebrity history but a sound and usable Sebring 3.7. – No one much cared about this Sebring and couldn’t get worked up enough to meet the seller’s expectations, which might need to be adjusted to take into account the replacement engine and cylinder head.
Lot # 132 2001 BMW Z8 Roadster; S/N WBAEJ11041AF79478; Topaz Blue Metallic, Topaz Blue Metallic hardtop/Black leather; Estimate $218,610 – $239,430; Unrestored original 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $197,790. – 4,941/395hp V-8, Getrag 6-speed, alloy wheels, Bridgestone tires, CD changer stereo, air conditioning, heated seats, books and tools. – Nose chips, scuffed paint, polish residue. Hazing headlight covers. Worn and stretched upholstery. A used car with 24,000km, and not all that good, either. – Sold by Bonhams at Paris in February 2020 for $166,662 (€151,800 at the time, this result is €190,000 hammer.) The result here is a more than generous recognition of inflation since this car was built and its rather superficial care and attention.
Lot # 133 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series III Coupe; S/N DB4621L; Engine # 370617; Black/Beige leather; Estimate $260,250 – $312,300; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $322,710 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $371,117. – 3,670/240hp, dual SU carburetors, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Avon Turbospeed tires. – Two owners from new, stored since acquisition in 2008. Surface creased original upholstery but sound and usable. Mediocre old repaint, dents and depressions in both doors. Chipped hood edges. Several touched up scrapes. Generally sound older chrome. Dirty original undercoat. Aged and sound but tired. – Despite the years in static display and the observable evidence of age and use, this is a DB4 with potential that is recognized and not egregiously over-priced in this result leaving room for the new owner to give it at least some of the attention it has lacked over the last fourteen years. It is a long way and many dollars, pounds or €away from concours and won’t get there on the headroom in this price.
Lot # 134 1954 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Deluxe Roadster, Body by Bertone; S/N 404X3105; Engine # BS1MKII302; Dark Blue, White stripe/Black leather; Estimate $312,300 – $416,400; Competition restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $260,250 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $299,288. – 1,971/130hp, triple Solex carburetors, 4-speed, silver stamped wheels, Blockley tires, Halda Speed Pilot, stoneguarded Lucas headlights, leather rim 4-spoke steering wheel. – Represented as the matching numbers engine and first owned by Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner. Sound old paint and upholstery. Dirty undercoated chassis and underbody. Dull, dusty gauges. Several event stickers attest both to the purpose and use of this bolide. – The Hefner/Playboy connection is somewhat ephemeral but still good for starting a conversation at a car show. Its celebrity history is not reflected in the price it brought, which is a representative result for a Bolide Deluxe.
Lot # 135 1967 Jaguar XKE SI 2 + 2; S/N 1E75893; Engine # 7E510799; Opalescent Silver Blue/Dark Blue leather; Estimate $72,870 – $93,690; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,063 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $74,822. – 4,235/265hp, synchromesh 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Dunlop tires, Blaupunkt multiband radio. – Represented as matching numbers throughout. Good clearcoat repaint with small stone chips on the nose and a paint blister on the passenger’s door. Dirty wire wheels. The driver’s door doesn’t close flush but the gaps are even. Good interior and gauges, refinished steering wheel rim. Dirty unrestored underbody. Not very satisfying or encouraging, but a quality example. – XKE 2+2s are not favored, their lengthened roof and steep rear window distending Malcolm Sayers’ sublime XKE coupe’s lines. They are, however, practical and still give similar stimulating performance from the 4.2 liter engine and synchromesh 4-speed of this car. It needs a lot of attention, but (unless closer inspection finds rot and rust) it can be undertaken by the next owner who, on a quick view of the car got a sound and usable example and a solid value.
Lot # 136 1970 Maserati Mexico 4.7-Litre Coupe, Body by Vignale; S/N AM1121736; Ice Blue/Cream leather; Estimate $62,460 – $83,280; Unrestored original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $62,460 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $71,829. – 4,719/290hp V-8, ZF 5-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, pushbutton AM radio, power windows, Carello headlights. – Dull, rusting wire wheels. Aged and surface cracked original upholstery. Good but aged repaint. Weak chrome trim and bumpers. Clean unrestored underbody. Rot blisters in the bottom of the driver’s door. Generally sound but aged and neglected. – Project car, but one with desirable equipment and with potential. Unfortunately the difference between this market price and the potential value of a magnificently (or even competently) restored Mexico isn’t enough to bridge the gap between the handsome result here and what it would bring after being fully restored. This is an appropriate price, but doesn’t translate into a pleasing ownership experience.