Bonhams, Scottsdale, January 25, 2024

While the Barrett-Jackson juggernaut was juggering away over at WestWorld Bonhams was the opener for the rest of the Scottsdale auctions with its mid-day sale at the Westin Kierland. It was a curious cross-section of collector cars.

While four lots were bid to $1 million or more and two of them sold – including the week’s top sale Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ for $5,175,000 – it also included some dogs and cats from the Maine Classic Car Museum collection that weighed heavily on the average and median transaction amounts. It was Bonhams lowest median transaction in its thirteen year Scottsdale history.

Performance of sold lots against the pre-sale estimates was typical of this year’s Scottsdale auctions but well below the prior sales here and continued a downward trajectory from 2022’s exceptional performance.

Still, there were noteworthy cars among the consignments, and not just the Bugatti Chiron. Worth mentioning were cars from the Scottsdale collection of Janet and Clive Cussler and several of the Maine museum cars were far from dog- and cat-like.

Since the days of Russ Jackson and Tom Barrett Scottsdale has been a signature week for selling, and for acquiring, great cars. Gooding & Company no longer appears in Scottsdale and although Worldwide is back after a brief hiatus the consignments at RM Sotheby’s were not up to the caliber of previous years.

Personal opinion? I think Gooding has pulled out all the stops in preparation for a major two-day auction at Amelia Island where Hagerty affiliate Broad Arrow is rising to the occasion as Amelia’s lead auction. RM Sotheby’s, after being forced out at Amelia, has a major push coming for its Miami auction the same weekend as Amelia. Both Bonhams and RM had auctions the next weekend in Paris during the Retromobile show where Artcurial is the headline sale at the show. And Mecum just finished its nearly two-week show at Kissimmee while preparing to go to Glendale, Arizona’s State Farm Stadium March 5-9.

Although Scottsdale continues to be a major draw, particularly with Barrett-Jackson leading the way, it is losing some of its luster.

Here are the numbers:

Year Cars Sold/ Offered Sale % Sold < Low Est Sold > High Est Average Sale Median Sale Total $
2024 68/85 90% 69.1% 8.8% $176,522 $31,300

[17.7%]

$12,003,520
2023 105/125 84% 41.1% 8.9% $285,176 $89,600

[31.4%]

$29,943,480
2022 89/85 95.5% 29.2% 22.5% $134,122 $95,200

[71%]

$11,400,360

Cars were observed on-site by Rick Carey, Andrew Newton and Greg Ingold. They are sorted here in lot number order.


Lot # 3 1969 Moretti 500 Coupe; S/N 110F0972235; Blue/Red vinyl with cloth inserts; Estimate $15,000 – $25,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $9,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $10,080. – 652/30hp, 4-speed, FPS alloy wheels, Abarth sump and sports exhaust. – From the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. Represented as one of about 150 left (although some sources say just 50 total were built), and as restored in 2005. Older respray with a few chips and scratches throughout. The wheels look sharp but they’re beat up and the lug nuts are rusty. Tidy older restored chassis. Good newer upholstery and door handles but the controls, switches and gauges are all original with significant age. A little rough around the edges but it’s a charming, attractive, and very rare car for not a lot of money. – Largely known (if at all) for its small displacement sports and racing cars and Formula Juniors in the 1950s, but before World War II it also built more pedestrian small cars and even electrically-powered trucks. By the 1960s Moretti was mostly building specially bodied cars with jazzed up Fiat underpinnings. A few other Moretti 500s have sold recently in the teens (this one sold here in 2019 for $17,920), so they all score sky-high on fun, rarity and cute-factor per dollar. At barely 10 grand for this one, though, it’s an off the charts value.

Lot # 6 1960 Hillman Minx IIIA Convertible; S/N B1005701HLCX; Rootes’ Lake Blue/Sky Blue leather; Royal Blue top; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $16,800. – LHD. 1494/57hp, 3-speed, hub caps, Kumho tires, wing mirrors, boot cover. – From the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. Good older paint, but the chrome and brightwork show their age, particularly on the pitted window frames. Rusty exhaust tips. Removed wheel weights took some paint off the wheels. Tidy underneath. Lovely newer upholstery and door handles, but the switchgear and steering wheel are aged, the pedals are worn, and the interior door handles are loose. A rare little British runabout, good for local weekend drives. – Looking a little bit like a ’56 Ford that shrank in the wash, this Minx was built on the same Rootes Group platform that included the Singer Gazelle, Sunbeam Rapier, and Humber 80. This one sold at the RM Sotheby’s Elkhart Collection sale in late 2020 for the exact same $16,800 price including commission. Given that the Elkhart auction’s results were consistently ranged from expensive to excessive, this little Hillman did well to get the same result in the softer market of 2024.

Lot # 7 1948 Citroen 2CV 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 9322; Gray/Pattern cloth; Black top; Estimate $12,000 – $18,000; Visually maintained, largely original 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $16,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $17,920. – 375/9hp, 4-speed, Michelin tires. – From the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. A very early first-year 2CV. There are dents and scrapes in the body as well as concerning bubbling on the lower parts of the body and large rust spots on the wheels. There are also large scrapes and cracks around the rear bumper. Lots of oxidation underneath and there are several rips in the retractable roof, to the point where it’s so loose that last night’s rain is puddling at the top of it. Decent interior. The headlights look ancient. The early build date is interesting, but this is a rough car that will need expensive bodywork and other cosmetic attention, to say nothing of any mechanical issues lurking underneath. It wouldn’t be too hard to find a much better example for not much more money. – Just the body work that this deux chevaux needs will result in hefty bills. It wouldn’t have made financial sense to buy the car and give it a full restoration at almost any bid, but the new owner is already deep into it at nearly 18 grand. It sold at Worldwide’s Auburn auction in 2018 for a much more reasonable $8,800. Still, here’s to hoping it gets the attention it deserves to be able to safely stay usable and fun on the road.

Lot # 8 1959 Citroen ID19 Berline Sedan; S/N 228891; Black, White fiberglass roof/Cream and Black vinyl, Cream cloth; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Visually maintained, largely original 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $19,040. – 1,985/83hp, column shift 4-speed, hub caps, Michelin X tires, pushbutton radio. – From the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. Decent older paint but dull brightwork with rusty screws holding on the mirrors. The right front hub cap looks a little loose. Several large rips in the driver’s seat. Worn steering wheel. The rear deck under the rear glass is cracking badly. Reasonably tidy underneath. The car card says the car has been owned by marque specialists, which is reassuring. Little else about this car is. – A toned-down entry-level version of the DS, the ID nevertheless featured the same basic avant-garde styling as well as the same innovative hydropneumatic suspension and therefore the same world-class ride. Buying a rough one is risky. The price for this one seems about right, and best of luck to the new owner.

Lot # 9 1967 Toyota Corona 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N RT4320903; Black/Gray vinyl, Dark Gray cloth; Estimate $14,000 – $18,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $11,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $12,320. – 1,879/90hp, column shift automatic, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. – From the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. Showing 21,127 miles that may be original. The first car sold by a Virginia Toyota dealer. The paint is presentable but the brightwork is all dull and the weather stripping is cracked. Tidy underneath. Aged and reasonably well-preserved interior, although the floor mats are missing. – It’s unusual to see a U.S. market early Corona like this in any kind of condition. There isn’t much that’s remarkable about the car itself or its design, but its preservation is. It made more of an impression at Auburn Fall in 2018, when it sold for $18,150, but this price for it here in Scottsdale isn’t unreasonably low for it. It is an artifact of Japan’s rise as a moving force in the American car market.

Lot # 10 1966 Wolseley Hornet Mk II 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N WA2S2829260; Glen Green, Spruce Green roof/Porcelain Green; Estimate $14,000 – $18,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $7,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $7,840. – RHD. 1,098/38hp, synchro 4-speed, wheel covers, Kumho tires, wing mirrors. – From the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. Good paint and even gaps but there is surface rust on the door hinges and around the window frames. Tidy underneath. Heavy wear on the front seat upholstery. Cute as hell even if a little more awkward than the Mini on which it’s based, and in clean, usable driver condition. – Ouch. This car sold in late 2020 for $25,760 at the RM Sotheby’s Elkhart Collection sale, an auction held right in the pandemic boom that was full of above-market, sometimes inexplicably high prices. This result, 66% off from the 2020 result, was the opposite. It’s half the low estimate and a cute, fun, usable and dirt cheap car for the new owner. The Riley Elf/Wolseley Hornet were luxury spin-offs of the original Mini. They’re rarer than Minis while also generally being worth less, but not this much less.

Lot # 11 1957 Reliant Regal MkIII Roadster; S/N 561051; Mint Green/Red vinyl piped in White; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $10,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $11,760. – RHD. 747/16hp, 4-speed, hood ornament, three wheels. – From the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. An ironically named Reliant Regal, a precursor to the better known Robin. Lots of stress cracks endemic to old fiberglass cars, but several paint scrapes and scratches are there, too. Dull brightwork. Poor door fit. A little dirty underneath. The wood door panels are severely cracked. It’s cute, but it’s a little rough. – Available as a saloon, van, estate or pickup, Regals also came with various engines, all of them tiny. To drive one, all you needed was a motorcycle license, which in Britain was a significantly cheaper way of motoring and really the main appeal of these tripods from Reliant and others. This one has plenty of cute factor but it is a little rough, and it’s hard to imagine paying any more than this result for it.

Lot # 12 1961 Panhard PL 17 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 2078607; Maroon/Tan; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $11,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $12,880. – 848/50p air-cooled flat-twin, column shift 4-speed, hub caps. – From the Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. Weird, wonderful, utterly French. Dull brightwork. Grimy engine. Good upholstery and worn and presentable dash and steering wheel. A little scruffy but cute and usable, and you’d never see yourself coming the other way. – Although the Panhard’s flat twin is both smaller and has half the cylinders of the VW Beetles it competed with, this French people’s car punched above its weight and despite the unusual layout of their powertrains (front-engine, front-drive with an air-cooled engine laid way out in the front of the chassis) PL17s took the top three places overall at the 1961 Monte Carlo Rally. Panhard’s flat-twin also powered Deutsch-Bonnet’s (DB) race cars in Europe and Bill Devin’s earliest race cars here in the States. It’s an oddball classic in this country, and it brought appropriate entry-level dollars considering its condition and obscurity.

Lot # 14 1970 Volvo 1800E Coupe; S/N 18445131472; California White/Red; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $21,280. – 1,986/130hp, 4-speed, Bendix radio. – Represented with single family California ownership, and as largely original. Dirty but reasonably well-maintained engine bay. Clean paint and chrome with a few blemishes. Age and scrapes on the wheels. Track scratches on the windows. Remarkably well-preserved interior with only the slightest wear and age present. An honest car that has clearly been used but loved the whole way. It’s still attractive, and as a Volvo 1800, could have hundreds of thousands of miles left in it despite the 129,911 on the odometer. Sometimes “single family ownership” means neglect by at least one generation of that family. Not here. – The 1800E was the last iteration of Volvo’s sexy P1800 coupe, with “E” denoting the Bosch fuel injection that feeds the unburstable B-series four-cylinder engine. Volvo 1800s are great classic cars in that they are easy to drive and built like tanks, not to mention the sexy looks. They used to be solidly in entry-level value territory, too. People have caught on to Volvo’s best ever looking car and they’re no longer cheap, but they’re still a good value. Barely 21 grand for this one, which has had clearly caring ownership and has no serious needs, shows that.

Lot # 15 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 193371S112816; Steel Cities Grey/Black vinyl; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Cosmetic restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $31,360. – Warranty replacement LS5 454/365hp, 4-speed, power steering and brakes, aftermarket aluminum radiator, Rallye wheels with center caps, trim rings and red line tires, luggage rack, AM radio. – Paint is good with few scattered dings and blemishes. Chrome bumpers appear very good, but the luggage rack chrome is very scratched up. The engine compartment is old and grimy, however some well-meaning previous owner splashed a coat of Chevy orange paint on the radiator fan. The underbody is aged much like the engine compartment and the interior is worn and grubby. No indication of the car’s originality, but one would assume a cosmetic restoration. – Only slightly nasty and blessed by the 454 big block and 4-speed, this is a better price than its condition deserves. Its value isn’t enhanced by the replacement engine, even if it is a “warranty replacement” for the same thing that came from St. Louis. It needs so much attention that restoration is not an option and it will remain an expensive driver.

Lot # 16 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Mk I Coupe; S/N DB62414LN; British Racing Green/Tan leather; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Older restoration 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $240,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $268,800. – 3,995/286hp, 5-speed, wire wheels, Avon tires, wing mirrors, Blaupunkt radio, Smiths dash clock. – Represented as matching numbers. Original US delivery. Filthy engine bay that reportedly requires recommissioning. Decent paint and chrome with some light scratches. There is condensation behind the headlights. Clean wheels and tires. The upholstery is all loose front and back, but the interior mostly looks good. Cosmetically this car is OK, but mechanically there are unanswered questions and big bills ahead – This is one of what seems like hundreds of the cosmetically decent but mechanically questionable vintage Aston Martins, Facel Vegas and Rolls-Royce/Bentleys offered by Bonhams over the past several years. Unlike most of them, though, this DB6 brought a surprisingly strong price relative to its condition. It’s already expensive, and it will get even more expensive once it comes it’s sorted and back to roadworthiness.

Lot # 16S 2023 Aston Martin Vantage V-12 Convertible; S/N SCFSMGBV5PGP08407; Frosted Glass Yellow, Dark Blue/Aurora Blue, Yellow leather; Estimate $325,000 – $350,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $292,500. – 5,204/690hp twin-turbo V12, 8-speed automatic, Q-personalization colors of Frosted Glass Yellow and Aurora Blue, carbon-ceramic brakes, exposed blue carbon fiber lower panels, blue wheels. – Delivery miles (50) only, and pretty much a new car. The bespoke options reportedly added up to a $447,436 price as delivered. – Everybody loves a 690-horsepower V12, but a yellow car with blue accents and blue wheels doesn’t have the same universal appeal. These colors were bespoke for a reason. Given the eccentric livery and the tendency of Aston Martins to depreciate no matter what, a price lower than the exorbitant sticker was to be expected, and Bonhams accounted for that in its presale estimate. But the bidders thought even less of it, too much less for the consignor to stomach, an object lesson on the perils of specifying a unique, personal and loud livery.

Lot # 18 1994 Land Rover Defender 90 (Truck) Soft Top 4×4; S/N SALDV2282RA941032; Sahara Yellow/Black; Black top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $57,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $63,840. – 3,946/182hp, 5-speed manual, Falken tires with a BF Goodrich Mud Terrain T/A spare. – The paint shows well and has few blemishes of note, however hidden areas of overspray suggest a repaint or just general Land Rover “quality.” The top appears new, the engine compartment is aged and grimy, however, and the underbody is dirty and oxidized in a manner inconsistent with the exterior presentation. The interior is worn and dull. A spiffed up example with much detail work needed to be an actual prime example. – Appealing at first glance but reveals disappointing details with each foot closer and discounted from the pre-sale estimate for the amount of work needed for it be taken seriously.

Lot # 19 2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Coupe; S/N ZFF60FCA6A0174076; Black/Black; Estimate $190,000 – $230,000; Unrestored original 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $177,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $198,800. – 5,999/612hp, yellow calipers, Scuderia shields, forged wheels, HGTE package. – Represented with 9,200 believable miles. Paint shows a few chips on the wheel arches, along the fender and doors as well as the mirrors. The interior shows little wear. Some switchgear is starting to show the stickiness endemic to 2000s Ferraris. A low-mile car but it still shows signs of use. – The Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione (HGTE) package added upgraded suspension, rear anti-roll bar, lower ride height, quicker-shifting gearbox, carbon bucket seats, and better exhaust to the 599. It also adds value over a standard car, and this solid but used example sold right where it should have given its HGTE goodies.

Lot # 26P 1930 Cadillac 452 V-16 Roadster, Body by Fleetwood; S/N 71924; Engine # 701761; Boone Brown, Maroon accent/Thorn Maroon; Beige cloth top; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,200,000; Older restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $865,000. – 452/165hp, 3-speed, chrome spoke wheels, Firestone blackwall tires, dual sidemounts with mirrors, radiator stoneguard, Tilt-Ray headlights, rumble seat, luggage rack. – Owned by the Moir family, Sr. and Jr. from 1933-2014, restored in the original colors in the 1990’s. Very good older paint, chrome and interior. Chipped wheel rims. The upholstery is lightly stretched on the driver’s side. Chassis, engine and underbody are like new. 1986 AACA National First Prize and Senior. – Sold by RM at Hershey in 2014 from the collection of John Moir, Jr. for $1.1 million. 59547 Its odometer has increased by only 226 miles since then and the Cadillac is to all intents and purposes in the same well-preserved older restoration condition and colors. It is a rare and highly prized car with an imposing and uninterrupted provenance and it deserves more than its reported high bid here, but not a lot more.

Lot # 33 1959 Edsel Villager Station Wagon, 6-pass.; S/N B9UT739844; President Red, Talisman Red/Black and Cream; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Cosmetic restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $29,120. – 361/303hp V8, 4-barrel carburetor added, column shift 3-speed manual with overdrive, body color wheels with hubcaps, AM radio. – Likely an older cosmetic restoration. The paint has notable orange peel. There are cracks on the drip rails, and the front left hub cap has noticeable surface rust. The engine compartment has been cosmetically restored, an Edelbrock 4bbl carburetor added, some amateur wiring work has been done under the hood, and the heater has been disconnected and lines looped together suggesting a bad heater core. The interior has been reupholstered but the original dash shows notable wear. Overall a quick and cheap appearing cosmetic restoration with a lot left to be desired once you dig below the surface. – An inherently appealing station wagon that hasn’t been treated well. It sold at RM’s Auburn Fall auction in 2018 for $39,600. This result is a $10,000 haircut on its $36,000 hammer bid there, a deserved discount for its superficial treatment and condition.

Lot # 34 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 XL Convertible; S/N 4Z69X121339; Prairie Bronze/Medium Palomino; White vinyl top; Estimate $100,000 – $140,000; Unrestored original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $86,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $96,320. – 352/250hp, floor shift automatic, power steering, wheel covers, narrow whitewall tires, bucket seats, console, AM radio. – Represented with 99 actual miles. Original paint has a few scuffs and blemishes on the right fender, scrapes on the passenger’s side door, and the quarter panel skirts have chips and do not fully match the body color. Chrome and brightwork present very well with little blemishing. The engine compartment is excellent showing little age and very intact decals. The interior has no wear. A beautifully preserved car with no use. – RM offered this car at Ft. Lauderdale in 2008 where it was reported bid to $50,000 without selling. It is now six years older and still magnificently preserved, an artifact that will never turn a wheel except on and off transport trucks and around museum displays, as it should be. This is a whopping big price but one still supported by its originality and preservation.

Lot # 37P 1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan, Body by Franay; S/N 2465; Engine # J-446; Black/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $2,000,000 – $3,000,000; Older restoration 1- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,880,000. – 420/265hp straight eight, 3-speed, long 153″ wheelbase, dual sidemounts with mirrors, updates some time in the 30’s with teardrop fenders, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, luggage trunk, Twilite headlights, rollup division, Lalique Chrysis radiator mascot. – First owned by Queen Marie of Yugoslavia. Superbly restored in 1996 with premier concours wins to show for it and still in exceptional, show-quality, condition. Beautifully detailed and impressive but now showing age and miles since restoration. – Christie’s sold this handsome Franay Duesenberg at Rockefeller Center in 2002 for $854,500 and it has added 2,302 miles to its odometer since then, fairly remarkable for a CCCA Full Classic (c) these days even if only 104 miles/year. Significantly different from most Model J Duesenberg coachwork by American coachbuilders, 2465 is a standout even among its 500 or so counterparts but even at that could have been sold with only minimal regret at the reported high bid.

Lot # 40 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe, Body by Ellena; S/N 0855GT; Engine # 0855GT; Azzurro Metallizzato, Dark Blue roof/Pelle Rossa; Estimate $1,100,000 – $1,300,000; Recent restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $870,000. – 2,953/240hp, 4-speed, dual master cylinder, vented brake drums, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli tires, Marchal headlights and fog lights. Engine internal number 0160C. – Represented as matching numbers throughout, Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified. Cavallino Palm Beach Platinum in 2020 and displayed at Pebble Beach in 2022. Freshly restored like new with better clearcoat paint, inviting upholstery and brilliant chrome. – Reported sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge last August for $1,193,000 ($1,080,000 hammer), It came back here in the same exceptional condition with only a few more transporter miles rung up on the odometer wheels but fell short of even a reasonable bid. It is a beautiful “high roof” Ellena accurately reflecting the original Pinin Farina 250 GT design and is now looking again for a home.

Lot # 42 1956 Talbot-Lago 2500 Coupe; S/N 140029; Engine # 16; Blue metallic/Cream; Estimate $375,000 – $425,000; Cosmetic restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $290,000. – RHD. 2,491/120hp, 4-speed, sliding Plexiglas side windows, Cibie headlights. – Good fresh clearcoat repaint and upholstery. Bright chrome. Crisp gauges. The engine and chassis are older and look it. Weak chrome on the rear deck badge. – Doomed by confiscatory taxation based upon engine displacement, Talbot-Lago replaced its fine 4,482/190hp inline six with this more modest but still technically advanced four in 1955. It didn’t help the company survive and is largely forgotten (or at least overlooked) among collectors. That neglect didn’t affect this 2500, however, which has had a serious restoration and is impressively presented. The difference between bidders’ opinion of value and the seller’s is reflective of the modest power and sophistication. It is an understandable bifurcation but one that remains to be resolved in the marketplace.

Lot # 42S 2022 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ Coupe; S/N VF9SW3V32NM795009; Metaliose Bleu Competition, Orange stripes/Black Alcantara; Estimate $5,000,000 – $5,500,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $4,700,000 plus commission of 10.11%; Final Price $5,175,000. – 7,993/1,578hp, 2×2 progressive turbochargers, 7-speed AutoManual, all-wheel drive, stability control, ABS. – 255 delivery miles and still like new. Number 9 of 30 Chiron Super Sport 300+ built. Capable of 300+ mph, electronically limited to a still mind-boggling 261 mph. Tires are a problem. – An involuntary right foot spasm could seamlessly erupt this Bugatti from merely extraordinary to warp speed, compressing space and time until one of two things happened: A) it ran into a human-indetectable at that speed immovable object; or B) the centrifugally overstressed tires blew out. It is less an automobile than an object of technological veneration, and this is the price of such beyond-human capability. It is no wonder it has only 255 miles on the odometer. Epic top speeds are the stuff of legend, and it is good (relatively speaking) to recall that back in 1988 Callaway’s Sledgehammer was clocked at 254.76 mph at the Transportation Research Center track in Ohio with special Goodyear high speed tires, a street-legal car that was driven to and from TRC on the highway. Progress is incremental and surprisingly slow as well as expensive.

Lot # 43 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe; S/N 680921; Engine # VA1851-8; Black/Black leather; Estimate $110,000 – $140,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $85,000. – 3,781/265hp, 2 SU carburetors, 4-speed, steel wheels, trim rings, wide whitewalls, fender mirrors, skirts. – Very good paint with some small scratches above the headlights, around the fuel filler door, on the hood and a crack at the rear of the roof. Excellent upholstery and interior woodwork. Bright chrome. Appears to be mostly poor storage, not road use. – XK 120s were always short of brakes and adding the 3.8 litre XKE engine to the mix doesn’t help the problem, but that’s no reason to short change the value of this FHC, which otherwise is in very good condition and shows both quality assembly and good maintenance. Jaguar owners will not welcome it on a JCNA show field because of its modification and a set of XK 150S disc brakes will not detract from its value but will add to its drivability and safety. It was short-changed with this bid even though the pre-sale low estimate is ambitious because of the uprated engine.

Lot # 44 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Spider, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 05710; Nero/Tan leather; Estimate $350,000 – $450,000; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $387,500 plus commission of 11.29%; Final Price $431,250. – 2,419/195hp, 5-speed, Cromodora wheels, Michelin Defender tires, Momo Prototipo steering wheel, air conditioning, power windows, books and tools. – Sold new on the West Coast. Represented with a recent drivetrain rebuild. Older 2015 repaint with numerous small scratches and chips on the nose. Heavy wear to the seats. Several blemishes on the wheels. Engine rebuilt overhaul in 2015 as well. Driven regularly over the years and used in events like the Copperstate 1000. Never restored but got major attention when necessary. A driver Dino. – And, in 2024, this is what a driver Dino costs. Pre-pandemic, this money would have bought you the best 246 GTS in the world, but Dinos have come very far since then after going through a value slump in the Twenty-teens.

Lot # 45 1961 Porsche 356B (T5) 1600 Super Roadster, Body by Drauz; S/N 88680; Engine # 604186; Red/Tan; Beige cloth top; Estimate $170,000 – $190,000; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $148,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $165,760. – 1,582/75hp, 4-speed, silver painted wheels with wide hubcaps, Porsche Certificate documented – Represented as the matching numbers engine and transmission. Excellent color changed cosmetics but older chassis. Little history from new other than an 80’s restoration, more cosmetic than comprehensive. – Just a car, but a decent Drauz Roadster that appealed to the Bonhams Scottsdale bidders. Its price here appropriately reflects the cosmetic nature of its old restoration with a modest price that leaves some upside for the new owner.

Lot # 46 1970 Maserati Ghibli Spider, Body by Ghia; S/N AM115S1185; Ice Blue, Ice Blue Hardtop/Black; Estimate $600,000 – $700,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $537,500 plus commission of 10.93%; Final Price $596,250. – 4,709/310hp, 5-speed, Campagnolo centerlock alloy wheels, factory hardtop, woodrim steering wheel, power windows, Becker Grand Prix radio, air conditioning. Set of Borrani wire wheels included. – One of 82 4.7-liter Spiders. Represented as matching numbers. Very rare and desirable hardtop. Very good paint and chrome, but there is a masking error on the hardtop. Clean wheels. Older restored interior with light wear. Old undercoat. Good configuration, good colors, and a good older restoration for driving events and tours. – This isn’t an excellent Ghibli Spyder but it isn’t a bad one, either, and it presents better now than it did in Scottsdale six years ago, when it was bid to $725K but unsold. This result looks seriously modest in comparison, but the seller nevertheless decided to cut it loose.

Lot # 49P 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Coupe; S/N 57432; Engine # 547; Black, Ivory/Tan leather; Black cloth sliding top; Estimate $1,500,000 – $1,800,000; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,250,000 plus commission of 10.40%; Final Price $1,380,000. – RHD. 3,257/135hp, 4-speed, wheel discs, rear fender skirts, Michelin tires, rollback sliding sunroof, Marchal Aerolux headlights, Trafficators, side luggage door. – Chipped, scratched and scraped paint, looks good but also aged and used. Paint lifting along the sweep panel. Sound but aged chrome, upholstery and engine compartment. Aged and used, but still lovely. Rather mixed up history of various parts consistent with other Bugattis regularly used after WWII – Sold by Brooks Auctioneers at Nürburgring in 2001 for $406,820, then by Christie’s at Het Loo in 2003 for $613,293 (Euros 558,250 at the time, this result is Euros 1,265,900). It was bid to $1,894,375 at Artcurial’s Retromobile auction a year ago (Euros 1,750,000 at the time), an ephemeral result as today’s successful bid is Euros 1,265,900. Condition is an issue as the older restoration is showing its age and needs thorough attention if not a complete redo. All that is intelligently reflected in the price it brought here even if the seller missed the brass ring (if there was money) at Artcurial Retromobile last year.

Lot # 50 1955 Talbot-Lago T-15 Baby Coupe, Body by Barou; S/N 122022; Grey/Brown leatherette; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $57,120. – RHD. 2,690/120hp, chrome spoke wire wheels, Michelin X tires, 4-speed pre-selector transmission, Jaeger gauges, dash clock. – Numerous chips and scratches in the original paint, particularly a big chip in the hood and crazing on the roof. Oxidized wheels. Dull chrome with some big chips in the rear bumper. Dirty but not rotten underneath. Very good newer seats and dash padding. The rest of the interior is original and well-preserved. A neat one-off car that isn’t exactly gorgeous, but it’s distinctive and after a restoration would be a cool showpiece. On display for many years, runs but needs comprehensive attention – Sold by Worldwide at Pacific Grove in 2018 this was a sound but needy project car then that brought a whopping price of $96,250. It is pretty much the same car here six years later with just five more km on the odometer. It still needs (begs for?) a thorough restoration which is much more feasible at this price than it was in 2018, but still a stretch.

Lot # 51 1952 Jaguar XK 120SE Roadster; S/N S672902; Engine # W4004-8; Sporting Red/Biscuit leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $100,000 – $120,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $66,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $73,920. – 3,442/160hp, 4-speed, steel wheels, skirts, fender mirrors. – Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. Excellent paint, interior and chrome. Good fits: sides flat, doors close flush. Polished SUs underhood, cracked and chipped enamel on the exhaust manifolds. Done thoroughly a long time ago but not to today’s standards and now aging without apparently being driven very much. Non-standard engine stampings. – Sold by RM at Monterey in 1998 for $45,796 then at Barrett-Jackson four months later in 1999 for $47,300, this Jag has seen little if any attention since then until it was sold at Worldwide Auburn in January 2021 for $98,000. XK 120s are still popular today, with ample power for freeway driving, reliable handling and evocative styling, but this result is all this aged XK 120 deserves.

Lot # 52 1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Convertible; S/N 12104210024855; Engine # 121928000983; Medium Blue/Tan leather; Estimate $140,000 – $160,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $165,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $184,800. – 1,897/105hp, Solex carburetors, 4-speed, Becker dual band radio, shortwave adapter, hubcaps and trim rings, whitewalls, hardtop only. – Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. Good lightly scuffed paint applied assembled in the wheelwells. Good chrome and upholstery. Clear gauges and restored dashboard. Good engine compartment with some age and storage dust. Even gaps, slightly proud deck lid. A decent driver. – 190SLs are showing surprising strength recently despite being modestly-powered, sedan chassis boulevardiers. Sold by RM at Monterey in 2018 for $179,200 the consignor Maine Classic Car Museum should be delighted with this price for a tired, erratically presented 190SL that has done nothing but get older in the past six years.

Lot # 53 1964 Porsche 356C 1600 C Cabriolet, Body by Reutter; S/N 160607; Engine # 813499; Bali Blue/Dark Grey; Black cloth top; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $141,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $157,920. – 1964 engine, 1,582/95hp, 4-speed, silver painted wheels, hubcaps, Kelly tires, Blaupunkt multiband radio. – Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. Sound but flawed older repaint with minor chips and scrapes and door edge chips. Peeling vent window chrome, dull steering wheel spokes and engine cover vents. Good gauges. Older chassis. A driver. – This is a decent car, but its price here is far better than the car is.

Lot # 54 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk I Convertible; S/N B9473518LRXFE; Engine # 254-F21KA; Red/Black leatherette; Black leatherette top; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $47,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $53,200. – 260/164hp, 4-speed, funky faux wire wheel covers, Vredestein tires. – Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. Cracked and blistered old paint. Good upholstery. Dead door seals. Generally good chrome. New tires. Clean, orderly engine compartment. Unrestored underbody. Claimed to be cosmetically restored in 2014, shows its age. – Sunbeam Tiger value history in a nutshell: sold by Mecum at Kissimmee in 2015 for $101,520, by Mecum at Monterey in 2016 for $77,000, by Worldwide at Dallas in 2017 for a mind-blowing $115,500 and now here for quarters on the dollar. It’s tired, old and moderately neglected but not messed up or laden with LAT bits and this is a real price for it. The Worldwide Dallas result was a major outlier for no apparent reason.

Lot # 55 1953 Bristol 401 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 4011269; Engine # 85C2290; Black/Tan leatherette; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Visually maintained, largely original 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $39,200. – 1,971/85hp six, 4-speed, steel wheels, hubcaps, whitewalls. – Maine Classic Car Museum Collection. Cheap, chipped old repaint with scratches and scrapes. Sound upholstery. Dull, failing chrome. Yellow whitewalls. Chipped, scraped steering wheel. Good dashboard and gauges. Needs everything. – There are many idiosyncratic British cars of the 50’s, but it is doubtful any of them are more idiosyncratic than the Bristol 401 with its wind tunnel sleek body, aircraft construction and unashamedly pre-war German BMW designed engine. At least Jaguar and Aston Martin at the time were coming up with original ideas in Britain. Nevertheless this is an eye-catching and rare (said to be one of one 611 built) piece of solid British engineering and considered design that almost no one (as evidenced by the price it brought here) recognizes. It is a project car for a dedicated enthusiast with deep pockets but one that is at this price at least not out of the question. A good value in a rare and unusual looking car.

Lot # 57P 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe; S/N 1980405500733; Engine # 1989805500779; Silver/Red tartan; Estimate $1,500,000 – $1,700,000; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,280,000. – 2,996/240hp, 4-speed, polished rim wheels with hubcaps, Michelin XH4 tires, Blaupunkt multiband radio, Talbot outside mirror. – Poor quality old paint with clearcoat blisters, cracks and edge chips. Good upholstery. Unrestored underbody. Cracked window gaskets. Very clean, orderly engine compartment and frame. Represented as the numbers-matching engine block. A mixed bag. – Gullwings did well last week in Kissimmee and here in Scottsdale, a perennial example of a postwar classic. There is not a lot to commend this Gullwing’s condition, however, and the bidders were turned off by its erratic weekend driver condition.

Lot # 59 1966 Maserati Mistral 4.0 Coupe, Body by Frua; S/N AM1091118; Red/Dark Red leather; Estimate $100,000 – $120,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $87,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $98,000. – 4,014/255hp six, Lucas fuel injection, 5-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XDX tires,, Blaupunkt AM-FM, air conditioning, power windows – Sound, shiny paint with door edge chips and crazing on the cowl and nose. Condensation inside the left headlight. Sound original upholstery with surface cracks. Loose steering wheel rim. Dull aluminum trim. Brakes need work. Shiny but aged. – There is one outstanding thing about this, or any, Mistral and that is Frua’s sleek, sensitive, functional coachwork that artfully encloses Maserati’s tall dohc inline six cylinder engine while providing abundant glass for practical high speed driving visibility. This car was sold by Auctions America at Santa Monica in 2016 for $181,500, a price that would not be inappropriate today for its condition even though it changed hands here for barely half that, a remarkable value that leaves plenty of headroom for addressing its needs if not for a full restoration.

Lot # 60 1961 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 10867S103908; Roman Red/Black; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $86,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $96,320. – 283/315hp Fuelie engine, aftermarket Headman headers, 4-speed, wheel covers, whitewall tires, hardtop, WonderBar radio. – An older restoration with the paint presenting well and with only minor cracking under the windshield near the driver’s door. The weather stripping is severely cracked and needs immediate attention, and the hard top seal has some major rips. The engine compartment is aged although some easy to touch up areas have been painted. The thermostat housing is leaky, and there is a fine layer of grime in places. Underneath presents reasonably well, but has been obviously touched up. The interior appears to have had the carpet replaced and the seat upholstery looks aged, but gracefully so. Inconsistent finishing on this car holds back the overall presentation. – Despite the mediocre presentation, the top-spec Fuelie engine and 4-speed manual are the most desirable powertrain combo, and this price strikes the appropriate balance between equipment and condition.

Lot # 63 1993 Land Rover Defender 110 Wagon 4×4; S/N SALDH1283PA921127; Alpine White/Gray cloth; Estimate $110,000 – $130,000; Unrestored original 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $97,500. – 3,950/182hp V8, 5-speed manual transmission, added snorkel, Goodyear DuraTrac tires, added aftermarket off-road lights, roof rack, ladder, mud flaps, winch. – Rare NAS (North American Specification) Defender 110. Showing 142,917 miles but consistently maintained and never neglected or abused. Decent paint overall with few noticeable blemishes. There is rust staining at the welds of the roll bars. The engine compartment is old and dirty, needing detailing, as does the chassis. The interior presents very well and shows little wear on the durable Land Rover finish. An above average Defender given the mileage, and one that could be used for what it was designed for without guilt. – The reported high bid was short of but close to the presale low estimate and with commission it would have made for an appropriate price given the age and mileage. It should have sold.

Lot # 69 1914 Pathfinder Series XIV Model A Touring; S/N 300467; Blue, Red/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $45,000 – $60,000; Unrestored original 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $24,640. – RHD. 281/42hp four, 3-speed, CM Hall kerosene sidelights, electric headlights, Desmo bulb horn, wood spoke wheels, whitewalls, rear-mounted spare, Stafford license plate light, CM Hall kerosene taillight. – Stored for years in Glen Ellyn, IL until 1946, then stored again until 2010. Barn find original condition with cracked, torn upholstery, dull, peeling paint, rotten tires fitted in 1918. All there. Needs everything, or nothing. Clive and Janet Cussler Collection. – Clive Cussler’s creation Dirk Pitt often adventured through the pages of Cussler’s novels in obscure but accurately described old cars. It was the mark of a writer who actually knew of what he fantasized and this Pathfinder should be a Dirk Pitt mount for some novel. It emanates its history and is a bargain at a Model T price, but far more car.

Lot # 71 1922 Cunningham Series V-4 Model 82-A Town Limousine; S/N V4627; Engine # V4633; Black/Black leather, Beige cloth rear; Black leatherette top; Estimate $100,000 – $120,000; Older restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $90,000. – 442/100hp V-8, 4-speed, hydraulic brakes, nickel brightwork, wood spoke wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts with mirrors, rollup division, open front with side curtains, drum Bausch & Lomb headlights, Pilot-Rays – Restored in the late 1970’s for Richard Straman, displayed at Pebble Beach in 1979 and preserved since. Interior and top in fine condition with age most prominent in the paint and nickel plating. Used but impressive. Clive and Janet Cussler Collection. – V-8 engine and hydraulic brakes among many other desirable attributes make this rare Cunningham a particularly significant offering. The formal body style is less appealing, but as many owners of the time did it makes sense to take off and preserve the enclosed body on a seasonal basis and construct a sporting phaeton on the same chassis. Bonhams sold this Cunningham at Greenwich in 2012 for $128,000 but realistically it could have been sold here at the reported high bid.

Lot # 73 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR Convertible; S/N 8T03R210309-03693; Lime Gold, White/Black; Estimate $190,000 – $240,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $150,000. – 428/335hp Cobra Jet, automatic, air conditioning, power steering and brakes, Shelby wheels with Goodyear Speedway tires. – Restored in 2007. The paint shows very well overall with only a blemish on the valence beneath the front bumper. The bumpers and brightwork are in very good condition. The convertible top has some smudges and creases. The engine compartment is dusty but remains in excellent condition and the underbody is immaculate. The interior exhibits little use. A 17 year old restoration that has held up exceptionally well. – It is curious that the bidders here didn’t come closer to the reasonably set low estimate for this GT500KR even though its quality restoration now has some patina of its own. The consignor didn’t rise to the bait which was a reasoned decision.

Lot # 74 1961 Jaguar XKE SI Flat Floor Roadster; S/N 876048; Engine # 4FE112; Dark Blue/Black cloth; Estimate $100,000 – $130,000; Competition restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $100,800. – 4,235cc race modified engine, triple Weber carburetors, dry sump, tube headers, cool suit reservoir, leather rim steering wheel, 4-speed, carbon fiber hood, alloy wheels, Hoosier tires, vented front disc brakes, Koni shocks, AutoMeter gauges, braced driver’s roll bar, Sparco seat, Simpson harnesses, fuel cell, Halon fire system. – Cosmetically handsome and impressively built with the best of everything and seemingly maintained in extraordinary condition, but this is a flat floor welded louver early XKE that is arguably worth even more when restored back to its original configuration. – In the meantime it should be so much fun to drive whether on track or on the street (if the Authorities allow) that it deserves to be kept as it is. It will never be originally configured again which limits its restored value and would be impossible to recreate in its current configuration for the price it brought here, much less the modest $85,120 it brought at RM’s Covid-stimulus fueled Elkhart auction in 2020.

Lot # 76 1939 BMW 327/328 Cabriolet, Body by Worblaufen; S/N 74626; Engine # 74626; Dark Blue, Ivory/Dark Blue; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $250,000 – $300,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $184,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $206,080. – 1,971/80hp, 4-speed, steel wheels, Vredestein tires, Korting multiband radio, skirts, Bosch headlights, trafficators, BMW Classic certificate documented. – Good older paint, better upholstery and top. The bright trim is very good. There are a few small cracks and chips of little note. Clear gauges and dashboard. The engine is restored and tidy, as is the chassis. – Sold by Bonhams at Paris in 2019 for $241,224 (Euros 212,750 at the time, this result is Euros 189,000) and difficult to fault in any meaningful way despite the older restoration and some kilometers. It is classic BMW and will not disappoint its new owner whether on the road, at marque displays or when considering the price paid.

Lot # 77 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N LSKP229; Shell Grey/Blue leather; Estimate $30,000 – $50,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $38,080. – 6,230/200hp V-8, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, Lucas driving lights, badge bar, modern air conditioning, modern JVC CD. – US delivery. Grubby engine bay. Oxidized underneath. Decent paint with some light scuffs on the driver’s door. Slightly uneven gaps. Aged interior wood. Visible wear in the upholstery front and back. It is unclear when it was last started and driven. Not confidence-inspiring. – A Silver Cloud always looks great, but buying a long-dormant one can turn ugly. This one was auctioned twice at auction in 2011 with bids in the mid-$60K range but doesn’t appear to have gotten any better since. At this much lower result, the new owner at least has room to dig into the major stuff. A full restoration would leave it worth nearly $100K, but it will take a lot to get it there.

Lot # 81 1955 Studebaker President Speedster 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 7168717; Pimlico Grey Metallic, Coral and Conestoga White/White leather; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $50,400. – 259/175hp V8, column shift Borg-Warner automatic, whitewall tires, wire wheels, bench seat, factory pushbutton radio, dash clock. – 35-year-old restoration showing its age. Some paint chips around headlight bezels and rear taillight trim, small scratches on front fenders, and some marked chrome with light pitting on side mirrors. Small paint bubbles present near the bottom of the trunk lid, and light delaminating on the hood edge. Rear seat leather has some cracking. A rare, aged car coming from a long-time, enthusiastic, and attentive owner. – Thanks to Porsche, most of us think of a “Speedster” as a sparse open two-seater, but in Studebaker-speak it refers to the company’s range-topping trim for the 1955 President. It was loaded with standard equipment, priced high, and enjoyed a brief, low 2,215-car production run. This long-cherished example sold well considering the age of its restoration.

Lot # 83 1914 Cadillac Model 30 Racer; S/N Engine number 87556; Red, Cream coachlines/Black leatherette; Estimate $30,000 – $50,000; Modified for competition during restoration 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $67,200. – RHD. 366/40hp L-head four, 3-speed, varnished wood spoke wheels, Silvertown tires, Gray & Davis brass headlights. – Bothwell Collection. Tired, chipped, scratched old paint. Sound upholstery. Old tires, sound old engine compartment spray painted all over and not used in a long time. – One of a few cars retained by the Bothwell family after Bonhams collection auction in 2017, a relic of Lindley’s inclination to make 2-seater race cars to indulge his competitive urge. It is of no historic account, except that it comes from this collection and will forever benefit from an honored provenance and participation of the Lindley Bothwell organized Santa Monica Vanderbilt Cup recreation in 1950. It will also be a blast to drive. The Bothwell grove in Woodland Hills, the last remaining commercial citrus grove in the area, has now been sold but the scent of oranges and lemons still clings to this relic.

Lot # 84 1922 Mercer Series 5 Runabout; S/N 19140; Engine # 6460; Cream, Green fenders/Brown leatherette; Beige cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Unrestored original 4- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $78,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $87,360. – 298/70hp L-head four, 4-speed, Cadillac Motometer, Flintex drum headlights, rumble seat, dual rear-mounted spares, drum pedestal spotlight. – Dull old paint, not as old upholstery but still old, cracked ancient top. The last car of the fabled Lindley Bothwell collection, a relic that will get a complete restoration and knock us dead. Runs with difficulty. – Although the catalog describes “an appealing patina” there is nothing appealing about the ratty, neglected, and deteriorated condition. It is pure and simple a restoration project but one in a rare chassis and body style that deserves the six figures its restoration will take. Having the last car of any series is significant; the last car of the Lindley Bothwell collection is equally meaningful and if this is what it took to own it, good for the new owner.

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Comments

    • John Jeffries
    • February 13, 2024
    Reply

    Thanks very much Rick & team.

    John, Tolland, Conn.

      • rickcarey1
      • February 13, 2024
      Reply

      Yes, it is very much a team effort, particularly in the intense environment of a week like Scottsdale with simultaneous auctions at different locations.
      We sometimes stumble over each other, not only in person but also writing up the same cars. I try to preserve the observations of Andrew and Greg as they will be doing this long after I fade into the background noise.
      Shouldn’t you buy me lunch at Marika’s in Putnam and get to drive my ’05 GTO, the antidote to Porsches?
      Rick

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