Not having budget to travel to the U.K., nor to stay at the site, I watched this first-time sale unfold online, recording the block hammer bids. I thought I’d polish up old skills from the COVID era and compose an auction report from the auction video, the catalog, and the online photos.
That proved to be, from a time management point of view, a mistake because once I started I couldn’t stop myself. So here are all 60 car lots with photos from RM’s website. RM provided multiple photos of each lot, making the task easier and more accurate, if not particularly efficient. And it would be better if so many of the exterior shots weren’t taken from “dramatic” angles (meaning lying on the ground with grass in the foreground).
Condition ratings (i.e., 1,2,3,4,5) are more difficult with online auction reports. These, I think, tend to be more generous in the absence of eyes-on viewing.
As mentioned, this was a first-time sale at this location, a fairly magnificent pile of masonry now operated as a luxury hotel with nightly rates that make even Monterey Car Week rooms look moderately priced. Of course it has history including once being owned by Lord Astor and being the site of the first meeting between John Profumo and 19-year old paramour, Christine Keeler. Cliveden House proudly recounts its place in the “Profumo Affair”.
But enough of history and setting. The numbers below do not portray a particularly successful collector car auction. Prices were soft and only a few lots had more than desultory bidding that challenged auctioneer Sholto Gilbertson to find willing bidders. Even the ornate chandeliers of Cliveden House were not enough to meet estimates except in very few situations.
Notably, even the righthand drive lots in this U.K. sale struggled to get attractive prices. The two top lots in the sale, Bugatti Veyron 16.4 and multiple rebodied 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, failed to sell. Total bids for no-sale lots were more than the total for sold lots, $13.1 million in hammer bids to a total (with commission) sale of $10.4 million. Note that the buyer’s commission (15% of the first £200,000 and 12.5% thereafter) is generous by North American standards even if restrained compared with, for instance, Artcurial in France. It is expensive to rent space at Cliveden House.
The sale room began to evacuate midway through the auction with few live bidders left at the end of the day.
Cliveden House is a marvelous location (for those who are willing to pay £500/night or (much) more) and RM will resolve the conundrum of attracting consignments and bidders, but this was not an auspicious beginning.
Here are the numbers:
| Year | Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Sold < Low Est | Sold > High Est | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ | Exchange Rate |
| 2024 | 43/61 | 70.5% | 76.7% | 9.3% | $242,511 | $103,400
[42.5%] |
$10,427,952 | $1.2843 |
Observations are based on the printed and online catalogs and RM’s online photos. Photo credits are given where noted by RM Sotheby’s.
Lot # 303 1979 Ferrari 400iA 2-Dr. Sedan, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 30253; Engine # 00100; Blu Ribot/Pelle Sabbia (Sand leather); Estimate $38,529 – $64,215; Unrestored original 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $12,843 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $14,769. – RHD. 4,823/310hp, fuel injection, automatic, air conditioning, Nakamichi CD stereo. – Originally delivered to Hong Kong. Long stored and neglected, needs extensive recommissioning but sound and usable with good upholstery, gauges, headliner and interior trim. Neglected engine compartment. Baseball-size dent in the passenger’s door. – The first car lot in this first-time auction, an inauspicious beginning that struggled to find an opening bid and closed at this paltry amount even for a righthand drive car in this UK sale. Considering its condition, though, the result shows the bidders were using good sense.
Neil Fraser
Lot # 304 1990 Mini Margrave 2-Dr. Sedan, Body by Wood & Pickett; S/N SAXXL2S1020436408; Engine # ABR24789; Midnight Blue Metallic/Magnolia leather; Estimate $51,372 – $64,215; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $32,108 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $36,924. – RHD. 1,298cc, 4-speed, Recaro seats, tinted power windows, power sunroof, Minilite wheels, Ferrari 308 power mirrors, Blaupunkt Melbourne cassette stereo. – The last vehicle built by Wood & Pickett, special order for the consignor’s father. Completed by the family and mostly stored since it was done with only 2,606 miles recorded but well-preserved and in exceptional condition all things considered. Documented from the original order through bankruptcy communications. – A luxe Mini by recognized coachbuilders loaded with special features. It is an expensive indulgence even at this price well under the pre-sale low estimate but a special vehicle at any Mini gathering.
Lot # 305 1939 MG TA Roadster; S/N TA2375; Dark Green/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $23,117 – $33,392; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $20,549 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $23,631. – RHD. 1,292/50hp, 4-speed, Blockley tires, luggage rack, folding windshield, badge bar, fog light, silver painted wire wheels. – Restored a quarter-century ago and showing age and some miles. Sound paint, chrome and interior, dirty engine compartment. A driver quality TA that needs attention under the hood and recommissioning. – It is a nifty prewar MG T-series, though, and this price is about as much as a TC in this condition would bring with the added benefit of being prewar and eligible for more events.
Lot # 306 2001 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Coupe; S/N SCFAB12371K302257; Stornoway Silver/Parchment leather, Charcoal trim; Estimate $25,686 – $38,529; Unrestored original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $16,696 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $19,200. – RHD. 5,935/420hp V-12, 6-speed automanual, air conditioning, Becker Silverstone CD changer. – One owner from new, 15,571 miles, first generation Aston Martin V-12. Sound and usable but far from pristine used car. Serviced eight months ago. – Astons demonstrate the most appalling depreciation and later cars like this DB7 Vantage are becoming something of a “walk-by” at auctions. Very few people care and Astons have devastating maintenance costs. They are marvelous to see and may be wonderful to drive (when they work), but they are becoming the Silver Cloud of the current age: a car to be parked in front of your restaurant to imbue an image of class and sophistication. No one wanted this car and it opened at GBP 5K after much pleading by the auctioneer, then dribbled slowly to this mediocre result.
Lot # 307 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Faux Cabriolet, Body by H.J. Mulliner; S/N GLZ59; Engine # Q4X; Grey, Black/Grey leather; Estimate $38,529 – $64,215; Competition restoration 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $24,402 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $28,062. – RHD. 3,680/61hp six, 4-speed, wheel discs, dip beam light, dual spotlights, padded roof, windshield visor. – Represented as the numbers-matching engine. California assigned VIN DMV85442CA. An old cosmetic restoration with sound paint, padded roof, upholstery and interior wood trim but a neglected, oxidized, scaly engine compartment and chassis. – Attractively bodied in a low roof faux cabriolet style by Mulliner and with a 20-foot (maybe 30-foot) cosmetic redo but otherwise aged and neglected. There was little enthusiasm for this Rolls which is manifest in the price it brought. For a R-R Enthusiast it is potentially more car than the money it brought. Those Enthusiasts were not here today.
Neil Fraser
Lot # 308 1939 Bentley 4 1/4 Liter Sedanca Coupe, Body by after Chapron; S/N B185MX; Engine # T3BF; Grey, Black fenders, deck and padded roof/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $102,744 – $179,802; Rebodied or re-created 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $70,637 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $81,232. – RHD. 4,257/126hp, 4-speed, overdrive, silver painted wire wheels, dual sidemounts, fog lights, full fitted tool kit. – Originally a Park Ward Saloon, rebodied in France in this style. Represented as the matching-numbers engine documented by a copy of the factory build sheet. Clean, tidy engine compartment, good upholstery, interior trim and wood showing some age and use. – A handsome example of the later and more desirable 4 1/4 Liter Bentley with overdrive, it appears to have been consistently enjoyed and maintained but is cursed by its replica bodywork. Little enthusiasm was shown and there were only two bids, leading to this modest price which is a realistic result for its history and condition.
Lot # 309 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS Convertible, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 10845; Engine # 10845; Blue/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $1,669,590 – $2,054,880; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,412,730 plus commission of 12.95%; Final Price $1,595,743. – 3,967/300hp, 5-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, power windows. – Excellent paint, flat panels, precise fits and gaps. Lightly stretched upholstery, tight-fitting top. Good engine compartment showing some age with surface oxidation and scaling. Restored by GTO Engineering in 2017. Appears to be lowered in the front. Repainted from Grigio Argento years ago. Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified. – Contested between bidders in the room and online from opening at £800K, this result nothing if not a good value. It could have brought RM’s low estimate and still been money in the bank for the new owner. The color change and odd lowered front stance detract from its intrinsic collector value, but not from its appeal.
Lot # 310 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso Berlinetta, Body by Fantuzzi; S/N 4383; Engine # see notes; Rosso/Tan leather; Estimate $1,412,730 – $1,926,450; Modified restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,284,300 plus commission of 13.00%; Final Price $1,451,259. – 2,953/240hp, 4-speed, covered headlights, three nostrils, front and rear fender vents, Borrani chrome spoke wire wheels. – Original engine found, not included. This engine is restamped from 5193 GT. Modified by first owner Luciano Pederzani (co-founder of Tecno Racing) who replaced the engine, then had the body modified by Fantuzzi with 330 LMB features including the widened and flattened grille and covered headlights. Further modified later in the U.S. with nostrils and rear fender vents. Later restored by DK Engineering in the U.K. Excellent paint and lightly stretched upholstery. Crisp gauges. Sharp but not fresh engine compartment. – Ferrari’s 250 GT/L Lusso is widely admired for its sleek design and styling. The GTO and 330 LMB are similarly admired for their aggressive, purposeful design and recognizable character. This Lusso, despite being an amalgam of both, is neither of those things, a Snuffleupagus mixture of themes that wants to be at one and the same time something(s) that it isn’t. The bidders paid good Lusso money for a Muppet Lusso.
Lot # 311 1976 Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 19889; Engine # 00375; Black/Black leather; Estimate $154,116 – $179,802; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $128,430. – RHD. 2,927/255hp, 5-speed, 5-spoke alloy wheels, Borletti air conditioning, Philips cassette stereo, power windows, tools, jack, spare. – Represented as the matching-numbers engine. Originally Nero, later Rosso and now back to a thick coat of Nero paint with some edge chips. Clean, orderly engine compartment. Sound and probably original upholstery with stretching, surface cracks and light wear. A sound and driveable example of the early 308 GTB with a reassuring maintenance history. – This is a modest offer, albeit for a modest vetroresina 308 GT. It would have been a reasonable value (particularly for a RHD example in a U.K. sale) at the low estimate and this bid was reasonably declined.
Lot # 312 1964 Facel Vega Facel II Coupe; S/N HK2B155; Gunmetal Grey/Red leather; Estimate $192,645 – $231,174; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $141,273.– RHD. 383/330hp, single 4-barrel, automatic, stainless spoke wire wheels, power windows, power steering, dual band radio, Marchal headlights. – Restored in 2011 and used since then. The paint, chrome, upholstery, interior trim and wood are good. Panel gaps are even. The right side sill is suspiciously wavy but has no obvious rust. – Offered at RM’s London auction in 2011 right after it was restored, a no sale at $270,385, £170,000. The high bid here is £110,000. The restoration wasn’t very impressive in 2011 and now shows its age and miles. The high bid here is, even taking that into account, unreasonably pessimistic and realistically declined.
Lot # 313 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFDT57B000132337; Engine # 74998; Argento Nürburgring/Black leather; Estimate $231,174 – $282,546; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $205,488 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $236,311. – 3,586/425hp, 6-speed automanual, gunmetal grey alloy wheels, black calipers, carbon fiber brake discs, yellow tach face, SF shields, Assembly no. 49521. – Special dedication plaque to its first owner, Ferrari F1 team boss Jean Todt. Odometer shows 36,046 believable kilometers, as does the car which is clean and unblemished. Sold by RM at Monaco in 2018 for $221,094 (£163,200 at the time) with 35,365 km on the odometer. This result is £160,000 hammer, £184,000 all in. – The result here is appropriate for a well-maintained Challenge Stradale and carries little or no premium for the Jean Todt ownership or its early production position in the series. It also appears to have an extended driver’s seat track that positions a short driver closer to the steering wheel and pedals. Adorning a Ferrari with SF shields is rarely more than a look-at-me gesture but in this case it is entirely appropriate as all four of the World Championships called out on the Challenge Stradale’s standard plaque were won with Jean Todt at the team’s helm. It is a good value in this transaction.
Lot # 314 2009 Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M Convertible, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFKZ66C000170109; White, Red, Green striping/Red leather; Red cloth top; Estimate $417,398 – $481,613; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $372,447 plus commission of 14.22%; Final Price $425,424. – 4,308/503hp, 6-speed automanual, black calipers, carbon -ceramic brakes, Pirelli tires, gunmetal grey alloy wheels, air conditioning, Assembly no. 87722. – 8,955 miles from new and looks like it. – Sold to one of two online bidders at a price that reflects the performance, condition, low miles and benign history of this 16M. This is a sound value and a good value to both parties, but particularly good as a righthand drive car in the UK market.
Lot # 315 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe; S/N DB51756R; Engine # 4001747; California Sage/Green leather; Estimate $513,720 – $577,935; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $488,034 plus commission of 13.82%; Final Price $555,460. – RHD. 3,995/325hp, triple SU carburetors, 5-speed, chrome wire wheels, Avon tires, Motorola radio, power windows. – Repainted with some replacement body panels around 2009. Sound replaced upholstery. Represented as the matching-numbers engine, now with triple SU carburetors. Attractive color combination. The engine and chassis have miles and years on them but are orderly and usable. Some chrome is getting freckles, most noticeable around the gauge bezels. Aging gracefully and more than up to being used with some pride. – A mediocre car, but good enough to use on tours and weekends, and that is what this price reflects.
Lot # 316 1993 Ferrari 512 TR Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFLA40C000096059; Blue/Cream leather; Estimate $179,802 – $231,174; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $250,439 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $288,004. – RHD. 4,942/428hp, 5-speed, air conditioning, power windows, Bridgestone tires, CD changer, Ferrari tool kit. – Many owners but only 29,192 miles and all original with good paint, upholstery and interior trim. The engine compartment is well-maintained and mostly like new while showing some careful road use. – One of only 88 RHD 512 TRs built, carefully used, maintained and preserved. Highly appreciated by those who understand, the 512 TR has refined design details, more power and much enhanced chassis dynamics from its predecessors however this result barely recognizes this 512 TR’s originality and preservation. The bidders were among those who realized it was an opportunity, however, and even sold on a hammer bid slightly over the pre-sale high estimate this is a good value in an attractive, honest and fast Ferrari.
Lot # 317 1924 Austin Seven ‘Chummy’ Tourer; S/N A12835; Engine # M580; Dark Red, Black fenders/Black; Black top; Estimate $7,706 – $11,559; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $19,265 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $22,154. – RHD. 747cc/12hp, 3-speed. – An older restoration to mediocre driver standards but usable. Dirty, oily engine compartment. Still registered on an old style UK V5 document. – The Austin Seven has stature in the U.K. comparable with the Model T Ford in the U.S., it’s just a lot smaller than any Model T. Bidding heated up as the bids increased and an online bidder even bid £16,000 just after the hammer fell. In Pounds per pound, let alone Pounds per cubic foot of body space, this is not a bargain.
Lot # 318 1930 Austin Seven ‘Box’ Saloon; S/N 97792; Dark Red, Black fenders and roof/Grey cloth; Estimate $7,706 – $11,559; Visually maintained, largely original 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $5,137 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $5,908. – RHD. 747cc/12hp, 3-speed, windshield visor. – All there but old, worn, dirty and oily. – Only one bidder on this “Box” Saloon, which opened at £4,000 and closed there to the buyer of the “Chummy” that preceded it across the block.
Lot # 319 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk I Convertible; S/N B9472018HR0FE; Forest Green/Black leather; Estimate $64,215 – $89,901; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $74,489 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $85,663. – RHD. 260/164hp, 2-barrel, 4-speed, wheel covers, later dual-band radio. – One family owned from new. Restored at some point with decent older paint and sound interior. The chrome is largely decent but various cast emblems are beginning to pit. The engine compartment is crowded but shows care and attention. No representation is made for the originality of the engine or the 20,147 miles on the odometer. It’s an attractive history for a decent Tiger Mk I. – It is encouraging and refreshing to see a Tiger that hasn’t been slathered with LA Tiger accessories and gew gaws and that alone may support the generous price this one bought. The continuous ownership history, however, is something else. It would be more powerful if there were any representations of the originality of the drivetrain. But there weren’t and this is a magnanimous result under the circumstances.
Lot # 320 1931 Bentley 8 Liter Open Tourer, Body by Tony Townshend; S/N YR5077; Dark Green/Black leather; Black top; Estimate $577,935 – $706,365; Rebodied or re-created 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $526,563. – RHD. 7,983/220hp, dual SU carburetors, 4-speed, folding windshield, dual aeroscreens, cycle fenders. – Owned by the Parker family since 1967, rebodied by Tony Townshend for a previous owner in 1963, originally a Paneled Weymann 4-Door Saloon for serial Bentley buyer Eric Raymond Bullivant and at one point a shooting brake. Tattered and torn old upholstery, now black with age and use but probably originally green. Chipped old paint and dashboard. Small wheels with wide modern tires. A charismatic hot rod, but still a hot rod. – Think what a powerhouse the 8 Liter Bentley could have been if W.O. had just given it more or bigger carburetors? Most, like this open tourer, were originally bodied with capacious saloon and limousine bodies, big on interior space and weight and short on caring about realizing the 8 Liter’s potential. The passengers’ tonneau on this rebody is overpowered by the immense, tall cowl, hood and radiator, not to mention the later, smaller, wider wheels being out of proportion. It does, however, have a long Bentley U.K. club history. The reported high bid is a realistic compromise of its attributes. RM is asking £460,000 post-block for it which implies some room to negotiate to a compromise below the £450,000 low estimate.
Lot # 321 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS Convertible; S/N WP0ZZZ980RK232934; GT Silver Metallic/Black leather; Black top; Estimate $256,860 – $321,075; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $231,174. – RHD. 3,996/493hp flat six, 7-speed automanual, satin black magnesium centerlock wheels, carbon fiber accents, Weissach package, yellow calipers. – New car with 12 miles. – $164,200 MSRP in the U.S. for the base 718 Spyder RS and even with pricey options not likely to have taken much if any more than the reported high bid here to get it off the showroom floor, assuming an allocation was available. It was a close attempt at a quick flip but it didn’t work.
Lot # 322 1972 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Limousine, Body by Mulliner Park Ward; S/N PRH4661; Engine # UE36013; Mason’s Black/Tan leather, West of England Beige cloth rear; Estimate $77,058 – $102,744; Visually maintained, largely original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $41,098 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $47,262. – RHD. 6,230/200hp V-8, automatic, air conditioning, division, tinted rear quarter windows, fog lights, fender mirrors, dual radios, footrests, jump seats, drinks cabinet. – Jody Scheckter Collection. Known ownership history from new and showing 56,346 believable miles. Very good (re?) paint, upholstery, interior soft trim. Gorgeous wood interior trim. Clean, orderly engine compartment. Needs nothing to be the most elegant and comfortable automobile in any area code. – This is a fabulous value if, that is, a use or reason to own it can be rationalized. Despite having the same V-8 engine every other R-R of the period used any service will be diabolically expensive and parts will be hard to find. Still, at this price (sold to an online bidder) it is something rarely seen and wonderful to own. Four times the current value of a Silver Shadow LWB, but far more than four times the automobile.
Lot # 323 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N ARE159022; Engine # AR0010902997; Red/Red, white vinyl; Estimate $64,215 – $89,901; Modified restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $38,529 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $44,308. – 1,290/103hp, 5-speed, silver painted wheels, hubcaps – Jody Scheckter Collection. The numbers do not match the car’s configuration with the 109-series engine probably from a later righthand drive (Giulia TI G.d., “Guida destra”) Giulietta TI. The stated chassis number is meaningless. Restored in South Africa by Jody Scheckter’s friend Dennis McCallum. Good paint and interior. Yellowed speedometer face and speckled chrome gauge bezels. Good exterior chrome with some speckling. A fun little car, but not what it wants to be. – It took me over an hour tonight to find out why Luigi Fusi links the AR00109 engine number prefix to a “Giulietta TI G.d.” It was configured for righthand drive operation, particularly in South Africa where Alfas were assembled from knocked-down kits locally, a logical source for the engine – which is functionally identical to any other Giulietta engine but presumably with modifications to linkages, etc. – for Jody Scheckter’s friend to use in this restoration. A mediocre but usable restoration that brought a mediocre but appropriate price after an auctioneer’s struggle to get it up from the opening bid of £20,000.
Lot # 324 2014 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Targa; S/N VF9SV25244M795046; Blue Carbon, Black Carbon/Tangerine leather; Estimate $2,568,600 – $3,210,750; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $2,375,955. – 7,993/1,183hp quad turbo W-16, 7-speed automanual, all-wheel drive, blue calipers, quilted seats, titanium exhaust system, chipguarded. – 4,088 km from new, one of 92 Grand Sport Vitesse built. Euros 375,500 in factory options. Serviced in the UK in April for £27,000. – That there are few people willing and able to acquire one of these was evident from the sparse bidding. There were only four bids placed to £1.8 million then a long delay to eke out another £50,000 to the final bid. Hammered sold on the block but with some confusion about the bidder’s number, RM now shows it as a no-sale asking £2.2 million.
Lot # 325 2015 Land Rover Defender 110 XS V-8 LS3 Station Wagon; S/N SALLDHMP7FA473424; Keswick Green/Black leather; Estimate $64,215 – $89,901; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $61,646 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $70,893. – RHD. 376/420hp LS3, manual gearbox, Alpine stereo, Nardi leather rim steering wheel, winch, tow hitch, air conditioning, sunroof. – Modified by Twisted with LS3 Corvette engine and everything else, Twisted #000654. The odometer shows 22,620 miles which is consistent with the Defender’s condition. Good upholstery with minor seat cushion creasing, especially on the driver’s seat. The engine compartment and chassis are lightly aged and road used. – This Twisted Defender doesn’t show much evidence that would suggest off road use and that is probably as it will ever be. The result here is indicative of nothing more than what interest there was at this time and in this place.
Lot # 326 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Convertible; S/N DB4C1172R; Engine # 3701193SS; Caribbean Pearl/Blue leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $770,580 – $1,027,440; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $539,4066. – RHD. 3,670/266hp ‘Special Series’ engine with triple SUs, 4-speed, overdrive, wire wheels, woodrim steering wheel, fender mirrors, power windows. – Convoluted history including two restorations most recently in 2010 and at least two odometers, now in the original color combination and showing 34,619 miles, a number that is acknowledged as understated by some 200,000 miles. Good paint and chrome, lightly work and creased upholstery. Orderly engine compartment. It is not, by a long shot, fresh but it is rare and distinctive and nothing about it suggests it has been driven as far as it has. – This Aston needs to be hand-sold to help understand the difference between its condition and the stated (unusually honestly for an auction catalog) mileage of over 200,000. The bidders were skeptical and reluctant and it stalled at this bid. RM is now asking £550,000 for it and it stands a good chance of being worth that much.
Lot # 327 1977 Ferrari 512 BB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 20825; Engine # 00058; Red, Black sills/Beige leather, Black bars; Estimate $256,860 – $321,075; Recent restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Reported sold but not confirmed $205,488 plus commission of 15%; Final Price $236,311. – RHD. 4,942/360hp carbureted, 5-speed, 5-spoke alloy wheels, grille-mounted fog lights, air conditioning, power windows. – Restored in the U.K. in 2016, matching-numbers engine and gearbox. Concours winner in the U.K. Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified. Cam belt replaced in 2022. Excellent paint, interior chrome and upholstery. Nearly spotless engine compartment. – Bid to this amount on the block and reported sold later for an undisclosed amount. A satisfying and reassuring Berlinetta Boxer with a known history, quality restoration and various U.K. show awards. Even at a price somewhat above the final bid amount this will be a fine value, particularly in a U.K. auction where its righthand steering is an advantage.
Lot # 328 1955 Jaguar XK 140SE Fixed Head Coupe, Body by Michelotti; S/N S814286; Engine # G6245-8S; Mottled Blue/Red leather; Estimate $385,290 – $449,505; Incomplete restoration 4 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $192,645. – 3,442/190hp, 4-speed, wire wheels, grille-mounted fog lights. – Crashed in France when two years old and rebodied in aluminum in this attractive style by Giovanni Michelotti. Surprisingly complete with good upholstery and an updated and fresh gauge panel. The exterior, however, is sanded through, repaired and looks like it has eczema. The engine compartment is dirty and disreputable with a correct type XK 140 engine supplied by CKL Developments in 2024. The chassis must look much the same. A partially-finished project with a replacement engine. – Sold in even worse condition by Bonhams at Monaco in 2018 for $426,053 (Euros 365,500 at the time) to Jaguar Classic which began to supply needed parts, then by Bonhams at Paris in 2023 for $452,005 (Euros 414,000) still partially complete. This result is Euros 177,700, a disappointment even for a partially completed one-off XK 140SE. RM didn’t even put an asking price on it in the post-sale auction report, just Price Upon Request.
Lot # 329 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Sports Tourer, Body after Jarvis; S/N 56WR; Engine # RL35; Sax Blue/Light Grey leather; Estimate $115,587 – $154,116; Rebodied or re-created 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $96,323 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $110,771. – RHD. 7,668/113hp, 4-speed, vee windshield, rear seat windshield, wind wings. – Originally a landaulet, rebodied in this style, inspired by R-R’s experimental 17EX, by Aston Keynes Vintage Restorations in the early 70’s. Sound condition and more than just presentable but aged, used and deserving attention. – Aged condition and the rebody do much to offset the appeal of the sparse, streamlined (by 1928 standards) coachwork and how much fun it might be to drive in RROC events and tours. It brought only four bids at Cliveden House and after much tarrying the auctioneer brought the hammer down and sold it. The new owner should be pleased with the value.
Lot # 330 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Tourer, Body after Carlton; S/N 14MY; Engine # QU85C; White/Red leather; Estimate $115,587 – $154,116; Rebodied or re-created 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $83,480. – RHD. 7,668/120hp, 4-speed, red wire wheels, underhood siren, rear-mounted spare, luggage rack, Grebel spotlight, folding windshield, badge bar, dip beam light, helmet fenders. – Represented as the original engine. Replica coachwork by Dick Brockman, originally a Barker saloon. Sound and creased old upholstery, carpets worn though under the pedals. The engine compartment is better than the carpets, clean and orderly but showing age, chips and fluid leakage. A very attractive car for tours and events. – Despite its rebody this is a more attractive and valuable car than the reported bid gives it credit for. It will pause (if not stop) traffic in St. Tropez or even Monaco.
Lot # 331 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet; S/N WP0ZZZ99ZES170494; Guards Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $77,058 – $115,587; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $73,205 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $84,186. – RHD. 3,806/552hp, 7-speed automanual, all-wheel drive, silver alloy wheels, yellow calipers, carbon fibre console, carbon ceramic brakes, Sport Chrono, Bose stereo, heater sport seats, LED PDLS Plus headlights, front and rear parking assist. – One owner, 16,796 miles, nearly like new with a cosmetic repair to the passenger’s door and mirror. – This is a whopping big discount for the cosmetic repair and a bargain price for a highly desirable Turbo S that Car and Driver called “The budget Bugatti Veyron”.
Lot # 332 1908 Stanley Model K 20hp Semi-Racer; S/N 4065; Red, Brass, Black borders/Black leather; Estimate $89,901 – $115,587; Non-factory replica 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $89,901 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $103,386. – RHD. 20hp steam, Bourdon 30hp boiler, Stewart speedometer, Phinney-Walker clock, kerosene sidelights, acetylene headlights and spotlight, bulb horn. – Completely built up from a collection of parts. Assembly began in the U.S. and was completed by John Goold & Sons in the U.K. in 2006. Assigned chassis number. Excellent paint, mechanics and upholstery. Bright brass and copper. – Based on the Model K RM sold at Hershey eight months ago this is expensive but it is also much better looking with high quality cosmetics and bright brass. Unlike the Hershey Model K this has a 20hp Stanley engine, not the 30hp of the Hershey car, a difference that would appear to be significant in a drag race but not on weekend tours or driving around town. And this one is cosmetically beautiful from the Bryan Richmond-Dodd Collection.
Lot # 333 1930 Bentley 6 1/2 Liter Speed Six Replica Le Mans Tourer, Body by after Vanden Plas; S/N KR2679; Engine # FR2634; Dark Green/Green leather; Estimate $577,935 – $706,365; Rebodied or re-created 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $552,249 plus commission of 13.66%; Final Price $627,702. – RHD. 6,597/160hp dual carburetors, 4-speed, cycle fenders, folding windshield, aeroscreens, headlight and radiator stoneguards, left side-mounted spare. – Bryan Richmond-Dodd Collection. A total made-up car with “numerous original parts” according to the catalog. “Numerous” is a matter of opinion. The intake manifold is original Speed Six. The carburetors are “genuine” SU HVG 5s as are the magnetos, distributor and starter. The front axle (stamped VA 4090) is believed from a 4-Liter. The rest is all of the whole cloth, accurately and impressively built but with no history at all aside from the way it runs, drives and stops. Loved, used, maintained and enjoyed it is a Speed Six experience without being a Speed Six with any history earlier than the latter half of the 20th century. – Stanley Sedgwick puts the number of 6 1/2 Liter Bentleys at 645. Most were lumps with single carburetors and heavy saloon coachwork but a few were seized upon by Wolf Barnato to receive dual carburetors and lightweight Vanden Plas Tourer coachwork. They proved the potential of Bentley’s inherently conservative design and are avidly sought by collectors who want to experience a level of Bentley performance rarely seen. Replicas like this with a few original (and largely insignificant) parts continue the legend. This is an especially accurate replica and, like the “continuation” Cobra that followed it across the block a chance to be thrilled at an attainable price.
Lot # 334 1965 AC Cobra Mk III 427 S/C Continuation Roadster; S/N COX6136; Guardsman Blue/Black leather; Estimate $205,488 – $256,860; Facsimile restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $260,071 plus commission of 14.97%; Final Price $299,001. – 427/425hp side oiler, 4-speed, Halibrand centerlock alloy wheels, Avon tires, side exhausts, braced paperclip roll bar, quick jack pickups, wind wings. – Overall good paint with some road use chips. Sound interior comfortably creased from use. Cherry engine compartment. Built in the U.K. by AC Cars in 1996. – Accompanied by an AC Cars certificate of Authenticity, a document about as useful as one documenting the his
tory of the chicken who laid the eggs for a morning omelet. A lot of fun to drive with its side oiler engine and better than many Cobra replicas, this is still a handsome price for a replica.
Simon Clay
Lot # 335 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible; S/N DB5C2122R; Engine # 4001403; Platinum/Red leather; Red Everflex top; Estimate $1,027,440 – $1,284,300; Unrestored original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $976,068. – RHD. 3,995/325hp, triple SU carburetors, ZF 5-speed, chrome wire wheels, Blaupunkt multi-band radio, Marchal fog lights, lowered driver’s seat, power windows, tool roll. – Originally Goodwood Green and an automatic, represented as changed to Platinum and the ZF 5-speed before its first delivery. Faulty speedometer replaced, as is the engine (originally 400/2285). Sound but creased and dirty original upholstery. Water stained door cards. Decent paint but freckled chrome bits. Very good engine compartment with painted cam covers. Long owned by Dirk Eberling, co-founder of the AMOC Germany, and maintained as expected by caring owners. – Bid to £760,000 ($782,000) on the block, offered by RM post-block asking £830,000. Either way it is somewhat surprising that it didn’t sell at the reported bid on the block.
Lot # 336 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ96ZRS470351; Guards Red/Black leather; Estimate $321,075 – $385,290; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $269,703. – RHD. 3,601/385hp X88 engine, 5-speed, “supple” leather seats, red calipers, Blaupunkt Toronto CD stereo, 18-inch modular alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, power sunroof, power seats, power windows, air conditioning, manuals, spare, tool roll. – Excellent original paint, factory upgraded engine to X88 specs. Lightly worn upholstery. Bright, crisp gauges. Minor road use on the rear wheel flares. A rare and obviously appreciated Porsche by its owners. – Little interest in this Porsche, one of 159 built with righthand drive. Bidding opened at £120K and proceeded briskly to £200K all with left bids on the auctioneer’s book. It got only one following bid to the reported hammer of £210,000 before being passed on the block. RM is asking £270,000 post-sale, an optimistic ask where real bidders were looking for a price with retail markup left over.
Lot # 337 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB 70th Anniversary Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFF79AMB000233691; Pure Metal Silver, Rubino Micalizzato roof/Burgundy leather; Estimate $244,017 – $333,918; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $192,645. – 3,902/681hp V-8, 7-speed automanual, 20-inch forged wheels, adaptive front lights, carbon sill plates, front lift system, parking camera, Scuderia shields, Alcantara floor mats. – 317 km from new, one owner. – RM offered this car at its London auction in 2019 where it was reported bid to $294,630 (£230,000 at the time.) This bid is much less in both dollars and UK£ (150,000). The continuing value of the premium-priced 70th Anniversary Ferraris has been in doubt for some time but this non-transaction would seem to confirm the most pessimistic conclusion.
Lot # 338 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster, Body by Zagato; S/N SCFNLCTZ3JGK54448; “Q by Aston Martin” Green/Bronze Metallic leather; Estimate $642,150 – $770,580; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $513,720. – RHD. 5,925/592hp V-12, 8-speed automanual, 20-inch bronze tinted satin black alloy wheels, custom interior and exterior trim elements, spare wheels, car cover, cockpit rain cover, umbrellas, battery charger, spare key. – One owner from new, 812 miles. One of 7 righthand drive out of 28 built. – Exotic, rare and even attractive to gaze upon but none of those desirable factors were enough to attract a bid higher appropriate to its rarity, performance and design.
Lot # 339 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage ‘X-Pack’ Volante; S/N SCFCV81V1KTR15742; Dark Green/Magnolia leather; Black top; Estimate $372,447 – $423,819; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $282,546. – RHD. 5,341/406hp V-8, Weber carburetors, 5-speed, Ronal alloy wheels, power windows, Alpine cassette stereo, air conditioning, Nardi woodrim steering wheel. – A few small stone chips on the nose but no observable edge chips. Good panel fits all around. Good upholstery only lightly stretched and creased. Clean, tidy, serviced engine compartment. All things considered along with the 40,361 miles showing on the odometer this is a carefully maintained factory 5-speed V8 Vantage Volante. – Not much enthusiasm was shown for this pleasing Aston with only six bids to the final no-sale result. RM is now asking £290,000 online and it would not be expensive at that all-in price.
Lot # 340 1956 Porsche 356 A Carrera 1500 GS Speedster, Body by Reutter; S/N 82189; Engine # P90638; Ivory/Red vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $963,225 – $1,220,085; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Post-block sale at $931,118 plus commission of 13.19%; Final Price $1,053,929. – 1.498/101hp, Solex carburetors, 4-speed, 8,000 rpm tach, heater delete, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, Rudge centerlock alloy wheels (five of them), Rudge wheel wrench, tool kit, Porsche North America certificate. – U.S. delivered and raced on the East Coast. Represented as the original Typ 547/1 numbers-matching engine. Restored in Germany in the 90’s, then repainted and reupholstered in the original colors in the U.S. more recently. The restoration shows some age but in a good way implying careful use and consistent care. The paint, chrome and upholstery are nearly pristine. – Bid to £660,000 on the block, closed later at this all-in price. This Carrera 1500 GS was sold by RM at Monaco in 2014 for $1,156,092 (£840,000 at the time.) This result is £725,000 all-in. Modified during its lifetime of early competitive use and later ownership but distinct from many of its counterparts for having its original engine, this result is a very good value for the new owner.
Lot # 341 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina Speedster, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFZR52C000124137; Rosso Corsa/Black leather; Estimate $321,075 – $410,976; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $282,546. – RHD. 5,474/485hp, 6-speed, 5-spoke modular alloy wheels, carbon fiber seats, SF shields, red calipers, tool kit, fire extinguisher, handkerchief top. – 4,299 miles and Ferrari Classiche certified (a largely meaningless certification for a car only eight years old when it was granted in 2009 and offering little reassurance in 2024 after fifteen years – new exhaust, LS3 engine? God knows what could have been done to it since then.) – A Ferrari Red Book is a statement at a point in time, in this case 2009. A lot of water has passed under the bridge in the 15 years since and the Red Book is at this time essentially meaningless except as far as the buyer can depend upon subsequent owners to preserve it. That is probably a good bet, but not an assurance and the bidders were understandable reluctant to put much money behind the bet. Reported sold after the auction at an undisclosed price, the reported result was what it brought on the block.
Lot # 342 2006 Ferrari Superamerica Convertible, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFGT61B000145391; Engine # 100739; Grigio Silverstone/Natural leather; Estimate $295,389 – $385,290; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $256,860 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $295,389. – 5,478/532hp, 5-spoke modular wheels, CD changer stereo, air conditioning, yellow tach face, power windows, books and tools. – The online photos show no defects in the Revocromico roof, nor are there blemishes in the paint or interior. Pristine and like new. – This is 3-condition money for a 2-condition Superamerica. It was reported sold by RM at Villa Erba in 2015 for $457,208 (Euros 414,400, £295,300 at the time). This result is Euros 272,400 and £230,000. It’s a declining trend.
Lot # 343 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante, Body by Zagato; S/N SCFPLCRZ9JGK34155; Scorching Black/Black leather; Black top; Estimate $385,290 – $488,034; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $282,546. – RHD. 5,935/592hp V-12, 8-speed automanual, all the bells and whistles. – £591,655 when new. 888 miles and one owner from new. Essentially like new. – This Aston Martin is 2018 Corvette Z06 performance with Zagato style and a whole lot more exclusivity. The extra $200K is, however, a lot to pay for Zagato and exclusivity. The Cliveden House bidders weren’t fooled and gave up even at a realistic offer amount of £220,000. RM is offering it post-block at £330,000. Good luck with that.
Lot # 344 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon, Body by H.J. Mulliner; S/N BC61C; Engine # BCC60; Pacific Green/Beige leather; Estimate $577,935 – $706,365; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $577,935 plus commission of 13.61%; Final Price $656,598. – RHD. 4,257/153hp, 4-speed, hubcaps, fog and driving lights, headlight stoneguards, Negretti & Zambia altimeter, multi-band radio, badge bar, build sheet documented, tool kit, spare, jack, books. – Cracked and creased original upholstery, good interior wood. Good older repaint with flat panels and impressively thin and even gaps. Pleasing if not fresh engine compartment. An exceptional driver quality Bentley. – The catalog claims this is a 4,566cc engine, Hagerty’s database claims 4,887cc and my research claims 4,257cc. In any event the horsepower is “adequate” in Bentley’s terms and this is a pleasing and thoughtfully maintained and preserved R-Type Continental fastback. It was bought for a very realistic number.
Lot # 345 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 2067GT; Engine # 2067GT; Silver Grey/Red leather; Estimate $6,421,501 – $7,705,801; Recent restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $5,779,351. – 2,953/240hp V-12, 4-speed, Borrani wire wheels, grille-mounted Marchal fog lights, Marchal headlights, roll bar, outside fuel filler. – Represented as the original engine. Rebodied four times, first by Drogo in the late 60’s, then as a 250 GTO replica in the 70’s. It was again rebodied in aluminum as an SWB in the early 90’s and finally back in its original steel SWB style in the 2010’s. 2013 Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified. Good recent paint, bright chrome and nearly new upholstery and interior trim. Clean, orderly engine compartment with some fuel residue on the carburetors. – Multiple rebodies do not help this SWB, a history that not even the Red Book can offset, and account for the modest estimate range and high bid. That said, it is a genuine SWB, now looks like it did when it first left Maranello and would be welcome at the many events for which it is eligible which would make it a good value even at a price closer to the low estimate.
Lot # 346 1960 Maserati 3500 GT Coupe, Body by Touring; S/N AM101998; Red/Black leather; Estimate $154,116 – $192,645; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $160,538 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $184,618. – 3,485/220hp, Weber carburetors, 5-speed, front disc brakes, wire wheels, Becker Europa AM-FM. – Restored by Automotive Restorations in Connecticut in 2016 (at a cost of $130,000) with excellent exterior cosmetics and upholstery. Clean, sharp engine compartment. Bright, crisp gauges. – Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2019 for $224,000 (£184,300 at the time) when the odometer showed less than 50 fewer miles than today but otherwise in the same fine condition. This result is £143,750 all-in but whether in $ or £ this is a very good car bought at a discount from retail.
Lot # 347 1998 Aston Martin V8 Volante LWB Convertible; S/N SCFDAM2C4WBR89027; Orkney Grey/Smoke leather, Charcoal piping; Grey top; Estimate $102,744 – $128,430; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $89,901 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $103,386. – RHD. 5,341/350hp, fuel injection, automatic, 6-spoke alloy wheels, Pirelli PZero tires, Alpine cassette stereo, air conditioning, – One of 63 built with the long wheelbase, few of them with righthand drive. All original showing 17,097 believable miles. Good paint (although in the photograph the left rear fender appears to be different color from the left door). Barely used upholstery and bright interior wood. – Not only usable for four adult-size people but also very rare, this is a luxury convertible in lightly used condition bought for a modest price.
Lot # 348 1992 Ferrari 512 TR Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFLA40C000095058; Engine # 32644; Rosso/Black leather; Estimate $282,546 – $333,918; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $244,017. – RHD. 4,942/428hp flat twelve, 5-speed, alloy wheels, air conditioning. – Converted at McLaren/Prodrive when new to an F1-style gearbox, shipped to the Singapore dealer Hong Seh where it languished. Later converted back to the standard 5-speed. Represented as the matching-numbers engine. All (sort of) original with 3,932 miles. – A 512 TR without this convoluted history is a $300,000 plus car but the estimate recognized its problems which the bidders emphasized even more with this high bid of £190,000. Now offered by RM’s website for £235,000 all-in, still a meaningful discount from a 512 TR with a less troubled history.
Lot # 349 1988 Lamborghini LM002 Utility; S/N ZA9L00000JLA12092; Acapulco Blue/Light Grey leather; Estimate $288,968 – $353,183; Unrestored original 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $385,290 plus commission of 14.17%; Final Price $439,873. – 5,167/444hp V-12, Weber carburetors, 5-speed, alloy wheels, Pirelli tires, Alpine stereo, Blaupunkt speakers, air conditioning. – Resident for a few years in Kuwait, the ideal setting for an LM002, now showing 17,273 believable km. Extensively serviced over the years there but not used very much. Good cosmetics and orderly if dusty engine compartment and a few stray wires hanging under the dash. – Impassioned bidding. Offered by RM at its November 2020 online auction where it was bid to $215,000. Here it took off slowly and advanced to £220,000 where it was announced for sale. Bidding went on between a bidder in the room and one online, advancing from £225,000 in £5,000 increments to this successful hammer bid of £300,000 where the bidder in the room took it at a nearly unbelievably generous price. Determination is one thing. Determination disregarding value is entirely another.
Lot # 350 1982 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 6.3-Litre Coupe; S/N V8VOR12351; Engine # V5802351; Balmoral Green/Magnolia leather; Estimate $256,860 – $321,075; Visually maintained, largely original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $231,174 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $265,850. – RHD. 6,345/420hp, Weber carburetors, 5-speed, Ronal alloy wheels, Becker Mexico radio – Engine conversion at Aston in 1989 including low ratio rear axle, large bore exhaust and the Ronal wheels. Owned at one point by music producer Tony Smith. The paint and chrome are very good and the upholstery is barely used. The engine compartment shows good use and care. Body panels are flat and gaps are tight and even. A handsome example with exceptional performance. – While this would be a generous price for a V8 Vantage in that configuration it would get only 5.3 liters and 375hp. This transaction reflects an appropriate premium for the factory-documented 6.3 liter upgrade and the condition of this car.
Lot # 351 1956 Bentley S1 4-Dr. Sedan, Body by James Young; S/N B456AN; Engine # BA228; Oxford Green/Champagne leather; Estimate $179,802 – $231,174; Recent restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $122,009 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $140,310. – RHD. 4887/178hp, automatic, Victor multi-band radio, Lucas fog lights, tool kit, jack, spare. – Lightweight aluminum coachwork by James Young one of 26 built. £300,000 restoration completed in 2021 and an award winner at several specialist shows and gatherings. Excellent and like new throughout. – The financial ROI on the restoration investment is staggeringly negative but the return in pride, enjoyment and peer recognition among Bentley Drivers may well more than offset the negative return on investment. The new owner got an aluminum James Young saloon for a very good price.
Lot # 352 2000 Ferrari 550 Maranello Coupe, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFZR49B000119544; Engine # V12; Daytona Nero/Sand leather; Estimate $102,744 – $128,430; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $102,744 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $118,156. – 5,474/485hp, 6-speed, air conditioning, CD stereo, Tubi exhaust, SF shields, black calipers, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, books and tools, Assembly no. 36565. – Excellent original paint, barely worn upholstery and carpets, neat and tidy engine compartment. Belt serviced in 2022 (next due in August 2025). Ceramic coated paint. – This is about as good as a 550 Maranello gets, despite the 75,681 km on its odometer. It has been regularly serviced and maintained. It also is a good value, but was handicapped in this U.K. sale by its lefthand drive. It is worth more on the continent (whether to a new owner or dealer or just as the right car for continental touring) or in the U.S. but this result is fair in the U.K.
Lot # 353 1952 Lancia Aurelia B53 Cabriolet, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 1083; Engine # 3324; Light Blue/Red leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $89,901 – $115,587; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $70,637. – RHD. 2,266/85hp B12 V-6, 4-speed, woodrim steering wheel, column shift, Javelin multi-band radio, steel wheels, hubcaps, Michelin tires – Engine swapped long ago for the larger and more powerful B12 unit. The long (2,910mm) wheelbase chassis and body are startling on an Aurelia which more familiarly has a 2,860 or 2,660mm chassis and much different body proportions. This B53 is practical but unusual. An older restoration with mediocre paint, worn and surface cracked driver’s seat and aged engine compartment with some fluid leakage evidence. – There were only three bids on this lwb Aurelia Cabriolet and RM is asking £60,000 all-in on its website. The reported high bid would have been £63,300 had it been accepted, suggesting a chandelier couldn’t be located to close a post-block deal. The nice thing about this B53 cabriolet is that it faces scant chance of finding another like it even at a Lancia-focused event, and it is a great boulevardier for Beverly Hills, the Hamptons or the South of France with room for friends and family. Just don’t expect 2,660mm wheelbase B20 GT quick handling from it.
Lot # 354 1929 Bentley 6 1/2 Liter Sedanca de Ville, Body by H.J. Mulliner; S/N KR2687; Engine # KR2686; Green, Black fenders/Beige leather, broadcloth; Estimate $513,720 – $642,150; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $455,927 plus commission of 13.91%; Final Price $519,339. – RHD. 6,597/147hp, black wire wheels, dual sidemounts, Lucas bullseye headlights, luggage trunk, rollup division window, drinks cabinet. – Completely correct and as-built, original rear compartment upholstery and interior trim, body stripped and repainted, roof covering replaced, engine restored with a correct Smith’s multi-jet carb. Documented by Claire Hay and wonderfully preserved with an attractive repaint and replaced roof material. – Graeme Miller, president of the Bentley Drivers’ Club of Australia, acquired this car after years of preservation in OZ, to keep it from becoming “just another Le Mans clone”, and it has been maintained in that spirit. It was offered by RM at Villa Erba in 2013 where it was reported bid to $697,680 (£461,200), then sold by RM at London in 2016 for $478,070 (£358,400). As a standard of value this Bentley in its believed unique Mulliner Sedanca de Ville coachwork is a treasure and it has maintained its value remarkably throughout the last decade, a tribute to the dedication of the Bentley community.
Lot # 355 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 2-Dr. Sedan, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 17545; Black/Cream leather; Estimate $77,058 – $89,901; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $41,098 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $47,262. – RHD. 4,390/320hp, 5-speed, 5-spoke alloy wheels, pop-up headlights, air conditioning, – Cracked rear bumper cover, odd tape stripe shift points in four places around 3,000 rpm. Pitted wheel nut chrome. Oxidized underhood aluminum and plating. Displayed in the Hellenic Motor Museum and needs recommissioning. – Reported sold by Coys (remember them?) at Silverstone in 1997 for $35,559 (£21,300) in the same colors it wears today. The restoration is older and the car has sat for years. It shows and the result here is, if anything, optimistic about what it will cost to get it back on the road and through a U.K. MOT inspection.
Lot # 356 1969 Innocenti Mini Cooper MkII 1000 Hatchback; S/N 127958; Engine # 9FJXEH1277; Verde Medio, White roof/Beige vinyl; Estimate $25,686 – $38,529; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $28,255 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $32,493. – 998cc/55hp, 4-speed. – Attractively cosmetically restored, one Italian owner until 2019. Well documented if not represented as the original engine. – Sold on a left bid at this price, a fairly rare Innocenti Mini Cooper Mk II.
Lot # 357 1959 Borgward Isabella Coupe; S/N 367117; Engine # 1337715; Cream, Grey sides and fenders/Red vinyl; Estimate $25,686 – $38,529; Cosmetic restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $6,422 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $7,385. – RHD. 1,493/74hp, 4-speed. – Little known and even less regarded but a meaningful brand in the 50’s with decent performance. This is museum-displayed car with a tacky two-tone paint job but in this period you could go F1 racing with a Borgward-derived engine. Hellenic Motor Museum collection. – Sold by Bonhams at RAF London in 2008 for $12,532 (£6,325 at the time). This result is £ 5,750 all-in, less but largely the result of a £ swoon since then. By this time the Cliveden House auction room was nearly empty and this was sold to an opportunistic bidder in the room.
Lot # 358 1959 Jaguar XK 150S 3.4 Fixed Head Coupe; S/N T824981DN; Cotswolds Blue, Blue leather /; Estimate $64,215 – $77,058; Visually maintained, largely original 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $19,265 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $22,154. – RHD. 3,442/250hp, 4-speed, overdrive, wire wheels, fog lights, woodrim steering wheel, Webasto folding sunroof, Radiomobile radio – Museum displayed at the Hellenic Motor Museum and requires recommissioning. JDHT documented. – This is a seriously desirable Jaguar XK 150S even with the work and expense it will require to make it usable and presentable on the road. There was almost no one left in the auction room at Cliveden house when it crossed the block and it is a huge value even taking into account what it will cost to get it back on the road.
Lot # 359 1966 Bristol 409 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 4097309; Navy Blue, Silver roof/Black leather; Estimate $32,108 – $44,951; Cosmetic restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $12,843 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $14,769. – RHD. 5,210 (318 cid)/245hp V-8, automatic, Radiomobile cassette stereo. – Tired and dormant for many years, this is a creative British car from one of the foremost British airplane builders with lusty Chrysler 318 power and a pushbutton automatic. It’s not an enthusiast’s car but it has talent. – Sold on one online bid, which summarizes this car’s appeal.
Lot # 360 1961 Bentley S2 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N B201DV; Steel Blue, Shell Grey roof/Grey leather; Estimate $25,686 – $38,529; Unrestored original 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $10,274 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $11,816. – RHD. 6,230/185hp, automatic, – An old but still elegant Bentley S2 Saloon. Museum displayed at the Hellenic Motor Museum and requiring recommissioning at considerable cost. – Sold by Christie’s at the Sharpe Family auction in 2005 for $16,230 (£9,200 at the time), this result reflects the uninspiring nature of the S2 and the years it has been ignored in Athens. The successful UK £ price was exactly what it had brought nineteen years ago. The £/$ relationship is the story here.
Lot # 361 1974 Iso Rivolta Lele 2 + 2, Body by Bertone; S/N 500236D; Silver/Cream leather; Estimate $38,529 – $51,372; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $19,265 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $22,154. – RHD. 351/325 Ford V-8, automatic, Motorola radio. – Used and long on display at the Hellenic Motor Museum. – An intriguing car but sold to an opportunistic online bidder for this rock-bottom price. More car than money even taking into account what it will take to make it road-worthy.
Lot # 362 1958 Porsche-Diesel Super 308 N Tractor; S/N N9011; Red, Cream wheels/Cream; Estimate $19,265 – $32,108; Truck restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,338 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $19,939. – 2,467/38hp diesel, PTO, power hitch – Jody Scheckter collection. Restored more or less like new. – Cherished by Porschephiles and essential to mow their big lawns, this isn’t much money for a Super 308 in this condition. How often is there a chance to buy a farm tractor from an F1 World Champion?