RM Sotheby’s, London, November 6, 2021

Although RM has held plenty of auctions in London, both before and since teaming up with Sotheby’s, this was their first as the title sponsor of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (hereafter “LBVCR”).

Previously the LBVCR-linked auction has been the province of Bonhams, along with the title sponsorship and participation of Bonhams stalwart drivers of pre-1905 vehicles on the Run. The Bonhams LBVCR auctions have been focused events featuring mostly vehicles from the dawn of automobile history. Many of the Bonhams auction cars have had confirmed entries in the LBVCR the next day: Buy today and line up tomorrow morning to take part in one of motoring’s most revered events.

Not so with RM’s first LBVCR-linked sale. The oldest cars were a 1928 Bentley 4 ½ Litre Tourer and a simply marvelous unrestored one family owned 1928 Mercedes-Benz 630K Tourenwagen. Eight of the forty lots offered were built since the turn of the 21st century.

From a numbers point of view RM’s debut LBVCR auction had a sell-through rate that was below most recent live auctions. The ratio of successful hammer bids against the pre-sale estimates was lackluster.

Two lots were sold on hammer bids over $1 million, but neither (a Porsche 959 and a LaFerrari) bore even the slightest relationship with the LBVCR theme of pre-1905 cars.

RM can ferret out LBVCR-eligible cars, as the recent Hershey auction shows, but it’ll take directed effort by specialists with guidance and encouragement from senior management to produce a consignment appropriate to the LBVCR sponsorship.

RM can take some solace from the fact that this debut auction settled $10 1/3 million in sales – about as much as Bonhams last three or four LBVCR auctions combined have realized.

Cars Sold/ Offered Sale % Sold < Low Est Sold > High Est Average Sale Median Sale Total $ Exchange Rate
25/40 62.5% 68% 12% $413,312 $209,448

[50.7%]

$10,332.793 $1.3491

On-site observations and photos are by Chris Sharpe who observed 39 of the 40 offered lots – including one that wasn’t there (supply chain issues).

Lots are sorted in lot number order.


Lot # 108 2001 Rover Mini Cooper Sport 500 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N SAXXNPAZE1D188264; Solar Red, Platinum Silver roof and Cooper stripes/Black, Silver leather; Estimate $40,473 – $53,964; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $36,426 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $41,890. – RHD. 1,198/62hp, 4-speed, alloy wheels, driving lights, drilled window winders and accelerator pedal, airbags, Mini-branded digital radio cassette player, parcel shelf speakers. – From The Cayman Island Motor Museum Collection. Represented with just 6 miles and with one owner, and as one of just 110 Cooper Sport 500s in these colors. A seemingly faultless car showing just one tiny repair to a wheel edge scuff. It looks and smells like a new car. – This car is from the last year of the classic Mini, and the Cooper Sport 500 was a UK-market special edition with silver roof and stripes, driving lights, black and silver leather, alloy instead of plastic interior fittings, and a plaque inside the glove box. This was an opportunity to buy one of the last ever “real” Minis, in a rare spec and with only delivery miles on the odometer. Those seem like ingredients for exuberant bidding, but even though £31,050 is a lot of money for 62 horsepower, nobody at London got carried away and this is a fair number for a very fun car.

Lot # 109 2003 Vauxhall VX220 Roadster; S/N W0L0EBR973N007471; Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $26,982 – $40,473; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $23,609 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $27,151. – RHD. 2.0/197hp GM Z20LET turbo four, 5-speed, alloy wheels, Blaupunkt CD player. – From The Cayman Island Motor Museum Collection. No mileage figure represented, but it has great paint with no chips at all. The engine looks freshly detailed. The interior is holding up well with only minor dust in the corners. A good showing from a genuine, driver-focused modern sports car. – And genuine, driver-focused modern sports are in high demand right now. Nevertheless, this was a more straightforward, unsurprising result at the low end of the car’s estimate range. The Vauxhall VX220 (sold as the Opel Speedster in Europe) was developed in partnership with GM and Lotus Cars, and combines the brilliant bonded aluminum chassis from the Series 2 Elise with a GM drivetrain. The Lotus is better-looking and has a more premium badge, but even if it is just a Vauxhall, 200 bhp and a proper manual gearbox in a car weighing 930 kg (2,050 lb.) is a lot of fun for the money at this price.

Lot # 110 1995 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit III Limousine, Body by Robert Jankel; S/N SCAZS02CISCH55730; Embassy Black/Red leather; Estimate $53,964 – $80,946; Unrestored original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $36,426 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $41,890. – 6,750/300hp Rolls-Royce V-8, 4-speed GM 4L80E automatic gearbox, hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension, modified with Girling automatic hydraulic ride height control system and gas-charged shock absorbers, dual airbags, independent adjustment of the rear seats, coachwork extended by Robert Jankel, sunroof. – This Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit III Limousine by Robert Jankel is one of 234 total examples built and has covered only 21,653 miles from new with one family ownership. Very good paint and only a few tiny swirls but that’s all. The wheels and tires are superb. There are scratches on all doorway sill plates from passenger ingress, particularly on the driver’s side. Marks to the drivers’ door handle show a ring-wearing chauffeur, perhaps. The interior is a sea of top-quality leather and materials and only shows minor creasing to the driver’s seat. Represented with regular servicing. A mostly splendid six-door limousine that just needs a really good detailing. – Incredibly lavish and beyond exclusive, at this modest price for a bespoke Rolls-Royce with equally modest miles the new owner has limitless opportunities to make an impression, or just haul around a whole football team in great style. A good value.

Lot # 111 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster; S/N 121042209501188; Engine # 121042209500025; Metallgrün/Dark Green leather; Dark Green top; Estimate $134,910 – $188,874; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $168,638 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $193,933. – RHD. 1,897/120hp, Weber carburetors, 4-speed, Philips pushbutton radio, darkened glass sun visor shades. Comes with two spare carbs. – Supplied new to London. One of around 500 right-hand-drive examples manufactured. Restored by Queenstown Car Restoration Ltd five years ago at a cost above £71,000. Bright paintwork that is flaking around the bonnet edges and the convertible top B-post area. The windscreen is delaminating in the corners. The chrome is very good. The wheels and tires are in good order with painted hub caps looking perfect. The seat leather is very good with only minor creases. The carpets are clean. The lighting units are clear and bright. Light age on a straightforward restoration and finished in sharp colors. – This result is a major premium, but it is at least in part accounted for by being a rare righthand drive example sold in a righthand drive country. The new owner got a rare car in generally presentable but flawed condition and paid dearly for it.

Lot # 112 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupe; S/N 16127; Engine # 00381; Blu Ribot/Black leather; Estimate $215,856 – $290,057; Older restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $188,874. – RHD. 4,390/340hp, 5-speed, centerlock alloy wheels, Momo steering wheel, Veglia gauges, Becker Mexico push button radio. – One of only 67 right-hand drive examples, this GTC moved from Singapore to Hong Kong and then the UK. Restoration work in 1987 and recently maintained by DK Engineering. Aged paintwork but it is presentable. All the exterior trim looks original and aged. The front black rubber bumper has minor abrasion marks. The black-painted windscreen scuttle area has marks as well The door and window seals look aged with the original weather stripping on the door glass looking tired. The interior has aged leather and used carpets. GTCs weren’t worth much for many years so many (like this one) haven’t received high-dollar restorations. They’re valuable enough now, however, that this one could look better. – The result here is realistic for a C/4 in this tired and aged condition and the seller (and RM) were hoping that the fact it has had its Hong Kong first-registration tax paid would make it especially attractive to a Hong Kong buyer. Hong Kong is not, however, the free market entrepot it once was and Hong Kong residents are probably less enthusiastic about adding potentially seizeable assets, or raising the awareness of financial success, today than they might have been two years ago. The reported high bid is a realistic one for this C/4 in the UK where it was offered.

Lot # 113 2007 Aston Martin Vanquish S Ultimate Edition Coupe; S/N SCFAC14397B502575; Engine # 20057; Ultimate Black/Black leather; Estimate $188,874 – $215,856; Unrestored original 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $182,129 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $209,448. – RHD. 5935/520hp, 6-speed automated manual, bonded aluminum composite chassis with a carbon fiber backbone, drilled and ventilated disc brakes with four-piston calipers, white faced gauges. – Vanquish S Ultimate Edition, meaning it is one of the last 50 cars with upgraded interior and personalized sill plaques. This is the 37th of 50 produced. One registered owner from new, only 10,636 miles covered and full-service history by Aston Martin Works. Excellent original paint with only minor chips to the front lip spoiler and headlamp covers. The wheels, brake calipers, and discs all look great. The driver’s seat bolster and steering are the only areas to show wear and use. – Modern Astons, even the flagship models like the Vanquish S, depreciate sharply but this one’s solid presentation, low mileage and Ultimate Edition badges pushed it to a healthy price. This is still less than it cost to buy new, however. It’s the same £135,000 hammer bid it was sold for at Bonhams Goodwood Festival auction four months ago although about $5,000 less when the price is extended in today’s US$.

Lot # 114 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ95ZHS900057; Engine # 65H00170; Grand Prix White/Blue leather; Estimate $1,079,280 – $1,349,100; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,382,828 plus commission of 12.99%; Final Price $1,562,427. – LHD. 2849/450hp, 6-speed manual, white painted wheels, power windows, power heated seats, alarm. – One of 292 production examples built. Sold new in Germany but soon made its way to the UK in 1989, where it had its speedometer swapped for one that reads in miles. Now represented as matching numbers with 16,660 original miles and with extensive service history and MOTs. The main body paint is as new but the bonnet and front bumper look like they may have been resprayed. There are small marks on the door window trim. The driver’s seat bolster and seat belt have slight wear. All the controls look to have the correct appearance to verify the mileage. Mild signs of use on a landmark car. – The 959 hardly needs an introduction, but thanks to its sequential twin-turbo air- and water-cooled six, its height-adjustable suspension, its trick all-wheel drive system and exotic materials, it was a technological masterpiece from Porsche and one of the most advanced cars of the decade. Given all that, and along with its low production numbers, it is also one of the most valuable modern Porsches. This one is a Komfort model (“Sport” models weigh less and cost more) with not insignificant mileage but it was one of the strongest sales in London this year and the seller, whose family has owned the car since 1992, should be thrilled with the result.

Lot # 115 1992 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC Koenig Coupe; S/N WDB1260451A561775; Blue-Black Metallic/Black leather; Estimate $168,638 – $202,365; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $94,437. – 5.5/400hp Albrex supercharged M117 V-8, automatic, walnut veneer trim, Koenig Specials wide arch body, OZ Racing wheels, Pirelli P Zero tires, spare wheel, tool kit. – Delivered new to Japan then imported to the UK in 2014. Comes with Koenig-supplied Certificate of Origin and original brochures. Class winner at the 2021 London Concours after £15,000 in the workshop. Resprayed with uneven areas and poor masking, and there’s overspray on the washer jets. Well-polished wheels with good lacquer. The original interior is of great quality and is holding up incredibly well. The walnut veneers may be re-lacquered. Showing 91,275 km (56,716 miles), but well-kept and well presented. – Body kits and fancy wheels usually make a car worth less rather than more, but this modified 560 SEC didn’t come from a back-alley shop but Koenig, one of the more famous ’80s tuners. So even though it isn’t an AMG, this nearly six-figure bid (in US$) makes sense in the context of other recent sales for Koenig-modified Porsches and Ferraris although far below the expectations of either the consignor or RM Sotheby’s.

Lot # 116 1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Dreadnought Special Tourer racer, Body by Bespoke Bodyworks; S/N GNS39; Engine # Y6J; Black/Red vinyl; Estimate $202,365 – $269,820; Modified restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $134,910. – 3,669cc six-cylinder Rolls-Royce engine with a Godfrey Marshall K300 blower (said to produce 190 bhp and 350 ft lb. of torque), two SU carburetors, AP Racing clutch, 4-speed with Laycock overdrive, Alfin brakes, Blockley tires, Bentley-style bodywork, red wire wheels, side exhaust, twin aero screens. – This one-of-a-kind “Dreadnought Special” is eligible for VSCC events, a big selling point in the UK. Superb two-pack paint finish with great panel fit. The exterior chrome is excellent, particularly the outer headlamp bowls. The Lucas headlamp glass is yellowing slightly. The red vinyl seats look new but not quite right. The red wire wheels are smart and add to the dramatic racer look. The chassis looks good and strong. The engine is well-maintained and clean. The leaf springs and steering wheel rim are very neatly string wrapped. The Brooklands aero screens are reproductions and are made of dull base metal. A smart presentation for an enjoyable special. – An intriguing and potentially enjoyable car for tours or vintage competition but the distance between the bidders’ willingness and the consignor’s expectations are substantial and won’t be easily reconciled.

Lot # 117 1959 Aston Martin DB4 Series I Coupe; S/N DB4152R; Engine # 370159; Tudor Grey/Grey leather; Estimate $438,458 – $505,913; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $377,748. – RHD. 3,670/243hp, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, woodrim steering wheel, original Motorola radio, original tools and owner’s manual. – This early DB4 has been in single-family ownership since 1963 and is one of 150 first series examples. Comes with extensive documents back to 1959. Represented as a matching-numbers engine and is said never to have been completely restored, just visually maintained. The paintwork is glazed and cracking in many areas, particularly the bonnet. The front grille is in good condition with only minor surface corrosion. The chrome and exterior metal trim are in very good condition. The wire wheels look their age and the knock-ons are dinted on the corners. Inside, the seat leather is very creased and looks original as do the door cards and dashboard. This car presents a bit rough, but for some people originality is a great thing. – But it seems those people weren’t in the room at the RAC. This reported high bid is about right for an early DB4 in this condition, with no premium afforded for the level of preservation or the single-family ownership.

Lot # 118 1968 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA Junior Coupe; S/N AR775816; Red, White accents/Black vinyl; Estimate $256,329 – $296,802; Competition restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $222,602 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $255,992. – 1,290/110hp, 40DCOE Weber carburetors, velocity stacks, twin plug head, 5-speed, alternator, woodrim steering wheel, Jaeger gauges, alloy wheels, Avon tires, Stradale configuration. – Offered in “Stradale” configuration and registered for road use, the Giulia GTA 1300 Junior models were made between 1968 and 1975 and featured a 1300 cc engine, essentially a 1600 but with a short-stroke crankshaft. Subject to over Euros 17,000 of restoration work by German marque specialist, Werner Hofaichner, in 2014. Further £25,000 spent on an engine rebuild in 2021. Moved from Italy to Germany in 1985 then the UK in 2014. Older two-pack paint with swirls and chips on panel edges. The panel alignment is very good. Good exterior trim. The wheels are freshly painted over pitting. The interior is clean and the roof lining is good. Impressively clean and well-organized engine compartment. The steering wheel is original and super cool. An attractive, sorted, and event-eligible vintage Alfa that will be a blast on road or rally. – Impressively restored and presented in more comfortable, practical Stradale equipment and with a fresh engine rebuild, this is a highly desirable Giulia GTA Jr. It’s not track equipped but is going to be delightful on the road and bought at a price that’s appropriate for its condition and equipment.

Lot # 119 2000 Ferrari 550 Maranello Coupe, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFZR49B000120641; Rosso Corsa/Cream leather; Estimate $188,874 – $215,856; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $94,437 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $108,603. – LHD. 5,474/485hp, 6-speed manual, red calipers. – From The Cayman Island Motor Museum Collection. Showing only 16,086 km (9995 miles). Very good paint finish, looks professionally detailed. There’s minor paint flaking on the windscreen surround. The wheels, tires, and brakes are mint. The wonderful seat leather has slight use on the driver’s side only. The carpets, pedals, and controls are all fresh-looking. The engine looks smart and correct. A very good presentation in all aspects, although there is no service history represented. – RM sold this car here in London eight years ago for £50,400 ($79,249 at the time). This result is £80,500 all-in. Having sat in a museum for much of its life since then, the odometer shows just 1,454 more km today. The market for modern 6-speed Ferraris has grown big-time since then, and even this price is modest in 2021 although extended museum display and lack of documentation of recent service and recommissioning suggests an expensive visit to a Ferrari specialist is in order and is reflected is the price it brought.

Lot # 120 1952 Jaguar C-Type Roadster; S/N XKC014; Engine # E1014-8; Green/Green leather; Estimate $5,396,401 – $6,070,951; Competition restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $4,991,671. – RHD. 3,442/205hp, 4-speed gearbox, dry sump lubrication, wire wheels, Blockley tires, aero screens. – One of 53 genuine Jaguar C-Types manufactured. Sold new to Florida and its first owner Jack Rutherford was timed at 134.07 mph on the Daytona Beach in 1953. Later raced by David S. Burtner in the Midwest, at one point with a Chrysler Slant Six. Restored in the UK in the late 1980s with its original engine (with an XK 120 cylinder head) and gearbox. Later owned by Skip Barber, Joel Loeb, and Bill Jacobs. Having retained its original coachwork it is quite the survivor, but despite the quality paint and panel fit it looks aged a bit with stone chips to the nose and paint cracking around the door hinges. Good, clean wire wheels but the knock-on ears are dented. The seat leather is of great quality with only slight wear, and the steering wheel looks original with only light refurbishment. The interior sheetmetal has been sprayed with silver paint, and the gearbox tunnel has a silver heat wrap carpet-like material. A decently presented historic racer. – The main appeal in this C-Type is its level of preservation and its benign history. It is never known to have been wrecked and retains a lot of original bits. That said, race cars with a benign history rarely make history, and in the Jaguar hierarchy it is far from a Le Mans winner in terms of value. Back in 2006 RM sold it in Arizona for $1,512,500, but more recently at Bonhams Amelia Island 2020 it went unsold at a $5.4M high bid. That was a realistic number that could have been taken, especially given how it struggled to get similar bids in London. With two high-profile misses in as many years, it will be difficult to find a higher offer elsewhere.

Lot # 121 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG Convertible; S/N WDB2304742F030608; Obsidian Black/Red leather; Estimate $26,982 – $40,473; Unrestored original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $14,166 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $16,290. – RHD. 5,439/493 hp, 5-speed AMG `Speedshift’ automatic, Parktronic sensor system, multi-contour seats, power folding mirrors, AMG styling package with 18-inch wheels, premium audio system with CD changer, alarm. – From the Cayman Island Motor Museum Collection. An AMG version of the long-running SL-Class by Mercedes-Benz. With a good specification and extras pack, this 58,000-mile example has a good pedigree. The paint is generally good but with chips to the nose and bonnet-leading edges. The wheel rims are in good order but there’s corrosion around the wheel stud holes. The tires are in good condition. The rear window corners are delaminating. The driver’s door rear edge paint is chipped. The drivers’ side seat bolster has wear but the rest of the interior is superb. The foot pedals need a clean. The roof-to-door glass top seal is warping on both sides. A fast, stylish and handsome car, but used. – The mileage and signs of use are livable on this car, but it spent a while sitting still at the Cayman Island Motor Museum and its last confirmed service was in 2015. The London bidders wisely took that into account with this soft but not unreasonable price.

Lot # 122 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300CE 3.4 AMG Brabus Widebody Coupe; S/N WDB1240511B834275; Estimate $67,455 – $80,946; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $60,710. – Not evaluated.

Lot # 123 1961 Jaguar XKE SI flat floor Roadster; S/N 876336; Engine # R31209; Gunmetal/Red leather; Black top; Estimate $195,620 – $249,584; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $175,383. – RHD. 3,781/265hp, 4-speed, chromed wire wheels, woodrim steering wheel. – Early “flat floor” example from the first year of E-Type production. Represented as a numbers-matching 3.8-litre engine and restored to its original Gunmetal over a red interior. First shipped to the U.S.A. then returning to the U.K. in the 1980s and converted to right-hand drive. Further restored in 2013 and 2014 with over £20,000 spent. The paint finish is very average. The exterior trim is acceptable but the screen surround and door cappings have been ground back and lavished and it shows through still. – Sold for £195,500 ($258,275 at the time) here in 2017. Hammered unsold at a £130,000 on the block but later reported to have changed hands at £150,000 even, but now shown of the RM website still for sale asking £150,000. Due to the confusion we’ll stick with the £130,000 no sale and say that if it could have been acquired for that, or even close, it would have been a decent value.

Lot # 124 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300S Coupe, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 1880110006052; Engine # 1889200010352; Blue-Green metallic/Mid-Tan leather; Estimate $323,784 – $404,730; Recent restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $269,820 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $310,293. – LHD. 2,996/150hp, column shift, steel wheels, body-colored hubcaps, walnut veneer dashboard, ivory white steering wheel with chrome horn ring, sunroof, fog lights, Becker radio, VDO gauges in imperial units, jack and spare. – Represented as one of just 216 300S Coupes. Built in 1952 and shipped new to International Motors of Hollywood in Los Angeles. Having returned to Europe the car has been resprayed and visually maintained. The engine is represented as matching numbers to the history file but a saleroom notice calls attention to the fact it may have been restamped. Great paint with only a few tiny swirls. Exterior chrome is very good with only the beginnings of very fine pitting. The radiator grille and surround are superb and impressive. A very smart and well-maintained engine bay. As you go to enter you notice even the window winder gears are freshly restored and clean, a great start. The seat leather is fresh and top quality. The walnut wood on the dashboard is immaculate. The horn ring alloy is slightly faded. The carpets are new nylon replacements. The boot has fresh carpet, too and all the metal is freshly matt black painted. The floor pan is straight, a good sign. A superbly maintained and presented early postwar Benz. – Sold for $524,095 at RM Monaco 2014 and bought today for a much lower but appropriate price with some allowance for the questioned engine stamping. It is a luxurious, prestigious, comfortable automobile of impeccable quality. The Monegasque bidder paid dearly for it, but this is what it’s worth today and a car that will stand proudly beside a 7-figure 300SL Gullwing.

Lot # 125 1976 Porsche 934 Coupe; S/N 9306700172; White, Green, Red stripes/Black; Estimate $1,180,463 – $1,315,373; Competition restoration 1- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,079,280. – 2,994/485hp, 4-speed, 120-litre fuel tank, power windows, centerlock BBS alloy wheels, Goodyear Eagle race tires, race harnesses, full roll cage, whale tail rear spoiler. – One of 31 factory-built 934s. Extensive six-year racing history in Germany and Switzerland, including 18 class or overall wins. Crashed at the Nürburgring in 1976 but quickly repaired. Later converted to 935 specifications but is now back to original 934 specs with mostly original parts. Superb finish exterior paint and panel fit. All the exterior trim is mint too. The large BBS alloy wheels are near perfect, although the center lock nuts have marks on the flats from use. The interior is amazingly good for a race car, even the black perforated roof lining looks brand new. The seat, painted floor, roll cage, and interior shell are all immaculate. A simply superb presentation. – One of just 31 factory-built 934s, now thoughtfully restored in its original appearance and specifications after years of racing-related modifications, a remarkable transformation. It is probably unique in being presented in 934 configuration and the London bidders may be forgiven for not giving sufficient financial recognition to its presentation and staying below the consignor’s expectations. It wouldn’t be out of line to have brought the low estimate but the bidders may have had in mind that VAT was going to be assessed against the full purchase price if it remained in a VAT jurisdiction.

Lot # 126 1960 AC Ace Bristol Roadster; S/N BE1120; Engine # 100D2977; Dark Blue/Red leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $303,548 – $371,003; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $296,802 plus commission of 14.77%; Final Price $340,648. – RHD. 1,971/125hp Bristol 100D2 engine, overdrive 4-speed, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel, spare wheel, quick release race fuel filler cap, tonneau cover. – Represented as one of 463 Ace-Bristols made from 1954-63, 100 in right-hand drive, with just three registered owners, and with matching numbers engine. Restored in 2002. The paint is to a good standard with only minor swirl lines and some mild cracks and chips on the passenger’s side. The engine and chassis are very clean with only minor signs of age. The wheels look good and fresh but the knock-on ears are dented. The seat leather is sagging and creased but intact, while the carpets are worn through in spots. It has a documented and unblemished history, although the presentation is little better than average. – Fresh paint and a retrimmed interior would go a long way on this AC, but as it sits it’s a usable classic with a lovely shape and a great exhaust note. The result is spot on, nudging at the low estimate on the hammer and right in the middle of RM’s realistic estimate range with commission.

Lot # 127 1960 Porsche 356B Carrera Zagato “Sanction Lost” Speedster, Body by Zagato; S/N 113666; Bianco Gardenia, Red highlights/Red leather; Estimate $539,640 – $607,095; Rebodied or re-created 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $539,640 plus commission of 13.75%; Final Price $613,841. – LHD. 1,966/130hp Carrera engine, 4-speed gearbox, chromed steel wheels, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, gold brightwork. – This 356 Carrera Zagato Sanction Lost Speedster is a recreation of a specially commissioned racer owned by Claude Storez that was wrecked in a 1959 French rally and subsequently disappeared. In 2015 American hamburger chain owner and collector Herb Wetanson asked Zagato of Milan to recreate their original racer body using photometric computer scans of period pictures. Nine Speedsters and nine coupes were eventually built. This example has the desirable 356 Carrera engine. Presented in the foyer of the Royal Automobile Club Headquarters, this Speedster looked extra special. The new Zagato coachwork is perfection, a modern-day wonder, every subtle curve, and dip is perfectly in proportion, faultless. The chassis and engine bay are clean and fresh, The interior looks brand new. It is perfect. – Hammered not sold at a £400,000 high bid on the block and reported sold later at the same effective hammer bid. A similar “Sanction Lost” coupe was also sold here as lot # 139 for $575,897. Two in the same nearly rounding error result is rather remarkable and substantiates the value.

Lot # 128 1959 Porsche 356A 1600 Super Coupe, Body by Reutter; S/N 107180; Engine # 83769; Meissen Blue/Red leather; Estimate $202,365 – $242,838; Recent restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $269,820 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $310,293. – 1582/88hp, 4-speed gearbox, steel wheels, Blaupunkt pushbutton radio, rear leather luggage straps. – Supplied new to Donald Campbell CBE and then single-family ownership since 1965. Restored with no date given but was probably done in the 1980s and is represented as a numbers-matching chassis, engine, and gearbox. There’s also a Porsche factory Kardex document proving Campbell’s ownership. Superb modern paint with only the finest swirl lines. Very good panel fitment. Great wheels and new tires although they have very large balance weights spoiling the look. The rear number light housing chrome is very uneven. Recent interior refresh and the red leather looks very smart. A nice image to think of Donald Campbell sitting there. – A $200,000 car for which a 50% premium was paid for the Donald Campbell provenance. That’s not chicken feed, but neither is it unreasonable at a sale in Britain. It is, however, expensive.

Lot # 129 1928 Mercedes-Benz 630K Tourenwagen, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 35861; Engine # 60896; Green, Black fenders and accent/Black leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $876,915 – $1,079,280; Unrestored original 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $944,370 plus commission of 13.21%; Final Price $1,069,162. – LHD. 6,246/110-160hp sohc six-cylinder “Kompressor”, 4-speed gearbox, Tourenwagen body by Sindelfingen, wire wheels, dual sidemount spares, original luggage, radiator grille mesh, top hinged windscreen, twin windscreen spotlights, full weather equipment. – Delivered new in Spain and in single-family ownership from the early 1930s, this wonderful carriage is represented as untouched and original. Developed in mid-1923 by Ferdinand Porsche and launched in 1924 the 630 tourers as fast but comfortable road cars. This example was fitted with a sporty “Kompressor” spec engine. This is a hugely impressive carriage with a high, commanding coachline. This type of preservation is incredibly rare and wonderful to see. The coach-painted surfaces are peeling and dented. Period looking but modern small driving lamps have been added. There are panel creases to all the wheel arches and the driver’s door has a bullet shot dent which was an assassination attempt on the owners’ grandfather but the car saved him. There are mid-set fold-down rear seats. The radiator chrome and light units are all replated. The steering wheel wood rim has split and been repaired The rear luggage rack has a large suitcase bearing the makers badge of “Hengever and Gimm” of Stuttgart – simply incredible. When impressive high-end early carriages like this come along it’s great to see but when one in original virtually untouched condition appears it’s mesmerizing. – This 630K got the bidders’ juices flowing, not only a fast and elegant tourenwagen but also nearly unbelievably preserved, a car that needs nothing more than recommissioning to be a feature at any concours where deliciously preserved old cars (just seven years short of being a centenarian) are celebrated. Restoration would be a crime against history and it should go on spewing forth unburned hydrocarbons and carbon exhalations for another century to amaze and confound the e-car generations. The London bidders put a serious but also thoughtful value on it.

Lot # 130 1994 Bentley Continental R Coupe; S/N SCBZB03C4RCH52132; Black, Red pinstripe/Black leather; Estimate $40,473 – $53,964; Cosmetic restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,869 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $52,750. – RHD. 6,750/360hp twin-turbo V-8, 4-speed GM 4L80-E automatic gearbox, alloy wheels, Alpine stereo, all the bells and whistles. – 1994 Bentley Continental R is one of 1,236 examples built, has been in single-family ownership for 27 years, and has covered 38,128 miles. It cost £180,120 when new. Looks to have been resprayed to a good finish but poorly masked on some edges and peeling back. There’s delamination on all window corners. The chrome-finished wheels have minor pitting. The leather is of great quality with creases only to the driver’s seat. A used but solid, well cared for Bentley represented with regular servicing. – Considering that these days in the U.S. you can’t buy a used pickup truck for this money (and probably not in the U.K., either) this represents sound value in a superlative luxury car with a benign ownership and maintenance history. It will not be cheap to keep up but the driving pride will go a long way toward making up for the expense of regular care.

Lot # 131 2006 Aston Martin DBRS9 Coupe; S/N DBRS92; Verde Inglese/Black; Estimate $242,838 – $296,802; Competition car, original as-raced 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $217,030 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $249,584. – 5.9/600hp, 6-speed sequential gearbox, bonded aluminum chassis with carbon-fiber panels, double wishbone suspension with adjustable Koni dampers front and rear, Recaro seats with Willans harnesses, full roll cage, Brembo brakes, centerlock alloy wheels with racing slick tires, spares package. – The DBRS9 was built by Prodrive to compete in FIA GT3 and GT series such as the British GT Championship. This example was raced by Works team Barwell Motorsport to victory in the 2006 British GT Championship driven by Leonid Machitski. One of just 26 examples manufactured by Prodrive with Aston Martin Racing. Received minor restoration in January 2020 and presented in 2006 British GT Championship-winning livery. Comes with a substantial spares package and documentation. Good main body finish but the roof paint is very average. The alloy wheels have minor paint marks and the tires are aged. The frontal area has stone chips and the headlight cowls are very marked. The driver’s seat and controls are quite clean. The main body floor and roll cage are superb and present very well. – Post-block sale after hitting £165,000 at the auction. No longer competitive in top level motorsport but also new enough to be of limited use in historic racing, this is nevertheless a championship-winning 12-cylinder Aston Martin racer. Even if opportunities to stretch its legs are limited, it’s a sound value at this price and would have been even at RM’s £180,000 low estimate.

Lot # 132 1976 Porsche 911S Targa; S/N 9116211656; Dolomite Grey/Black leather; Estimate $53,964 – $80,946; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,473 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $46,544. – LHD. 2,687/173hp, 2×3 Webers, 5-speed, whale tail spoiler, body color Fuchs wheels. – Delivered new to the USA East Coast, spent 13 years in Pennsylvania and then was shipped to the UK. A full strip down bare steel restoration followed. The engine was stripped and refurbished as required, including an upgraded oil pump and three-barrel Webers. Average paint. The bonnet fit is poor. The chrome work is good. The Targa top matte paint is chipped. The wheels are clean but the wheel nuts are marked on all sides. Quality leather and carpets. The dashboard has not been refreshed and is slightly aging. – This decent, driver-quality Targa was a £38,000 no-sale at the Bonhams MPH auction in July. Despite a similar estimate at RM London, the seller got the hint and let the car go at this lower but still reasonable price on a successful hammer bid of £30,000, £34,500 with commission.

Lot # 133 1930 Bentley 4 1/2 Liter Supercharged Tourer, Body after Vanden Plas; S/N SM3903; Engine # SM3907; Green/Green Leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $5,126,581 – $5,666,221; Recent restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $4,317,121. – RHD. 4,398/175hp four, Villiers supercharger, 4-speed gearbox, replica Vanden Plas coachwork, heat-wrapped exhaust, green painted wire wheels, cycle front fenders, single left side spare, 4-spoke Bakelite steering wheel, chassis side low-mounted tool box, Bentley & Draper friction shock absorbers, twin klaxon horns, twin aero screens and split-fold windscreen, radiator and headlight stoneguards – An original “Blower Bentley”. 50 of the 4 ½-Litre Supercharged were made to comply with homologation rules (plus the 5 works racers). This example is the prototype of the 50 production supercharged cars and it was displayed at the London Olympia Motor Show in 1929. Its authenticity has been confirmed by Bentley expert Clare Hay. A replica of the Vanden Plas racing coachwork has been fitted and the chassis was re-united with its engine in the 1980s. A driver-quality car with no date given for the restoration but it looks like it was done 30 to 40 years ago. Good paint on the bonnet and front wings. The body canvas is holding up well with only minor abrasions on the edges. The chassis and suspension are well painted and protected. The leaf springs are string wrapped. Black canvas hood boot looks new. The wood hood top frame bars are new but stained incorrectly and not quite right. The seat leather is cracked and the carpets are faded. A quality presentation for an impressive speed machine. – This is a seriously historic car, even though it has reproduction coachwork. Its convoluted history of various engines and bodies however doesn’t provide reassurance which may be one reason it brought only this much on the auction block. The $800,000 shortfall from the low estimate is a big gap and it might be prudent for the seller to adjust expectations.

Lot # 134 1964 Porsche Carrera 2 GS Coupe, Body by Reutter; S/N 127338; Engine # P97362; Bali Blue/Blue leather; Estimate $607,095 – $742,005; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $580,113.– RHD. 1,966/130hp, 4-speed gearbox, factory power sunroof, chrome wheels, Vredestein tires, headrests, original jack and tools. – One of just 101 356 C Carrera 2s said to be built between 1963 and 1965, and represented as one of just six in right-hand drive. First owned by privateer racer Chris Kerrison. Engine rebuilt in the 2000s. Average paint with fine lines and slight orange peel finish to the side panels. The wheel chrome is mint. The interior trim has been refurbished well. The interior is superb with great new leather and good-looking new carpets (although they are nylon). An attractive specification that needs more care to be a show car but is usable as-is. It was never fully restored all at once because it has always been well-maintained. – Purchased by the consignor in 2018 and happily reported to have had £4,284 in service since then, a laughable $5,783 that barely encompasses fluids and tuning. No one at RM’s London sale was fooled, and stalled their bidding at a conservative level that would encompass expensive service and updates on this marvelous Carrera 2 GS Coupe. It could have been sold at the reported high bid with little if any regret.

Lot # 135 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 Coupe; S/N SAJJEAEX7AX220829; Le Mans Blue/Black leather; Estimate $505,913 – $573,368; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $512,658 plus commission of 13.82%; Final Price $583,486. – RHD. 3,498/542hp twin-turbo V-6, 5-speed, Speedline Corse alloy wheels, Bridgestone Expedia tires, power windows, factory cassette stereo. – One of only about 275 XJ 220s built. Represented with just 295 miles and just one registered owner from new. Recommissioned by Don Law Racing between 2017 to 2018, at a cost of almost £89,000. The original paint looks immaculate with only the finest of swirls from its dust cover. The wheels still look brand-new, but it is worth noting that the tires are from 2002. A time-warp condition car. – The XJ 220 has a mixed legacy. The prototype hinted at an all-wheel drive monster with a fat V-12, but the car that made it to market was two-wheel drive with half as many cylinders. And although the 217-mph top speed made it the world’s fastest road car, the XJ 220 came out just in time for an economic recession and for the McLaren F1 to burst onto the scene and steal everyone’s thunder. XJ 220s are also seriously expensive to service, even by supercar standards. All that has made these cars somewhat undervalued given their rarity and performance. More recently, though, collectors might be coming around to the Jag, or maybe everything with a stick shift and a 200-mph speedometer is in high-demand these days. Either way, XJ 220s are getting more expensive. In September, Bonhams sold a similarly perfect low-mile example at Goodwood for £460,000 ($632,730). This result (£432,500 all-in) may be lower, but it substantiates that the record result from Goodwood wasn’t a fluke.

Lot # 136 1963 Ferrari 250 GTE Coupe 2+2; S/N 4397; Engine # 3713; Azzurro/Beige leather; Estimate $269,820 – $337,275; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $256,329. – 2,953/280hp, 5-speed, Blaupunkt pushbutton AM radio, Borrani wire wheels. – This Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 was delivered in April 1963 to Switzerland, where it stayed but somehow separated from its original engine. Acquired by its current owner in 2008 at a Zurich dealership. Included are historical notes by Ferrari expert Marcel Massini, issued in September 2021. Recent-ish respray in the correct Azzurro and with lots of fresh black paint over the suspension and underbody some good effort has been invested in preservation. The exterior paint and panel fit look superb. The chrome and grille are bright. The seat leather looks supple and shiny. Dark carpets are a good choice. The Borrani wire wheels look refurbished. This was a 2021 style “online-only” car as it did not arrive in time to be displayed (it was still on a ship according to the RM staff) but they let it be auctioned anyway. – Supply chain and transportation delays hit everyone these days. It might have been prudent to let this 250 GTE sit until RM’s Paris sale in 2 1/2 months, although at the reported high bid it might have been even more prudent to have taken the high bid which is reasonable. It is now tainted.

Lot # 137 1988 Aston Martin V8 Zagato Volante, Body by Zagato; S/N SCFCV81Z0JTR30024; Engine # V5850024; Salisbury Blue/Magnolia leather; Dark Blue top; Estimate $269,820 – $337,275; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $256,329. – RHD. 5,341/320hp fuel injected, TorqueFlite automatic gearbox, air conditioning, 16-inch Speedline alloy wheels, beige carpeting, walnut veneer embellishment, limited-slip differential. – One of only 37 V8 Zagato Volantes built, of which 25 were righthand drive. Represented with three previous owners and 6,742 miles. £8,000 spent with marque specialists Nicholas Me & Co in recent years. Superb original paintwork that is unmarked. There’s a hand-sized delamination on the driver’s windscreen corner. The wheels are smart and unmarked. The interior is showing age with creasing to the leather and slight soiling to the center console. The tonneau cover looks original and period. The presentation is commensurate to age but this example pales next to the perfect red coupe in the same sale. – A rare car but its additional wear, automatic transmission and less powerful engine gave this Zagato a disadvantage compared to the red coupe. In the end, neither went to a new home as nobody in London fell in love with these Astons’ extreme angles.

Lot # 138 2016 Ferrari LaFerrari Berlinetta; S/N ZFF76ZHB000214218; Vinaccia/Pelle Chiodi Di Garofano leather; Estimate $2,968,020 – $3,372,750; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,563,290 plus commission of 12.76%; Final Price $2,890,447. – LHD. 6,262/949hp V-12 hybrid, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, forged alloy wheels painted in grigio, automatic suspension lifter, nero-finished brake calipers, Ferrari track telemetry, track inner cams kit, embossed Prancing Horse logos on the headrests, integrated audio system, F150 plaque on the steering wheel, Topaz self-healing paint protection film on the entire exterior, color-matched luggage. – Sold new in Switzerland with special order paint and represented as the only LaFerrari in this color combination. Only 918 miles and two owners from new. The paint finish is perfection with no swirls. The wheels, tires, and brakes look like new. Even the shiny carbon fiber surfaces in the footwell are unmarked. However, a three-digit odometer reading and mint condition are the rule, not the exception for LaFerraris and what really sets this one apart are its lovely and unique colors. – There was speculation in parts of the automotive press that this LaFerrari would be a potential record-breaker. We weren’t so sure, because while record prices for collector cars have become a regular occurrence in 2021 and even though this was the first LaFerrari offered at a UK public auction since 2018, values for these hybrid hypercars have dipped since they first hit the collector market a few years ago. They’re no longer the latest and greatest in high-tech high-performance, and there are some questions out there about the difficulty in maintaining the car’s hybrid battery system. Several LaFerraris have sold for more money than this on both sides of the Atlantic, and in fact this one doesn’t even crack the top 5 most expensive LaFerraris at auction. That doesn’t make it a bad result, just a realistically estimated and realistically bought Ferrari.

Lot # 139 1961 Porsche 356 Carrera Zagato “Sanction Lost” Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N 117289; Bianco Gardenia, Red accents/Red leather; Estimate $539,640 – $607,095; Rebodied or re-created 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $505,913 plus commission of 13.83%; Final Price $575,897. – LHD. 1,966/130hp Carrera engine, 4-speed gearbox, chromed steel wheels, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, gold brightwork. – This 356 Carrera Zagato Sanction Lost Coupe is the sister project to the Speedster in this sale. Whilst researching the Speedster, original drawings for a coupe version were discovered and nine coupes were made. This example is based upon a 1961 356B 1600 Normal coupe and has the desirable 356 Carrera engine. Beautiful finish and panel fit. There’s slight dust ingress to the headlight bowls. The chassis and engine bay are perfect. The newly made exterior door frame and gutter trim is a wonder. The wheels are as new. The interior has superb quality materials and presentation. The skills required to make the body and trim are incredibly high and impressive. With flowing lines, low roof and rear fins, this is arguably the prettiest car here. – Bought for slightly less than the $613,841 “Sanction Lost” Speedster lot # 127, both having 130hp Carrera engines, the more sturdy coupe body promises to make this coupe a better driving experience. The difference borders on insignificant at over half a million dollars all-in although this is a body style that Zagato designed for Claude Storez but didn’t build. In the end it is the bidders who make the market for such rare cars, which they did today here in London.

Lot # 140 1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Liter Tourer, Body after Vanden Plas; S/N HF3179; Engine # HF3183; Dark Green/Black leather; Estimate $431,712 – $485,676; Older restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $492,422 plus commission of 13.87%; Final Price $560,720. – RHD. 4,398-cc four, 4-speed gearbox, Carl Zeiss headlamps, halogen driving lights, cycle fenders, glass split folding windscreen, twine-wrapped steering wheel, Jaeger instrumentation, green painted wire wheels, side mounted spare, twin klaxon horns, headlight stoneguards. – This 1928 4 1/2 litre was hidden during World War II, then dry-stored until the late-1980s. It retains its complete original drivetrain according to Clare Hay. Originally a Park Ward coupe, in 1990-91 it was re-bodied in the style of a Vanden Plas Le Mans Replica. Supplied with historical documents and photos provided by the marque expert Clare Hay. The paintwork is of a good standard two-pack finish but appears to be from the 1990 rebuild and is very chipped and marked. The chassis surface has been ground back on the front legs but is well-preserved in black paint seat leather is cracking and the canvas tonneau cover is very faded. Some of the dash instruments have been refurbished and some haven’t. Some oil and petrol leaks under the bonnet, but all fixable. An honest Bentley that could easily be taken up many notches. – This isn’t a Blower (an example of which didn’t sell earlier today for $4.3 million) but it is a charismatic 4 1/2 Liter Bentley with 105hp, more than enough to dust off many lesser automobiles if only from the shout of its four huge cylinders, each of over one liter displacement that punctuate its way down the highway with shotgun-loud reports. It’s also almost all the fun, but not the history, of the Blower at less than 1/8 of the unsuccessful bid on the Blower. It is a sound value for the money, which the bidders recognized with this over-high estimate result.

Lot # 141 1957 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT Series 6 Coupe; S/N B203857; Engine # B205055; Grey/Blue leather, White cloth; Estimate $161,892 – $215,856; Older restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $134,910 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $155,147. – 2,451/115hp V-6, wing mirrors, hub caps, woodrim steering wheel. – Represented as one of only 25 UK-market right-hand-drive examples and was the Lancia England demonstrator. Represented as the matching-numbers engine. Restored in Italy then recommissioned in 2008 and recently got a major service by Thornley Kelham. Eligible for the finest events and rallies, including the Mille Miglia. Accompanied by FIVA and FIA HTP papers. Exceptionally good paint and panel fit. The wheels and tires are good. Exemplary exterior glass trim. The front grille is slightly uneven, as is the bumper chrome. The interior is perfect. The English lambswool seat covering is taught and clean and contrasts smartly with the blue. The passenger’s side door capping is missing a securing fixing. – Reported sold by RM at London in 2008 for $102,902 (£66,000 all-in), then a no-sale at Bonhams Goodwood in October of last year where it was reported bid to $168,103 (£130,000). Today’s transaction is £100,000 hammer and a nice price for a Series 6 B20 GT.

Lot # 142 2005 Ferrari F430 Spider; S/N ZFFEZ59C000144181; Rosso Corsa/Crema leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $182,129 – $209,111; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $161,892. – RHD. 4,308/490hp, 6-speed manual, Scuderia shields, yellow brake calipers, tools, battery tender, Assembly No. 61298. – One of 128 righthand drive F430s built a manual gearbox. Supplied new in 2005 to Surrey, England, and a documented 10,688 miles since. Great paint with only small stone chips to the lower front lip spoiler. The wheels and tires are all in great condition. There are a few marks on the black matte paint on the A-pillar as well as a small crack in the top of the driver’s side rear light. The driver’s seat bolster and door card are very worn. A bit more used-looking than the mileage might suggest, but not at all a bad car and of course a standout with its rare 6-speed manual. – The combination of righthand drive and a 6-speed may carry a more meaningful premium in the UK market but by any other standards the reported high bid here was appropriate for the car and its condition even given the modest miles.

Lot # 143 1958 Triumph TR3A Works Rally Roadster; S/N TS23870O; Engine # TS24229E; Apple Green, Apple Green hardtop/Beige leather; Estimate $188,874 – $215,856; Recent restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $148,401. – RHD. 1,991-cc four, 4-speed gearbox with Laycock de Normanville overdrive, disc brakes, factory hardtop with spotlight, fog lights, headlight stoneguards, roll bar, wire wheels, Monit rally timer, spare wheel, tool roll. – A genuine 1958 Triumph TR3A Works Rally Car with the numbers-matching engine, verified by British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate. One of four built and accompanied by FIA HTP documents and FIVA Identity Card. Finished second overall at the 1958 Circuit of Ireland Rally and won its class at the 1958 Tulip Rally. Also competed at the Rallye des Alpes and Tour de France in period. Signature fittings such as the factory hardtop with a spotlight. Has benefitted from £10,000 of work in the last three years by marque specialists, Just Historic Cars. Good paint with only minor imperfections to the nose. The chrome work is very good. The rear-mounted Lucas spotlight looks period. The hardtop rear window is the original Perspex with forgivable aging. The wire wheels have minor paint chips and the knock-ons are dented. The seat leather is excellent with slight use signs to the drivers’ side. The carpets are very smart and the dash presents very well. Not like new, but close. – This Triumph with good history and tempting even eligibility sold for Euros 184,000 ($225,970) at the RM Sotheby’s Paris sale in 2018. That was a strong number for it, but there’s no reason for it to be worth much less today. Holding out at this reported high bid in London was reasonable.

Lot # 144 1987 Aston Martin V8 Zagato Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N SCFCV81Z7HTR20049; Gladiator Red/Cream leather; Estimate $404,730 – $472,185; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $337,275. – RHD. 5,341/408hp, 4×2 Webers, 5-speed ZF transmission, Zagato body, walnut veneer embellishment, tool roll, spare original paint tins, 16-inch Speedline smooth faced alloy wheels, Blaupunkt radio, jack, tools. – Having covered only 396 miles and being one of 51 made with just 27 right-hand-drive examples with a manual gearbox, this V8 Vantage Zagato Coupé has been treated as a stock investment. In Gladiator Red, over a cream leather interior with brown carpets this time warp Aston has been stored well, passing its last MOT 3 years ago with no advisories. The windscreen corners are delaminating next to the Aston Works screen sticker. The paintwork is immaculate, faultless. The wheels are as new. Zagato built the unique body but also hand-trimmed the interior and it is truly impressive. The storage of this car has been perfectly achieved, a credit to the seller. – Given the level of care, the low odometer reading, the rare coachwork and the desirable configuration, it was surprising that this car didn’t do better, especially in the context of the current craze for ’80s performance cars. Then again, Zagato’s work on these ’80s Astons is something of an acquired taste and neither this coupe nor the convertible version in the same sale got a lot of attention.

Lot # 145 1993 Ascari FGT ‘Prototype’ Coupe; S/N NMSASC0001P93; Green/Grey leather; Estimate $80,946 – $107,928; Unrestored original 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $22,935 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $26,375. – RHD. 6.0-liter/420hp Chevrolet V-8 engine with ARP components, 5-speed gearbox, Stack gauges, Sony CD stereo, air conditioning, carbon fiber trim, bucket seats, Momo steering wheel, 5-spoke alloy wheels. – One-off prototype built by Lee Noble in 1992 for Ascari, a small independent carmaker based in Banbury. Technically the first car to bear the Ascari name, and used for promos and road tests. The car attracted the attention of Dutch racing driver Klaas Zwart, who bought the company. The FGT was later developed into Ascari’s first production model – the BMW-powered Ecosse. After it sat for 13 years in a farm building, the current owner recommissioned this prototype himself with assistance from Lee Noble. The paintwork is original and extensively chipped to the frontal area. All the glass panels are delaminating. The alloy wheels are quite aged and scuffed, the tires are from 2002, and the Wilwood brakes have surface pitting. The driver’s seat bolster is very worn, the carpets are soiled, and there’s dust in every corner. The engine compartment is messy as befits a prototype. Not ready to hit the track (or the road, for that matter) but it’s an interesting, exciting car with lots of potential. – This car has its issues. It needs further sorting and it’s unclear what you could really do with it once it even is sorted. It’s also a prototype from an obscure carmaker, so its appeal is limited. But just in terms of sheer performance and fun factor, the price here is so low that we keep checking to make sure it isn’t a typo, especially considering the £60,000 low estimate and the fact that Ascari Ecosses are six-figure cars. There are track day toys that are considerably slower and considerably more expensive than this, and for that reason alone it was the bargain of London 2021.

Lot # 146 2019 Morgan Plus 4 110 Edition Roadster; S/N SA94420K2K0004165; Blue metallic/Beige leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $67,455 – $80,946; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $64,757 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $74,470. – RHD. 1,998/150hp Ford GDI four, Mazda 5-speed, 16-inch wire wheels, rear overriders, chrome interior mirror, door pockets, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel, walnut dashboard, sun visors, badge bar, spare wheel, luggage rack, leather suitcase. – Offered from The Cayman Island Motor Museum Collection. The 110 Edition celebrated Morgan’s 110th year as a carmaker. This one is represented with around £2,800 of factory extras and showing only 173 km (107 miles). Not a single surface on this car looks used. The seat leather is of the highest quality and the chrome wheels have incredible depth. Even the luggage is of the highest order. Delightful in every way. – Morgan introduced a redesigned Plus Four last year, but this is a Morgan after all, so they all look and drive like they have for years. This was a chance to jump the waiting list for one of these charming hand-built English anachronisms, which can range from a few months to several years, with an essentially new car. And the winning bidder did just that, getting the immediate gratification of a shiny fresh Morgan and doing so at a several thousand pound discount compared to ordering it straight from the manufacturer.

Lot # 147 1999 Bentley Arnage 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N SCBLB51E6XCH02403; Peacock Waterbase/Magnolia leather with Peacock piping; Estimate $53,964 – $80,946; Unrestored original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $13,491 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $15,515. – RHD. 4,398/350hp twin-turbocharged BMW V-8 engine, automatic, walnut veneer dash, cream-faced dials, dual-zone climate control, Alpine stereo, books and tools. – From the Cayman Island Motor Museum Collection. Represented with 51,096 miles and two owners from new. Good original paint with chips to the nose area, and there are some scratches to the driver’s side rear fender. There are corrosion bubbles on the edge of the sunroof as well. The headlights are slightly clouding. The wheels are good with only the passenger’s front showing slight scuffs. There are very fine scratches to the drivers’ door exterior trim. The driver’s seat leather is beginning to crack but the rest looks good. A used but tidy Arnage. – Buying a used Bentley at auction is not for the faint of heart, and indeed buying any used 20- or so year old Bentley is an exercise in bravery. That’s partly why they depreciate so sharply. As for this one, it was the last lot of the sale, and anyone willing to roll the dice with some serious money was no longer in the room by the time it came up for grabs. The estimate was rather ambitious but this is still a remarkably low price and another example that even in the heated car market of 2021 there are still cars flying under the radar. Sure, its next major service might cost as much as it took to buy the whole car, but for now the new owner gets to enjoy Bentley motoring on the (very) cheap and it’ll look really good while loading groceries in the parking lot at the local TESCO.

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