Profiles
- Race - 1955 Moretti 750 Gran Sport Barchetta
- Next Gen - 2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO
- German - 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300CE AMG 3.4
- Ferrari - 1984 Ferrari 208 GTS Turbo
- Etceterini - 1931 Bugatti Type 55 Supersport
- English - 1931 Invicta 4½-Litre S-Type Low-Chassis Sports “Scout”
- American - 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Convertible
Auctions
Republic Auctions, Dallas, TX, November 22–23, 2019
Worldwide, Riyadh, SAU, November 23, 2019
Bonhams, MPH Bicester, U.K., November 26, 2019
Bonhams, London, U.K., December 7, 2019
Mecum Auctions, Kissimmee, FL, January 1–12, 2020
RM Sotheby’s, Paris, FRA, February 5, 2020
Bonhams, Paris, FRA, February 6, 2020
Artcurial, Paris, FRA, February 7, 2020
Search This Issue
Page 12
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Sports Car Market
PROFILES
Keith Martin’s
The Insider’s Guide to Collecting, Investing, Values, and Trends
May 2020 . Volume 32 . Number 5
This Month’s Market Movers Up Close
FERRARI
by Steve Ahlgrim
ENGLISH
by Paul Hardiman
ETCETERINI
by Donald Osborne
1984 Ferrari 208 GTS Turbo
$69,298 / Artcurial
1931 Invicta 4½-Litre S-Type
Low-Chassis Sports “Scout”
$1,771,483 / Bonhams
1931 Bugatti Type 55 Supersport
$5,061,380 / Bonhams
62
64
66
AUCTIONS
What Sold, and Why
163 Vehicles Rated at Eight Sales
84
88
98
110
122
132
GERMAN
by Pierre Hedary
AMERICAN
by B. Mitchell Carlson
RACE
14
by Thor Thorson
NEXT GEN
by Nick Jaynes
1991 Mercedes-Benz 300CE AMG 3.4
$124,229 / RM Sotheby’s
1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435
Convertible
$246,400 / Gooding & Company
1955 Moretti 750 Gran Sport Barchetta
$177,470 / RM Sotheby’s
2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO
$154,322 / RM Sotheby’s
68
70
72
74
Cover: A Mercedes Benz 300SL spreads its
gullwings at RM Sotheby’s Rétromobile auction
in Paris, France • Photo by Chester Allen
Sports Car Market
MARKET OVERVIEW
Overall Paris sales were down
by 31%, mostly due to a lack
of star power — Chad Tyson
MECUM
Kissimmee, FL: Best-ever
$94.7m result on 2,015 of 2,946
cars sold in Central Florida
— John Hoshstrasser
ARTCURIAL
Paris, FRA: $24.5m from 117
of 165 lots selling at the official
Rétromobile auction
— Pierre Hedary
BONHAMS
Paris, FRA: With 101 cars
offered, Bonhams sold 65
of them for $22.3m
— Leo Van Hoorick
RM SOTHEBY’S
Paris, FRA: Of 78 cars on offer,
57 sold for a total of over
$18.2m on the first night of
Paris sales — Paul Hardiman
ROUNDUP
Highlights from Bonhams MPH
in Bicester, U.K.; Republic
Auctions in Dallas, TX;
Worldwide Auctioneers in
Riyadh, SAU; and Bonhams
in London, U.K.
acebook
and watch for updates and offers!
Page 14
56 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Classic
COLUMNS
22 Shifting Gears
It’s an automatic decision when the clutch leg is out of sorts
Keith Martin
42 Affordable Classic
The Jaguar XJ-S has its flaws, but it’s still a fast 1970s
thoroughbred
Paul Hardiman
44 Legal Files
If your broker won’t tell you all the details of a deal, walk away
and get another broker
John Draneas
46 Unconventional Wisdom
“Incredible India” is not just a marketing slogan
Donald Osborne
162 eWatch
David Hockney’s “The Splash” sells for blue-chip Ferrari money
Carl Bomstead
FEATURES
48 The SCM Interview: Ray Shaffer of Porsche Cars NA
— Chester Allen
50 Rétromobile 2020: Ten ways to love Paris — Chester Allen
54 Rétromobile 2020: Ken Gross Illuminates the City of Light
16
56 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Classic: Exploring the desert
Southwest in German comfort — Carl Bomstead
DEPARTMENTS
28 Crossing the Block
30 Concours and Events: Greenwich Concours celebrates
25 years, New England 1000, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering
adds cars, a quarter-century of Keels & Wheels
32 Contributors: Get to know SCM staffers and writers
34 You Write, We Read: Ford GTs and color, Miles’ mana,
staying on the road, MG anorak update
36 Display Advertisers Index
38 Neat Stuff: A case for your phone, a trailer for your Porsche
38 Speaking Volumes: Faster: How a Jewish Driver, an
American Heiress, and a Legendary Car Beat Hitler’s Best
76 Next Gen Market Moment: 1978 Volkswagen Combi
Type 2 Campmobile
78 Rising Sun: 1976 Nissan Skyline 2000 GTX, 1991 Nissan Figaro,
1975 Honda Civic CVCC hatchback
86 Buy/Sell/Hold: Pierre Hedary’s picks for spring 2020
94 Market Moment: 1974 AMC Gremlin X
114 On the Radar: 1995 Ruf CTR2, 1995 BMW Alpina B12 5.7 (E38),
1995 Audi Ur-S6 Plus
146 Mystery Photo: “But Keith, you promised no more, and now
you’ve drug home two basket cases”
148 Showcase Gallery: Cars for sale
154 Resource Directory: Meet your car’s needs
Sports Car Market
William Brewster, willbrewster.com
Page 20
Shifting Gears Keith Martin
Changing Times at the SCM
Garage
The SCM Collection is getting new blood — in the form of vintage cars
with automatic transmissions
The addition of an automatic 1971 Jaguar S3 V12 E-type marks a dramatic shift in the contents of the SCM garage
T
he SCM Collection will get a slightly different look over the next
year. It will change as a result of my physical challenges — and
because the world of collecting is evolving in new, exciting directions.
I have tried for the past 14 months to operate the manual 5-speed
transmissions in my Alfas. I have installed smaller steering wheels for
more leg clearance. I have explored adding a dead pedal to the left of
the clutch pedal, so I could slide my foot onto the clutch instead of
having to pick it up from the floorboard.
I have made progress — but not enough. At this time, I cannot oper-
ate a clutch in a safe and efficient manner. Consequently, I have not
been able to drive my vintage cars.
For someone who has spent 50 years enjoying slick-shifting Alfa
Romeo 5-speeds, it’s been quite frustrating.
This is when I have to get real with myself. It’s not unlikely that
10 years from now, when I am nearly 80, there will be other obstacles
to my driving a stick. In a sense, my stroke simply fast-forwarded my
aging process when it came to driving a manual.
I also am mindful every day that I have been gifted a second chance
at life after my stroke. If my new life doesn’t include driving a manual,
well, there are worse disabilities.
We are all approaching a moment of reckoning with our collections
and our driving. At some point we will have fewer cars. From 150 to 50
to 25 to five, our collections will shrink to the cars we can physically
drive and that we enjoy the most.
There’s a simple solution to my driving dilemma. I’m buying vin-
tage automatics and enjoying them. The 1965 Volvo 122S with the
BorgWarner 3-speed has been a perfect car for me and my son Bradley
on our day trips.
Right now, my agenda for the 122 is a 1,000-mile road trip with
Bradley over spring break, watching the massive bird migration at eastern
Oregon’s Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and sharing soft drinks
22
in the Bucket of Blood Saloon in Virginia City, NV.
Being in a classic will make this a memorable trip for both of us.
In the same two-pedal vein, a 1971 Jaguar S3 V12 E-type is coming
to us from Georgia. It’s a true 22k-mile car, purchased by the 96-yearold
owner when he was 80. Due to a hip replacement, he could no
longer drive a stick.
This will be the perfect ride for this year’s British-themed SCM
1000. I look forward to being back on the road with no matter how
many — or how few — pedals I have.
If you are having trouble shifting or steering (there’s a reason
power-steering kits are becoming ever more popular for vintage cars),
be prepared to let a car go and replace it with something you can operate.
Enjoy your cars while you can, and say goodbye when your time
with them is done.
Enter the Japanese
There is growing interest in vintage cars from Japan. Many of them
are also offered with automatics. Brian Baker, whose column “Rising
Sun” appears in SCM each month (you can find this month’s edition on
p. 80), has offered to curate our entry into this world.
His first suggestions were a Mazda Miata, a Datsun 510, a Datsun
240Z, and eventually an Acura NSX. In a sense, the first three are the
Bugeye Sprites and Triumph TR6s for Millennials. They are perfect
first sports cars for a new generation of enthusiasts.
Brian felt they would be easy to live with and affordably priced
when equipped with an automatic. They will open the door to the
Japanese-car experience.
I’ll be trading drum brakes for discs, carburetors for fuel injection
and lap belts for airbags. I will expect consistent reliability instead of
impending chaos. We’re in no hurry; over the next few months, Brian
will be on the lookout for the right car, at the right price, to put in our
garage. ♦
Sports Car Market
Courtesy of Mark Campbell
Page 26
Crossing the Block Chad Tyson Images courtesy of the respective auction companies unless otherwise noted
RM Sotheby’s
Where: Elkhart, IN
When: May 1–2
Web: www.rmsothebys.com
Featured cars:
• 1952 Ferrari 225 S coupe
• 1966 Amphicar 770
• 1924 Bentley 3-4½ Litre tourer
SG Auction
Where: Winona, MN
When: May 1–2
Web: www.sgauction.net
Featured cars:
• 1912 Cadillac Model 30 tourer
• 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door hard top
• 1970 Plymouth Superbird
Vicari
Where: Nocona, TX
When: May 1–2
Web: www.vicariauction.com
Artcurial
Where: Gibel, FRA
When: May 2
Web: www.artcurial.com
Featured cars:
• 1962 Rolls-Royce Phantom V James
Young limousine
• 1960 Facel Vega HK500
• 1967 Lamborghini 400GT
Silverstone
Where: Donington Park, U.K.
When: May 2–3
Web: www.silverstoneauctions.com
Bonhams
Where: Monte Carlo, MCO
When: May 8
Web: www.bonhams.com
Last time (2018): 41/53 cars sold / $17.1m
Featured cars:
• 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS
• 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GTS “Narrow
Body”
• 2005 Ferrari 612 Shooting Brake
RM Auctions
Where: Auburn, IN
When: May 8–9
Web: www.rmsothebys.com
Last year: 185/281 cars sold / $4,689,515
Featured cars:
• 1953 Buick Skylark convertible
• 1961 Epperly racer
• 1956 Kurtis Kraft 500E racer
RM Sotheby’s
Where: Monte Carlo, MCO
When: May 9
Web: www.rmsothebys.com
Last time (2018): 58/86 cars sold / $27.3m
Featured cars:
• 2001 Ferrari 550 GTS Prodrive racer
• Star Car: 1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3
• 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB
28
Star Car: 1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3 at RM Sotheby’s in Monte Carlo, MCO
Mecum
Where: Indianapolis, IN
When: May 12–17
Web: www.mecum.com
Last year: 1,127/1,724 cars sold / $63.1m
Featured cars:
• 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 roadster
• 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda convertible
• 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435
convertible
Bonhams
Where: Surrey, U.K.
When: May 17
Web: www.bonhams.com
Last year: 14/33 cars sold / $3.9m
Featured cars:
• 2011 Aston Martin One-77 Q-series
coupe
• 1964 Aston Martin DB4 Series V
Vantage convertible
• 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Pack
Volante
Brightwells
Where: Leominster, U.K.
When: May 20–21
Web: www.brightwells.com
Bonhams MPH
Where: Bicester, U.K.
When: May 30
Web: mph.bonhams.com
VanDerBrink
Where: Independence, MN
When: May 30
Web: www.vanderbrinkauctions.com
Lucky Collector Car
Where: Tacoma, WA
When: May 30–31
Web: www.luckyoldcar.com
Bonhams
Where: Greenwich, CT
When: May 31
Web: www.bonhams.com
Last year: 71/99 cars sold / $4.4m ♦
Auction Calendar
All dates listed are current at time of publication. Contact
information for most auction companies may be found
in the Resource Directory at the back of this issue. Please
confirm dates and locations before attending any event.
Email auction info to: chad.tyson@sportscarmarket.
com.
MAY
1–2—RM SOTHEBY’S
Elkhart, IN
1–2—SG AUCTION
Winona, MN
1–2—VICARI
Nocona, TX
1–3—EG AUCTIONS
Lethbridge, AB, CAN
2—ARTCURIAL
Gibel, FRA
2–3—SILVERSTONE
Donington Park, U.K.
8—BONHAMS
Monte Carlo, MCO
8—J. WOOD &
COMPANY
Nashua, NH
8–9—RM AUCTIONS
Auburn, IN
9—RM SOTHEBY’S
Monte Carlo, MCO
Sports Car Market
11—SHANNONS
Melbourne, AUS
12–17—MECUM
Indianapolis, IN
17—BONHAMS
Surrey, U.K.
20–21—BRIGHTWELLS
Leominster, U.K.
22–24—CCP AUCTIONS
Mississauga, ON, CAN
25—SHANNONS
Sydney, AUS
30—BONHAMS MPH
Bicester, U.K.
30—VANDERBRINK
Independence, MN
30–31—LUCKY
Tacoma, WA
31—BONHAMS
Greenwich, CT
Page 28
Concours and Events SCM Staff Send news and event listings to insideline@sportscarmarket.com
The Best of Road and Water Transport
This is the 25th year of Keels & Wheels — the celebration of beautiful cars and gleaming wooden boats
at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, TX. This year’s concours is set for May 2–3, and the stars are
Pre-War Packards, 1953–72 Corvettes, 1948–73 Porsches, Vintage Motorcycles, Century Boats and Yellow
Jacket Boats. Publisher Martin will host a seminar on collecting. More than 14,000 people are expected at
one of the most popular events on the collector car — and collector boat — calendars. www.keels-wheels.
com (TX)
The Quail Motorcycle Gathering
— and Cars!
World-class motorcycles — from all over the
globe — take over the manicured fairways of the
Quail Lodge & Golf Club on May 16. The Quail
Motorcycle Gathering will celebrate its 12th year
in 2020, and the event always brings 3,000 motorcycle
lovers and 300 bikes together in Carmel,
CA. This is one of the best motorcycle events of
the year.
This year’s Gathering celebrates the 50th
Anniversary of the Harley-Davidson XR750, the
50th Anniversary of the MV Agusta 750S, the
50th Anniversary of the BMW/5, as well as Hot
Rod and Classic Cars. The day includes a delicious
gourmet lunch. Admission is $90 if you buy ahead
of time. www.peninsula.com/en/signature-events/
ticketing (CA)
Bring Your Passports, Mes Amis…
The 28th Annual New England 1000 rally will
roll from Vermont over the border into Quebec and
then back to Vermont. The rally rumbles to life on
May 17, and the wheels keep turning through May
22.
Starting at the Lodge of Spruce Peak near
Mount Mansfield, VT, the tour will cross the
Canadian border and visit Chateau Frontenac
above the St. Lawrence River. Other high points
include Saguenay Fjord and Mont-Tremblant
National Park.
1995-or-earlier sports, racing or GT cars are
invited to participate. There is also a class for exotics.
Registration information can be found at
www.vintagerallies.com (NY)
30
Greenwich Concours
Celebrates 25 Years
The 25th anniversary of
the Greenwich Concours
d’Elegance will bring back
cars from the first Greenwich
Concours — along with Shelby
(Ford) vs. GM, 100 Years of
Duesenberg, Lancia, 70 Years of
Allard, Vintage SUV/AWD and
Right Coast Rods — from May
29 to 31.
As usual, the weekend is
actually two concours. Saturday
will be the Concours de Sport,
and Sunday is the Concours
d’Elegance.
Don’t miss the Concours
Waterfront Party on Saturday
evening.
General admission is $40 for
one day or $60 for both days.
Visit www.greenwichconcours.
com for more information. (CT)
MAY CALENDAR
1–3 Greenbrier
Concours d’Elegance,
White Sulphur Springs, WV;
www.greenbrierconcours.
com
15–17 Carlisle Import &
Performance Nationals,
Carlisle, PA; www.carlisleevents.com
22–24 Sandhills Motoring
Festival, Pinehurst, NC;
www.sandhillsmotoringfestival.com
Sports Car Market
Taylor-Constantine
Carl Bomstead
The Quail
Bill Rothermel
Page 30
Sports Car Market
EDITORIAL
Publisher Keith Martin
keith.martin@sportscarmarket.com; 503.261.0555 x 210
Associate Publisher Erin Olson
erin.olson@sportscarmarket.com; 877.219.2605 x 218
Executive Editor Chester Allen
chester.allen@sportscarmarket.com; 503.261.0555 x 203
Art Director David Tomaro
david.tomaro@sportscarmarket.com; 503.261.0555 x 202
Managing Editor Jim Pickering
jim.pickering@sportscarmarket.com; 503.261.0555 x 208
Digital Media / Art Director Jeff Stites
jeff.stites@sportscarmarket.com; 503.261.0555 x 221
Auction Editor Chad Tyson
chad.tyson@sportscarmarket.com; 503.261.0555 x 207
Associate Editor Chad Taylor
chad.taylor@sportscarmarket.com; 503.261.0555 x 206
Editor at Large Donald Osborne
Copy Editors Yael Abel, Dave Tomaro
Senior Auction Analysts B. Mitchell Carlson, Carl Bomstead,
Paul Hardiman (Europe)
Auction Analysts Daniel Grunwald, Michael Leven, Cody Tayloe,
Kevin Coakley, Adam Blumenthal, Joe Seminetta, Leo Van Hoorick,
Jeremy Da Rosa, Pierre Hedary, Andy Staugaard, Mark Moskowitz,
Gary West, Jon Georgiadis, Bill Cash, Pat Campion, John Boyle, John
Hoshstrasser, Jeff Trepel, Larry Trepel, Daren Kloes, Brett Hatfield
Contributing Editors Steve Ahlgrim (Ferrari), Gary Anderson (English),
John Draneas (Legal), Prescott Kelly (Porsche), Thor Thorson (Race Cars)
Contributors Diane Brandon, Marshall Buck, Dale Novak, Miles Collier,
Martin Emmison, Jay Harden, Paul Hardiman, Alex Hofberg, Ed Milich,
Stephen Serio, John L. Stein, Bill Rothermel, Simon Kidston, Reid Trummel,
Elana Scherr, Alexandra Martin-Banzer
CORRESPONDENCE
Email service@sportscarmarket.com
Customer Support www.sportscarmarket.com/helpdesk
Fax 503.253.2234
Connect with SCM on
The information in Sports Car Market magazine is compiled from a variety of reliable sources. However, we disclaim and deny any responsibility or liability for the timeliness, use, interpretation, accuracy, and completeness of
the information presented. All material, data, formats and intellectual concepts in this issue © 2020 by Sports Car Market, Inc., Automotive Investor Media Group and Automotive Investor in this format and any other used by
Sports Car Market magazine. Copyright registered with the United States copyright office. Canada Post Publication Agreement #41578525
PRINTED IN USA
SCM Contributors
LEO VAN HOORICK,
SCM Contributor, is a
publisher, automotive
journalist and car
historian in Brussels,
Belgium. He is chief
editor of Historicar, a
magazine devoted
to Belgian automotive history, and is currently
working on a book about Belgian
racing driver and journalist Paul Frère.
Leo serves as a board member of the
Brussels-based Autoworld museum and
Circuit des Ardennes commemorative
rally, and is a judge at concours. Several
Lancia Aurelias are in his garage. Turn to
p. 110 for his Market Report on Bonhams’
Paris Auction.
B. MITCHELL CARLSON,
SCM Senior Auction
Analyst, wrote his first
auction report for Old
Cars Weekly in 1990
and has contributed
his colorful commentary
to Sports
Car Market since 1998. His work appears
regularly in Kelley Blue Book, as well as a
handful of marque-specific publications.
Carlson shuns what he calls “singlemarque
tunnel vision” and takes great
pride in his “vehicular diversity,” which
basically means Corvairs, Packard Eights,
BMW 2800s, and a Whizzer motorbike. He
attends about two dozen auctions a year.
Check out his American Profile on a 1967
Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 convertible
on p. 70.
CARL BOMSTEAD,
SCM Senior Auction
Analyst, spent his
lawn-mowing
money on a 1948
Plymouth when he
was 14, and since
then an unknown
number of unique cars have passed
through his garage. He’s partial to Full
Classics but can’t ignore an interesting
sports car, ’50s car or a hot rod. His vintage
automobilia collection includes
hundreds of porcelain signs, mascots,
license plates, oil cans and a dozen
or so display cases full of other related
memorabilia. He has judged at the
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
for the past 20 years. He has written
for Sports Car Market for decades. His
regular column, “eWatch,” is on p. 162.
Turn to p. 56 for his report on the 300SL
Tour.
32
General P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208
FedEx/DHL/UPS 401 NE 19th Ave., Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232
DIGITAL AND BUSINESS
Information Technology Brian Baker
brian.baker@sportscarmarket.com; 503.261.0555 x 215
SEO Consultant Michael Cottam
me@michaelcottam.com; 503.283.0177
Controller Cheryl Ann Cox
cheryl.cox@sportscarmarket.com; 503.261.0555 x 205
Strategic Planner Bill Woodard
Executive Producer, SCM Television Roger Williams
roger_williams@earthlink.net
ADVERTISING
Display Advertising Account Executives
Darren Frank
darren.frank@sportscarmarket.com; 877.219.2605 x 214
Cindy Meitle
cindy.meitle@sportscarmarket.com; 877.219.2605 x 213
Advertising Coordinator Jessi Kramer
jessi.kramer@sportscarmarket.com; 877.219.2605 x 216
Classified Advertising
classifieds@sportscarmarket.com; 503.261.0555 x 217
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE
Head of Subscriptions Susan L. Loeb
susan.loeb@sportscarmarket.com; 503.261.0555 x 217
To order new subscriptions or for questions about current subscriptions
877.219.2605, x 1; service@sportscarmarket.com, fax 503.253.2234
M–F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST
@SportsCarMarket
www.sportscarmarket.com
Page 32
You Write We Read
All letters are subject to editing. Please address correspondence to SCM, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208.
Fax 503.253.2234, e-mail: youwrite@sportscarmarket.com
Should I have been surprised at the much-higher auction result for a
Heritage Edition with 2,355 miles more on it than a “standard” model?
True Colors
To the Editor:
I was fortunate a few years
back to find an issue of SCM
at the recycling center with my
daughter, now a Canadian, who
ended up buying me my first
subscription. I’ve been renewing
ever since. I love it, and
continued good thoughts/prayers
for Keith. Someday when I grow
up, I’ll build a bigger garage, buy
a great car to work on, and hopefully
drive it a bunch too.
Regarding the April 2020
issue, the Barrett-Jackson auction
Lot 1353, a 2006 Ford GT
with 29 miles and red/black
colors, sold for $381,700 (p.
100). Then Lot 1353.1, a 2006
with 2,384 miles and original
Gulf-inspired colors, sold for
$440,000 — a premium of $58k.
Both were in 2+ condition.
Should I have been surprised at
34
the much-higher auction result
for a Heritage Edition with 2,355
miles more on it than a “standard”
model? — Neophyte Tim,
Brookfield, MA
Managing Editor Jim
Pickering responds: In short,
no. The Heritage Edition cars
sold at a premium when new, and
that premium has only grown
as the cars have appreciated.
Of the 4,038 built, only 343
were Heritage Edition cars with
paint designed as a throwback
to the JW Automotive/Gulf Oil
Le Mans-winning GT40. The
premium for that package was
$13,000 in 2006 — and as of
our most recent SCM Pocket
Price Guide, the median price
is $462,500 for a Heritage car
compared to $302,500 for a standard
GT. Low mileage is always
a value driver, but here the
limited-edition package is king.
It’s the best of the best when it
comes to these cars.
That premium seems like a
lot for paint, doesn’t it? Well,
it is, but I think of it like this:
The original GT40 cars had one
goal — to beat Ferrari, and Ford
did it on the world stage. Ford’s
GT program in ’05 had a similar
goal, only this time the target
was the Ferrari 360 Modena.
That was the benchmark to beat
for Ford’s supercar, and following
along a wave of nostalgia
stirred up by the new Mustang,
the company did it again.
It would be crass to roll up to
a Ferrari gathering in a GT, get
out, and start boasting about Le
Mans. With a Heritage Edition
car, you don’t have to. That
orange-over-blue scheme does it
for you.
“Hey, remember Le Mans
’68? Remember what happened
there? That was great. It was
great, wasn’t it?”
Miles’ Mana
To the Editor:
Miles Collier certainly has
some serious mana. His article
on the McQueen Bullet Mustang
(April 2020, p. 46) was one of the
most poetic, thought-provoking
and insightful articles I have
ever read on a motor vehicle. The
scope of knowledge required to
organize and write a review like
this could only be done by a true
master.
Every paragraph, sentence,
and word seems to have been
drawn from a pool of knowledge
only acquired through a lifetime
of obsessive study and understanding.
Mr. Collier employed philoso-
phy, facts, strategy, and being a
master of the English language
Sports Car Market
Page 34
You Write We Read
Ad Index
Aston Martin of New England ....................29, 127
Authentic Classics, LLC ...................................130
Automobiles Etcetera ........................................123
Automobilia Monterey ......................................139
Automotive Restorations Inc.............................129
Autosport Designs Inc .........................................17
Avant Garde Collection .....................................140
Barrett-Jackson ....................................................41
Bennett Law Office ...........................................136
Beverly Hills Car Club ......................................127
Bonhams / UK .....................................................21
Branson Collector Car Auction ...........................25
Cars Yeah ...........................................................145
Cars, Inc. ..............................................................39
Centerline Alfa Parts .........................................121
Charles Prince Classic Cars............................... 111
Chequered Flag International ..............................91
Classic Auto Mall ..............................................6–7
Classic Car Capital ..............................................33
Classic Showcase ................................................26
Concorso Italiano.................................................80
Copley Motorcars ................................................93
Dobson Motorsport............................................142
Driversource Houston LLC ................................8-9
European Collectibles........................................117
Fantasy Junction ............................................18–19
Finarte ..................................................................55
Fourintune Garage Inc .......................................142
Gaswerks Garage ...............................................139
Gooding & Company ..........................................13
Greenwich Concours Ad .....................................53
Grundy Insurance ................................................77
Gullwing Motor Cars, Inc. ................................145
Hamann Classic Cars, LLC .................................99
Heacock Classic ................................................163
Huntingridge Motors Inc. ..................................125
Hyman, LTD ........................................................20
Intercity Lines ......................................................45
JC Taylor ............................................................119
JJ Best Banc & Co .............................................149
Joel Shapiro .......................................................108
Kevin Kay Restorations ......................................12
Kidston .................................................................15
Leake Auction Company .....................................81
Legendary Motorcar Company .........................143
Lucky Collector Car Auctions ...........................113
Luxury Brokers International ........................10–11
Luxury Lease Partners, LLC ...............................57
MacNeil Automotive Products Ltd .....................89
Manns Restoration ...............................................31
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center ...........................35
Metron Garage ...................................................103
Mouse Motors, LLC ..........................................137
New England Auto Auction ................................95
Northwest European ..........................................139
Passport Transport .............................................107
Paul Russell and Company................................131
Pebble Beach Concours .......................................58
Putnam Leasing .................................................164
QuickSilver Exhausts Ltd..................................101
Rayco Eurospec Motorcars .................................97
Reliable Carriers ..................................................85
RM Sotheby’s ....................................................4–5
RMD bvba ...........................................................43
Ronald McDonald House ..................................135
Russo and Steele LLC .........................................27
SCM Buy Sell Hold Podcast .............................153
Scott Grundfor Company ..................................133
Streetworks Exotics .............................................24
Superformance .....................................................40
Symbolic International ........................................23
Texas Timber Frames ..........................................79
The Old Racing Car Company, Inc. ....................59
The Stable, Ltd. .................................................109
The Werk Shop ..................................................144
Tony Labella Classic Cars .................................120
Torque Classic Cars .............................................37
Trucks & Auto Auctions ......................................87
Undici HP srl .....................................................141
Vintage Car Works...............................................47
Vintage Motors of Sarasota ...............................115
Vintage Rallies ...................................................125
West Coast Classics, LLC .................................151
White Post Restorations ....................................145
Worldwide Group ..............................................2–3
36
Light-Hand Drive
by Larry Trepel
to arrange words that need to be
read multiple times to fully grasp
their true depth of meaning.
If there were an award for
the best automotive article of the
year, Collier’s story would be
my first nominee. In Hawaii we
know all about mana, and as far
as I’m concerned, Mr. Collier has
acquired a great deal of it. Keep
on blessing us with your insightful
thoughts and observations,
Miles. — Gregg Blue, Maui,
Hawaii
Staying on the Road
To the Editor:
I have been following Keith
Martin’s recovery. I wish him
well (April 2020, “Shifting
Gears,” p. 24).
I am a 74-year-old car fanatic.
In 2011, I had a spinal stroke and
it put me in a walker. My legs
will not move well enough to
safely brake. I must drive with
hand controls.
My love for cars and my
friendships with my car buddies
keep me going.
To drive my antique cars, I
found very simple hand controls
on Amazon. These controls can
be installed in 10 minutes. I have
multiple sets.
My antique cars are automat-
ics. They include a 1965 Corvette
convertible — and coupe, a 1957
Chevy wagon (great for taking
my electric scooter to car shows),
a 1954 Corvette (I got my first
Sports Car Market
Junior at Hershey last year), a
1967 Shelby GT350 and a 1955
MG TF with a C4 automatic
transmission. I can drive all of
these automatic cars and continue
to enjoy the car hobby.
My daily driver is a 2014
AMG E63. Other cars I have are
a 2017 Z06, a 2012 BMW M3
coupe with competition package,
a Porsche Cayman GTS and a
Chevy SSR pickup.
For me, the car must be
automatic and have room for my
walker.
Keith, any car you choose that
will allow you to enjoy the hobby
is the correct choice. — A.C.
Buck, via email
MG Anorak Update
To the Editor:
At the risk of obsessive ped-
antry, the grille-bar color for MG
TDs is the same as the interior
hue. The chrome grille slats were
only for the rare (1,710 built ) TD
Mk II, which I once owned.
These cars were marked by
enameled badges on the bonnet
sides, and a bulge on one side, as
well as different XPAG engine
serial numbers. They also had
larger carburetors, two fuel
pumps, Andrex shocks, and a
throbbing 57 horsepower, among
the subtle differences. Anoraks,
please note. — Bob Mitchell,
Weston, CT ♦
Page 36
Speaking Volumes by Mark Wigginton
Faster: How a Jewish Driver, an American Heiress, and
a Legendary Car Beat Hitler’s Best
by Neal Bascomb, 368 pages, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $28 (Amazon)
In the world of automotive books, the familiar topics are often done and
redone. The focus is on basic history, such as how a car or a company came
together, and they tend to be data driven,
with the human stories subservient to the
useful facts.
In other words, they tend toward blood-
less recounting of engineering and process,
written for the fan, collector or enthusiast,
aimed at a niche market.
But once in a while, along comes a liter-
ary history aimed at the general market.
Faster tells the story of an unlikely trio
of driver, designer and financier in preWorld
War II Europe, coming together to
battle the German racing juggernaut — the
Silver Arrows from Mercedes-Benz and
Auto Union.
René Dreyfus is a well-known name in
the racing world. In period, his skills behind
the wheel put him in fast company with Rudi
Caracciola, Hans Stuck, Bernd Rosemeyer,
Hermann Lang and Juan Manuel Fangio.
Dreyfus won 36 races, and was a soughtafter
talent, but there was a problem. It was
the 1930s in Europe, and being Jewish cost
him the option of driving for top teams (Mercedes, Maserati and
Alfa Romeo).
At the time, American heiress Lucy Schell, a groundbreaking woman rally
driver, looked to a French carmaker, Delahaye, to build her a Monte Carlo
Rally winner. That turned into her commissioning a car to compete with the
Silver Arrows, a shot at the nose of the rising Nazis. She hired Dreyfus, who
was suffering from a shattered psyche after a crash in a Bugatti destroyed his
confidence.
Author Neal Bascomb, with extensive research of period journalism (unlike
today, auto racing was front-page news, with breathless, extensive daily
Neat Stuff by Jim Pickering
coverage), weaves the tale of how the underdogs Dreyfus and
the Delahaye 145 beat the German cars.
The win was a situation-specific victory — on a tight
circuit that blunted the Mercedes’ horsepower advantage,
coupled with the Delahaye’s better fuel mileage — at Pau in
1938. But it was briefly more than one victory — it was a
much larger political statement in a world headed for
war with Germany by a French team, an American
backer and a Jewish driver.
Provenance:
Fifty pages of notes and sources take up the end of
Faster, which shows the depth of research Bascomb
brought to the project. It helps him create a rich, detailed
re-creation of the people and fascinating pre-war
Europe racing scene.
Fit and finish:
So many automotive books are gorgeous coffee-table
books that it would be easy to dismiss Faster as somehow
visually lacking. Oh, it is, with a small number of
low-quality period images, but don’t worry, the beauty is
in the text and the images they create in your mind.
Drivability:
About 20 pages into Faster, I thought to myself,
“This is the Seabiscuit of pre-war grand prix racing.”
Seabiscuit was the book that popularized the famous
racehorse that started his career as an underachiever
but went on to become the top-winning horse of his
era. In the book’s notes, Bascomb thanks Seabiscuit
author Laura Hillenbrand for being an inspiration in structuring
Faster. Both books are standout histories.
It’s a quality read, meticulously detailed, as it re-creates
the deadly world of racing in the 1930s. Bascomb, who quite
admittedly came to the book knowing little about cars or
racing, occasionally creates a fingernail-on-chalkboard
mistake in his descriptions of racing, but that won’t get in
the way of your enjoyment as you take a deep dive into an
unlikely David taking an improbable win from Goliath. ♦
Hold the Phone
Smartphones are just part of our reality now, but there’s
Speaking
olumes by Mark Wigginton
Faster: How a Jewish Driver, an American Heiress, and
a Legendary Car Beat Hitler’s Best
by Neal Bascomb, 368 pages, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $28 (Amazon)
In the world of
olumes by Mark Wigginton
Faster: How a Jewish Driver, an American Heiress, and
a Legendary Car Beat Hitler’s Best
by Neal Bascomb, 368 pages, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $28 (Amazon)
In the world of automotive books, the familiar topics are often done and
redone. The focus is on basic history, such as how a car or a company came
together, and they tend to be data driven,
with the human stories subservient to the
useful facts.
In other words, they tend toward blood-
less recounting of engineering and process,
written for the fan, collector or enthusiast,
aimed at a niche market.
But once in a while, along comes a liter-
ary history aimed at the general market.
Faster tells the story of an unlikely trio
of driver, designer and financier in pre-
World War II Europe, coming together to
battle the German racing juggernaut — the
Silver Arrows from Mercedes-Benz and
Auto Union.
René Dreyfus is a well-known name in
the racing world. In period, his skills behind
the wheel put him in fast company with Rudi
Caracciola, Hans Stuck, Bernd Rosemeyer,
Hermann Lang and Juan Manuel Fangio.
Dreyfus won 36 races, and was a sought-
after talent, but there was a problem. It was
the 1930s in Europe, and being Jewish cost
him the option of driving for top teams (Mercedes, Maserati and
Alfa Romeo).
At the time, American heiress Lucy Schell, a groundbreaking woman rally
driver, looked to a French carmaker, Delahaye, to build her a Monte Carlo
Rally winner. That turned into her commissioning a car to compete with the
Silver Arrows, a shot at the nose of the rising Nazis. She hired Dreyfus, who
was suffering from a shattered psyche after a crash in a Bugatti destroyed his
confidence.
Author Neal Bascomb, with extensive research of period journalism (un-
like today, auto racing was front-page news, with breathless, extensive daily
Neat Stuff by Jim Pickering
coverage), weaves the tale of how the underdogs Dreyfus and
the Delahaye 145 beat the German cars.
The win was a situation-specific victory — on a tight
circuit that blunted the Mercedes’ horsepower advantage,
coupled with the Delahaye’s better fuel mileage — at Pau in
1938. But it was briefly more than one victory — it was a
much larger political statement in a world headed for
war with Germany by a French team, an American
backer and a Jewish driver.
Provenance:
Fifty pages of notes and sources take up the end of
Faster, which shows the depth of research Bascomb
brought to the project. It helps him create a rich, de-
tailed re-creation of the people and fascinating pre-war
Europe racing scene.
Fit and finish:
So many automotive books are gorgeous coffee-table
books that it would be easy to dismiss Faster as some-
how visually lacking. Oh, it is, with a small number of
low-quality period images, but don’t worry, the beauty is
in the text and the images they create in your mind.
Drivability:
About 20 pages into Faster, I thought to myself,
“This is the Seabiscuit of pre-war grand prix racing.”
Seabiscuit was the book that popularized the famous
racehorse that started his career as an underachiever
but went on to become the top-winning horse of his
era. In the book’s notes, Bascomb thanks Seabiscuit
author Laura Hillenbrand for being an inspiration in struc-
turing Faster. Both books are standout histories.
It’s a quality read, meticulously detailed, as it re-creates
the deadly world of racing in the 1930s. Bascomb, who quite
admittedly came to the book knowing little about cars or
racing, occasionally creates a fingernail-on-chalkboard
mistake in his descriptions of racing, but that won’t get in
the way of your enjoyment as you take a deep dive into an
unlikely David taking an improbable win from Goliath. ♦
Hold the Phone
Smartphones are just part of our reality now, but there’s
Industries
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variety of industries — including motorsports. If you’re looking for something
to haul your Cobra, vintage Ferrari or Trans Am racer, Turnkey can
build you something unique to your specific needs, from a basic double-axle
trailer with a few custom touches all the way up to something extravagant for
a racing weekend, with slide-outs, lounges, restrooms, liftgates, generators
and compressors and more. Check them out at www.tkind.com.
38
no need to stick to whatever phone case is available at the
Apple Store. CG Mobile has a line of Ferrari-branded cases
for a range of new iPhone models — and they’re licensed
by Scuderia Ferrari. They’re available in a variety of
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Sports Car Market
Page 40
Affordable Classic 1976–96 Jaguar XJ-S
Big, Smooth Cat Claws Its Way Up
Jaguar’s big coupe
cruiser has come of
age, despite its flaws
by Paul Hardiman
An example on the higher end of affordable: 1994 Jaguar XJ-S convertible, sold for $27,538 at Silverstone’s Heythrop Classic Car Sale in 2019
T
he Jaguar XJ-S was not a popular replacement for the E-type when
it appeared in 1975.
Although the XJ-S shared generic Jaguar mechanicals — including
Bill Heynes’ clever, compact independent rear suspension
and that silky-smooth V12 — its lardy appearance won it few friends.
In demeanor, the XJ-S pretended to be even more of a 2-door XJ12 than
the S3 E-type, which, let’s be fair, had become a parody of itself by 1975.
As a 12-year-old, I remember being appalled by the size and slabbi-
ness of the thing — and its clumsy British Leyland-era detailing, even
though it turned out that the Jag was ahead of its time — composite
bumpers and massive sculpted headlamps are all normal now.
And if 7.6 seconds to 60 mph and a 143-mph top speed sounded okay,
the original 3.8 E-type coupe was (allegedly) faster.
A different world now
How times have changed, as everything has inflated, even in Europe,
where it’s now hard to tell a 3-Series BMW from a fiver.
Encounter an XJ-S on the road today and it appears quite dinky, if not
actually petite like a Mazda Miata, and the indelicate detail has softened
somewhat, as years of cars with goatees have inured us somewhat to
bloaters.
Those flying buttresses have become a demure 1970s signature, even
though the German authorities refused type approval, meaning each car
registered there had to be individually approved.
It’s no Caterham Seven, but the Jaguar’s light steering takes on a new
nuance of hydraulic tactility when compared with today’s numbly assisted
electric systems. After all, you’re only turning 205-section tires here.
Ironically, it’s those early cars that have become the most sought-after
and valuable — ironically because those are the most expensive to run
because they are gas-guzzlers, although that bothers us more in Europe
— where we pay around $7.50 per Imperial gallon of 95 octane unleaded
— than it does in the United States.
Changes over time
Things improved — relatively — in 1981, with the introduction of
the V12 HE, for “high efficiency,” from a new Fireball cylinder head
design to maximize mixture swirl, which, combined with a taller final-
42
drive ratio, gave an XJ-S a chance of cracking 20 mpg on a decent run.
Realistically, you’re still looking at about 15 mpg, or 12 mpg in the U.S.
Let’s not even get into the reliability issues, except to say that any
car still running today should have had its bugs ironed out by now. Still,
bear in mind that the U.S.-market cars produced about 40 hp less than the
Euro-spec 285 hp.
No XJ-S is truly parsimonious, but we had to wait until the introduc-
tion of the straight-6 cars in 1983 (bonnet bulge, lattice alloys, which
soon carried through to all cars) to have any chance of nearing 30 mpg.
HEs have five-spoke “starfish” alloys, and U.S.-market cars have four
round headlights.
A 1991 facelift came under Ford’s ownership, which included a
smoothing of the lines and a full-width wraparound rear light/reflector.
The name also was streamlined to XJS, which saw out the car until end
of production in 1996.
The AJ6 (AJ16 from 1994) was enlarged to 4 liters, V12s were 6 li-
ters/300 bhp from May 1992, and bigger bumpers arrived in ’93. By this
time, the rear brakes had moved outboard.
Details
Years produced: 1976–96
Price when new: $19,000 in 1976; $82,500
in 1996.
Number produced: 115,413 from 1975 to
1981 — and many more through 1996
Current SCM Median Valuation: $9,000 for
1976–81 cars
Pros: A fast, comfortable 1970s thoroughbred
cruiser
Cons: The rust demon always lurks, plus this is
a thirsty car
Best place to drive one: On interesting,
two-lane mountain roads on the way to a
deluxe resort hotel
Worst place to drive one: Into a European
filling station
A typical owner is: Hoping their big cat is
finally, completely fettled
First is best
As ever, earliest is the purest,
and European collectors want the
pre-HE V12, dating the car to before
1981. These cars also have the
signature spoke/slotted alloys and
black-painted rear panel (changed
to body color with the HE), along
with the quirky Citroënesque
revolving-drum minor instruments
that lasted until ’91.
These early cars will all be
hard tops, as the cabrio conversion
didn’t appear until 1983 — and the
full drop-top appeared in 1988.
Don’t be too tall, though, or you’ll
struggle to get in, as the XJ-S has
the same overhanging dog-leg door
Sports Car Market
Page 41
opening that’s strangely reminiscent of the outgoing E-type.
Well, they had to maintain some sort of continuity.
Be like Templar (second version)
With the early car you can channel your inner Simon Templar — the
remake of “The Saint,” starring Ian Ogilvy. The new version ditched
the young Roger Moore’s P1800 and put our hero in a white example of
Browns Lane’s latest.
These have been misunderstood since birth as being sports cars.
Thanks to a very rigid body shell with decent aerodynamics, these cars
are very refined and comfortable cruisers capable of putting lots of relaxed
miles into a day — as long as you don’t mind a few fuel stops.
Personally, on the V12 cars, I’d forgo some of the early detail and look
for an early HE — you could always try to find a set of the earlier wheels
— but the best all-rounder is a 4-liter, 6-cylinder car — with 220 bhp.
They are almost all autos. Early cars have the ancient BorgWarner
Model 12 3-speeder, which was replaced in 1977 with the much-better
GM TH400.
A 4-speed ZF arrived on the 6-cylinder cars in 1987.
Manuals are quite rare. The first cars had the option of the clunky
4-speed left over from the E-type, but only 353 were built before the option
was quietly dropped in 1979.
The 5-speed Getrag didn’t arrive until 1983, and it was fitted only on
the 6-cylinder cars.
Signs of danger
What to look for? Overheating, which can mean gasket trouble within
the all-alloy V12.
XJ-S cars still suffered from the Series 3 E-type problem of expiring
when they got hot in traffic. This happened because some designer had
the bright idea of homing the Lumenition module in the vee, where it
cooked, but they can be moved.
Watch for play in the rear hubs/suspension. It’s a very clever design,
which uses the driveshafts as the top links, so there are no upper wishbones.
However, the bearings need setting up with just the right amount
of preload — you’ll always feel a little play at the wheel rims with the car
jacked up — and any wear means it all starts to feel sloppy.
This problem probably first manifests itself as a clunk after changing
from reverse to forward. Plus, if the diff oil seals leak, the inboard rear
discs get coated, meaning your rear brakes don’t work — and the pads
are a pain to change.
Of course, there is rust. At the nadir of the XJ-S, you could buy a shed
for £500 and run it until it rotted out — unless bankruptcy from filling it
up came first. Thirty and even 20 years ago, values were so low that these
cars just weren’t worth repairing.
However, most of the stock on the market is better now. The really
rough ones have done the decent thing and donated their organs, and the
better ones have been saved — or even upgraded by outfits such as KWE
in England.
Just check the usual worry spots: bulkheads, rear valances and sills,
plus around the windscreen (if it’s bubbling here, walk away). Also check
near the back of the sills, where the trailing arms mount to the floorpan.
Correct Dunlop and Michelin XWX rubber is once again available.
What to pay?
Generally, don’t bother with any early cars under $15k these days. The
nicest early V12s are approaching $40k in Europe, and good facelift cars
are in early $20ks.
You’ll pay more, up to £50k/$65k, if you can find one of the rare
Lynx Eventer estate-car versions, of which 67 were converted between
1982 and 2002 by the same outfit that fettled and made perfect copies of
D-types.
Remember, this is a 1970s front-engined, V12 thoroughbred — and
still cheaper than anything that came out of Maranello. ♦
May 2020
43
Page 42
Legal Files John Draneas
Double-Dealing Brokers
A broker has to tell you everything about a deal, whether it’s for fine art or
blue-chip collector cars
thought — buying the stuff had been pretty easy, but
Bouvier was having trouble selling any of it.
The trigger point was a chance encounter at a
lunch on St. Barts. A mutual
friend had invited
Rybolovlev and the art consultant who had worked
with the seller of the Modigliani.
This was the first time Rybolovlev had met any
of his sellers, and for some reason, he asked the art
consultant the selling price of the Modigliani. When
he learned that Bouvier had purchased it for $93.5
million and immediately flipped it to Rybolovlev for
$118 million, Rybolovlev went straight to his lawyers.
That resulted in Bouvier’s arrest for fraud. Civil
suits were filed against him in Singapore and Hong
Kong. The lawsuits allege that Bouvier caused
Rybolovlev to overpay on the art by over $1 billion.
If you’re interested in more details about this fas-
cinating story, Internet-search “Bouvier Affair,” and
you will find an excellent New Yorker article written
by Sam Knight (which is our source) as well as a book
written by Alexandra Bregman.
S
What’s the connection?
As interesting as this story may be, you are prob-
wiss art shipper Yves Bouvier had a great idea. He was already
doing well operating the family business out of the Geneva
Freeport — a storage facility that served as a tax-free haven for
art and other objects moving from country to country.
Wealthy investors would park their valuables in the Freeport ware-
houses indefinitely to avoid paying taxes on their importation. But the
connections he made led Bouvier to decide he could make much more
money by buying and selling the art.
Soon after hatching that
thought, he met Dmitry Rybolovlev,
a Russian oligarch who, in his late 30s, was worth about $1 billion.
Rybolovlev and his wife had purchased a mansion in Geneva that came
with an extensive system of picture lighting.
Rybolovlev thought he would just buy a bunch of art to put under
the existing lights. The men met when Rybolovlev purchased a painting
that came through the Freeport.
Bouvier agreed to provide one-stop shopping for Rybolovlev.
Bouvier would advise him about how to amass a collection, locate
artworks and purchase them for Rybolovlev. Rybolovlev understood
that Bouvier would be paid a reasonable commission on each piece he
acquired or sold.
The association was a busy one. It got even busier when Rybolovlev
and his wife separated. He was under intense pressure from her and
her lawyers, looking over his shoulder on his business dealings and
finances. Rybolovlev asked Bouvier to step up the art purchases, thinking
this would be a good way to stash money in more “mobile” assets.
Bouvier was happy to oblige.
A troublesome $1 billion
The deal that upended Bouvier was a Modigliani nude, “Nu Couché
au Coussin Bleu,” which was owned by a U.S. hedge-fund manager.
Rybolovlev wanted a Modigliani nude, and this was one of the best
ones. Bouvier negotiated the purchase and flipped it to Rybolovlev.
But by then, Rybolovlev had purchased so much art through Bouvier
that he thought it was time to sell some — and buy other pieces. Of
course, he expected to realize some profits in the process. Funny, he
44
ably wondering, “Isn’t this a car magazine? What’s art got to do with
it?”
Well, much the same scenario is currently playing out in high-stakes
litigation involving a car. We won’t identify the parties or the car, as the
litigation is in its early stages and “Legal Files” does not want to affect
their case or damage the parties’ reputations.
According to the seller, here is what happened: The seller retained
the broker to sell a high-dollar car, with an up-front agreement on a
specific dollar amount commission. After a time, the broker came to the
seller with an offer that was significantly below the seller’s asking price
and that he claimed was “all that he could get out of the buyer.”
The seller accepted the deal.
When it came time to sign a contract, the broker explained that the
buyer was insisting on complete secrecy and did not want to be identified.
To accommodate that, the sales contract was signed by the broker
on behalf of an unidentified buyer, and the deal was consummated.
After the fact, the seller discovered that the broker had actually
flipped the car to the buyer in a separate sale transaction. This technique
— buying the car and then selling it in two separate transactions — is
referred to as “back-to-back contracts.” The profit on the flip was about
five times the agreed commission. This transaction is now in litigation.
What’s the difference?
When you retain a broker to sell a car on your behalf, the law treats
the broker as your agent. You are considered the agent’s principal.
Under general agency law, the agent has fiduciary duties to the prin-
cipal — the primary one being a duty of loyalty. The agent is prohibited
from keeping secrets from the principal — and from profiting at the
principal’s expense.
If the broker is going to document the transaction with back-to-back
contracts, for whatever reason, everything has to be disclosed to the
principal. Keeping the transactions separate would seem to be a clear
breach of the agent’s duties.
You may wonder, isn’t this what car dealers always do? What’s
wrong with buying low and selling high?
Sports Car Market
iStock
Page 43
The difference lies in the word “buying.” When you trade in your
car at a dealer, the dealer is actually buying your car with his money.
You know that, and you are free to negotiate over the trade-in value.
In the case we are dealing with, just as in the Bouvier Affair, the
“purchase” was made with the ultimate buyer’s money, not the agent’s
money. In fact, the agent would not commit to buying the car until the
ultimate purchase had been committed.
Similar cases
These two cases have very strong similarities. In the Bouvier
Affair, Bouvier insists that he was always acting as a seller, and not as
Rybolovlev’s agent. That makes all the difference, of course, as there
are no fiduciary duties imposed when you are acting as a party to a
transaction. Same thing in the car case.
However, the insistence on being a party acting for yourself runs
head-on into the fact that, in both cases, the purchase could never
have been completed without the ultimate purchaser’s money. Bouvier
needed Rybolovlev’s money to buy the art. The car broker needed the
buyer’s money to pay the seller.
If you are always working with the other guy’s money, it’s hard to
show that you are acting for yourself.
Part of our collector-car broker’s defense is that the seller received
exactly the amount he wanted for the car, so what’s the problem?
The seller has a lot to say about that.
The broker is essentially claiming that he had an open option to buy
the car if he found someone to buy it from him for more. The seller
insists he would never have agreed to that without some compensation.
He also counters that it isn’t appropriate for the broker to lock him into
the lowest price he will take and then see how much more he can get
for the car.
The same argument applies in reverse in the Bouvier Affair. Bouvier
claims that Rybolovlev was happy with the purchase prices.
Of course, he might not have been so happy with them if he had
known how much the seller was actually willing to take for the art.
Similarly, our car seller’s happiness with the sales price would have
been affected by knowledge of how much the ultimate buyer was willing
to give.
In both cases, trust was betrayed. If one knows that the broker is acting
for himself, one would likely negotiate an altogether different deal.
The law is clear
The law takes a much simpler approach to these philosophical
analyses.
If an agency was created, the principal is entitled to know exactly
what the agent is earning for his work. With that knowledge, the principal
can decide for himself whether he is satisfied with the deal or not.
Full disclosure, and nothing less, is required so that any consent
can be an informed consent. And if the agent profits without such disclosure,
the penalty is usually giving up the full profit to the principal.
Protecting yourself
The collector-car broker is also defending on the basis that “this is
how the business works.” To some degree, that is unfortunately true.
Consignments often turn into back-to-back contracts, with any number
of explanations given as to why. Don’t believe it.
Once you consign your car to a broker, you are entitled to know who
the purchaser is — and how much was paid for the car. You are absolutely
entitled to know exactly how much money the broker is making
on the deal. If there is going to be a trade of some sort, you are entitled
to know about it and how the values were established.
If you can’t get that level of disclosure from your broker, get another
one. ♦
JOHN DRANEAS is an attorney in Oregon. He can be reached
through www.draneaslaw.com. His comments are general in nature
and are not intended to substitute for consultation with an attorney.
May 2020
45
Page 44
Unconventional Wisdom Donald Osborne
Incredible India
Western car collectors can learn a lot from enthusiasts in India
From chaos to order
The event kicked off with a gathering of cars at the India Gate, the
nation’s central war memorial in the heart of New Delhi. The population
of metropolitan Delhi is about 30 million. At any time, at least half
that number appear to be in an almost unbroken stream of cars, buses,
trucks, scooters, small scooter-based taxis — called tuk-tuks — and
bicycles. Lane markings are largely suggestions, with all traffic finding
its way through any openings — real or imagined.
Horns sound almost constantly, but not in anger — simply as notice
that a vehicle is near, coming by or making room.
Imagine, then, nearly 80 classic cars, ranging from Brass Era
through the 1960s, guided serenely and confidently out into the roiling
maelstrom of the Delhi streets and motorways, on a half-hour drive
out to a sprawling modern golf club in the nearby suburb of Gurgaon,
where the concours was held.
My fellow judges and I chose cars for the drive out to the show.
joined colleagues Mathias Doutreleau and Patrick Dimier of
I
A typical light-traffic day in India, perfect for exercising your classic
I
have always connected to the world of cars with a passion and level
of enthusiasm that was sometimes embarrassing.
I recall occasions as a child when I felt that no one else was
moved as deeply as I was when I saw a car that excited me.
I recently participated as a judge for the 2020 21 Gun Salute
Concours in Delhi, India. The brainchild of Madan Mohan, a very successful
entrepreneur and passionate vintage-car collector, this was the
ninth edition of the event, which combined a concours d’elegance with
a multi-day tour.
Madan and I became acquainted several years ago at the Pebble
Beach Concours d’Elegance, where he was instrumental in organizing
the “Cars of the Maharajahs” Class. It was the first time that many of
these national treasures had been seen outside of India. Those cars were
a glimpse into these wealthy and imaginative individuals and families.
Madan had invited me to come to his event, but it was only this year,
at the urging of chief judge Christian Kramer, that I managed to fit it
into my calendar. I was quite happy that I was able to make it, as it was
one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life.
Kind and grateful
Everyone I have known who has visited India is deeply impressed.
The sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere are unique — in the actual,
correct use of the word. Photographs and moving images cannot — and
did not — prepare me for the sensory overload that I experienced. What
I was most taken with was the open kindness of the people.
Whether wealthy or indescribably poor, all I encountered were
gracious, kind and above all else grateful. Grateful for sharing their
country and for our visit. And that was amplified in India’s collector-car
community.
I’ve always been drawn to those I — admittedly judgmental — feel
are truly passionate, engaged enthusiasts.
These are the people who own cars because they love, want to use
and fully experience them. Most of all, they share them with as many
others as they can. The owners I met in India did not treat their cars as
sculptures, to be quietly observed while parked in a dimly lit garage.
That was strikingly apparent at the first interaction I had with many
of them.
46
Switzerland in a lovely 1949 Bentley Mk VI James Young drophead
coupe. The owner of the car, a charming man in his 40s, displayed total
cool on the drive, unflustered and unflappable in traffic that would have
driven the three of us completely around the bend.
With occasional taps of the sonorous horn, the elegant, comfortable
Bentley glided through the madness effortlessly. During none of the
taxi rides I had taken in the city did I feel as relaxed and safe as I did
during that drive.
I asked how he was so much at ease behind the wheel of such a large,
valuable car on such a chaotic road. The owner simply replied, “If you
grow up with this, it’s what you’re used to.”
I immediately thought of so many classic-car owners I knew in
Southern California who would never consider taking their car on a
drive across Los Angeles, or in the New York area who think that the
signs above the bridges and tunnel entrances to Manhattan say “Here
be Dragons.”
Never mind those American enthusiasts who shrink from the idea
of weeklong vintage rallies and tours. Even weekend trips away in their
old car are thought imprudently adventurous.
I spoke with entrants in Delhi about the impromptu 2,000-mile trips
they take in their old cars with friends — never worrying about what
they might encounter on the way.
It was part and parcel of that fundamental gratitude that every
Indian I encountered so freely expressed. That was even more evident
in speaking with the restorers on hand. The scope and breadth of their
labor cannot be overstated. The combination of restrictive export and
import laws meant that great cars could not be sold out of the country,
which was positive — but also meant that many replacement parts and
restoration supplies and materials could not find their way into India.
The result is a cadre of unbelievably talented and resourceful restor-
ers, who take on the most ambitious projects. They expertly, sensitively
and accurately restore to pristine condition vehicles we wouldn’t even
buy for parts. When they cannot purchase components, they re-create
them from scratch. These are not vague approximations of the original
part, but a beautifully rendered artisan creation of which the original
engineers and designers would heartily approve.
We members of the international jury were tasked with assisting Madan
and his team in helping to bring Western concours culture to India.
In so many ways, chiefly in the artistry of some restorers, the devo-
tion to experiential custodianship of the owners, and the gratitude of
having historic cars as part of our lives, perhaps it is us in the West who
have something to learn from our friends on the Indian subcontinent. ♦
Sports Car Market
Page 46
Feature The SCM Interview / Ray Shaffer
Patti Tantillo
Ray Shaffer (left) with racing legend Hurley Haywood
A Fast Life — and Career — With Porsche
How many people can check in on their car restoration every day?
Ray Shaffer can — and did
by Chester Allen
F
ew of us get a clear vision of the future when we’re 9 years old, but that happened
to Ray Shaffer when he spotted a Porsche 356 in a garage. Porsche has
been part of Shaffer’s life for a long time, and now, at age 49, he’s living the
dream as Porsche Classic’s market development manager. Shaffer now dreams
of owning the Straßenversion of the Porsche 911 GT1. He’s also this month’s SCM
Interview:
get involved with Porsche?
I’ve always been a fan, drawn in by sports car racing in the 1980s. In that time
period, I was fortunate to meet with Porsche racer Bob Akin, who became a friend
and mentor to me. Some years later, he asked, “Why aren’t you selling Porsche cars?”
I was in a Cadillac store at the time. He offered to introduce me to a friend in Florida
who turned out to be Bob Snodgrass of Brumos Porsche in Jacksonville — the famous
racing dealership. Through 16 wonderful years at Brumos, I would work and learn
my way up to becoming the general manager in 2010. We were active in everything
from the Amelia Island Concours to racing with a 911 program that brought home the
Grand-Am GT Championship in 2011. We also created special editions like the five
911 Carrera GTS B59 models to commemorate Hurley Haywood’s amazing career and
record number of wins at Daytona.
Porsche has been at the top of the sports-car world for decades
—and many models are now very collectible. What makes Porsche
special to you?
The authenticity of what the company — its people and products — represents
48
Shaffer behind the wheel of a Porsche G93
Sports Car Market
Everyone knows you as one of the big Porsche guys. How did you
is a major draw for me. I admire the fact that Porsche
has remained true to itself for more than 70 years. After
working on the retail side of the business, I made the
transition to join Porsche Cars North America in 2015.
Throughout the company, there is a clear culture to do
the right thing for the customer and the brand. I connect
with that and think our loyal owners and enthusiasts do
as well.
Nolan Fingerhut
Page 47
What, exactly, does Porsche Classic Division do?
Porsche Classic keeps our brand heritage on the road. We serve all
owners of cars within the Classic lineup, which today ranges from the
356 models all the way through the Carrera GT super sports car. In
short, Porsche Classic focuses on three areas: availability of Genuine
Classic parts, expert service at our dealerships and 11 U.S. Porsche
Classic Partners and, finally, Porsche Classic Factory Restoration. So
whether you’re wrenching at home and looking for a part or planning to
do an entire professional restoration, we can help.
So, is Porsche now in the car restoration business?
Absolutely, and the U.S. is quite unique because our Porsche
Experience Center in Atlanta is,
in fact, home to the only Classic
Factory Restoration workshop outside Germany. It’s the pinnacle of our
team’s capabilities, realized with access to factory records and tools.
The workshop is actually located right next to my office, and I recently
had my 911 Turbo engine restored there. Our master technicians are
used to a high level of interest from the owner, but I don’t think they’ve
ever experienced a customer checking in on a daily basis before.
should the car be preserved in its present state?
To me, it’s all about the platform that you have to begin with. For
When should an owner restore a Porsche, and when
the vehicle to operate and perform as the Porsche engineers originally
intended, a solid foundation is a must. If you have this, then keeping the
wearable parts maintained and replaced as needed is part of a healthy
ownership experience — and responsibility.
However, if the structure is not solid or sound in its original state,
then it’s time to start over. Communication is really key, and, ultimately,
this is a partnership with the customer.
Do you have a favorite Porsche?
I feel a strong attachment to the Carrera GT. The original concept
was presented shortly after I joined Porsche. I went to the new factory
in Leipzig to see the production start, and Timo Bernhard gave us
demonstration laps on the track — what a car!
Three years later it was on the showroom floor at Brumos. Now that
it’s a Classic, the Carrera GT has taken on a whole new dimension for
me in the form of a unique recommission project.
A customer dreamt of what it would be like to have taken delivery
Porsche Cars North America Inc.
The Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta, GA, is home to the only Classic
Factory Restoration workshop outside Germany
of a new one, and that became the starting point of something truly
special. He found a car, which Porsche Classic then completely restored
and tailored to his styling preference, including Oak Green Metallic
paint, houndstooth interior and golden accents. We unveiled the car
here at the Porsche Experience Center, and I got to pull the cover off
of it myself.
What’s your daily driver?
I currently enjoy a Porsche Macan as my daily driver. It’s perfect for
living in the heart of the city here in Atlanta. For very special drives,
I deploy my Brumos-sourced 1992 911 Turbo 3.3 coupe. I love the
swoosh of the turbo and the challenge in timing the boost application
to the exit of a corner.
Is Porsche now making parts for vintage Porsches?
Yes indeed. Porsche Classic currently has over 50,000 parts avail-
able, and every year, we add between 200–300 more to our catalog.
The U.S. is home to a greater number of Classic Porsche cars than any
other market, and we like to see them driven. Genuine parts are key to
that mission. These are, of course, used at our Porsche Classic Partners
and in authorized Porsche dealerships, but they are also available to
customers and independent workshops.
Are you comfortable driving a vintage Porsche, say
a 356, around town or on the highway? Or should these
cars be used on quieter, two-lane highways?
Allow me to tell a short story about that. Back in 2006, I was invited
to enjoy my friend’s 356C during an annual driving event that he managed.
We left his house in Southern California early on a Wednesday
morning, traveling north. For about two hours, I inched along in rushhour
traffic in that 40-year-old classic machine, and it never missed a
beat, never overheated. Once traffic did get moving, we had no issue
keeping up.
your co-pilot?
I actually had such a trip on the calendar, but it didn’t go as planned.
Shaffer unveils a customer’s recommissioned Porsche Carrera GT
“Porsche Classic exists to keep cars on the
road, and from that perspective, things are
looking very positive. I see so much passion
at all the events I attend, and the community
appears to be growing.”
May 2020
After Rennsport Reunion VI in California, some enthusiast colleagues
and I were going to drive back to Atlanta. During the preparations of
my 911 Turbo, however, we discovered a broken head stud in the engine,
which then led to the full restoration. Unfortunately, I had to take a rain
check on the road trip, but I did get a cool new head-stud keychain.
Porsche market?
Porsche Classic exists to keep cars on the road, and from that per-
spective, things are looking very positive. I see so much passion at all
the events I attend, and the community appears to be growing. As a
driving enthusiast myself, it’s a case of the more, the merrier. ♦
49
What, in your opinion, is the future of the vintageYou’ve
got 10 days. What is your route, your car and
Porsche Cars North America Inc.
Page 48
Feature Rétromobile 2020
For the Love of Paris — By the Numbers
A ride with Ali leads off five days of Rétromobile — and exploring the
City of Light
by Chester Allen
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For the Love of Paris — By the Numbers
A ride with Ali leads off
eature Rétromobile 2020
For the Love of Paris — By the Numbers
A ride with Ali leads off five days of Rétromobile — and exploring the
City of Light
by Chester Allen
A
A taste of home for €32,500
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Sports Car Market
three areas: availability of Genuine
Classic parts, expert service at our dealersh
Chester Allen
Page 49
Ken Gross
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holds court at the SCM Wine Reception
Photo by Jim Pickering
May 2020
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Chester Allen
ys of Rétromobile — and exploring the
City o
Ken Gross holds court at the SCM Wine Reception
Ken Gross
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Gross holds court at the SCM Wine Reception
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ross holds court at the SCM Wine Reception
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May 2020
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Chester Allen
Page 50
Feature Rétromobile 2020
on the handy bench near Renoir’s “Bal au Moulin de la Galette.”
This Impressionist masterwork — of working-class Parisians
enjoying an outdoor dance party — seems to glow with light flickering
through the trees.
I always feel that I’m about to tumble into the real world of 1876
Paris when I gaze into this painting. Moments like this are why Paris
is special.
Stay for a couple of hours and see more masterworks. It’ll cost you
about 14 euros, which is the best deal in town.
10
Dix
Playing with the big boys now ...
6
Sept
7
H8uit
Toys are NOT for Boys
I bet there are more toy and model cars at Rétromobile
Six
than real cars. Booths display elaborate dioramas of model
cars, figurines and buildings. Model cars of all scales fill
shelves, display cases and tables.
Other spots sell massive, elaborate slot-car tracks. At
one booth, two intent men raced model Jaguar E-types and Shelby
Cobras. Other adults craned their necks to follow the action.
I never saw a kid in any of these booths. The kids were hanging out
with the hot cars.
Special Displays
This year’s Rétromobile featured special displays on
Tatra cars and 10 Bertone prototypes built between 1969
and 2001. The Ferrari Rainbow, which strongly resembled
a Fiat X1/9 — or a splitting wedge — was a crowd favorite.
The Tatra display explored the fascinating history of
these rear-engine cars. Rétromobile’s special displays are museumquality
experiences.
Go to an Auction
Rétromobile attracts three major auctions. Bonhams’
Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais puts
amazing cars under the high, intricate glass roof of the
legendary Grand Palais. This is the most beautiful carauction
site in the world.
RM Sotheby’s sets up their tent at Place Vauban, and the historic
Les Invalides looms over the clear roof.
It’s very special to see collector cars on display at Paris landmarks.
The city becomes part of the auction, which, I guess, is the idea.
Artcurial’s auction is at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, so it’s easy
to reach.
Even if you don’t plan to bid, it’s worth visiting all of these auc-
tions on their preview days. And you might find yourself arranging a
bidding paddle.
Neuf
9
52
It’s Not Just About the Cars
Paris is one of the wonders of our world, and no one
should miss standing in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower,
walking along the Seine or seeing the reconstruction of the
Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris.
We celebrate automotive art in SCM, so I’m sure many
of you would also savor a few hours in the Musée d’Orsay, which is
in an airy, reconstructed train station on the Seine. This museum now
holds the best Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections on the
planet.
If you can see just one piece of art in Paris — amid the thousands
of masterpieces in this ancient city — go to the Musée d’Orsay and sit
Come Back Again
If you have the time, forget about cars entirely and get
lost in Paris. Pick a neighborhood that seems attractive —
and then follow your nose and feet. This is how I found
Chez Alain Miam Miam.
Getting lost isn’t a big deal — if you have a street map
and a Metro map. Just find the nearest Metro station to your location,
and you can get home.
You can always hail a taxi, but learning the underground part of
Paris is part of learning Paris.
Paris isn’t all glamour and art and beauty. It’s a teeming city
of millions, and many parts are ordinary — at best. Yet just when
you think you know Paris, you’ll turn a corner and see a gorgeous
vegetable market, where fresh carrots, still carrying bits of farm soil,
glow in the afternoon light.
You’ll see a young art student sketching on a park bench — or eat-
ing a fantastic sandwich. You’ll certainly see cars that will stop your
heart — for just a moment.
No one can know all of Paris, but that’s why it’s so much fun to go
back — perhaps to Rétromobile 2021. If you’re feeling lucky, catch a
cab at the Gare du Nord.
You might meet Ali. If you do, hang on and know this:
“Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix….” ♦
It’s not just about the cars, but you should attend an auction or two
Sports Car Market
Chester Allen
Chester Allen
Page 52
Feature Rétromobile 2020
Très Fantastique!
Rétromobile never disappoints — beaucoup cars, parts and it’s in Paris!
by Ken Gross
Photos by Chester Allen
If it’s automobile-related, you can find it at Rétromobile
E
nthusiasts pack the Paris Expo Center at Porte de Versailles every February for
Rétromobile, an enormous indoor swapmeet with 600-plus vendors, countless
old-car dealers, car clubs and restorers, and an Artcurial auction.
RM Sotheby’s holds their auction at Place Vauban. Bonhams fills the glass-
topped Grand Palais with even more auction lots. There are hundreds more cars for
sale, rides in century-old vehicles, and daily classic-car workshops.
You’ve seen ads in SCM for Simon Kidston, Gregor Fisken, Axel Schuette,
Christophe Groh and Max Girardo. They try to outdo one another each year in Paris.
Fiskens’ Ferrari
Fiskens presented the 1967 Geneva Motor Show Ford GT40 P1069, along with a
gleaming yellow Ecurie Francorchamps Ferrari, s/n 9027275GTB4 Competizione,
restored in Maranello by Ferrari Classiche. It finished second in GT Class and 10th
overall at Le Mans in 1966. Another Fiskens dazzler was the Squire Works demonstrator,
a 1,500-cc roadster with a blown Anzani twin-cam inline 4-cylinder engine.
Only in Paris
Axel Schuette’s large stand celebrated 100 years of Alfa Romeo. Another historic
display featured rare Carrozzeria Bertone concept cars.
You’ll find stuff that never turns up at Hershey, Carlisle or Turlock.
Czech Republic restorer Ecorra, which does a lot of work with the Tatra and Zlin
museums, showcased a dozen rare Tatras. Commemorating a Tatra crossing of the
Sahara in 1947, which was part of a 99,420-mile, 44-country tour, the very T87 was
displayed mired in desert sand.
I counted six Miuras for sale in the various halls and auctions, and even more Facel
Vegas. Lamborghini’s in-house restoration department, Polo Storico, joined Ferrari,
Aston Martin and Bentley in showcasing factory-certified restoration efforts.
Veteran automakers tout their brands’ long histories here. Bugatti presented a
model from each of its incarnations — a 1926 Type 35 Grand Prix car, an EB110 (just
in time for a new book launch on the marque), and a new Veyron.
You’d expect to see rare old-timers from Renault, Citroën and Peugeot here, but
Volvo had a massive display, as did Skoda and Porsche.
Take your time
Horton’s and many other booksellers joined hundreds of smaller vendors hawking
all manner of automobilia, petroliana, model cars, parts, posters and radiator mascots.
54
Lamborghini, among other manufacturers, showcased
factory-certified restoration efforts
Sports Car Market
All this makes walking progress slow.
Mick Walsh and Julian Balme from Classic &
Sportscar were spotted along with David Lillywhite
from Magneto magazine. Chester Allen, SCM executive
editor, hosted the annual Sports Car Market reception
with Artcurial’s Ed Fallon.
Everything’s international at Rétromobile. For
lunch one day, I ate a crisp baguette filled with freshly
cut Jamón Serrano (Iberian ham) and drank a glass of
Rioja. I sat at a table with two French enthusiasts and one
Spanish gearhead.
We didn’t have to speak one another’s languages.
Within minutes, we had our phones out and were
showing one another our cars. Showgoers smiled, enjoyed
the ambience, and eagerly bought everything in
sight.
2021’s dates will be up soon at www.retromobile.
com. Be sure to put Rétromobile on your must-do list for
next year. I already have. ♦
Page 54
Feature Mercedes-Benz 300SL Classic
Moab, Bryce and Zion from a 300SL
Photo by William Brewster, willbrewster.com
A group of Mercedes-Benz 300SLs traverses the dramatic landscape around Lake Powell, AZ
The second Mercedes-Benz 300SL Classic toured the most spectacular
desert scenery in the United States
by Carl Bomstead
N
ational parks in southern Utah and northern Arizona offer some of the most
dramatic and spectacular scenery in the country — if not the world.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL is, arguably, the most spectacular road-going
machine produced in the 1950s and early 1960s. Combine the cars and the
scenery, and you are in for an exhilarating experience.
The second Mercedes-Benz 300SL Classic Rally did just that on October 29, 2019,
when about 40 Gullwing coupes and Roadsters gathered to spend five days touring
four national parks and several state parks.
The car-and-driver teams traveled 1,192 miles on scenic roads that were designed
for spirited driving. The 240-horsepower, fuel-injected 300SL excels on this kind of
pavement.
The 300SL Classic began in Moab, UT, and eventually circled back to the same
spot several days later. At the start of the rally, temperatures were unseasonably chilly,
and the support crew from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center had their hands full
starting balky machines that had spent the night in sub-freezing weather.
Days — and decades — of driving
Several of the 300SLs had been on multiple ral-
lies, but Michael Branning had recently acquired his
Roadster — and had driven it only five miles prior to
the event.
In fact, the first time his wife, Kelly, had ever seen
the car was when it rolled off the trailer.
On the other hand, Gull Wing Group President — and
my host — John Willott, helped his father buy his Gullwing
in 1966, and it has been actively driven ever since.
Ann Fagan owned her Gullwing for 33 years and it
is an original Rudge-wheel car. Greg Gill has owned his
Gullwing for 40 years, and it wears its original interior
— and worn, tattered paint. It is, however, mechanically
sorted, and in his words, “It’s driven with vigor.”
There were two Strawberry — a 1957-only color —
56
Details
Plan ahead: The third annual
Mercedes-Benz 300SL Classic is
scheduled for October 11–16,
2020
Route: Southern Colorado and
northern New Mexico
Cost: $7,600, which includes all
meals, double-occupancy lodging,
mechanical support and luggage
handling
Eligible cars: Mercedes-Benz 300SL
coupes and Roadsters
Web: www.300SLclassic.org
Roadsters on the rally. Only 29 were produced in that
livery, and it was a relatively unpopular color in the era,
but I’m willing to bet there are far more on the road today.
Sights and sounds
The first day was a 300-mile drive to an overnight
stay at Lake Powell. Then it was off to the North Rim
of the Grand Canyon, where you can gaze 21 miles
across the canyon to the South Rim. The following day
included the stunning Zion and Bryce National Parks,
where nature’s gorgeous touch with eroding rock was on
display around every turn.
The daily morning drivers’ meeting included a
presentation by John Willott, who is a professional geologist.
He explained how many of the formations were
formed hundreds of millions of years ago and how some,
such as the arches, were still evolving today.
The final day was set aside for exploring the beauty
of the Moab area on your own, and most visited the
Arches National Park.
The final evening banquet included awards — some
rather dubious — followed by a lively auction. The
auction results allowed for a generous contribution to
McPherson College and the Laureus Foundation.
Only one car had significant mechanical issues and
failed to complete the rally.
Also, there were no driving “awards” presented by
the authorities — well, at least none were reported!
The 300SL Classic was an exciting boutique rally
and for the owners and their co-drivers, the event offered
spectacular scenery, magnificent motorcars and delightful
camaraderie — a most winning combination. ♦
Sports Car Market
Page 58
PROFILES IN THIS ISSUE
Significant Sales That Provide a Snapshot of the Market
FERRARI: 1984 Ferrari 208 GTS Turbo p. 62
ENGLISH: 1931 Invicta 4½-Litre S-Type Low-Chassis Sports “Scout” p. 64
ETCETERINI: 1931 Bugatti Type 55 Supersport p. 66
GERMAN: 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300CE AMG 3.4 p. 68
AMERICAN: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Convertible p. 70
RACE: 1955 Moretti 750 Gran Sport Barchetta p. 72
NEXT GEN: 2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO p. 74
1955 Moretti 750 Gran Sport barchetta
Peter Seabrook ©2018, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
60
Sports Car Market
Page 60
Ferrari Profile
© Loïc Kernen, courtesy of Artcurial
1984 Ferrari 208 GTS Turbo
Not many modern Ferraris will draw a crowd like a 208 Turbo
by Steve Ahlgrim
Chassis number: 49485
SCM Condition for this car: 2
T
he 208 Turbo, introduced in 1982, was the first time that Ferrari
fitted a turbocharger on a marketed model. The 219-hp Ferrari
delivers a performance that lives up to its attractiveness.
This specific example is in wonderful, well-preserved condi-
tion, with flawless bodywork and original beige leather highlighted by
pleasant patina. This 208 GTS Turbo was sold new in Italy and includes
a stamped logbook with various services carried out at the time. It’s
been in the hands of a collector and racing driver from Lyon for the past
four years — and displays a mileage of 85,000 km. A major service was
carried out by specialist Caldéroni in November 2019.
The 208 Turbo is a rare car. The GTS is even more desirable than the
GTB version, thanks to its retractable roof.
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 116, sold for $69,298, including buyer’s
premium, at Artcurial’s Rétromobile sale in
Paris, France, on February 7, 2020.
The 2016 Paris auto show saw the introduction of a new model from
Ferrari. The model was the GTC4 Lusso T. It represented the first time
Ferrari put an 8-cylinder engine in their premium 4-passenger model.
The model is a sub-model of the 12-cylinder GTC 4 Lusso.
The Lusso T fulfilled two purposes. The first issue it solved was pro-
viding a less-expensive version of the 12-cylinder car. Perhaps more
important, it would be particularly attractive to the Chinese market,
where the 12-cylinder cars are more heavily taxed than 8-cylinder
models. The tax savings combined with the lower entry price could
reduce the cost by as much as $100,000 for a Chinese buyer.
The Lusso T was not the first time Ferrari was accommodating to cli-
ents interested in reducing the tax ramifications of a Ferrari purchase.
Ferrari folklore has a story that in their early years, the automaker
helped a couple of international clients by switching the chassis num-
62
Sports Car Market
ber of the client’s new Ferrari with their trade-in Ferrari. This allowed
the owner to import their new car to their home country as their old car
with no custom duty charged.
A less nefarious scheme came about with the introduction of the 308
GT4 in 1974. At the time, Italian residents were charged a 20% tax on
cars with an under-2-liter engine and a 35% tax on cars with an over2-liter
engine. The 308 GT4 featured a 3-liter engine, ticking the box for
the highest tax. Ferrari’s engineers found they could easily reduce the
displacement of the engine to 1,991 cc by simply replacing the cylinder
liners with thicker ones.
The horsepower was reduced from 255 to 170, but that was still
enough to give the 2+2 a respectable 137-mph top speed.
The Ferrari 208
1980 saw the introduction of the 208 GTS and 208 GTB. The 2-liter
version of the popular 2-passenger model received a 155-horsepower
Page 61
version of the 1,991-cc V8. In this configuration,
the GTS and GTB would
top out at 133 mph, slightly slower
than the 208 GT4 version.
The 208 models were low on taxes
— but also low on thrills. The driving
experience was similar to the 3-liter
cars, but the performance was so
disappointing that Ferrari didn’t even
publish a 0–60 mph time.
In 1982, the 208 got a new shot at
life. The new 208 Turbo saw the addition
of a KKK turbocharger — the
first time a turbocharger was used on
a production Ferrari.
Complementing the new power was
an aggressive cosmetic update. A
cool NACA duct in the lower left rear
fender provided increased intake air.
A long chin spoiler was standard. New
cooling grilles and a roof spoiler borrowed
from the Boxer appeared on the 208 Turbo before
trickling down to other models.
Suddenly, the econo-Ferrari was a contender.
The new 2-valve, fuel-injected, turbo engine produced
220 horsepower, breaking the elusive 100 horsepowerper-liter
mark with a very impressive 111-horsepowerper-liter
output. The contemporary 308 Quattrovalvole
Not many modern Ferraris will draw a
crowd at a car event like a 208 Turbo.
Everyone will want to look it over and
ask about how it drives. That won’t
happen if you drive up in a generic
Quattrovalvole.
models boasted a few more horses at 240 hp, but just 82
hp/liter. Top speed jumped to 150 mph — nearly up to
the 4-valve’s 158 mph. Zero to 60-mph times still weren’t
published.
Ferrari had one more trick up their sleeves for their
2-liter model. 1986 saw the introduction of the GTS
Turbo and GTB Turbo. The introduction coincided with
the introduction of the 328 series.
The new 208 Turbos were 2-liter versions of
the
3.2-liter 328 models. The twist was the addition of an
intercooler.
The intercooler bumped the performance of the mod-
els to near-328 specifications. Zero to 60 mph came in
6.3 seconds, a 10th of a second faster than the 3.2-liter
car. The quarter-mile time was identical. The top speed
was down slightly at 157 mph versus 163 mph for the 328.
The intercooled 2-liter produced 127 hp per liter versus
84 hp per liter in the 328.
Put in perspective, the turbocharged engine in
Ferrari’s current 488 line produces 170 hp per liter.
Details
Years produced:1983–85
Number produced: 250 GTS models, 437
GTB models
Current SCM Median Valuation: $49,000
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Major service cost: $3,500
Chassis # location: Top frame rail, right
side of engine compartment
Our subject 208
The 208 at the Artcurial sale was a 1984 208 GTS
Turbo, the non-intercooled model of the 2-liter turbo
series. While the styling of this model is quite impressive,
the turbo engine is no match for its non-aspirated
3-liter counterpart.
The Quattrovalvole power is nearly linear, with good
torque at all rpm. The turbo performance is nonexistent
at under 4,000 rpm. Coming on boost, the turbo gives a
bit of a rush, but the experience doesn’t make up for the
low-end vacancy.
The 208 Turbo wasn’t supposed to be a performance
model. It was produced specifically for the Italian market
to reduce the tax burden of Ferrari ownership.
Details of the tax proved elusive. I was not able to
track down if the tax was a one-time or an annual tax.
I also could not confirm if the tax is still in force today.
Drop us a line if you have the answer.
A rare, cult car
Only 250 Ferrari 208 GTS Turbos were built. They
tend to be a cult car rather than the flavor of the month.
Owners tend to be passionate about them, valuing them
for their novelty over other attributes.
Long-term ownership is the norm, and few of them
come to market.
There are no recent auction sales of 208 GTS Turbos
to use for calculating a base value.
British Ferrari historian Keith Bluemel puts them in
the $60,000–$90,000 range. Judging from the couple
of cars advertised on the Internet, Keith’s right. This
example sold for a bit of a premium, which may be due
to the recent service.
Not many modern Ferraris will draw a crowd at a car
event like a 208 Turbo. Everyone will want to look it over
and ask about how it drives. That won’t happen if you
drive up in a generic Quattrovalvole.
Exclusivity comes with a price — a 208 Turbo will
sell at about the same price as a Quattrovalvole despite
being a lesser car.
This transaction was made at a price that was very
fair all around. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of Artcurial.)
Steve Ahlgrim served as general manager and vice presi-
dent of Ferrari dealer FAF Motorcars, has been a concours
judge for over 25 years, and is a member of the IAC/PFA —
an international committee that oversees high-level Ferrari
concours judging.
May 2020
1983 Porsche 911 Turbo coupe
Lot 165, s/n WPQZZZ93ZDS000257
Condition 25-speed
manual
Sold at $46,580
Bonhams, Monte Carlo, MCO, 4/30/2010
SCM# 162455
1985 Lotus Esprit Turbo coupe
Lot F511, s/n SCCFC20A6FHF60591
Condition 3+
5-speed manual
Sold at $20,350
Russo and Steele, Scottsdale, AZ,
1/18/17
SCM# 6816957
1983 Ferrari 208 GTB Turbo coupe
Lot 65, s/n 45885
Condition 3+
5-speed manual
Sold at $62,513
Bonhams, Goodwood, U.K., 3/18/18
SCM# 6865765
Engine # location: In the V of the block
on the distributor side
Club: Ferrari Club of America
Web: www.Ferrariclubofamerica.org
Alternatives: 1985 Lotus Esprit Turbo,
1984 Porsche 911 Turbo, 1973 BMW
2002 turbo coupe
SCM Investment Grade: C
Comps
63
Page 62
English Profile
Courtesy of Bonhams
1931 Invicta 4½-Litre S-Type Low-Chassis
Sports “Scout”
This rare, very original car — the supercar of its day — sold for twice the
going rate
by Paul Hardiman
Chassis number: S75
SCM Condition for this car: 3-
I
n an era when most cars stood tall, the 4½-Litre S-type Invicta,
with its dramatically lowered chassis, caused a sensation. Few
sports cars before or since have so looked the part.
The Invicta Company’s origins go back to 1924, when Noel
Macklin and Oliver Lyle, both of whom had motor-industry experience,
got together to create a car combining American levels of flexibility and
performance with European quality and roadholding.
Apart from a handful of prototypes, all Invictas were powered by
the tireless 6-cylinder engines made by Henry Meadows. Launched at
the 1930 Olympia Motor Show, the S-type featured a new underslung
chassis that achieved a much lower center of gravity by positioning the
rear axle above the frame rails instead of below, as was normal practice
at the time.
The popular “100 mph Invicta” tag notwithstanding, standard cars
had a — still impressive — top speed of around 95 mph, with more to
come in racing trim. However, the S-type Invicta was primarily a very
fast, comfortable high-speed touring car, its greatest attribute being an
ability to cover a substantial mileage at high average speeds with no
strain either to driver or the machinery.
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 232, sold for €1,610,000 ($1,771,483),
including buyer’s premium, at Bonhams’ auction
in Paris, France, on February 8, 2020.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the number of Low-
Chassis replicas is an indicator of how highly regarded the Invicta is
as the epitome of the English sporting automobile.
64
Sports Car Market
In the same way that many saloon Bentleys have been chopped and
rebodied over the decades as Le Mans lookalikes, several Invicta saloons,
sharing major components, have been modified into copies of the
rakishly low-slung sportster. Other cars have been built up from parts.
But our subject car is the real thing — and probably the most original
left on the planet.
Not a long time — but a good time
As the catalog had it: “The Low-Chassis Invicta S-type is now re-
garded as one of the most desirable pre-war sports cars, sought after by
collectors for its exceptional driving abilities, style and sheer presence.
Page 63
The Low-Chassis has an enviable reputation amongst
connoisseurs, and examples are to be found in some of
the most important private collections.”
Noel Macklin, a former Captain in the Royal Horse
Artillery (invalided out in 1915), had a vision: He wanted
to make a car with the quality and reliability of a RollsRoyce
and performance that would better a Bentley.
He set up the Invicta company at his home in Cobham,
Surrey, in 1925 with financial backing from Oliver Lyle
of Tate and Lyle. Invicta produced a range of cars, and
the 4½-Litre S-type was launched at the London Motor
Show in 1930.
It was similar to the conventionally tall A-type, but
the underslung chassis (designed by Reid Railton, the
man behind Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird speed-record
cars) gave the car a very low profile — and the name
Low Chassis.
The torquey 4½-liter Meadows engine is the same
unit that went into Lagondas.
About half the S-type cars had slimline tourer bodies
by Carbodies or Vanden Plas, and the rest were drophead
or fixed-head coupes, with a lower 3.9:1 axle ratio.
Macklin was so confident in the cars that he offered a
Rolls-Royce-style three-year guarantee.
Plenty of competition
The Austrian Alpine Trail was a suitably high-profile
test, and Donald Healey (yes, that Donald Healey, who
used the same underslung chassis arrangement on his
100 sports car) twice won a Coupe des Glaciers for
Invicta — as well as the 1931 Monte Carlo Rally.
Later, the S-type took the International Sports Car
Record at Shelsley Walsh hillclimb and the Mountain
Circuit lap record at Brooklands in 1931 and 1932, with
Raymond Mays. Talk about the right names…
Somewhere between 56 and 68 of the 75 (or so: some
say 77) S-types built are known to survive. Some of the
cars participating in Invicta Car Club events in the
1930s were named after ships of the Royal Navy beginning
with S, and some have been named more recently.
A long history
Our car, S75, is “Scout,” delivered new in 1931 to
Lord Ebury. Henry Pether, its third owner, bought it in
1938 and kept it for almost 60 years before selling to
Martin Kölnberger of Aachen, Germany, in February
1995.
The deal included a race-spec engine (LG6451S4),
which was rebuilt by a specialist in the 1990s and is
currently in the car, while the original engine (7478) is
included in the sale.
The
current
vendor purchased
S75
from Mr.
Kölnberger in July 2009, had the gearbox rebuilt in
2010 and registered it in his daughter’s name in 2016.
It still wears its original U.K. registration number: OV
1296.
An amazing car in a grand setting
On display in the giant birdcage of the Grand Palais,
it was simply captivating, sharing the no-nonsense aura
of a supercharged Mercedes and some of its proportions
— but much lower. These cars are nearer the size of an
SS Jaguar than a W.O. Bentley, and they are probably
tougher than either.
The deep, louvred side valances fit in well here, giv-
ing the car an impregnable look.
“Patina” is probably too kind a description of this
car. “Lived in” would be more like it, but it gives the
car an unrepeatable aura of having seen a bit of life.
The 89-year-old paint is fantastically flat, chipped and
flaking, and the seat leather can only be described as
distressed.
The original Carbodies maker’s plate on the scuttle
looks as if it has never been disturbed, and all the
original brass and bronze fittings remain on the engine,
dulled by nine decades of respectfully leaving it alone.
The inner door panels are lined in event stickers —
testimony to how the car has been enjoyed, including
the Le Mans Classic, where it hit 115 mph with the windscreen
folded. The original fixed windscreen is included
with the car.
There’s a period brass fire extinguisher clipped
behind the driver’s door, but
inside, a modern high-
capacity bottle sits on the floor under the driver’s knees.
The radiator plating still shines. The lovely multi-hued
enamel radiator emblem survives well: I’ve never seen
a chipped one.
Discreet flashing indicators have been added at some
point.
Bonhams knew this was a special car and placed
some restrictions on bidding. Special formalities were
required, meaning no online offers — you needed to be
there in person.
With the going rate for a nice original Low Chassis
Invicta around £800k — or about two 4½ Litre Bentleys
— someone really wanted this and paid almost double
the market price.
Put that down to the astoundingly unrepeatable con-
dition. As we’ve been fond of saying these past few years,
they’re only original once, and this car epitomized that
quality like no other. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of Bonhams.)
Paul Hardiman has written for SCM since 2007. He’s our
go-to guy for British and European auction coverage — and
many car profiles.
May 2020
1934 Invicta S-type Low Chassis
Lot 5, s/n S165, lot 5
Condition 3
4-speed manual
Sold at $850,806
Bonhams, London, U.K., 12/6/2015
SCM# 270392
65
1935 Invicta S-type Low Chassis replica
(from 1½-liter saloon)
Lot 121, s/n WP1684
Condition 3+
4-speed manual
Sold at $285,571
Bonhams, Goodwood Revival, Sussex,
U.K., 9/10/2016
SCM# 6804573
Details
Years produced: 1931–33
Number built: 75 (or maybe 77,
depending on whom you ask)
Original list price: N/A
Current SCM Median Valuation:
$850,086
Tune-up cost: $250
Magneto cap: Around $150
Chassis # location: Stamped into engine
information plate on right side of
rocker cover
Engine # location: Stamped into right
engine bearer
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Club: The Invicta Car Club
Web: www.theinvictacarclub.org
Alternatives: 1927–31 Bentley 4½ Litre,
1931–35 Talbot 105, 1936–37
Lagonda LG45/Rapide
SCM Valuation Grade: A
Comps
1931 Invicta S-type Low Chassis
(rebodied coupe)
Lot 20, s/n 4467
Condition 3
4-speed manual
Sold at $983,137
Bonhams, Zoute, BEL, 10/11/2019
SCM# 6911710
Page 64
Etceterini & Friends Profile
Courtesy of Bonhams
1931 Bugatti Type 55 Supersport
This car rode incredible provenance, including Le Mans history, to become
the top sale at Rétromobile 2020
by Donald Osborne
Chassis number: 55221
Engine number: 26
Coachwork by Carrosserie Figoni
SCM Condition for this car: 2-
T
his magnificent high-performance, post-vintage thoroughbred
two-seater began life as a Works-backed Bugatti entry in the
1932 Le Mans 24-Hour race. It was co-driven there by two of
France’s most capable and charismatic drivers, the aristocratic
Sarthois (from Le Mans) Count Guy Bouriat-Quintart and the renowned
Monegasque future French Champion, Louis Chiron.
While this 2.3-liter supercharged straight-8 Bugatti originated
with a spartan lightweight racing body tailored to that year’s Le Mans
24-Hour regulations, following its post-race sale to Parisian magazine
publisher Jacques Dupuy, it was speedily rebodied in Boulogne surSeine
on the outskirts of Paris by the now-legendary Italian-born stylist/coachbuilder
Giuseppe Figoni.
Following an awards-rich early history in France, this Bugatti sur-
vived World War II, and in August 1963, it was acquired by its longstanding
owner, leading British Bugattiste Geoffrey St John.
This magnificent car became the apple of his eye, and he was dev-
astated in June 1994 when it was involved in a road accident in France,
assailed by a speeding car driven by a youth who was both uninsured
and drunk.
Frontal damage to the car was beautifully repaired in a subsequent,
utterly painstaking 5,000-hour restoration, from which his Bugatti
Type 55 — chassis 55221 — re-emerged, the vast majority of its original
St John-ownership fabric having been successfully preserved and
repaired. A photographic record of the restoration has been documented
by independent Bugatti consultant Mark Morris.
66
Sports Car Market
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 268, sold for $5,061,380, including
buyer’s premium (€4,600,000, €1=$1.097), at
Bonhams’ auction in Paris, FRA, on February 6, 2020.
I have often observed the effect that not-so-quiet whisper campaigns
can have on cars in the market. This is especially true when the discussion
centers on opinions of originality, history or details of preservation
or restoration — in other words, many, if not most of the key
elements that constitute attributes of value.
I will jump to my conclusion and then work my way back. This lovely
Bugatti, the highest-priced car sold during the Rétromobile auctions in
Paris this year, was sold exactly where I thought it should.
In fact, I might consider it well bought.
As the star lot in its sale, Bonhams actively marketed the car prior to
the auction, and I had the opportunity to see and inspect the car when
Page 65
it was displayed alone on their stand at the
2019 Auto e Moto d’Epoca show in Padua,
Italy, in October 2019.
It immediately impressed visually — the
Jean Bugatti roadster is a beautiful car, but
I think that Giuseppe Figoni created a more
grown-up car with the cowl-level doors. As
a detuned version of the Type 51 Grand Prix
car, this body seems more appropriate for
a vehicle not pretending to be a racer. But
therein lies perhaps the greatest appeal of
this particular Type 55 — that it actually
started life as a genuine competition car.
I am particularly fascinated with manu-
facturers who build racing and luxurious
touring cars — and racing cars that are
turned into touring cars. I’m also fascinated
with Bugatti in general, and this vehicle in
particular ticks all those boxes.
The transformation of racers into tourers
also starts an interesting conversation about originality
and its relationship to current value.
Dripping provenance
Clearly, our subject car’s first claim to fame, having
been driven as a Works car in the 1932 Le Mans by no
less than Louis Chiron, is key to its appeal. Although it
only lasted three hours before dropping out with what
was reported to be a fuel-tank problem, it ran well and
fast while it could.
It is also well documented that this chassis was rebod-
ied when sold to its first private owner shortly after the
race. The car emerged in 1933 with the current design.
The ownership history is known and documented from
new, and even after receiving its touring bodywork,
the car continued to impress in competition, including
I would say this car’s continuous
history and Le Mans credentials more
than compensate for the accident
repair and replacement engine.
winning the 1933 Paris-Nice rally in March 1933. A few
months later it also triumphed in concours d’elegance,
at the Bois de Boulogne Concours.
The chain of ownership continues through the 1930s
into the 1950s, when it was noted to have lost its original
engine — but not its appeal to a series of owners
through the early 1960s, including the last, who held it
for 56 years and brought it back to vivid life with a correct
replacement engine.
Our subject car was well known in U.K. and
Continental Bugatti circles — and used and seen often.
A big accident — and rebirth
It is well known that the car suffered extensive dam-
age during a 1994 road accident. This was the source
of most of the pre-sale chatter about the car. When I
saw the car in Italy last October, I spent a good deal of
time underneath and peering inside to look at the frame,
body panels and any of the visible wood body framing.
Without the benefit of the reports by Pierre-Yves
Laugier, I could see that most of the body panels had
been newly made — and that much original material
remained.
The full catalog description contained more informa-
tion on the state of the car than usually seen in auctioncompany
specialist condition reports. Interested parties
were told the entire story of the car — warts and all. In
May 2020
Details
Years produced: 1931–35
Number produced: 38
Original list price: $7,500
Current SCM Median Valuation:
$4,500,000
Tune-up cost: $6,500
Chassis # location: Brass plate on
left-side firewall; on upper crankcase
at engine rear
the end, there was very active interest and bidding on
the car. As usual, the negatives came from people with
no intention to buy it.
It sold to a European buyer, who had done thorough
research and was making as informed a decision as
could have been imagined.
For many decades, the Bugatti and Bentley worlds
embraced an attitude and approach to the historic record
that I find level-headed and admirable. These were
cars built to be used — and used hard. As such, they
were tools that required both maintenance and adaptation.
So long as everyone involved knew what was done,
why, when and by whom, there wasn’t an issue. It was all
part of a car’s story. Did it affect value? Sure — if a car
happened to have all its original, as-built components,
it was more appealing to some, who were willing to pay
more.
But for Bentley Boys and the Bugattistes, a dramatic
history could be far more interesting than the number
stamped on the component. Continuous history is what
reigned supreme.
A wonderful car well bought
Was there a discount for the story here? Perhaps —
but it wasn’t what you might have expected.
In 2016, the Type 55 chassis 5513 that Achille Varzi
drove in the 1932 Mille Miglia sold at Gooding &
Company’s Pebble Beach sale for $10.4 million. It was
said to retain its original body panels and all mechanical
components.
In 2018, chassis 55201, the first Type 55, a Jean
Bugatti roadster, sold at Gooding’s 2018 Scottsdale sale
for $4.07 million. It had been completely rebodied during
the 1960s, having lost the original body many years
before.
So, between those two sales, we have an idea of the
range of the market for this wonderful car.
Now, at $5 million, I would say this car’s continuous
history and Le Mans credentials more than compensate
for the accident repair and replacement engine.
I will actually take a step further than the one I started
with and say that this car was very well bought indeed. I
loved it, and so will the new owner. Well done. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of Bonhams.)
Donald Osborne, ASA, is the CEO of Audrain LLC
and oversees the Audrain Automobile Museum and the
Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week. An historian
and consultant, he stars on “Jay Leno’s Garage” on CNBC.
1932 Bugatti Type 55 roadster
Lot 147, s/n 55208
Condition 24-speed
manual
Sold at $3,251,125
Bonhams, Monte Carlo, MCO, 5/10/2008
SCM# 116680
1932 Bugatti Type 55 cabriolet
Lot 130, s/n 55206
Condition 2+
4-speed manual
Not sold at $4,500,000
Gooding & Co., Pebble Beach, CA,
8/18/2012
SCM# 209487
Engine # location: Brass plate on
left-side firewall; on upper crankcase
at engine rear
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Club: American Bugatti Club
Web: www.americanbugatticlub.org
Alternatives: 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300,
1935 Delahaye 135, 1933 Aston
Martin Le Mans
SCM Investment Grade: A
Comps
1932 Bugatti Type 55 roadster
Lot 135, s/n 55213
Condition: 2+
4-speed manual
Sold at $10,400.000
Gooding & Co., Pebble Beach, CA,
8/20/2016
SCM# 6804286
67
Page 66
German Profile
Tom Gidden ©2019, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
1991 Mercedes-Benz 300CE AMG 3.4
True AMG Mercedes cars are on the rise, and many of them may never be
less expensive than right now
by Pierre Hedary
Chassis number: WDB1240511B581941
SCM Condition for this car: 2-
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 188, sold for $124,229, including
buyer’s premium, at RM Sotheby’s Paris, France,
auction on February 5, 2020.
Another exotic offering from RM Sotheby’s Youngtimer Collection,
this unusual W124 variant does a fantastic job bridging the gap between
the raw 1980s AMG hot rods and the more refined off-the-shelf
1990s cars that were built with increasing levels of involvement from
Mercedes.
Mercedes-Benz — the ultimate Japanese luxury car
If you’ve been following SCM’s recent AMG market analyses, you
will find that all of our previous AMG subject cars have had a stint
where they spent time in Japan — often re-emerging with modifications
not seen anywhere else in the world.
It seems as if the Japanese market was creating AMGs that no one
else had the imagination or the vision to create. And now, in the second
decade of the 21st century, these amazing cars are suddenly beginning
to appear on the world market.
Mercedes-Benz cars are highly revered in Japan. A USA Today poll
showed that the majority of Japanese drivers consider Mercedes-Benz
the most desirable automobile. Top-ranking members of the Yakuza
have always favored Mercedes S-class over anything else. Even today,
a black or white Mercedes S-class pushing through traffic in Tokyo
must be given a clear path.
A mystery character in the hit manga series “Initial D” drives a
Mercedes as well — female heroine Natsuki Mogi’s sugar daddy, who
makes repeat appearances, but is primarily characterized by the car
itself.
With a cultural emphasis on improvement and creating the best of
the best, it’s no surprise that Japanese AMGs ended up taking on a life
of their own.
68
Sports Car Market
A more usable AMG hot rod?
Japanese engineering has long venerated the inline 6, a concept that
was masterfully integrated into cars such as the Toyota Supra, Datsun
280Z and Toyota 2000GT.
Mercedes also embraced this engine architecture well into the late
1990s, with the venerable M130 (used in the 280SE and 280SL), the
M110 (used in all Mercedes product lines except for the W201 from 1972
to 1985), the M103, which powered the venerable 300E, and finally, this
engine: the M104, which went on to power cars such as the C36.
Early KE-Jetronic M104 engines from 1990 to 1992 were completely
different from the 3.2-liter engines used in the 320E, 320S and 320SL.
These M104 engines were an ingenious adaptation of an M103 block
with a twin-cam, 4-valve head. It was only used in U.S. cars from 1990 to
’92 — in the 300SL and 300CE. Because it was only used for three years,
it was never fully understood by even the best Mercedes technicians.
Page 67
Regardless, this early M104, which avoided
wiring-harness issues, continues to be a reliable
and exciting Mercedes power unit. Our
subject car shows that this engine had some real
potential with just a few minor improvements.
And most importantly, it was a well-developed,
reliable engine, capable of running well without
needing much more than a valve job at 100k
miles.
How to make your own 300CE AMG
Depending on when it was built, it’s very likely
that this engine shares some internals with what
eventually became the C36 engine (M104.941).
The auction catalog mentions a pair of special
camshafts, which are similar to the ones used in
the E36 and C36. In fact, today, if one wanted
to put a home-built AMG powerplant together
for their own 300CE, a C36 block, camshafts
and exhaust manifold would likely yield an even
better result than the one listed here, thanks to the extra
displacement.
The main advantage of our subject car is that it still
uses KE-Jetronic injection. While this system has an
electronic control unit, the engine will still run reasonably
well in the event of a major electrical problem. This
is the miracle of KE-Jetronic.
Another advantage of
this system is that
it makes
more power — albeit only slightly — than the HFM-SFI
The status of these cars ensured that
many were well preserved, and many
of them are reasonably priced.
Of course, shipping costs negate
some purchase savings, but the
possibility of finding amazing cars
hidden in Tokyo still exists.
system that replaced it. While not immediately apparent
in the M104, the best example is the early M199.960
used only in the 1990–92 500SL. This engine was rated
around 322 horsepower, but as the M119 timeline moved
forward, most versions developed 315 hp, until 1996,
when output was dramatically improved by raising the
compression.
The bottom end of our subject car’s engine is likely
similar to the 3.4-liter M103 that AMG introduced circa
1986–87 as an improvement over the original 3-liter
Details
Years produced: 1988–93
Number produced: Fewer than 50
Current SCM Median Valuation:
$195,591
Tune-up cost: $770, including all ignition
parts and air filter
Chassis # location: Stamped into
radiator core support
Engine # location: Front right area
of engine block, behind alternator
bracket
variant. This engine made 245 hp, which is impressive
for an SOHC engine that originally made 188 hp.
I’m going to make a shameless plug here for the lon-
gevity of internal-combustion engines. If anyone ever
converted this car to electric power, it would render the
entire package boring and, arguably, worthless. At least
60% of the money plopped down for our subject car was
done so because of what lives under the hood.
A treasure hunt for the enthusiast
The availability of exotic Mercedes in Japan is just
starting to be fully understood.
Some great examples of these cars ended up in Japan
— and are now starting to be offered for sale. The status
of these cars ensured that many were well preserved,
and many of them are reasonably priced. Of course,
shipping costs negate some purchase savings, but the
possibility of finding amazing cars hidden in Tokyo still
exists.
The majority of AMG-Mercedes from this era are on
the rise. While we don’t know where the top of this market
is, this sale is evidence that true AMGs — examples
with significant engine, interior and cosmetic enhancements
— are seriously collectible. This car was fairly
bought and sold in today’s market, and will likely never
be cheaper. ♦
Pierre Hedary, who owns and operates a Mercedes-
Benz repair and restoration shop in Titusville, FL, lives and
breathes vintage Mercedes.
1994 Porsche 968 Club Sport coupe
Lot 234, s/n WP0ZZZ96ZRS815483
6-speed manual
Condition 2Sold
at $88,084
RM Sotheby’s, Essen, DEU, 4/11/2019
SCM# 6899718
1995 Mercedes-Benz E60 AMG sedan
Lot 189, s/n WDB1240361C213356
Condition 2
4-speed automatic
Sold at $177,970
RM Sotheby’s, Olympia, London, U.K.,
10/24/19
SCM# 6915853
Transmission: Automatic
Club: Mercedes Benz Club of America
Website: MBCA.org
Alternatives: 1988–95 BMW M5,
1991–95 Porsche 968, 1991–95
Lexus SC400
SCM Investment Grade: A
Comps
1988 BMW M5 sedan
Lot 59, s/n WBSDC930XJ2791970
5-speed manual
Condition 2+
Sold at $48,400
Bonhams, Quail Lodge, Carmel Valley,
CA, 8/19/2016
SCM# 6804008
May 2020
69
Page 68
American Profile
Mike Maez, courtesy of Gooding & Company
1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Convertible
Average C2 Corvettes are sinking in this market, but this isn’t an average C2
by B. Mitchell Carlson
Chassis number: 194677S107228
Engine number: 7107228T1219JE
SCM Condition for this car: 2-
• Top-of-the-line 427/435 convertible finished in Marina Blue over
Bright Blue
• Highly optioned with desirable cast-aluminum bolt-on wheels,
hard top, F41 suspension and off-road exhaust
• Well-documented chain of ownership dating back to 1967
• Bloomington Gold Certified, Survivor, Benchmark and NCRS Top
Flight Award Winner
• Exceptionally well-preserved, unrestored example with original
Protect-O-Plate. Among the finest examples known to exist.
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 23, sold for $246,400, including buyer’s
premium, at Gooding & Company’s Scottsdale,
AZ, auction on January 17, 2020.
The best year of the C2 Corvette wasn’t even supposed to happen.
The “Mako Shark” C3 generation of Corvettes was originally
intended to be introduced for 1967. However, developmental issues
delayed production to 1968 (indeed, the T-top coupes didn’t enter
production until later in the model year, so the first C3s were solely
convertibles).
As such, a few minor design changes were made — in addition to me-
chanical changes required for this first year of federal safety requirements,
such as dual-master-cylinder brakes and collapsible steering
columns. So the second-generation Corvette soldiered on for one more
year.
For a car that wasn’t supposed to be, 1967 Corvettes — the final
year of the C2 — are the most coveted of the generation. Of them, the
435-horsepower, triple 2-barrel induction, solid-lifter, 427-ci Mark IV
big-block-powered examples (the first of three years the L71 engine
configuration was available) are the top of the pecking order — always
70
Sports Car Market
have been, always will be, even after we are forced into electric cars
and sent to the gulag just for liking internal-combustion engines.
A shrinking market — but not for all of them
Our sister publication, American Car Collector, hosted a “Buy/Sell/
Hold” market seminar at this year’s Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction.
I was one of the panelists. This was two days before our featured
car crossed the block.
One of my fellow panelists, Ken Lingenfelter, had the stock C2
Corvette as one of his picks as a car to sell.
His logic — backed with a lot of market data — is that the core
market of enthusiasts is aging and putting more cars on the market. At
the same time, younger enthusiasts are less interested in authentically
restored concours lawn ornaments.
Page 69
However, Lingenfelter sees
more interest in modified/restomod
examples. These cars appeal
to collectors who want the cool
look of an older Corvette — but
one fitted with modern power and
conveniences.
However, our subject car
breaks those (and other) rules —
and for good reasons.
Before discussing its current
value, I’ll note
that we have
seen this car before, as it sold
for $241,150 at Mecum’s 2012
Kissimmee auction (SCM#
6755197). Just on that result, one
can make the argument that the
car is staying flat in value.
This Corvette sold below
Gooding’s $250,000 to $300,000
estimate, so it’s easy to say this
sale proves Lingenfelter’s argument.
I suspect that the estimate was based more on high
hopes than the real-world market — and our example
was correctly sold.
This is the real deal
The joke among Corvette enthusiasts is that there are
now at least twice the number of “original, numbersmatching”
435-horsepower C2s out
there than were
originally built.
For these pretender cars — and those with no prov-
enance — Lingenfelter’s words about the C2 Corvette
market are very prophetic.
Yet examples like our subject car, which has a
known history and is in well-preserved original condition
— and carries Bloomington Gold, Survivor and
Benchmark accreditation — play by different rules.
With performance that puts it on a same level as exot-
ics of the same era — sounds like the 2020 Corvette —
the L71-powered ’Vettes will always be one of the most
coveted Corvettes of all time.
The 21 L88-powered 1967 cars and the Z06 1963
Split-Window coupes are the only regular production
C2 Corvettes to have greater value. The five 1963 Grand
Sport Corvettes are special GM builds.
The power of provenance
While this is an original, cared-for car, one can eas-
ily argue that it’s not the ultimate example of an L71powered
1967 Corvette.
Being a known entity from Day One
secures it as a real-deal car. The car’s
original, unrestored — and good —
condition is another big plus.
that it had seven verifiable owners from new.
Being a known entity from Day One secures it as a
real-deal car.
The car’s original, unrestored — and good — condi-
tion is another big plus. Isn’t it nice to see that original
cars in good condition are once again more valued than
guano-encrusted barn finds?
Yet this car isn’t minty enough to seal it away in the
garage. It’s okay to put a few miles on it every now and
then.
All these factors show why someone stepped up — and
wrote a big check — to become owner number eight.
Correctly sold. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of Gooding &
Company.)
B. Mitchell Carlson is a longtime SCM writer, and he’s
our resident expert for many examples of Americana and
historic military vehicles.
$400,000
High Auction Sales for the Past Five Years
$852,500*
1967 Chevrolet
427/435 Convertible
$300,000
This sale:
$246,400
$200,000
$181,500
$100,000
*Sold as the only Tuxedo Black/Bright Blue 435-hp
1967 Corvette convertible known to exist
$0
May 2020
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
71
$236,500
$209,000
1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435
convertible
Lot 128, s/n 194677S114980
4-speed manual
Condition 2
Sold at $151,200
RM Sotheby’s, Phoenix, AZ, 1/17/2019
SCM# 6891260
$308,000
1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435
convertible
Lot S235, s/n 194677S109269
Condition 2+
4-speed manual
Sold at $121,000
Mecum Auctions, Kissimmee, FL,
1/2/2020
SCM# 6919213
1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 coupe
Lot 1307, s/n 194377S114902
Condition 2+
4-speed manual
Sold at $181,500
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ,
1/13/2020
SCM# 6922258
While I like Marina Blue with Bright Blue interior,
most would rather have red and/or black. On that same
blue token, retaining its original Teal Blue vinyl soft top
— in addition to the optional black vinyl hard top — is
quite rare.
While 56k miles from new is quite low, there are ex-
amples out there with far less mileage.
What I think really made bidders chase this car was
Details
Year produced: 1967
Number produced: 3,754 (of 22,940
1967 Corvettes)
Original list price: $5,622
Current SCM Median Valuation:
$127,500
Tune-up cost: $350
Distributor cap: $25
Chassis # location: Plate on the passenger’s
side dashboard lower frame
Engine # location: Pad on the passenger’s
front side of the engine block;
on the top deck for the cylinder head
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Club: National Corvette Restorers Society
(NCRS)
Web: www.ncrs.org
Alternatives: 1968–69 Chevrolet
Corvette L71, 1968 Shelby GT500
KR, 1970–71 Plymouth ’Cuda (440
Six Pack)
SCM Investment Grade: A
Comps
Page 70
Race Car Profile
Peter Seabrook ©2018, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
1955 Moretti 750 Gran Sport Barchetta
This tiny, cute car is a serious racer — and a fast ticket to world-class events
by Thor Thorson
Chassis number: 1612
SCM Condition for this car: 2-
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 172, sold for $177,470, including
buyer’s commission, at the RM Sotheby’s auction
in Paris, France, on February 5, 2020.
A good friend of mine is a serious collector and vintage racer. Over
the years, he has owned and raced many of the most jaw-dropping and
important cars known, but the biggest grins I have seen when he comes
off the track are when he is driving his Sprite.
Lots of exotic cylinders, insane market values and genuflecting
spectators have nothing to do with how much fun something is to drive
— in fact, sometimes it’s just the opposite.
Little and weird can have an honored place at the table.
Everybody knows about Fiat, Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo,
and a few even understand Lancia, but in Italy during the early
post-war years there was an amazing number of small, enthusiastic
manufacturers following the dream of creating specialty cars for the
few people wanting to buy them.
The generic term for these has become “Etceterini.” Most of the
manufacturers built cars based on available Fiat components with
their own modifications and bodywork, but a few, particularly OSCA
and Moretti, actually built complete cars.
Hello, Moretti
Giovanni Moretti founded his company in 1925 to build motorcycles,
expanding into microcars through the 1930s. During World War II,
the company did well building light commercial vehicles, particularly
electric trucks for the gas-rationing times.
With peace, Moretti went back to building very small gasolinepowered
cars using their own 600-cc and 750-cc engines. Based in
72
Sports Car Market
Turin, Moretti built a full range of cars, mostly sedans, using a pushrod
4-cylinder engine.
However, being Italian, Moretti also built some Grand Sport
barchettas and coupes — using an aluminum twin-cam head and highperformance
internals — to go racing.
Moretti did well for a while, but increasingly couldn’t compete with
the high-production Fiat 600s on price. By the late 1950s, Moretti
gave up being a complete manufacturer in favor of modifying Fiats.
The company managed to survive that way into the 1980s. For a brief,
halcyon period in the mid-1950s, though, they flourished and managed
to build a few very special little performance cars. Nobody seems to
know how many of the Grand Sports (both coupe and barchetta) got
built, but it’s not a large number. They’ve always been hen’s-teeth rare.
Page 71
Small, cute and serious
The Grand Sport Morettis are extremely cool,
tiny cars, with the emphasis being on tiny.
Until you have physically been around one,
you have no concept of how small they are. The
wheelbase is three inches shorter and three
inches narrower than a Mini Minor, and the
car barely comes to your waist, even on 15-inch
wheels.
Most people’s response to them is like meeting
a puppy or kitten; your knees go soft and
invariably a grin comes across your face. It’s
just so cute!
I’ve never tried to get into one, but
contemporary road tests suggest that there is
more room inside that you’d expect. Drivers
tended to be scrawnier back then, so the reported
roominess may be a function of expectations, not
space.
The engine is a jewel to look at, with wide-set twin
cams and the smallest twin-choke Webers you’ve ever
seen. It supposedly makes something like 70 horsepower
at 7,500 rpm, which is impressive for 750 cc. The whole
car weighs about 1,250 pounds, so it isn’t exactly slow.
The tests said it will reach 100 mph, although it takes
30 seconds to get there. Light and tiny, the handling is
Morettis or, for that matter, any of the
Etceterini cars, are not for everyone.
They tend to be fragile, and parts are
difficult-to-impossible to find when
they inevitably break, so they can be
high maintenance.
extremely nimble, and the fact that it is so narrow makes
any winding road just that much wider when driving a
racing line.
All of this gets us to the most basic point: Although
this car is tiny and cute, it is in fact a very serious and
competent Italian racing car of the mid-1950s.
It has a tubular frame, the bodywork is bespoke
aluminum and it’s perfectly capable of running as long
and far as you ask it.
In the 1956 Mille Miglia the larger cars had the
spotlight, but there were 34 cars that finished in the 750cc
class (this car, or one just like it, started the race but
didn’t finish). Small was more normal than big in those
days, and they’ll do just as much if not as quickly.
Hard to find
Another big factor is that GS Morettis are very rare
— and thus special.
A huge factor in the value and desirability of any
racing car is which parties you can get invited to attend,
and the most desirable are, by definition, the most
exclusive.
Any organizer faced with an overabundance of
entries will try to get as much diversity into the field as
possible to make for a good show, which means selecting
the weird and special entrants over the commonplace.
Something like this Moretti is virtually guaranteed an
entry at events such as the Mille Miglia Storica, Classic
Le Mans or Goodwood.
Why it’s not a million-dollar car
Let’s step back and look at the entire package. It’s Italian,
with a tube frame and bespoke aluminum bodywork.
May 2020
73
1953 Moretti 750 Gran Sport coupe
Lot 122, s/n 1290S
Condition 24-speed
manual
Sold at $174,720
RM Auctions, Villa Erba, ITA, 5/25/13
SCM# 216614
Details
Years produced: 1953–56
Number produced: Unknown — not
many
Original cost: $4,200
Current SCM Median Valuation:
$183,000
Tune-up cost: $450
Chassis # location: Plate on engine
bulkhead
It has a twin-cam, hemispherical-head engine with
Webers that will happily rev to or past 7,500 rpm all day
long. It is red, very rare and attractive.
Although this car’s particular history is uncertain, it
is unquestionably real, and it — or its sister cars — have
extensive history in major international events.
It is by all accounts a giggle to drive, although fitting
into it may be an issue for a large driver. It is welcome
and will be a center of attention at virtually any major
racing event worldwide. Except for the engine size, this
would be a guaranteed recipe for a million-dollar car,
minimum.
Morettis or, for that matter, any of the Etceterini cars,
are not for everyone.
They tend to be fragile, and parts are difficult-to-
impossible to find when they inevitably break, so they
can be high maintenance.
More to the point is that collectors of Italian racing
cars tend to take themselves and their cars very
seriously: They are, after all, important and valuable
items.
This doesn’t work for Etceterini owners, as successful
enjoyment requires a sly grin and a twinkle in the eye
as you bounce around in something that confounds
expectations and is simultaneously impressive and flatout
cute. It requires a different attitude.
To the right owner, this can be a fabulous car and a
low-cost entry into the coolest events, but it does come
across as a bit of a toy.
It’s not, though. For what it is and what you can do
with it, I would say it was very well bought. ♦
Thor Thorson wrote his first Race Profile for SCM way
back in 2003. He has owned this part of the magazine ever
since, much to the delight of all.
Engine # location: Bottom left side
of block
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Web: Etceterini.com
Alternatives: 1956–60 OSCA 750S,
1956–60 Fiat Abarth 750, 1956–57
Stanguellini 750 Sport
SCM Investment Grade: B
Comps
1959 Fiat Abarth 750 GT coupe
Lot 119, s/n 100556881
Condition 2
4-speed manual
Sold at $115,785
RM Sotheby’s, Villa Erba, ITA, 5/25/19
SCM# 6902465
1959 OSCA Tipo S 273 racer
Lot 36, s/n 767
Condition 34-speed
manual
Sold at $605,000
Gooding & Co., Pebble Beach, CA,
8/20/16
SCM# 6804251
Page 72
Next Gen Profile
Tom Gidden ©2019, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO
This car is faster, stiffer and lighter than the previous GT-R. It’s also
uncomfortable — and more expensive
by Nick Jaynes
Chassis number: JN1GANR35U0181312
SCM Condition for this car: 1
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 192, sold at $154,322, including buyer’s
premium, at RM Sotheby’s auction in Paris,
FRA, on February 5, 2020.
When the R35-generation Nissan GT-R debuted for the 2009 model
year, it became an instant icon.
Underneath its subtly styled hood lived a 480-horsepower twin-tur-
bocharged, 3.8-liter, hand-built V6 that — along with its complicated
all-wheel-drive system — propelled the Japanese monster to 60 mph in
3.5 seconds on the way to its 185-mph top speed.
It was undeniably special. At stoplights, workmen would practically
climb out of the windows of their white Ford vans to get a better look.
They’d pump their fists in the air and cheer.
In 2009, the GT-R was your plumber’s favorite car.
Even if regular blue-collar folks couldn’t afford one, it was their
hero. How could it not be? It was a Nissan that was quicker to 60 mph
than Italian supercars three times its price. And it could be had for just
over $78,000.
Sure, the GT-R had eardrum-shattering levels of cabin noise. Going
over even the slightest roadway imperfection felt like getting thwacked
in the spine with a hammer. The all-wheel-drive system groaned,
whined and cracked as if it were tearing itself apart — even under normal
operation. And the steering was simultaneously shoulder-achingly
heavy and frighteningly twitchy.
Enthusiasts looked past all those issues because it’s a Nissan that
can do 0–60 mph quicker than a Ferrari for the price of a used landyacht
RV.
Even when it was new, I didn’t particularly like the GT-R — inside
74
Sports Car Market
or out. But I respected it. I couldn’t hate a car as technically advanced
and as affordable as the GT-R.
The rise of Mechagodzilla
Fast forward eight years. Nissan refreshed the GT-R for the 2017
model year. And atop that mildly revitalized heap resides the GT-R
NISMO — right from Nissan’s in-house tuning division. NISMO engineers
took the already uproarious GT-R and made it, well, more.
If the GT-R were the Son of Godzilla, the GT-R NISMO is
Mechagodzilla.
Page 73
twin-turbo V6 grinds out 600 horsepower.
What’s more, it
The 2017 NISMO variant’s 3.8-liter
includes aerodynamic
improvements, stiffer springs (God help
us), 16 fewer dash buttons (the 2016 GT-R
NISMO had 27), hollow anti-roll bars,
RAYS forged alloy wheels, and a carbonfiber
rear wing. These changes slashed
Mechagodzilla’s 0–60 time by an entire
second — down to 2.5.
But it also increased the sticker price to
$176,585 — hardly a figure even the most
well-heeled plumber can afford.
Is it worth it?
Our subject 2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO
crossed the auction block at RM Sotheby’s
Paris auction. Although the car was virtually
new — with a scant 90 kilometers on
the clock — it sold for $154,322. That was
around $22,000 less than when it was new just three
short years ago.
Even in the face of its equilibrium-rending perfor-
mance, I have to wonder if the GT-R NISMO is worth
the price.
Going that fast is pointless.
There is no reason to go 0–60 mph in 2.5 seconds.
None. Do you need to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife
in 7.08, as the GT-R NISMO — although that was a
pre-production N Attack Package car — did in 2015?
No, no you don’t. So why would you buy a car that can,
The GT-R is not that good-looking by
2020 standards; its lines haven’t really
aged with grace. It’s loud. It’s harsh.
It’s frightening to drive on anything
less than F1-race-quality tarmac.
especially a car that sacrifices everything that should
be enjoyable about a $170,000 sports car in pursuit of
that goal?
The GT-R is not that good-looking by 2020 standards;
its lines haven’t really aged with grace. It’s loud. It’s
harsh. It’s frightening to drive on anything less than F1race-quality
tarmac.
Despite the lack of refinement, you don’t feel par-
ticularly connected to the driving experience. It’s both
harsh and aloof — the worst of both worlds.
Peak car?
For me, the GT-R NISMO marks peak car. It is the first
car that was so successful at achieving
its goals that it made those goals irrelevant.
The GT-R NISMO can demolish
most anything else on the track — and
would likely do so reliably for the
next 100,000 miles with few, if any,
required repairs. But is that any fun?
Think about
it. The Lamborghini
Diablo was (and still is) pretty awful
to drive and deeply unreliable. But it
was a laugh. It’s amazing to look at
and makes a tremendous noise to boot.
It’s a car that children and investment
bankers alike can get excited about. It
might be bad, but it’s aspirational —
in a fun way.
May 2020
2015 Audi R8 V10 coupe
Lot S106.1, s/n WUAENAFG6FN000634
Condition 1-
6-speed automatic
Not sold at $110,000
Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO,
10/30/2017
SCM# 6856201
75
Details
Years produced: 2014–present (GT-R
NISMO)
Lunacy and style were the driving forces behind the
creation of the Diablo. The GT-R NISMO has none of
that. Its development was influenced by too many engineering
achievements and not enough red wine and
recreational drugs.
The GT-R, and especially the NISMO, is an appliance.
You aren’t a part of the driving mastery so much as you
simply strap in, push the gas pedal into the economy
carpet and feel the Gs.
For that king’s ransom, you’re not buying a track-day
tool, you’re buying a front-seat ticket to the race.
Based upon the mileage, I’d wager the GT-R NISMO
that crossed the auction blocks in Paris had been driven
just one time. I bet I know why.
I imagine the first owner excitedly taking
Mechagodzilla for an inaugural drive into town.
On the way, every divot and imperfection in the as-
phalt was transferred straight into his vertebrae, sending
shooting pains up his spine. His ears rang with the
groan of the labored V6 engine and clackity AWD system,
accented occasionally by the plinking of stones as
they skipped off the sound-deadening-less underbody.
Then, when he finally rolled into the center of town,
people grimaced at the sight of the hulking Japanese
monster.
I picture him beelining it for home right then and
there, face bright red with embarrassment. He parked
it in the garage and never looked back at his $176,585
Nissan.
I don’t blame him. ♦
Nick Jaynes started writing for SCM a couple of years
ago. His passion for cars and adventure shows through in all
of his stories.
2009 Nissan GT-R coupe
Lot FR0084, s/n JN1AR54F79M250608
Condition 2+
6-speed automatic
Not sold at $51,000
GAA Classic Cars, Greensboro, NC,
3/2/2017
SCM# 6827642
2015 Nissan GT-R Black Edition coupe
Lot 797, s/n JN1AR5EF2FM281372
Condition 2+
6-speed automatic
Not sold at $70,000
Leake, Dallas, TX, 4/12/18
SCM# 6868016
Number produced: 1,095 (GT-R NISMO,
through model year 2017)
Original list price: $176,585
Current SCM Median Valuation:
$154,322 (this car)
Chassis # location: Left hand corner of
the dashboard
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Club: GT-R Owners Club
Web: www.gtroc.org
Alternatives: 2015–present Audi R8;
2016–19 Porsche 911 Turbo;
2015–19 Corvette Z06
SCM Investment Grade: B
Comps
Page 74
Next Gen Market Moment
© Christophe Gasco, courtesy of Artcurial
1978 Volkswagen Combi Type 2 Campmobile
These ultra-slow, ultra-cool vans are about to speed into the price
stratosphere. Shop accordingly
Sold at $111,138
Artcurial, Paris, FRA
February 7, 2020, Lot 66
Chassis number: 2382043540
SCM Condition for this car: 1-
A
couple of years ago, I spotted a mid-1970s Volkswagen camper
van with a big sticker across the back that read, “HILLS ARE
HARD.” With a whopping 70 horsepower pushing that brick
up a grade, the sticker was a bit of an understatement.
But one thing that hasn’t slowed to a crawl is the upmarket climb of
the VW Transporter.
We’ve all gotten used to seeing six-figure prices on vintage Sambas,
Westfalias, Combis and pickups, but that was mostly limited to the
1960s and earlier. If your microbus was made after Jimi Hendrix
burned his guitar, it was just an old van.
That ’70s van
But if you give it time, just about anything can become cool. Looking
at it now, I kinda dig the plaid upholstery and suburban-tan paint job on
this 1978 Volkswagen Combi Type 2 Campmobile.
This van is a trip through the Wayback Machine, complete with
a Craig cassette deck in the dash and a Regency citizens band radio
underneath. Breaker, breaker, good buddy, we got ourselves a primo
ride right here. Rewind that John Denver tape for me, would ya?
The van’s history is brief. It was purchased in Aurora, CO, by a
couple who didn’t realize it had a manual transmission. How do you
miss that on the test drive?
VW had offered an automatic since 1973, so it’s not like they
couldn’t have bought a different van. In any case, the gear-grinding
76
Market Moment
© Christophe Gasco, courtesy of Artcurial
1978 Volkswagen Combi Type 2 Campmobile
These ultra-slow, ultra-cool vans are about to speed into the price
stratosphere. Shop accordingly
Sold at $111,138
Artcurial, Paris, FRA
February 7, 2020, Lot 66
Chassis number: 2382043540
SCM Condition for this car: 1-
A
couple of years ago, I spotted a mid-1970s Volkswagen camper
van with a big sticker across the back that read, “HILLS ARE
HARD.” With a whopping 70 horsepower pushing that brick
up a grade, the sticker was a bit of an understatement.
But one thing that hasn’t slowed to a crawl is the upmarket climb of
the VW Transporter.
We’ve all gotten used to seeing six-figure prices on vintage Sambas,
Westfalias, Combis and pickups, but that was mostly limited to the
1960s and earlier. If your microbus was made after Jimi Hendrix
burned his guitar, it was just an old van.
That ’70s van
But if you give it time, just about anything can become cool. Looking
at it now, I kinda dig the plaid upholstery and suburban-tan paint job on
this 1978 Volkswagen Combi Type 2 Campmobile.
This van is a trip through the Wayback Machine, complete with
a Craig cassette deck in the dash and a Regency citizens band radio
underneath. Breaker, breaker, good buddy, we got ourselves a primo
ride right here. Rewind that John Denver tape for me, would ya?
The van’s history is brief. It was purchased in Aurora, CO, by a
couple who didn’t realize it had a manual transmission. How do you
miss that on the test drive?
VW had offered an automatic since 1973, so it’s not like they
couldn’t have bought a different van. In any case, the gear-grinding
76
original
original owners made one 900-mile road trip and then parked the van
for 40 years. The next stop for this VW was Germany, where it received
a scrub-up to as-new condition before going up for auction at
Rétromobile Paris.
A leap for all VW vans?
The van sold for $111,138, which is not just a new high-water mark,
but also a breathtaking jump up from any prior sale. Sure, the low
mileage and completely virginal restoration make this the best 1978
Westfalia in the world, but is this proof of a trend?
I suspect so.
For example, a ’78 Westie in driver condition went for $17,600 in
April 2018 at Mecum Houston (SCM# 6865848), and a clean ’77 van
went for $11,550 at Branson, MO, just a couple weeks later (SCM#
6867999). But by September 2019, a 1975 23-window Samba re-creation
failed to sell on a bid of $62,500 at Mecum Dallas (SCM# 6908720).
Consider this sale a warning. Your last chance to buy a van of this
era at a sensible price is now. Unlike the cabin of a Transporter in
winter, the market for 1970s Volkswagen campers is heating up fast.
— Jeff Zurschmeide ♦
Page 76
Next Gen Rising Sun
Recent Sales of Significant Japanese Cars
That Are Market Leaders — or Future Collectibles
by Brian Baker
1976 Nissan Skyline 2000 GTX
#28804. S/N KGC110XXX862. Unknown kilometers. “2.8-L
L28 (block N42, head N42), Solex 44 carburetors, Takoashi exhaust,
Kameari ignition box, stainless-steel muffler, fiberglass hood, Skyline
R32 GTR seats, Hayashi Street wheels.” Condition: 2. SOLD AT
¥4,000,000 ($39,100). Yahoo Auctions, 12/8/2019.
Brian’s take: After being disappointed that the 1975 Skyline 2-door
on Bring a Trailer didn’t meet reserve after it was bid to $35,000, I went
searching for a comparable car. These cars are 45 years old now, so not
many pop up for sale. I found this 4-door model. While the 4-door isn’t as
desirable as the 2-door model, it isn’t scorned.
Some of these classics that weren’t available in the American market
for decades still don’t reach the same bid amounts as they would in
Japan. It could be the fact that U.S. collectors don’t yet know the impact
these cars had — and still have.
1991 Nissan Figaro
#28714. S/N FK110006630. 163k kilometers (101k miles).
“Turbocharged 987-cc inline-4, 3-speed automatic transaxle, imported
from the U.K. in October 2019, Emerald Green, Ivory leather
interior, retractable partial soft top.” Condition: 2-. SOLD AT
$8,550. Bring a Trailer, 3/5/2020.
Brian’s take: The Nissan Figaro was part of a four-car run built
in Nissan’s Pike Factory. Nissan also built the Pao, the BE-1 and the
S-Car-Go, which are all quirky in their own right.
While the Figaro might look like one of the smaller Japanese
“Kei” cars, it is a full-sized (albeit small) car. With the small 4-cylinder
engine and tiny turbo, it keeps up with traffic. While this car has
a limited production run (20,073), it hasn’t jumped in value like the
AZ-1. This example has a lot of miles on it, especially considering
others in the market. However, I think the sale price is a nice buy.
Still, I don’t see these climbing in value anytime soon. They have
been available to import into the U.S. for some time, and they’re not
in great demand.
1975 Honda Civic CVCC Hatchback
#28543. S/N SG-E1015734. 14,000 miles. “1,488-cc inline-4,
5-speed manual transmission, refinished in Caroline Yellow, reupholstered
black and Houndstooth interior, 12-inch wheels, AM radio,
manufacturer’s documents and window sticker.” Condition: -1. SOLD
AT $9,500. Bring a Trailer, 3/2/2020.
Brian’s take: The first-gen Civic was the start of something spe-
cial. It is one of Honda’s most recognizable platforms, and it cemented
Honda as a reliable car in the U.S. However, the model has some quirks.
First-gen cars tended to rust very quickly — and they sometimes
caught the rust gremlin years after rolling off the assembly line. This
car is a great example of Civics of that generation. The owner even had
it partially restored.
Unfortunately, I think this is about as high as first-gen values will
get. Why? Later Civics offer much more enjoyment and aftermarket
parts availability. This is a good buy for someone who wants a first-gen
model in the collection, but it has probably reached maximum value in
today’s market. ♦
78
Courtesy of Bring a Trailer
Courtesy of Yahoo Auctions
Courtesy of Bring a Trailer
Sports Car Market
Page 80
AUCTIONS IN THIS ISSUE
$94.7m Mecum, Kissimmee, FL p. 88
$24.5m Artcurial, Paris, FRA p. 98
$22.3m Bonhams, Paris, FRA p. 110
$18.2m RM Sotheby’s, Paris, FRA p. 122
Roundup p. 132
Page 81
Window shopping at the greatest used-car lot in the world,
Bonhams’ Rétromobile display at the Grand Palais in Paris.
Photo by Chester Allen
Page 82
Market Reports Overview
Down But Not Out in Paris (and London)
Lack of superstar lots puts a cap on the top-end offerings in the City of Light
Top 10 Sales
This Issue
(Land Auctions Only)
by Chad Tyson
T
year.
We should feel positive that it was only down by that
much — given how unpredictable everything has felt in
recent months.
It wasn’t all Brexit, Trump impeachment and the coro-
1. 1984 Peterbilt 359 Ultra
Custom TT crew-cab “Thor 24” big
rig, $13,200,000—Worldwide
Auctioneers, SAU, p. 144
2. 1931 Bugatti Type 55 Supersport
roadster, $5,061,380—Bonhams,
FRA, p. 114
3. 1968 Ford Mustang GT “Bullitt”
fastback, $3,740,000—Mecum
Auctions, FL, p. 96
4. 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT
Lightweight coupe, $3,109,362—
Bonhams, U.K., p. 132
5. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C coupe,
$2,745,321—Artcurial, FRA, p. 106
6. 1958 BMW 507 Series II
roadster, $2,200,466—RM
Sotheby’s, FRA, p. 128
7. 1964 Porsche 904 GTS coupe,
$2,113,660—RM Sotheby’s, FRA,
p. 128
8. 1931 Invicta 4½-Litre S-type
Low-Chassis Sports roadster,
$1,771,483—Bonhams, FRA,
p. 112
9. 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K
Cabriolet A, $1,771,483—
Bonhams, FRA, p. 115
10. 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Super Sport coupe, $1,679,630—
RM Sotheby’s, FRA, p. 126
Best Buys
1960 Mercedes-Benz 220SE coupe,
$49,685—Artcurial, FRA, p. 104
84
navirus, though. The City of Light needs some star cars at
the Rétromobile auctions.
No $19 million Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 topped the sales
list in 2020. The high sale from this year’s Rétromobile
week — a $5m 1931 Bugatti Type 55 Supersport roadster
— would have slotted in as the third-highest seller last year.
Now, not all of the sales were down. Bonhams’ total
spiked by 66% from last year ($13.4m to $22.3m), helped
immensely by that Type 55 — even if the sell-through rate
dropped by eight points (64% from 71%). Last year’s top
three sales combined to sell for $4,468,512.
RM Sotheby’s total sales dropped by 50% with only
eight fewer cars consigned. In 2019, 18 of their cars were
bid over $1m, with 10 selling for a combined $23,796,013.
This year, there were only seven bid over $1m, and four
sold for a total of $7,177,351. That top-end offering difference
is not the entirety of the drop — just 90% of it.
Artcurial suffered a similar fate. With last year’s in-
credible 8C 2900 going away at $19m, it was going to be
a near-impossible task to make an equal splash this year.
Total sales were down by 45% — or $20,060,249. Except
for that one exceptional car, Artcurial was relatively on par
with the rest of last year’s numbers.
Now, yo-yoing of prices in Paris is nothing new. I’ve
tracked these sales for 10 years now, and I’ve seen leaps of
200% (Artcurial 2010 to 2011) and drops of 43% (Artcurial
2016 to 2017; Bonhams 2015 to 2016).
Paris sales, perhaps even more than the Monterey Car
Week auctions, are dependent on star lots meeting their
reserve.
What if each auction house had sold their highest-bid
no-sale in Paris this year?
RM Sotheby’s Jaguar D-type would have gone away
at $5,952,420, Bonhams’ Ferrari 206 Dino prototype at
$3,135,855, and Artcurial’s Mercedes-Benz 710 SS at
$5,374,810.
Suddenly the $30m gap from last year shrinks to $16m
and the numbers appear a little rosier.
But they didn’t, so here we are.
One note about the Roundup auctions in this issue —
1931 Bugatti Type 55 Supersport roadster, $5,061,380—Bonhams, FRA
specifically the two Bonhams sales. These auctions took
place during the peak time of Brexit political upheaval.
Hindsight is 20/20, and even the U.S. dollar/British
pound exchange rate has remained stable since — $1.00
= £0.78 on 11/26/2019 and $1.00 = £0.77 on the day I write
this in early March 2020. We will see how that continues
when the U.K. auction schedule really gets rolling in midMarch/early
April. Stay tuned. ♦
November 22–23, 2019
Worldwide
November 23, 2019
November 26, 2019
Bonhams
December 7, 2019
Mecum Auctions
Kissimmee, FL
January 1–12, 2020
February 5, 2020
Bonhams
RM Sotheby’s
Paris, FRA
Paris, FRA
February 6, 2020
Artcurial
February 7, 2020
Paris, FRA
$0
$20m
$18.2m
$22.3m
$24.5m
$40m
1: National concours standard/perfect
2: Very good, club concours, some small flaws
3: Average daily driver in decent condition
$60m
SCM 1–6 Scale Condition Rating:
4: Still a driver but with some apparent flaws
5: A nasty beast that runs but has many problems
6: Good only for parts
$80m
$100m
London, U.K.
Bonhams MPH
Bicester, U.K.
Sales Totals of Auctions in This Issue
$1.5m
Republic Auctions
Dallas, TX
Riyadh, SAU
$14.3m
$873k
$7m
$94.7m
he overall 2020 Paris Rétromobile auction results
dropped by 31% from the 2019 totals. Last year’s
$94,614,020 total from the Artcurial, Bonhams and
RM Sotheby’s auctions dropped to $65,057,100 this
1959 Facel Vega Excellence sedan,
$117,257—RM Sotheby’s, FRA,
p. 126
1984 BMW 633 CSi coupe,
$3,630—Republic Auctions, TX,
p. 136
1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25HP
Three-Position drophead coupe,
$109,688—Bonhams, U.K., p. 132
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Roadster, $1,136,976—Bonhams,
FRA, p. 115
Sports Car Market
Page 84
Market Reports Overview
Buy/Sell/Hold
It’s time to buy a rockin’ 1970s van — but ditch the BMW 1M
by Pierre Hedary
Buy: Well preserved, rust-free 1960s and 1970s American vans
American-made vans are just starting to wake up in the collector-car
market.
I’m talking about the Dodge A100 and A108, Maxivan, Tradesman
and Sportsman up to 1979. This also includes the Plymouth Voyager and
Fargo vans, the Ford Econoline up to 1974, any ’70s or ’80s Club Wagon
— and 1970-and-earlier Chevy vans, including Corvair vans.
This is a market sector with tons of potential. For a van from this
era to be collectible, it must have several weird attributes: limited hoodaccess
space, such as a 1968–74 Ford Econoline, an unconventional
physical appearance and an excellent state of preservation. Restoring
one of these is difficult and almost unheard of, and the needle tips
towards well-preserved originals.
Lots of windows, more colors and more options are a plus, but any
well-preserved van from this era is special. With the Ford Clubwagon,
a diesel version was also offered, which is super cool. Having a van like
this offers fun for the whole family, and most of their friends — in a
way that reminds us of our own childhood.
Sell: 2011–12 BMW 1M
If you haven’t noticed recently, BMW’s 1M is commanding
spectacular results, especially for new-in-the-box examples with under
5,000 miles. However, modern BMWs are a magical combination of
difficult serviceability, cheap plastic parts and goofy styling.
Eventually, BMW will replace the 1M with another model that
will attain undeserved hype, and prices for the 1M will slump for any
example that shows signs of use. While these cars remind many BMW
fans of the E30 M3, the 1M is not a true classic. If you have one you are
not totally in love with, dump it while this raging bull lasts.
Hold: Mercedes W123 diesels
If you’re considering selling the best car you’ve ever owned, stop
and think about it for a second. While prices are looking good for
300TD turbo diesels, as well as extremely nice 123 sedans and coupes,
the intrinsic value of these cars places them in a lofty position.
Your W123 diesel can’t be easily replaced with a slightly more
modern collector car that offers the same amount of serviceability and
reliability. If you have a garage with multiple collectible cars and need
to thin the herd, sell something else. I often speak with past owners of
these cars, and the one emotion they often associate with selling their
older MB diesels is regret. While money for the best examples of these
cars is currently strong, these cars have been underappreciated for too
long. ♦
Special thanks to Bring a Trailer expert Erich Schmidt for his input.
86
Sports Car Market
BUY
SELL
HOLD
Courtesy of Bringatrailer.com
Courtesy of Bringatrailer.com
Page 86
Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL
Mecum Auctions — Kissimmee 2020
With a $3.74m “Bullitt,” Mecum kicks the year off right
Company
Mecum Auctions
Date
January 2–12, 2020
Location
Kissimmee, FL
Auctioneers
Jimmy Landis, Mark Delzell,
Matt Moravec
Automotive lots sold/offered
2,015/2,946
Sales rate
68%
Sales total
$94,742,895
High sale
1968 Ford Mustang GT
“Bullitt” fastback, sold at
$3,740,000
It appears that everything touched by the King of Cool has since turned to gold — 1968 Ford Mustang GT “Bullitt” fastback,
sold at $3,740,000
Report and photos by John Hoshstrasser
Market opinions in italics
T
he big news for this year’s Mecum
Kissimmee mega-auction was the
inclusion of Lot F150, the 1968 For
Mustang GT that was the hero car d
Steve McQueen in the iconic 1968 mov
Fully documented from new and in s
ownership since 1974, this car rocked the
entered the block, everyone was on their f
The car was mechanically restored but
original, meaning the seat, steering wheel, 4-speed shift
knob and accelerator pedal were all the same ones used
by McQueen. A bidding war ensued by several phone
bidders until the hammer finally fell for a Mustang
world record of $3,740,000 after commissions.
All told, 2,015 cars sold for a combined $94,742,895,
with a 68% sell-through rate. This is a slight increase
over last year’s $93,741,010 result with a 65% sellthrough
rate. Those dollar totals are an all-time high for
this sale.
Other domestic heavy hitters came from the Tim
Wellborn Collection, including Lot F117, an unrestored
1971 Plymouth Hemi GTX originally ordered by a
highly decorated Vietnam veteran after his return. He
seemingly checked every option box, as this car was
the most optioned and most expensive GTX produced.
Its original sales price was more than a Cadillac Coupe
DeVille in 1971. At this year’s Kissimmee auction, it
hammered sold for $374,000, with commissions.
88
Hypercars from Europe were well represented with Lot S113, a 2019
Kissimmee, FL
cLaren Senna that sold for $1,430,000. This car was from the Michael Fux
Collection and appeared brand new with only 203 miles. Also from the that
collection was Lot S111, a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder in eye-searing Acid
Green. With only 510 miles and in like-new condition, this car changed
hands for $1,430,000.
Some Next Gen cars at this year’s sale included Lot K88, a 1986
Nissan 300ZX Turbo. With less than 39,000 miles and a 5-speed manual,
this lot sold for a market-correct $22,000. Lot T23 was a 1991 Toyota
Supra Mk III Turbo. This car showed 33,507 miles with a 5-speed manual
and was well bought at a final price of $27,500. Lot S50 was a rarely-seen-
at-auction 1992 Dodge Stealth Turbo with only 19,400 miles and a 5-speed transmission.
In excellent condition, this black-on-black
twin turbo traded hands for $18,700.
As I live in Central Florida, I’ve been attend-
Sales Totals
ing and enjoying the Mecum Kissimmee auction
for many years, and I must say, this year’s offerings
were the best I’ve ever seen. It seemed like
every Mopar was a Hemi, and every Corvette
was a big-block. With an auction so large, you
really had to have your walking shoes on to even
see a fraction of what Mecum Kissimmee has
to offer. In addition to this being The World’s
Largest Collector Car Auction, I’ve always
thought of it as The World’s Greatest Car Show.
Even if you do not intend to bid, there’s plenty
of opportunity to educate yourself first hand on
some of the rarest collector cars built. ♦
$100m
$80m
$60m
$40m
$20m
0
Sports Car Market
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Buyer’s premium
10%, included in sold prices
David Newhardt, courtesy of Mecum Auctions
Page 88
Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL
ENGLISH
#S219-1953 JAGUAR XK 120 drophead
coupe. S/N 677377. Black/black cloth/red
leather. Odo: 51,428 miles. 3.8-L I6, 4-sp.
Shiny black paint shows some polishing
swirls. All chrome and exterior trim is good.
Black-painted wire knockoff wheels shod with
reproduction Michelin bias-ply tires. Restored
interior shows excellent burled-wood dash.
Leather seating starting to crease and settle in
nicely. Steering wheel has some chips. Newer
square-weave carpet in good shape. Instruments
are clear. The 3.8-L engine has a triplecarb
setup from an E-type. Engine bay is
detailed and sanitary. Lucas fog lamps added
to bumper. Offered at no reserve. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $1,430,000. This example was custom
built for Michael Fux, a famed super/hypercar
collector. This is the second Senna built
out of 500 for 2019. That Mr. Fux only had
one other person in front of him for a new
Senna shows his standing with McLaren. The
base price for a Senna is around $840k, but,
as seen here, the cost can quickly escalate. A
couple of Sennas have hit the auction block
lately, and they usually sell for about this
much. The hammer price here after commission
was right in the middle of the estimate.
Pricey, but the new owner didn’t have to wait
in line. We’ll have to keep an eye on these as
more are built and the next shiny hypercar is
developed. For now, call this market correct.
GERMAN
#S72-1957 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
SOLD AT $121,000. The triple carbs should
really wake up this XK 120. This example had
been riding the Mecum train in 2019. It last
appeared at Mecum’s 2019 Las Vegas auction,
where it failed to sell for a high bid of
$105,000 (SCM# 6918502). Before that it appeared
at the Mecum 2019 Indy auction,
where it failed to sell for a high bid of
$126,500 (SCM# 6903729). The consignor
should have sold at the Indy sale since schlepping
it around the country didn’t provide any
more money. Fairly bought and sold today.
#S113-2019 MCLAREN SENNA coupe.
S/N 2BM15ACA4KW800002. Emerald
Green/white leather. Odo: 203 miles. Turbocharged
4.0-L V8, auto. Custom, transparent
Emerald Green paint exposing the carbon fiber
underneath said to be a $297,575 option. No
clear bra. No scuffs to air dam. Apparently
flawless inside and out. The interior trimmed
in matching transparent-green paint exposing
carbon fiber said to cost $43,904 extra, while
the bespoke white leather seating cost another
$14,000. Visually stunning inside and out.
Twin-turbo 4.0-L V8 engine produces 789 hp
and is good for 2.8 seconds 0–60, and 5.1 seconds
0–100. Top speed is a claimed 211 mph.
It’s a shame that this car most likely won’t be
driven. Cond: 1.
2-dr sedan. S/N 1529743. Coral/tan cloth/tan
vinyl. Odo: 85,700 miles. 1.2-L H4, 4-sp. Very
desirable Oval Window with sliding cloth sunroof.
Mileage shown claimed to be actual.
Excellent paint over straight body panels.
Chrome bumpers and exterior trim are bright
and shiny. Stated to be lifelong California car,
with original black plates. Concours-quality
restored interior. Tan cloth sliding sunroof
looks new. Coker Classic wide whitewall tires
are bright. Engine bay is stock and clean.
Blinged out with accessory bamboo tray under
dash, banjo steering wheel, bud vase, period
push-button AM radio, venetian blinds in rear
window, rear wood luggage rack, white VWlogo
mud guards and dual exterior rear-view
mirrors mounted on side trim. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $75,000. Values for 930 Turbos
have been sliding from the peaks in 2015.
This was a nice example, but it seems that only
the best cars get the attention in today’s market.
Still, the high bid was well below market
value and the consignor was right to take it
back home.
#S111-2015 PORSCHE 918 Spyder. S/N
WP0CA2A13FS800043. Acid Green/black
carbon fiber/black leather. Odo: 510 miles.
Fuel-injected 4.6-L V8, semi-auto. Stated to
be one of two painted in this retina-searing
shade of green. Flawless paint. Twenty-inch
magnesium wheels are free of scuffs, with
exterior-matching Acid Green calipers. Unworn
interior features black leather seats piped
in Acid Green, including “918 Spyder” stitching
on headrests. Could not inspect the engine
bay and there were no photos in the catalog,
but I expect it to look as-new. From the Michael
Fux Collection. Cond: 1-.
fading. Factory sunroof. Fuchs wheels scufffree,
but some of the lug nuts are chipped from
removal and installation. Interior is very good
for mileage. Driver’s seat shows no wear at
side bolster. Modern Sony DIN CD player.
Engine bay in driver-level condition, as fan
shows corrosion and paint on air cleaner is
chipped. Decals underhood are fading.
Claimed recent comprehensive engine overhaul
and turbocharger rebuild. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $44,000. This Oval Window was
obviously fresh out of a comprehensive restoration.
I could not find anything to fault.
Dressing up vintage Beetles with all the accessory
doodads is popular but sometimes can
start looking a little cheesy. At least this car
didn’t have the accessory eyebrows. Values
take a big leap for these when they are done
right, like our subject car. This Bug had it all:
good colors, oval rear window, sliding sunroof
and fresh restoration. The final sale price may
be a little high, but the buyer paid up for such
a desirable VW. Well sold.
#S195-1987 PORSCHE 911 Turbo 3.3
coupe. S/N WP0JB0930HS050411. Guards
Red/black leather. Odo: 60,594 miles. Turbocharged
3.3-L H6, 4-sp. Original paint holding
up very well. Slight orange peel and polishing
swirls throughout. Black rubber trim is not
90
SOLD AT $1,430,000. You couldn’t stand out
more with the color of this car—even if it was
on fire. That fact may not appeal to everyone.
This car was unworn and will most likely stay
that way, hidden away in temperature-controlled
garages instead of being used as intended,
which is sad. Base MSRP was $850k,
and with only 918 produced, speculators
pounced. Prices skyrocketed to near $2m but
have been retreating since. With commissions,
the final hammer price didn’t clear the $1.5m
low estimate. But as prices continue to wane,
I’ll call this result well sold.
Sports Car Market
Page 90
Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL
ITALIAN
#F159-1971 FERRARI 365 GTB/4 Day-
tona coupe. S/N 14193. Rosso Corsa/black
leather. Odo: 20,931 miles. 4.4-L V12, 5-sp.
Nearly flawless paint—there are scratches on
rear trunk where a European license plate was
once installed. Bumper and exterior trim is
bright and blemish-free. Borrani wire wheels
blemish-free, shod with Michelin XWX radial
tires. Prancing Horses on side of front turnsignal
lenses are fading. Interior shows no
noticeable wear. Good mousehair dash. Black
leather seats with red leather inserts very attractive.
Red carpeting is clean. Blaupunkt
AM/FM cassette stereo in leather console, per
factory. Engine bay is very clean, if a little
dusty. Equipped with factory a/c and power
when. Offered at no reserve. Cond: 2. SOLD
AT $220,000. These BBs were not sold by
Ferrari in the U.S.; they were all gray-market
cars that got federalized at one of several
shops that specialized in doing so. There was
no mention of which shop did the work on this
car. While my peers had posters of Countaches
on their walls, mine had a 512 BB just like this
one. I’ve always loved the elegantly styled
front end and masculine rear haunches. This
lot sold below the low estimate and below current
market value, but there were some unknowns
regarding servicing and
federalization. If all is well, then this car was
well bought.
JAPANESE
#K88-1986 NISSAN 300ZX Turbo
windows. Comes with Ferrari Classiche Certification.
Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $500,000.
Aside from the license-plate scratches on the
paint, this example was breathtaking. I particularly
liked the interior and its black-withred-insert
seats and red carpet. Values for
Daytonas have cooled considerably over the
past couple of years. Even so, the low estimate
of $625k was very fair, but the high bid was
nowhere close. This car is worth much more,
and the consignor was right to refuse the high
bid.
#S129-1984 FERRARI 512 BBI coupe.
S/N ZFFJA09B00050285. Rosso Corsa/tan
leather. Odo: 13,482 km. Fuel-injected 5.0-L
H12, 5-sp. Claimed that kilometers shown are
actual. Factory paint holding up well with
slight orange peel. Factory Cromodora alloy
knockoff wheels show some curb rash, shod
with Michelin TRX radial tires. Interior is
okay, with wear on driver’s side bolster. Daytona
tan leather seats with black leather inserts
always look good. Carpets are dirty. Kenwood
cassette stereo with equalizer at driver’s left
knee is a very 1980s touch. Stock engine bay
is cleanly detailed. Equipped with power windows
and a/c. Claimed to be recently serviced,
but no mention of what work was done or
coupe. S/N JNICZ145S5GX103116. Dark red
metallic/dark red velour. Odo: 38,697 miles.
Turbocharged 3.0-L V6, 5-sp. Claimed all
original including paint and that the mileage
shown is actual. Said original paint is holding
up well. Light scratches at passenger’s door
handle. All glass is clear. Rear wing has a few
chips. Factory alloy wheels blemish-free. Velour
interior is all stock and shows little wear.
Deeply bolstered Recaro seats look good.
Shift knob is a little dirty from use. Original
T-top bags in the back. Carpet is baggy in the
rear storage area. All-stock engine bay is clean
and complete. Equipped with desirable T-tops
and 5-speed manual. Cond: 2.
for Japanese sports car fans: good colors,
great condition, 5-speed manual and low
miles. These cars were thrashed about in period,
so it’s rare to find one in this condition.
This car was obviously loved and pampered
and stored correctly. The Mk IV Supras have
been getting all the attention and high prices
lately, but these Mk IIIs are still popular and
provide good performance. Like the Mk IV, the
Mk III cars have seen a bump in value, just
not as much. For the condition, the final price
here was a great buy. Well bought.
AMERICAN
#F179-1955 CHRYSLER ST SPECIAL
Ghia 2-dr hard top. S/N N558768. Copper &
ivory/copper & ivory leather. Odo: 61 miles.
331-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Metallic Copper paint
shows no flaws. No masking lines between
ivory top and copper body. Chrome wire
wheels blemish-free, with reproduction BFGoodrich
Silvertown whitewall tires. Two-inch
crack on passenger’s side of windshield.
Chrome mostly excellent, with small delamination
starting on passenger’s door top. Interior
seats are plush and inviting. Dash shines
like jewelry, steering wheel unmarked. Engine
bay is concours detailed. Exhibited at the 1955
Turin Motor show and said to be one of four
built. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $22,000. If you were in the market
for a 300ZX, this example would have been an
excellent choice in attractive colors and
loaded with good options. It’s rare to see them
unrestored in this condition. The final price
here was spot-on in the current market. Fairly
bought and sold.
#T23-1991 TOYOTA SUPRA Mk III
Turbo coupe. S/N JT2MA71N8M0153550.
White/blue cloth. Odo: 33,507 miles. Turbocharged
3.0-L I6, 5-sp. Stated to be a oneowner
car and that the mileage shown is
actual. Good original paint shows slight polishing
swirls only under close inspection. This
car has the removable Sport Roof targa top.
All glass is clear. Factory alloy wheels unmarked.
Only obvious wear in the interior is
on driver’s Supra-logo floor mat. Desirable
5-speed manual. Factory cassette stereo. Engine
bay is complete and clean but not detailed.
Comes with original window sticker
and clean CARFAX. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$27,500. This Mk III Turbo ticks a lot of boxes
92
NOT SOLD AT $375,000. Ghia body on the
New Yorker platform. Styling is a little more
conservative than the earlier Chrysler Ghia
Thomas Special. 1955 was the last year of the
Chrysler-Ghia collaboration. This car was a
no-sale at Mecum’s 2019 Phoenix auction, at
a high bid of $450,000 (SCM# 6904709),
which was the low estimate at this auction.
Prior to that this car sold at RM Sotheby’s
2018 Monterey auction for $527,500 (SCM#
6877341). This car deserves more than the
high bid here, but the trick is getting two other
people who feel the same way in the same
room.
Sports Car Market
Page 92
Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL
Market Moment
#F182-1965 FORD MUSTANG convertCourtesy
of Mecum Auctions
1974 AMC Gremlin X Hatchback
Sold at $32,450
Mecum Auctions, Kissimmee, FL, January 3, 2020, Lot J177.1
Chassis number: A4E465A284418
SCM Condition for this car: 2+
job as I bounced around the country with a starter wife in my early newspaper career.
The econobox little sister in the AMC line was the Gremlin, which pretty much is the front
C
two-thirds of the Hornet. I never stooped that low.
The Gremlin is sorta hot right now — it is being rediscovered as a modest American collect-
ible. Still, the sale of a ’74 Gremlin X at the Mecum Kissimmee auction for $32,450 — or almost
exactly 10 times the original sale price — was head-shaking.
Sure, Lot J177.1 was a bit of a unicorn, with fewer than 2,000 miles on a special black paint
job and the X trim package (including cool hockey-stick graphics), but let’s just say this one
is well ahead of the market. This might be the only thing it’s ever ahead of, given the anemic
horsepower.
Made from 1970 to ’78, the Gremlin was ahead of its time. It was an economy car before the
Arab oil embargo came along, complete with sort-of-groundbreaking rear hatch. They came
mostly with 6-cylinder engines of variously lackluster performance, and this car is no standout,
with a 258-ci straight 6 and 3-speed.
There were some V8 cars, and a
specialty go-fast model, the 401-XR,
produced by Randall AMC in Arizona
with the factory’s blessing. That beast
featured a 6.6-liter V8, becoming a big
hit at dragstrips. Twenty were built,
compared to the more than 650,000
factory Gremlins sold in period.
The most collectible versions of the
Gremlin are the X trim package (as
seen here), the 301 V8s, and the memorable
Levi edition, which featured a
faux-denim interior (with door pockets
that were really pockets) since those nutty feds thought using real denim inside the car turned it
into a firetrap — an honor reserved for the similar-vintage Ford Pinto.
You wouldn’t think scarcity would be an issue, with so many sold, as Gremlins were as loved
in period as the Gremlin of the movie — the one that got wet and then crazily medieval.
But evidently the dirt-track crowd loved the Gremlin during the decades after production
ended. This means many of them were beaten to death at the track, with surviving body panels
looking like they had been savaged by wild bags of walnuts.
Useless fun fact (that I’m having trouble seeing as a positive): Gremlins were both owned
and driven by two of our past presidents, Bill Clinton and George Bush the Younger. I know, I’m
conflicted about that as well.
So, Lot J177.1 was well sold. At the end of the day, you have a black-on-black econobox with
nearly zero miles that just screams “That ’70s Show.” At least two people at the auction really
wanted it, but I’m not sure which person came out ahead. — Mark Wigginton
94
Sports Car Market
SOLD AT $77,000. Stated to be one of the
earliest K-code Mustangs known to exist.
Whoever ordered this car did it right with the
Hi-Po 289 engine and 4-speed manual. The
color combination was striking. With commissions,
the final hammer price was close(ish) to
the $85k low estimate. Still, well sold.
#F126-1966 SHELBY GT350 H fast-
back. S/N SFM625441. White/black vinyl.
Odo: 13,066 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Excellent paint appears a little thick. Stripes
could be masked better. There are a couple of
small dents on the hood—like it was closed
with tools underneath. Bumpers are shiny but
show some scratches. All glass is clear. Magnum
500 wheels unmarked, shod with modern
Michelin Sport tires. Interior restored to a high
level, but instrument screen printing is starting
to yellow. Engine bay is clean but not detailed,
with modern clamps on hoses. Cheap plastic
fuel filter added right next to the carb. Documented
with original California pink slip and
SAAC Shelby Registry. Cond: 2.
onfession time: I once owned a 6-cylinder 1972 AMC Hornet. It was a useful hatchback
that briefly destroyed my car-guy soul.
It was awful to the point of embarrassing, although it was nominally classified at
the time as a muscle car. The saving grace was it carried stuff, slowly, which was its
ible. S/N 5R08K101257. Raven Black/white
vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 26,180 miles. 289-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Stated to have had a recent
frame-off restoration. Build date of July 20,
1964, makes this an early 1964½ car, but they
were all marketed as 1965. Good paint is very
dusty despite being displayed inside a building
for the auction. Polishing swirls around vents
at base of windshield. Bumpers and bright
trim show assorted scratches and swirls. Reproduction
Royal bias-ply tires with whitewalls
yellowing. Interior is totally as-new.
Factory push-button AM radio. Engine bay is
concours detailed with correct Ford generator
and period-looking Autolite battery. The positive
cable on the battery is disconnected.
Equipped with 9-inch rear end with 3.89 gears
and Special Handling Package. Cond: 2+.
Page 94
Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL
SOLD AT $154,000. Stated to be one of 14
early Hertz Shelbys painted in white with blue
stripes. Having a 4-speed manual shows that
this car was delivered before Hertz learned
their lesson and required automatic transmissions.
The first thing the new owner should do
is move or remove that cheap plastic fuel filter
before it fails and dumps gas onto the exhaust
manifolds, turning this nice GT350 H into a
burning car-b-que. Sold price with commission
was just under the $160k high estimate
and above current market value, but these
early Hertz Shelbys in an off color with a
4-speed command a premium. Call this both
fairly bought and sold.
#S175-1966 FORD FAIRLANE R-code
2-dr hard top. S/N 6A43R249550. Wimbledon
White/black vinyl. Odo: 11,358 miles.
427-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Stated that this car is
just out of a comprehensive restoration, with
approximately two miles since completion.
Also stated that the mileage is believed to be
actual. New paint with orange peel throughout.
Chrome bumpers and exterior bright trim
all shiny and unmarked. Hood is held down by
pins and the fit is off. Freshly restored interior
smells new. Small tear in carpet around shift
boot. Factory steel wheels with poverty caps
shod with reproduction Firestone bias-ply
tires. Engine bay is beautifully detailed with
factory hoses and clamps. Chrome valve covers
and a period-appearing Autolite battery
complete the look. Equipped with front disc
brakes and a 3.89:1 Positraction rear end. No
documentation. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $852,500. I always thought “Gone
in 60 Seconds” was a bad movie with horrible
acting, but it did contain some good chase
scenes and this exact car appeared in several.
I usually roll my eyes at the cheesy Eleanor
clones that frequently appear at auctions, but
at least this one is the real deal. This car was
in excellent condition and with the engine
mods could be driven like it was in the movie.
The final hammer price flew past the $600,000
high estimate. The buyer must be a huge fan of
the movie. Well sold.
TOP 10
No. 3
#F150-1968 FORD MUSTANG GT
“Bullitt” fastback. S/N 8R02S125559.
Highland Green/black vinyl. Odo:
SOLD AT $209,000. Said to be one of 57 Rcode
Fairlanes built in 1966. With 425 hp and
480 ft-lb of torque, they were built for one
thing: go fast in a straight line, a quarter of a
mile at a time. There was no mention of any
racing history for this car. Miles believed to be
actual, but the quality of the restoration was
so high that it didn’t matter; the completed car
was as-new. Including the commission, the
sales price passed the $200k high estimate.
Well sold, as the buyer paid up for the
concours condition.
#S135-1967 FORD MUSTANG “Elea-
nor” fastback. S/N 7R02C205427. Pepper
Gray/black leather. Odo: 27,160 miles. 351-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 5-sp. One of 11 Eleanors built for
the 2000 movie “Gone in 60 Seconds.” Paint
has been expertly applied over straight body
panels. All exterior stainless trim excellent.
Alloy wheels are a little dirty. Interior reveals
no flaws. Fire extinguisher mounted between
seats. This car is more than just a fluffed-up
Mustang for the movie, as the engine bay con-
96
65,055 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. This was
the hero car driven by Steve McQueen in the
1968 movie “Bullitt.” Unrestored exterior.
Original paint is matte, with plenty of chips,
dents and surface rust. Bumpers are rusty, exterior
trim has dents. American Racing Torq
Thrust wheels added for the movie show lots
of rust and corrosion. Suspension has been
restored. Original interior is very good for its
age and use. Driver’s seat seams are splitting.
Engine bay is rusty with staining, but the engine
itself has been rebuilt/restored and is
clean. Holes are visible in trunk where smoke
machine was installed to provide smoke for
burnout scenes. Loads of documentation. Offered
at no reserve. Cond: 4.
SOLD AT $165,000. Stated that early in this
car’s life it was competitively drag raced. The
catalog noted that the Yenko community has
questioned the authenticity of this car because
several years ago, two different cars claimed
to have serial number 124379N615382. This
may have scared bidders away, but the final
hammer price was within the estimate range.
This car has been an auction frequent flier
over the years. It was last offered at Leake’s
2018 Oklahoma City auction, where it was a
no-sale at a high bid of $195,000 (SCM
#6866376). If the owner can prove that this
car is the real deal, then it was very well
bought today. If not, questions will always
haunt this car and its owners, and the value
will suffer.
#F200-1970 FORD MUSTANG Boss 429
SOLD AT $3,740,000. It appears that everything
touched by the King of Cool has since
turned to gold, and this result is no exception.
The consignor did the right thing by restoring
the drivetrain so that it can be driven and
didn’t touch the cosmetics. Final sale price
was nearly 100 times what a good 1968 Mustang
GT goes for, but this car is a piece of
automotive history. Everyone at the auction
was on their feet when Sean Kiernan drove
this up to the block with his sister in the passenger’s
seat. Bidding started at $3,500, as
fastback. S/N 0502Z110858. Blue/Parchment
vinyl. Odo: 7,942 miles. 429-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. KK 2156, this 1970 Ford Mustang Boss
429 is one of 499 built in model-year 1970.
Claimed to be unrestored, but the paint looks
too good for a 50-year-old car. Front bumper
is shiny while the rear bumper is hazy. Windshield
starting to delaminate. Good Magnum
500 wheels with reproduction Goodyear Polyglas
GT tires. Seats show a little creasing and
some seams are fraying. Carpet is new. No
flaws on dash or console. Hurst shifter added.
Engine bay is very clean but not concours detailed,
with a couple of rusty bolts here and
there and some scuffing to painted surfaces.
Sports Car Market
tains many go-fast goodies including an NOS
system that adds 125 hp. Said engine bay is
spotless and well thought out. NOS bottle
mounted in trunk. Stated to have had a rotisserie
restoration completed 90 miles ago.
Cond: 1-.
that’s what Robert Kiernan bought it for in
1974, but the bidding quickly went to $2.5m.
From there the bidding slowly advanced in
$100k increments between several phone bidders.
Hammered where expected, but I
wouldn’t have been surprised if it got more.
#F204-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Yenko coupe. S/N 124379N615382. Hugger
Orange/black vinyl. Odo: 5,634 miles. 427-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. YS9637. High-quality paint
with no noticeable flaws. Good graphics not
clear-coated. Bumpers shiny with light polishing
scratches. Yenko aluminum wheels blemish-free
and not overly polished. Reproduction
Goodyear Polyglas raised-white-letter tires.
Interior completely as-new, but cheap Yenko
decals are peeling off headrests. Tach screwed
into dash below speedometer. Engine bay
complete, correct and concours detailed with
all correct components, hoses and clamps.
Factory chalk marks replicated throughout.
Power front disc brakes. Documented with
Yenko window sticker, MSO and COPO Connection
certificate. Cond: 2.
Page 95
Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL
Stated that the motor is a factory replacement.
Documented with Marti Report. Cond: 2.
leather. Odo: 2 miles. 5.4-L supercharged V8,
6-sp. Two miles showing on the odometer
claimed actual and I see no reason to doubt it.
Only flaw to paint is slight scuffing on the top
of the right rear fender. Wheels unscuffed.
Interior not dealer prepped, with tags in place
and plastic covering the seats. Equipped with
all four options: gray-painted brake calipers,
forged BBS lightweight alloy wheels, McIntosh
sound system and stripes. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $231,000. If the miles are actual,
then this car must have lived a hard early life
to have already had an engine swap. It was
stated that this car has won several concours
and national Mustang shows along with
awards for originality. The paint looked new
to me and, although the interior looked original,
the carpet was new. But I don’t want to
get down into the weeds about what the definition
of an unrestored car is. With the commission,
this car didn’t make it to the $250k low
estimate. Considering that this has a replacement
motor, it’s still well sold.
#F117-1971 PLYMOUTH HEMI GTX
2-dr hard top. S/N RS23R1G143389. Bahama
Yellow/black vinyl/black vinyl &
houndstooth cloth. Odo: 49,419 miles. 426-ci
V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Claimed unrestored with
original paint. Stated to be the most expensive
and highly optioned GTX ever produced.
Paint has lots of shine, with orange peel and a
scratch here and there. Flat-black paint on Air
Grabber hood shows polishing wear. Vinyl top
is in incredible shape. Factory electric sunroof.
Period day-two chrome Cragar SS wheels unblemished,
with reproduction Goodyear Polyglas
tires. Interior shows no wear and is
as-new. AM/FM stereo with 8-track and Dictaphone.
Engine bay is very clean with some
scratches on painted radiator. Fully loaded and
documented with three broadcast sheets and
original dealer sale paperwork. From the Tim
Wellborn Collection. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $374,000. Sold price nearly hit the
$375k high estimate and the current market
value, but I get it. You can’t really get any
lower mileage than this. But it’s a shame really
that it will never be driven. If it is, the
value will plummet. This is a lot of money to
spend on static garage art. Very well sold.
#F164-2017 FORD GT coupe. S/N
2FAGP9CW9HH200077. Liquid Blue/black
leather. Odo: 635 miles. 3.5-L turbocharged
V6, auto. Paint has orange peel throughout.
Some hard-water stains on the nose. Wheels
unmarked. Interior as-new. Quarter-size star in
clearcoat at engine cover. Otherwise appears
as a new car. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $374,000. Ordered new by a Silver
Star and Purple Heart recipient after he returned
from Vietnam. Originally cost
$6,592.75, which was more expensive than a
Cadillac Coupe DeVille in 1971. If you’re a
serious Mopar collector, it doesn’t get much
better than this. The sold price was way above
the price guides, but as they say, go find another.
Well sold on paper, but if you wanted the
best, you should’ve had your bidder’s paddle
in the air.
#F166-2005 FORD GT coupe. S/N 1FAFP90S55Y401585.
Centennial White/black
May 2020
NOT SOLD AT $1,000,000. Now that the
24-month moratorium has expired, the floodgates
are opening on these second-generation
GTs. This is the infamous John Cena car that
ended in a lawsuit and settlement between
Ford and Cena for violating the moratorium.
This car last appeared in SCM Platinum Auction
Database after it sold at the Russo and
Steele 2018 Monterey auction for $1,540,000
(SCM# 6877721). Although it appears in the
database only once, it’s been a frequent flier
and is now on its fourth owner. Due to its past,
this example may be carrying a bit of a curse.
As a result, the final bid was well under the
estimates and what other second-generation
GTs have sold for lately. The current owner
may want to hold on to this car for a while
until its stigma is forgotten. ©
97
Page 96
Artcurial Paris, FRA
Artcurial — Rétromobile 2020
A race-winning Ferrari 275 GTB/6C, with a rebuilt original engine, topped
the sale at $2,745,321
Company
Artcurial
Date
February 7, 2020
Location
Paris, FRA
Auctioneer
Hervé Poulain
Automotive lots sold/offered
117/165
Sales rate
71%
Sales total
$24,535,884
High sale
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C
coupe, sold at $2,745,321
Buyer’s premium
Unusual Swiss racing history from new — 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C coupe, sold at $2,745,321
16% for totals of $987,210 &
under; 12% for totals exceeding
$987,210, included in sold
prices ($1.00 = €0.91)
Report and intro by Pierre Hedary,
photos by Elaina Spiller
Market opinions in italics
I
98
t was another great year for Artcurial’s
Rétromobile sale, with 165 diverse
offerings,
including another
Serenissima, a Porsche 906 and, of
course, the requisite pre-war French cars. O
these 165 lots, 117 found new homes, bring
in $24,535,884.
However, this was a significant decli
(45%) from last year’s sales total, $44,596,13
thanks in part to the company lacking a superstar
lot, such as the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900
B that was sold last year for $18,999,558. That, as well
as the once-in-a-lifetime $4,786,650 sale of last year’s
Serenissima Spyder, are responsible for the differences.
This year, the highest-selling lot was the Ferrari 275
GTB/6C. With important racing history and a reasonable
level of preservation, it sold for $2,745,321.
Over the past few years, an increasing U.S. presence
has been affecting the sales here as well, with many of the
high-dollar lots ending up stateside. This was true of last
year’s Serenissima and Alfa Romeo 8C, and this year it
was true of the Porsche 906.
An entire collection of Mercedes was sold as well,
Paris, FRA
right out of Monaco, with all of the no-reserve “Heckflossen” — fintails to
us Americans — selling at or above high estimate.
Some important French cars were offered as well, including a Le Mans-
entered Talbot-Lago, and a number of coachbuilt Bugattis. Artcurial is the
only auction house in the world where you can consistently choose from
multiple examples of these cars.
French pop-star Johnny
Hallyday’s Ford Mustang and GT
were offered at this sale, with the
former bringing in $268k and the
latter $412k. The French admiration for the
Mustang did not stop there, with a “Bullitt” recreation
bringing $94k. There were a surprising
number of other American cars here, including
a Studebaker Golden Hawk that sold for almost
$46k.
Artcurial’s selection of patinated preservation
vehicles, historic racing cars and affordable classics
offers a great opportunity for anyone who
wants to acquire a wonderful collector car. This
auction is a must-see for those of us who are tired
of everything being shiny and perfect. One visit,
and you’ll want to go every year. ♦
Sales Totals
$60m
$50m
$40m
$30m
$20m
$10m
0
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Sports Car Market
Courtesy of ©Archives Maurice Louche
Page 98
Artcurial Paris, FRA
FRENCH
#42-1927 BUGATTI TYPE 37 Type 44
conversion racer. S/N 37334. Blue/red
leather. Pre-war-built bitsa hot rod from parts
of a Type 37 and parts of a Type 44. Paint acceptable
for older restoration, with some waviness
on rear fuselage. Instrumentation restored
to a high level. Red leather driver’s seat worn
in nicely. No transmission tunnel, with cleanlooking
gearbox exposed. Suspension parts in
good order, but lubrication is needed.
Cond: 3-.
everyone’s attention at the first part of the
sale. While this was an elegant 57 with no
obvious issues, there were enough Bugattis at
this sale to saturate this market.
#41-1935 BUGATTI TYPE 57 tourer.
S/N 57300. Blue/tan leather. RHD. Odo: 3,374
km. Coachwork by Dubos. Important but awkward-looking
big Bugatti, with recent restoration
to high level and with competition history.
Raced effectively in the Paris-Nice by a highly
competitive lady—multiple times and with
several victories. One strange marking in paint
on rear left quarter panel behind driver’s seat.
Cowl shows paint chipping on left side of
dashboard. Bright trim polished extensively,
with some discoloration at top of radiator.
Seats simple and nearly perfect. Runs
smoothly and starts well. Cond: 2.
these cars were not necessarily winners, the
occasional victory was usually the result of the
German racing cars’ thirst for fuel. Nevertheless,
the Delahaye 135 was a solid, competition-proven
machine and represents one of the
few opportunities to purchase an affordable,
period Le Mans car with rock-solid provenance.
#37-1939 DELAHAYE 135 M Sport
coupe. S/N 49369. Light gray & beige/tan
leather. RHD. Odo: 9,644 km. Rare example
of large, unusual Chapron-bodied Delahaye.
High-quality restoration with consistent paint
application, excellent metalwork and authentic
chrome. Some debris noted in roof gutters.
Polish marks evident in paint. Interior leather
and wood almost new, with one or two small
cracks in upper part of the dash and some wear
in driver’s area carpet. Car runs smoothly and
starts easily. Cond: 1.
NOT SOLD AT $307,132. One could have
had this fascinating hot rod instead of a new
hypercar, but the amount of work needed to
keep it in running order might be too much for
the faint of heart. With a smattering of Bugs
available at this auction, and with a narrowing
purchasing group for this type of pre-war
French car, as well as its bitsa status, the
$416k low estimate was still too high.
#28-1934 BUGATTI TYPE 57 convert-
ible. S/N 57162. Blue & dark blue/black canvas/
black leather. RHD. Coachwork by
Vanvooren. Driver-level example of this unusual
Type 57. Top starting to get a little worn.
Paint appears excellent on all major surfaces,
with some finishing issues in hidden parts of
body. Door gaps appear to be on par with
other examples and are consistent throughout.
Seats redone by someone who may not have
been as experienced with this kind of interior
work and are bunchy and inconsistent. Carpets,
instruments redone to a high level.
Chrome work also leaves little to complain
about. Cond: 2+.
NOT SOLD AT $416,822. With 65 years of
continuous ownership history, a real racing
pedigree and an honest restoration, this Type
57’s awkward appearance almost did not matter.
With high levels of interest both in the
room and on the phone, it should have sold
easily to great fanfare. Alas, the bidding didn’t
quite make it to the $461k low estimate.
Maybe that awkwardness was just a bit too
much.
#38-1936 DELAHAYE 135 Special road-
ster. S/N 46625. Dark blue/tan leather. RHD.
Coachwork by Chapron. Unique Delahaye
135S, with racing history in 1935 Le Mans
and with its original engine included. Driven
more than once by Pierre Louis-Dreyfus. Appears
as a continuously used car, presented in
usable condition, prepped for historic racing.
Paint aged nicely with excellent luster. Kept
under beneficial storage conditions and therefore
looking like it was painted under 10 years
ago. Few signs of use on tires and wheels.
Leather seat slightly worn in. Engine extremely
clean and appears recently serviced.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $294,189. An encouraging crowd
showed lots of interest in this unusual Delahaye.
If you love pre-war French cars, this is
the place to find a really good one. Considering
it showed signs of usability and had not
been sitting around for years at a time, this
was a superb alternative to finding a 135 and
restoring it.
#35-1956 TALBOT-LAGO T14 LS
coupe. S/N 140011. Gray metallic/tan leather.
RHD. Odo: 88,283 km. 2.5-L I4, 4-sp. Neatly
restored T14 LS, one of 54, and regarded as
Talbot-Lago’s last gasp. Paint and chrome
redone to a very high standard, with few if any
complaints. Right door tight on rear edge, but
hood fit acceptable. Left door fit also extremely
tight, with almost no gap between it
and rear quarter panel. Interior redone with
expert care, but seats appear to have too much
loose leather. Spacious engine compartment
and engine restored to high level, but missing
heater core, and heater-core supply hose is
blocked off at thermostat housing. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $549,152. With a zeroed-out odometer
and some other cheesy touches, this Bugatti
barely squeaked by on the auction block,
with an uninspiring response from the crowd
when it sold. While not a bad example by any
means, it was overshadowed by Lots 29 and
30, the twin Worblaufen Alfas, which captured
100
SOLD AT $1,006,779. About as important of
a weapons-grade racer as one can get. While
NOT SOLD AT $263,256. Some holes noted
in this car’s cosmetically strong restoration;
with the missing heater core and a bizarre
leather skirt hiding the holes in the firewall, I
wondered how good it actually was. The biggest
struggle with these orphan French cars
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Artcurial Paris, FRA
must be finding parts, so I can understand the
missing items. However, it seems unjust to
refrain from mentioning these issues to the
people bidding on the car—especially when
they are obvious to even an amateur.
#36-1959 DB HBR4 coupe. S/N 1110.
Blue/black & red vinyl. Odo: 27,922 km. 848cc
2-cylinder, 4-sp. Slightly tatty French Le
Mans car—second in 1961 Le Mans’ Index of
Performance category. Paint okay, usable and
not flawless. More emphasis on mechanical
condition than cosmetic. Panel fit reflective of
lightweight body, with inconsistent gap on
driver’s door. Hood fit also funky towards
cowl with rear left side sitting into body. One
red seat and one black seat. Passenger’s door
not closing very well. Dashboard ugly but
functional. Paint lifting in certain areas of
body but not dull. Old rubber seals reinforced
with black silicone. Runs loudly and consistently,
especially for a little 2-cylinder French
car. Cond: 3.
memorable car at this auction—besides the
Serenissima 3000SP—it was a crowd favorite
and found a new home quickly. With steel suspension
and the reliable Citroën 4-cylinder
engine, the possibilities for using this Safari
are endless.
#54-1977 CITROËN 2CV 4 sedan. S/N
08KB6495. English Red/black vinyl. Odo:
6,949 km. 650-cc 2-cylinder, 4-sp. Well-preserved
2CV in highly original condition.
Plates from Monaco. Paint shows only evidence
of polishing, save for screw holes
around original license-plate mounting, where
metal has been pulled out and paint slightly
chipped. All lights and exterior trim in perfect
condition. Original glass seals in retractable
canvas roof in excellent condition. Seats
hardly used. Low-mileage claims highly believable.
Cond: 2+.
cylinder cars that competed for the index of
thermal efficiency. While the car seemed like it
sold at the auction, this was removed from the
sold list, indicating something must have
fallen through.
GERMAN
#45-1929 MERCEDES-BENZ 710 SS
Type S tourer. S/N 36223. Black/black
canvas/red leather. RHD. Odo: 19,241 km.
Coachwork by Fernandez and Darrin. A glorious,
supercharged Mercedes worn in just right.
Leather is probably older replacement, possibly
from the 1960s, but it has aged perfectly.
Paint polished just right, with no outstanding
flaws and no shrinkage, indicating careful refurbishment.
Chrome pitting on wheel hubs,
but otherwise appears to be in great condition.
Radiator shell especially impressive. Runs
quietly and smoothly for such massive displacement.
Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $189,588. The Index of Performance
was a sympathy prize for small-displacement
French cars, since there were no
high-performance French entries between
1949 and about 1970. While it is no Ferrari or
Porsche, to the French it might as well have
been a GT40, and it found an enthusiastic
buyer right in the lower middle of its estimate
range. Well bought, for its uniqueness, and
with its amazing history thrown in for a little
more.
#56-1970 CITROËN ID20 Break. S/N
3992536. Bleu Camargue & white/burgundy
leather. Odo: 67,055 km. 2.0-L I4, 4-sp. A
well-equipped version of the Safari wagon,
with great bones and possibly one respray.
Original leather in nice condition as is the
dashboard. Delicate items like plastic rearview
mirror and exterior indicator lights undamaged.
Factory roof rack has aged well and
complements older paint. More utilitarian than
anything, meaning it’s marvelous that it has
survived with such little damage. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $32,688. Even today, the 2CV has a
crowd appeal that surpasses many new Ferraris.
It’s no wonder you can book a 2CV tour
in Paris, or that many French people still
drive these amazing little cars. A number of
people wanted to own this picture-perfect 2CV
and as a result, the $27k high estimate was
obliterated.
#114-1995 VENTURI 400 GT coupe. S/N
VK8TRY61195CE0008. Blue/tan leather.
Odo: 54,010 km. Turbocharged 3.0-L V6,
5-sp. Rare French high-performance car powered
by twin-turbo V6. One of 13 built. Incredible
level of preservation. Panel gaps
huge, but this is likely how it was prepared.
Factory period OZ wheels on perfect tires.
Interior nearly used. Apart from the sometimes
imperfect touches of a hand-made car, it’s
nearly perfect. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $5,374,810. This big S spent
the majority of its existence in the U.S., and
was displayed as a bare chassis until it found
a new buyer. Bodied in France by Fernandez
and Darrin (yes, Howard “Dutch” Darrin), it
returned to the States, where it lived until recently.
At some point, it was shipped to Mercedes
Classic to have its authenticity verified.
The end result was a sale that missed the bottom
estimate by some $1.2m.
#43-1939 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 Cab-
riolet A. S/N 019009. Blue & light gray/blue
canvas/beige leather. Odo: 4,193 km. Rare 320
Cabriolet A looks great following an exhaustive,
older restoration. Paint appears to be 25–
30 years old, with some discoloration.
Numerous small marks here and there, as well
as chips along body lines and some fisheyes
on fenders. Panel fit above average, with the
exception of both doors, which are out at the
bottom. Windshield seal aging poorly. Leather
and carpet were somewhat better than the average
pre-war MB, with correct thick, surfacedyed
leather. Interior wood beautiful with
correct flathead chrome screws and countersunk
washers. Engine extremely tidy, with
signs of recent service to spark-plug wires and
SOLD AT $26,150. Artcurial is the place to
go for unusual French cars. Probably the most
102
NOT SOLD AT $186,473. The Venturi was a
beautiful—if unsuccessful—example of how
far the French had come from building twin-
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Artcurial Paris, FRA
carburetor. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT
$307,132. Previously seen at RM Auctions’
2014 London sale, where it sold for $410,023
(SCM# 6482119). The 320 Cab A is an exciting—if
slightly underpowered—alternative to
a 380 or 500K. You get similarly dramatic
lines but less cash outlay required, both for
upkeep and purchasing. However, the low estimate
($418k) was just too strong, and the
French chose to spend their money on Delahayes
and Citroëns.
#160-1952 MERCEDES-BENZ 220 se-
dan. S/N 1870140751452. Black/tan cloth.
Odo: 60,145 km. 2.2-L I6, 4-sp. Extremely
rare example of the 187 with giant Webasto
sunroof. Paint aged and seems to have polishing
marks everywhere. Aging rubber seals in
good condition, but back window gasket split
in one corner. Paint chips on hood, doors and
wings. Seats look fresh and hardly used. Timber
excellent. Underhood, goofy red plug
wires grace an otherwise clean M180 engine.
Some bizarre wiring issues on voltage regulator,
but the whole package looks like it will
run. Cond: 3-.
order and might be older Roser stock. Interior
details better than I expected. At least carbs
are correct. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $98,063. The
fallout left in the wake of the 190SL market
drop did not apply here, as someone paid a
decent premium for this $65k car. While the
market for usable 190SLs has remained somewhat
stable, this car still needs plenty of sorting.
It looks to have been kept up on a
shoestring, like most of the cars from this collection.
#150-1959 BMW 503 coupe. S/N 69336.
Dark green & silver/tan leather. Odo: 49,059
km. 3.2-L V8, 4-sp. Abandoned decades ago
due to major accident. Aluminum body, so no
actual rust. Nose smashed; otherwise, car is
complete. Covered in dust, so remainder of car
is tough to gauge. Glass unbroken. Likely low
mileage before accident. Chrome pitted but
complete. Impact was on front left headlight
buckets, but stretches across the entire front
end, with nose held together using wire. All
chrome parts on front end damaged to the
point where they probably can’t be salvaged.
Original interior dirty, but could be saved with
some hard work and cleaning. Cond: 5-.
example in the world, it’s still a decent car.
Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $49,685. A rough 220SE coupe is
about $25k and will cost another $80k to restore
to this standard. Someone was smart
enough to wait out this long auction to pounce
on this under-appreciated gem. While it
needed some improvements in the details,
overall I would rate this a best buy.
#26-1960 MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL
convertible. S/N 121104210015634. Black/
black canvas/green leather. Odo: 33,041 km.
1.9-L I4, 4-sp. Older paint job with some noticeable
swirl marks. Chrome work on car
excessively polished. Panel fit better than most
190s; noteworthy door and hood gaps. Modern
seat belts fitted. Aged leatherwork excellent
and older, with high-quality Roser leather.
Correct colors, Solexes and restored by the
founder of the 190SL club in France. Engine
bay finishes aged but not sloppy. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $44,455. Understandably, this was
not the first choice of many French buyers,
and it is likely this car is now living somewhere
in Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany.
While the majority of 187 sedans are in
need of serious structural repair, this car
seemed to check out everywhere. While this
was by no means a quick car, its performance
approached 100 mph, and even today, this
would be a fantastic MB on a long trip. The
Webasto full roof added at least 15% to the
price.
#157-1959 MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL
convertible. S/N 121042109500324. Anthracite
Grey/red leather. Odo: 9,706 km. 1.9-L,
4-sp. Restoration in non-original colors on this
190SL. Engine a disaster, with shortcuts noted
on trouble-prone areas such as fuel-delivery
hose to carburetors. Decent paint application
but with so-so panel fit. Chrome aged but still
somewhat shiny. Leather on seats in good
SOLD AT $98,063. A major project, requiring
someone who can weld aluminum and fab a
new nose panel. But these large BMWs are
rare, and there are so few of them that we
have to restore what we’ve got. While the market
for cars like this is much stronger in the
E.U. than the U.S.—mostly thanks to cheaper
labor in the Baltic states—this is still a challenging
project for even the best carrosserie.
Still, the end result should be spectacular.
BEST
BUY
#164-1960 MERCEDES-BENZ
220SE coupe. S/N 12803711003519.
Eng. # 202. Cream & black/Bamboo
leather. Odo: 72,944 km. Fuel-injected 2.2-L
I6, 4-sp. Rare and elusive W128 coupe in very
attractive colors. High level of cosmetic finish
on chrome, probably redone two or three decades
ago but kept in climate-controlled conditions.
Paint application also very high
quality, with minimal shrinkage but many polishing
marks. Leather might be original or
very old and correct Roser replacement. Poor
leather fit on back seat. Veneers redone in recent
past with gloss-finish Macassar Ebony.
Engine bay not terrible but not great either,
with American-style hose clamps and dirt everywhere.
Lots of other service items that
probably have not been dealt with recently,
such as a valve adjustment. While not the best
104
SOLD AT $107,215. With falling 190SL
prices around the world, this high bid reflected
the current market. 190SL acquisition is
slowly becoming easier for those of us who
love the cars. While the 190SL is a super-usable
car, and this example is as good as lessthan-concours
gets, the sold price is reflective
of reality.
#165-1963 MERCEDES-BENZ 220SEB
sedan. S/N 11101410046476. Gray/gray cloth.
Odo: 25,109 km. Fuel-injected 2.2-L I6, 4-sp.
The highly respectable injected fintail. Radio
not fitted properly in dash. Manual transmission
with column shift, which is the way most
of these came. Paint shows extremely well,
with good depth and even application, probably
painted years ago because some subsurface
imperfections are visible. Bright trim
slightly scratched here and there but otherwise
okay. Some fisheyes noted around edges of
body, particularly on left side of roof. Cracked
windshield. Interior in excellent condition,
with little to no wear, but seats may have been
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Artcurial Paris, FRA
redone in the distant past. Engine bay clean,
with original spark-plug wires, but incorrect
coil fitted. Engine may not have been serviced
in a long time, but everything appears to be
working. Cond: 2+.
Dashboard is original and in great shape. Rubber
seals are old, with some cracking around
the back. Paint has excellent depth, and may
be either original or a very old respray with
good consistency (minus the weird black
roof). Plug wire holders missing. Engine looks
curial Paris, FRA
redone in the distant past. Engine bay clean,
with original spark-plug wires, but incorrect
coil fitted. Engine may not have been serviced
in a long time, but everything appears to be
working. Cond: 2+.
Dashboard is original and in great shape. Rub-
ber seals are old, with some cracking around
the back. Paint has excellent depth, and may
be either original or a very old respray with
good consistency (minus the weird black
roof). Plug wire holders missing. Engine looks
Not
Not only is this an inappropriate solution to
having multiple, or even two, finnies, but the
end result is both a mediocre driver and an
uninspiring rally car. Just fix them the right
way and enjoy driving them without improvised
roll cages and weird paint jobs, with
pointless numbers everywhere.
#154-1965 MERCEDES-BENZ 600 Pull-
SOLD AT $15,036. While there were some
odd corners cut here, such as the cracked
windshield, the questionable cloth seat covers
and the typical mechanical shortcuts seen on
the other fin cars from this batch, this was a
more original car than the gray-and-blackover-red
220SE (Lot 163). While many people
commented that these had sold under the
money, every single one of them sold at or
above estimate, demonstrating that there were
at least 10 people at this auction who showed
up for a fin car, cracked glass or not.
#163-1963 MERCEDES-BENZ 220SEB
cabriolet. S/N 11102312052679. Eng. # 2001.
Silver/red leather. Odo: 74,526 km. Fuel-injected
2.2-L I6, auto. The entry-level W111
cabriolet. Wood recently redone to a high standard.
Color-change car, originally DB 124
light gray. Paint done well, with correct light
green tint in silver and without much metalflake.
Sitting on later 14-inch wheels and hubcaps.
Engine finishes sloppy and show
passionless work. Seats redone with generic
leather kits. Chrome parts are better than average.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $15,690. Another great car let
down by some bad choices. Adding a black
roof to any Mercedes from this era that did not
come with one is not a great way to express
your creativity. The gray on red was enough,
but then there’s that driver’s seat. The lesson
to be learned here is that if you have a matching
but tatty driver’s seat in your older Benz,
leave it alone. Replacement leather will never
look the same, not in a million years.
#161-1964 MERCEDES-BENZ 220 se-
dan. S/N 11101010057831. Blue & gray/gray
MB-tex. Odo: 20,996 miles. 2.2-L I6, 4-sp.
Paint shiny and looks great at five feet. One
subtle imperfection in roof over driver’s door
but otherwise straight. Driver’s mirror not
installed quite right. Interior and exterior probably
done at the same time with this non original
two-tone paint scheme. On the inside,
everything looks really comfortable, with seats
done in MB-Tex. No damage to dashpad, and
newer Becker radio. Equipped with manual
transmission as well. Under the hood is evidence
that major work was done to the cylinder
head and carburetors, but with budget
shocks and engine mounts noted to be completely
collapsed, it’s unsure how good the
technicians working on this car were. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $84,988. Another cookie-cutter 111
cab, with all traces of originality wiped out
and replaced with generic components. While
this could have been a really fantastic car if it
had retained its original color and more effort
was carried out underhood, somehow it beat
its low estimate ($65k) to sell for this high
price.
#162-1963 MERCEDES-BENZ 220SEB
sedan. S/N 11101410039373. Gray & black/
red leather. Odo: 1,615 km. Fuel-injected
2.2-L I6, 4-sp. This was the right 220SE.
Could be used as a nice driver in good
weather. Black roof not original. Leather on
the driver’s seat was replaced, probably 15
years ago, with something else that doesn’t
match, thus ruining an excellent red interior.
May 2020
SOLD AT $10,460. This 220 b, which was the
most basic W111 chassis, was set up as some
kind of weird rally car, but thankfully, none of
the changes are irreversible. People who own
too many of these cars seem to have a weird
solution: turning them into half-baked tributes
of the Böhringer 220SE. People, please stop.
105
man limousine. S/N 10001412000402. Eng. #
000412. Black/red leather. Odo: 9,274 km.
Fuel-injected 6.3-L V8, auto. Well-used and
highly original long-wheelbase W100. This
car also benefits from having its original red
leather seats, but the driver’s seat is distressed.
Suspension setting on high, but the car’s
stance is off, indicating a leak somewhere.
Paint is not perfect, and has a few swirl marks
here and there, but is otherwise surprisingly
good for such a big car. Singular chrome dot
in center of speedometer falling off.
Underhood, motor appears delightful, with
enclosed plug wire looms correct for early
M100 engines. Modern Norma clamps, but
otherwise little to fault. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $261,501. Delivered new to President
Mobutu Sese Seko, just about when he
took over Zaire (now the Democratic Republic
of the Congo). Strange how such a big car,
delivered new to a tropical climate, was ordered
without a/c, but this must be part of the
charm. Overall this was a fascinating, but still
slightly needy, LWB 600. Well sold.
#159-1967 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SE
coupe. S/N 11202110009736. Silver & black/
Olive Green leather. Odo: 67,936 km. Fuelinjected
3.0-L I6, 4-sp. Rare early manualtransmission
300SE. Does not have a/c. Paint
excellent, but two-tone is a fake—was originally
all silver. Interior original or at least
older replacement. Something wrong with air
suspension because it sits too high in front.
Early car with single-stage air-suspension
valves. Wood dash and instrument binnacle
aged beautifully. Glass clear, with the exception
of front windshield, which shows bubbles
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Artcurial Paris, FRA
in the corners. Most seals acceptable. Chrome
polished but also cloudy. Some effort put into
making engine tidy, better than most cars from
this collection. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $62,760.
Every once in a while, Artcurial sells a car
that I keep dreaming about. This was that car.
With the magnificent M189 “alumotor,” the
last incarnation of the 6 used in the 300SL,
that special 4-speed gearbox, the Olive leather
and the stunning wood dash, this was an unforgettable
300SE. Knowing it was in a collection
like this one means there will be more
sorting to do—especially judging by the rinkydink
state of some of the other Mercedes
here—but my advice to the new owner is “go
all the way!”
#156-1969 MERCEDES-BENZ 600 se-
dan. S/N 10001212001484. Dark blue/gray
velour. Odo: 32,718 miles. Fuel-injected 6.3-L
V8, auto. Paint consistency on this 600 is extremely
high, a nice contrast to the sinking air
suspension. Equipped with optional sunroof.
Another non-a/c car, with velour interior that
might be replacement. Chrome fit and condition
good, with original glass and carpets as
well. Wood in exceptional condition. Trunk fit
a little tight. Underhood with most original
clamps present, as well as original plug wires.
Some work done to air-suspension system, but
not enough to keep it from losing pressure.
Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $71,913. Another blockbuster for
Artcurial, as this $50k car sold for abovemarket
money. A good driver, but will need
lots of attention to actually be usable and reliable.
The European market has seemingly
ended its love affair with the W113, thanks to
the presence of cars like this one. Look for this
car at an Artcurial sale in the future, where it
will be unloaded like some of the Baillon yard
ornaments.
ITALIAN
#29-1938 ALFA ROMEO 6C 2300 B
Lungo tourer. S/N 814064. Black/black
canvas/red leather. RHD. Odo: 58,000 km.
Coachwork by Worblaufen. Romantically
aged paint on this Alfa, with numerous cracks
showing up on trunk lid. Swirl marks present
everywhere in paint, which is slightly distressed
around tops of doors, body edges and
sills. Chrome polished heavily and abrasively.
Painted wire wheels do not show chipping.
Seats redone a long time ago and are losing
their color, cracking and becoming a little
hard. Dash, carpets have hardly aged at all,
and engine appears to run well and start easily.
Cond: 4+.
NOT SOLD AT $603,295. Both of the 6C
Alfas here were displayed at the 1938 Geneva
motorshow, but this one had spent more time
with more owners and was likely restored once
completely and again cosmetically. While not
as character-laden as Lot 29, nor as striking,
it seemed more usable and less fragile. However,
it failed to capture the imagination of the
bidders and did not sell—even though it got
close.
#50-1957 LANCIA AURELIA B20 S
Sixth-series coupe. S/N 1651. Black/caramel
& tan leather. Odo: 19,743 km. 2.5-L V6, 5-sp.
Extremely clean example of the Aurelia, recently
restored by a marque specialist. Paint
has just started to age, with a few swirl marks
at present and no other deviations noted.
Chrome trim and glass well above average,
with some discoloration on back windshield
frame. Interior sterile and like-new. Glass
clear, all rubber seals fairly new. Mechanically
nothing to question, with rapid, healthy startup
and great idle. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $100,678. A 600 like this would be
a tough sell stateside, with its velour interior,
lack of a/c and obvious suspension issues.
However, the E.U. did not seem to mind, and
this example ended up selling right in the middle
of its estimate. While I would call this a
high price for an under-equipped, and likely
under-maintained, car, it seemed somewhat
more trustworthy than Sese Seku’s 600 LWB
(Lot 154).
#158-1969 MERCEDES-BENZ 280SL
convertible. S/N 11304412011783. White/
black canvas/black leather. Odo: 54,961 km.
Fuel-injected 2.8-L I6, auto. Another car from
the collection with all the fincars, 190SL and
SWB 600. Wheel covers should be body color.
European-market car, and missing its locking
gas cap. New stainless-steel exhaust. White
paint hides any subsurface imperfections. Ignition
retrofitted with unit from 126-series car
and not done to a very high standard, either.
Speakers out in rear parcel shelf, but seats and
dash in good condition—might even be original
covers. Grand Prix radio. No spotwelds
visible anywhere. Cond: 2-.
106
NOT SOLD AT $1,096,900. This Alfa was the
big attraction at the beginning of this sale.
Most of the wear and tear on it did not seem to
affect its allure, and bidding was frantic until
the million-euro mark, where it stopped suddenly.
Satisfied with the result, Poulain
wrapped up the sale and moved on. It was
over in less than 90 seconds. Interestingly, it
was listed as not sold in the final results.
#30-1938 ALFA ROMEO 6C 2300 B Pes-
cara cabriolet. S/N 813910. Dark blue/tan
canvas/red leather. RHD. Odo: 18,484 miles.
Coachwork by Worblaufen. Stunning Alfa
Romeo with older restoration. Paint nearly
absent of swirl marks. Some paint cracking
noted on hinge of engine cover. Fisheyes
noted on trunk. Chrome shines brilliantly with
no noticeable flaws. Front windshield seal in
poor condition. Interior redone a long time ago
to a high standard with thick, rich leather.
Beautiful carpets, flawless dash with instruments
restored to perfection. Overall a stronger
car cosmetically than its twin. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $117,675. While not always on the
forefront of the collector-car spectrum, the
Aurelia represents a solid entry for any auction,
as the market for these cars is extremely
fluid and stable. While it may not have universal
appeal, at least two bidders preferred the
reliability and usability of this Lancia to the
dozen-plus Ferraris on offer.
#99-1965 FERRARI 275 GTB/6C
coupe. S/N 6785. Eng. # 6785. Red/
black leather. Odo: 12,542 km. 3.3-L
V12, 5-sp. Historically significant six-carb
275 GTB. Notable bubbling on rear left quarter
panel by door and paint cracking by door
handle. Paint chipping on leading edge of passenger’s
door, with very poor door fit. Driver’s
door fit okay. Finish shiny and car was likely
in climate-controlled storage. Interior in
slightly waning condition, with no damage to
leather seats. Glass and rubber in good nick.
Aged chrome in slightly above-average condition.
Wheels need to be rechromed. Engine
TOP 10
No. 5
Sports Car Market
Page 106
Artcurial Paris, FRA
tidy, with a refurbished radiator, but noted to
be misfiring on two cylinders. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $987,166. While history is skewed
towards the victors, this was a fascinating
chapter in the hot-blooded ’60s era of Italian
racing. Although not as crazy a sale as last
year’s $4 million Italian rodeo, there was still
a visible demand for this last unexpected offering
from the Volpi household. Well bought,
because it is certainly the only one.
#131-2000 LAMBORGHINI DIABLO
SOLD AT $2,745,321. A crowd favorite, and
with its long-term owner present, this 275
GTB was going to sell all day. Sold right
smack in the middle of the estimate range, but
some of the rust and paint issues will need to
be dealt with. With its unusual Swiss racing
history from new, its Massini-researched history
and its unaltered state of preservation,
this 275 will eventually prove to be a great
deal.
#105-1967 SERENISSIMA MK 168
racer. S/N MK168001. Cream/red vinyl.
RHD. Fuel-injected 2.5-L V8, 5-sp. Highly
complete example of the last Serenissima.
Raced in period, but with lackluster results.
Still with clean and functional original engine
and body, and recently overhauled by former
team chief mechanic. Old paint peeling. Panel
fit acceptable for a racing car. Engine extremely
clean. Engine fitted with fuel injection.
Comes with extra aerodynamic body.
Cond: 3-.
VT Roadster. S/N LA1237. Blue/dark blue
leather. Odo: 52,300 km. Fuel-injected 5.7-L
V12, 5-sp. Nearly perfect late-version Diablo
VT roadster with high levels of care evident.
Paint nearly flawless. Some light creasing on
seats. Black trim has lost some of its consistency.
Some chips around where the hard top
fit on roof. Factory wheels free of any curb
rash and wearing Pirelli P Zeros. Recent engine-out
reseal with new timing chains.
Cond: 1-.
what you would expect for a Mustang of this
period, with fiberglass hood fit off. Door alignment
also leaves a lot to be desired. Paint applied
with care, but overall workmanship is
average. Windshield seal in poor condition.
Missing original engine, now with K-code unit
and Shelby parts. Cond: 2-.
NOT SOLD AT $175,504. While GT350s are
easy to find in the United States, this was the
first I had ever seen in Europe. Based on the
historical assessment, this car was owned by
Swedish driver Tom Trana—who might have
been responsible for blowing up the original
engine. With a somewhat rough past, and periods
of time where obsolete parts went missing,
it’s tough to value this car over $200k. High
bid reflected the unknown condition and the
lack of a Shelby engine.
#117-1968 FORD MUSTANG GT “Bul-
SOLD AT $235,351. For a late VT roadster,
this was a market-correct result. Very few of
the improved 1999–2000 roadsters were built.
With all of the difficult stuff done, and the car
coming out of meticulous German ownership,
someone ended up with a great Diablo with
some subtle and attractive colors.
AMERICAN
#123-1966 SHELBY GT350 fastback.
S/N SFM5S070. White & blue/black cloth.
Odo: 59,146 km. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Sold
new in Sweden, with continuous ownership
history. Never left for dead, but also used hard
when new. Likely one repaint. Fitted with roll
cage and lighter Recaro seats. Gaps about
litt” replica fastback. S/N 8T02S218892.
Highland Green/black vinyl. Odo: 15,788
miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. French-titled
Mustang converted to faithful “Bullitt” replica
in Canada more than a decade ago. Factory-ish
panel fit with no alarming gaps. Conversion
likely done out of original green car. Paint
quality quite good, especially so as it must be
more than 15 years old. Interior mostly original,
with no wear and tear on dash and other
similar items. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $94,140. Am I missing something,
or was this an insanely high price for an average
“Bullitt” replica? For some reason, the
French love “moostangs” from this era, and
despite the availability of better cars at this
sale, someone had to plop down serious
money for what is neither a nice, original car
nor a really high-quality re-creation. Still, it’s
a lot cheaper than $3.74m for the original. ©
108
Sports Car Market
Page 108
Bonhams Paris, FRA
Les Grand Marques du Monde
au Grand Palais 2020
A Le Mans-raced Bugatti Type 55 Supersport was not only the top sale
here, but in all of Paris during Rétromobile week, at over $5m
Company
Bonhams
Date
February 6, 2020
Location
Paris, FRA
Auctioneers
James Knight, Malcolm
Barber
Automotive lots sold/offered
65/101
Sales rate
64%
Sales total
$22,284,117
High sale
1931 Bugatti Type 55
Supersport roadster, sold at
$5,061,380
Buyer’s premium
Top sale of this year’s Rétromobile auctions — 1931 Bugatti Type 55 Supersport roadster, sold at $5,061,380
Report and photos by Leo Van Hoorick
Market opinions in italics
T
he Grand Palais is a very prestigious
venue, dear to Bonhams. This year it
was the ninth time they staged their
Paris auction here. This glass-and-steel
building, looking like a massive greenhou
used to be the venue for the Paris Motor Show, t
first edition of which took place as early as 190
For this year’s sale, Bonhams reduced t
number of automotive lots by almost a third
compared to last year, yet the total sales figure
was up by an impressive 66%. They not only scored their
best-ever result at this location, but they also sold the
most valuable auction lot during the Rétromobile week.
The honor was for the magnificent Bugatti 55 Supersport
that raced at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1932 in the hands
of two famous French racing drivers: Louis Chiron and
Count Guy Bouriat-Quintart. It was subsequently bought
by a wealthy French publisher who had it reconfigured by
the famous French/Italian coachbuilder Giuseppe Figoni,
of later Figoni et Falaschi fame. This was its very first
appearance at auction, after an incredible 56 years in the
sole ownership of the late British Bugatti aficionado Sir
Geoffrey St John.
A rather huge number of pre-war cars offered at the
Bonhams Paris Sale are becoming a tradition. I counted
no fewer than 26 of them, seven of which were Bugattis.
110
Incidentally, the top three sales consisted of those pre-war cars. A
Paris, FRA
highly original Invicta 4½-Litre S-type, with unique “sport-cabriolet”
coachwork by Carbodies, known in the community as “Scout,” sold for
an impressive $1,771,483. That’s a world auction record for the make.
The same result was achieved by a rare Mercedes 500K Cabriolet A, a
supercar of its era of which only 31 were built, and with a famous first
owner, French movie star Henri Garat.
Fourth-highest sale was a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster in cosmetically
excellent condition but needing some TLC under the bonnet.
It sold for $1.1m, which I found a bit
disappointing, knowing this was the 14th-
from-last Roadster built, which means a prized
example with alloy engine and disc brakes.
The fifth-highest sale was another pre-
war model, a well-known 1934 Talbot AV105
Brooklands sports racer at $967,989. Or was it
the MAT New Stratos that sold for a huge $759k,
taking into account that there is still around 20%
VAT due on the hammer price?
Most amazing lot to me was the derelict but
apparently complete Hispano H6B with Derham
torpedo body selling for an impressive $366,950
to a courageous bidder.
There were only a limited number of cars of-
fered at no reserve, 23 to be exact. A bit against
the tide of what we have seen lately. ♦
Sales Totals
$25m
$20m
$15m
$10m
$5m
0
Sports Car Market
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
15%, included in sold prices
($1.00 = €0.91)
Page 110
Bonhams Paris, FRA
ENGLISH
TOP 10
No. 8
#232-1931 INVICTA 4½-LITRE Stype
Low-Chassis sports roadster.
S/N S75. Black/black canvas/black
leather. RHD. Odo: 7,936 miles. Coachwork
by Carbodies. Only a few owners from new,
one of whom kept the car for 60 years. Original
paint with scratches galore. Bleached canvas
top with tears but still usable as sun
protection. Shabby interior with worn back
rests on the front seats. Seat cushions replaced
by more decent blue ones. An engine with race
specs, rebuilt in the 1990s, is fitted, with the
original engine included in the sale. Engine
dirty but dry, no oil leaks visible. Old Dunlop
Racings, due for replacement. A guaranteed
entry ticket to the most prestigious events
around the world. Cond: 4.
interior with right amount of patina. Welldetailed
engine bay. Twin exhausts. Painted
wires with Avon tires of recent date. Copies of
invoices, toolkit, instruction manual. U.K. V5
document. Cond: 2.
and one can ask how much original content
remains. I sometimes wonder whether the
story developed around a car is worth more
than the car itself. In that respect, price paid is
all the money in my opinion.
SOLD AT $1,771,483. Rarely have I seen a
car in more original state than this Invicta.
Won the prize for “Best unrestored car” at
Bagatelle, Paris, in 2001, and obviously, nothing
has changed since. One of the 68 S-types
remaining of the 75 built. No doubt the most
battered one. At the Zoute sale in Belgium,
another unrestored but rebodied in period
S-type achieved $983k (SCM# 6911710), after
the sale labeled “rather low priced.” All the
Bonhams people I spoke to before the sale
were very curious about what this one would
achieve. It didn’t let them down, for sure, selling
more than 10% over its high estimate of
$1.65 million. Well sold indeed. (See the profile,
p. 64.)
#234-1934 TALBOT 105 Brooklands
sports racer. S/N AV35499. Green/black
canvas/green leather. RHD. Odo: 11,675
miles. One of the famous AV105 Talbots, as
developed by Fox & Nicholl. Generally
known as “AYL 2.” It was ordered by privateer
Dr. Roth, who raced it in 1934 and ’35,
and then fitted a single-seater body for 1936.
Only in 2010 was it reunited with its original
body. In the meantime it has been completely
rebuilt, including fitting an engine that was
rebuilt around a new 110-type cylinder block.
Only the tonneau cover looks old. Important
competition history, also in recent historic
events such a Le Mans Classic or Mille
Miglia. Presented in very good order, ready to
be enjoyed. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $967,989.
Originally built to the same specification as
the most famous Talbot of them all, BGH 23,
which Bonhams sold at the London sale in
November 2014 for a whopping $2,164,630.
But the history of this “AYL 2” is more patchy,
112
SOLD AT $93,636. This car was a no-sale at
the Artcurial Auction in Paris, November
2012, with a low estimate set at $90k, but no
available bid price (SCM# 5241109). Prices of
these Jaguars have been under pressure in
recent times. The median price in the SCM
Pocket Price Guide is $78,500. Price achieved
here is correct, even a bit light for a car in this
condition. Well bought.
#221-1955 ASTON MARTIN DB2/4 Mk
II roadster. S/N AM3001101. Black/beige
canvas/red leather. RHD. Odo: 2,742 miles.
3.0-L I6, 4-sp. The first of the drophead
coupes built on the DB2/4 chassis by coachbuilder
Tickford, part of the David Brown
imperium. Restoration carried out in 2002 by
the famous Aston Martin restorer Roos Engineering.
Flawless paint, straight panels and
good shut lines. Brightwork in excellent condition.
New canvas top. Red Connolly leather
#261-1952 JAGUAR XK 120 coupe. S/N
680421. Green metallic/beige leather. Odo:
17,358 miles. 3.4-L I6, 4-sp. The LHD fixedhead
coupe is the rarest variant of the XK 120,
with 2,483 built. This one was delivered new
to Los Angeles. It has been professionally restored
both cosmetically and mechanically in
recent years. Good and period-correct pastel
green metallic paint. Unfortunately, the engine
cover shows some unevenness. Shiny
brightwork. Period-looking leather strap over
engine cover. Lucas high beams. Steel wheels
in body color with seemingly new hubcaps.
Impeccable interior in beige leather, with nonstandard
bucket seats that provide some extra
space behind the wheel. Well-detailed engine
compartment. JHT Certificate and U.K. V5.
Cond: 2-.
NOT SOLD AT $313,586. The first of 15 convertibles
on DB2/4 Mk II chassis. Perfectly
restored in its original color scheme. This rare
Aston failed to sell at the RM Sotheby’s sale in
Monaco in 2018, where it was bid to $548,964
(SCM# 6871963). This time it was priced to
sell in my opinion, with a reserve set at $330k.
Last recorded offer was close, but no cigar.
#262-1958 ASTON MARTIN DB MK III
coupe. S/N AM30031566. Gunmetal gray/red
leather. Odo: 42,104 km. 3.0-L I6, 4-sp. Comprehensive
body-off restoration in 2017 at a
cost around $83k. Excellent fit and finish in
original color scheme, minus a nasty scratch in
the right door. Properly replated brightwork.
Chrome wires shod with Avon tires. Lucas
high beams. Antenna at the back but no radio.
Front disc brakes and Alfin rear drums were an
option. Mildly patinated red leather interior.
Wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel.
Clean engine bay with striking triple Weber
carburetors. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $278,376. Triple Webers are pointing
out that this is a more powerful DBB variant.
Only 10 left the factory as such.
According to the owner, this one was uprated
in 1960. The current owner also fitted an Alperform
competition head with the last restoration.
This beautiful Aston came fairly close to
its lower estimate of $300k, which is well
above the $220k median value of the pocket
price guide. Seller took no risks. Fair both
ways.
#282-1965 ALVIS TE 21 Series III con-
vertible. S/N 27321. Burgundy/blue canvas/
blue leather. Odo: 62,709 miles. 3.0-L I6, 5-sp.
Classic-looking body by Park Ward and not
Graber, with distinctive stacked headlights.
Overall good condition. Small shut lines point
Sports Car Market
Page 112
On the Radar
A whole new crop of world cars is now legal to
import into the United States.
If you’re not familiar with the rules, you can find
info at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import.
by Jeff Zurschmeide
1995 Ruf CTR2
Bonhams Paris, FRA
out high build quality. Straight panels, wellfinished
chrome. Chromed wires look a bit
small in comparison with rather plump body.
Older Blockley tires. New canvas top. Beautiful
leather interior with thickly padded seats.
Carpets still look new. Attractive walnut veneer
fascia. Converted to LHD in the ’90s.
Engine bay a bit fussy, with some hoses in
need of attention. ZF 5-speed transmission.
Cond: 2-.
Pros: Alois Ruf is known for making fantastic
hot rods out of production Porsches, and the
CTR2 is no exception. Using a 962-derived
3.2-liter engine, the CTR2 boasts up to 580
hp and does 0–60 mph in under 3.5 seconds.
Choose AWD or RWD. Top speed is north of
220 mph. Comes with a full racing setup, including
cage, brakes, suspension and seats.
Original purchase price of $315k bought you
the second-fastest production car of the 1990s
(after the McLaren F1, of course).
Cons: Only 28 were made, including 12 highoutput
“sport” models. The ticket price is worthy
of the performance level, but if you can
afford to buy the car in the first place, you can
afford the maintenance.
Price range: $750k–$850k, plus import costs.
1995 BMW Alpina B12 5.7 (E38)
#268-1931 BUGATTI TYPE 55 Supersport
roadster. S/N 55221. Yellow
& blue/blue canvas/blue leather. RHD.
Odo: 42,655 km. Coachwork by Carrosserie
Figoni, Paris. Back in the second half of last
year, Bonhams already unveiled this Bugatti
as its star car for Paris. Continuous ownership
by the late Sir Geoffrey St John for 56 years.
The car survived a horrific crash in the ’90s,
and was at first deemed lost, but some determined
craftsman brought it back to its former
glory after 5,000 hours of labor, using a maximal
amount of original components and fabric.
A unique, most beautiful and supercharged
8-cylinder Bugatti. Cond: 2-.
TOP 10
No. 2
SOLD AT $113,881. Penultimate Alvis passenger-car
model, one of 349 built. Stylish but
old-fashioned, even when new. They seldom
come to auction and hover around $60k–$70k
in the SCM Platinum Auction Database. The
most expensive we found was sold for an
amazing $137,950 at Coys in December 2012.
Price paid here was just over the low estimate
of $104k. Looks fair to me.
FRENCH
#246-1925 BUGATTI TYPE 39 Grand
Pros: First of the Alpinas on the beautiful E38
platform. Uses a 5.7-liter V12 engine delivering
382 hp to the rear wheels. Five-speed automatic,
but with finger-shifting on the wheel.
Interior in Anthracite leather and real wood
trim. 0–60 mph in about 6 seconds makes this
a grand tourer instead of a neck-snapper, but if
you want to go in style, this is your ride.
Cons: Only 202 were made between 1995 and
1998. Most sold in Europe, but a few have already
found their way to the U.S.
Price range: $40k–$60k, plus import costs.
1995 Audi Ur-S6 Plus
Prix roadster. S/N 4607. Blue/brown leather.
RHD. Last sold privately in 2017. Subsequently
stripped down and rebuilt by Hawker
Racing, England. Looking almost new, with
perfect paint. Bugatti alloys showing age and
shod with Dunlop Cord tires beyond expiration
date. Brown leather seats of recent manufacture.
Engine bay clean but not detailed.
Road-ready with Marchal headlights and tiny
rear light. Comprehensive historical overview
and inspection report by specialists David
Sewell and Mark Morris. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $5,061,380. First built as a Bugatti
Works entry in the 1932 24 Hours of Le Mans.
After the race it was bought by a well-to-do
Parisian publisher and rebodied by Carrosserie
Figoni. No doubt there was a fierce battle
among auction houses for the privilege of
selling this car. The estimate from Bonhams
covered a wide delta, and luckily for them, the
$5m-plus reserve was met by a Swiss collector.
Not only a top result for Bonhams, but also the
top sale of this year’s Paris auctions. (See the
profile, p. 66.)
#233-1935 DELAHAYE 135 Coupe des
Alpes saloon. S/N 46081. Black/brown
leather. RHD. Odo: 7,468 km. One-off by Labourdette,
one of the oldest Parisian coachbuilders.
Older restoration, holding up well.
Good paint and brightwork. Beautiful Marchal
headlights and high beams. Suicide doors
close with reassuring click. Painted wires shod
with Michelin tires of recent date. Brown
leather interior with hardly any usage marks—
carpets stained, though. Quite dull-looking
wooden fascia with two large dials and three
small ones, brown Bakelite steering wheel.
Clean and well-cared-for engine compartment.
French paperwork. Cond: 2.
Pros: The original U.S.-market S6 carries the
2.2-liter, 5-cylinder turbocharged engine, rated
at 227 hp. However, in Europe this car could
be bought as the S6 Plus with a naturally aspirated
4.2-liter V8 at up to 322 hp. Europeans
also got a 6-speed manual gearbox, as opposed
to the 5-speed for U.S. market. All came with
quattro all-wheel-drive.
Cons: The first A6/S6 was just a facelifted Audi
100 — and it looks like a 100. Further, Audi’s
reliability in this era was not all it could have
been. Finally, only 97 units of the S6 Plus
were made. That V8, though...
Price range: $30k–$40k, plus import costs. ♦
114
SOLD AT $957,261. A rare bird—only five
built—with a long racing history. First outing
in Monza 1925 and victory in the Australian
GP of 1931, among others. Ready to be enjoyed
and raced. The above-mentioned report
states, “Major components are of Molsheim
manufacture.” Bidding stalled well south of
the $1.1m reserve price, which is enough to
buy a genuine and more powerful 35. Appeared
to hammer sold at €820k ($904k) on
the block, but later listed as sold at this higher
price (€870k).
Sports Car Market
Page 113
Bonhams Paris, FRA
SOLD AT $253,069. With the looks of a sporting
estate car, but surprisingly modest yet refined.
Underneath is a sporty and legendary
6-cylinder. Yes, it has much going for it and it
didn’t disappoint, selling close to 5% over its
high estimation. One of the few cars to do so
at this sale, or even at all the Rétromobilearea
sales this year.
#263-1952 DELAHAYE 235 cabriolet.
S/N 818022. White/black canvas/blue leather.
RHD. Odo: 19,443 km. 3.6-L I6, auto. The
French coachbuilder Antem built some 13
coupes on the chassis of the 235, and also this
one-off cabriolet, presented in 1952 at the
Paris Salon at the same venue as this Bonhams
sale. Complete body-off restoration commenced
in 2012. The car was completely
stripped, and a new interior was fitted to original
specs. Even the steering wheel and gauges
were not forgotten. All mechanical components
were thoroughly overhauled. One of the
special features is the automatic Cotal transmission,
typical of many French luxury cars of
the era. Photographic record and file of receipts
of the restoration. British V5 document.
Cond: 3+.
hesitantly at $1.1m, going up in $55k increments.
Final price was just over low estimate,
which certainly was a relief for the seller and
the Bonhams team.
BEST
BUY
#276-1963 MERCEDES-BENZ
300SL Roadster. S/N 19804210003245.
Silver metallic/blue canvas, sil-
ver hard top/red leather. Odo: 91,442 km.
Fuel-injected 3.0-L I6, 4-sp. Desirable alloyblock,
disc-brake model. Older cosmetic restoration
still excellent. Straight panels, good
paint and shut lines. Impeccable brightwork.
Factory hard top and new canvas top. Red
leather interior looking fresh and well executed
without too much padding, as is often
the case. Carpeting near perfect, apart from
wrinkles under the pedals. Engine bay below
average. Inlet manifold shiny, all hose clamps
incorrect, no stickers. Original service booklet,
TüV valid till December 2021. German papers.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $227,762. For a long time part of
the collection of the gifted French designer
Philippe Charbonneaux, who also designed
the original body of the Delahaye 235. The
restoration was carried out by his daughter,
who subsequently sold the car. It now sold
close to its lower estimation of $231k. Fair
deal for both buyer and seller.
GERMAN
#242-1935 MERCEDES-BENZ 500K
Cabriolet A. S/N 123779. Blue/black
canvas/gray leather. Odo: 71,760 km.
Coachwork by Sindelfingen. One of only 39
examples of the Cabriolet A. Bought new by
French movie star Henri Garat. In same ownership
from 1969 till 2019. Completely restored
to the highest standards including
engine and transmission, between 2001 and
2007. Radiator scratched and matte on top.
Firestone whitewalls add to the overall presentation,
but due for replacement. The right front
whitewall is torn and coming loose. Complete
history file including brochures, movie posters
and restoration photographs. Swiss papers,
E.U. taxes paid. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$1,771,483. In all, 354 of these 500Ks were
built. They were regarded as one of the best
and most exclusive cars of their era. They offer
rarity, style and performance, the cocktail
needed for success at auction. Bidding started
TOP 10
No. 9
May 2020
SOLD AT $1,136,976. The 14th-from-last
built. Originally blue, but change of color with
last bare-metal respray. Cosmetically well
presented, but not a winner due to its poorly
presented engine bay. The ultimate iteration of
the highly prized roadster, and therefore highly
desirable. Highest auction result ever for such
a 300SL was achieved at the Artcurial sale in
Le Mans 2018: $3,685,369 (#6874790). The
lower estimation of $1.43m was not out of line
for a disc-brake model, but it really disappointed
with a final offer that stayed 20%
south of it. Seller accepted nevertheless, so I’d
call this well bought. Or did I miss something?
#265-1966 PORSCHE 911 2.0 coupe. S/N
303509. Aga Blue/black vinyl & cloth. Odo:
92,988 miles. 2.0-L H6, 5-sp. Fully restored
between 2012 and 2016, only sparingly used
since. Very straight panel fit. Stated to have
had a six-coat respray. Most of the brightwork
rechromed, but window frames have some
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Bonhams Paris, FRA
light scratches. Correct small rectangular
Hella driving foglights. Nicely retrimmed interior
with correct Pepita fabric inserts on the
seats. Instruments overhauled in the process.
Original Blaupunkt radio. Matching engine
and gearbox totally rebuilt, spotless engine
bay. New Vredestein Sprint tires. Complete
photographic restoration record and history
file. Cond: 3+.
#207-1969 PORSCHE 911E Targa. S/N
119210415. Polo Red/black polyester/black
vinyl. Odo: 12,200 km. 2.0-L H6, 5-sp. Said to
have been comprehensively restored to original
specs in 2015 and looking like it. Straight
panels and glossy red paint. Brushed stainless
hoop panel good. Fuchs rims scathed, notably
left front. Targa roof newish, but with some
wrinkles at the rear. Seats and carpeting new.
Period Blaupunkt radio. Odometer probably
zeroed with restoration. Engine completely
overhauled, clean and smoothly running.
Owner’s manual, jack and toolkit present.
Valid technical inspection. Offered at no reserve.
Cond: 3+.
$367,950 (SCM# 6911720). Sold for quite less
on this occasion, but I think this was a fair
price for both parties.
#236-1973 PORSCHE 911 Carrera RS
SOLD AT $164,495. A desirable first-series
911, delivered new to the U.S. These first-series
cars are among the most coveted of the
standard 911s. Seller claims over $150k spent
on the restoration. A largely similar 911 was
sold at the Zoute sale at the end of last year
for $177,792 (SCM# 6911714), but that was a
1965 model, which has a $56k higher quote
than the 1966–67 vintage in the pocket price
guide. Price paid here was spot-on at the SCM
median valuation. Fair deal for both buyer
and seller.
#220-1967 BMW-GLAS 3000 V8 fast-
back. S/N V1471. Silver metallic/Cognac
leather. Odo: 65,658 km. 3.0-L V8, 4-sp. Oneoff
prototype. Restored some five years ago
both mechanically and cosmetically. Work
included respray, with paint holding up very
well, but deep 10-inch-long scratch left on the
boot lid. Bright trim in excellent condition.
Reupholstered leather interior nice but doorpanel
leather not perfectly smooth. Very nice
dash and wooden steering wheel. Period radiocassette.
“Frua Special” inscription on glove
compartment. Engine bay nicely detailed.
Good Vredestein tires on steel rims. Cond: 3+.
2.7 Touring coupe. S/N 9113600214. Light
yellow/black vinyl & cloth. Odo: 92 km. 2.7-L
H6, 5-sp. One of the first 500 produced, featuring
thin steel body panels, resulting in
slightly lower weight than later models. Welldocumented
history with many owners and
many rather important conversions. Between
2015 and 2018, it was finally restored to original
Touring specification. Body in sound condition.
New paint and good gaps. New Pirelli
P6000 tires. Interior looks new with adjustable
Recaro seats. Engine bay clean. Engine and
gearbox were rebuilt during restoration. Ninepage
report by RS gurus G & G Callewaert on
file. Restoration invoices and history file.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $107,554. The first 911 to be built
on the longer wheelbase and one of the last
with a 2-liter engine. It is in fact a 1969
model, but built at the end of 1968. It attracted
quite some interest. Bidding went swiftly to
just over its high estimate of $104,500. One of
the few lots at this sale to do so. Well sold.
#264-1971 MERCEDES-BENZ 280SE
3.5 convertible. S/N 11102712004473. Blue/
blue canvas/blue leather. Odo: 81,915 km.
Fuel-injected 3.5-L I6, auto. German provenance
since new. Later low-radiator model.
Restored to very high standard in 2014. Paint
still excellent, as is brightwork, apart from
some light scratching on window frames. Blue
canvas top brand new. Original interior with
nice patina and some light wrinkles and cracks
in the leather seats. New carpeting all around.
Original dashboard with revised switchgear.
Period Becker Grand Prix radio. Auto transmission
with optional floor shift. Engine compartment
clean but not detailed. Well
documented. German papers. Cond: 3+.
NOT SOLD AT $550,150. One of the most
iconic Porsche models ever. Claimed to be
matching numbers, and completely restored to
original specs, but the fact that the car has a
history of transformations; including 3.0 RSR
engine, widened body and the like, scared the
candidates off. Bidding never came close to
the optimistic reserve of $600k, in turn very
close to the $610k price-guide median. But
this is valid for genuine, no-nonsense cars,
which is not the case here, I’m afraid. In a
difficult market, potential buyers go for proven
originals, not rebuilds with patchy histories.
#216-2001 BMW Z8 convertible. S/N
WBAEJ11041AF79478. Topaz Blue Metallic/
black canvas, blue hard top/black leather. Odo:
21,300 km. Fuel-injected 4.9-L V8, 6-sp. European-spec
car delivered new to Panama for
an exhibition in Cuba, then sold in Canada.
Factory hard top. Overall in good condition,
with some usage marks. Topaz Blue metallic
SOLD AT $230,293. Overbodied and not the
most elegant of BMWs, dating from the time
when the Bavarians took over Glas. This fastback
did the tour of the European car shows
back in 1967–68. Afterwards it spent most of
its time in private BMW collections, and that
is where it belongs. I thought the reserve of
$275k was rather optimistic, which proved
right. I learned that prototypes with no offspring
rarely command high prices, and even
with a BMW this seems the case. Seller was
right to let go, but for a BMW collector such
as the buyer, this is a godsend.
116
SOLD AT $328,990. Timelessly elegant convertible,
and most desirable variant of this
model. The Mercedes adage “The best or
nothing” could apply to this one. This was a
no-sale at the Bonhams Zoute Sale in October
2019, where it was offered with an unrealistic
lower estimation of $418k. It was bid to
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color is certainly a plus. Well-kept interior, but
if you ask me, seat leather looked too baggy
and shiny for indicated mileage. Or was it that
extensively used during its exhibition life?
Engine bay a bit dusty. Invoices of thorough
servicing carried out in Ontario last year. Canadian
registration means local import taxes
due. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $167,026. The perfect
roadster, with sufficient power and the
right amount of nostalgia built in. Quite exclusive
and much in demand. Z8s are a common
sight at auctions. This particular car failed to
sell at the Bonhams Chantilly sale in June last
year, where it was retired at $182,080 (SCM#
6906826). Low estimate was now reduced to
$154k, and it sold almost 10% better. Small
advantage to the buyer.
ITALIAN
#247-1955 ALFA ROMEO 1900 CSS
Zagato coupe. S/N AR1900C02062. Blue/
blue & beige leather. Odo: 29,271 km. 2.0-L
I4, 5-sp. One of 39 Super Sprint Zagatos produced.
Same ownership since 1991. Older
restoration both cosmetically and mechanically.
Nice two-tone paint with right amount
of patina. Window surrounds uneven and
scratched. Painted Borrani wires shod with
fairly new Michelin Xs. Patinated leather interior
with bucket seats; driver’s seat a bit
baggy. Blue carpeting down to the transmission
tunnel, should be rubber. Beautiful dash
with clear dials. Wooden Nardi steering wheel.
Matching-numbers engine, prepared from new
by Conrero with little badge on left front wing.
Extensive history file with ASI Gold certification,
expired FIVA passport. Italian registration.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $250,318. Offered at no reserve at
the Bonhams Goodwood sale in March 2018,
where it sold for $220,644 against a $278k–
$348k estimate (SCM# 6865782). It was missing
its front bumper and there were still some
minor things to do. The SCM reporter called it
a relative bargain then. It is now completed
and found a taker after the sale for some 10%
more than a couple of years ago. I’d call this
still a relative bargain.
SOLD AT $797,167. Proven history and origin
are crucial for these Zagato-bodied cars.
The high prices make it worthwhile to convert
a lesser 1900 into a Zagato. Last year, a similar
CSSZ was a no-sale at the Gooding Pebble
Beach sale with a high bid of $820k (SCM#
6907006). On the other side of the spectrum,
RM Sotheby’s sold one in March 2017 for $1.1
million (SCM# 6831873). This one sold just
under its low estimation of $825k, which still
looks acceptable.
#245-1956 LANCIA AURELIA B24S
convertible. S/N B24S1231. Blue/black canvas/
red leather. Odo: 18,671 miles. 2.5-L V6,
4-sp. Restoration started long ago, but was
only finished after the passing of the former
owner and keen Lancia collector Brin Ed-
118
#209-1959 MASERATI 3500 GT coupe.
S/N 101362. Gunmetal gray/black leather.
Odo: 82,808 miles. 3.5-L I6, 5-sp. Original
pre-injection model with triple Webers, delivered
new to the USA. Restored in Holland
over a long period. Excellent paint in original
color, with straight panels. Brightwork overall
good. Driver’s door closes with difficulty. Aluminum
plating on sills scratched. Originallooking
seat leather good; some parts of the
interior renewed with non-period material.
Plastic-rimmed Nardi steering wheel. Nonperiod
Voxon radio. Clean engine bay. Engine
was rebuilt two years ago by Maserati Classice-qualified
Lapré Engineering from Holland.
Original ZF 4-speeder replaced by
period-correct ZF 5-speed unit. Stainless-steel
exhaust. New Vredestein tires on refurbished
Borranis. Cond: 3+.
wards. Body straight, paint good, leather and
carpets new. Non-standard hideous louvres in
the bonnet. Color described as “Lancia Blue”
but it’s too hard for that. New stainless-steel
bumpers and new hubcaps. Comes with hard
top that needs glazing and trimming. New
leather interior and carpeting. Non-original
wooden steering wheel. Good instruments, but
odo hardly readable. Engine rebuilt with receipts
on file. Engine bay clean. New stainless-steel
exhaust needs adjustment. Cond: 3+.
and unfinished to me, and obviously to the
room too. That said, it deserved better in my
opinion.
#211-1961 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA
Sprint Speciale coupe. S/N AR1012000551.
Burgundy/red vinyl, gray cloth. Odo: 24,020
km. 1.3-L I4, 5-sp. Recent restoration in Switzerland,
with little use since its completion.
Excellent paint and brightwork, straight panels
and good shut lines. Scratches on windshield
as usual; never seen one without. Vinyl/cloth
interior as-new, in matching burgundy with
gray piping. New carpeting. Beautiful gauges
with clear glass. Wood-rimmed Nardi steering
wheel. Believed to be the only one with electric
windows. Nicely detailed engine bay. New
stainless-steel exhaust. Rims and hubcaps look
as-new. New Vredestein tires. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $94,901. Very attractive and elegant
Bertone-bodied car, presented as being
in near concours condition. Sprint Speciales
are a common sight at the sales I attend. I saw
this one at the Bonhams sale in Chantilly in
June of last year, where it sold for $99,461
(SCM# 6906844). The telephone bidder never
paid, so it went back into storage. It now sold
for $3,000 less, which is still fair in my opinion.
#218-1961 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA
Veloce Spider. S/N AR149510183. Gray/black
canvas/red vinyl. 1.3-L I4, 4-sp. Ten-year-old
restoration holding up very well. Straight panels
and good shut lines. Impeccable paint job,
all brightwork rechromed. Good soft top. Stillnew-looking
vinyl interior with matching carpets.
Clear gauges. Original plastic steering
wheel. Engine and gearbox fully rebuilt after
major failure, which was the trigger for the
restoration. Well kept since. Alfa Romeo Certificate
of Origin, French papers. Offered at no
reserve. Cond: 2-.
NOT SOLD AT $143,039. Mechanically
speaking, it’s very well restored and reasonably
priced. Nevertheless, it looked a bit dull
SOLD AT $60,737. Attractive little Alfa Spider
offered with a low estimate of $55k, compared
to a median value of $87,500 for a
101-series Spider Veloce in the most recent
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Bonhams Paris, FRA
pocket price guide. It looked perfectly okay to
me; I think this was a great deal for the buyer.
#210-1963 LANCIA FLAMINIA Sport
2.5 3C Zagato coupe. S/N 824133741. Gunmetal
Gray/black leather. Odo: 8,898 km.
2.5-L V6, 4-sp. Restored circa 1994 by the
then-famous Lancia restorer KCA of Milan.
Even today, the car presents very well. Paint
still excellent but for one small bubble on the
right wing and some stone chips. Chrome
overall good, front bumper uneven. Interior in
line with rest of the car, showing little use.
Engine was restored together with the car by
another marque specialist. Engine bay well
kept. Pirelli Cinturatos of recent date. Italian
registration, ASI homologation, invoices and
photographs relating to the restoration.
Cond: 2-.
Factory a/c. Engine bay clean. Comprehensive
overhaul of rear suspension and major service
in 2017, with included invoice totaling over
$14k. Good Michelin XWXs. Comes with
service books, manuals, ASI Certificate and
expired FIVA pass. Italian papers. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $272,049. One of only 205 Flaminia
Sports built between 1959 and 1961,
according to the catalog. The Zagato is no
doubt the most attractive Flaminia variant.
They were much in demand in recent years, so
I expected it to sell easily, which it didn’t. Bidding
went slowly and stopped before reaching
the low estimate of $275,000, but seller decided
to let go. Well bought.
#214-1977 FERRARI 308 GTB Vetrore-
sina coupe. S/N F106AB2079. Blue metallic/
cream leather. Odo: 80,760 km. 3.0-L V8,
5-sp. Highly original, with believed genuine
mileage. Body looks very straight for a polyester
shell, with no visible cracks. Paint overall
in good condition, except for hazily painted
surrounds of front boot lid. Very good shut
lines. Leather interior in good condition, as are
dashboard and carpets. Period radio/cassette.
SOLD AT $141,719. In same ownership for
over 30 years. The early 308 GTBs had a fiberglass
body that was light and not prone to
corrosion. These Vetroresinas normally command
a considerably higher price than later
308s. With a reserve of $154k, a bit lower than
the $164k price-guide median, everything
looked set for this attractive Ferrari. Yet bidding
stopped much earlier. The seller accepted
a price that was nearly 10% below reserve.
Rightfully so, it seems. Another “normal,”
no-reserve 308 GTS didn’t do well either, selling
nearly 30% below its $60k reserve.
#251-1985 LANCIA DELTA S4 Stradale
coupe. S/N ZLA038ARO00000026. Red
metallic/Cognac Alcantara. Odo: 3,161 km.
Turbocharged, supercharged 1.8-L I4, 5-sp.
Street version of the deadly efficient Group B
rally car. Literally deadly for some, making
this formula short-lived. Lancia—allegedly—
produced 200 of these Stradales for homologation
purposes. Some say only around 80 were
finished. They broke new ground, combining
turbocharging and supercharging and developed
close to 500 hp in race trim. The street
version had to do with less than 300. This very
original example has close to 3,200 km on the
odometer. Excellent paint; shut lines as per
build. Engine is a bit dusty but shows little
sign of use. Italian documentation. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $517,141. At the first RM
Sotheby’s sale at Techno-Classica Essen last
year, a very similar low-mileage S4 stunned
the world with a hammer price of $1,171,456
(SCM# 6899722). Other fairly recent auction
results are $423,000 at the Bonhams Quail
sale in 2018 (SCM# 6877290) and $551,340
at the Bonhams Paris sale in February 2018
(SCM# 6864989). This one fell in between,
with a reserve set at a rather optimistic $600k,
probably a bit biased by last year’s inexplicable
result. The price offered here looked
reasonable to me. By the way, the other sporty
Lancias at this sale, a 1976 Stratos Stradale
and a genuine 1988 Delta Group A Works car,
didn’t sell either.
#274-2019 MAT NEW STRATOS coupe.
S/N ZFFKZ64B000166472. White, green &
red/black leather. Manifattura Automobili Torino
(MAT) is planning to build 25 examples
of the New Stratos, based on a specially commissioned
prototype that Pininfarina created
for a German businessman in 2010. Like that
original, the new Stratos needs a Ferrari F430
donor car, to be shortened by some 20 cm. The
body is made of carbon-fiber composite. The
car is basically new, with only some 3,000 km
on the clock; the donor car covered 36,000
km. Engine was overhauled and got some extra
power in the process—announced at 540
hp. This is the first example, and also the first
one auctioned. The adhesive striping echoes
the Alitalia-sponsored rally car. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $759,207. Not just a kit car; one is
surprised by the quality and precision of the
work. The manufacturer announced a list
price of around $617k, the F430 donor car not
included. This lot was certainly a good way of
finding out how the market would react. This
first example sold very close to its $770k reserve,
a huge amount compared to the $268k
median price for an F430. There is also
around 20% VAT due on the hammer price, as
it is a new car. A lot of money, if you ask me.
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Bonhams Paris, FRA
SPANISH
#231-1926 HISPANO-SUIZA H6B Tor-
pedo. S/N 11392. Brown/brown leather. RHD.
Odo: 71,119 km. Huge torpedo with an aluminum
body by Derham Body Co. of Pasadena,
CA. Said to be complete, with an engine that
is running but due for a complete overhaul.
Although the paint shows large patches of
rust, especially the running boards, all metal
still looks solid. Monogram on both rear
doors. Folding roof consists of a frame and a
few torn pieces of beige canvas. Headlights
and radiator shell relatively shiny. All gauges
still in place. The leather seats are cardboarddry
and torn. Special windshield frame with
one of the panes cracked. Engine bay dirty and
rusty. Old tires nearly perished. Comprehensive
history file. Cond: 5-.
panel fit and older paint in good condition.
Fairly new Michelin tires. Red leather interior
with the right amount of patina. Oddly
enough, the dashboard is painted silver metallic.
Original switchgear and Spanish gauges.
Nardi steering wheel. Engine bay clean. Fascinating
V8 race-derived engine with four cams,
dry sump, and not the best of reputations. Cut
roof with the car. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$784,514. In SCM’s Platinum Auction Database,
there are only four to be found that came
to auction in the past five years: three bodies
by Saoutchik (who was the French importer)
and a sole Touring-bodied car. Two of the
Saoutchiks found a taker: one at the RM Sotheby’s
sale in Monterey 2017 for $770k
(SCM# 6844625) and one at the same venue a
year earlier for $880k (SCM# 6804255). That
was incidentally also the reserve price for this
car, with three owners from new. Bidding
stopped well south of it, but I think seller was
right in accepting the offer.
AMERICAN
#222-1958 DEVIN D Porsche Spyder.
S/N DRF55519. Silver metallic/black leather.
Odo: 5,168 km. 1.8-L H4, 5-sp. Attractivelooking
kit car of American origin, with VW
suspension elements and Porsche engine. Restored
some 10 years ago. Gray matte paint in
good condition, suggesting aluminum body
shell, but it is fiberglass. Many elements from
SOLD AT $366,950. Barn find, or should we
say ranch find, as it was discovered a few
years ago on a ranch in Michigan. Part of the
collection of a European Hispano-Suiza connoisseur
in recent years. Dilemma with such
cars: restore or preserve? In both cases, there
is a frightful lot of work ahead. This didn’t
seem to deter the amateurs. I thought that the
reserve of $357k would never be reached, but
it did better than that, finishing as 10th-mostexpensive
car at this sale.
#280-1952 PEGASO Z-102 cabriolet.
S/N 01021530171. Blue/black canvas/red
leather. RHD. Odo: 70,311 km. 2.8-L V8,
4-sp. Pegaso is a Spanish truck builder that
also built some 85 extravagant sports cars.
This one has a rare body by the factory, labeled
ENASA, and was born as a coupe, transformed
into a roadster afterwards. Not much
history is available, but the work was professionally
executed. Notable are the suicide
doors. In overall good condition with good
early Porsches such as steel wheels, twin grille
on the engine cover, drilled central filler cap,
central exhaust. Dials are from Porsche too, as
well as a nice looking, small, wooden steering
wheel with Porsche center. Little aluminum
buckets with flimsy leather cushions. Clean
engine bay with a 356A unit, bored out to
1800 cc. The brakes are from a 356B. FIVA
identity card and Austrian papers. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $101,228. Ownership of genuine
Porsche Spyders has always been restricted to
a handful of wealthy enthusiasts, and this was
an opportunity for replica-builders such as
Devin. Minimalistic but most certainly a fun
package, ready to be enjoyed. One of an estimated
production of 46 Devin Ds. My favorite
of the sale. Selling price was certainly not
exaggerated; it wouldn’t buy you a real 356
coupe. Advantage to the buyer. ©
May 2020
121
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RM Sotheby’s Paris, FRA
RM Sotheby’s — Paris 2020
Led by a $2.2m 1958 BMW Series II, 20 of 21 cars sold from the Poster Car
Collection totaling over $7m
Company
RM Sotheby’s
Date
February 5, 2020
Location
Paris, FRA
Auctioneer
Maarten ten Holder
Automotive lots sold/offered
57/78
Sales rate
73%
Sales total
$18,237,099
High sale
1958 BMW 507 Series II
roadster, sold at $2,200,466
Buyer’s premium
One of 34 originally sent to the U.S. and top seller — 1958 BMW 507 Series II roadster, sold at $2,200,466
15% on first $220,460;
12.5% thereafter, included in
sold prices ($1.00 = €0.91)
Report and photos by Paul Hardiman
Market opinions in italics
and hit decent results even though the Jaguar D-t
star (XKD 520) did not sell. The much-publiciz
Poster Car Collection made up for that almost exac
by bringing in $7,062,932, all but one of the 21 lot
having been offered at no reserve.
The collection’s 1958 BMW 507 Series II changed
R
hands for $2.2m and was nearly matched by $2,113,660
for the 1964 Porsche 904 GTS, even though it sported the
wrong (flat-6) engine. The original engine and gearbox
were included, rebuilt since last time we saw it in Paris in
2007. Two Mercedes-Benz 300SLs did quite well. A 1954
Gullwing delivered to Sweden and with some early competition
history fetched $1,183,595, and a driver-quality
1957 Roadster was had for $842,571.
While older Bugattis were not popular, a 2012 Veyron
16.4 Super Sport, one of 48 made, with 4,000 km in the
hands of one owner, sold for almost $1.7m, but the 2015
Lamborghini Veneno roadster stalled at $3.95m against a
low estimate of $5m, following the sale of a 2014 roadster
late in 2019 for $8.4m.
Other lots from the Poster Car Collection included a
122
M Sotheby’s took its pitch for the seventh
time in front of Les Invalides — its
golden dome rivaling the nearby Eiffel
Tower as a shining nighttime landmark —
Paris, FRA
1992 Jaguar XJ 220 at $439,542, a 1967 Iso Grifo GL Series I at
$303,133, and a 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS restoration project in
bare metal was bought for $290,732.
More cars from the Youngtimer Collection, which RM Sotheby’s
has been dispersing since 2019, included a widebody 1991 MercedesBenz
300CE AMG 3.4 ($124,229) and a federal-spec and lowmileage
BMW M6 for a healthy $82,397, but the sinister-looking
1989 560SEC AMG did not sell. The Youngtimer’s Bentley Turbo
RT Mulliner fetched a very strong $164,794, considering its rather
“individual” interior.
Yardsticks: This month’s take on Daytonas
is... ’70 plexi berlinetta (s/n 12841), $575,950; ’72
spyder (s/n 15535), unsold at €1.9m ($2.09m); and
a left-handed Aston Martin DB5 was marketcorrect
at $687,560.
Weirdies included a lovely and rare 1952
Dyna-Veritas cabriolet
($77,326), an imposing
Isotta Fraschini 8A landaulet ($272,130), assorted
coachbuilt Delahayes ($35,494–$501,547) and
a replica of one of the most unlikely racing cars
ever, the 1969 Mercedes-Benz/AMG 300SEL 6.3
“Red Pig,” which smashed its pre-sale estimate of
$165k to bring in $476,745, as bids kept coming
like a thousand-bomber raid ... just like the real
thing. ♦
$20m
$10m
0
Sports Car Market
$40m
$30m
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Sales Totals
Page 122
RM Sotheby’s Paris, FRA
ENGLISH
#137-1937 JAGUAR SS 100 3½ Litre
roadster. S/N 39011. Green/black cloth/black
leather. RHD. One of 118 3½ Litres built. Restored
with good paint, chrome and interior,
originally gunmetal with black leather. Painted
wires with chrome/stainless spokes. Chassis
noted to have been restamped, so may be a
replacement from another model. Has been
used for historic rallying, with tripmeter and
clocks still fitted. Flashing indicators a wise
precaution. Cond: 3+.
it once wore. Received 3.8 Works engine in
late ’50s. Now wears an original short-nose
front, although not original to this car. Despite
all this, said by Chris Keith-Lucas to be one of
the best survivors of the 53 customer Ds. Aussie-built
long-nose bonnet and tailfin are included
in the deal. Swiss owned. Cond: 3+.
#198-1972 JAGUAR E-TYPE Series III
V12 coupe. S/N 1S73641BW. Red/black
leather. 5.3-L V12, 4-sp. U.S.-market S3
coupe (all 2+2s) backdated with S1-type headlights
and grille delete, although the V12’s
gaping maw looks odd with covered lights.
Also has S1-type seats and center console, and
original 3-speed auto swapped out for a
4-speed manual with overdrive. Originally
Willow Green. Front slightly lowered, which
sadly only accentuates the humpy rear.
Slightly odd-looking later mirrors. Someone,
somewhere will love it. Belgian title.
Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $278,331. In Germany from 1994,
though still English title. Offered at no reserve,
like nearly all of the cars from the
Poster Car Collection; sold well under estimate
but correctly priced given questions
about chassis.
#126-1952 JAGUAR XK 120 coupe. S/N
679471. Green/green leather. Odo: 95,630
miles. 3.4-L I6, 5-sp. Straight and attractive
coupe in a good color. In one ownership until
2010 (parked from 1967), then restored in
original colors in California, with front discs,
5-speed and fat aluminum radiator. Good all
around, and front bumpers sit straight—
though door fit only fair, a little out at the bottom
on the driver’s side, which is normal for
an XK. Cond: 2.
NOT SOLD AT $5,952,420. Supplied new to
Victoria, Australia, early 1956 and raced for
two seasons by Bib Stillwell. Crashed hard in
1957, rebuilt by Frank Gardner. Has been
white, and red, and a long-nose, then roadtrimmed
with carpets and XK-SS-type trim.
Later owned by Richard Attwood, sold to Jersey
in 1977, then restored. Has been through
Kidston (2012). Well, you’re not going to get
an immaculate, no-stories Le Mans winner for
this money, but it stalled at €5m, €900k
($992k) short of the low estimate. Previously
sold by RM Auctions in Paris for $4,947,798
(then a D-type record) in February 2014
(SCM# 6661898).
#164-1965 ASTON MARTIN DB5
coupe. S/N DB52028L. Eng. # 4002026.
Green/black leather. 4.0-L I6, 5-sp. U.S.-delivered
car with factory a/c. Older restoration,
still nice and straight with shiny paint, leather
(not quite the right pattern) lightly creased.
Chrome okay, but original three-eared spinners
have been lost. Engine recently rebuilt.
U.K. title. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $55,776. No, it doesn’t really work
for me either (although deletion of the S3’s
dental-brace grille is never a bad idea). Last
lot of the night, offered at no reserve, let go
cheapish for even a Series III coupe in this
condition.
#129-1992 JAGUAR XJ 220 coupe. S/N
SAJJEAEX8AX220873. Le Mans Blue/beige
leather. Odo: 813 kilometers. Turbocharged
3.5-L V6, 5-sp. One of 280-odd, sill number
027. One of the lowest-mileage XJ 220s left.
Had 493 km in 2002 and 813 km in 2015
when we last saw it, at Rétromobile, offered
by Artcurial. Appears to have hardly turned a
wheel since. Interior unworn and carpets still
had plastic coating last time we saw it, although
now with a couple of small stone chips
up front. Windscreen not delaminating too
badly, weather seals all still in place. Fuel
lines have been changed at some point, but
apparently last serviced in 2002. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $135,004. Came to the U.K. in
2014, having won Best Jaguar at the Beverly
Hills Concours d’Elegance. Offered without
reserve from the Poster Car Collection and
sold well given that an XK 150S 3.4 roadster
(from the same collection) eight lots later only
got $4k more.
#171-1955 JAGUAR D-TYPE roadster.
S/N XKD520. Green/gray leather. RHD. 3.8-L
I6, 4-sp. Seventh D-type built. Good all
around following multiple crashes/restorations/reconfigurations,
though monocoque and
rear body are said to be original, less the tailfin
124
SOLD AT $687,560. Only four owners in 55
years. Previously sold (with 7,422 miles) by
Christie’s in New York, May 2003, for
$139,500, which was then twice the top market
rate (SCM# 1557640). This time, sold in
the middle of the newly realistic estimate
range. Fair.
SOLD AT $439,542. Delivered new to
France, where it was owned by a gentleman in
Paris who kept it two floors down in an underground
car park and liked to start it up once a
week. Sold to the U.K. in 2015 via the Artcurial
sale ($331,963, SCM# 6772836), and offered
from the Poster Car Collection. Sold at
the high end of estimate range, a little behind
Sports Car Market
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RM Sotheby’s Paris, FRA
2019 sales levels, but it’s going to need the big
$35k tanks/fuel-system service if you actually
want to use it.
#157-1997 BENTLEY TURBO RT
Mulliner LWB sedan. S/N SCBZP26CXWCX66733.
Black/Wildberry & blue leather.
RHD. Odo: 17,000 km. Turbocharged 6.75-L
V8, auto. Ultimate version of turboed gentlemen’s
lounge, only 55 (or 56) built, all bespoke
and different, and still with low
mileage. Whoever ordered it ticked every options
box including blue wood trim and flying
Bs embroidered in the seats. Swiss title. Of the
56, 17 are RHD and 49 are on the longer
wheelbase adopted for the Turbo R from 1996,
with seven on the shorter wheelbase. Cond: 1-.
mate, this was the most expensive of Dayez’s
collection of Delahayes and associated spares,
plus a Land Rover 110 tender in matching
livery (€12,650/$13,944).
#122-1946 DELAHAYE 135 cabriolet.
S/N 800308. Maroon & silver/red cloth/red
leather. RHD. This one really does have Figoni
et Falaschi coachwork, as the sixth chassis
so fitted post-WWII, although slightly
modified in Argentina in the ’60s. Restored by
Dominique Tessier, who replicated the roadster
(Lot 123). Landau style. Excellent all
around. Cond: 1-.
wing. Two-tone NACA ducts and Bugatti
“horseshoe.” Very low mileage and correspondingly
barely worn. German title.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $164,794. Delivered new to Japan.
Offered from the Youngtimer Collection, which
acquired it in 2016. Despite slightly odd interior—great
cars can’t choose their owners—
sold well over estimate for very strong money.
Not just hard to find like this: RT Mulliners
are hard to find, full stop.
FRENCH
#123-1939 DELAHAYE 135 roadster.
S/N 47420. Gray/red cloth/maroon leather.
RHD. Odo: 2,853 km. Bodied in the style of
“phony and flashy.” Discovered by owner/
vendor Jacques Dayez in France in 2005 as a
chassis, and built into a replica of the last
streamlined Geo Ham/Figoni et Falaschi roadster
built...and wears that car’s number on a
replica chassis plate, and an F&F coachbuilder’s
plate. Four-speed Cotal box with column
joystick control. Excellent all around. Super
paint, leather and glossy interior timber and
sold with body bucks and one-third-scale
model. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $414,740. Supplied new to Argentina,
bought there by Dayez in 2003. Hammered
near low estimate, making it slightly
more successful than—though not quite as
expensive as—the roadster.
#139-1959 FACEL VEGA EXCELLENCE
sedan. S/N EX1B052.
Black/red leather. 383-ci V8, 4-sp.
Rare manual-gearbox example of Facel’s massive,
pillarless “French Cadillac.” It’s said that
if you jack up one corner you can’t open the
doors.... Restored in original colors and new
leather in 2000s—chrome is all there and alloy
trim look straight. U.K. title. Cond: 2+.
BEST
BUY
SOLD AT $1,679,630. First Super Sport to be
delivered to Germany, being sold by first
owner. No Internet bidding on this one, and
VAT to pay afterwards, but still managed to
exceed lower estimate. Given that the last regular
16.4 did $1.1m in Jan 2020, with two
$1.3m sales in 2019 (while the last SS was
unsold at $1.6m in Paris in 2019), priced
about right even though dealers are still asking
more for retail.
GERMAN
#194-1952 DYNA-VERITAS SPRINT
cabriolet. S/N 28854. Green/tan leather. 745cc
2-cylinder, manual. Cute little cabrio with
flat-twin Panhard engine and FWD. Restored,
straight with good paint and trim. All external
aluminum parts including grille slats, which
are very vulnerable, and hubcaps are undinged.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $117,257. One of 134 first-series
cars built, 21 with manual box. Offered at no
reserve from the Poster Car Collection, which
bought it from Artcurial Paris in Feb 2015 for
$212,456 (SCM# 6780263), after it hadn’t sold
at $207,000 with Artcurial Le Mans in 2012
(SCM# 4941324). This time let go 20% under
low estimate.
SOLD AT $501,547. Appropriating that longlost
roadster’s chassis number might sound a
leap too far, but there’s nothing to say it isn’t
the same car, and the market appeared to
agree; even hammered 10% behind lower esti-
126
#161-2012 BUGATTI VEYRON 16.4
Super Sport coupe. S/N VF9SG25282M795011.
Bright White & Pearl
Night Blue/Indigo leather. Odo: 4,000 km.
Turbocharged 8.0-L W16, auto. Eleventh of 30
Super Sports built (catalog insists on 48,
though); extras include painted wheels, door
handles, fuel caps, calipers and two-tone rear
TOP 10
No. 10
SOLD AT $77,326. Just 10 of these left out of
176 made, the catalog reckoned, and formerly
in the Automuseum Prototyp in Hamburg. Offered
without reserve, hammered near high
estimate. Never seen one of these at auction
before, but cost twice as much as the similar
(but more prosaically engineered) 1950 Simca
8 Sport Cabrio sold in Paris in October 2019.
#128-1954 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL
Gullwing. S/N 1980404500034. Silver/red
leather. Odo: 45,899 miles. Fuel-injected 3.0-L
I6, 4-sp. Early car and first Gullwing delivered
to Sweden. Claimed very original though previously
crashed and repaired; at one time
ivory; restored by HK Engineering in 1990s.
Newish undertray. Good order, with chrome
okay and motor nice in factory finishes. Now
in nicely patinated red leather instead of origi-
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RM Sotheby’s Paris, FRA
nal Tissu blue with fabric inserts; now with
Nardi wheel. Presented with racing roundels
and original Swedish number plates. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $2,200,466. One of 34 sent to the
U.S.; was in Switzerland in mid-’80s. Last in
SCM’s Platinum Auction Database pre-restoration
in March 2014, when it sold for an
over-estimate $1,815,000 at Gooding, Amelia
Island (SCM# 6701155). Offered from the
Poster Car Collection in the U.K. No Internet
bidding on this one; sold mid-estimate.
SOLD AT $1,183,595. From the Poster Car
Collection. Took part in the ’55 Helsinki
Grand Prix, and set an ice-speed record on
Lake Varpen. Briefly in Switzerland, then Germany,
then the U.K.; this ownership from
2012. Has done the Mille Miglia Storico twice.
Well sold at mid estimate considering it’s a bit,
er, storied.
#150-1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL
Roadster. S/N 1980427500594. Ivory/red
cloth/red leather. Fuel-injected 3.0-L I6, 4-sp.
Older refurb of a matching-numbers car mellowing
nicely—or getting a bit tired, depending
on your point of view. Although motor,
nicely, isn’t over-bulled. Leather, carpets and
top look newish. Stopwatches on tunnel. U.S.
headlights. Portuguese title. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $2,113,660. Ran in 1969 Tour de
France, and a few other minor events until
1972. Well sold, after the D-type failed to find
a new owner. Last sold by Artcurial in 2007
(SCM# 1569024, $684,072), when we said,
“Had certainly been given a bullish valuation
at a price just above the high estimate of
$681,200, huge money for a car with no significant
competition history and an incorrect
power unit fitted.” It’s a nice thing to have, but
the same applies today. Sold in the room, as
there was no Internet bidding on this one.
SOLD AT $842,571. In the U.S. until the ’80s,
in this ownership for past 23 years. Sold for a
fair price, slightly under low estimate.
TOP 10
No. 6
#143-1958 BMW 507 Series II roadster.
S/N 70134. White/blue cloth/blue
leather. 3.2-L V8, 4-sp. Very sharp,
recently restored order, with super-clean engine.
Carpets new, leather looks hardly sat in.
Original glovebox trim bearing the signature
of designer Goertz has been saved. Full toolkit.
U.K. title. Cond: 1-.
#148-1969 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SEL
6.3 “Red Pig” replica racer. S/N 10901812002140.
Red/black vinyl. 6.8-L V8, 6-sp.
Lock up your gas pumps.... Replica of famous
AMG-built “Red Pig” racer (of which five
were produced, and one still exists). No, I
wouldn’t start from there either... Very good
all around, with buckets, cage, harnesses, and
fewer than 800 km since build. Engine retains
SOLD AT $82,397. Offered from the Youngtimer
Collection, and it shows how rare these
are when a Swiss collection has to import one
from the U.S. (in 2015). Sold under the low
estimate, but that looked fairly strong. Changing
to Euro bumpers is probably $5k. Fair.
#188-1991 MERCEDES-BENZ 300CE
AMG 3.4 coupe. S/N WDB1240511B581941.
Silver/black leather. Odo: 41,612 km. Fuel-injected
3.4-L I6, auto. One of fewer than 50
made between 1988 and 1993, originally supplied
to Japan and converted there. Unscuffed
outside, although there are various bits of new
paint; leather lightly creased, veneers all good.
128
Sports Car Market
#146-1964 PORSCHE 904 GTS
coupe. S/N 904061. Silver/cream
leather. Odo: 24,079 km. 2.0-L H6,
5-sp. Originally supplied to Frankfurt dealer
for a Portuguese customer in red with unique
leather trim and road exhaust, color-changed
to silver at some time. Once had flared arches
over big Fuchs alloys. Later restored and fitted
with a 2-liter engine from a 906. Very good
interior with cream leather, rally tripmeter
fitted. Original 4-cylinder engine now rebuilt
and included in the deal. FIA Historic Technical
Passport issued in 2008. Cond: 2-.
TOP 10
No. 7
its compressor so presumably still on air suspension.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $476,745. The
original had a short racing career, as they
couldn’t keep it in tires. Although it did finish
second at the 1971 42 Hours of Spa, which
must have been hard work. Offered at no reserve,
but sold at twice the high estimate.
Someone must really have wanted it, but try
replicating it (again) for the price.
#176-1982 PORSCHE 924 Carrera GTS
hatchback. S/N WP0ZZZ93ZBS710029. Red/
black velour. Odo: 24,148 km. Turbocharged
2.0-L I4, 5-sp. Rare (59-off) homologation
special, good all around. Seat velour has worn
well, even though it looks fragile, and dashes
crack on 924s, but both appear okay. Sills a bit
wavy, so it looks to have had some work. German
title. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $234,514. Not sold by the factory
to its first owner until 1983. Sold slightly under
where expected, but those sills worry me a
bit. Still tons cheaper and much rarer than an
RS 2.7 Lightweight... It just delivers its similar
power (per pound) in a different way.
#190-1987 BMW M6 coupe. S/N WBAEE1408H560546.
Royal Blue/brown leather.
Odo: 11,000 miles. Fuel-injected 3.4-L I6,
5-sp. The holy grail for E24 fanciers, though
sadly now with the federal bumpers and reduced
power (255 vs. 286 hp). Good all
around, with low mileage. Cond: 2+.
Page 127
RM Sotheby’s Paris, FRA
a 427 Cobra. Modern instruments and new
mag wheels; originals are included. Sold on a
bill of sale. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $177,470.
Said to be the only one with a round-tube
chassis. Has run in Le Mans Classic (2014
and 2016) and Mille Miglia (2013), appeared
at Pebble Beach 2002. Offered but not sold for
$173,043 at RM Sotheby’s Monaco 2018 sale
(SCM# 6871998). This time the owner let it go
for a high bid just under the lower estimate.
(See the profile, p. 72.)
#169-1963 LANCIA FLAMINIA GT 3C
AMG split-rim alloys. With books and manuals.
Temporary import. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT
$124,229. Offered from the Youngtimer Collection
(owned since 2016), which RM Sotheby’s
has gradually been dispersing. Sold
mid-estimate and market-correct today, but
probably a wise buy against the future. (See
the profile, p. 68.)
ITALIAN
#178-1924 ISOTTA FRASCHINI TIPO
8A landaulet. S/N 655. Blue & black/black
vinyl/brown leather. RHD. Coachwork by
Sala. Earliest known 8A, restored in 1958,
then in its maker’s hands until 2017, when
overhauled for touring by RM, then a Pebble
Beach entrant. Still very good, with good
paint, little-worn interior with only lightly
creased leather and clean, tidy motor. U.S.
title. Cond: 2.
2.8 convertible. S/N 8261341007. White/
black cloth/red leather. 2.8-L V6, 4-sp. Rough
and ripply project with bent and wavy bumpers,
well-creased leather and grubby, worn
carpets, but appears solid enough. It’s been
stored since 1974, so not quite sure how it got
like this. Driver’s side window missing. Portuguese
title. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $70,988. Being more expendable
than an Aston Martin, one of these doubled for
the DB4 being thrown off a cliff in “The Italian
Job,” you know. Offered at no reserve,
hammered mid-estimate. In good order, it
would retail for $150k-plus. A well-known
British Lancia specialist was spotted taking a
keen look at it with a client, so expect it to
reappear, restored, in Wiltshire in a year or so.
#145-1966 ABARTH 695 SS 2-dr sedan.
SOLD AT $272,130. There’s something of the
Munster Koach about it, isn’t there? Maybe
that’s why it sold at half the hoped-for estimate,
having been offered at no reserve. Most
have cost more to restore.
#172-1955 MORETTI 750 Gran Sport
Barchetta. S/N 1612. Red/black vinyl. Fair
order, got up for racing, with roundel and recent
event stickers. Massive external roll bar
and drainpipe exhaust look like refugees from
S/N 110F1060634. White/black vinyl/black
vinyl. 594-cc 2-cylinder, 4-sp. Rusty and
shabby, or as the catalog rather portentously
put it, “overwhelmingly original,” but claimed
to be the real thing, complete with Group 2
cylinder head. Factory (probably) paint with
lots of rust spots and blemishes, mechanically
rebuilt. Interior vinyl okay, Nardi wheel, Esseesse
script on dash. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $47,537. Supplied to the U.S. Offered
at no reserve, still felt like a fairly stiff
price for condition.
May 2020
129
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RM Sotheby’s Paris, FRA
#131-1967 ISO GRIFO GL Series I
coupe. S/N GL640068. Metallic maroon/
beige leather. 327-ci V8, 4-sp. Older (2005)
restoration (in England), earlier painted gold
by Barris. Still-straight body, nice paint (and a
great color for it), though slightly dinged, and
wavy front bumper. Interior redone at same
time, shows little wear. Catalog said it had a
350 from new, but surely these were 327s.
U.K. title. Cond: 2-.
tered in the U.K. In New Zealand 1977–2007,
then Australia, back to the U.K. in 2014. From
the Poster Car Collection. Market-correct
price here, while the Spider (s/n 15535, Lot
168) didn’t sell against a €2.4m–€2.8m
($2.6m–$3.1m) estimate.
#195-1970 FIAT DINO 2400 coupe. S/N
135BC0003751. Primrose/black leather. 2.4-L
V6, 5-sp. 2400 has independent rear end,
while earlier 2-liter has live axle. Straight with
recent repaint; interior redone earlier. All trim
parts appear to be there. Modern seat belts.
Original airbox missing, replaced by foam
filter. Cond: 3+.
Poster Car Collection in the U.K. The last 4.9
SS that I drove, at a U.K. dealer in 2019, was
asking £250k/$325 (still half the price of a
Daytona then)...and in February a similar car
(in the same color) was being advertised by
Tomini Classics in Dubai for $255k, so the
buyer got away lightly here.
#144-1970 FERRARI 365 GTB/4 Day-
SOLD AT $303,133. Originally supplied to
the U.S. and owned by Righteous Brothers
founding member Bobby Hatfield; offered from
the Poster Car Collection. With 2018/2019
prices for Series Is around $360k, this looked
slightly cheaper, although fetched all that was
expected, a further sign that at the start of
2020 the market in Europe was still in gentle
decline.
#140-1970 MASERATI GHIBLI 4.9 SS
coupe. S/N AM115491570. Metallic blue/
white leather. Odo: 47,654 km. 4.9-L V8, 5-sp.
Italian-market car, recent cosmetic restoration
in the U.K. with good paint, chrome, leather
and retro radio. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$183,809. In Italy until about 2014, with ACI
registration. Offered at no reserve from the
tona coupe. S/N 12841. Rosso Bordeaux/
black leather. Odo: 62,231 miles. Early plexi
Daytona with 9-inch rear wheels. Restored in
U.K. 2014–18 and now with (presumably
electric) power-assisted steering and replacement
transmission. Still like-new, now with
Ferrari Classiche certification. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $47,537. Lately in Germany, in this
ownership since 2011. Offered without reserve
and sold at about two-thirds of the lower estimate.
These climbed for a while but appear to
have fallen back in the past three years. Color
does it no favors (remember, the baddies in
“The Italian Job” drove much cooler black
ones) but, frankly...they’re just not that good
to drive. I’d call this a fair price, making full
restoration of a rough one unviable.
#130-1973 FERRARI 246 GTS DINO
SOLD AT $575,952. Third RHD car regis-
Spyder. S/N 06290. Bare metal/tan leather.
2.4-L V6, 5-sp. Bring a trailer.... Half-done
project in bare metal with trunk lids off—although
most of the heavy lifting has been
done. Front appears almost symmetrical. Motor
appears rebuilt. No glass or interior fitted,
though trim parts, dash and Daytona-style
seats have been re-covered. Originally blue,
then yellow. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $290,732. Sold by Bonhams in
Carmel in 2013 for $275,000 (SCM#
6462598), when it was an averagely restored
car (door fit out, panel gaps varied) in Giallo
Fly. Offered from the Poster Car Collection in
England before restoration is finished. The
trouble with taking on someone else’s project
is that’s it’s a rather unknown quantity, meaning
much of it may need to be redone, and
no-reserve status was a clue. Price paid here
was strong, even if it was rather below what
130
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RM Sotheby’s Paris, FRA
was hoped for. I’d say everyone came away
unscathed...so far.
#132-1988 FERRARI TESTAROSSA
coupe. S/N ZFFSG17A4J0075456. Black/
black leather. Odo: 5,950 miles. Fuel-injected
4.9-L H12, 5-sp. Twin-mirror federal-spec TR,
well kept and with low mileage. Good inside,
with leather less worn and creased than normal.
Engine-out service in 2016, fewer than
50 miles ago. Original window sticker, owner’s
manuals, toolkit and six-piece Schedoni
luggage set. U.K. title. Cond: 2-.
JAPANESE
#127-1991 HONDA NSX coupe. S/N
JHMNA12600T001037. Silver/black leather.
RHD. Odo: 5,662 miles. Fuel-injected 3.0-L
V6, auto. U.K. right-hand-drive car with minimal
mileage and full service history. Still on
original Bridgestones and still with full toolkit.
“Creased” leather is slightly ruched, as
new, as was the fashion then (see also MG
RV8). Cond: 2+.
AMERICAN
#197-1929 CHRYSLER SERIES 75
roadster. S/N CY282E. Cream & maroon/buff
canvas/maroon leather. Odo: 39,313 miles.
Good restored order, rebuilt with long-distance
rallies in mind. Decent paint (has been black,
then green), baggy leather. Twin carbs, performance
headers, extra gauges. Would be a great
Peking-Paris Motor Challenge car—if it just
had a hard top. English registered. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $120,426. Offered without reserve
from the Poster Car Collection, which bought
it for $159,500 from RM Auctions’ Phoenix
sale in 2015 (SCM# 6775879). By today’s
standards, it sold quite well here given that
they start at around $70k, though very low
mileage and recent belt change both help.
SOLD AT $72,890. In the Patrick Collection
until 2001, offered from the Poster Car Collection,
sold right and still less than a Ferrari
328 GTB—although the gap is narrowing.
Auto blunts the price a little, though for such a
low-miler, condition matters more than spec.
SOLD AT $48,804. Has already done the
2016 Gran Premio Nuvolari, following sale
with RM Auctions in 2015 ($25,300 at Hershey,
SCM# 6793760). Offered at no reserve,
sold around half the lower estimate, though
this was the last-but-one lot in a busy sale on
a long night at the start of a bunch of busy
days. If you plan to come to Rétromobile, wear
comfortable shoes. ©
May 2020
131
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Roundup Selected Sales Combined in One Comprehensive Report
Global Auction Highlights
ENGLISH
BEST
BUY
#2-1933 ROLLS-ROYCE 20/25HP
three-position drophead coupe. S/N
GRW44. Brown & cream/buff canvas/
tan leather. RHD. Coachwork by Vanden Plas.
Elegant and very original (chassis, body and
engine) older restoration, clean and tidy with
only a few small paint chips, very nice plating
to radiator shell, newish front seat leather.
Center driving light, full-width sun visor, discreet
flashing indicators. Motor very tidy—rebuilt
4,000 miles ago—now with stainless
exhaust. Cond: 2-.
American iron in Riyadh — 1957 GMC 100 custom pickup, sold for $143,550 at Worldwide Auctioneers,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
BONHAMS MPH
Location: Bicester, U.K.
Date: November 26, 2019
Auctioneer: Rob Hubbard
Automotive lots sold/offered: 50/94
Sales rate: 53%
Sales total: $872,693
High sale: 1962 AC Greyhound Bristol coupe, sold at
$77,380
Buyer’s premium: 12.5%, included in sold prices
($1.00 = £0.78)
Report and photos by Paul Hardiman
REPUBLIC AUCTIONS
Location: Dallas, TX
Date: November 22–23, 2019
Auctioneer: Dan Kruse
Automotive lots sold/offered: 99/309
Sales rate: 32%
Sales total: $1,509,227
High sale: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT1 coupe,
sold at $55,000
Buyer’s premium: 10% for onsite bidders; 13%
online, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Cody Tayloe
132
WORLDWIDE AUCTIONEERS
Location: Riyadh, SAU
Date: November 23, 2019
Auctioneer: Rod Egan
Automotive lots sold/offered: 5/120
Sales rate: 4%
Sales total: $14,296,050
High sale: 1984 Peterbilt 359 Ultra Custom
“Thor 24” big rig, sold at $13,200,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Bob DeKorne
BONHAMS
Location: London, U.K.
Date: December 7, 2019
Auctioneer: James Knight
Automotive lots sold/offered: 16/35
Sales rate: 46%
Sales total: $6,974,017
High sale: 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT lightweight
coupe, sold at $3,109,362
Buyer’s premium: 15% on first $656,815; 12%
thereafter, included in sold prices ($1.00 = £0.76)
Report and photos by Paul Hardiman
SOLD AT $109,688. In the U.S. in the ’90s, in
this ownership (via Bonhams, Hendon, for
$100,790, SCM# 1566442) since 2006, with
many RREC concours awards to its name.
Sold in a post-auction deal for £83,500, $35k
behind the lower estimate, having been advertised
in November at £145k/$190k. 20/25s are
lovely things to behold and to operate, but like
everything else, have slipped back a bit,
though this one was unusually cheap. An elegant
body rather than the usual heavy limo
styles we often see at auction keeps the price
as healthy as can be reasonably expected here.
Retailers are still asking more than this
(there’s a very sharp 1935 20/25 in similar
style but by Thrupp & Maberley asking
£135k/$177k in the trade, and Bonhams sold a
super 1933 three-position sedanca by Gurney
Nutting at Hendon two weeks before for
£138/$179k), but it hadn’t popped up on any
dealer websites by the time SCM went to
press. Bonhams, London, U.K. , 12/19.
#9-1961 ASTON MARTIN DB4GT
Lightweight coupe. S/N DB4GT0169R.
Blue/black leather. RHD. 4.2-L
I6, 5-sp. “The missing lightweight.” One of 45
RHD GTs made, and one of nine lightweights.
Splendidly patinated, with various dings and
ripples especially to the bootlid, but lots of
mods over the years such as added wheelarch
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lips, 5-speed box and motor enlarged from 3.7
to 4.2 liters. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $3,109,362.
Owned and raced by Phil Scragg, then in this
ownership since 1965 (54 years). Even in a
very static week immediately before the English
general election, it was always going to
sell. Here it fetched almost the same as the last
GT (0161R) immediately before Bonhams’
Goodwood sale in September, for a sum believed
around £2.2/$2.7m), but as an Aston
dealer noted to me, at this level of collectibility,
it’ll be restored, at the end of which you
have a £2.7m ($3.4m) car. Owner is taking the
long view, but opportunities like this don’t
come up very often. Bonhams, London, U.K.,
12/19.
#107-1962 AC GREYHOUND Bristol
coupe. S/N BEF2566. Silver/red leather.
RHD. Odo: 61,000 miles. 2.2-L I6, 4-sp. One
of 83 made, essentially a 2+2 Aceca. Twentyyear-old
restoration with recent repaint presents
well. Bumpers deleted. Nice interior with
decent dash and instruments and charmingly
patinated seat leather. Period radio. Engine
rebuilt to S standard, now with alternator.
Brakes “could benefit from some attention,”
according to catalog. Cond: 3+.
only one car is thought to have had them all,
including the cut and extended front anti-roll
bar. Viewed as a nicely restored Mk 2, it sold
quite well, though whether the vendor got his
outlay back (car plus £30k/$40k) is unlikely.
Bonhams, London, U.K., 12/19.
#42-1969 JAGUAR E-TYPE Series II
SOLD AT $77,380. Last sold by Coys in London
for $38,891 (SCM# 1542558), so it
doesn’t look to have made big gains, but that
was in 1986, shortly before the last boom and
bust, so it would have been worth less by
1990. This time sold more or less at bottom
estimate, at a lot less than the very similar
2-liter Aceca. If you make the Jaguar E-type
coupe vs. 2+2 analogy, it starts to make
sense—although the Greyhound is hardly any
less elegant than the 10-inch-shorter Aceca
two-seater. Top price of the MPH sale, but I
don’t think the buyer has made a huge mistake
here, even allowing for spending a bit on the
brakes. Bonhams MPH, Bicester, U.K., 11/19.
#1-1965 JAGUAR MK 2 sedan. S/N
233838DN. Silver gray/red leather. RHD.
Odo: 20,084 miles. 3.8-L I6, 4-sp. Coombsinspired
restoration, completed 2014, originally
green with green leather. Very good all
around with good paint and chrome, excellent
timber and nicely patinated leather. Louvered
bonnet, Coombs-type rear spats delete,
Coopercraft brakes, reclining seats, Moto-Lita
wheel and alternator. Motor appears stock and
unlikely it has the Coombs-type suspension
mods. Original bonnet and dynamo included.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $67,980. There was no set
Coombs spec, just a list of possible mods, and
May 2020
133
4.2 open two-seater. S/N 7R46419. British
Racing Green/black vinyl/Sage Green leather.
Odo: 2 miles. 4.2-L I6, 4-sp. A lovely classic
that was obviously freshly restored, with a
reported 99.99 points out of 100 earned at the
last JCNA event. Original engine and gearbox,
with factory a/c. Flawless paint finishes, new
chrome bits throughout, and fresh new top.
Perfect wire wheels and new period-style radials
finish it off nicely. Many consider these the
best-driving of the E-types, and while a few
classic touches like toggle switches were
changed, the Series II cars are more comfortable
and user-friendly than the revered original
series. Fresh interior and spectacular
engine bay are highlights. Pretty much like
buying a brand-new, 50-year-old classic.
Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $155,000. This one was
placed in an unfortunate position within the
auction tent—an out-of-the-way corner, not
very well lit, and easily overlooked. I had to
get my flashlight out to examine it. If there
ever was an undeniably beautiful British car,
this is it, and even this tepid auction audience
could not let this one pass. High bid came
from the room, with a wise and lucky Saudi
gentleman placing the winning bid. No mistake
to be made here, and while not a screaming
bargain, definitely a great car that I’ll call
well bought—you rarely go wrong by buying
the best. Worldwide Auctioneers, Riyadh,
SAU, 11/19.
#27-1988 ASTON MARTIN V8 Vantage
X-Pack coupe. S/N SCFCV8IV7JTR12603.
Eng. # V580/2603X. Black/black leather.
RHD. Odo: 48,370 miles. 5.3-L V8, 5-sp. Repainted
and retrimmed; originally Chichester
Blue with Parchment leather. Mostly still
good, although screw heads to door catches
already rusty. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $426,010. Bought by the vendor
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from Bonhams’ 2003 Aston Martin Works Service
sale pre-restoration, when the paint was a
bit bubbly, for $62,240 (SCM# 1557477).
There’s some confusion about what constitutes
an X-Pack, with horsepower claims ranging
from 400 to 432, above the highly suspect 375
hp claimed by the factory for the Vantage. The
true X-Pack cars have had head work and
Weber 50s, but I’ve seen “X-Pack” cars that
have neither, making it all a bit of a mystery.
Here the catalog settled on 410 hp. Whatever
it is exactly, it sold for strong money in today’s
market. Bonhams, London, U.K., 12/19.
#6-1994 ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE 6.3
Volante. S/N SCFDAM2C9PBR60107.
Green/green vinyl/Mushroom leather. RHD.
Odo: 34,849 miles. Fuel-injected 6.3-L V8,
5-sp. “Prince of Wales” Volante with 6.3 conversion.
Owned from new by AML until
bought by the vendor in 2012 with 33,960
miles, on display at Newport Pagnell for five
years prior to that. Excellent order all around
with full AM Works service history. Cond: 2.
FRENCH
#35-1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57C Atalante
coupe. S/N 57641. Blue & black/Golden
Brown leather. RHD. Odo: 3,623 miles. A
lovely presentation of the rare roll-back, sliding
hard-top body style, with excellent fit and
finish throughout. Impressive chrome, lamps
and wire wheels really accent the classic
bodywork nicely. Someone obviously shook
the piggy bank during restoration here. Beautiful
paint, impressive bodywork, and it’s just as
clean underneath. Well-known history by David
Sewell, who documented the alterations to
the coachwork that were accepted activities in
the ’30s. Supercharger was a later addition to
the car, likely done by Henri Novo himself.
Impressive real-wood interior is simply elegant—this
is a big-league car that will take
big-league money to purchase. Cond: 2+.
Novas/Corsas, which are about the only genre
of car the young can afford to insure. Bonhams
MPH, Bicester, U.K., 11/19.
#4-1984 RENAULT 5 TL “Le Car”
hatchback. S/N 122700F0031240. Beige/
beige cloth & vinyl. RHD. Odo: 36,000 miles.
1.1-L, 4-sp. Another economy Frenchie. Very
original, though repainted fairly recently. Interior
basically unworn and lasting well, with
lightly baggy seats but good dash plastics.
Said to have new water pump and radiator
(which probably means it’s overheated). Oxfordshire
registration quite apt given location
of the sale. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $309,688. Well, there’s “Prince of
Wales spec” (for the previous V8; essentially a
Vantage without the body kit), but this is an
actual Prince of Wales car, used by the likely
future King of England until 2007, and as such
that more than doubled the price. Bonhams,
London, U.K., 12/19.
#8-2009 ASTON MARTIN DBS coupe.
S/N SCFAA05D49GE00665. Silver gray/
black leather & suede. RHD. Odo: 2,974
miles. Fuel-injected 5.9-L V12, 6-sp. Excellent
all around, having covered only minimal
mileage. Piano-black interior woodwork, and
silver stitching. With tools and books, and
already nine service stamps. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $2,800,000. This was a pretty
good test of whether the Saudi bidders would
respond to a well-known, world-class classic
auto that would be an investment-style vehicle—and
that also gets the owner into literally
any event they would choose. Well studied
and documented, it might just be the best
known Atalante in the world, with the added
panache of the uber-rare sliding-roof
coachwork, one of just three ever built. The
answer to the test, however, was nope. It was
bargain-bid to $2.8m, but clearly worth quite
a bit more. A little of the air left the room
when this failed to sell. Worldwide Auctioneers,
Riyadh, SAU, 11/19.
#8-1983 PEUGEOT 104 GL hatchback.
SOLD AT $148,046. Hammered mid-estimate,
with U.K. retail prices for very low-milers
starting at £85k/$112k. Not quite sure what
this was doing at New Bond Street given that
there are so many at dealers, but low mileage
(and manual transmission) gives it some sort
of collectible status—until you start using it, of
course. Quite well sold. Bonhams, London,
U.K., 12/19.
134
S/N VF3104A4106266866. Blue/blue velour.
RHD. Odo: 42,000 miles. 1.1-L, 4-sp. Small
economy Frenchie, although refined and innovative
with it—showcased first use of Peugeot’s
“lay-down” rear suspension, setting the
template for the next two decades, though engine
and transmission still share oil like the
204 (and the Mini). This is a late fourth-facelift
example. First time I’ve seen one restored,
or in this case refurbed with new paint from
the roof down, and retrimmed interior. Mostly
good, though some bubbles breaking out on
left front fender. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $2,169.
Apparently there are only 12 of these left on
U.K. roads as of 2019. Offered at no reserve
and sold at 75% of the low estimate of £2,000
($2,500), though beat the R5 (Lot 4), its contemporary.
This makes sense not just as a
“starter classic,” but as a first car for anyone,
because it works out cheaper than overpriced,
low-powered small hatches such as Vauxhall
SOLD AT $1,808. Offered at no reserve with
a fairly ambitious expectation—hope, more
like—of £4k–£6k ($5,150–$7,700) and sold for
about a quarter of that. Like the Peugeot, as
long as it runs okay this makes sense as a first
car due to the price of newer economy cars.
It’s still an arthritic small hatch, but one with
a bit of character—aka different wheelbases
each side and monumental body roll in corners.
Of course, these formed the basis of the
mental Turbo, but that’s an altogether different,
mid-engined animal. Bonhams MPH,
Bicester, U.K., 11/19.
GERMAN
#11-1939 FRAZER NASH-BMW 328
roadster. S/N 85411. White/red leather. RHD.
Fair, driver-quality order, having been extensively
used in competition, although restored
(again) in 2018. Bristol gearbox fitted (for
easier shifting), along with twin leading-shoe
front brakes and half-height windscreen. Original
Hurth gearbox included. HTP papers expired
2018. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $846,744.
BMWs were imported to the U.K. by Frazer
Nash and jointly branded until WWII. This
well-known car was imported as an RHD
chassis in 1939, but impounded by HM Customs
and not released to AFN until 1946,
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#75-1968 PORSCHE 911 coupe. S/N
11835507. Red/black vinyl. Odo: 18 km. 2.0-L
H6, 5-sp. Recently refurbished/repainted
SWB, with new interior. Minimal mileage
since completion. Cond: 2+.
when it was bodied by the Works, possibly
using a body from another 328. Owned by
Alastair Pugh—Captain and Patron of the
Frazer Nash Car Club—from 1988 to 2019,
during which time it was crashed heavily at
Silverstone in 1996 and rebuilt. Final ask from
the rostrum of £600k ($788k) wasn’t forthcoming,
and it was declared sold post-auction for
£644,583, which, if you strip out the premium,
equates to a top bid of £560k ($736k), £90k
($118k) under the lower estimate. Long-term
ownership means that probably nobody got
burnt here. Bonhams, London, U.K., 12/19.
#25-1965 PORSCHE 356 resto-mod
roadster. S/N 220160. Black/removable hard
top/Golden Tan leather. Odo: 750 miles. Fuelinjected
2.7-L H6, auto. Beautifully executed
resto-mod 356 utilizing modern Cayman mechanicals
by West Coast Customs. Shortened
frame, the 240-hp flat 6, and automatic gearbox
make this a very fun and easy drive.
Wider and lower than a standard 356, it’s so
well done that even Porsche enthusiasts just
go “huh?” the first time they see it. Interior
uses the Cayman dash, including power everything
and Alpine touchscreen. Thoroughly
modern inside, thoroughly classic outside,
with better performance...what’s not to love?
A high level of detail and eyeball throughout,
and a very intriguing automobile in impeccable
condition. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $76,067. Sold new in the Netherlands.
Offered but not sold along with three
other restored small-bumper 911s at Silverstone’s
Porsche sale in the Midlands on September
2019, and subsequently offered with a
“buy it now” price of £69k ($86,250). Didn’t
appear to sell at Bicester on the day, like all
seven of the other air-cooled 911s (and two
996s) on offer, but later quoted in the results
at this £59,166, meaning this one at least has
found its current level. Another refugee from
the September sale also migrated here (1973
2.4T s/n 9113010 215, Lot 84) but did not sell.
Bonhams MPH, Bicester, U.K., 11/19.
#F147-1968 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
convertible. S/N 158934200. Yellow/black
cloth/black vinyl. Odo: 84,069 miles. 1.6-L
H4, 4-sp. Nice, older repaint well looked after.
Some dry spray on the hood and top of doors.
Some overspray on trim. Most trim has been
restored or replaced. Rubber is new. Bumpers
are in good shape. Panel alignment fits well.
Cloth top. Lenses are in good shape, free of
significant sun fading. Carpets have been replaced.
Seats are in good shape. Convertibletop
headliner is good overall. Center gauge is
clean and clear. Slight dulling on the steeringwheel
bezel. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $550,000. This was a custom that
even classic enthusiasts would all love. A delightful
blend of modern and classic that
would look right at home at either a Goodguys
or a PCA event. Proven mechanicals on a
Cayman frame means easy servicing and
known handling and performance. West Coast
Customs did a killer job of integrating the
modern Cayman dash into the classic leather
interior, so it’s got all the amenities. Just the
kind of car everyone assumed would be in
demand in Saudi Arabia, where custom vehicles
have not been available before. This one
proved them right, sold to a Saudi gentleman
in the audience who was thrilled to buy one of
the first customs ever in his country. Worldwide
Auctioneers, Riyadh, SAU, 11/19.
May 2020
SOLD AT $8,800. This example crossed the
block two times in 2019 prior to this sale. The
first offering was at Leake’s June Tulsa sale,
where it did not sell with a top bid of $11,500
(SCM# 6906520). A few months later, it appeared
at the October Branson sale with a top
offer of $7,000 (SCM# 6918968). The hammer
price was only slightly better here, but the
consignor decided to let it go. Transportation
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and consignment fees start to add up, and convertible
prices can soften going into the winter
months. This VW was on the nice side of
driver quality, but with back-to-back offers
within a stone’s throw of one another, the market
appears to have been set. Republic Auctions,
Dallas, TX, 11/19.
#10-1972 PORSCHE 914 convertible.
S/N 4732906393. Metallic green/black vinyl/
beige cloth & vinyl. Odo: 95,391 miles. Fuelinjected
2.0-L H4, 5-sp. Repainted; fair, usable
order all around, though seller only rated this
at 53/100 (MPH’s self-rating system, as used
by Silverstone-offshoot CCA). Seat velour
quite baggy, outer bolsters worn, and instrument
pod covered, so we assume cracked from
(presumably) California sun. Cond: 3+.
shifter. Aftermarket head unit. Engine compartment
dirty with some fluid residue. Odometer
inoperable and not disclosed. Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $3,630. An Oklahoma City dealer
previously had this example listed on their
website asking $12,500. While it looked good
from far away, the color was pretty unforgiving
up close and the condition of the interior
did not do it any favors. Collectors have been
taking note of the 6-series, especially the M
cars. This one falls among a lower tier in
terms of condition and was equipped with a
fun-stealing automatic transmission. Despite
its flaws, still well bought. Shortly after selling
here, it made its way to Mecum’s 2020 Kissimmee
sale, where it changed hands for $7,150
(SCM# 6925628). Republic Auctions, Dallas,
TX, 11/19.
SOLD AT $10,847. In this ownership 36
years, one owner before that. Sold for about
two-thirds of the lower estimate. Previously
listed at MPH on September 26, 2019, as a
914/6 and not sold (SCM# 6915709) at an
estimate range of $19k–$26k. Bonhams MPH,
Bicester, U.K., 11/19.
BEST
BUY
#F139-1984 BMW 633 CSi coupe.
S/N WBAEB8405E6996826. Black/
black leather. Odo: 127,180 miles.
Fuel-injected 3.2-L I6, auto. Older repaint
looked good from a distance but revealed
flaws much closer. Faded in places. Many
scratches throughout. Brightwork is dull.
Wiper streaks in windshield. Panel alignment
is good. Minor sun fading on exterior lenses.
Oversized, later-model OEM BMW takeoffs.
Tired interior. Leather is cracking with bolster
wear. Carpets are original and dirty. Plastics
show plenty of age. Acrylic over gauges
slightly hazy. Worn screen printing around
#F43-1985 BMW 325E coupe. S/N
WBAAB5400F9627501. Imola Red/gray
cloth. Odo: 103,025 miles. Fuel-injected 2.7-L
I6, 5-sp. Older repaint. Dry spray behind rear
windows, overspray on sunroof trim, and a
few small fisheyes on hood. Weatherstripping
appears to be original and is failing around the
doors. Front windshield has wiper streaks and
is sand pitted. Dull stainless with heavy
scratches at rear bumper. Left rear taillight
lens is cracked. Original carpets are slightly
worn and frayed, especially around accelerator
pedal. Doors re-covered in red leather. Inner
door sills revealed that the car used to possibly
be silver. Shift boot is loose. Dash cracked in
multiple places. Lower dash panel under steering
wheel missing, exposing wires and relays
underneath. Headliner ripped at sunroof.
Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $8,250. First seen at Mecum’s
2019 Dallas sale, where it sold at no
reserve for $9,350 (SCM# 6908746). I covered
the car at that sale and noted that the many
faults did not hold back the bidding. Shortly
after that sale, it appeared on the website of a
Dallas-area dealer, who was likely the consignor
here, with an asking price of $13,991.
The odometer appears to be inoperable, as it
is wearing the exact same mileage as it was
before, so no telling how many true miles are
on this example. After selling here, it sold
again at Russo and Steele’s 2020 Scottsdale
sale for $5,775 (SCM# 6924612). Republic
Auctions, Dallas, TX, 11/19.
#20-1986 FORD CAPRI 2.8 Injection
Special hatchback. S/N WF0CXXGAECGJ64539.
Red/gray cloth & vinyl. RHD. Odo:
27,559 miles. Fuel-injected 2.8-L V6, 5-sp.
The Special is the last Capri before run-out
280 Brooklands and has 5-speed, seven-spoke
alloys and half leather. Straight and stock,
claimed lowish mileage. It’s shiny, so likely
repainted. Interior very good with notable lack
of bagginess to front seats (although side bolsters
are looking a bit tired), door cards uncut
for speakers. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $22,418. Three owners, last since
1991, and sold mid estimate. Big Capris have
been hitting serious money in the late £20k (up
to $35k), with really nice 2.8s about £5k ($6k)
less, but this one is about £5k ($6k) less than
that. By recent standards a sensible price for
the buyer, but given that it’s a Capri, this much
still seems bonkers. Bonhams MPH, Bicester,
U.K., 11/19.
#25-1986 FORD ESCORT RS Turbo
hatchback. S/N WF0BXXGCABFR68790.
White/gray & beige velour. RHD. Odo: 84,556
miles. Turbocharged 1.6-L I4, 5-sp. Poor old
Ford SVE, getting saddled as a front-driver to
try to make into a performance car after the
glory years of rear-drive Mk I and Mk II AVO
Escorts. The Turbo was the quickest of the
bunch, although management didn’t like the
suggestion that the most expedient way to
make it handle would be to slide the van’s
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beam axle under the back. It does have the
improved RS1600i front suspension, though.
Restored, repainted; stock and super clean,
concours motor. Cond: 2-.
one was simply underappreciated for what it
really is. Worldwide Auctioneers, Riyadh,
SAU, 11/19.
#24-2015 MERCEDES-BENZ G63
AMG Brabus B63S-700 Widestar SUV. S/N
WDB4532721X214921. Black/black leather.
Odo: 3,400 miles. Turbocharged 5.5-L V8,
auto. Well-loaded G-wagen with lots of Brabus
extras to tempt the extremely rich. Dog
guard, M-B-branded headphones still in their
wrappers. One owner and low mileage. Parked
out back of the sale room in Haunch of Venison
yard alongside the Mercedes 600 Pullman
from the same collection, and a Ferrari 458
Speciale. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $32,543. One of 5,000 Series I RS
Turbos, all white, and the first production car
to use a viscous-coupled limited-slip diff up
front, trivia fans. From the six-car BEC Collection,
four of which sold. (There was due to
be another of these in the following 15-car
Bramah Collection, but 10 of those were withdrawn
before sale.) Quite strong money,
matching retail asking prices, but in Ford RS
circles they’re quite collectible. Bonhams
MPH, Bicester, U.K., 11/19.
#84-2001 PORSCHE 911 Twin Turbo
coupe. S/N WP0AB29901S687370. Silver/
silver/black leather. Odo: 30,700 miles. Turbocharged
4.0-L H6, 6-sp. Highly modified for
performance via air and fuel controls, twin
turbochargers, and state-of-the-art fuel delivery
systems. Transmission and clutch also feature
state-of-the art parts, and literally every
moving part has been upgraded with the latest—from
exhaust to suspension to brakes. Of
course, all-wheel drive and Michelin Extreme
drag tires to hook you up. Overall condition is
very good but not flawless—someone obviously
enjoyed this car. Race seats and roll bar
are indicative of their intentions. A few
scratches and swirls keep this one out of the
top condition rating, but man, would I like to
drive it! Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $143,514. Although you don’t have
to be so rich to buy one secondhand, as this
sold for likely half its new price. Such was the
hubbub during the sale that James Knight had
to quiet the crowd with the admonishment,
“We can party after the sale, ladies and gentlemen,”
before hammering it for £90k
($118k), £10k ($13k) under lower estimate.
Bonhams offered a trio of similar blinged-up
G-wagens at its Swiss sale earlier in the year,
the least extreme of which, a 2018 G65 AMG
NOT SOLD AT $2,530,000. Seems like every
high-end auction has one lately—hardly used,
excellent-condition Enzos are certainly out
there, if you are willing to step up beyond
what a new one cost. The event organizers
obviously thought this would be a home run as
well here in Saudi Arabia, as one of the most
significant Ferraris ever built. There were
bargain bids aplenty, but upon approaching
real purchase money, the room dried up, leav-
Final Edition, sold for $265,524. Bonhams,
London, U.K., 12/19.
ITALIAN
#80-2003 FERRARI ENZO coupe. S/N
ZFFCW56AX30132049. Rosso Corsa/red
leather. Odo: 2,700 miles. Fuel-injected 6.0-L
V12, semi-auto. A fully certified, Ferrari Classiche,
U.S.-delivery Enzo. Like most, it’s
lightly used and held for investment. Immaculate
paint and finish, with a very clean nose
and unmarked glass. Everything fits and functions
like new, and this is a thrilling car to sit
in, much less drive. Lovely interior showing
no wear—this is a car that you wear rather
than just sit in. A gold-standard collectible.
The only flaw is a slightly cloudy headlamp
cover. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $88,000. Well presented in
the Worldwide catalog, with an incredible list
of non-stock components. But in the room, this
car visually looks pretty typical, so may have
been overlooked by most bidders. Has to be
one of the highest-performance 911s of this
era anywhere, with a claimed $180k spent on
modifications. Bid in the room only to a level
that might buy a typical used 911, and really
nowhere close to a proper number for this car.
I’m afraid among all the celebrity cars, drift
cars, and an actual Hot Wheel loop track, this
May 2020
137
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ing this car, like most today, just a bid or two
short of selling money. Is it possible everyone
with the cash and the desire already has one?
Maybe so in this part of the world. Worldwide
Auctioneers, Riyadh, SAU, 11/19.
#21-2008 FERRARI 550 GTZ Barchetta.
S/N ZFFZR52C00124138. Silver/cream
leather. Odo: 2,700 miles. Fuel-injected 5.5-L
V12, 6-sp. Completed in 2010 by Zagato
based on a used example bought in 2008 as a
900-miler, last of the nine “Zero Project” cars
built, which include six 575 GTs. One of three
like this (thanks for small mercies) based on
550 Barchetta, but the only right-hander.
Cond: 1-.
the U.K. was spending money on anything
except the political parties on their election
campaigns. Bonhams, London, U.K., 12/19.
#36-2014 FERRARI F12 coupe. S/N ZF-
F74UFA5E0198979. Bianco Fuji/tan leather.
Odo: 4,998 miles. Fuel-injected 6.3-L V12,
semi-auto. A very sharp car with just under 5k
miles from new, and the condition supports
that. No one can drive these a lot without that
low front end picking up a few dings or
scrapes, and this one was very close to perfect.
Excellent Bianco Fuji paint over fine factory
bodywork, with cool LED headlamps and factory
alloy wheels. The cabin literally swallows
you in, with Iroko tan leather seats, digital
dash and paddle shifters. Just under 5k miles
from new, a U.S.-spec LHD car, and expertly
presented. Service records, all tools and manuals
of course included. Cond: 1-.
sensed a bargain. Retail on these in the U.K.
appears to start at around £700k ($920k), so
slightly well bought. Bonhams, London, U.K.,
12/19.
#22-2017 FERRARI F12 70th Anniver-
sary “The Scaglietti” coupe. S/N ZFF74UC000230210.
Blue/cream leather. RHD. Odo:
518 miles. Fuel-injected 6.3-L V12, semi-auto.
Number 62 of 70 unique designs by Ferrari
Tailor Made to celebrate 70 years of Ferrari in
2017, with 10 of them on F12s, the model that
replaced the F599 using an enlarged version of
the 6-liter F140 engine. Hardly used, so therefore
like new. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $755,337. Styling really is unfortunate,
but it’s remarkable how people will buy
any old tat as long as it’s rare enough and has
the right label. Given that a stock 550 Barchetta
is much nicer to look at, the successful
phone bidder paid approximately three times
as much for some dodgy kit-car styling. Bonhams,
London, U.K., 12/19.
#36-2013 ALFA ROMEO 8C Spider. S/N
ZAR92000000049305. Metallic red/black
leather. Odo: 7,675 miles. Fuel-injected 4.7-L
V8, auto. One of 500 Spiders, joining the 500
coupes, based on shortened Maserati Quattroporte
platform with Ferrari motor. Limited
edition with carbon rear diffuser, dash and
shift paddles, reclining carbon-fiber sports
seats, carbon-ceramic brakes. Carbons all in
good shape, although seat leather (with optional
red stitching) is lightly baggy and
creased. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $247,500. We all wonder how many
years a V12 Ferrari will be available, and this
is certainly a prime opportunity to pick up a
legend. Nothing to quibble about here—you
either want it and can afford it or not. Several
phone bidders got things started, but in the
end, an American bidder in the audience
stepped up when it counted and swooped it
away. If you ever wondered what an almostnew
F12 is worth, it’s now safe to say about
$75k off from the new value, which is just $15
per mile. Not bad for world-class performance
and bold, stylish good looks—well bought.
Worldwide Auctioneers, Riyadh, SAU, 11/19.
SOLD AT $259,836. Two owners, the first
having bought it back from the second. Last
lot of the day, which must have come as a relief,
as there were so many no-sales at Bonhams’
final date of 2019, and sold just near
bottom estimate. This is slightly behind retail,
so there’s likely a little profit in it yet. Well
bought, but this was in a week when nobody in
138
#15-2016 FERRARI F12tdf coupe. S/N
ZFF81BHC000219488. Silver/Cioccolato
Alcantara. RHD. Odo: 1,600 km. Fuel-injected
6.3-L V12, semi-auto. The 599 replacement,
one of 799, but few in RHD. Almost unused
and therefore almost like new. Spec includes
aluminum brake calipers, aluminum revcounter,
front suspension lift, racing stripes,
carbon-fiber sill covers and rear-shelf moulding,
Alcantara color-on-request dashboard,
Prancing Horse logo embroidered on headrests,
Navtrak, parking sensors front and rear
and HELE stop/start. With books and tools.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $794,746. One of three
cars offered from the collection of musician
Jay Kay and the only one to find a new
home—in a post-auction deal at £605k—leaving
his 1973 Porsche 911 RS 2.7 Lightweight
(bid to £620k/$814k) and 2004 Carrera GT
(£560k/$735k) unsold. One has to ask why buy
a modern used supercar from an auction when
they are readily available from dealers with a
guarantee thrown in, but perhaps the buyer
SOLD AT $445,649. Back story is that this
one was inspired by the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
of 2004, which paid homage to the 375 MM
commissioned by Italian filmmaker Roberto
Rossellini for his wife, Ingrid Bergman, and
first seen at the Paris Salon in 1954. And...
that’s the kind of bull that inflates the price of
“special” editions, or in this case, about 75%
over usual F12 money, which starts at around
£165k/$215k in the U.K. Nice work if you can
get away with it. Bonhams, London, U.K.,
12/19.
JAPANESE
#15-1977 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER
BJ40 utility. S/N BJ40016704. White/black
vinyl, blue leather & velour. Fuel-injected
3.0-L I6, 4-sp. Fair-order, barn-door BJ40, as
it’s straight and with okay paint. Motor grubby
but bone-stock 3-liter diesel. Aftermarket
wheels and Sparco seats, pedal pads and shift
knobs, plus bull bar up front, so spare in rear
cradle. Vinyl to rear jump seats still good. Has
carpet fitted in front. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$15,186. Not as massively appreciated in the
U.K. as in Australia, the best of these get Land
Rover Series I money, but not this one—blame
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the lightly modded spec. Bonhams MPH, Bicester,
U.K., 11/19.
#99-1991 ACURA NSX coupe. S/N JH-
4NA1157MT001880. Formula Red & black/
black leather. Odo: 75,751 miles. Fuel-injected
3.0-L V6, 5-sp. A good, solid car that appears
quite original and honest—certainly not beat
up, showing just minimal paint and body
flaws. Slightly rare manual gearbox car, with
typical power windows, steering, brakes and
seats. Nice, clean interior with only minimal
wear showing throughout, mostly the driver’s
seat. Clean door sills, very good carpets, and
early digital dash with a/c and JVC stereo.
Traction control and manual-gearbox would
make this a very fun driver. Better than a used
car, but a little rougher than most other modern
sports cars here in Riyadh; hopefully this
one is not stuck in the no-man’s land in between.
Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $55,000.
Everyone wonders when—not if—these ’90s
sporty cars will be recognized with classiccar-level
prices. Well known to rival the performance
of contemporary exotics, but with
Honda-style reliability. Auction bidding
started slowly, and peaked at just a bid or two
short of the expectations, with several
participants probably wishing they have
raised their hands one more time. A fair price
achieved, but not today in Riyadh, as another
modestly priced car fell victim to the “Kingdom
Fee” and other fees required by the Saudi
officials. If the event returns in 2020, these are
arrangements that will have to be ironed out
in advance—perhaps as a percentage rather
than a flat fee. This would have been enough
at most other auctions. Worldwide Auctioneers,
Riyadh, SAU, 11/19.
#17-1994 MAZDA RX-7 Twin Turbo
coupe. S/N JM1FD3330R0301211. Red/tan
vinyl. Odo: 56,712 miles. Turbocharged 1.3-L
Rotary, 5-sp. These are great-handling cars:
well balanced, quiet, comfortable and with
255 hp in a very light chassis, not a car you
wanted to rev up against at any stoplight. Just
over 2,200 sold in the U.S., and this survivor
is in quite nice condition throughout. The original
paint is very good, with just a few dings
to let you know it’s honest at just under 57k
miles. Retains a nice shine and very good
panel fit, with a clean engine bay showing off
this twin Hitachi turbochargers. Virtually no
chrome or trim to speak of, but a clean spoiler,
glass, and only slight wear showing on the
vinyl interior. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT
$49,500. A good-looking example of the car
that put Mazda on the map in the U.S.
Everyone is wondering when classic-car values
will be applied to ’90s sports cars. This
one has heritage, performance and condition
in its favor, and these late-production RX-7s
are certainly among the best ever built. Unfortunately,
this example was doomed to not sell
in Riyadh by the exorbitant fees tacked on to
every transaction. Bidders took it beyond typical
values, but in the end, the reserve was just
too large despite the efforts of the auction
staff. Headed back home to the U.S., where
given time, these cars will definitely appreciate.
Worldwide Auctioneers, Riyadh, SAU,
11/19.
AMERICAN
#S167-1954 FORD F-600 SEMA custom
tow truck. S/N F60Z4K22042. Black, red &
orange/black cloth. Odo: 33,938 miles. 256-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Mercury V8, original 2-speed
rear end, custom winch bed. Whitewall tires on
22.5-inch steel wheels. Chopped top. Painted
patina with a heavy clearcoat. Flames and pinstripes
too. Pitted door handles. Custom tongueand-groove
wood bed with a caricature of the
vehicle. Sun-faded lenses. Beer keg turned into
gas tank held in place by an oversized chain.
Custom metalwork around the grille and headlights
continues flame effect. Straight-pipe exhaust.
Heavily tinted glass. Tidy interior.
Flat-black paint on the dash and doors. Carpet
pieced together inside. Bucket seats in cloth
from modern donor. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $14,300. SEMA Hot Wheels Finalist
in 2018. Lots of customization and attention
to detail have gone into this build, but the
interior seemed to be an afterthought in comparison.
Like anything custom, this build was
done to the specific tastes of an individual,
which can sometimes be polarizing. While it
was very popular with onlookers, activity on
the block was weaker than expected. There
was certainly a lot more time and money that
went into it than what came out when the hammer
dropped. The new owner will be the hit of
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local car shows and parades for not a lot of
money. Well bought. Republic Auctions, Dallas,
TX, 11/19.
#114-1955 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. S/N VE55S001104. Polo White/tan
cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 396 miles. 265-ci 195-hp
V8, 2x1-bbl, auto. Car number 104 of 700
built during a pivotal year for the Corvette—
first year for a V8-powered ’Vette. Well-documented
car, being sold in California first, and
restored in Ohio in 2016–17. Excellent body
prep and painted surfaces, top-notch chrome
and clean glass and trim. Car has earned two
NCRS Top Flight awards and has been a show
car ever since. Optional heater, Wonder Bar
radio, parking brake alarm, and courtesy
lights. Clean carpets and sharp red interior
look great. Wide whitewalls and factory full
hubcaps. First year for a 12-volt electrical system.
Nothing to argue about here. Cond: 1-.
very excited young sons in attendance. Good
on ya, dad—you bought a truck to be proud of.
Worldwide Auctioneers, Riyadh, SAU, 11/19.
#S99-1958 FORD RANCHERO custom
pickup. S/N A8KF135745. White/white & red
vinyl. Odo: 66,287 miles. Unidentified, later
Ford V8 underhood, with an auto. 1958 Edsel
front end and rear bumper. Edsel dash. Shiny
paint with minor blemishes. Crazing on roof.
Bumpers and trim are in good order. Rear
lenses are sun faded with dulling bezels. Front
bumper rechromed. Grille louvers are in excellent
condition. Heavy wiper streaks on
front glass. Panel alignment is good overall.
Driver’s door does look a little tight at the
rear. Minor delamination in bottom passenger’s
position of front windscreen. Minor delamination
on quarter windows. Carpets are
slightly older and worn. Dash paint slightly
uneven. Upholstery is in good shape. Some
NOT SOLD AT $132,000. Well done by Classic
Corvette Restorations—a lovely car with
no visible flaws evident. A quintessential
American classic, with plenty of recognition
and awards, and everyone wants a white convertible
in the desert heat, right? Values are
hard to pick on these ’55s, as they have been
up, down and up again recently, so bringing
this to Riyadh with high expectations was a bit
of a bold move. Not much auction momentum
at this point of the evening, and this lovely
example simply fell on deaf ears for Rod and
the Worldwide crew. Can’t fault the effort or
the presentation here—simply not a car that
got any interest tonight in the desert. Worldwide
Auctioneers, Riyadh, SAU, 11/19.
#32-1957 GMC 100 custom pickup. S/N
1018PT3262. Black/black leather & suede.
Odo: 1 mile. 6.2-L fuel-injected V8, auto. A
lovely presentation, what most would call a
mild custom, and very well done throughout.
Impressive black paint finish shows everything
and has nothing to hide, applied over very
straight panels that fit perfectly. Clean, clear
glass, new chrome and emblems, and modern
projector-beam headlamps under those classic
eyebrows. Lowered just enough to look menacing,
with huge, modern Weld billet wheels
and radial tires. Lovely modernized leather
and suede interior, power windows, steering
and brakes, billet steering wheel and pedals,
and air conditioning. LS3 V8 looks great and
no doubt hustles this truck down the road.
Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $143,550. Last seen at
Mecum’s 2018 Indy sale, where it was a nosale
at a high bid of $150k (SCM# 6873925).
Truck is going to a Saudi gentleman with two
May 2020
141
white areas of upholstery show soiling. Cond:
3+. SOLD AT $14,300. Formerly owned by
Jerry Miller, who has been in the Ford restoration
business since 1966. Miller’s other
business specializes in the sales of Ford parts
from model years 1957 to 1959. This authentic-looking
example is a tasteful re-creation of
a car that never was. Everything from the exterior
trim to the Edsel dash looked right at
home. The consignor was eager to answer
questions and talk about the car before it
crossed the block. Aside from the unwinding of
an older restoration, there was little to fault
here. Well bought. Republic Auctions, Dallas,
TX, 11/19.
#19-1961 CHEVROLET IMPALA Dou-
ble Bubble custom wagon. S/N 11837L106806.
White/Golden Brown leather. Odo: 400
miles. 473-ci fuel-injected V8, 5-sp. An honored
custom in impeccable condition, featuring
amazing bodywork, paint and panel fit,
and an innovative custom design. Lengthened
and lowered, with a laid-back windshield and
plump Pontiac roofline, it’s one of those cars
that deserves—and requires—a long, careful
examination to realize how expertly these
changes were done. Tucked-in new chrome,
and an incredible custom rear hatch are highlights,
along with perfect long body lines. Elegant
leather interior with buckets based on
’61 Caddy seats. Flawlessly clean engine bay
with old-school chrome stacks. My knees got
sore looking for flaws. Top to bottom, this is
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Roundup
an exceptional custom. Cond: 1. NOT SOLD
AT $275,000. Just the kind of car the event
organizers assumed would be a hit in Saudi
Arabia—flawless condition, custom drivetrain
and iconic good looks. A Ridler Great 8 finalist
and Goodguys Builder’s Choice winner, it’s
a one-of-a-kind work of art. The builders
achieved a car that on first glance is so well
designed many don’t notice it’s a custom, but
the more you look, the more that’s revealed.
Well presented by Worldwide, but largely ignored
during the auction, as many of the customs
had big-name shops and builders behind
them, and this one didn’t. The high bid would
have been a steal, and this one certainly deserved
more money than this group of buyers
was willing to part with. Opportunity missed.
Worldwide Auctioneers, Riyadh, SAU, 11/19.
#64-1964 CORD 810 Glenn Pray replica
roadster. S/N S105SPTM810. White/black
vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 85,846 miles. This
makes you double-take because it looks like a
two-thirds-scale Cord 812 (actually, it turns
out to be four-fifths, hence the 8/10 name).
Royalite (ABS thermoplastic, not fiberglass)
body, front-mounted Corvair power with sidemounted
oil coolers and an engine-turned,
vaguely Duval-ish dash. All fairly homemade
and horrid, but hanging together and said to
drive. No idea what it uses for a transmission
but ignorance is bliss. Cond: 3. SOLD AT
$9,401. Fewer than 100 made, thank heavens.
Glenn Pray owned the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg
Company and the rights to the Cord
name until his death in 2011, and started making
these “replicas” in the early ’60s, some
with Ford 302 power (and presumably reardrive).
Came to the U.K. in 1990, in storage
from 2008 until 2017. Never seen anything
quite like it in the U.K., so nothing to compare
it with except the Mitsuoka Viewt, a Nissan
Micra-based Jag Mk 2 pastiche. The last one
of those spotted on BaT (in 2018) fetched
$7,500. Bonhams MPH, Bicester, U.K.,
11/19.
#S183-1967 FORD MUSTANG coupe.
S/N 7F01C191345. Dusk Rose/black vinyl.
Odo: 5,809 miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Factory
Dusk Rose paint, commonly referred to as
Playboy Pink. Rotisserie restored to regional,
if not national, concours standards. Marti Report.
High-quality restoration with very few
flaws. Many NOS parts. Small flaw in the left
rear quarter-window frame. Awards in the
trunk and nearby trophies point to time on the
show circuit. Panel alignment spot-on. Reupholstered
interior with carpets that appear
fresh. Gauges are clean and clear. Seats are
nearly flawless. Engine compartment is very
tidy. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $29,150. Several
notable awards including the Mustang Club of
America Concours Gold Award in the
Trailered Concours class. The color and condition
made it a standout at this sale, where it
caught the attention of many onlookers. Prior
to this sale, Mecum offered it at their 2019
Dallas auction, where bidding stalled at
$24,000 (SCM# 6914964). Offers reached
slightly higher here but were able to end with
a sale. After changing hands here, it made its
way to Barrett-Jackson’s 2020 Scottsdale sale,
where it sold at no reserve for $37,400 (SCM#
6923610). Here in Dallas, it was well bought
at wholesale. Republic Auctions, Dallas, TX,
11/19.
#F114-1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO
RS coupe. S/N 124377N196629. Gray/black
leather. Odo: 756 miles. 383-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Eye-catching example. High-quality
paint with extra flake. Chip on top of left front
quarter panel. Trim has been blacked out.
Driver’s door handle is painted and shows
scratches. One or two rock chips on the nose.
Hood is slightly high at the rear. Some chipping
around the rain gutters. Interior is tidy.
Aftermarket Recaro-style seats, with some
bunching in the seat leather and uneven stitching.
Carpets have been replaced. Console is in
good order. Suede headliner. Billet hardware
on the doors. Driver’s door handle has broken
off. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $27,500. While the restoration does
not appear fresh, the digital odometer reading
points to low post-restoration miles, assuming
it was reset when the restoration was done.
Speaking of restoration, there is no documentation
other than the seller’s description of
what was done. While this is the first documented
sale at auction, it has made the rounds
with other owners. A Florida dealership had it
listed previously on their website with an asking
price of $37k, and later it was offered on
eBay. Well bought here. Republic Auctions,
Dallas, TX, 11/19.
#94-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
SS LS6 2-dr hard top. S/N 136370B142374.
Forest Green/black vinyl. Odo: 29,892 miles.
454-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A very nice, honest car,
well restored and documented. One of three in
Forest Green with white stripes that features
the 454 and M22 Rock Crusher 4-speed. MacNeish
certifies numbers-matching drivetrain,
and factory build sheet included. Wasn’t over-
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detailed, but clean and accurate throughout.
Nice clean glass, excellent interior, and factory
AM radio. Just a few minor paint flaws showing
a bit of use, but great chrome and quite
clean—but not show quality—underneath.
Cond: 2+.
nal miles. By this time, the room was beginning
to empty, and there just wasn’t the action
we all expected. Worldwide Auctioneers, Riyadh,
SAU, 11/19.
#104-1971 DODGE DART Demon rep-
NOT SOLD AT $143,000. Many feel the actual
horsepower of these LS6 Chevelles is over
500 hp, and with 4-on-the-floor and 4:10
gears out back, it was one of the quickest cars
of the era. Nice to see a well-built car that is
not over-restored, and certainly looks ready to
rumble. Slightly funky passenger’s door fit
keeps it out of the Condition 1 rating, but everywhere
else, nice and solid. Didn’t get a lot
of excitement in the auction room, despite the
documentation and reported under 30k origi-
“
144
lica coupe. S/N LL29C1B194465. Blue, white
& gold/black vinyl. Odo: 798 miles. 440-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. A Mr. Norm’s tribute car,
jacked up a bit with a 440-ci engine with Max
Wedge heads and drag-friendly TorqueFlite
automatic transmission. Beautifully presented
with sharp paint and graphics, very nice new
chrome, and cool hood scoops. Nice, straight
panel gaps and straight lines throughout. New
Cragar mags and performance radial tires with
custom roll cage installed for safety. Nicely
presented as an authentic drag car rather than a
static show car, and as sharp as this car looks,
you sure won’t sneak up on anybody at your
local stop light. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT
$132,000. The original Dodge Demon sold on
the premise of bang for the buck—not a fancy
car—but about as fast as anything, and a
great value to boot. Nice, straight body panels
and cool graphics indicate a car that has
never been beat up but would make a very
capable weekend drag car for some lucky
buyer. Unfortunately, that guy was not in the
The craziest vehicle I’ve never seen, with twin
Peterbilt diesels and 12 8-71 superchargers. Add
nitrous boost, and that’s almost 4,000 hp on tap.
Custom billet grille, 24 straight pipes belching
flames, and chrome and custom paint
everywhere you look.
1984 Peterbilt 359 Ultra custom TT crew-cab “Thor 24” big rig
room here in Riyadh, as this car received a
few token bids from a few collector-car dealers
in the audience, but failed to attract that
winning bid. After all, an auction is lots more
fun when the cars are flying out the door.
Worldwide Auctioneers, Riyadh, SAU, 11/19.
TOP 10
No. 1
#120-1984 PETERBILT 359 Ultra
custom TT crew-cab “Thor 24” big
rig. S/N 1XP9D29X6EN173022. Red/
”
red & black leather. Odo: 200 miles. Supercharged
1,704-ci V24, 7-sp. The craziest vehicle
I’ve never seen, with twin Peterbilt
diesels and 12 8-71 superchargers. Add nitrous
boost, and that’s almost 4,000 hp on tap. Custom
billet grille, 24 straight pipes belching
flames, and chrome and custom paint everywhere
you look. Add in a full custom leather
interior with a 1,500-watt stereo system and
seven integrated video screens, with Norse
God Thor graphics everywhere you look.
Twelve boost gauges in the dash, one for each
supercharger. Hawker jet-engine APU included.
Runs and drives, reaching 130 mph,
but man, you need a really big garage! The
largest engine ever installed in a street-legal
vehicle; most likely so for a very, very long
time. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $13,200,000. Mike Harrah was in
Riyadh, and when the hammer came down on
Thor 24, he let out a whoop no one could miss.
The last lot of a soft auction; it felt as if it was
the bottom of the ninth, with two outs and two
strikes called when Rod Egan hammered the
most valuable custom vehicle ever sold at auction—by
more than triple. $13.2 million won
32k pounds of custom vehicle that is stretched
to 44 feet long, both making history and saving
the day for the event organizers. One of
the most amazing auction moments I’ve ever
seen in 30-some years of covering the industry.
Reminded me of the GM Futurliner at B-J
selling for $4.3m about 10 years ago, only
bigger and more bizarre. Simply the most badass
truck ever created, and now, the most valuable
as well. Worldwide Auctioneers, Riyadh,
SAU, 11/19. ©
Sports Car Market
Page 144
Mystery Photo Answers
Alfas remain top dog because they’re always looking for a new perspective
— Jessie Cart, Saluda, NC
Alfa female perform their traditional
mating ritual. Stuck on
the side of the road in full public
view, you might ask? Don’t
worry. Hope springs eternal,
such as birthing prodigy soon to
be named Jeep and Ram. — Rob
MacLachlan, Upper St. Clair,
PA
Hey! STOP YELLING. You
knew we built these for rollover
testing! — Chris Riley, Wilton,
CT
When the Alfas stop rockin’
they sure can do some rolling! —
Michael Rini, Reno, NV
If your Alfa finds the CPAP
totally unlivable, it may resort to
sleeping on its side instead. —
Erik Olson, Martinez, CA
Okay, I showed you mine.
Now you show me yours! — Len
Simeone, South Plainfield, NJ
Alfa’s new roll cage will get
RUNNER-UP: Publisher
Martin selects his next Alfa
project — following the rollover
test. — Gary Francis, Chico, CA
But Keith, you promised no
more, and now you’ve drug home
two basket cases. — Tom Neyer,
Gillette, WY
Taking a cue from Chuck
Berry, this artisan tried for
“Roll Over, Bernini.” — Rick
Albrechtson, La Crosse, WI
When the SEMA show is
in Vegas, even the dice look
different. — Steve Schefbauer,
Monroe, CT
Tony was ecstatic when he
realized you could teach an old
Alfa to roll over — you just have
to scratch behind her headlight
first. — Rob Cart, Saluda, NC
After conducting a thorough
inspection, Giancarlo paused, lit
a cigarette, and said, “Although
the upside-down driving position
is unusual, the full roll cage
should make it safe to drive.” —
Pat Hamlin, Thousand Oaks,
CA
The Alfa Romeo Works team
mechanics scrupulously prepared
two entry cars for “Saturday
Night Monster Jam.” — Don
Mackay, Oceanside, CA
Cage fighting — Italian style.
— Mike Buettell, Balboa Island,
CA
For sale: Two Alfas. No motor
or trans. Rolling chassis only! —
Stan Colona, Plano, TX
Publisher Martin served two
rare rotisserie chickens and got
“
146
Subscription Renewals Comment of the Month
I love the Next Gen features and “Buy/Sell/Hold”
page. Even though I’m ‘Prev-Gen,’ I like to know
what appeals to the new enthusiast collectors.
— Gordon Owades, Lexington, MA (SCMer since 2011)
”
This Month’s Mystery Photo
Response deadline: May 25, 2020
more than he bargained for. At
least the bones look good. —
Scott M.R. Gordon, via email
Intensive-care autos in trac-
tion. — Diane W. Price, via
email
Spy shot! An Alfa male and
you off road. — Warren D.
Blatz, via email
First-time winner Jessie Cart
wins a vintage NOS — which
means we bought it in 2019 —
Sports Car Market cap for her
witty take on two Alfas that might
yet see better days. ♦
Our Photo, Your Caption
Email your caption to us at mysteryphoto@sportscarmarket.com, or fax to
503.253.2234. Ties will be arbitrarily and capriciously decided.
Do you have a mystery photo? Email it to mysteryphoto@sportscarmarket.com
at 300 dpi in JPEG format. Please include your name and contact information.
If we use your photo, you’ll get an official SCM cap.
Sports Car Market
Page 145
SCM Online
Extras for SCM Readers
Connect with SCM online this month
Kids and Cars
Visit SCM on the Web
Here’s a Sample of Some
of What’s Available at
www.sportscarmarket.com
SCM Weekly Blogs
(www.sportsarmarket.com/blogs/keith-
martin)
• Drive and Save
• Jaguar or Mercedes?
• Old Car or New for My Spring
Break Road Trip?
Taking Stock: Nathan Hively, 6, in my son Nick Aretakis’ 2003 Chevy-powered
stock car. Nathan is not a relation but very much family. He and his
twin brother Alex and older brother Braden are part of the Hively clan that
has been racing with my family for over 20 years. — Jimmy Aretakis,
Morrison, CO
Send your photos of your next-generation gearheads to SCM. If your
photo is selected, you’ll win an official SCM cap. Send your high-res photos
to kids@sportscarmarket.com. Please include your contact info, the name
of the child in the photo, the make and model of the car and any descriptive
information you would like.
Guides and Resources
(View or download at www.sportscarmarket.com/guides-supplements)
• 2020 Insider’s
Guide to
Restorations
• 2020 Pocket
Price Guide
Ten Years Ago in SCM
Soon it will be springtime in Paris, and as we sort
out the results of this year’s Rétromobile auctions, it’s
a timely opportunity to compare how things looked
at this time a decade ago.
The May 2010 cover, appropriately enough,
featured a French marque, a 1935 Voisin C25 that
sold for $725k. Inside, in a remarkably strange
coincidence, “Legal Files” columnist John Draneas
wrote of shady shenanigans regarding a broker, the
very same subject he tackles in this month’s column
on p. 44.
At the Rétromobile auctions, Bonhams brought
home an $8.4m total in 2010 vs. $22.3 this year.
Artcurial tallied $3m vs. $24.5m in 2020, and it
would be another three years before RM Sotheby’s
(then just RM) would enter the fray in Paris.
May 2020
For Subscribers
www.sportscarmarket.com/digitalissues-online
• One year of back issues of SCM,
searchable
Platinum Users
View 297,000-plus auction results at
www.sportscarmarket.com/platinumauction-database
(Platinum Auction
Database members only). Compare
the latest sales or track a car over its
auction history!
147
Supplement to Sports Car Market
Sports Car Market
RESTORATIONS
Keith Martin’s
The Insider’s Guide to Collecting, Investing, Values, and Trends
Insider’s
Guide to
2020
Fifth Annual Edition
™
Page 146
SCM Showcase Gallery
Sell Your Car Here! Includes SCM website listing.
Showcase Gallery Full-Color Photo Ad Just $66/month ($88 non-subscribers)
Text-Only Classified Ad Just $15/month ($25 non-subscribers)
4 ways to submit your ad:
Web: Visit www.sportscarmarket.com/classifieds/place-ad to upload your photo (300 dpi jpg) and text, or
text only. Secure online Visa/MC payments.
Email: Send photo (300 dpi jpg) and text, or text only, to classifieds@sportscarmarket.com.
We will call for your VISA/MC.
Fax: Attention Showcase, to 503.253.2234 with VISA/MC.
Snail mail: Showcase, PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208-4797, with VISA/MC or check.
50 words max, subject to editing. Deadline: 1st of each month, one month prior to publication.
Advertisers assume all liability for the content of their advertisements. The publisher of Sports Car Market
Magazine is not responsible for any omissions, erroneous, false and/or misleading statements of its advertisers.
ENGLISH
1934 Aston Martin Mk II Sports saloon
drives with grace, space and pace. Please contact
me for many more photos and video, to make
an offer or to see her in person. $108,000.
AutoArcheologist. Contact David, Ph: 860.398.1732,
email: Dave@AutoArcheologist.com. Website: www.
autoarcheologist.com/discoveries.html. (CT)
1955 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide roadster
4-speed manual transmission, fog lights, dual
exhaust, dual SU carbs with a beautiful Biscuit
interior. It has received a full service and detail
by Classic Showcase, and is a great model for
drivers larger in stature, with plenty of leg room
available. Classic Showcase. Ph: 760.805.9090,
email: webmaster@classicshowcase.com. Website:
www.classicshowcase.com/index.php/inventory/
detail/645. (CA)
1959 Jaguar XK 150 S OTS
1961 Austin Healey 3000 Mk II BT7 roadster
S/N HBT7L15506. Blue/dark blue. Inline 6, 4-spd
manual. This Mark II BT7 four-seater is a wonderful
example of this highly versatile breed. Presented
in highly engaging Works rally-car style. The
last example to be comprehensively restored by
renowned marque experts Randee and Tom Rocke.
Photographs documenting the restoration work and
British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate
showing original data accompany the car. Classic
Showcase. Ph: 760.805.9090, email: webmaster@
classicshowcase.com. Website: www.classicshowcase.
com/index.php/inventory/detail/656. (CA)
S/N 831488DN. Claret/Biscuit. 1,400 miles. Inline
6, 4-spd manual. Complete frame-off cosmetic
and mechanical restoration. All matching numbers
and proper date codes. Heritage Trust certificate.
JCNA 99.18 points. 1,400 miles post restoration,
a superb car. Email or call for additional details.
$229,000. Contact Richard, Ph: 708.370.1254, email:
1959jag150S@gmail.com. (GA)
1959 Jaguar XK 150 S roadster
S/N C4410L. Navy blue with gray swage line/gray.
84,100 miles. Inline 4, 4-spd manual. This is the first
of the Mk II saloons. It is one of very few remaining
out of 25 built. Owned by Gordon Sutherland, the
owner of Aston Martin in 1934. It appears in Aston’s
publicity brochures. The body was restored in the
1990s. Mechanically it has recently been completely
rebuilt. $189,000 OBO. Contact Robert, Ph:
604.926.3338, email: follows@shaw.ca. (BC)
1947 Bentley Mk VI 4¼ Litre Freestone &
Webb sedan
S/N 404X3005. Red/black. 0 miles. Inline 6, 4-spd
manual. Beautiful Franco Scaglione-designed
roadster! Sixth Arnolt Bristol made. Race car,
campaigned for many years and has lived in
California, Texas and Arizona. Exquisite restoration
in late-1980s. Original engine had professional
rebuild at restoration with zero hours. Has since
been driven 3,500 street miles. Full deluxe interior,
tailored black carpets, upholstered door interiors and
original Italian seats. Retains most original parts as
built by factory. Veteran Arizona Copper State1000!
Previous car built by this owner has participated in
two Mille Miglia Retros. Available at Tucson, AZ.
POA. Contact Walter, Ph: 520.444.3056, email:
reds66auto@aol.com. (AZ)
1955 Swallow Doretti roadster
S/N T831604DN. Black/red. 2,853 miles. Inline 6, 4spd
manual. This numbers-matching XK 150 S comes
from a private collection and is one of approximately
888 examples produced. These S models include twin
exhaust, wire wheels and raised performance with
three two-inch SU HD8 carbs, Weslake-developed
cylinder head and high-compression pistons.
Included are keys, jack, rachet, grease gun, partial
toolkit, church key, owner’s manual and original
steering wheel. Classic Showcase. Ph: 760.805.9090,
email: webmaster@classicshowcase.com. Website:
www.classicshowcase.com/index.php/inventory/
detail/614. (CA)
S/N B370BH. White/tan leather. 19,709 miles.
Inline 6, 4-spd manual. One of a dozen bodied by
coachbuilders Freestone & Webb to their design
no. 3038, a beautifully proportioned all-aluminum
4¼ Litre saloon with curvaceous razor-edge
lines, with sliding sunroof and rear fender spats.
Delivered in February 1948 to E. Gomme Ltd., a
prominent British manufacturer of modern furniture.
Subsequent owners included Stephan Hall of South
Glastonsbury, CT, who registered the car with the
Rolls-Royce Owners Club in September 1970. It
formerly won several awards in British car club
competition and is a Classic Car Club of America
(CCCA) Full Classic. $89,500 OBO. West Coast
Classics, LLC. Contact Larry, Ph: 424.376.5151,
email: wcclassics@aol.com. Website: www.
WestCoastClassics.com. (CA)
1954 Jaguar XK 120 drophead coupe
1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I H.J. Mulliner
drophead coupe
S/N TS5666E. Pearl White/blue. 73,542 miles.
Inline 4, 4-spd manual. Spectacular four-year
concours-quality complete nut-and-bolt restoration.
One of the last examples assembled by the factory.
Multiple concours appearances including the
Concours d’Elegance of America at St. Johns and the
Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Historic Vehicle
Association (HVA) award winner. Original California
car. $139,900. Daniel Schmitt & Co. Contact Daniel,
Ph: 314.291.7000, email: info@schmitt.com.
Website: www.schmitt.com/inventory/1955-swallowdoretti-roadster/.
(MO)
1958 Jaguar XK 150 fixed-head coupe
S/N 1E10502. Opalescent Silver Blue/Navy Blue
with matching top. Inline 6, 4-spd manual. Fully
restored, numbers-matching XKE. Attractive
Opalescent Silver Blue-over-navy blue color combo,
the roadster includes upgraded Wilwood brakes
all around, ceramic headers, alloy radiator with
auxiliary fan, electronic ignition, gear-reduction
starter, 15-inch steering wheel and digital Bluetooth
stereo with phone jack. This high-end driver is ready
to drive and enjoy today! Classic Showcase. Ph:
760.805.9090, email: webmaster@classicshowcase.
com. Website: www.classicshowcase.com/index.php/
inventory/detail/609. (CA)
1966 Jaguar E-type Series I 4.2 convertible
1965 Jaguar E-type convertible
S/N LSMH195. Sand Acrylic/beige. 50,227 miles.
Inline 6, 4-spd automatic. Spectacular, no-expensespared
restoration completed by concours-winning
marque specialist Vantage Motorworks. Over
$336,000 in restoration costs and rarely driven
since completion. One of only 10 built for the U.S.
Built new for Broadway producer Lawrence Carr.
Numbers-matching engine. Documentation includes
original owner’s manual, tools, restoration invoices
and more. $595,000. Daniel Schmitt & Co. Contact
Daniel, Ph: 314.291.7000, email: info@schmitt.
com. Website: www.schmitt.com/inventory/1959rolls-royce-silver-cloud-drophead-coupe/.
(MO)
S/N 677769. British Racing Green/Fawn. 16,000
miles. Inline 6, 4-spd manual. Numbers-matching,
concours-winning XK 120. Nut-and-bolt restoration
10 years ago by Donovan Motorcars. Runs and
148
S/N S834923BW. Maroon/Biscuit. 63,303 miles.
Inline 6, 4-spd manual. This XK 150 features
a matching-numbers engine and has been
professionally restored. Features an upgraded
S/N 1E13575. Black/black. 15,260 miles. Inline
6, 4-spd manual. Spectacular, no-expense-spared
concours-quality restoration by marque specialist.
Original California black-plate car. Numbersmatching
engine. Stunning, special-ordered tripleblack
color combination. Rare removable factory
hard top. Excellent documentation includes owner’s
manual, factory correct toolkit, jack and related
tooling, Thor knockoff hammer, Jaguar Heritage
Certificate and more! $269,900. Daniel Schmitt
& Co. Contact Daniel, Ph: 314.291.7000, email:
info@schmitt.com. Website: www.schmitt.com/
inventory/1966-jaguar-e-type-series-1-4-2-litreroadster/.
(MO)
1967 Jaguar E-type convertible
S/N 1E13274. Old English White/black. 29,866
miles. Inline 6, 4-spd manual. This numbersmatching
E-Type has under 30k miles driven since
new, and was comprehensively restored by Jaguar
professionals. It stands as a stunning example of
Jaguar excellence, and includes a matching white
hard top, a log book of past work and restoration
receipts. Perfect for showing or driving. Classic
Sports Car Market
Page 148
SCM Showcase Gallery
Showcase. Ph: 760.758.6100, email: webmaster@
classicshowcase.com. Website: www.classicshowcase.
com/index.php/inventory/detail/528. (CA)
1967 Jaguar E-type Series I 4.2 convertible
picture). Service records available. Paint, chrome,
interior, wheels, glass, leather (except for small tear
in rear seat upper corner), carpets, headliner and
wood trim are all in excellent-to-pristine condition.
Avon tires have less than 10k miles on them. Car
comes with six-disc CD changer, RR GPS, original
tools and spare. Owner’s manual, Mouton rugs and
clean CARFAX. Reason for sale; looking to buy RollsRoyce
Corniche. $45,800 OBO. Contact Klaus, Ph:
760.644.7443, email: rrbnut@gmail.com. (CA)
GERMAN
S/N 1E13230. Carmen Red/black. 60,243 miles.
Inline 6, 4-spd manual. Spectacular condition!
Driven less than 3,000 miles since complete
restoration. Maintained by the second owner for
more than 30 years. Numbers-matching engine.
Documentation includes owner’s manual, lubrication
chart, Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate copy and
more. Final year of the covered-headlight models.
Rare air conditioning. $169,900. Daniel Schmitt
& Co. Contact Daniel, Ph: 314.291.7000, email:
info@schmitt.com. Website: www.schmitt.com/
inventory/1967-jaguar-e-type-series-1-4-2roadster/.
(MO)
1979 Aston Martin V8 Vantage flip-tail
coupe
1955 Porsche 356 Continental Pre-A
cabriolet
1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SE cabriolet
1991 BMW Z1 Alpina cabriolet
S/N 11102500000000. Anthracite Grey/black. 20,066
miles. Inline 6, 4-spd automatic. Spectacular restored
condition! Desirable European-delivery example.
Shown at the 2017 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.
Numbers-matching engine and automatic gearbox.
Kuhlmeister factory air conditioning. Documentation
includes owner’s manual, German tourist delivery
insurance card, tools, jack, data card copy from
the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center and more.
$189,900. Daniel Schmitt & Co. Contact Daniel, Ph:
314.291.7000, email: info@schmitt.com. Website:
www.schmitt.com/inventory/1968-mercedes-benz280se-cabriolet/.
(MO)
1977 Porsche 911S Targa
S/N V811880LCAV. Aztec Gold/brown. 81,488 miles.
V8, 5-spd manual. Incredibly rare left-hand-drive V8
Vantage flip-tail coupe. One of only 11 factory built
for the U.S. Fitted with high-horsepower Eurospec
DOHC V8 engine (numbers-matching engine
included). Documented by owner’s manual, Heritage
Trust Certificate and more. $239,900. Daniel Schmitt
& Co. Contact Daniel, Ph: 314.291.7000, email:
info@schmitt.com. Website: www.schmitt.com/
inventory/1979-aston-martin-vantage-flip-tailcoupe/.
(MO)
1994 Jaguar XJ 220 coupe
S/N SAJJEAEX8AX220618. Le Mans Blue/Charcoal
Grey. 1,199 miles. V6, 5-spd manual. Just released
from a private collection. Driven only 1,199 miles
(1,929 km) from new! One of only 283 built. Fastest
production car in the world upon introduction.
Timing belt and fuel bladder service performed.
Excellent documentation includes original books,
original tools, first aid kit, original XJ 220 press
tour invitation and more. $495,900. Daniel Schmitt
& Co. Contact Daniel, Ph: 314.291.7000, email:
info@schmitt.com. Website: www.schmitt.com/
inventory/1994-jaguar-xj220-2/. (MO)
2000 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph sedan
S/N SCALA61E9YCX04223. Silver Tempest/grey.
47,500 miles. V8, 5-spd automatic. Truly superb.
Mechanically fully recommissioned/serviced, needs
nothing. Compare to others, one of 276 made. Looks
and drives like brand new, with all repair documents
available. Super-clean-running engine (see exhaust
150
S/N 220576. Signal Red/black leatherette. Inline 4,
4-spd manual. This 356C recently finished a show/
driver-level restoration by Classic Showcase. Finished
in Signal Red over a black leatherette interior, it
has held limited ownership and retains its original
numbers-matching and date stamped wheels, engine
and transaxle. Also included is a log book, receipts
from day one, a toolkit and jack, and the original
keys. Classic Showcase. Ph: 760.758.6100, email:
webmaster@classicshowcase.com. Website: www.
classicshowcase.com/index.php/inventory/detail/509.
(CA)
S/N WBAEE1410J2560796. Cinnabar Red/Natur
Nappa. 71,592 miles. Inline 6, 5-spd manual.
Superb, highly original condition. Original paint and
interior. New rear suspension accumulators and front
suspension arms, Bavarian Autosport strut brace, a/c
converted to R134. Trunk spoiler and original wheels
refinished. 1988 model features upgraded, cleanerlooking
bumpers. Condition in top-tier of E24 M6s.
Outstanding in all respects. $54,000 OBO. Contact
Lawrence, Ph: 917.301.4799, email: ltrepel@gmail.
com. (NC)
S/N THPNBT09281. Red/tan. 4,571 miles. V8,
5-spd manual. Originally gifted to Carroll Shelby
by DeTomaso. Spectacular condition with original
leather interior. One of approximately 138 brought
to the U.S. Numbers-matching 351-ci engine.
Reputably the last factory red narrow-body GTS
built. Documentation includes insurance card, 1985
EPA compliance test copy, Shelby Vehicle Authenticity
Certificate and more. $249,900. Daniel Schmitt & Co.
Contact Daniel, Ph: 314.291.7000, email: info@
schmitt.com. Website: www.schmitt.com/inventory/
carroll-shelbys-1983-detomaso-pantera-gts-oneand-only-owner/.
(MO)
Sports Car Market
S/N 158183. Signal Red/black. 64,941 miles. Flat
4, 4-spd manual. Spectacular concours restoration.
Recently released from 30 years of collector
ownership in Europe. Original numbers-matching
type 587/1 engine and numbers-matching
gearbox. One of 22 completed in 1963; of those,
only two were finished in Signal Red over black
leather. Outstanding documentation includes
original manual, restoration invoices and more.
$1,499,900. Daniel Schmitt & Co. Contact Daniel, Ph:
314.291.7000, email: info@schmitt.com. Website:
www.schmitt.com/inventory/1963-porsche-356-bcarrera-2-gs-cabriolet/.
(MO)
1965 Porsche 356C coupe
S/N WP0JB0936GS050136. Black/black. 86,000
miles. Inline 6, 4-spd manual. 86,000 original miles
and holds limited ownership since new. Recently
serviced with new tires, newly trimmed interior,
full detail and service. Also features sports seats,
Fuchs-style wheels, locking differential, in-dash
stereo with CD player and turbo intercooler. A great
example ready for spring and summer drives. Classic
Showcase. Ph: 760.758.6100, email: webmaster@
classicshowcase.com. Website: www.classicshowcase.
com/index.php/inventory/detail/632. (CA)
1988 BMW M6 coupe
S/N 59249314. Nero Black/Rich Tan. 28,125 miles.
V8, 4-spd manual. Beautifully restored example.
Only 28,125 actual miles! Originally assembled in
Torino, Italy. Previously owned by a senior analyst of
Sports Car Market magazine. Ford 351-ci Cleveland
V8 engine with Edelbrock polished aluminum intake,
Holley 4-barrel induction and Italia valve covers.
$159,900. Daniel Schmitt & Co. Contact Daniel, Ph:
314.291.7000, email: info@schmitt.com. Website:
www.schmitt.com/inventory/1969-intermeccanicaitalia/.
(MO)
1983 DeTomaso Pantera GTS coupe
S/N 60771. Black/green. Flat 4, 4-spd manual. 1955,
the only year the Continental was manufactured.
Serial number 60771. One of 50 356 Continental
cabrios sold. Exquisitely restored to the highest
standards. Black with stunning green leather
interior with Telefunken radio. Ownership history
documented, once owned by Disney President
Stanley Gold, previous owner purchased the car at
Bonhams auction. CoA and Kardex in hand. See
our site for full details. $295,000 OBO. Cooper
Classic Cars. Contact Elliot, Ph: 212.929.3909,
email: sales@cooperclassiccars.com. Website: www.
cooperclassiccars.com/1955-porsche-356-continentalcabrio-c-4054.htm.
(NY)
1963 Porsche 356B Carrera 2 GS by Reutter
cabriolet
S/N WAPRLE0000C260028. Red/black. 34,692 miles.
Inline 6, 5-spd manual. Rare Alpina Z1, number
28 of 66, built in 1991. Has had all recent services.
34.7k km. Brought to U.S. as show and display
only and kept in dealer inventory since imported.
Excellent cosmetic, running and driving condition.
$120,000. BMW San Francisco. Contact Henry,
Ph: 415.551.4233, email: henryeschmitt@gmail.
com. (CA)
ITALIAN
1962 Ferrari 330 GT prototype (Enzo
Ferrari’s personal car) 2+2 coupe
Guard Red/tan. 137,000 miles. Flat 6, 5-spd manual.
One strip/repaint in original Guards Red. Southern
car, no rust underneath ever, no accidents, drives
great, a/c cool, great transmission, brakes, etc.
Great engine rebuild by factory Porsche mechanic
5,000 miles ago, engine strong and dry, no
thermal reactors, good owner past 24 years. Call
during daytime, Est. $32,500. Contact Jerry, Ph:
330.759.5224, email: jbenzr@aol.com. (OH)
1986 Porsche 930 Turbo coupe
S/N 4085. Light Ivory/black. 67,710 miles. V12,
4-spd manual. Prototype built in August 1962.
Retained by the factory for two years and used by
Enzo Ferrari as one of his personal cars. Excellent
documentation includes original owner’s manual,
original brochure, 1977 letter from Ferrari
and more. $22,000 service completed in 2018.
$495,900. Daniel Schmitt & Co. Contact Daniel, Ph:
314.291.7000, email: info@schmitt.com. Website:
www.schmitt.com/inventory/1962-ferrari-330gt-2plus-2-coupe-by-pininfarina-enzo-ferraris-personal-car/.
(MO)
1969 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder
Page 149
SCM Showcase Gallery
1992 Alfa Romeo Spyder
AMERICAN
1929 Packard 640 Custom Eight convertible
1941 Packard Super Eight 160 Deluxe
Convertible Victoria
1953 Buick Skylark convertible
Inline 4, Clean CARFAX report, only 58,000 original
miles. Excellent overall and wonderful driving car.
Alternate phone: 323.327.6110. $14,000. Contact
“CJ,” Ph: 818.754.1298, (CA)
JAPANESE
1995 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 spider
S/N 178886. Beige/brown. V8, 3-spd manual. From
two museums as prior owners. A true low-mileage
example of America’s greatest period of growth and
stature! To be offered at fourth annual Saratoga
Motorcar Auction, September 18–19, 2020, at
the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga
Springs, NY; to consign or register to bid, call or
visit us online. Saratoga Motorcar Auctions. Contact
Bill, Ph: 518.587.1935, email: bill.windham@
saratogaautomuseum.org. Website: www.
saratogaautoauction.org/. (NY)
1932 Packard 903 Deluxe Eight roadster
coupe
42,500 miles. Second owner. All records since day
one. Immaculate and spectacular, 4-wheel drive,
4-wheel steering. Timing belt replaced 1,000 miles
ago, new tires at 36,000 miles. Elderly doctor
trimming down collection. $26,500. Contact Robert,
Ph: 806.789.8135, email: rjbcarz@aol.com. (TX)
S/N DE14792021. Wilshire Brown/tan. 45,464
miles (TMU). Inline 8, 3-spd manual. One of 99
built, never restored or apart. Delivered by Earle
C Anthony, San Francisco. Fresno, CA, from 1941
to 2105, now in Florida. Overdrive, many recent
upgrades. Best original award winner, Boca Raton
Grand Classic. Call for additional details. $89,500.
Contact Chuck, Ph: 914.474.0137, email: emitch7@
aol.com. (FL)
1947 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood
7-passenger sedan
S/N 16839256. Cream/white & black. V8, 3-spd
automatic. This is the 50th Anniversary Special
Edition of Buick—only 1,650 of this model were
ever built, and there are only a few in this condition
still in existence. To be offered at fourth annual
Saratoga Motorcar Auction, September 18–19, 2020,
at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga
Springs, NY; to consign or register to bid, call or
visit us online. Saratoga Motorcar Auctons. Contact
Bill, Ph: 518.401.5180, email: bill.windham@
saratogaautomuseum.org. Website: www.
saratogaautoauction.org/. (NY)
1953 Chrysler Ghia Special Sport coupe
S/N 193829. Black/black. 46,076 miles. Inline 8,
4-spd manual. Just released from over a decade
of single-collector ownership. Classic Car Club of
America (CCCA) Full Classic; eligible for all events
and caravans. Incredible documentation dating back
to 1930s. $229,900. Daniel Schmitt & Co. Contact
Daniel, Ph: 314.291.7000, email: info@schmitt.
com. Website: www.schmitt.com/inventory/1932packard-special-eight-roadster-coupe/.
(MO)
S/N 3423869. Cavern Green/Original Broadcloth.
53,000 miles. V8, automatic. All-original survivor,
CCCA registered, only 930 built in 1947. 346-ci
V8, radio, twin heaters, original paint, excellent
chrome, show winner, always garaged. More pictures
available. $37,500 OBO. Don Kiesbuy Enterprises.
Contact Don, Ph: 509.981.3013, email: dkiesbuy@
gmail.com. (WA)
V8, Thomas Special design. Celebrity ownership.
Hemi, KLM speedo, Marchal sidelights, leather.
Seller owned 40 years. Excellent condition. Serious
inquiries only. Alternate phone: 323.327.6110.
Contact “CJ,” Ph: 818.754.1298, email: akira01@
pacbell.net. (CA)
May 2020
151
Page 150
SCM Showcase Gallery
1954 Kaiser-Darrin 161 Sport roadster
or register to bid, call or visit us online. Saratoga
Motorcar Auctions. Contact Bill, Ph: 518.401.5180,
email: bill.windham@saratogaautomuseum.org.
Website: www.saratogaautoauction.org/. (NY)
1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/300
Split-Window coupe
S/N 161001133. Onyx Black/maroon. 13,763 miles.
Inline 6, 3-spd manual. Spectacular no-expensespared
concours-level restoration. Meticulous
attention to detail. Incredibly rare factory black
paint car with special-order interior. Three-position
convertible top. Includes owner identification card,
owner service policy, jack and removable side
curtains. $149,900. Daniel Schmitt & Co. Contact
Daniel, Ph: 314.291.7000, email: info@schmitt.
com. Website: www.schmitt.com/inventory/1954kaiser-darrin-161-sport-roadster/.
(MO)
1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible
S/N 30837S108028. Daytona Blue/dark blue. V8,
4-spd manual. Numbers-matching, very original,
iconic one-year-only Split-Window Corvette, finished
in arguably the most desirable color combination
offered. Beautifully maintained and carefully owned
by former exotic-sports-car service business owner.
Complete with original manuals and literature,
original-style wheels and original floor mats. See
Web link for additional photos. Contact Pat, Ph:
952.454.6618, email: pcotter33@gmail.com.
Website: www.jaguarguy.wixsite.com/corvette. (MN)
1964 Chevrolet Corvette 327/365 coupe
S/N F73A6782331. Shelby Blue/black. 2 miles.
V8, 4-spd manual. An absolutely stunning and
exceptional example. 1965-titled Factory 5 Shelby
Cobra replica 302-ci V8 in Shelby Blue with white
sports stripes and black interior. $44,500 OBO. West
Coast Classics, LLC. Contact Larry, Ph: 424.376.5151,
email: wcclassics@aol.com. (CA)
1968 Dodge Coronet 440 2-dr hard top
S/N RQB3388. Moondust Silver/red. 77,000 miles.
V8, 3-spd automatic. One of the last Altman-Neuman
Avanti IIs. Chevrolet 305-ci V8.Turbo 350 auto.
All factory brightwork, trim and glass is in great
condition. Original spare wheel and tire. SW gauges
that remain fully functional, including factory clock.
This car was fitted with a factory Blaupunkt radio.
A/C converted to R134a. No rust issues. Recent
service: new valve covers and gaskets, air cleaner,
fuel pump, hoses & belts and rubber trim. New
engine oil, coolant and filters, full transmission
service including replacement of seals, gaskets and
flush and refill with new fluid, new front brake
calipers, pads and hoses. $20,000. Contact Harlan,
Ph: 804.543.4562, email: has250@comcast.net.
(VA)
1984 Chevrolet El Camino IROC-S pickup
S/N D7FH10789. Starmist Blue/blue. 25,802 miles.
V8, automatic. Beautifully restored, great daily
driving and completely rust-free example. In its
original Starmist Blue factory color paint with a
matching blue soft top, and loaded with factory
specifications and desirable options including
Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission ($212), Swift
Sure power brakes ($38), Master Guide power
steering ($69), power windows ($70), engine dress
kit, Magic Air heater and defroster ($85), original
Town & Country radio ($100), electric clock ($15),
full wheel covers, whitewall tires ($30), rear fender
skirts, dual exhausts, safety belts and its original
312/245-hp D-code V8 engine. $42,500 OBO. West
Coast Classics LLC. Contact Larry, Ph: 424.376.5151,
email: wcclassics@aol.com. Website: www.
WestCoastClassics.com. (CA)
1962 Chevrolet Corvette 327/360 Fuelie
convertible
S/N WH23F8G173967. Sunflower Yellow/white.
59,000 miles. V8, 3-spd automatic. 318-ci, 2-barrel
with dual exhaust, ps, pb, white vinyl top, split-bench
seat, a/c, heat and defrost, tinted glass, bumper
guards, drip rail and rocker moldings, styled road
wheels, Cooper radial 15-inch tires, broadcast sheet,
low original miles and recent repaint. $29,000
OBO. Contact Richard L, Ph: 513.678.1274, email:
ls3_camaro@yahoo.com. (OH)
1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 coupe
S/N 40837S108800. Silver Blue/blue. 72,272
miles. V8, 4-spd manual. Beautifully restored
and seemingly accident-free very rare Sting Ray
coupe with its original matching numbers L76
327/365-hp V8 engine and finished in its original
and quite stunning Silver Blue factory color paint
with its original correct blue (code-STD) vinyl trim
interior and added factory options: 327/365-hp
L76 V8 engine ($107), 4-speed Muncie closeratio
manual transmission ($188), 4-seasons air
conditioning ($421), pushbutton AM/FM radio
($176), Positraction axle 370R ($43), transistor
ignition EQ ($75), vacuum power brakes ($43),
tinted glass ($16) and back-up lamps ($10). $74,500
OBO. West Coast Classics, LLC. Contact Simon, Ph:
310.779.0526, email: wcclassics@aol.com. (CA)
1965 Chevrolet Corvette 327 coupe
1965 Shelby Cobra replica roadster
1982 Avanti Motor Co. Avanti II coupe
S/N 1GCCW80H1ER210934. White & blue & red/
maroon. V8, automatic. The El Camino IROC-S
series was a limited custom offering that produced
approximately 15 vehicles characterizing an IROC
Pace Truck. To be offered at fourth annual Saratoga
Motorcar Auction, September 18–19, 2020, at
the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga
Springs, NY; to consign or register to bid, call or
visit us online. Saratoga Motorcar Auctions. Contact
Bill, Ph: 518.401.5180, email: bill.windham@
saratogaautomuseum.org. Website: www.
saratogaautoauction.org/. (NY)
S/N 0F02Z133517. Grabber Blue/black. 28,103
miles. V8, 4-spd manual. Hemmings Concours
d’Elegance winner. To be offered at fourth annual
Saratoga Motorcar Auction, September 18–19, 2020,
at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga
Springs, NY; to consign or register to bid, call or
visit online. Saratoga Motorcar Auctions. Contact
Bill, Ph: 518.401.5180, email: bill.windham@
saratogaautomuseum.org. Website: www.
saratogaautoauction.org/. (NY)
Honduras Maroon Metallic/Fawn. 45,378 miles. V8,
4-spd manual. An exceptional, NCRS Top-Flight
two-top convertible with its numbers-matching,
fuel-injected 327 engine. Seven-time NCRS TopFlight
award winner. Tons of photos, additional
information and documentation available online.
$139,999 OBO. Ride Quality Motors. Contact Austin,
Ph: 805.202.4557, email: info@rqmotor.com.
Website: www.1962fuelie.com/. (CA)
1962 Pontiac Catalina convertible
1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 replica 2-dr
hard top
Glen Green/green. 33,500 miles. V8, 4-spd manual.
Stunning example of a Top Flight awarded car,
having a body-off nut-and-bolt restoration to
a highly detailed standard. Correct-code Glen
Green/green with matching-numbers drivetrain;
optioned with the base 327, 4-speed, PS, factory a/c,
Teakwood wheel and AM/FM radio. Beautiful paint
over a laser-straight body with excellent panel gaps
and a spotless interior. Original steelies with caps
and Goldline tires for show, along with polished
Torque Thrusts wrapped with modern radials for go.
Docs and 100 photos available. Contact William, Ph:
609.790.1526, email: classiccarcritic@yahoo.com.
Website: www.flickr.com/photos/99107519@N02/
albums/72157693256242851. (NJ)
S/N 362D7040. Red/white. V8, 4-spd manual. To be
offered at fourth annual Saratoga Motorcar Auction,
September 18–19, 2020, at the Saratoga Performing
Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY; to consign
152
Sports Car Market
RACE
1967 Chevrolet Camaro racer
Maroon/black. V8, manual. Only 3 laps on new well
built 302. Email for complete spec sheet. Great value
at this price, from my client who has had and raced
Camaros for decades. More details online. $49,900.
Race Car Locators. Contact Rick, Ph: 509.868.2034,
email: ricksminis1@msn.com. Website: www.
RaceCarLocators.com. (WA) ©
S/N 344870E166189. Burnished Gold 58/black.
10,000 miles. V8, 4-spd manual. Engine and body
rebuilt and painted by local professional engine
and body shops. Power windows, locks and trunk,
Tic-Toc-Tach. All Ram Air components on engine.
Red inner-wheel wells, Rally 1 wheels. I have all
documents on all work done on car. Can provide
all vendors who restored car. $60,000 OBO. Contact
Jerry, Ph: 262.497.3747, email: mr1970olds@att.
net. (WI)
FOLLOW SCM
Page 152
Advertise in the SCM Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218 for information; e-mail: scmadvert@sportscarmarket.com.
Advertising/Marketing
RM Sotheby’s. 800.211.4371.
Gooding & Company.
Motorwerks Marketing.
1-833-4-MWERKS. Founded on a
passion for the special interest, classic
and collector automotive marketplace,
Motorwerks is a full-service marketing
and creative agency. With a focus
on crafting a high impact, highly effective,
budget- and time-sensitive
message, Motorwerks brings a level of
industry expertise that is tailor made to
meet your brand’s objectives. We only
service clients in the Specialty Automotive
arena and like you, our team
are first and foremost true automotive
enthusiasts. Ask us what we can do for
you! Info@MotorwerksMarketing.com
www.MotorwerksMarketing.com (AZ)
Auction Companies
Artcurial Motorcars.
33 (0)1 42 99 2056. 33 (0)1 42 99 1639.
7, Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées,
75008 Paris, France.
Email: motorcars@artcurial.com.
www.artcurial.com/motorcars. (FR)
310.899.1960. 310.526.6594. Gooding
& Company offers its international
clientele the rarest, award-winning examples
of collector vehicles at the most
prestigious auction venues. Our team of
well-qualified experts will advise you
on current market values. Gooding &
Company presents the official auction
of the famed Pebble Beach Concours
d’Elegance in August, the recordsetting
Scottsdale Auction in January
and a world-class auction at the Omni
Amelia Island Plantation in Florida in
March. www.goodingco.com. (CA)
Palm Springs Auctions Inc.
Keith McCormick. 760.320.3290.
760.323.7031. 244 N. Indian Canyon
Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
A family-run auction house producing
two large classic cars auctions per year.
McCormick’s Palm Springs Auctions
has been in business for over 25 years,
and each auction features over 500 classics
and exotics.
www.classic-carauction.com (CA)
RM Sotheby’s is the world’s largest
auction house for investment-quality
automobiles. With 35 years’ experience
in the collector car industry, RM’s
vertically integrated range of services,
coupled with an expert team of car specialists
and an international footprint,
provide an unsurpassed level of service
to the global collector car market.
For further information,
visit www.RMSothebys.com (CAN)
Petersen Auction Group of
GAA Classic Cars Auction,
Greensboro, NC. 1.855.862.2257.
A classic, muscle and unique vehicle
auction experience. Offering 650-plus
vehicles three times per year: spring,
summer and fall. All presented in a
climate-controlled, enclosed, permanent,
dedicated facility affectionately
called “The Palace”. GAA Classic Cars
brings you a customer-oriented team
full of southern hospitality, a floor team
with many years of classic auction
experience and a selection of vehicles
that continues to evolve and grow with
each sale. www.gaaclassiccars.com,
1.855.862.2257 (NC)
Barrett-Jackson Auction.
480.421.6694. 480.421.6697. For over
four decades, the Barrett-Jackson Auction
Company has been recognized
throughout the world for offering only
the finest selection of quality collector
vehicles, outstanding professional
service and an unrivaled sales success.
From classic and one-of-a-kind cars
to exotics and muscle cars, BarrettJackson
attracts only the best. Our
auctions have captured the true essence
of a passionate obsession with cars that
extends to collectors and enthusiasts
throughout the world. A television audience
of millions watches unique and
select vehicles while attendees enjoy a
lifestyle experience featuring fine art,
fashion and gourmet cuisine. In every
way, the legend is unsurpassed. 3020 N.
Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.
info@barrett-jackson.com.
www.barrett-jackson.com (AZ)
Leake Auctions. 800.722.9942.
Leake Auction Company was established
in 1972 as one of the first car
auctions in the country. More than 40
years later, Leake has sold over 34,000
cars and currently operates auctions
in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Dallas.
Recently they have been featured on
several episodes of three different
reality TV series — “Fast N Loud”
on Discovery, “Dallas Car Sharks” on
Velocity and “The Car Chasers” on
CNBC Prime.
www.leakecar.com (OK)
Oregon. 541.689.6824. Hosting car
auctions in Oregon since 1962. We
have three annual Auctions: February,
Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem, OR;
July, Douglas County Fairgrounds,
Roseburg, OR; September, Oregon
State Fairgrounds, Salem, OR. On the
I-5 Corridor. We offer knowledgeable,
fast, friendly, hassle-free transactions.
Oregon’s #1 Collector Car Auction
www.petersencollectorcars.com
Russo and Steele Collector AutoPremier
Auction Group.
844-5WE-SELL. The auction professionals
that have been taking care of
you for the last two decades have partnered
together to create a team that is
dedicated to providing the utmost customer
service and auction experience.
We applied our 83 years of auction
experience to build a platform ensuring
that every aspect of our company
exceeds your expectations. Join us for
the Gulf Coast Classic March 17 & 18,
in Punta Gorda, FL.
844-5WE-SELL / 844-593-7355
www.premierauctiongroup.com
info@premierauctiongroup.com
mobile Auctions. 602.252.2697.
Specializing in the finest American
muscle, hot rods and custom automobiles
and European sports; Russo and
Steele hosts three record-breaking
auctions per year; Newport Beach in
June; Monterey, CA, every August;
and Scottsdale, AZ, every January. As
one of the premier auction events in
the United States, Russo and Steele has
developed a reputation for its superior
customer service and for having the
most experienced and informed experts
in the industry. Fax: 602.252.6260.
7722 East Gray Road, Suite C
Scottsdale, AZ 85260.
info@russoandsteele.com,
www.russoandsteele.com (AZ)
Saratoga Motorcar Auctions.
Located in Saratoga Springs, NY, the
fourth annual Saratoga Motorcar Auctions
returns September 18 & 19, 2020.
Proceeds help to fund the educational
programs of the Saratoga Automobile
Museum.
To consign a vehicle, register to bid, or
to learn more about the Saratoga Motorcar
Auctions, visit www.saratogamotorcarauction.org
Raleigh Classic Car Auctions.
New England Auto Auction.
Bonhams is the largest auction
house to hold scheduled sales of classic
and vintage motorcars, motorcycles
and car memorabilia, with auctions
held globally in conjunction with internationally
renowned motoring events.
Bonhams holds the world-record price
for any motorcar sold at auction, as well
as for many premier marques.
San Francisco: (415) 391-4000
New York: (212) 644-9001
Los Angeles: (323) 850-7500
London: +44 20 7447-7447
Paris: +33 1 42 61 10 10
www.bonhams.com/motors
154
207.594.4418. Presented by the Owls
Head Transportation Museum, the
New England Auto Auction™ is the
nation’s largest and longest-running
event in its class that operates solely to
preserve the legacy of transportation’s
earliest pioneers. Over more than four
decades, NEAA™ has continuously
raised the bar by connecting discerning
enthusiasts and collectors with rare and
sought-after automobiles.
Web: owlshead.org
Email: auction@ohtm.org
919.269.5271
BUY — SELL — SPECTATE
We are proud to offer some of the most
desirable, low mileage, original and
collectible vintage automobiles nationwide.
Offering 300-plus vehicles twice
each year in June and December — all
within modern, well ventilated, temperature
controlled and very comfortable
facilities. The Raleigh Classic Car
Auctions offers honesty and unmatched
customer service for everyone involved
to make the buying or selling process
fun and stress-free.
WWW.RALEIGHCLASSIC.COM
INFO@RALEIGHCLASSIC.COM
W. Yoder Auction. 920.787.5549.
W. Yoder Auction holds the only semiannual
collector car auction in the state
of Wisconsin open to the public where
anyone can buy and anyone can sell!
But we don’t stop there. We specialize
in collections and sell it all! Contact us
today. info@wyoderauction.com. Learn
more about us at wyoderauction.com
and like us on Facebook.
Sports Car Market
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Page 153
Automobilia
Worldwide Auctioneers.
800.990.6789 or 1.260.925.6789.
Worldwide Auctioneers was formed
over a decade ago by vintage-motorcar
specialists Rod Egan and John Kruse.
The sale and acquisition of classic automobiles
is our core business, and no one
is better qualified. Worldwide is unique
in having owners who are also our
chief auctioneers, so you deal directly
with the auctioneer, and we are wholly
invested in achieving the best result for
you. Our auctions are catalog-based,
offering a limited number of higher-end
consignments, with an emphasis on
quality rather than volume. (We don’t
limit ourselves to only selling the most
expensive cars in the world, but do
ensure that every car we consign is the
very best of its type.)
We also offer specialist-appraisal,
estate-management and collectionconsultancy
services. Our dedicated
private sales division serves the needs
of individual collectors who seek privacy
or to acquire vehicles that may not
be available on the open market.
www.worldwide-auctioneers.com (IN)
Alfa Romeo
Buy/Sell/General
AutoMobilia Resource magazine
is a dedicated resource for anyone
who collects automobilia — from serious
collectors, to the car guy (or girl)
who occasionally collects. Each issue
provides a wealth of unique editorial
content from industry experts, covering
most aspects of the often “increasingin-value”
automobilia market. PRINT
subscriptions (U.S.): 6 issues for $36 or
12 issues for $59. DIGITAL subscription:
1 year for $29 or 1 month for $10.
All print subscribers may add digital
for only $10/year extra. Call Lynn at
224-558-8955 or go to AutoMobiliaResource.com/subscribe.
Or send check
to: AutoMobilia Resource, 1217 Cape
Coral Pkwy E, #178, Cape Coral, FL
33904. Advertising inquiries; contact
Sharon at 954-579-5280 or Sharon.
Spurlin@classicads.us Editorial inquiries;
contact Marshall at 631-563-2876
or Editor@AutoMobiliaResource.com
Centerline International. (888)
750-ALFA (2532). Exclusively Alfa
Romeo for over 35 years. You can rely
on our experience and the largest inventory
of parts in North America to build
and maintain your dream Alfa. We
carry restoration, maintenance and exclusive
performance parts for Giulietta
through the new 4C. Newly developed
parts introduced regularly. Check our
website or social media for new arrivals,
tech tips and special offers.
www.centerlinealfa.com (CO)
Appraisals
Vintage Auto Posters. Since 1980,
Automodello. 877.343.2276.
1:12 1967 Gurney Spa-winner handsigned
by Dan Gurney
ONE24™ Cadillac, Delahaye, Delage,
Ford, Iso Grifo, Lincoln in 1:24 scale
ONE43™ Cadillac, Ford, Lincoln,
Sunbeam in 1:43 scale
Hand-built Limited Edition Resin Art™
10% SCM Discount — SCM19MP on
Automodello.com
Gooding & Company.
310.899.1960. Gooding & Company’s
experts are well-qualified to appraise
individual automobiles as well as collections
and estates. Whether it is the
creation of a foundation, living trust or
arrangement of a charitable donation,
we are able to assist you.
www.goodingco.com (CA)
Coachbuilt Press. 215.925.4233.
Coachbuilt Press creates limited-edition
automotive titles for the discriminating
motoring enthusiast. We present exceptional
material on the most significant
collections, museums and marques with
a balance of authoritative writing, precise
research, unique historical documents
and the modern photography of
Michael Furman. Please visit our website
to view our latest titles and order.
www.CoachbuiltPress.com (PA)
The Werk Shop. 847.295.3200.
BMW full and partial restorations has
been our main focus for over 20 years.
We build show winners and awesome
daily drivers. Our shop is located 30
minutes north of O’Hare Airport in
Libertyville, Illinois. We also provide
our clients with collection management,
temperature/humidity-controlled storage,
show assistance and private treaty
sales. We’ve built an international reputation
on our rich history of restoring
both pre- and post-war BMWs and are
honored to be recognized for the care
and quality of our work. Our collectors
have won numerous prestigious awards
at Pebble Beach, Hilton Head and many
other concours. Contact us by phone or
via our website:
www.thewerkshop.com (IL)
Blackhawk Collection, Inc.
925.736.3444. One of the world’s foremost
companies specializing in buying
and selling classic cars for clients
around the globe for over 45 years.
Over the years, many of the greatest
cars in the world have passed through
the doors of the Blackhawk Collection.
Visit our website at www.blackhawkcollection.com
Everett Anton Singer has been supplying
international collectors with
the most diverse selection of authentic
vintage automotive posters. The vast
inventory runs from the late 1890s
through the 1960s; featuring marque,
event and product advertising. Please
visit us at:
www.VintageAutoPosters.com
BMW
Beverly Hills Car Club is one of the
largest European classic car dealerships
in the nation, with an extensive inventory
spanning over 135,000 sf. We can
meet all your classic car needs with our
unprecedented selection; from top-ofthe-line
models to project cars. We buy
classic cars in any shape or condition &
provide the quickest payment & pickup
anywhere in the U.S. 310.975.0272.
www.beverlyhillscarclub.com (CA)
Passion for automobiles made visible
Created from over 100 components, this
highly detailed 3 dimensional artist’s
model of the iconic five dials is inspired
by the early 911 dash, complete with
functioning clock. Each dial is hand
crafted and assembled by the artist.
Customization is available. Limited
edition, signed and numbered. Many
more unique motoring gifts available at
www.motorology.com
Motorology, LLC
Williston, VT
617.209.9902
Steve Austin’s Automobilia &
Great Vacations. 800.452.8434. European
Car Collector tours including
Monaco & Goodwood Historics, private
collections, and car manufacturers.
Automobile Art importer of legendary
artists Alfredo de la Maria and Nicholas
Watts.
www.steveaustinsgreatvacations.com
Automotive Restorations.
203.377.6745. Collector car sales, both
road and race, have been a key activity
for over 35 years. Our sales professionals
actively seek consignments on
a global basis. We also offer vehicle
“search and find” for rare models. We
undertake pre-purchase inspections
worldwide. We provide auction support,
including in-person or telephone bidding
for absentee buyers. Restoration
management and special-event assistance
are also included in our services.
Our aim is to make sure that your collector
car passion is as enjoyable and
worry-free as possible.
www.automotiverestorations.com
May 2020
155
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Advertise in the SCM Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218 for information; e-mail: scmadvert@sportscarmarket.com.
and American cars and we are always
looking to buy classic cars in any condition.
We pick up from anywhere in
the U.S. Quick payment and pickup.
718.545.0500.
www.gullwingmotorcars.com
California Car Cover Company.
More than just custom-fit car covers,
California Car Cover is the home
of complete car care and automotive
lifestyle products. Offering the best in
car accessories, garage items, detailing
products, nostalgic collectibles, apparel
and more! Call 1.800.423.5525 or visit
Calcarcover.com for a free catalog.
Classic Showcase. 760.758.6100.
Charles Prince Classic Cars. Based
in London, we are specialists in the
finest historic motorcars and in contact
with dealers and collectors from around
the world. We offer the best advice
and service in the collector car field.
Int T: (0)798 5988070 or email: sales@
charlesprinceclassiccars.com
www.charlesprinceclassiccars.com
For over 35 years, we’ve been restoring
automotive history and helping
collectors obtain, restore and sell classic
vehicles. Our world-class facility
houses three showrooms of cars and
department specialty areas to perform
all facets of restoration under one roof.
Let our team of professional craftsmen
and specialists make your classic car
vision a reality. www.classicshowcase.
com (CA)
Hyman Ltd Classic Cars.
Copley Motorcars. 781.444.4646.
Chequered Flag. 310.827.8665.
Chequered Flag is Los Angeles’ best
known classic car dealer. We specialize
in European classic and sports cars,
particularly air-cooled Porsches. We
have over 100 classics in inventory
including over 25 Porsches. We appreciate
our many repeat customers with
over 15,000 cars bought and sold since
1986. www.ChequeredFlag.com
sales@chequeredflag.com (CA)
Copley Motorcars has been trading in
sports and classics for over 20 years
out of its suburban Boston showroom,
specializing in vintage Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz,
Porsche and Land Rover
Defender. And now a second showroom
— CopleyWest — has opened in Newport
Beach, California.
www.copleymotorcars.com
copleycars@gmail.com (MA)
www.copleywest.com
pat@copleywest.com (CA)
DriverSource. 281.497.1000.
Pursuing & Preserving Fine Automobiles
Since 2005, DriverSource is a
leading specialist in the classic collector
car market. Our concept of sales,
service and storage is tailor made to the
automotive enthusiast lifestyle. To learn
more about our services or inventory,
please give as a call or contact us via
email. sales@driversource.com.
www.driversource.com
314.524.6000. After more than 30 years
in business, Hyman Ltd stands proudly
as one of the most respected names in
the global collector-car trade. Whether
your interests focus on concours champions,
brass-era powerhouses or newmillennium
icons, Hyman Ltd’s unique
approach and unrivaled experience
helps you navigate a rapidly evolving
marketplace. Our highly successful
consignment program placed some of
the world’s most significant motorcars
with new owners, and our showrooms
house a diverse inventory of nearly 200
vehicles. If you are buying, selling or
exploring your options to manage your
collection, choose Hyman Ltd to serve
your needs.
2310 Chaffee Dr, St. Louis, MO 63146
314-524-6000. sales@hymanltd.com
Paramount Automotive Group/
Foreign Cars Italia. 888.929.7202.
Since 1989, we have offered all the
exclusive brands that you have ever
dreamed about. Offering new and used
Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin and
Porsche in Greensboro, NC, Aston
Martin, Bentley and Maserati in Charlotte,
NC and Porsche in Hickory, NC.
We sell, buy and trade. Visit us at www.
Paramountauto.com or www.ForeignCarsItalia.com
(NC)
Paul Russell and Company.
978.768.6919. www.paulrussell.com.
Specializing in the sales of 1970s and
earlier great European classics since
1978. You can rely on our decades of
knowledge and experience with Mercedes-Benz,
Ferrari, Porsche, Bugatti,
Alfa Romeo and other fine collectibles.
Guidance is given with an emphasis
on building long-term relationships.
Contact our Classic Car Sales team via
email at: sales@paulrussell.com (MA)
Legendary Motorcar Company.
905.875.4700. Since 1985, Legendary
Motorcar Company has specialized
in buying, selling and restoring some
of the rarest cars in existence. For
sale, in our 150-car showroom you’ll
find, ultra-rare muscle cars, European
sports cars and modern performance
cars. In our 75,000 square-foot facility,
our highly-skilled craftsmen perform
complete award-winning restorations.
Whether you are buying one special car
or building a museum, our collection
management services will help you
make the right decisions. Over 30 years
in business, we have grown to become
the nation’s premier collector and performance
car facility.
www.legendarymotorcar.com (ON)
Precious Metals: Fine Motorcars
of San Diego. 619.515.2220. We are
one of the Premier Classic Exotic Dealerships
in Southern California since
2004. Owned by Dr. Perry and Judith
Mansfield, we buy, sell, consign and
provide auction management. American
Classics, Vintage European, Modern
Performance. Help with exhibiting
client vehicles at car shows. Our showroom
hosts private events, art shows
and club meetings. Precious Metals is
passionate about making your car experience
first class. Contact David Young
619.515.2220, sales@pmautos.com,
www.pmautos.com (CA)
Classic Auto Mall — One of the
largest Classic Car Facility’s in the
world, with nearly eight acres under
one roof in a climate controlled, secure,
indoor showroom. Over 800 vehicles
on display/for sale. The Ultimate Destination
for Classic and Specialty Cars,
located one hour west of Philadelphia
on the Turnpike in Morgantown, Pennsylvania.
Consignments invited, single
car or entire collections. Worldwide
marketing coverage.
Call 888.227.0914 or visit us at
www.ClassicAutoMall.com
Girardo & Co. +44 (0) 203 621
2923. Girardo & Co. provide clients
with a specialist service offering expert
advice in buying, selling and sourcing
classic cars at the very top end of the
collector’s market, whilst delivering the
best possible service to clients.
www.girardo.com info@girardo.com
Vintage Motors of Sarasota.
Luxury Brokers International.
Gullwing Motor Cars stocks more
than 100 cars at our warehouse location,
27 years of experience; visited
by customers across the country and
overseas. We specialize in European
156
215.459.1606. Specializing in the sales,
purchase and brokerage of classic automobiles
for the astute collector, with
a new-age, contemporary approach.
Focusing on original, high-quality
examples as enjoyable, tangible investments.
Classic car storage, classic car
consignment, brokerage, and other
consulting services are available as
well. We actively pursue the purchase
and sales of any investment-grade classic
car. Since 2009, we have offered
a unique opportunity for collectors,
enthusiasts and other industry professionals.
www.lbilimited.com, sales@
lbilimited.com (PA)
941.355.6500. Established in 1989,
offering high-quality collector cars
to the most discerning collectors.
Vintage’s specialized services include
sales, acquisitions and consignment of
high-quality European and American
collector and sports cars. Always buying
individual cars or entire collections.
Visit our large showroom with 75-plus
examples in the beautiful museum
district of tropical Sarasota, FL.
www.vintagemotorssarasota.com (FL)
West Coast Classics. 424.376.5151.
West Coast Classics are internation-
Sports Car Market
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Page 155
ally renowned California Classic Car
Dealers who specialize in buying and
selling of rare and classic European and
American classic cars. Southern California
location at 1205 Bow Avenue in
Torrance. We ship throughout the world
and will provide you with unparalleled
service of your rare, sports, exotic,
luxury, collector or classic car needs.
www.WestCoastClassics.com info@
WestCoastClassics.com (CA)
Car Storage
Fourintune Garage Inc.
Reliable Carriers Inc. 800-521-6393.
As the country’s largest enclosed-auto
transport company, Reliable Carriers
faithfully serves all 48 contiguous
United States and Canada. Whether
you’ve entered a concours event, need
a relocation, are attending a corporate
event or are shipping the car of your
dreams from one location to another,
one American transportation company
does it all.
www.reliablecarriers.com
CARS. 310.695.6403. For more than
two decades, CARS (Classic Automotive
Relocation Services) has looked
after some of the most irreplaceable
motorcars in the world. CARS are now
able to offer secure indoor vehicle storage
solutions at its new state-of-the-art
warehouse facility in Los Angeles.
Contact CARS directly to discuss your
vehicle storage requirements and find
out more about the many services that
we offer. History has proven that CARS
are the team to trust. Do not take any
chances with your pride and joy — hand
it to the people that will care for it as
their own. Fax: +1 (310) 695 6584
Email: info@carsusa.com
www.carsusa.com
Classic Car Transport
Collector Car Insurance
J.C. Taylor Insurance.
800.345.8290. Antique, classic, muscle
or modified — J.C. Taylor Insurance
has provided dependable, dynamic,
affordable protection for your collector
vehicle for over 50 years. Agreed
Value Coverage in the continental U.S.,
and Alaska. Drive Through Time With
Peace of Mind with J.C. Taylor Insurance.
Get a FREE instant quote online
at www.JCTaylor.com
English
262.375.0876. www.fourintune.com.
Complete ground-up restoration on
British marques — specializing in
Austin-Healeys since 1976. Experience
you can trust, satisfied customers
nationwide. Visit our website for details
on our restoration process, which includes
a complete quotation on Healeys.
Located in historic Cedarburg — just
minutes north of Milwaukee, WI.
Barrett-Jackson is proud to endorse
Intercity Lines, Inc. 800.221.3936.
Gripping the wheel of your dream car
and starting the engine for the first time
is a high point for any enthusiast. We
are the premier enclosed auto transport
company that will ensure your car arrives
safely for that experience. For
over 35 years, our standards for excellence
have had clients returning time
and time again. Trust the Best. Trust
Intercity Lines.
www.Intercitylines.com
a new breed of insurance for classic,
antique, exotic, special-interest, contemporary
classic and limited-edition
cars.
To get a quote is even easier with our
new online improvements. Go to
www.barrett-jackson.com/insurance/,
select “Get a quote,” enter in a couple
of key pieces of information about your
vehicle, and get an estimated quote
within seconds! It’s that easy.
Don’t be caught without the right
insurance for your vehicle. In the unfortunate
aftermath of damage to your
vehicle, learning that your insurance
won’t restore your prized possession
to its former glory, or appropriately
compensate you for your loss, is the last
thing you want to hear. To get a quote
by phone, call 877.545.2522.
Aston Martin of New England.
781.547.5959. 85 Linden Street,
Waltham, MA 02452. Proudly appointed
Aston Martin Heritage Dealer
for the USA. New and pre-owned Aston
Martins are our specialty. Please contact
us when buying, selling or restoring.
www.astonmartin-lotus.com (MA)
JWF Restorations Inc. Specializ-
ing in AC restoration from street to
concours, U.S. Registrar AC Owners
Club (U.K.). Now selling AC parts and
tires, including inventory from Ron
Leonard. Jim Feldman. 503.706.8250
Fax 503.646.4009.
Email: jim@jwfrestoration.com (OR)
AUTOSPORT DESIGNS, INC.
631.425.1555. All Aston Martin models
welcome regardless of age, as new inevitably
become old! Routine servicingcomplete
mechanical restorations/rebuilds
— cosmetic repair/paintwork to
complete frame-off restoration. Large
inventory of parts. All services as well
as our current unventory of automobiles
for sale can be seen at
www.autosportdesigns.com (NY)
Kevin Kay Restorations.
530.241.8337. 1530 Charles Drive, Redding,
CA 96003. Aston Martin parts,
service, repair and restoration. From an
oil change to a concours-winning restoration,
we do it all. Modern upgrades
for power steering, window motors,
fuel systems and more. Feltham Fast
performance parts in stock. We also
cater to all British and European cars
and motorcycles.
www.kevinkayrestorations.net (CA)
Grundy Insurance. 888.647.8639.
Passport Transport. 800.736.0575.
Since our founding in 1970, we have
shipped thousands of treasured vehicles
door-to-door with our fully enclosed
auto transporters. Whether your prized
possession is your daily driver, a vintage
race car, a Classic, a ’60s muscle
car or a modern exotic, you can depend
on Passport Transport to give you the
premium service it deserves. We share
your appreciation for fine automobiles,
and it shows.
www.PassportTransport.com
James A. Grundy invented Agreed
Value Insurance in 1947; no one knows
more about insuring collector cars
than Grundy! With no mileage limitations,
zero deductible*, low rates, and
high liability limits, our coverages are
specifically designed for collector car
owners. Grundy can also insure your
daily drivers, pickup trucks, trailers,
motorhomes, and more — all on one
policy and all at their Agreed Value.
www.grundy.com (PA)
Events—Concours, Car Shows
Hilton Head Island Motoring
Classic Showcase. 760.758.6100.
Hagerty. 800.922.4050. is not just
the world’s largest provider of specialty
insurance for enthusiast vehicles: they
are all-in on the automotive lifestyle
dedicated to the love of driving.
Hagerty is home to Hagerty Drivers
Club, DriveShare, Car Values, Hagerty
magazine and MotorsportReg. Hagerty
also helps keep the car culture alive
for future generations through youth
programs, support for Historic Vehicle
Association and the RPM Foundation.
For more information, call or visit
www.hagerty.com (MI)
May 2020
Classic Showcase has been an industry
leader in the restoration, service and
sale of classic Jaguars, and most other
fine British automobiles. From sports
cars to luxury sedans, our world-class
restoration facility and highly skilled
team are ready to assist your needs with
acquiring the perfect British classic
today! 760.758.6100.
www.classicshowcase.com (CA)
Festival. The South: a place where tea
is sweet, people are darlin’, moss is
Spanish and, come autumn, cars are
plentiful. This fall, HHI Motoring Festival
returns to the towns of Savannah,
GA, and Hilton Head Island, SC. Join
us this fall — October 30–November 1,
2020 — in the land of Southern hospitality.
To purchase tickets or for more
information, visit www.HHIMotoringFestival.com
FOLLOW SCM
157
Page 156
Advertise in the SCM Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218 for information; e-mail: scmadvert@sportscarmarket.com.
German
in its assortment. From small services
to full ground-up restorations, work is
always true to original. Ever-changing
showcase of for-sale vehicles. We are
your trusted source.
www.mbclassiccenter.com (CA)
Lajollaconcours.com. Earning the
reputation as one of the finest internationally
renowned classic automobile
showcases in the United States, the La
Jolla Concours d’Elegance continues to
attract discerning car enthusiasts from
around the globe. Experience World
Class Cars and World Class Experience
on April 17–19, 2020. Register and
purchase tickets at lajollaconcours.com,
or call 619.233.5008, for more information.
(CA)
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca. 831.242.8200. WeatherTech
Raceway Laguna Seca is home to
the legendary Corkscrew, which has
been the scene of many famous racing
memories. The 2019 premier-event
season includes the Rolex Monterey
Motorsports Reunion, IMSA, Trans
Am, Ferrari Racing Days, World Superbike
and IndyCar’s season finale at the
Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey. For
tickets, camping and hospitality contact
www.WeatherTechRaceway.com or call
831.242.8200.
Finance
Bud’s Benz. 800.942.8444. At
Classic Car Capital 310.254.9704,
The Quail, A Motorsports Gath-
ering. 831.620.8879. A prominent
component of Monterey Car Week, The
Quail is a world-renowned motorsports
event featuring one of the world’s finest
and rarest collections of vintage automobiles
and motorcycles. The Quail
maintains its intimacy and exclusivity
by limiting admission through lottery
ticket allocations. Admission is inclusive
of six gourmet culinary pavilions,
caviar, oysters, fine wines, specialty
cocktails, champagne, and more. Web:
signatureevents.peninsula.com (CA)
Ext. 1. Maximize the return on your
passion by recapitalizing the equity in
your vintage cars. Whether to expand
your collection, invest or for personal
use, you decide how to use the funds.
With unparalleled experience, service
and expertise in this highly specialized
lending, we understand the market and
needs of the collector. Whether using
one car or multiple cars as collateral, we
offer lines of credit with no origination
fees or prepayment penalties.
Bud’s, we sell a full line of MercedesBenz
parts for cars from the 1950s
through the 1980s. We do minor and
major service work on most Mercedes.
Restoration work; including paint, interior,
mechanical and other services are
available. We pride ourselves in doing
work that is tailored to our customers’
needs and budgets. We also (locally)
work on later-model Mercedes, BMW,
and Mini Coopers. Computer diagnostics
and work related to keeping your
daily driver on the road are all available
at Bud’s. www.budsbenz.com (GA)
Art’s Star Classics. 800.644.STAR
(1.800.644.7827). 30 years of expertise
in new and hard to find parts, as well as
component restoration for all Mercedes
from 1931–1971. Servicing owners and
restorers worldwide. Star Classics also
offers: Sales and Acquisitions of all
’50s and ’60s Mercedes and restoration
project management for car owners so
they realize the car of their dreams.
Contact us today:
info@artsstarclassics.com
www.artsstarclassics.com
International Phone #: 1.602.397.5300
Scott Grundfor Company.
805.474.6477. Since the 1970s, Scott
Grundfor Company has set the bar with
best of show cars. Four decades later,
we continue our long and rich tradition
of excellence in the collectible car
and restoration market. As trusted and
respected Mercedes-Benz experts, we
strive to not only continue the restoration
and sales excellence we’ve worked
so hard to develop, but to also bring
awareness to the appreciation, preservation
and history of the automobile.
scott@scottgrundfor.com
www.scottgrundfor.com (CA)
Import/Export
CARS. 310.695.6403. For more than
Ferrari Financial Services.
SCCA’s San Francisco Region (SFR)
Concours Chapter has been sanctioning
concours d’elegance since 1952.
SCCA provides judges, field crew
and scorers at each SCCA-sanctioned
concours. To exhibit your motorcar,
contact the event organizers listed on
each event’s own web page. SCCA
SFR Concours d’Elegance Chapter
is honored to sanction the following
concours:
Coyote Creek June 28, 2020
www.coyotecreekconcours.com
Hillsborough July 12, 2020
www.hillsboroughconcours.org
Ferndale September 13, 2020
www.ferndaleconcours.org
Danville September 20, 2020
www.danville-delegance.org
Niello October 4, 2020
www.theconcours.net
SFR-SCCA seeks new judges and field
crew. Contact Jim Perell at japerell@
icloud.com or 916-765-9739.
concourscca.org
158
201.816.2670. As the world’s only
Ferrari-owned finance company, no one
understands a Ferrari customer’s unique
perspective better than the company
that designed these iconic sports cars.
Whether it’s a line of credit for owners
interested in utilizing the equity in their
collection, or a simple interest loan, we
stand committed to help our clients enhance
their collection — without origination
or early termination fees. “FFS”
offers a level of expertise that cannot be
matched by other lenders.
European Collectibles Inc.
J.J. BEST BANC & CO. provides
financing on classic cars ranging from
1900 to today. Visit our website at
www.jjbest.com or call 1.800.USA.1965
and get a loan approval in as little as
five minutes!
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center.
1.866.MB.CLASSIC. 1.866.622.5277).
The trusted center of competence for
all classic Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts.
Located in Irvine, CA, the Classic
Center is the only sales and restoration
facility in the U.S. exclusively operated
by Mercedes-Benz. Over 50,000
Genuine Mercedes-Benz Classic Parts
949.650.4718. European Collectibles
has been buying, consigning, selling
and restoring classic European sports
cars since 1986. We specialize in
Porsche (356 and 911) 1950s to early
1970s, along with other marks including
Mercedes, Aston Martin, Ferrari,
MG, Austin Healey and Jaguar, with 40
vehicles in stock to choose from. European
Collectibles also offers complete
mechanical and cosmetic restorations to
concours level, along with routine service.
Located in Orange County, CA,
between Los Angeles and San Diego.
Sales@europeancollectibles.com or
visit our website
www.europeancollectibles.com (CA)
two decades, CARS (Classic Automotive
Relocation Services) has looked
after some of the most irreplaceable
motorcars in the world. If you need your
vehicle transported, CARS have the
expertise and knowledge to ensure it
arrives in perfect condition, on time,
and with no unexpected costs. CARS
are able to action any shipping request
through its own offices in the U.K., New
York, Los Angeles and Japan, and via
its network of global agents. Whether
your vehicle needs to be transported by
road, sea or air freight, please get in
touch and allow CARS to take the worry
and stress out of your shipment
needs. History has proven that CARS
are the team to trust. Do not take any
chances with your pride and joy — hand
it to the people that will care for it as
their own. Fax: +1 (310) 695 6584
Email: info@carsusa.com
www.carsusa.com
Cosdel International Transportation.
Since 1960, Cosdel International Transportation
has been handling international
shipments by air, ocean and truck.
Honest service, competitive pricing
and product expertise have made Cosdel
the natural shipping choice for the
world’s best-known collectors, dealers
and auction houses. If you are moving
a car, racing or rallying, or attending a
concours event overseas, Cosdel is your
comprehensive, worldwide resource for
all of your nationwide and international
shipping needs. We are your automobile
Export Import Experts. 415.777.2000
carquotes@cosdel.com.
www.cosdel.com (CA)
Sports Car Market
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Page 157
Italian
Hamann Classic Cars.
203.918.8300. With more than 30 years
in the industry and worldwide clientele
in dealing in European race and sports
cars, specializing in classic Ferraris of
the ’50s and ’60s.
www.ferrari4you.com
Putnam Leasing. 866.90.LEASE.
The Lamborghini Club America
is the world’s largest organization of
Lamborghini owners and enthusiasts.
Inclusive to both vintage and modern
Lamborghini owners, the Lamborghini
Club America is a critical asset to the
Lamborghini ownership experience.
Membership includes La Vita Lamborghini
magazine, a carbon fiber member
card, special pricing at most authorized
dealers for parts and service, and much
more. Join today at:
www.LamborghiniClubAmerica.com
Leasing
For over 30 years, Putnam Leasing
has been the leader in exotic, luxury,
and collector car leasing. This honor
comes from Putnam’s unique ability
to match the car of your dreams with
a lease designed just for you. Every
Putnam Lease is written to provide
maximum flexibility while conserving
capital, lowering monthly payments,
and maximizing tax advantages. Its
Putnam’s way of letting you drive more
car for less money. For leases ranging
from $50,000 to more than $1 million,
with terms extending up to 84 months,
contact the oldest and most experienced
leasing company in the country by
calling 1.866.90.LEASE. Or just visit
www.putnamleasing.com
Legal
Dr Beasley’s. Using better products
Vintage Car Law. 717.884.9010.
Luxury Lease Partners LLC.
201.822.4870. LLP is a self-funded
exotic car lessor that does not follow
conventional lending rules, such as
scores, debt-to-income ratios or comparable
borrowing requirements. LLP can
provide lease financing on any exotic car
from $50,000 to $5 million, regardless of
your credit history. If you own a car and
need cash, LLP provides sale/lease-back
financing so you can keep driving your
car! Contact us at
info@luxuryleasepartners.com
Bryan W. Shook, Esquire, acts for and
represents leading antique and collector
car dealers, brokers, restoration houses,
and private individuals Internationally.
He has been responsible for innumerable
and prominent cases, distinguishing
himself with his unparalleled
knowledge of automobiles and network
of contacts, experts and clients. He is
redefining automotive law.
www.vintagecarlaw.com (PA)
Multimedia Publications
to care for your vehicle can make all the
difference in the world. So start with
quality products like Dr. Beasley’s.
Located in Chicago, IL, Dr. Beasley’s
manufactures detailing products that
have amazing ease of use and the
performance that professional detailers
require. All of our products have
a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so try
them for yourself. Or if you’d rather,
hire one of our Authorized Detailers for
the ultimate in car care and protection.
Visit www.drbeasleys.com or call us at
773.404.1600.
Let us know SCM sent you.
banquet hall and meeting facilities and
offers a majestic view above Commencement
Bay. For more information,
visit www.lemaymuseum.org.
LeMay—America’s Car Museum
2702 E D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421
877.902.8490 (toll free)
info@lemaymuseum.org,
www.lemaymuseum.org (WA)
Parts, Accessories & Car Care
QuickSilver Exhaust Systems. 011
AmericanMuscle 877.887.1105.
Starting out in 2003, AmericanMuscle
quickly rose to be one of the leading
aftermarket Mustang parts providers
in the business. With the addition of
Challenger parts in 2018, AmericanMuscle
provides the most sought-after
products, accessories and fast shipping.
AmericanMuscle.com
44 1428 687722. Our customers are sophisticated
enthusiasts who choose our
exhaust systems for various reasons —
originality, durability, weight reduction
and enhanced sound. We’re the default
choice for many of the most important
classics. Originality is important, but
there’s no reason why subtle improvements
cannot be introduced. QuickSilver
use superior materials and modern
manufacturing techniques unavailable
when the cars were new. http://quicksilver-exhausts.myshopify.com
Racing Services
Vintage Racing Services.
203.377.6745. Our full-service shop facility
and experienced staff provide all
aspects of racecar construction, setup
and repair for production-based cars to
purpose-built sports racers to formula
cars. We can build a racecar from the
ground up, restore your historic vintage
racer to its former glory or maintain
your racecar, all to ensure your maximum
enjoyment. Our trackside support,
transportation, racecar rental and
coaching can round out your experience.
Our sister company, Automotive
Restorations Inc., offers high-quality
upholstery, body and paint and panel
fabrication services. www.automotiverestorations.com/vrs/home
Restoration — General
National Parts Depot. 800-874Turtle
Garage provides readers
Premier Financial Services.
877.973.7700. As a serious sports car enthusiast,
you’re always seeking a better
driving experience. Your high standards
should also apply to car financing. Since
1997, Premier Financial Services has
been recognized by countless owners for
our integrity, deep understanding of the
sports car market, high level of customer
service and ability to tailor flexible leasing
solutions. If you’ve never considered
leasing, let us explain how it could be
your best financing alternative. If you’ve
leased from others in the past, let us
show you how we’re different. Either
way, you’ll benefit from starting or ending
your search for a better financing
experience by contacting us at
877.973.7700. Learn more at
www.premierfinancialservices.com (CT)
LeMay—America’s Car Museum
celebrates America’s love affair with
the automobile. Named the Best Museum
in Western Washington, the fourlevel,
165,000-square-foot museum
features 12 rotating exhibits and 300
cars, trucks and motorcycles on display.
ACM includes a 3.5-acre show field,
State Farm Theatre, Classics Café,
May 2020
with unique insights into the collector
vehicle market and the broader automotive
industry. Our exclusive content focuses
on vintage motorcycles, modern
classics, and the exciting future of the
automobile — including developments
in ride-hailing, electrification and autonomous
driving. We produce diverse
articles on travel, restoration projects,
book reviews, auction analysis, vehicle
summaries and relevant automotive
industry news. “Turtle Garage is a
must-read. Subscribe today.”
— Keith Martin, Sports Car Market
www.turtlegarage.com
Museums
Original Parts Group Inc. 800-
243-8355. At Original Parts Group, we
are proud to be the largest USA supplier
of in-stock restoration parts for your
classic GM A, B, C, E and G-body vehicle,
including newly released Cadillac
CTS, ATS, STS, Escalade, EXT and
XLR. 100% privately owned to serve
you better, since 1982. We are devoted
to quality parts and customer service.
Visit OPGI.com today or call today to
order your free parts catalog. (CA)
7595. We stock huge inventories of
concours-correct restoration parts for:
1965–73 and 1979–93 Mustang
1967–81 Camaro & Firebird
1964–72 GTO, Tempest & LeMans
1964–87 Chevelle, Malibu and
El Camino
1948–96 F-Series Ford Truck
1947–98 C/K 1/2-ton Chevy Truck
1966–96 Bronco
1955–57 Thunderbird
1967–73 Cougar
www.nationalpartsdepot.com
TOURANIL Leather by AERISTO
+1 (817) 624-8400. A deep passion for
classic automobiles has led AERISTO’s
founder Christian Schmidt to develop
an authentic line of classic, vegetable
tanned leathers.
AERISTO, the market leader for high
end, technical aviation leathers is now
proud to offer their TOURANIL article
to the restoration community.
All raw materials are sourced from premium
South German bull hides, available
in stock in a wide array of colors.
Please reach out to AERISTO to learn
more. info@aeristo.com
www.aeristo.com
Automotive Restorations.
203.377.6745. Founded in 1978, we
are well-established practitioners of
the art and craft of vehicle restoration,
preservation and service. Nearly 40
experienced craftspeople focused on
the art and entertainment to be enjoyed
159
Page 158
Advertise in the SCM Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218 for information; e-mail: scmadvert@sportscarmarket.com.
with great cars describes our culture.
Our staff and expertise encompasses
a broad range of skills and specific
vehicle experience. Proper project management
and control produces the quality
and attention to detail we have come
to be known for in all we produce. See
much more on the Web at www.automotiverestorations.com
Fantasy Junction. 510.653.7555.
For 35 years, Owner/Enthusiast Bruce
Trenery has operated Fantasy Junction
from the San Francisco Bay Area.
The dealership enjoys an outstanding
worldwide reputation for integrity and
knowledge in the collector car field.
Many of the world’s greatest sports cars
have passed through the doors, with
both buyers and sellers enjoying expert
representation.
Email Sales@FantasyJunction.com,
www.FantasyJunction.com (CA)
Farland Classic Restoration.
Brightworks. 937.773.5127. Bright-
works has partnered with Ruote Borrani
to be the only authorized restorer
of Ruote Borrani wheels in the world,
and to be a distributor for any new
Ruote Borrani products in North America.
We use the original Ruote Borrani
drawings and blueprints to restore your
wheels to exact factory standards and
offset. Additionally, we use the correct
font letter/number stamps to re-create
all of the original markings to restore
your Borrani wheels to be factory original,
correct and certified.
www.brightworkrestoration.com (OH)
303.761.1245. A complete facility offering
concours-level restorations,
repair and fabrication services. We
work on all makes, and specialize in
Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche. Highly
organized and fiscally responsible, we
provide biweekly detailed billing to
keep you abreast of the rapid progress
of your project in every way. Check out
our site for details. Email: info@farlandcars.com.
www.farlandcarscom
Jeff’s Resurrections has been
bringing some of the world’s finest cars
back to life in a quiet corner of Central
Texas for almost three decades. Founded
in 1990, we are a full-service auto
restoration facility specializing in classic,
exotic and antique vehicles, whose
work has won many awards. With a
full-time team of ten skilled mechanics,
metal craftsmen, specialist re-finishers
and detailers, we offer complete mechanical
and coachwork services. Our
premises encompass 36,000 square feet
of historic property that once housed
a pre-war Dodge dealership in Taylor,
Texas, just a short drive from downtown
Austin, Austin Bergstrom International
Airport and the Circuit of the
Americas. 512.365.5346.
www.jeffsresurrections.com (TX)
Paramount Classic Cars.
844.650.9125. A 120,000 square foot
facility located in Hickory, NC, offering
a full-array of services including
sales, consignments, complete restorations,
engine and transmission rebuilding,
metal-shaping and fabrication on
classic cars. We specialize in American
muscle and English cars but also work
on a wide range of makes and models
including all European models. Our
goal is to provide our clients with the
highest level of quality workmanship
and professional client services. We
base our company policy on the Golden
Rule; always treat the other person the
way you want to be treated and always
endeavor to do what is right and fair.
Contact us for a free estimate on your
classic. Email us at rtheiss@paramountauto.com
for more information.
www.paramountclassiccars.com
The Guild of Automotive Restor-
ers. 905.775.0499. One of the most
widely recognized names in the world
of collector cars. As seen on Discovery,
History and National Geographic TV.
www.guildclassiccars.com (CAN)
On the Road Again Classics.
Hahn Auto Restoration.
Classic Showcase. 760.758.6100.
For over 35 years, we’ve been restoring
automotive history by creating driver-,
show/driver-, show- and preservationlevel
restorations for collectors worldwide.
Our world-class facilities consist
of a team of passionate and dedicated
craftsmen who are ready to perform either
factory standards or performance/
modified upgrades. Visit our website
or call us to discuss your project today.
www.classicshowcase.com (CA)
724.452.4329. We take pride in offering
concours-level collector car restoration,
recommissioning, custom builds and
repair services. With our experienced
staff and cutting-edge technology, we
can restore your car back to its original
beauty and help it perform better than
when it was first driven off the lot! We
understand how much your classic car
means to you and we will treat your restoration
or repair with the quality care
and respect it deserves — getting the
job done right the first time. We believe
that a restoration should last a lifetime
and beyond, so we strive to provide our
clients with quality restoration services
that will last for generations.
www.hahnautorestoration.com
D. L. George Historic Motorcars.
610.593.7423. We stand at the crossroads
between you and historic European
motorcars of the pre-war and early
post-war era. We provide full-service
restoration, maintenance and support
of the finest cars driven extensively
by the most refined collectors. Find
us at concours from Amelia Island to
Pebble Beach, venues from Lime Rock
to Goodwood, and events including the
Mille Miglia, Peking to Paris, and The
Colorado Grand.
www.DLGEORGE.com (PA)
408.782.1100. Northern California’s
largest Classic & British auto restoration
& repair shop is a 12,000 square
foot facility under one roof! We opened
our doors in 2008 and have restored
over 20 Concours 1st place winners!
Our team of 8 craftsmen with over 165
years experience have risen to the top,
becoming a Certified Hagerty Expert
Collision Repair Facility and in-house
Certified Glasurit paint shop.
www.ontheroadagainclassics.com
Paruch Automotive CraftsmanPalm
Beach Classics.
561.568.5906. Palm Beach Classics
has grown over the last decade into a
well-respected restoration facility and
automotive sales center known around
the world. Backed up with a very strong
reputation, we provide high-quality
restorations on classic Mercedes-Benz.
We value our customers through excellence
in our work and service. Our
parts department is top notch and has
a rare variety of hard-to-find original
Mercedes-Benz parts. Email: Office@
palmbeachclassics.com
www.palmbeachclassics.com (FL)
Hjeltness Restoration.
760.746.9966. What began as attention
to detail developed into love. We
benefit from 34 years of disassembling
original cars with the intent to restore
yet also with an eye on the future, other
restorers will need benchmarks to copy.
If your own personal piece of history
needs doing for the first time or the
second please contact us.
www.HjeltnessRestoration.com
160
ship. 262.339.0180. We are a small
team of passionate craftsmen dedicated
to delivering sophisticated automotive
metal restoration. Our passion is
restoring ’50s–’60s coach-built vehicles;
especially Italian marques. Our
capabilities include coach-built body
restoration, metal shaping, fabrication,
trim and exhaust fabrication, muscle
car restoration... anything metal. We
have been involved with a substantial
pedigree of world-class vehicle
restorations. For over 10 years, our
workmanship has been shown and won
awards at concours across the U.S. and
Europe. Give us a call to learn more
about who we are and how we can help
with your next project. 262.339.0180,
www.paruchautomotivecraftsmanship.
com (WI)
Prueitt Automotive Restoration.
Since 1975. Al Prueitt and Sons is a
family-owned and -operated Antique
and Classic Auto Restoration business
located in Glen Rock, PA. Restoring antique,
classic and special interest cars.
Performing all aspects of car restoration
in our 10,000 sq. ft. facility including:
upholstery, mechanical, electrical,
engine rebuilds, bodywork, custom
paint, interior and exterior woodworking
and refinishing.
Tel: 800.766.0035 or 717.428.1305,
email: alprueittandsons@verizon.net
8 Winter Avenue, Glen Rock, PA 17327
Sports Car Market
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Page 159
The Creative Workshop.
Ragtops & Roadsters.
215.257.1202. For close to three decades
Ragtops & Roadsters has provided
maintenance, preservation and restoration
services for British, German,
Italian and other European marques.
We offer a comprehensive array of
services, including mechanical repair,
engine rebuilding, interior trimming
and coachwork; including paint and
body repair. Let our talented craftsman
put you back in the driver’s seat of your
special classic car so you can enjoy it
on the road again! info@ragtops.com
www.ragtops.com (PA)
RM Auto Restoration.
519.352.4575. RM Auto Restoration
is North America’s leading classic car
restoration facility. Whether it’s a complete
“body-off” restoration, a partial
restoration, or a cosmetic upgrade, our
dedicated team of restoration perfectionists
provides an unwavering commitment
to deliver flawless work, and to
the highest cosmetic presentation, every
time. www.rmautorestoration.com
954.920.3303. The Creative Workshop
is a Pebble Beach award winning fullservice
concours restoration shop located
in South East Florida. Our 10,000+
sq. ft. facility provides comprehensive,
in-house restoration and repair services
as well as collection and event support.
Creative is a multi-marque workshop,
specializing in the forensic restoration
of post-war European cars. However,
we support our Clients’ diverse collections
— and have extensive experience
in antique, pre/post war American,
muscle and racing vehicles.
info@TheCreativeWorkshop.com
www.TheCreativeWorkshop.com
The Werk Shop. 847.295.3200.
BMW full and partial restorations has
been our main focus for over 20 years.
We build show winners and awesome
daily drivers. Our shop is located 30
minutes north of O’Hare Airport in
Libertyville, Illinois. We also provide
our clients with collection management,
temperature/humidity-controlled storage,
show assistance and private treaty
sales. We’ve built an international reputation
on our rich history of restoring
both pre- and post-war BMWs and are
honored to be recognized for the care
and quality of our work. Our collectors
have won numerous prestigious awards
at Pebble Beach, Hilton Head and many
other concours. Contact us by phone or
via our website:
www.thewerkshop.com (IL)
The Paddock Classic Car RestoraSport
and Specialty. 815.629.2717.
We are specialists in Austin-Healey
and Jaguar cars but have experience in
a variety of other marques, to include;
most British cars, Alfa Romeo, Corvette,
Aston Martin, Ferrari and early
Lotus. Our work includes: All levels
of restoration services, (full, mechanical,
sympathetic, etc.), simple repairs,
ongoing maintenance and vintage race
preparation. We also offer full mechanical
services; Engine, transmission,
overdrive, differential and component
rebuilds. www.sportandspecialty.com
tions. 860.224.1888. At The Paddock,
our collective passion is the restoration
and preservation of fine classic automobiles
of any type/era. We strive to provide
the highest possible quality in our
results and approach every customer
relationship with openness, honesty,
constant communication, detailed documentation
and with the highest ethical
standards. Our 18,000 square foot
facility is fully equipped and is staffed
with highly skilled artisans, allowing
us to provide a full array of services to
our clients in a single location. Visit us
in person at 285 Columbus Boulevard,
New Britain, CT 06051, or online at
www.ThePaddockCars.com
Treasured Motorcar Services.
410.833.2329. Since 1980, a trusted
provider for the highest quality maintenance,
restoration, performance, paint,
body, sales, and consignment of European
sports/luxury vehicles, American
classics, and muscle cars. We have
completed numerous full and partial
restorations on marques as diverse as
Bandini, Dellow, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce,
Mustang, and Corvette. Maintaining
memories for your daily driver, weekend
warrior or show stopper in our
22,500 sq. ft. facility with our dedicat-
Valenti Classics Inc. 414.421.6300.
Since 1991, we have been restoring cars
back to exacting standards and building
custom, one-of-a kind vehicles for
customers all over the world. We are
your one-stop shop. All restoration and
mechanical services are met through
our comprehensive shop. Expert body
restoration, paint, fabrication, and upholstery.
“Precisely Like You Want It.
Even If You Want It Precisely Like It
Was.” Visit valenticlassics.com to learn
more or email inquiry@valenticlassics.
com (WI) ©
SHIFT UP TO
SCM PLATINUM!
The Classic Auto Show.
203.233.7162. Whether you’re a collector,
or working on your project
car, or simply share a passion for the
classics, The Classic Auto Show is for
you. You’ll see over 2,000 classics, rub
shoulders with your favorite auto celebrities,
view LIVE restoration and auto
detailing demos, shop a vendor marketplace
and more. Buy Tickets or Display
Your Car Today!
www.TheClassicAutoShow.com
www.sportscarmarket.com/platinum
The Insider’s Authority on
Collector Car Values
Auction results on over 297,000 vehicles compiled over 30 years
May 2020
161
ed full time staff. Let us help you enjoy
your treasured motorcar the way it was
meant to be. Follow our ongoing and
completed projects and visit our website
www.treasuredmotorcars.com
Torque Classic Cars. 561.333.1868.
We are your one stop for all your collector
car needs. Located in sunny West
Palm Beach, Florida. We specialize in
restorations of European sports cars
with a concentration in MercedesBenz
and Jaguar. With a diverse team
of master craftsmen we bring rolling
works of art to life. Our in-house upholstery
center and body shop allow us to
give every project our undivided attention
all under one roof. Storage and
Consignments available. 561-333-1868
torqueclassiccars.com
Page 160
Carl Bomstead
eWatch
Hockney’s “The Splash” Makes Waves in London
The iconic 1960s painting fetches $29.8 million, which could buy at least two
top-notch Ferraris
Thought
Carl’s David Hockney’s 1966 work “The Splash” is one of three painted versions of his iconic image of the
spray of an unknown diver who has just plunged into the blue water of a California swimming pool.
Offered was the medium-sized version, measuring 72 inches by 72 inches, which was acquired
in 2006 for about $5.4 million. It sold to a single phone bidder for $29.8 million, including fees, at Sotheby’s
Contemporary Art Evening Auction in London on February 11.
While it provided a nice return for the seller, the sale was viewed as a bit of a disappointment. It was well
behind the $90.3 million paid in 2018 for his “Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures).”
The art world continues to be in a bit of turmoil, as several auctions that were scheduled for Hong Kong have
been canceled due to changing interests and the coronavirus outbreak.
The market for quality tire advertising is much easier to explain, and here a few cool pieces from Milestone
Auctions’ February 22 sale of the extensive John Child Collection. Prices noted do not include the vig.
LOT 67—GOODYEAR TIRE
AGENCY TIN SIGN WITH
EARLY WINGED FOOT
LOGO. Estimate: $2,000–
$3,000. SOLD AT: $2,900. This
single-sided tin sign was in a
wood frame and was in pristine
condition. It measured 10.25
inches by 16.25 inches and was
extremely early. Amazing condition
for a tin sign that old. Sold
for a fair price.
tall and had a few chips and
some minor paint loss. It was
also missing the wood cigar,
which could be easily remade. It
is a most impressive piece, with
very few known to have survived.
Considering the age and
condition, it sold for a most reasonable
amount.
LOT 76—MICHELIN TIN
TIRE STAND WITH BIBENDUM.
Estimate: $2,000–$3,000.
SOLD AT: $2,700. This early
tire-display stand had some wear
and soiling, but it is a very difficult
piece to find. The price
would have been a bunch more
if it were in a touch better condition.
LOT 51—HARTFORD
TIRES LARGE CLOTH
BANNER. Estimate: $4,000–
$6,000. SOLD AT: $4,200. This
wood-framed cloth banner had
wonderful graphics with an early
touring car on one side and the
Hartford Tire logo on the other.
The condition was exceptional,
but it sold at the low end of expectations.
A stunning piece that
is one of the more desirable examples
of early tire advertising.
LOT 46—MICHELIN
BIBENDUM CHALKWARE
FIGURE. Estimate: $3,000–
$5,000. SOLD AT: $3,500. This
early chalkware figure of the
iconic “Ol’ Bib” was 32 inches
LOT 45—LARGE MICHELIN
BIBENDUM AIR
COMPRESSOR. Estimate:
$4,000–$5,000. SOLD AT:
$2,700. This is the larger version
of Bibendum riding an air
compressor that is on wheels.
This piece is much harder to
find than the smaller one. It had
been restored and had a newish
look. The smaller version was
also offered and sold for $2,100.
Price for both would have been
a bunch more if the restorations
were a bit more realistic.
As such, sold for a reasonable
amount.
LOT 54—UNITED STATES
TIRE THREE-PANEL ADVERTISING
DISPLAY. Estimate:
$4,000–$6,000. SOLD
AT: $4,300. This attractive and
vibrant United States Tire oilcloth
banner was dated 1921. It
was a three-panel piece and the
center panel featured a touring
car on the famed Lincoln Highway.
It was a very collectible
piece, and the exceptional condition
was a big plus. If anything,
it sold for under the money.
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Sports Car Market (ISSN #1527859X) is published monthly by Automotive Investor Media Group, 401 NE 19th Ave, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232. Periodicals postage paid
at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing offices.
Subscription rates are $75 for 12 monthly issues in the U.S., $105 Canada, $135 Mexico, Europe, Asia/Africa/Middle East. Subscriptions are payable in advance in U.S. currency.
Make checks to: Sports Car Market. Visa/MC accepted. For instant subscription, call 877.219.2605, 503.261.0555; fax 503.253.2234; www.sportscarmarket.com.
162
LOT 134—SCHRADER
TIRE GAUGE TIN SIGN. Estimate:
$1,000–$1,500. SOLD
AT: $2,100. This single-sided
tin sign was very presentable,
with bold graphics of the
Schrader gauge and an area for
chalk-written notices. The colors
were vibrant, with only minor
paint crazing. It measured 22
inches by 17 inches and sold for
strong — but not unreasonable
— money. ♦
POSTMASTER
Send address changes to:
Sports Car Market
PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208
CPC IPM Sales Agreement No. 1296205
Sports Car Market