Bonhams’s ninth annual Aston Martin sale at the Works Service facility in Newport Pagnell on Saturday, May 17, was the best ever, realizing a record $8.8m—double last year’s total. Crowds packed into the saleroom to witness an unprecedented 97% of all lots sell with many new world auction records achieved for rare and sought after models. Collectors and enthusiasts traveled from around the world to attend the sale, and bids were taken from as far a field as Japan, Australia, the U.S, and many European countries including Latvia.
James Knight, International Head of Bonhams’s motor car department and auctioneer on the day, expertly juggled the extraordinary level of interest, managing multiple bidding in the room and on the telephone alongside absentee bids left prior to the sale.
Star of the auction was the 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Coupe which sold for $2,115,820—a new world auction record for the model. One of only 75 built, the DB4 GT is arguably the most sought after of the David Brown Aston Martin road cars, and this example was in remarkably original condition with only 18,300 miles recorded.
With competitive bidding on so many of the lots, many other records were broken and highlights included:
*1968 Aston Martin DB6 Mk 1 Volante sold for $606,620 (estimate $311,576 – $350,523)
*1976 Lagonda V8 Series 1 Four-Door Saloon sold for new world auction record – $498,820 (estimate $272,629 – $350,523)
*1964 Aston Martin DB5 Saloon sold for $391,020 (estimate $272,629 – $311,576)
*1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk II Drophead Coupe sold for $358,680 (estimate $155,788 – $194,735)
*The ex-Richard Attwood barn-find 1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkII Saloon attracted enormous interest and after a lengthy bidding battle sold for $175,420 (estimate $23,368 – $29,210)
James Knight said: “The phenomenal results achieved on Saturday by Bonhams confirm the enduring appeal of Aston Martin. This annual event has created quite a following among enthusiasts and collectors, and we are now looking forward to celebrating the 10th anniversary sale in 2009.”