Bonhams 2021 Quail Lodge auction was an unmitigated success. It is a sharp contrast with the online only 2020 auction and the used car lot auction they held here in 2019.
The enhanced emphasis on quality consignments instead of number of “units” that characterized 2019 is apparent in the total changing hands, the average and the median sale transactions as well as the sell-through rate. Nine lots were bid to $1 million or more and six of them sold for a total of $14,070,000, also in distinct contrast with 2019 when eleven lots were bid into seven figures but only four of them sold.
The result set a similar tone as the rest of the Monterey auctions: excellent cars greeted by enthusiastic bidders who were paying generally strong prices.
Here are the numbers.
| Year | Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Sold < Low Est | Sold > High Est | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ |
| 2021 | 122/139 | 87.8% | 40.2% | 18.9% | $296,672 | $207,200
[69.8%] |
$36,194,040 |
| 2020
(Online) |
62/99 | 62.6% | 79% | 3.2% | $206,399 | $87,360
[42.3%] |
$12,796,750 |
| 2019 | 163/219 | 74.4% | 79.1% | 3.1% | $186,511 | $73,920
[39.6%] |
$30,401,280 |
43 of the 139 lots offered are reported here with observations by Rick Carey, Andrew Newton and Greg Ingold. Photos are either by the observers or courtesy of Bonhams. Lots are sorted by lot number.
Lot # 6 1962 Facel Vega Facel II Coupe; S/N HK2A107; Engine # TY8216129; Black/Red leather; Estimate $180,000 – $240,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $205,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $229,600. – 383/355hp Chrysler Wedge V-8, 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, Borrani wire wheels. – US market car, represented as the eighth Facel II built. The aged black paint looks good from 20 feet away, but as you move closer the years of wear become apparent. Spider cracks adorn the top passenger’s side hood. Bubbles and scratches are evident below the windshield. The rubber moldings have dried and adhesive is seeping from the seams. The leather interior is worn and faded, but shows no significant damage. The Borrani wheels and bright work are in good shape and would benefit from a clean and polish. Mostly solid, but has been sitting since 2009 and needs work before hitting the road again. – Appropriately viewed by the Bonhams bidders and bought somewhat generously but without going nuts. It’s a handsome car with ample performance that can be routinely serviced with parts from NAPA, an exotic that isn’t exotic.
Lot # 10 1971 AC 428 Coupe, Body by Frua; S/N CF60; Engine # 1092K11KR; Silver/Black leather; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $155,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $173,600. – RHD, 428/345hp Ford V-8, automatic, chrome wire wheels, Dunlop tires, horseshoe shifter, dash clock, power windows, aftermarket rear suspension and cooling. – One of 51 coupes. Restoration work in 2015 and earlier this year. Good, possibly original chrome. Good older paint other than a small blister at the front of the hood. The wheels and tires look brand new. Some wear on the switchgear and shifter but good newer seats. Tidy underneath. Never fully restored all at once but got consistent and major attention when necessary from a long-term owner. – These are seriously cool cars, and arguably quite undervalued when you consider their looks (very similar to the also Frua-designed Maserati Mistral), performance, hand-built construction, and rarity. 428s don’t often come to market, especially in this country, but this result is in line with what others have brought over the past several years. Over at RM Sotheby’s, however, there was a collection of rare pre- and post-war ACs that captured more attention, and the 428 Spider out of that group brought a very strong $302,000.
Lot # 19 1965 Bentley S3 Continental Fixed Head Coupe, Body by Park Ward; S/N BC90LXC; Engine # A43PV; Black/Beige leather; Estimate $70,000 – $100,000; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $106,400. – LHD. 6,230/200hp, automatic, wheel covers, Michelin narrow whitewalls, Flying B hood ornament, Lucas driving lights, bucket seats, column shift, later Kenwood stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – Delivered new to Houston oilman Lawrence Reed. Formerly in the collection of Lucy Dahl, daughter of Roald Dahl (not Ronald Dahl as it reads in the Bonhams catalogue). Represented as one of 80 LHD S3 Continentals. Replacement engine. Sound chrome but tired paint, and the doors show some waviness. Clean interior wood, but the leather is dry and lightly worn. Older restored underneath. There is a hole where the radio antenna used to be. Rare configuration and some interesting provenance, but an average quality Continental in terms of condition and dormant at least since 2008. – Bought for more than its condition indicates but a handsome and desirable Rolls-Bentley that will be a pleasure to own and drive once it’s had an expensive sojourn through a specialist shop to remedy the past dozen years dormancy. The buyer paid for the style and rarity, not condition.
Lot # 21 1930 Morgan Aero 3-Wheeler; S/N M301; Engine # LTOW64353; Green/Black; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $50,400. – RHD. 1,100/41hp JAP V-twin, 2-speed manual, white painted wire wheels, chain drive, wood dash, wood shift knob, Smiths dash clock. – Good paint and restored engine. Solid interior. The body panels aren’t completely straight but they probably never were. Well restored to appropriate standards for what it is and it looks like a blast. Rarely seen in this country, and high specs for a classic three-wheeler. Replacement engine. – This price is only a few grand short of the projected starting price of a new Morgan 3 Wheeler. The new one is of course a lot faster and more usable, but the classic ones have a certain charm and fun factor that only old cars can provide. Vintage three-wheelers aren’t easy to find on our shores, and this one appears ready to go on an adventure. It’s a solid value at this price but not the Aero Super Sports as it was cataloged and that accounts for the difference between the hammer bid and the pre-sale estimate range.
Lot # 23 1964 AC Cobra 289 Roadster; S/N COX6014; Engine # 2559; Black/Red leather; Estimate $900,000 – $1,100,000; Recent restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $900,000 plus commission of 10.56%; Final Price $995,000. – 289/271hp, 4-speed, silver painted wire wheels, Goodyear tires, Lucas headlights, grille and trunk guards, tinted sun visors, wind wings. – Represented as the original engine, transmission, differential, chassis and body. One of just 17 LHD COX AC Cobras built, delivered new in Canada and single family owned for 45 years. The engine compartment is meticulously restored and like new. Very good paint with only minor defects, good interior and chrome. – When is a Cobra not a Shelby? When it’s an AC export COX car or a RHD British delivery COB car, a peculiar subset of Cobra lineage. The Bonhams bidders paid no attention at all to the rarity of its origins or to its remarkable long term ownership history (which was compromised by its restoration) and bought it for ordinary money. A sound, maybe even good, value in this transaction.
Lot # 29 1998 Lamborghini Diablo SV Monterey Edition Coupe; S/N ZA9DU21B4WLA12007; Blu Scuro/Black leather; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Original, modified for competition or performance 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $250,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $280,000. – 5707/523hp, added twin turbos, 6-speed, Pirelli P Zero tires, Alpine stereo. – Modified with twin turbos and represented with 13,900 km. One of 20 Monterey Editions, making this an ideal place to sell it. There are some chips on the nose, dull exterior plastic and weather stripping, and the carbon fiber strip on the windshield wiper has yellowed a bit. Faded rear badges. Lightly worn seats, but faded switchgear, the dash top is wrinkled and peeled back a bit at the top, and the warning sticker in the middle of the dash is peeled. Low mileage and a cool car in a great color, but there are enough little things to pick on with this Diablo that it’s really just a used example. – The mods and condition detracted from this car somewhat, but Monterey Editions are very rare and quite sought after in Diablo circles and it brought a strong price relative to a normal Diablo SV in this condition.
Lot # 33 1964 Dolphin America Abarth Sports Racer; S/N None; Red/Black fiberglass; Estimate $70,000 – $100,000; Incomplete restoration 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $42,560. – 747/75hp Abarth engine, 5-speed, alloy wheels. – SCCA National Champion in 1964 and 1966 driven by Dan Parkinson. Superficial old repaint, ratty old chassis, engine with no oil pan on a stand. corroding alloy wheels. Neglected and unfinished but comes with many parts, spares and even molds for the bodywork. – An intriguing history, but in need of everything and then some before it can realize its potential. The bidders looked at it, realized how much it needed and declined to pay anything close to the estimate but still paid up for the history and potential. Very much a project.
Lot # 34 1928 Mercedes-Benz S-Type 26/120/180hp Sports Tourer; S/N 35920; Engine # 68674; Black/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $3,000,000 – $4,000,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $4,900,000 plus commission of 10.10%; Final Price $5,395,000. – RHD. 6,740/120-180hp, supercharged six, 4-speed, black wire wheels, Michelin tires, Supralux head and dip beam lights, vee windshield, cutdown doors, dual rear-mounted spares, dual Bosch spotlights. – Single family ownership since 1964, restored in the Sixties by Gus Reuter, with further work by George Waterman and Kirk Gibson. Good recent repaint but badly scuffed from the hood strap. Chrome is sound but erratic and flawed. Excellent lightly used upholstery. The engine and chassis are restored like new and clean. The restoration shows its age but also good care and attention. – Offered at Gooding’s Pebble Beach auction in 2017 still wearing its Sixties yellow and black livery and bid to $4,750,000. It’s been repainted and freshened since then and has added about 100 kilometers to the odometer reading. Bid to well over the modest high estimate, as it deserved to be, this is an extraordinary car with a serious presence and legendary performance. It will never go unnoticed and is pleasingly maintained in good driving condition.
Lot # 39 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Coupe; S/N DB4438L; Engine # 370438L; Peony Red/Champagne leather; Estimate $260,000 – $320,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $305,000 plus commission of 11.64%; Final Price $340,500. – 3,670/243hp, 4-speed, wire wheels, Firestone tires, woodrim steering wheel, rear defrost, added Alpine cassette stereo. – Delivered new in Switzerland. Represented as matching numbers. Tired paint with detail scratching throughout and several chips around the front of the hood. Large tough up and two shallow dents at the back of the driver’s door as well. Scratched window frames. Old, mildly discolored, and heavily wrinkled leather. Never fully restored and driven as intended. Looks solid enough to be an event car, but it has been sitting since 2007 and needs attention before actually using it in an event. – With a superb DB4 GT on offer at Gooding and a genuine DB4 GT Zagato on offer over at RM it was easy to overlook this somewhat neglected “regular” DB4 at Bonhams. But the Quail bidders didn’t overlook it, they just appropriately discounted it for the attention it needs.
Lot # 40 1992 Ferrari F40 Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFMN34A0093065; Engine # 30266; Red/Red cloth; Estimate $3,000,000 – $4,000,000; Unrestored original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,450,000 plus commission of 10.34%; Final Price $1,600,000. – 2,936/478hp, 5-spoke modular wheels, PZero tires, SF shields, air conditioning. Assembly number 10373. – Sound original paint, stone chipped nose and headlight covers, touched up gouge in the radiator intake. Chips around the headlight doors. The upholstery has been replaced and has slight fraying on the driver’s seat belt opening. Clean and aging engine compartment. The odometer shows 16,103 believable miles. U.S. delivery, matching numbers, Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified in 2021, belt serviced in 2017. – The other two F40s in the Monterey auctions had many fewer than this example’s 16,000 but on the other hand that’s hardly enough to account for this transaction’s difference from the 2.4 and 2.9 million dollars they brought and this is by far the best value.
Lot # 41 1972 Aston Martin DBS V8 Coupe; S/N DBSV810204LCA; Engine # V540056EE; Yeoman Red/Black leather; Estimate $60,000 – $90,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $78,400. – LHD, 5340/320hp, fuel injection, automatic, alloy wheels, Michelin tires, power windows, Coolaire air conditioning, original radio. – Delivered new to Canada. Older paint with significant blistering below the left A-pillar. Masking tape over where the radio antenna used to be. Lightly scratched window frames. Light wear and mild cracking in the original leather. Grimy engine bay. Rough wheels with surface rust on the lug nuts. A relatively rare car but in driver condition. Not much is known about its early history and, according to Bonhams, it requires recommissioning prior to active road use. – The DBS marked Aston’s move to V-8 power and square styling that would characterize its cars for at least the next two decades, but it’s worth significantly less than the earlier DB’s with their ’60s curves and sweet sixes. This DBS is an unremarkable car with steep shop bills ahead of it, and the price it brought reflects that.
Lot # 44 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N B24S1144; Engine # B241213; Black/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $1,100,000 – $1,300,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,050,000. – 2,451/118hp V-6, 4-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin X tires, SW oil pressure gauge, woodrim steering wheel, Carello headlights. – Excellent paint, chrome and barely stretched upholstery. The chassis and engine are restored like new. Small chip on the front of the hood and a tiny crack in front of the passenger’s door. Even panel gaps and fits. – Sold here in 2013 for $935,000 and in pretty much the same condition with 1,465 more miles showing on its odometer. The high bid here is reasonable for this Lancia’s history and condition and close enough to the low estimate that it really should have moved on.
Lot # 46 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster; S/N CSX3242; Blue, White stripes/Black leather; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,200,000; Modified restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $950,000 plus commission of 10.53%; Final Price $1,050,000. – 427/485hp, dual quads, 4-speed, halogen headlights, quick jack pickups, chrome paperclip roll bar, side exhaust, outside fuel filler. – An S/C conversion with a later dual quad 427 engine. Stolen in the Sixties and renumbered CSX 3041, then changed hands several times including to GP driver Didier Pironi before being re-identified and returned to the insurance company in the 90’s. The star car in Forza Motorsport 4. Very good paint and interior other than old carpets. Clean engine compartment. Orderly and lightly used. – Offered at Barrett-Jackson WestWorld in 1993 where it was bid to $237,500 but didn’t sell. That was an appropriate offer at the time. The swapped engine and S/C upgrades compete with attractive presentation and performance and this is an appropriate price compromise.
Lot # 49 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Cabriolet, Body by Figoni & Falaschi; S/N 100234; Engine # 26179; Light Blue, Purple fenders/Purple leather; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,300,000; Concours restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,700,000 plus commission of 10.29%; Final Price $1,875,000. – RHD. 4,482/190hp six, 4-speed Wilson pre-selector, skirts, Marchal headlights and fog lights, purple interior knobs and steering wheel rim, Philips radio, wheel covers, wide whitewalls. – One of only about 36 aluminum cylinder head Record Sport chassis built. A concours winner when built. Partially restored in France for John O’Quinn and confirmed as this car number (frame number 3179). Spectacular paint, chrome and interior, never displayed since completion of the restoration. – Purchased here by John O’Quinn in tired condition in 2006 for $375,500. Acquired as an ongoing restoration project from the O’Quinn estate in 2010 and now completed to very high standards befitting its flamboyant F&F design. A potential concours contender made even more desirable by the grand prix spec aluminum cylinder head engine.
Lot # 56 1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Cabriolet, Body by Ghia; S/N 0233EU; Engine # 0233EU; Blue/Cream leather, Blue piping; Estimate $1,700,000 – $2,100,000; Concours restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,650,000 plus commission of 10.30%; Final Price $1,820,000. – RHD. 2,562/175hp V-12, Three Weber carburetors, 5-speed, partial rear wheel skirts, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Avon tires, woodrim steering wheel. – Ghia’s 1952 Geneva show car, then at the Turin show. Discovered in a Grand Blanc, Michigan barn in 2011 with Chevy power. Purchased by Tom Shaughnessy who reunited it with its original engine. Displayed at Pebble Beach in 2017, Platinum and the Wayne Obry Memorial Cup winner at Cavallino in 2018. Concours restoration, excellent paint, inviting interior and bright chrome. Bright, crisp gauges. The underbody is restored better than new, too, but not overdone. – Sold by Gooding at Amelia in 2018 for $1.6 million and now showing 10 more km on its odometer than it did then, which goes a long way to explaining how it’s still in concours condition. While it doesn’t have the appeal of a car that was raced when new it does have neat details and is eligible for many of the same desirable events. The not driving it (other than the transporter drivers who load and unload it) in the past three years is unthinkable.
Lot # 57 1975 Lamborghini Espada 400 GTE SIII Coupe; S/N 9652; Engine # 41459; White/Red leather piped in red; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $67,200. – 3,929/350hp, automatic, Campagnolo wheels, power windows, air conditioning, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, Pirelli P600 tires – Ancient paint with numerous small cracks and chips on several panel edges. There are some odd stains in the paint on the right side of the car as well. Dull front bumper. Some curb rash on the left front wheel. Clean, plush newer seats and carpets but the rest of the interior looks original. Maintained underneath. Espadas weren’t worth much until relatively recently so they rarely got pampered, and many examples are still just average drivers like this. Bonhams described it as “ripe for recommissioning.” – One of several not-so-great Italian cars at Bonhams this year, this Espada didn’t woo anyone. The Quail bidders saw it for what it is and what it needs, and discounted it appropriately for its condition and TorqueFlite automatic.
Lot # 59 1959 Chevrolet Corvette FI Race Car; S/N J59S104283; Black/Red leatherette; Estimate $180,000 – $220,000; Competition restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $165,000. – 283/290hp, 4-speed, Positraction, heavy duty brakes, braced roll bar, steel wheels with gold lettered Firestone tires, radio and heater delete, 4-speed, full width low Plexiglas windshield (stock windshield included), no top. – Sharp and clean underhood. Aluminum painted FI plenum. Nice car, raced from new by Gene Cormany, VP of Engineering for Zollner Corp, supplier of pistons (and sponsor of the Zollner Pistons semi-pro basketball team, later moved to Detroit as one of the founding teams in the NBA, not that it has anything to do with Vettes or Mr. Cormany.) Later sold to Dale Pearman who bought the FI engine from the Chuck Brahms’ Scaglietti Corvette from Mike Ernst, which is now in the car. Four owners from new, restored a while ago by Corvette specialists, fully documented from new and beginning to show the restoration’s age. – This Corvette, then freshly restored, was a no-sale here fourteen years ago in 2007 at a reported bid of $310,000. RM sold it at Amelia in 2008 for $275,000 and three years later in 2011 it was a no-sale at RM Monterey on a bid of a paltry $130,000. It isn’t any better ten years later and the reported high bid here was reasonable for its history, condition and the swapped engine.
Lot # 62 1974 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 TT 12 Sports Racer; S/N AR11512010; Engine # 11512071; Red/Black leatherette; Estimate $1,700,000 – $2,200,000; Competition restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,520,000 plus commission of 10.33%; Final Price $1,677,000. – RHD. 2,995/500hp flat twelve, spare 33 TT 12 engine 11512079 included. Spares shipped separately. Documented with period records and correspondence. Telephone dial alloy wheels, Avon tires, two seats, exhaustively documented. – Part of the factory team in 1974-75, with wins at Monza, Zeltweg and Watkins Glen in 1975 driven by Derek Bell and Henri Pescarollo and helping win the 1975 Championship with Willi Kauhsen’s WKRT team. Very good paint, small chips on the splitter. Chassis is in as-raced condition but clean and well-maintained condition. Acquired directly from Alfa by Judge DiLoreto in 1980 and sold from his collection. – After being bid to a reported $1.8 million at Gooding’s Pebble Beach auction in 2017 this result at Quail Lodge is a solid value in an important Alfa with World Championship race and team winning history and a solid U.S. history in historic events. It should be regarded as all the car for the money.
Lot # 63 1972 Lola T290 Sports Racer; S/N T290HU27; Light Blue, White stripe/Black cloth; Estimate $110,000 – $140,000; Competition restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $100,000. – 2-Litre Cosworth engine, fuel injection, est. 300hp, 5-speed, modular alloy wheels. – Clean, orderly but aged and raced car that does not appear to have recent race or race preparation history. Judge DiLoreto collection. – There is abundant potential in the T290-Cosworth but also a long time in the hands of a competent race preparation shop before its potential can be exploited and it brought a realistic price for its specifications and condition.
Lot # 64 1961 Dolphin America Chevrolet Sports Racer; S/N 004; Metallic Blue/Black leatherette, cloth; Estimate $60,000 – $90,000; Competition restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $54,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $60,480. – 302/300hp Chevy, fuel injection, 5-speed Hewland, two seats, 4-spoke alloy wheels, Goodyear tires. – A history of engines from its origins, now with an Ed Pink Chevy. Nice paint, otherwise old, dirty and neglected. A canvas upon which to paint a successful historic racer. Judge DiLoreto collection. – To judge from the scrutineering stickers on the rollbar this was a heavily used car in Judge DiLoreto’s long term ownership but it hasn’t been used lately and the bidders hedged their bets with this price, allowing for extensive freshening, service and safety/reliability checks before it takes to the track.
Lot # 66 1990 Shelby Can-Am Sports Racer; S/N 033; Red, White stripe/Black leatherette, cloth; Estimate $30,000 – $50,000; Competition restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $21,280. – 201/275hp fuel injected V-6, 4-speed, DuraLight modular wheels – Acquired directly from Shelby American by Judge DiLoreto. Orderly chassis and engine. Decent paint. Last tech sticker Willow Springs 2016 and that is probably the last time it turned a wheel under its own power. – Moderately used and aged, but still suffering from years of static storage, the bidders can be forgiven for not putting a bigger number on this Shelby Can-Am.
Lot # 69 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe; S/N 1980405500801; Engine # 1989805500828; Black/Dark Red leather; Estimate $1,250,000 – $1,500,000; Recent restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,550,000 plus commission of 10.32%; Final Price $1,710,000. – 2,996/240hp, 4-speed, polished aluminum wheels, hubcaps, Michelin tires, modern radio, fitted luggage, Nardi woodrim steering wheel (original steering wheel included), Talbot outside mirror – Single family owned for four decades. Restored some time ago then freshened in 2019. Excellent unblemished paint, chrome and interior except for the headliner which could fit better. The underbody is like new. The concept of “freshened” is challenged by the condition of this Gullwing which is if anything better than new, crisp and sharp everywhere. – A seriously impressive Gullwing with a long history of consistent care and maintenance that translates into a high level of confidence among bidders that it is ready to go and has minimal risk of unnoticed issues. The price it brought reflects that confidence, an expensive car with a marvelous history.
Lot # 72 1972 Volvo 1800ES Station Wagon; S/N 1836353002665; Cypress Green/Tan vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Visually maintained, largely original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $44,800. – 1,986/130hp, 4-speed, overdrive, alloy wheels, Pirelli tires, original Sanyo pushbutton AM/FM radio, thoroughly documented with purchase paper, books, records and manuals. – Represented as a single-owner car with just 64,289 miles, which as any Volvo person would say, is “barely broken in.” It has been repainted at some point but otherwise looks original, and great. The engine bay is all clean and correct and there is a newer exhaust underneath. Clean wheels that may also be newer or restored pieces. The seats and seatbelts show significant but forgivable wear considering their age. The doors stick out slightly. These cars are famous for being able to run forever, so many people drove theirs a lot. It’s remarkable to see one as pampered as this. – Volvo 1800s used to be firmly in entry-level, budget classic territory. But then people realized just how usable and reliable they are, not to mention straight-up gorgeous, and they’ve stretched quite a bit past the point of being “cheap.” Bonhams has somehow become the go-to auction for clean 1800s, selling most of the best examples we’ve ever seen for some of the highest prices we’ve ever seen. That includes a restored 1800ES at Quail Lodge three years ago for $92,400, an immaculately preserved 1800E coupe at Scottsdale 2019 for $91,840, and a restored 1800S coupe at Quail Lodge 2019 for $77,280. This Cypress Green ES is a remarkable car and $44,800 is a solid price for it, but it isn’t quite as remarkable as some of the other ones Bonhams has offered over the years, which is reflected in the difference in prices. Still, based upon condition, originality and mileage this is a very good value.
Lot # 75 1956 Austin-Healey 100/M Le Mans Roadster; S/N BN2L233087; Engine # B233087M; Black, Red/Black leatherette; Black cloth top; Estimate $160,000 – $210,000; Older restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $179,200. – 2,660/110hp, 4-speed, overdrive, silver wire wheels, Silvertown tires, woodrim steering wheel, Lucas headlights and fog lights, tools, jack, side curtains. – BMIHT certificate verified as a factory-equipped 100/M Le Mans. Restored some time ago by Fourintune. Very good paint, chrome and interior. The engine compartment is restored like new and shows little age or use. The chassis and underbody are the same. – The caliber of this restoration is unusually good, especially several years after it was completed showing both the quality of the restoration and consistent care and maintenance subsequently. The result here is reasonable for both the buyer and the seller, a satisfying transaction.
Lot # 76 1960 Lotus 18 Formula Jr.; S/N 18J815; Green, White nose band/Red leatherette; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Competition restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $42,560. – 1,100/125hp Ford Cosworth, dual Weber 40DCOE carburetors, 4-speed, yellow powder coated wobbly wheels Dunlop Racing tires, drum brakes. – No known race history. Good paint and upholstery but the chassis is older. Attractively and thoroughly prepared and showing some historic race use but not run recently. The catalog notes that some suspension joints need replacement, probably only the most obvious of many items that need attention after sitting. – The condition observations both in the catalog and in person account for the bidders hedging their offers on this attractive Lotus 18 to allow for the uncertainties of recommissioning. It is an attractive and appealing F. Jr, however, and a good value for money at this price.
Lot # 79 1967 Ford GT40 MK IV Endurance racer; S/N J9; White, Black stripes/Black leatherette; Estimate $3,000,000 – $3,500,000; Competition restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $2,400,000. – 427 side-oiler, dual Holley 4-barrels, 485hp, 4-speed, centerlock alloy wheels, Avon tires, dual Holley 4-barrels. – One of ten J-Cars built in period, originally configured as a Group 7 Can-Am and tested once by Mario Andretti at the Ford track (“one of the scariest cars he ever tested.”) Sat for years until acquired by Cobra Automotive in 2012 and converted to this Mark IV coupe configuration. Chipped old paint. Historic race used. – A J-Car is intrinsically valuable and important, but this is a J-Car with no period history beyond testing and not in its original Can-Am configuration, nor presumably with its original exotic 3-valve 427. The reported high bid here reasonably reflects the historic and configuration issues while balancing it against performance, historic racing eligibility and the fact it is a real J-Car.
Lot # 80 1953 Nash-Healey Series 25 Convertible, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 2369; Engine # SLMA260094M; Pininfarina Red/Beige leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $70,000 – $100,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $89,600. – 253/140hp “Le-Mans Dual Jetfire Ambassador Six”, floor shift 3-speed manual, (disconnected) overdrive, wire wheel covers, pushbutton radio. – One of 506 Nash-Healeys built in all and one of 162 built in 1953. In storage from 1990 until 2014, and then restored. Sound but older paint and chrome. Imperfect gaps. Good, lightly worn interior. Older restored underneath, but represented with just 200 miles on the rebuilt engine. Nothing major to nitpick, just light general age on an older restoration, and still a charming, beautiful Anglo-Italo-American hybrid. – The Nash-Healey was born out of a conversation between Nash-Kelvinator president George Mason and English car designer Donald Healey while the two were on a Transatlantic voyage in 1949. The car married Healey-designed sports car underpinnings with a modified Nash Ambassador engine and a Nash 3-speed manual gearbox. Early cars had aluminum bodies penned by Healey, but later ones like this have much more attractive and mostly steel bodies by Pinin Farina. Like other mutt sports cars with multinational heritage, Nash-Healeys are somewhat undervalued when compared to other thoroughbred cars with similar performance, rarity and style. Even the best Nash-Healeys don’t sell for more than low six-figures. This has been the case for quite some time, and this sale won’t move the needle. The car was realistically estimated by Bonhams as well as realistically bought, and it’s still a lot of classic Pinin Farina style for the money.
Lot # 83 1959 Aston Martin DB Mk III Coupe; S/N AM30031642; Engine # DBA1266; Cream/Brown leather; Estimate $120,000 – $160,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $145,600. – LHD, 2,922/178hp, 4-speed, overdrive, red wire wheels, Michelin tires, Lucas driving lights, woodrim steering wheel, Smiths dash clock. – A U.S. delivered lefthand drive car. Represented as matching numbers. Not much known about its early history other than its first owner is recorded as “New York socialite Peter van Gerbig”. Decent older repaint with some serious scratches and cracks below the left A-pillar and behind the driver’s window. Imperfect gaps. Some dirt and grime underneath. Nearly new leather and carpets but the rest of the interior is original. Hasn’t been used much over the past decade and needs sorting before hitting the road. Otherwise it’s a sound event car with plenty of small flaws. – Appropriately discounted for its condition and neglect, It has some potential for the new owner, but also many repair bills before it can be driven reliably.
Lot # 85 1975 Maserati Khamsin Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N AM120US1116; Metallic Burgundy/White leather; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Visually maintained, largely original 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $47,040. – 4,930/320hp, Borg-Warner automatic, Campagnolo wheels, Michelin XWX tires, power windows, air conditioning, original, Blaupunkt pushbutton radio. – One of 430 built and a US market car. Rough old repaint with some scrapes in the front edge of the driver’s door and cracks in the front bumper. Several dings in the wheels. Two dents in the left window trim. Faded, warped dash top. Dry, mildly discolored leather. Dirty engine bay. The Khamsin’s looks aren’t for everybody, but they’re interesting cars. This one, however, has seen better days. It has been sitting since the late 1990s, so it needs plenty of attention, and probably some more after that. – Named in the Maserati tradition after a hot North African wind, the Khamsin was Maserati’s most expensive car when it was introduced but today lags behind some of its more attractive and/or more exotic cousins. The old mantra of “buy the best one you can afford” is as true for vintage Italian cars as it is for anything, so this rough one with an automatic had limited appeal. A project car bought for a project car price.
Lot # 87 1951 Allard J2 Roadster; S/N 99J2123; Engine # 96X104846; Light Blue/Red leather; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Competition restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $185,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $207,200. – 390-cid Cadillac V-8 with triple Stromberg carbs and Offenhauser valve covers, Muncie M21 4-speed, aluminum Weiland manifold, Borrani wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, headlight stone guards, tonneau cover, engine-turned dash, fire bottle, ignition cutoff. Comes with both a removable full windscreen and aero screens as well as a rare factory soft top. – Delivered new in Michigan and fitted with a 331-cid Cadillac engine. Raced in period at Thompson, Bridgehampton and Watkins Glen. It was even ice raced. Fitted with a DeSoto Hemi engine later in the `50s and ran 150.75 mph at Bonneville. Stored for about 35 years and then restored for vintage racing. There are some paint blisters around the hood bulge and there is some shrinkage around the cowl. Small dent behind the driver’s side front fender. Pitting on the hood handles. Very good interior. Clean detailed engine bay. It may not have the original engine in there, but Allards seldom do. It’s an appealing vintage racer, but it’s worth noting that it is a short wheelbase J2, which is a tight fit for taller drivers. – Offered by RM in their “Monterey-Shift” online auction last August and reported bid to $260,000, then by Worldwide in their “Scottsdale in Auburn” live/online sale in January where the bid was $230,000. Both were missed opportunities as this result shows, but it was time for it to move on. The new owner (assuming the car fits) got a solid value in a much-modified Allard.
Lot # 90 1957 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith LWB Limousine, Body by H.J. Mulliner; S/N LFLW95L94F; Engine # L94F; Shell Grey, Dove Grey/Grey leather, Grey cloth rear; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $67,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $75,600. – LHD, 4,887.125hp F-head six, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, dual wing mirrors, fog lights, badge bar, factory air conditioning, division window. – Restored about 30 years ago. Showing a shallow baseball-sized dent on the rear driver’s side quarter panel, and scuffed paint near the back bumper. Brightwork and wheels are excellent with little sign of wear. The interior is immaculate, especially the wood. A modern(ish) Alpine radio and tape deck look a bit out of place. This Rolls limousine is a step above driver-quality condition, but it has been sitting since 2009. – Restored a while ago but maintained, or at least presented for auction, in very good condition, particularly the rich, inviting interior. It was reasonably estimated, taking into account the work necessary to put it back on the road, and even more reasonably bought in this transaction.
Lot # 91 1988 Ferrari Testarossa Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFSG17A6J0075197; Rosso Corsa/Tan leather; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $109,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $122,080. – 4,942/380hp, 5-speed, Goodrich tires, tools, manuals, clean Carfax. – A well-maintained fully original 1988 Ferrari Testarossa. The odometer shows 18,810 miles, yet the paint shows little wear or fading. A small chip sits near the bottom of the driver’s door, but no other imperfections visible. All of the moldings and trim appear aged, however. The seats appear to be comfortably broken in and slightly discolored. The dash and carpet are as new with no damage or fading. Lightly used, solid and fastidiously maintained to the point where it has been FCA judged 100 points. Belt serviced in 2018. – There is little if any premium in this result for this Testarossa’s low miles, originality and preservation, a very good value for the new owner even if its preservation is overlooked and it is just driven as the solid car that it is.
Lot # 96 1934 Riley MPH Sports; S/N 44T2246; Engine # 14T2246; Barnato Green/Saddle leather; Estimate $800,000 – $1,200,000; Concours restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $875,000 plus commission of 10.57%; Final Price $967,500. – RHD. 1,633/80hp, 4-speed pre-selector, silver painted wire wheels, Blockley tires, folding windshield with removable aeroscreens, Riley badged headlights. – The lowest numbered Riley MPH, possibly shown at the London Motor Show in 1934, one of only sixteen built of this model. Freshly restored by acknowledged experts. One family owned for 63 years until 2017. Best in Class at Amelia Island 2021. Still being broken in after the restoration. Gorgeous paint, brilliant chrome, inviting upholstery. The engine compartment is like a jeweler’s window with polished aluminum, bright brass and copper.
Better than new by a long shot. – The restoration invoices that accompany this Riley MPH total nearly $1 million. It is gorgeous, not only in its jewel-like restoration but also in its superb sporting design. Bonhams has established a monopoly on Riley MPHs in recent years, selling 44T2415 at Amelia in 2016 for $880,000 and offering 44T2255 here in 2019 with a high bid of $590,000 reflecting some inconsistencies in its history. This MPH deserves to be the most expensive on the auction record and is even something of a good value giving full account to its magnificent condition. It should have been on the lawn at Pebble Beach rather than the Quail Lodge auction block.
Lot # 102 1959 Lincoln Continental Mk IV Landau 4-Dr. Hardtop; S/N H9YC426681; Sapphire Blue/Sapphire Blue; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Cosmetic restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $29,120. – 430/350hp, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls. – An older yet well-maintained restoration showing minor paint flaws at the hood and door seams. The rear passenger window sticks and sits crookedly. The top of the front passenger window is cracked, but the remaining glass and trim are excellent. Rubber seal moldings are dry and cracked. The interior is clean and hardly shows wear. – Strictly on the basis of cost per pound this is the bargain of the auction. On the basis of condition and particularly the nearly 100,000 miles showing on the odometer, however, it brought a very generous price.
Lot # 113 1967 Ford Mustang Holman & Moody Notchback; S/N C7HM10118GT; Red/Black leatherette; Estimate $175,000 – $200,000; Competition restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $145,600. – 302/420hp, 4-speed, Holman & Moody suspension, gold painted NASCAR wheels, external fuel filler, roll cage, cold air induction, headers, side outlet exhaust, two seats, Simpson belts, inside-mounted spare, NASCAR style 2-spoke steering wheel. – Built from a Peruvian-assembled family car for Cristobal Galjuf, Jr. who raced under the pseudonym “Batman”. Overall winner of at least four Peruvian circuit and open road races and the subject of a fascinating history too convoluted to recount here but well worth searching out. Discovered in 2011, returned to the U.S. and Cameron Bishop’s shop for restoration to its original configuration with help from Holman & Moody. It shows subsequent use and some age but is thoroughly documented through its Peruvian history and appears to be race-ready. – It seems like Mustangs sourced from Peru always have a story, but few if any of them include being completely disassembled in North Carolina and shipped back to Peru as “parts”. Based solely on its intriguing history it will be a prime attraction at any historic race it enters, and it should be fast, too, with its highly developed H&M engine and is a sound value in this transaction.
Lot # 117 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe; S/N WP0AG2993V5376048; Blue, Red, Yellow stripes/Dark Blue leather with Yellow stitching; Estimate $260,000 – $320,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $590,000 plus commission of 10.85%; Final Price $654,000. – 3,601/424hp, 6-speed, Turbo Twist wheels, Pirelli P Zero tires, yellow calipers, sunroof, white face gauges with red bezels, power windows, factory CD stereo. – One of just 183 US market 993 Turbo Ss. Ex-Otis Chandler. Special order paint meant to evoke Mark Donohue’s 917/30 Can-Am, and special order interior. Showing just 1,689 miles. No major flaws in the paint but it’s lightly detail scratched. Small scrape on the left rear wheel. Lightly wrinkled driver’s seat but the rest of the interior looks great. Sharp colors, special order features, low mileage and a top spec model – all prime ingredients for a collectible Porsche. The only knock is that it has been on static display since 2006. – The Turbo S is already among the rarest and most valuable 993 variant, and in the Porsche world special order bits can add up to a big premium. The Quail bidders, or two of them at least, ignored this car’s long-term dormancy and focused instead on the unique (and quite sharp, to be honest) paint scheme and interior as well as its extremely low mileage. The price is huge, almost twice its high estimate and twice what we would expect a standard 993 Turbo S out of long-term storage to sell for.
Lot # 121 1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Park Ward Drophead Coupe, Body by Park Ward; S/N LSMF10; Engine # S5F; Green, Light Green/Dark Green leather piped in Light Green; Dark Green vinyl top; Estimate $250,000 – $300,000; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $140,000. – LHD. 4,566/150hp, automatic, hub caps, dual wing mirrors, fender skirts, Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, badge bar, Lucas driving lights, wood dash and window trim, original radio. – One of six made, delivered new to Baroness Rozelle Empain. Restored in the 1980s. Old paint with some chips on the rear fenders and a huge scratch running about a foot down the right rear fender. The fuel filler door is loose. Several sizable scratches in the right side glass and the left rear window. Maintained but unrestored underneath. Decent newer leather, but the wood finish is all seriously cloudy front to back. Such a rare coachbuilt Rolls like this belongs on a show field, but it needs another comprehensive and expensive restoration to get there. – This Silver Dawn has the potential to be a spectacular show car but the bidders recognized just how expensive it will be to realize that potential and kept abundant shekels in reserve in this transaction. That was a wise decision.
Lot # 128 1967 Ferrari 330 GT SII 2 + 2, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 8937; Nocciola/Black leather; Estimate $120,000 – $160,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $220,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $246,400. – 3,967/300hp, 5-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli P4000 tires, woodrim steering wheel, RCA radio, power windows, wood dash. – Showing 35,344 miles, which are represented as actual. One of 23 finished in this color. The paint is mostly sound and the color is interesting, but unfortunately that’s the best part about this 330 2+2. The rest could use some attention, and it has been driven just 200 miles in the past 15 years. There is significant pitting and some surface rust on the wheel spokes as well as some dirt and grime under the hood, and no battery. Significant wear to the steering wheel, while the seats look dry and are flat on the bottom. The gauges are also mildly faded. The 330 GT 2+2 is one of the less expensive classic V-12 Ferraris but it’s a classic V-12 regardless, so it’s unusual to see one with some neglect like this. After basic (but still expensive) mechanical fettling it would make a fine driver, although you’d still feel a little self-conscious around restored thoroughbreds. – Bonhams and the consignor cleverly put this 330GT 2+2 at no reserve and estimated it as a restoration project which seems to have led to an enthusiastic bidding contest that eventually more than fully valued it as a decent driver. The new owner is looking at some significant expenses before it’s checked out and rendered safe and reliable on the road, along with the inevitable “while you’re at it” add-ons. It should have sold within the estimate range and is expensive at this price.
Lot # 129 1994 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II Coupe, Body by H.J. Mulliner; S/N BNR32309609; Spark Silver/Black cloth; Estimate $160,000 – $190,000; Unrestored original 2+ condition; With Reserve; Post-block sale at $133,929 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $150,000. – RHD. 2,568/276hp, 5-speed, V-Spec II package with the standard BBS wheels and Brembo brakes, NISMO rear spoiler, factory turbo timer and factory CD changer. – Showing just 4,074 km (2,531 miles). Excellent original paint and bodywork. The engine compartment shows like new and retains all the factory equipment which is rare for any Skyline. The underbody is excellent and has no visible corrosion, and the pinch welds are all undamaged. The car also retains its factory exhaust which is among the first things swapped on these cars. The interior shows no wear or use. With so few kilometers and exceptional condition, this car could very well be the best, original R32 GT-R out there. – One of just 1306 V-Spec IIs produced and with few time capsule Skyline GT-Rs like this in existence, this was potentially a big miss on Bonhams’ part. Exceptional GT-Rs just about sell themselves these days, but this one ran towards the end of the sale and to an empty room. There are people who will pay up big time for this car, they just weren’t at Quail Lodge on Friday afternoon. The seller was right to hold out for more, which they achieved in this post-block transaction.
Lot # 135 1963 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur 4-Dr. Sedan, Body by H.J. Mulliner; S/N BC22LXB; Engine # 11BBC; Velvet Green/Beige leather; Estimate $120,000 – $180,000; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $185,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $207,200. – 6,230/205hp V-8, automatic, hub caps and trim rings, whitewalls, fog lights, air conditioning, power windows. – Represented as one of eighteen LHD S3 Continental Flying Spurs, showing 24,493 miles noted from service records to be from new. Partial mechanical and cosmetic restoration at Vantage Motorworks in the late 2000s but has been sitting since then and needs sorting prior to hitting the road. Paint looks flawless from a 10 foot distance, but up close light scratches and scuffs show themselves. The engine compartment is mostly clean, with surface rust on the hood screws and some brackets. The interior carpet is discolored and stained. The seats and dash are lightly faded, and show the wear of use rather than neglect. The overall condition is good enough cosmetically. The major costs lie in bringing this Flying Spur back to road-readiness. – The notchback Flying Spur is not one of Mulliner’s most successful designs, but it is among the most rare and comfortable. This example has received attention as needed but has thirteen years on static display that dictate a lengthy and potentially expensive trip to a specialist to be addressed and remedied before it can be used. The cosmetics, however, are sound and it Emani was bought for a realistic price even taking that into account.
Lot # 136 1994 Rolls-Royce Corniche IV Drophead Coupe; S/N SCAZD02CORCX50035; Aurora/Parchment leather; Cream top; Estimate $70,000 – $100,000; Unrestored original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $137,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $154,000. – 6,751/215hp V-8, automatic, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. – Showing just 3,904 miles from new but has been mostly sitting since 2008. The metallic green and cream trim and top are unblemished. The rear trim around the base of the convertible top is slightly faded and wrinkled. The seats are lightly creased from use, and the driver’s seat has several little tears at the top left shoulder. The instrument panel and carpet are virtually showroom new. Cosmetically quite good but after sitting on static display since 2008 it needs an expensive trip to the shop for sorting before it can actually hit the road. – This is the most expensive Corniche IV to sell at auction in years, and it is not the best although it is one of the most original.