Overwhelming interest in the Wallace “Wally” Lewis Collection saw approximately 2,000 people attend the preview and hundreds register to bid, not just locally but from around the world.
Saturday’s sale in Portland, Oregon, of nearly 100 automobiles featuring primarily 1950s and ‘60s sports, touring and muscle cars, was 100% sold as teenage dreams and memories were fulfilled 30 or 40 years after they had first pulled at the heartstrings of many of the buyers. Strong bidding inside the packed salesroom and on the telephone lines resulted in cheers ringing out when the beautiful and fast 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Fuel Injected Roadster made $99,450, while the highly-collectible 290hp/283 Rachester Ram-Jet ‘Fuelie’-powered 1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible went for $80,500 after spirited bidding.
Other highlights included the 37-factory options from new 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible selling to a US collector for $76,050, and the 1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible with a 348 Tri-Power Motor in concours condition making $70,200.
Of the many Chevy Corvettes on offer, a 1959 Corvette Roadster sold for $65,520, while the rest of the stable of American muscle sold for very respectable –and mostly above estimate – sums.
Bonhams CEO and auctioneer Malcolm Barber said he witnessed many new buyers entering the market driven by nostalgia and attracted by the overall exceptional condition of the Lewis collection. This is now Bonhams fifth collectors’ motorcar auction in the Pacific Northwest in very recent years.
Next up for Bonhams is their world-renowned sale of exceptional competition and collectors’ cars in Carmel, California, in August. Known for its exquisite offering, the annual summer auction at Quail Lodge – a veritable institution during the Pebble Beach Car Week – has already assembled a world-class line-up and entries are filling up fast! To consign a unique car to this two-day sale, please visit http://www.bonhams.com/quail.

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