Bonhams has positioned this sale since its inception in 2012 as congruent with Dr. Fred Simeone’s “Preserving the Automobile” theme.
In this they have been moderately successful – although sometimes the vision has been supplemented by some really nice, restored cars (like this year’s Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans).
There were barn finds galore in Philly this year, an achingly original and well-preserved Lincoln Model L Sport Phaeton, an older-restored Pope-Hartford and all manner of other things which extended to two Merkurs and a Cosworth Vega from the Jack Middleton Collection.
It is a valued precursor to the upcoming old car orgy at Hershey.
And every visit to the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum is a reminder of the great, wonderful history of auto racing.
It is a collection not to be missed, worth an extended layover at PHL and a five minute taxi ride from the airport to 6825 Norwitch Drive and a walk through the Museum listening to Dr. Simeone’s narrative of the cars on the Museum’s app.
Bonhams pre-sold the Bentley Speed Six for an undisclosed amount “above the low estimate” and didn’t appear on the block for bidding. It is included in the totals at an all-in price equal to the $450,000 low estimate.
We can have a debate about the strategy of pre-sales but the fact of the matter is that the auction company works for the consignor, and the decision to accept or reject a pre-sale cash offer over the reserve is the consignor’s choice. In this case the consignor took the offer. Bidders coming to Philadelphia for the Speed Six might have been disappointed, which is a different issue Bonhams may have to deal with.
Here are the numbers:
| Year | Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Sold < Low Est | Sold > High Est | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ |
| 2019 | 39/48 | 81.3% | 71.8% | 10.3% | $59,816 | $10,640
[17.8%] |
$2,332,841 |
| 2018 | 36/49 | 73.5% | 72.2% | 8.3% | $67,905 | $60,480
[89.1%] |
$2,444,576 |
| 2017 | 56/64 | 87.5% | 58.9% | 8.9% | $56,407 | $29,040
[51.5%] |
$3,158,768 |
| 2016 | 47/51 | 92.2% | 63.8% | 19.2% | $35,748 | $28,600
[80%] |
$1,680,175 |
On-site observations are by Rick Carey and Jose Martinez. The final copy is Rick Carey’s responsibility.
Lots are sorted in Lot Number order.
Lot # 301 1977 Volkswagen Beetle 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1172082281; Diamond Silver/Black vinyl; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Unrestored original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $8,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $8,960. – 4-speed manual, FM/AM radio, sunroof, steel wheels, bucket seats with headrests. – Good paint with a few small blemishes. A very good interior, scratched brightwork, yellowed taillights, blistered rubber on the running boards. An original low mileage Beetle originally owned by Malcolm Pray with two owners and 7,257 miles from new. – While this is a presentable Beetle it’s not as good as its low mileage and 2-owner history would indicate. The bidders were realistically disappointed in its condition and it didn’t deserve much if any more that its final result.
Lot # 302 1950 FIAT-Daniela Testa d’Oro Monoposto, Body by Zagato; S/N 150595; Engine # 577406; Red, Yellow nose/Green vinyl; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $106,400. – 1,098cc Fiat 103D 38DCOE1 carbs, black wire wheels, left offset steering, torsion bar independent front suspension, live rear axle, 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, driver’s head fairing, single aeroscreen, Jaeger tach and gauges, 4-spoke woodrim steering wheel, tube front shocks, lever rear shocks. – Possibly driven by Gigi Villoresi at Monza, bought by Tony Pompeo, then sold to George S. Waltman who raced it in the early 50’s into the 90’s in Northeast SCCA competition. Comes with road equipment (headlights and cycle fenders among other things.) Nearly a dozen old event participation plaques. Sold by Waltman’s family. Tired and beaten up, paint loss and peeling inside the engine compartment. Complete and charming but needs comprehensive attention. It got its name from an early, but long replaced, bronze high performance cylinder head. – A fascinating, ingenious early monoposto with a meaningful early SCCA history in the U.S., this is a charming and largely complete (if re-engined) piece of history. The gallery in Philadelphia watched in amazement as the bids went up, and up and up until reaching this exalted level, but it is a car that faithfully restored will be a welcome participant anywhere. Its preservation is somewhat remarkable and bringing it back to life will be a reward in itself, one that will unfortunately probably not be marked by commensurate financial reward but in psychic income will be priceless. This is a huge number, but there were many bidders and they were determined.
Lot # 304 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible; S/N 30967L113615; Ember Red/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $7,000 – $10,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $3,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $3,360. – 4-speed, wire wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, pushbutton radio, 145/85hp 2-carb engine. – Poor, microblistered old repaint. Worn but sound original upholstery with frayed piping. Tired old engine compartment. Aged chrome and stiff body and window seals. Dry original underbody. The body shows no signs of rust. Jack Middleton Collection. – It’s impossible to see what the bidders saw about this old Corvair that turned them so completely off on it because it appears to be a much better and more valuable car than the price it brought here. The new owner has it at 50 cents on the dollar.
Lot # 306 1921 Sunbeam 24/60 Tourer, Body by Brewster; S/N 7046B; Engine # B7066; Silver-Grey/Light Grey leatherette; Beige cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $64,000. – RHD. 4,524cc/63hp ohv inline six, original Claudel carburetor, Dual sidemounts, Black Rudge Whitworth centerlock wire wheels, Monogram headlights, Sunbeam Moto-Meter. – Imported by racer Dario Resta, bodied for him by Brewster, displayed at the 1921 New York Auto Salon. Later owned by Alec Ullman and D. Cameron Peck. Poor old repaint with some cracking and many chips and scratches. Stiff old upholstery with a glue repair on the driver’s cushion. Orderly engine compartment and chassis showing many miles since it was last given much more than a quick cleanup. Good wheels and Blockley tires. A usable tour car but no more than that. – But with a great history and potentially scintillating performance. Largely forgotten today are the contributions of early collectors like Alec Ullman and D. Cameron Peck in preserving largely complete and running, driving cars like this Sunbeam and it is unfortunate that Bonhams bidders in Philadelphia missed the chance to see its history of preservation continued. The bid here reflects its mediocre condition but not its preservation.
Lot # 307 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N631298; LeMans Blue, White stripes/White vinyl, houndstooth; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $22,400. – 302/290hp, single 4-barrel, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, power front disc brakes, woodgrain steering wheel, Rallysport headlight covers, console gauges, cowl induction hood Rally wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, cassette stereo. – The RS headlight covers are held open with coathanger wire hooks. The shiny repaint is blistering and lifting. The front seats are fair but the rears are sun rotting. The engine compartment is a mess, with a recent Holley 4-barrel and the block is restamped. Appears to be sound but is a project. – If it’s even a 302, that is, since the restamped block gives no clue to what is actually under the cylinder heads. Even then, however, it is a reasonable project bought for a minimal price and should give its new owner plenty of opportunities to while away winter evenings making it better with minimal financial risk.
v
Lot # 309 1929 Ford Model A Business Coupe; S/N Engine No. A2001020; Engine # A2001020; Grey, Black fenders, Yellow coachlines/Black leatherette; Black cloth top; Estimate $8,000 – $12,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $5,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $5,600. – Rumble seat, windshield visor, aluminum step plates, yellow spoked wheels, vinyl covered rear mounted spare, driver’s side view mirror, rear view mirror, Model T-style 4-spoke steering wheel, Sparton horn, right running board luggage fence. – Dull paint with chipped edges and blemishes. Good brightwork with a few light scratches. Good interior with some light waviness on the bench seat. Engine compartment has chipped paint and a modern alternator. An older restoration with beau coup miles and years but sound and usable. – Cataloged as a “Sport Coupe” but it isn’t. The top goes down and the doors have fully framed rollup windows which Model A expert David Patridge says is a Business Coupe. Built for only two years, 1928-29, Ford built a surprising number of them, over 36,000 in each year, and sold them for $525, $25 less than a Standard coupe. The unusual body style goes a long way to offsetting the mediocre condition and is something of a find for a Model A collector.
Lot # 310 1970 Volvo P1800E Coupe; S/N 184451316060; Medium Blue/Golden Brown vinyl; Estimate $18,000 – $22,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $16,800. – 1986/130hp, 4-speed with overdrive, disc brakes, bucket seats with headrests and center console, alloy wheels. – Old repaint with a few chips, scratches, masking errors and blisters. Pitted, dull, scratched, and indented brightwork. Cracked upholstery with pulled seams, cracks, and tears. In 1970 the Volvo 1800E received a new B20E engine. The Bosch fuel injection allowed the Volvo to produce 30 more horsepower than its predecessor. This Volvo has been sorted mechanically and includes service records from the past two decades, sound but aged. – Swedish-built, which means it’s much more reliable than its British-built Jensen predecessors, and benefiting from the final year’s developments including the larger 1,986cc/130hp Bosch FI engine but the interior is used up and trashed, as is the body. It’s a project for a Volvo lover who appreciates its late specification and brought a realistic price here.
Lot # 311 1928 Lincoln Model L Sport Phaeton, Body by Locke; S/N 49681; Engine # 49681; Black/Black leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $100,000 – $130,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Reserve; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $134,400. – Dual sidemounts, metal luggage trunk, Parabeam headlights, opening windshield, tool kit, instruction book. – Two owners since 1941. Dull buffed through original paint, worn, creased original upholstery. Peeling chrome. Greasy, grungy, road grimy chassis. Impressively well-preserved and complete, a 1997 AACA Preservation Award winner. – This Lincoln is miraculously preserved and despite the buffed through paint and greasy chassis is in exceptional condition, particularly the upholstery. The odometer reads 40,805 miles and it would be a surprise if that’s not the correct mileage. It brought a superior price here at the Simeone Foundation, a price that’s fully deserved by its inherent quality, attractive Locke coachwork and exceptional preservation, a price that indicates the new owner appreciates its singularity and will continue its preservation.
Lot # 314 1914 Peerless Model 48 Town Car, Body by Kimball; S/N 142276; Blue/Blue leather, Blue cloth rear; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $50,960. – RHD. 612/110hp Ahrens Fox 18-valve T-head 6-cylinder, wood spoke wheels, Bausch & Lomb electric headlights, rollup rear compartment shades, jump seats, pullup division, rear-mounted spare (missing), platform rear suspension. – Tired, dilapidated, scratched, chipped and grungy but all there and seriously imposing. The Ahrens Fox engine is intriguing and is in condition appropriate to the age and unrestored nature of the Peerless, indicating it may have been there from new.
Reported sold by Bonhams at the Tupelo Museum six months ago for $67,200, it is a daunting project but promises to have excellent prospects for participation in both automobile and fire apparatus events. Further research into the circumstances of the engine’s installation may unearth an interesting origin story and it is a sound value at this price.
Lot # 315 1977 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N LRF31638; Engine # 31638; Beige, Brown sides, Grey vinyl roof/Brown leather; Estimate $6,000 – $14,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $5,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $5,600. – Automatic, air conditioning, power steering and brakes, console, power locks, radio, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewall tires. – Cracked and chipped paint with microblisters. Good exterior brightwork with exception of the front and rear bumpers which are scratched, the front bumper is pitted. Cracked leather upholstery with abrasions and discoloration. This Rolls Royce has been under the ownership of the Rolls Royce Foundation since 2014, and the proceeds from its sale will benefit the foundation. Needs recommissioning. – It’s hard to say what the future holds for this Silver Wraith II but it brought a reasonable price for what it is.
Lot # 317 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N SRK37706; Engine # 37706; White/Midnight Blue leather; Estimate $8,000 – $14,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $9,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $10,640. – Automatic, power brakes, power steering, individual buckets with arm rest and center console, FM/AM push button radio, wheel covers, narrow whitewall tires. – Good repaint with a few cracks near the windshield and rear window, and micro blistering on the roof. Good original interior with just a few light cracks as signs of wear. Good brightwork all around except the front bumper which has a few scratches. A 1979 Rolls Royce with pleasant interior and an older repaint owned by the Rolls Royce Foundation since 2014. – A better car than the R-R Foundation’s Silver Wraith II sold a little earlier, and it brought an appropriately better price.
Lot # 318 1950 Chevrolet 3600 Pickup; S/N 3836848; Blue/Brown leatherette; Estimate $15,000 – $25,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 5+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $7,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $8,400. – Offenhauser dual carburetor intake manifold, split exhaust manifold, deluxe chrome package, wood bed floor, aluminum step plates, aftermarket radio, chrome wheels. – Dinged body panels. Dull, scratched, paint with chipped edges and numerous blemishes. The upholstery has many abrasions and holes. The wood bed floor is not varnished. The exterior brightwork is fair. The passenger’s side headlamp trim has a dent and the grille is fairly scratched. Dirty and rusty wheel wells. An unrestored 3600 pickup with an upgraded Offenhauser twin carburetor intake manifold. Looks like a truck. – A utilitarian old truck with plenty of weekend errand-running miles left in it and bought for a realistic price for its utility.
Lot # 319 1904 Pope-Toledo 24hp Four-cylinder Rear Entrance Tonneau; S/N Engine No. 2444; Engine # 2444; Burgundy, Black patent leather fenders/Black leather; Black canopy top; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Concours restoration, 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $100,800. – RHD. Phare Solar acetylene headlights, Neverout kerosene sidelights and taillight, folded trumpet bulb horn, wicker pannier and umbrella baskets, white tires, double chain drive, brass rooftop luggage rail, Warner clock and drum speedometer, electric starter added. – Excellent paint, bright brass, very good barely used upholstery. Displayed at Pebble Beach in 2001 but looks much more recent. Assembled to very high standards by Stu Laidlaw from a collection of parts. – The assembled nature of this Pope-Toledo probably deprives it of eligibility for the London-Brighton Veteran Car Run even if the engine number is 1904 or earlier. That’s an important consideration but not enough to make it unattractive and it is a beautifully built and presented car with plenty of style and elegance.
Lot # 320 1968 Jaguar XKE Series 1 1/2 Roadster; S/N 1E16367; Engine # 7E15042-9; Primrose, Primrose hardtop/Biscuit leather; Ivory vinyl top; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $52,640. – 4-speed, soft top and factory hardtop, chrome wire wheels, narrow whitewalls, AM-FM, grille and trunk guards. – Dusty barn find with a crunched right front corner. Dingy, dirty upholstery. Complete but rusty and dirty engine compartment. Faded and discolored original paint. Rusty driver’s door bottom, the rest of the body appears to be sound. Needs everything. – For a car that will be worth close to $200,000 after a $150,000+ concours-quality restoration this is an optimistic price with little room for fixing unanticipated problems like the ones starting to show up in the door bottoms. The result here is not unreasonable, it’s just optimistic.
Lot # 321 1956 Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans Roadster; S/N BN2L230648; Engine # 1B230648; Red/Black vinyl; Black leatherette top; Estimate $140,000 – $170,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $140,000. – Chrome wire wheels, Classic brand tires, badge bar, Marchal fog light and driving light, headlight stoneguards, woodrim steering wheel, 4-speed, leather hood strap, louvered hood, BMIHT and 100M Le Mans Register documented, tools and jack, Heuer stopwatch. – Factory built 100M Le Mans represented to have matching numbers. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Restored to better than showroom condition and appears to have been little used. The trunk stands proud on the left but the doors and hood fit well, with even gaps. Clean, orderly nearly like new engine compartment. A ten year old restoration that looks like it was done last year. – This exceptionally well-restored and meticulously maintained 100M Le Mans could have sold for the pre-sale low estimate of $140,000 and even with the 12% commission bringing the all-in price to $156,800 not been expensive. At this price it is a very good value.
Lot # 322 1913 Pope-Hartford Model 33 50hp Touring; S/N 00662; Engine # 1790; Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $275,000 – $325,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $230,000. – RHD. New Haven clock, body color wood spoke wheels, Gray & Davis electric headlights, cowl lights, turn signals and starter, wicker trunk, dual right running board spares, black painted folded trumpet bulb horn, nickel brightwork, dogleg windshield. – Wonderful 390 cubic inch inline four with overhead valves, exposed valve gear and crossflow porting. Ex-Harrah’s with its restoration completed by Temple Baldwin in the mid 90’s, this is a very high quality restoration to like new condition with more recent upgrades for reliability and safer touring, but it’s also visibly aging and no longer show quality. – The catalog represents this Pope-Hartford as sold at the 1984 Harrah’s auction but the only Pope-Hartford there that comes close was a 1911 Model W powered by the 390cid four in this Model 33. It sold for $100,000 but with a different engine number (7587). It was offered by RM at Hershey in 2011 where it no-saled on a reported bid of $375,000, then was sold to today’s consignor by Gooding at Pebble Beach a year later for $319,000. It has had some fairly significant work since then to make it a better tour car and the seller’s reluctance to let it go at the reported bid here is understandable.
Lot # 323 1988 Saab 900 Turbo Convertible; S/N YS3AT76L5J7027766; White/Maroon leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $12,000 – $20,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $3,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $3,920. – Automatic, air conditioning, power brakes, power steering, power convertible top, power windows, factory radio. – Scratched and chipped paint. Dull plastics, cloudy headlights. Cracked leather upholstery with discoloration. Decent power top that no longer has power. An original Saab 900 in a driver’s condition. – Tired, used, sun-bleached and challenged, this is an uninteresting car bought for uninteresting money.
Lot # 324 1988 Merkur Scorpio 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N WF1BT81V3JE891164; Maroon, Grey lower body/Black leather; Estimate $2,000 – $5,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,600 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $1,792. – Automatic, air conditioning, power brakes and steering, factory cassette stereo, alloy wheels, Falken tires, power glass sunroof. – Clean used car with 86,017 miles from the Jack Middleton collection. – Back in 1988 this was a notable car with good performance, lots of interior room and luxurious appointments. Today no one cares, and in fact back in the 80’s no one cared, either, with the Merkur marque disappearing from the U.S. almost before it could be noticed.
Lot # 327 1951 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster; S/N 671497; Engine # W3566-8; OE White/Dark Red leather; No top; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $48,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $54,320. – Steel wheels, blackwall tires, spats, fender mirrors, Bosch underdash gauges, chrome doorknob shifter knob, unstamped replacement cylinder head, JDHT certificate documented. – Cracked filler on the right front fender. Sound lightly worn and creased upholstery. Paint shrinkage on the deck lid. failing chrome plating on the left windshield post. Orderly but grungy engine compartment, chassis and underbody. Dull bumper chrome. Cracked passenger’s windshield pane. Restored in the 70’s, engine rebuilt in 2015. There is no top or top frame behind the seats. Mediocre old repaint and decent interior, but that’s all. – The $40-50,000 pre-sale estimate range is seriously conservative, a fact recognized by the bidders here at the Simeone Foundation Museum with this result, and even this result is conservative for a sound, usable XK 120 roadster like this. The new owner got a sound value even considering the many flaws on this Jag.
Lot # 328 1930 Bentley Speed Six Sports Tourer; S/N FR2639; Engine # FR2641S; Green/Green leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $450,000 – $650,000; Rebodied or re-created, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Reported sold at an undisclosed amount. – RHD. Folding windshield, dual aeroscreens, rear mounted spare, Lucas bullseye headlights in black housings, leatherette covered body. – Originally a saloon by Harrison. Rebodied in the 60’s, later rebodied with this tourer body by Dr. Fred Simeone by Tony Robinson, then sold to Virgil Millett. Recently serviced and noted with a leak (possible crack) in #5 cylinder. Represented as matching numbers and documented with a Clare Hay report. Good older paint, brightwork and lightly creased upholstery. The driver’s aeroscreen has a chipped corner. The chassis is very good with little use and only a little storage dust. There are a few scrapes and scuffs on the paint and the nickel brightwork is a little dull. – Pre-sold at a price described as “over the low estimate” by Bonhams and didn’t cross the block. It represents a sound value in the vicinity of the low estimate even with the engine issue and replica coachwork.
Lot # 329 1923 A.B.F Boattail speedster, Body by Jacques T. Taylor; S/N Engine No. ABF111; Engine # ABF111; Dark Blue/Green leather; Estimate $75,000 – $125,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $68,000. – RHD. Brolt lighting, disc wheels, fishtail dual exhaust, semi-elliptic leaf springs anchored to the frame in the center and shackled to the frame at the non-working end. – A.B.F. stands for All British Ford, designed by Albert O. Ford (no relation to Henry.) One of only two A.B.F.s built, both of which survive. Once owned by sculptor Stanley Wanlass. Awful old brush repaint, cracked old upholstery. Aged but reasonably orderly chassis and engine. An intriguing device but a major project. – An intriguing bit of history with some imaginative design elements and a charming history which starts with it being bought years ago from the original builder. It will be a rewarding project even at or near the reported high bid. Not sold on the block but seen in Hershey a week later with a noted dealer with a penchant for value and idiosyncratic cars.
Lot # 331 1940 Ford Deluxe Convertible; S/N 185496038; Maroon/Brown leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $33,000. – 3-speed, radio, no heater, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls. – Very good older paint, sharp chrome, good lightly scuffed upholstery. There are various edge chips but no obvious stress cracks. The engine compartment is nearly like new. The chassis and underbody are road dusty but not grimy. Recent tires and brakes. 1987 AACA National First Prize and Senior. but the condition is much better than suggested by that date and this is an attractive weekend cruiser. – One of the better cars at this Bonhams auction, a fact seemingly lost on the bidders who gave up at a paltry bid.
Lot # 332 1913 Marmon Model 48 Speedster; S/N 1613001; Engine # 25811; Light Grey, Red coachline and chassis/Red leather; Estimate $250,000 – $300,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $190,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $212,800. – 573/48 ALAM hp six, artillery wheels, 37×5 tires, Prest-o-Lite tank, Solarclipse acetylene headlights and kerosene taillight, cylinder bolster tank and tool box, dual rear spares, Warner speedometer and clock, added brake lights, turn signals, electric starter and alternator. – Possibly a Speedster from new but this coachwork was built during restoration in the early Naughts. Very good paint, brass and upholstery. The chassis is barely used at all and the presentation, despite being restored more than a decade ago, is very high quality. A marvelous high speed tour car. – A magnificent, big, powerful sporting automobile with impeccable older presentation and maintenance that is worth every penny of the substantial price it achieved here at the Simeone Foundation Museum.
Lot # 333 1923 Gwynne G8 Roadster; S/N 0083; Blue, Black fenders/Tan; Beige cloth top; Estimate $15,000 – $25,000; Older restoration, 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $7,750 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $8,680. – RHD. 850cc/24hp ohv four, 3-speed, rear wheel brakes, fender-mounted headlights with strange offset single dip beam light, wood spoke wheels, opening windshield. – Chipped and cracked old paint. Worn and cracked upholstery with abrasions. Stained and damaged top. Dented and scratched accessory light, rusty engine compartment. A very rare 1923 Gwynne’s Eight that could use a proper restoration. – It is difficult to accept the catalog’s assertion that this 850cc four, even with overhead valves, has 24 brake horsepower in an era when similar-powered cars had much less, but? In any event this is less than a Model T with comparable bodywork and has some potential for both touring and shows. It’s a straightforward restoration and is a sound value at this price.
Lot # 334 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 30867S119382; Engine # V0514TXB; LeMans Blue/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $29,120. – Replacement 350 engine, Holley 4-barrel, 4-speed, Hurst T-handle shifter, aftermarket stereo, aluminum radiator, chrome GT 5-spoke alloy wheels, Conti Trac tires. – ’65 or later hood. Scratched and chipped old repaint, sound upholstery, cracked steering wheel rim, dull and scratched chrome. Disorganized engine compartment with manual steering and brakes. – A nasty Corvette bought for nasty Corvette money and lucky to find a buyer at all.
Lot # 335 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 11603312021425; Medium Red/Biscuit leather; Estimate $20,000 – $25,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $19,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $21,840. – Automatic, air conditioning, 4-wheel disc brakes, power steering, sunroof, power windows and locks, Becker Grand Prix radio, fog lights. – Represented as 25,982 miles from new. Good paint with just few chips and scratches on the hood and door edges. Good interior with a light sag on the driver’s seat. Very good brightwork, except the front and rear bumpers are scratched. The best S-Series model of 1974 featuring the 4.5L V8 engine and long wheel base body. Presented in a highly original condition but appears to be repainted. – It was the 70’s and the 225hp 450SEL was regarded as a high performance car. Not so much today but this well-preserved example is in unusually good condition and caught the Simeone Foundation Museum bidders’ attention bringing it a deserved premium for preservation, originality and low miles. The fact that pretty much any modern Honda will bury it at a stoplight GP isn’t important.
Lot # 337 1941 Chrysler Saratoga Town & Country Station Wagon, 9-pass. Barrelback; S/N 7700759; Maroon/Maroon leather; Estimate $265,000 – $325,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $248,873 plus commission of 11.61%; Final Price $277,760. – Vacamatic Fluid Drive, 242/108hp six, maroon wheels with chrome hubcaps and trim rings, whitewall tires, 9 passenger seating, pearl interior brightwork. – Micro blistered repaint with blemishes and blisters and buff through. The wooden door sides have a decent varnish. Dull, scratched and pitted brightwork. The maroon leather upholstery maintains a good gloss but has deep wrinkles. Dirty and dusty wheel wells. Dirty engine compartment with rust. An older cosmetic restoration long displayed at the Well Auto Museum in Wells, Maine, recently mechanically sorted and said to run, drive and stop well. – It’s almost a disservice to the prior owners of this Chrysler to describe it as “visually maintained, largely original” since it is, aside from paint and keeping after the varnish, beautifully original and well-maintained. A rare and highly desirable body style, this post-block result is fair to both the buyer and the seller. It was offered by RM at Amelia in 2014 where it was reported bid to $250,000.
Lot # 338 1935 Riley Kestrel 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 2271724; Engine # 375703; Grey, Cream sides/Blue-Grey leather; Estimate $30,000 – $45,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $29,680. – RHD. 1,087cc/50hp 4-cylinder, cream wire wheels, Excelsior tires, Notek dip beam light, badge bar, Rotax headlights with Riley badges, opening windshield, sliding sunroof, preselector 4-speed, dual carbs, trafficators, enclosed rear spare. – 4-light saloon coachwork. Good older paint and interior with some miles. Very good interior wood. Touring quality engine compartment and chassis. A distinctive and attractive little fastback sedan. – This is a seriously nifty little suicide door sedan in excellent condition with svelte fastback coachwork. It shows some use and miles but needs nothing to be used for many more years and will only enhance the patina it has earned since its restoration. It is a great value at this price.
Lot # 339 1903 Ford Model A Runabout; S/N Engine No. 230; Engine # 230; Maroon, Black fenders/Black leather; Black leather top; Estimate $90,000 – $110,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $123,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $137,760. – RHD. Wood spoke wheels, Dietz kerosene sidelights and taillight, bulb horn, many spares, even a spare engine. – Very good older paint, lightly worn and creased upholstery, dull brass. Undated AACA National First Prize winner badge. Surprisingly free of panel and paint cracks. Said to have been retained by Ford for possible use as evidence in patent cases (probably the infamous Selden patent.) Sold to Stevens Institute, then to the consignor in 1964. Restored in the 70’s and road driven only once immediately after restoration which accounts for the marvelous preservation of its nearly half-century old restoration. Not VCC dated. – Any Ford Model A is a wonder to see, and most have some historical context, but this one stands out as special for its benign two-owner history since leaving Ford. Added to that is its connection to Ford’s successful defiance of the Selden patent. RM sold the “first” Ford Model A back in 2007 for $693,000 to John O’Quinn. It was later sold by RM at Hershey from his estate in 2012 for $264,000. Others without the historical connections sell for about as much as this, which suggests this is an astute acquisition of an unusually historic and well-preserved piece of early Ford and automobile history.
Lot # 340 1910 Stanley 10hp Steamer Touring; S/N 5494; Brewster Green, Black fenders and accents, Yellow chassis/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $100,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,893 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $68,200. – RHD. 10hp double acting 2-cylinder engine, Warner speedometer, Prest-o-Lite tank, Rushmore acetylene headlights, E&J kerosene sidelights and taillight, many spares. – Believed to be three owners from new. Restored by Ralph Buckley and completed in 1970. Sound but actively toured body and chassis. Fender paint is newer than the body. Waterspotted brass. Cracked and scuffed upholstery. Well-maintained and usable as is after full safety and operational checks. – Rare, efficient, usable and sure to attract attention, the $100-120,000 estimate range is highly optimistic and doesn’t take into account the restoration’s age and use. The bidders here were suitably impressed, however, and this post-block concluded result recognizes this Stanley’s needs and age with a responsible value.
Lot # 342 1912 Oakland Model 30 Touring; S/N 7500; Dark Green, Black fenders/Dark Green leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $46,000. – RHD. Cream chassis and wood spoke wheels, whitewall tires, Flintex acetylene headlights, Prest-o-Lite tank, Corcoran kerosene sidelights, single right side spare with mirror, Stewart speedometer, double rear spring shackle dampers, Gear Vendor overdrive and electric starting added and lighting converted to electric. – Sound older paint and patinaed upholstery, good brass. Aged but well-maintained engine and running gear, thoughtfully upgraded for touring. Paint chipped from use and body flex but not abused. A sound old restoration that is more than usable as is. – This old girl has been around a while, selling for $49,500 at RM Hershey in 2013, then $44,000 at the same venue in 2016 and for $44,800 at Bonhams Greenwich sale in 2018. Taken in context, the high bid here is entirely appropriate and should have been received favorably by the consignor if there was money close to the reported high bid.
Lot # 345 1966 Mercedes-Benz 600 SWB Sedan; S/N 10001212000607; Grey/Grey leather; Estimate $100,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $75,000. – Automatic, power steering, power brakes, power windows and locks, front seat headrests and armrest, missing factory radio. – Dull paint with scratches, micro blisters, blemishes and chips. Good exterior brightwork all around, with exception of the front bumper and radiator shell which are dull and scratched. Very good interior, with exception of the missing radio (a Becker Grand Prix which may come with the car) and a few light cracks on the driver’s seat. – Sold for $29,150 at RM Monterey in 2004. It has had extensive mechanical work and a new interior and wood refinishing since although the exterior hasn’t gotten the attention it needs. As complicated as these cars are (and they’re very complicated) the bidders here hedged their bets with this modest, but appropriate, bid for a car with obvious issues.
Lot # 346 1931 Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8A Sports Coupe, Body by Lancefield; S/N 1676; Engine # 1198; Cream, Black cloth roof/Brown; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $210,182 plus commission of 11.90%; Final Price $235,200. – RHD. Dual rear spares, Black wire wheels, radiator stoneguard, Desmo fog lights. – One of only three I-Fs bodied by Lancefield. Fascinating history. Originally owned and bodied for London attorney Victor Pryce Webb, used by the British military during WWII, taken to the late Mr. Webb’s home in Australia by his widow and put up on blocks until the late 80’s. Poor old repaint, cracked, chipped and dull. Sound old vinyl upholstery. Thin, weak chrome. Dirty unrestored engine compartment and chassis. Mostly original except for the 30’s repaint, some upholstery and the crankcase numbered 1198, which does not match the engine number plate. Needs and deserves everything. – Offered here last year where it was reported bid to $250,000 and nothing has been done to it since then. The odometer shows just one more mile since last year. This result is a post-block transaction at an effective hammer price over the $200,000 low estimate, but the consignor wisely accepted it and sent an intriguing car on to a new home where it may hope to receive the attention it so badly needs.
Lot # 347 1969 Merkur XR4Ti 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N WF1BT80W1KM612957; Metallic Blue/Grey leather; Estimate $2,000 – $5,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $2,240. – 2,301cc/145hp turbocharged fuel injection 4-cylinder, automatic, factory cassette stereo, power glass sunroof, alloy wheels, Yokohama tires, power windows, air conditioning. – 61,431 miles showing and looks like it. Jack Middleton collection. – A rare car, for all the wrong reasons, which explains the chump change price. Owning an orphan marque (even if it has a T-bird Turbo engine) is not an easy life as even the simplest parts no longer exist.
Lot # 348 1967 Saab 96 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 432881; Dull Dark Grey/Grey cloth; Estimate $6,000 – $12,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $5,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $5,600. – 1,498cc/65hp V4, 4-speed, single 1-barrel Solex, column shifter, radio missing, hubcaps. – The V4 is sourced from the German Ford Taunus. Dull old paint over the original light blue. Greasy, oily, dirty engine compartment. Body side trim is missing. Has a 1984 Oklahoma inspection sticker. Sound, but needs everything. – The Ford V4 may have German reliability going for it but it’s a poor substitute for the zingy sound and smoky exhaust of the fabled Saab 3-cylinder two-stroke. This one needs a lot, but it’s priced appropriately to its needs. Beloved in the Northeast and upper Midwest, how did this one find its way to Oklahoma?
Lot # 349 1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1V77R5U210935; Black, Gold accents/Black vinyl; Estimate $6,000 – $10,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $6,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $7,280. – Sanyo cassette stereo, Gold painted alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires. – Mediocre old repaint, otherwise original and aged but not abused. Jack Middleton collection since 1979, two owners from new. – The CosVeg’s issues are well known and by now have been resolved, and it was as the cataloger said, a “beacon of hope in the Malaise era.” A good, sound example benefiting from Jack Middleton’s long term care, it could have brought a little more without being expensive and the new owner got good value for the money.