Lindley and Ann Bothwell’s Bothwell Ranch is a fabled, quiet collection of automobiles secreted away among million dollar houses at Woodland Hills in the San Fernando Valley west of Los Angeles.
Citrus groves once covered the Valley, but they are no more. Only the Bothwell Ranch remains, a carefully nurtured and preserved few acre oasis of California history.
Lindley Bothwell died in 1986. Ann preserved this small remnant of his husbandry which once comprised thousands of acres of owned and managed groves. She died a year ago and on November 11 Bonhams dispersed (most of) Lindley and Ann Bothwell’s automotive, railroad and collecting legacy at the Ranch.
It was an epic event that will be included among similar dispositions of collections by Harrah’s, Edward Gordon Thompson’s Gleneagles Collection, Judge Roy Hofheinz, Cohn, Rick Carroll, Ben Moser, Philip Wichard, A.K. Miller and Richard C. Paine. These milestones are getting steadily more rare as the legacies of early collectors are dispersed.
Lindley Bothwell was a man of many accomplishments but it is as an early car collector – he acquired his first ‘collector car’ before 1930 – that he is best remembered. And more than a collector, Bothwell used his cars enthusiastically.
In the years after WWII he organized what are probably the first vintage car races including on Santa Catalina island and a re-creation of the Santa Monica road race. Sanctioned by AAA, the entries were drawn from his personal collection and driven by friends and acquaintances among the pre-war racing community.
The Bothwell collection became almost mythical as, except for annual visits by the Fabulous Fifties club that ended a few years ago, it was largely inaccessible since his death.
Its disposition became an event, a chance to view the legendary Bothwell cars in their native habitat, the last orange grove in the San Fernando Valley. People like me, who knew of, and wondered about, it made the pilgrimage to Woodland Hills to see it for the first and last time. Others came back, relating their experiences of twenty, thirty and even forty years ago when they came to the Bothwell Ranch for the first time.
Gooding & Company’s David Gooding was there to bid on one of the cars and said, ‘If it weren’t for Lindley Bothwell I probably would not be doing what I do today. My father saw one of his events and became enthralled by his Pope-Hartford [the car in today’s sale]. He loved the sound, relished the experience and made up his mind to own one, which he eventually did. That started my experience with old cars.’
Bonhams seized the opportunity to disperse a single-owner collection of legendary stature by holding the sale at the Bothwell Ranch and did a masterful job of organizing and presenting some 400 lots of tools, automobilia, railroadiana and model trains that took five hours to sell.
The cars were spread out on the property, some in their garages and barns, others arrayed along the roads backed by the ranch’s citrus trees, a few in high visibility display in or near the auction marquee. The layout encouraged exploring the ranch making it an adventure that rewarded casting about with discovery of an Autocar, a Model T or Clement-Panhard tucked away, like sitting down with a kid to scour a Richard Scarrey book finding Lowly Worm.
The water bottles and cocktail cups had the 1914 Peugeot L45’s picture on them.
The setting was perfect with the citrus trees, a few roses and old wood framed metal sheathed, corrugated roof buildings and Quonset huts painted a uniform shade of weathered emerald green which, for the sake of uniformity in the individual vehicle descriptions will be called ‘Bothwell Ranch Green.’
Bonhams’ Evan Ide managed to get a few of the cars to run (Chandler, Pope Hartford, Stearns, Mercedes-Simplex) and strategically made a series of demonstrations before the auction. Particularly during the automobilia sale their engines’ reverberations added character to the static objects and built anticipation for the cars to come.
Most of the cars were aged; only the Peugeot L45, Prinz-Heinrich Benz and Mercedes-Simplex had recent cosmetic and mechanical attention. Some could be mechanically freshened and used as-is but most were restoration projects. Many had Bothwell-built runabout bodies, far removed from their original coachwork. But only one of them should ever be ‘restored’ with facsimiles of their original coachwork (the Prinz-Heinrich Benz which begs for a reproduction of the bodywork as driven by Barney Oldfield that was lost in the Bothwell collection fire in the late-40’s): These were cars that excited souls with their demonstrations, that appeared in movies and have Lindley Bothwell provenance. Re-clothed as a sedan, touring car or roadster they would lose the connection with their most important history in the Bothwell collection.
The sale itself was a major success and here are the numbers:
Year | Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Sold < Low Est | Sold > High Est | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ |
2017 | 48/48 | 100% | 22.9% | 47.9% | $272,530 | $41,800
[15.3%] |
$13,081,420 |
The hammer bids were 177.3% of the pre-sale low estimates, an unprecedented achievement. The Peugeot alone sold on the hammer ($6.6 million) for nearly as much as the entire pre-sale estimate for the entire car consignment ($6.7 million.) The Median/Average ratio isn’t a comment on Bonhams estimates; rather it is a function of the ‘Bothwell Premium’ which cars from this collection brought and Bonhams highly effective marketing and promotion of it.
It was a magical weekend in Woodland Hills, right up there with Christie’s A.K. Miller auction in East Orange, Vermont twenty years ago.
Bonhams placement of the cars in the run order is important so in contrast to recent auction reports these are in their auction run order. All the car lots (and Kalakaua the steam locomotive) are here, even the ones not evaluated on-site.
I hope you enjoy this report as much as I enjoyed the weekend in Woodland Hills.
Lot # 363 1897 Baldwin 0-4-2 Locomotive and cars; Black, Red cab, Silver; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Older restoration, 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $170,455 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $187,501 April 1927 replacement boiler, wooden cow catcher, includes two coaches, three other cars and a handcar. – Built for service in Hawaii where it was christened Kalakaua, brought to the mainland later and bought by Lindley Bothwell in 1964. Once used, according to people at the sale who had seen it, to steam down to the rails’ terminus at Ventura Blvd loaded with Bothwell fruit to sell on weekends. Seized up and not working. Sheared fasteners on the boiler. Drive gear disconnected. Complete rejuvenation required. The new owner can probably have as much light track as can be leveraged up from the site. – Successful hammer bid was $150,000 plus commission of 25%. This is a monster project to get steaming again but that didn’t deter enthusiastic bidding and it is when restored a complete, running railroad for passengers and freight. ‘Light Rail’ from the 1890’s.
Lot # 400 1981 Honda GL1100 Gold Wing Motorcycle Custom; S/N 1HFSC020XBA121098; Estimate $5,000 – $6,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $5,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $5,500 – Built for the 1995 Disney movie ‘Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill’ as the ride for its antagonist, J.P. Stiles. The disc brakes are incongruous. Not used for many years. –
Lot # 401 1916 Henderson V-Twin Motorcycle Combination; S/N Engine No. 75558; Engine # 75558; Estimate $20,000 – $25,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,700.
Lot # 402 1901 Clement-Panhard Type VCP 4 1/2hp Voiture Legere Vis-a Vis; S/N 313; Engine # 313; Yellow, Black fenders and running gear/Black leather; No top; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500 RHD. Wheel steering, single Solar self-generating headlight, 20th Century sidelights, single cylinder Panhard engine, double chain drive. – In the Bothwell collection since the early 40’s. Aged, chipped old restoration, grimy, dirty chassis. Sound upholstery. Largely complete but tired. – One of the best things about this Clement-Panhard is that it is simple and its re-restoration is unlikely to encounter any serious obstacles. Brighton Run eligible, it isn’t fast, but is solid and reliable, attributes that are reflected in its over-estimate price.
Lot # 403 1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50hp Pickup; S/N S248PK; Engine # 21214; Burgundy,/Black; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Modified restoration, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $159,500 Bausch & Lomb drum headlights and cowl lights, dual sidemounts, body color wire wheels, windshield visor, varnished wood bed, brass radiator grille, chrome lights. – Originally a Tilbury Sedan, attractively cut down and completed in pickup configuration with quality bodywork and good wood bed. Sound and in decent, practical condition. Thick old repaint, weak bright trim. Road grimy chassis. – The temptation to re-create the Tilbury body would completely miss the point of this Bothwell Silver Ghost which embodies Lindley Bothwell’s appreciation for quality mechanics and a whimsical willingness to put them to practical use. It deserves to stay exactly the way it is. It is one of the best examples of the soul of the Bothwell collection, respect for quality and performance, but willingness to put them to practical application. The exceptional price paid for it indicates that the new owner ‘got it’.
Lot # 404 1929 Ford Model AA Paddy Wagon; S/N AA874782; Engine # R421105M; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $7,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $8,250.
Lot # 405 1923 Ford Model T Stake truck; S/N Engine No. 7492003; Engine # 7492003; Black, Bothwell Ranch Green bed/Black leatherette; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $15,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $17,050 An open cab trunk with an added C-Cab roof – Usable paint and interior, old probably unrestored engine and chassis. A usable farm truck with many film credits including Titanic, Roots, The Aviator and even a Beverly Hillbillies reunion commercial. Not run in a long time but easily brought back to running, driving condition. – It is impossible not to like this truck, despite its age, a sentiment displayed by the bidders with this superior price.
Lot # 406 1925 Ford Model T Speedster; S/N Engine No. 12233544; Engine # 12233544; Estimate $3,000 – $4,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $6,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,600.
Lot # 407 1924 Ford Model T Coupe; S/N Engine No. 12675376; Engine # 12675376; Estimate $4,000 – $5,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $10,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $11,550.
Lot # 408 1914 Peugeot L45 Grand Prix; S/N 1; Engine # 1; Dark Blue/Red leather; Estimate $3,000,000 – $5,000,000; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $6,600,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,260,000 RHD. Crankcase stamped B 3.622 S 6 19/32. Timing tower stamped 1. 4-speed, with reverse, odd pattern. 4-wheel brakes, centerlock wire wheels. Exposed valve springs. Jones 2,650 rpm tach, red line at 1,200 rpm (one at 1,400 has been removed.) Pointed tail with spare tire hump and tapered tail top as-raced in the U.S. Friction shocks. 32×4 1/2 Dunlop tires, black wire wheels. Miller barrel throttle valve updraft carb, spare damaged crankcase and the original Peugeot carburetor included. – Tail panels are probably original. Hood panels are clean but the ribs look much older and old repairs suggest the hood is original, too. Old woodrim steering wheel on an aluminum 4-spoke rim. Good older paint, some edge chips, good upholstery. Done like a racecar and used, including Goodwood Festival 2003 and 2011. The founding creation for dual overhead camshaft engines and the last of the Peugeot ‘Charlatans’ cycle that began in 1911. The spare Peugeot at the 1914 Lyon GP, third at Indianapolis in 1916 driven by Ralph Mulford. Raced at Indianapolis in 1919 by Art Klein (dnf, oil line) then by Klein at Elgin, Uniontown, NJ, Sheepshead Bay (Brooklyn, NY) and Cincinnati and Beverly Hills in 1920 before being retired by Klein in favor of a Frontenac. Joe Boyer picked up the Peugeot for the 1923 season when he drove it to second in the AAA dirt championship. Acquired from Art Klein in 1949 by Lindley Bothwell, he quickly registered it with AAA, took it to the Brickyard and set a qualifying run average of 103.24 mph, more than Johnny Aitken’s fastest 1916 Peugeot qualifying speed of 96.7 mph. Other than its shiny paint and intact upholstery it is as-raced over a century ago, with its original body panels, engine and chassis, the foundation of every high performance dual overhead camshaft engine today, the only surviving GP Peugeot and one of only two similar cars, the other being a 3-liter voiturette built for sports car races. Its history is abundantly documented with photos and a series of AAA race car registration plates beginning in 1919 and 1949-1952 while owned by Lindley Bothwell. – Disclosure: I cataloged the Peugeot for Bonhams, a rare and special privilege. This Peugeot bristles with innovation, even beyond the dual overhead camshaft engine to include things like dry sump lubrication and centerlock wheels. All but one of the other Peugeot dohc cars were raced into oblivion making this one of the most important cars to come to auction in years. Its historical significance is reinforced by amazing originality and a continuous ownership history from Peugeot through Lutcher Brown, Frank Book, Ralph Mulford, Art Klein and Lindley Bothwell. It is impossible to overstate the importance and originality of this Peugeot and it could easily have brought even more than this over-estimate price without being unreasonable. There is no aspect of the car that isn’t wonderful. Sold to a Florida collector where it will be in good hands.
Lot # 409 1913 Fiat Model 56 45hp 7-Passehger Touring; S/N S10601; Dark Red, Black fenders/Black leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500 RHD. 522 cid 45 NACC hp, 4-speed, 55,595 miles on a dash mounted Warner speedometer, 30,284 miles on a floor-mounted FIAT speedometer, jump seats, dual right side spare wheel mounts, body color wood spoke wheels, Westinghouse spring shackle shocks. – Superficial old repaint over old paint, tattered old front seat upholstery but sound old rear and jump seat upholstery Torn, sun rotted old top. Old, crusty road grime and oil underneath. Bodged old dashboard wiring. A complete and handsomely bodied restoration project. – This is one of the better values in the Bothwell sale, a particularly good looking high horsepower Brass Era giant that is largely original. Restoration will not be inexpensive but all the important bits and bobs are here to aid the restorer in doing it accurately and it is certainly possible to make it run and drive without compromising its impressive originality giving the new owner the opportunity to enjoy its originality before committing to restoration.
Lot # 410 1915 National Six Series AA Coupe; S/N 10250; Engine # 6076; Red, Black fenders and roof/Burgundy cloth; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,800 364/34 NACC hp six, 3-speed, Rear-facing right front jump seat, body color wood spoke wheels, opening windshield, dual rear-mounted spares, pullup side and rear windows, C.M. Hall bell electric headlights, Warner speedometer, bud vases. – Elegant but tall, erect coachwork with curved front quarter windows. Quick old repaint with overspray. Badly peeling paint on the upper body wood. Pitted trim chrome and aged instruments. Grimy engine and chassis. Sound old upholstery. A wonderful basis for restoration. – The style of this 4-place coupe is striking, with a tall greenhouse (taller from the window sill to the roof than it is from the window sill to the bottom of the doors), abundant glass and a tiny turtle style rear deck. It has a commanding presence and has been reasonably well maintained to go with its several movie cameos.
Lot # 411 1915 Studebaker Model 5 Hearse; S/N 4039383; Engine # 4c44459; Estimate $8,000 – $12,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $14,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,400 192/19.6 ALAM hp, 3-speed, carved wood box sides..
Lot # 412 1922 Ford Model TT Fire truck; S/N Engine No. 6085079; Engine # 6085079; Estimate $14,000 – $16,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $9,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $10,450.
Big horsepower lined up at the Bothwell Ranch.
Lot # 413 1929 Locomobile 48 Series 7 Open Front Town Car, Body by C.P. Kimball; S/N 18009; Dark Blue, Black composite roof/Black leather, Beige cloth; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $51,700 Dual rear-mounted spares, rollup division, jump seats, vanity and smoker’s kits, opera lights, wood spoke wheels, drum headlights, tool roll. – Given a preservative coat of paint long ago, otherwise original and very tired but not compromised. Cracked leather, torn and peeling roof covering. Sound old rear compartment upholstery, trim and wood. A majestic restoration project. – A magnificent automobile with power from a 525 cubic inch T-head six, the potential for this car is exceptional, even with the rather erect formal coachwork by a rarely seen but recognized coachbuilder in Chicago. C.P. Kimball closed down in 1929 and this must have been one of its last jobs. It is a sound value at this price even if this is only the beginning of the process and expense.
Lot # 414 1910 Winton Model 48 Model 17A 7-Passenger Touring; S/N 9464; Engine # 9464; Primrose,/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $146,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $160,600 RHD. 477/48.6 ALAM hp, 4-speed, Stromberg carburetor, Gray & Davis 119 acetylene headlights, Atwood-Castle kerosene taillight, kerosene sidelights, dual right side spare wheel mounts, jump seats, varnished wood spoke wheels, compressed air starter. – Acquired from the L.A. County Museum in the early 50’s and apparently untouched since. It has preservation-quality paint that’s done its job. Dull brass, stiff upholstery and top. Movie and television history in Roots, The Great Race, Fantasy Island and East of Eden. Sound, complete and ready to restore. – Wintons are known both for their quality and for somewhat quirky design details. This example doesn’t disappoint on either point and while aged and unused in years is substantially complete which should make resuscitation or restoration a reasonable project. It’s one of many cars in the Bothwell collection that could make up a whole Preservation class. The bidders appreciated its design, quality and preservation and paid a price that is fair to both the Bothwell family and the new owner.
Lot # 415 1911 Mitchell Model R Runabout; S/N R18474; Engine # 17094; Red, L.A.F.D./Black leather; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500 RHD. Warner speedometer, cylindrical bolster tank, hand crank siren, Rushmore acetylene headlights, folded trumpet bulb horn, Gray & Davis kerosene sidelights, no taillight, red lens Rushmore searchlight, dash clock, body color wood spoke wheels, Prest-o-Lite tank. – Liveried as an LAFD Chief’s fast response vehicle, but no known history before it was acquired by Lindley Bothwell some eight decades ago. Dull old paint and brass Sound but aged, stiff and dirty upholstery. Road grimy engine, driveline and chassis. Sound and complete but done to mediocre museum display standards and in need of complete restoration. – This is a rare marque (despite there being two of them in the Bothwell auction) with a big, powerful 4-cylinder engine and it caught the attention of the bidders today, bringing a healthy price.
Lot # 416 1915 Ford Model TT Open-side van; S/N Engine No. 8572187; Engine # 8572187; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $10,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $11,000. This not a flipped image, but it was in the movie Titanic where this Ford appeared as a set-piece. They flipped the image so it would appear as right hand drive at the docks in Southampton, even to the point of having reversed lettering on the actors’ clothing. It would have been less expensive to move the steering.
Lot # 417 1902 Packard Model G Surrey; S/N Engine No. 2; Engine # 2; Burgundy,/Black leather; Estimate $250,000 – $350,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $385,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $423,500 RHD. 368/28.8hp opposed twin, two carburetors, 3-speed sliding gear transmission, rear entrance tonneau with a fixed surrey roof, wood-framed windshield, wicker pannier baskets, electric starter. – Believed to be the sole surviving Packard Twin, bought by Lindley Bothwell seven decades ago. Damaged in the 1949 fire and accurately restored to its original configuration after. An old restoration showing its age, sound and usable but in need of much work and some new upholstery in the rear where critters lived. – One of the stars of the Bothwell collection and an important milestone in the development of the automobile in America it deserves and no doubt will receive a comprehensive restoration in its new owner’s hands but first might be gone through mechanically and subjected to the judgment of the VCC Dating Committee in anticipation of a turn at the LBVCR in 2018 where its presentation would be acclaimed. While it is expensive there is no denying its value and significance.
Lot # 418 1912 Cadillac Model 30 2-seat Race Car; S/N Engine No. 65002; Engine # 65002; Dark Green,/Black vinyl; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Modified for competition during restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $58,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $63,800 RHD. Platform rear suspension, electric headlights, varnished wood spoke wheels, single rear spare. – Later 2-seat runabout body. Sound paint and upholstery, dull brass. Dusty but not grimy running gear. Sound and usable as is. – One of the better presented cars in the Bothwell collection and said to have been running and driving recently, this is a huge price for a made-up car.
[In the background]
Lot # 419 1930 Ford Model AA Flatbed; S/N Engine No. A3185843; Engine # A3185843; Dark Green, Black fenders/Black leatherette; Estimate $8,000 – $10,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $9,200 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $10,120 Steel spoke wheels, dual rear wheels, windshield visor. – A typical farm truck older restoration, good enough to use and presentable at 20 feet. Probably too good to do over but aged and dirty. – This is just a fun old truck that will fit right in at a ranch, farm, vineyard or stable and carry its weight in produce or feed while attracting the attention of passersby. It is a sound value at this price.
Lot # 420 1908 Benz Prinz-Heinrich 75-105hp Raceabout; S/N Engine No. 5691; Engine # 5691; White,/Black leather; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,500,000; Competition restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,700,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,870,000 RHD. 7,272/105hp overhead valve 4-cylinder with four 45-degree inclined valves per cylinder, side-mounted camshafts, pushrods and rocker arms. H-pattern 4-speed, shaft drive, cylindrical oil and fuel tank, dual rear spares, Firestone 34×4 1/2 tires, demountable rims, wood spoke artillery wheels. – Acquired by Lindley Bothwell from Eddie Maier of the Maier Brewing Company in Los Angeles, a longtime Barney Oldfield sponsor, it had been owned and used by Oldfield for Firestone promotions as well as in the Mack Sennett Keystone Kops short ‘Race for a Life’. Its original road equipped body was taken off and stored on the Bothwell Ranch in favor of a simple two-seat runabout, but the original body was consumed in the ranch fire in 1949 and this reproduction was built in 2006 when the car was invited to the Goodwood Revival. Its current condition reflects the 2005-6 restoration with sound cosmetics and lightly used engine and chassis. – The appeal of this Benz would be significantly enhanced with the addition of lighting, fenders, road equipment and luggage rack as it was used by the ‘Speed King of the World’ and photographed in many period pictures. Its engine designed by Hans Nibel and Georg Diehl is technically and historically significant, a predecessor to ‘The Charlatans’ dohc Peugeot. This result isn’t a bargain, but the Benz needs little to be a real standout on tours and a potential winner at historic races. It might even rescue the ‘damsel in distress’ tied to the railroad tracks as Barney Oldfield and Mack Sennett did a hundred years ago.
Lot # 421 1912 Austro-Daimler Touring Victoria; S/N Engine No. 230; Engine # 230; Burgundy,/Black leather; Black leatherette cape top; Estimate $120,000 – $140,000; Unrestored original, 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $176,000 CAV electric headlights, E&J kerosene sidelights, kerosene taillight, 727 cubic inch/52.9 ALAM hp Wisconsin T-head four cylinder engine, Austro Daimler gearbox, dual right side spare mounts. – Apparently one of few British-built ‘Austrian Daimler’ cars based upon its radiator badge. Superficial old preservation quality repaint. Tattered front seat leather, much better rear compartment. Impressively solid body with doors that close crisply. Dirty engine and chassis, dull brass. Used in the 1992 movie Chaplin and in Titanic. Needs restoration. – This Austrian Daimler (according to its radiator badge) with its cape top is deal for touring a garden on a bright British summer’s day. It is remarkably sound and its old Wisconsin T-head four will give it plenty of performance, even for its size and weight. Its condition is better than many of the Bothwell car, but hardly ready for showing, an elegant and rare high horsepower conveyance that personifies style and distinction, bought at a realistic price for its stature and Bothwell provenance.
Lot # 422 1907 Mitchell Model F Touring; S/N Engine No. 1550; Engine # 1550; Maroon,/Black leather; Black vinyl top; Estimate $35,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500 RHD. 318cid four with overhead exhaust valves,
Solar self-generating headlights, Solar kerosene sidelights, 3-speed sequential gearbox, varnished wood spoke wheels. – Dirty, tired, cracked, chipped old restoration. Sound and largely complete but needs to be done over. Surprisingly original and sound, a solid and rare restoration project. – This is an intriguing old ride with L-head intake, overhead exhaust and exposed valve gear, commodious coachwork and surprising originality despite its old restoration. An early California registration tag indicates it’s always been in this dry and benign climate, an inference also drawn from its solid condition. Generous, but not irrational.
Lot # 423 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon; S/N 899A2051506; Pheasant Red, Black composite roof/Saddle vinyl; Estimate $30,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $50,600 3-speed, radio, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, 2-row seating, no heater, enclosed rear spare, fog lights. – Sound older paint, interior and chrome. Stainless trim has a few small nearly buffed out dents. The wood is varnished over old shrinkage cracks, joints have some water stains and the varnish on the left front door panel is peeling. The underbody has been restored but long ago. Far from pristine but good enough to drive before redoing the restoration. – Not messed up, just kept in good condition and suffering only from a few years’ static storage, this ’48 Ford woodie is a solid value, as solid as the car and its wood is.
Lot # 424 2005 Cadillac DeVille 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1G6KD64Y45U122342; Engine #; Estimate $5,000 – $7,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $5,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $5,500. Ann Bothwell’s daily driver.
Lot # 425 1913 Ford Model T C-Cab Delivery; S/N; Engine #; Estimate $8,000 – $12,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $9,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $10,450.
Lot # 426 1914 Packard 1-38 Dominant Six Runabout; S/N 39054; Engine # 39188; White,/Red leather; Beige top; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $143,000 415/65hp six, 3-speed, Warner speedometer, Solar kerosene taillights, kerosene sidelights, McKee electric headlights, steering column mounted Bosch ‘control center’, mother-in-law seat, beveled glass oval quarter windows, varnished wood spoke wheels. – Short 115 1/2 inch wheelbase. In the Bothwell collection since the 1940’s. Superficial old preservation paint. Cracked and torn old upholstery. Sound but aged old paint. Dull brass. Scurrilous old undercarriage with peeling old exterior paint. A sound and complete Packard, but a restoration project. – With the top up this is a funky early car, almost a caricature. With the top down it is sleek and sporting. Have it both ways with your sweetie by your side (and her mother in the back), it has style and sporting appeal and is a car that would be ideal to refresh mechanically and drive. It won’t impress a Pebble Beach judge, but the rest of the world will think it’s sweet.
Lot # 427 1908 Mercedes-Simplex 45hp Raceabout, Body by J.M. Quinby; S/N Engine No. 9367; Engine # 9367; Yellow,/Black leather; Estimate $900,000 – $1,200,000; Competition restoration, 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $975,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,072,500 RHD. 576cid T-Head four, Zenith carburetor, reverse pattern 4-speed, right foot throttle outside the body with no heel rest, rear wheel brakes, double chain drive, G. Zimmermann, Stuttgart acetylene headlights, 36×4 1/2 Firestone tires, demountable rim wood spoke artillery wheels, cycle style fenders. – Sound fairly recent paint with some fisheyes, unevenly masked black accents, tired but largely sound old upholstery, newer driver’s seat cushion. Dull old aluminum. Engine painted old flat black. Daimler Mercedes Unterturkheim wheel nuts. Mercedes Simplex engine tag #9367, N. No. 708, M No. 41. Grungy but maintained engine and chassis. Driven by Jesus Sanchez in the 1951 Lindley Bothwell’s ‘First Annual Avalon to Isthmus Road Race’ on Santa Catalina island’s dirt roads. Fired up and demonstrated on the Bothwell Ranch’s roads leading up to the auction. – Described by Bothwell as a 65hp, examination on-site showed the bore to be that of the original 45hp engine. The bodywork is later, but that’s of no account given this Mercedes-Simplex’s history with Lindley Bothwell. A legendary automobile with an attached legendary ownership and history with Lindley Bothwell. It’s worth what the Bothwell Ranch bidders determined and the new owner should not be disappointed at paying this much.
Lot # 428 1921 Ford Model T Runabout; S/N Engine No. 4907449; Engine # 4907449; Yellow, Black frame/Black leather; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Modified for competition during restoration 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,700 Frontenac ohv head, Winfield carburetor, Ruckstell 2-speed rear axle, bucket seats. – Sound but crude paint, sound upholstery. Not running. – History has it that Lindley Bothwell sometimes vanquished all of his more prestigious racing and semi-racing cars with this Frontenac-head Model T ‘Stinger’, an apocryphal history that may very well be true given its light weight and the power of the modified engine. The combination of performance and Lindley Bothwell provenance makes this a major value even a little over the high estimate.
Lot # 429 1931 Ford Model A Roadster; S/N CA499299; Engine # A3625789; Cream, Beige fenders/Tan vinyl; Beige cloth top; Estimate $5,000 – $10,000; Older restoration, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $16,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $17,600 Rumble seat, quail radiator mascot, body color wire wheels, whitewalls, dual sidemounts. – Chipped, cracked old paint, dull chrome, cracked and torn interior. Orderly, older restored but very aged undercarriage, undercoated fenders. A re-restoration project but all there. – This price is generous for the equipment and condition but not so much for its Bothwell collection provenance.
Lot # 430 1926 Chandler Six Indy Car; S/N; Yellow, Black frame/Tan; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500 346 cid Chandler six, three Winfield barrel throttle carbs, Eddie Miller exhaust header, four wheel brakes, friction shocks, tape-wrapped steering wheel. – Crude, scratched paint, dry rotted tires. Runs, and sounds marvelous. No history. – Fired up several times, this Chandler exudes period performance. The sound of its triple carbureted six more than makes up for its aged condition. Let loose on the freeway it would scatter traffic like a snowplow, it’s that cool.
Lot # 431 1920 Hudson Super Six 2-seat Race Car; S/N Engine No. 94807; Engine # 94807; Light Yellow, ‘Gilmore’/Red vinyl; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $82,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $90,200 289 side valve six, 3-speed, Black wire wheels, rear wheel brakes, friction shocks, single Stromberg carb, header exhaust – Rusty, dull, chipped old paint. Bought from 20th Century Fox studios in 1961. Cameo appearance in ‘Seabiscuit’. Needs attention but not restoration. – This Hudson looks every bit the race car and should perform like it looks despite the single carburetor. It’s style caught the Bothwell Ranch bidders’ attention and brought a superior price.
Lot # 432 1912 Buick Model 43 2-seat Race Car; S/N Engine No. 1299; Engine # 1299; Red, Black running gear/Black vinyl; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Modified for competition during restoration 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $82,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $90,200 RHD. 315cid OHV Four with exposed valve gear, Zenith updraft carb, 3-speed, rear mounted spares, stub exhausts. – An old racecar conversion with layers of paint on the simple bodywork, chassis and engine. A long term Bothwell car frequently used in years gone by in exhibitions and events. Featured in the movie Seabiscuit and raced at Pebble Beach in 1950. – Wow. This is a generous result for a cobbled up old Buick race car, but it has an abundance of provenance with Lindley Bothwell, going back more than half a century and that is the only factor that could conceivably contribute to this price.
Lot # 433 1910 Pope-Hartford Model W 50hp 2-seat Race Car; S/N 8098; Engine # 8098; Green, Black running gear/Black vinyl; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Modified for competition during restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $240,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $264,000 RHD. Overhead valve dual ignition four,
Pope carburetor, dual rear spares, cylinder bolster tank. – Decent paint, sound upholstery, converted to this configuration years ago and enthusiastically driven by Lindley Bothwell and others including at the Pebble Beach road races and Bothwell’s invitational event on Santa Catalina island. Runs and drives with wonderful noises, demonstrated several times at the auction. – While this is a generous price for a modified road Pope-Hartford, it isn’t unprecedented for the marque, which is held in deserved high esteem. Its extensive Bothwell history contributes significantly to its value and even at this result is a sound value for the money.
Lot # 434 1905 Ford Model F Tonneau; S/N Engine No. F2686; Engine # F2686; Blue, Red Running Gear/Black vinyl; Estimate $25,000 – $35,000; Older restoration, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $40,700 RHD. 127/16hp opposed twin, 20th Century cowl-mounted spotlight, Gray & Davis kerosene spotlights and taillight. – Henry Ford’s final 2-cylinder model, 4-seat side entrance tonneau body. Originally delivered in California and probably there ever since. Sound but mediocre quality old restoration that can be used as is but really deserves to be done over. – A semi-historic Ford in complete but aged older restored condition that will display well at any horseless carriage event and help complete the timeline in a Ford collection. It brought a generous price for its aged condition, however.
Lot # 435 1923 Henderson Midget Race Car; S/N; Engine #; Estimate $15,000 – $25,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000.
Lot # 436 1910 Stearns Model 15/30 2-seat race car; S/N Engine No. 132; Engine # 132; Green,/Cream vinyl; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Modified for competition during restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $66,000 RHD. 294/32.4 ALAM hp four, 3-speed, FIAT style radiator shell. Running on a Stromberg carb but the lot includes an original Stearns carburetor – Tired but generally sound old paint, stained and faded upholstery. Grimy. Good older racecar bodywork with many professional quality details and fabrication, probably not a home-built. Another car with an identifiable role in Seabiscuit the movie. Runs, drives and demonstrated on-site. – It won’t take much to get this Stearns back into condition for tours and on track events, which is a good thing because it brought a generous price largely attributable to its Bothwell history.
Lot # 437 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50hp Open Drive Landaulette, Body by Muhlbacher; S/N 2169; Engine # 71C; Royal Blue,/Black leather, Beige cloth; Black leather top; Estimate $450,000 – $600,000; Older restoration, 4+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $350,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $385,000 RHD. Nickel trim, electric Bleriot bell headlights and kerosene style sidelights, pullup division and side windows, jump seats, single right side spare, bulb horn. – Rare coachwork from Muhlbacher et Fils in Paris. Delightful history from new into the Thirties and at one point allegedly owned by Tsar Nicholas II, an attribution refuted by Rolls-Royce records that put it firmly in the New World into the 1930s. Featured in the movie My Fair Lady. Old paint over older paint, dull brightwork, scarred wood. Aged rear compartment upholstery. Dirty chassis and engine. Recently used and possibly usable but really a restoration project with a colorful history (even without the Tsar.) – This is the only car that stalled on the block during the auction, necessitating a hurried consultation among the estate trustees before cutting it loose, a timely and appropriate decision to accept this realistic price.
Lot # 438 1914 Ford Model T Touring; S/N Engine No. 614017; Engine # 614017; Maroon,/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $8,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $9,350 Ford Model 66 E&J acetylene headlights, kerosene sidelights, E&J kerosene taillight, 2-speed axle, 1915 California license tag.
– Sound paint over old paint, stiff and worn but generally sound and probably original upholstery, floppy but complete old top. Dull brass. Grungy original engine and chassis. Sound and complete. A tired T, once a driver but now ready for a straightforward restoration. – It was possible to get Model T ennui at the Bothwell sale, there were so many of them. This is a sound, practical example bought for a realistic price that reflects its configuration and condition.
Lot # 439 1912 Ford Model T Roadster; S/N Engine No. 122153; Engine # 122153; Black,/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $8,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $8,800 Red wire wheels, left side spare, electric headlights, kerosene sidelights and taillight, belt driven water pump, two-speed axle. – 1915 roadster style body. Dull, shrinking old paint, dull brass, tattered horsehair stuffed upholstery, sound but very old top. Grimy engine and chassis. A sound and largely complete basis for a straightforward restoration. – While this is a reasonable price for a brass radiator Model T Roadster it carries with it the Bothwell provenance and that may well convey more value than its modest price indicates.
Lot # 440 1917 Smith Flyer Buckboard; S/N; Engine #; Estimate $8,000 – $12,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $8,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $8,800.
Lot # 441 1906 REO Model B 8hp Runabout; S/N 5073; Engine # 4564; Maroon, Black hood and fenders/Red vinyl; No top; Estimate $20,000 – $25,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $16,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $17,600 RHD. Varnished wood spoke wheels, kerosene headlights, wheel steering, rear seat, no taillight. – Cracked wood and paint, dull brass, stiff and faded upholstery, grungy engine, drivetrain and chassis. Sound and complete, a realistic and reasonably simple restoration project. – The big cars were gone by now but the crowd remained in Bonhams marquee even if their bidding enthusiasm had waned so that a steady bidder (who took at least 15 of the cars back to his Oregon collection) was able to add it to his collection.
Lot # 442 1911 Sears Model P 4-passenger Highwheeler; S/N Engine No. 3936; Engine # 3936; Black,/Black; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $9,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $9,900 Tiller steering, red wood wheels shod with steel, kerosene headlights, fixed surrey top, double chain drive. – Rusty, dry old drivetrain, cracked and chipped old paint, stiff upholstery. Appears to be all here, but aged, neglected and in need of everything. – Highwheelers were not the weekend’s favorites at the Bothwell Ranch. Interest was heavily weighted to the race cars. That showed in this result, a particularly good value in a steel-shod (an option) Sears.
Lot # 443 1911 Maxwell Model AB 14hp Runabout; S/N Engine No. AB14058; Engine # AB14058; Black,/Tan vinyl; Black leatherette top; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Unrestored original, 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $24,200 RHD. 101/12.8 ALAM hp twin, 2-speed, Maxwell No. 27 headlights, Sunrise kerosene sidelights, wheel steering, unmarked kerosene taillight. – Chipped and dull ancient paint, dull brass, discolored upholstery, stiff old top, grungy chassis and running gear. Largely complete but a restoration project. In the Bothwell collection since 1943. – What was Jack Benny’s car? It was a Maxwell, and if you’re old enough to remember Jack Benny the name Maxwell is firmly implanted in the depths of your synapses. That may have had some effect here among the television and movie cars of the Bothwell collection but even at that this isn’t unreasonable for this sound if aged 2-cylinder example.
Lot # 444 1905 Holsman 10hp Highwheeler; S/N Engine No. 1596M; Engine # 1596M; Black, Black leather fenders/Red leather; Estimate $35,000 – $50,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $16,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $17,600 RHD. Tiller steering, red wood spoke wheels, Solar kerosene spotlight and headlights, Atwood acetylene generator, cloth covered chain drive. – Cracked, chipped and peeling old paint. Stiff, cracked old upholstery with pulled seams on the front seat cushion. Flat spotted solid rubber tires. Dirty engine and driveline. A relic that deserves restoration. – Highwheelers, of which Holsman, Sears and International are best known, were practical conveyances in the early days of the last century when their traditional carriage appearance, solid tires and high ground clearance were familiar in the vast middle of America and practical on the deeply rutted tracks that passed for roads. A sound and easily restored Holsman, this is a sound value in a marque that has enjoyed recent appeal.
Lot # 445 1901 Crestmobile Model B 3 1/2hp Runabout; S/N Engine No. 129; Engine # 129; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $39,600.
Lot # 446 1913 AC Delivery; S/N Engine No. 1519; Engine # 1519; Estimate $15,000 – $25,000; Not evaluated; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,700.
Lot # 447 1906 Autocar Type 10 Runabout; S/N 7445; Engine # 7450; Blue, Grey coachline, Red accent/Red leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Older restoration, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $44,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $48,400 RHD. 12 ALAM hp 2-cylinder engine, 3-speed sliding gear transmission, Sterling Model 53 headlights, Rushmore cowl-mounted spotlight, Solar kerosene sidelights, Westchester No. 2 taillight, Black wood spoke wheels. – Believed to have been bought by Lindley Bothwell in 1928. Sound but cracked and chipped old paint, stiff but largely sound upholstery but for a large tear on the right seatback. Dented left sidelight. Surprisingly good and supple top. This is an Autocar that could be used as is but is probably ready for restoration. – This is a sweet little old Autocar that has been loved and cared for over eight decades in the Bothwell collection. Never neglected but treated only to what it needed without ever being fully restored it exudes the care and attention Lindley Bothwell and his family gave their cars and is fittingly the last car in the sale, a bookmark to the Bothwell family’s legacy to car collectors. It brought a superior price, but one fully deserved by its condition and preservation.
Lot # 448 1929 Ford Model A Coupe 5-window; S/N Engine No. A13887431; Engine # A13887431; Cream, Beige fenders/Brown cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 4- condition; Withdrawn – Rumble seat, rear-mounted spare, body color wire wheels, blackwall tires. – Quick, poorly masked old repaint, tired old upholstery. Cosmetically redone years ago and untouched for years. Better than a parts car, but not by much. – Withdrawn.
On Saturday while writing up the Sears Highwheeler I spied a Bothwell Ranch lemon on the ground. It was bright yellow and succulent. Into a pocket of my vest it went, coming out later in the evening at the hotel’s bar where it garnished a Bombay Sapphire Martini cocktail in a small toast to Lindley and Ann Bothwell, their family, the collection and Bonhams presentation.
Slaintha, Lindley and Ann Bothwell.
Marvelous report. You are a living automotive treasure.
Great report as always, and I love the martini tribute.
Keep up the good work, really enjoy your reports.
RIck-
What a great report. The auction was surely one of the most monumental and historic events to take place in 2017. You really captured the spirit and importance of the event. It really was a “who’s who” of the collector car community. I saw many faces there that I have not seen in years. I was able to buy the Pope for a good customer and got to visit with a lot of old friends-including you! It was a pleasure being there and I enjoyed our visit.
So interesting to see two cars I have 35mm slides of racing back in 1961 at Riverside Raceway. Both the Hudson #24 Super Six and #28 Chandler in the same race. Love to know if the new owners would want to see these photos. Great info and beautiful machines.
Dan,
I’m not privy to buyers’ identities in most cases and suggest you call one of the West Coast Bonhams people, probably Gordan Mandich, Sr. Administrator, at 415 391 4000, to see if they’ll pass on the message.
Rick
Thanks Rick