Is it a Shelby Cobra or an AC Cobra? It’s Definitely $779k
Sports Car Market
Keith Martin’s
The Insider’s Guide to Collecting, Investing, Values, and Trends
Tipping
Point?
Series II Cab
Passes $1m
™
May 2013
Legal Files: Loan Your Car, Get Sued
$8m Microcar Sale Scores One for the Little Guys
Robert Cumberford: The Misguided Aston Lagonda
www.sportscarmarket.com
Page 10
Sports Car Market
PROFILES
Keith Martin’s
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The Insider’s Guide to Collecting, Investing, Values, and Trends
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May 2013 . Volume 25 . Number 5
FERRARI
by Steve Ahlgrim 48
What You Need to Know
ENGLISH
AUCTIONS
What Sold, and Why
by Stephen Serio 50
212 Vehicles Rated at Eight Sales
66
76
1962 Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet Series II
$1,131,456 / Artcurial
Original plus Ferrari equals ooh-la-la
ETCETERINI
by Donald Osborne
54
1985 Aston Martin Lagonda Saloon
$37,387 / Bonhams
A princely sum for a blight on Aston history
GERMAN
by Miles Collier 56
96
106
1971 Citroën SM Coupe
$170,652 / Artcurial
Well below restoration cost, includes free car
AMERICAN
by Colin Comer 60
1966 Porsche 906 Competition
$732,161 / Bonhams
A thoughtful look at the 906 and its brethren
RACE
by Thor Thorson 62
126
134
1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster
$779,100 / Mecum
Interesting history, even by Cobra standards
12
1936 Talbot-Lago T150C Racer
$1,955,001 / Artcurial
Real, documented, but not quite original
116
86
MECUM AUCTIONS
Kissimmee, FL: Mecum’s megasale
swells to 10 days, 2,500 cars
and $71m
— Dale Novak
ARTCURIAL
Paris, FRA: The Rétromobile
sale saw 102 cars bring $18.5m,
including the $2m 1936 TalbotLago
T150C racer
— Paul Hardiman
BONHAMS
Paris, FRA: $14.9m for 88 cars,
including $1m for a 1963 Aston
Martin DB4 Series V Vantage
— Donald Osborne
RM AUCTIONS
Madison, GA: 200 tiny cars bring
massive prices at the $8m Bruce
Weiner Microcar Collection sale
— Burt Richmond
BONHAMS
Boca Raton, FL: The inaugural
Boca Raton Concours auction
sees 84% sold and $3.7m in sales
— Carl Bomstead
SILVERSTONE
Warwickshire, U.K.: Race cars
draw the crowds and road cars
draw the money at the $2.4m
Race Retro sale
— Paul Hardiman
ROUNDUP
Highlights from Leake
Oklahoma City and Coys
Birmingham — Phil Skinner,
Paul Hardiman
EBAY MOTORS
Sedans from the 1950s
— Chad Tyson
Cover photo: 1962 Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet
Series II, courtesy of Artcurial
Sports Car Market
Page 12
46 2012 Lake Mirror Classic
COLUMNS
16 Shifting Gears
As always, the Amelia weekend was a total immersion
experience. The class I judged was “What Were They Thinking,”
and the judging team included Automobile President and
Editor in Chief Jean Jennings (head class judge) and famed
long-distance racer Hurley Haywood
Keith Martin
34 Affordable Classic
The Acura NSX dispatched the notion that a supercar had
to be mechanically fussy, wildly expensive to repair, and
at a price point only for those with parking spaces at
expensive country clubs
Dale Novak
36 Legal Files
How to sleep easy when a friend, a mechanic or anyone
else is behind the wheel of your collector car
John Draneas
38 Simon Says
When a youngster next approaches you at a concours,
remember that in years to come he may be the tycoon
bidding on your car or — more scarily — the editor of SCM
Simon Kidston
52 The Cumberford Perspective
Aston Martin Lagonda Saloon — a once-dramatic work that
has not aged particularly gracefully
Robert Cumberford
146 eWatch
The results from Matthews Auctions’ giant porcelain sign sale
in March were simply staggering
Carl Bomstead
FEATURES
42 London to Brighton 2012: Left at the starting line
44 Cavallino Classic: Ferraris and more in plush Palm Beach
46 13th Annual Lake Mirror Classic: More than 550 cars
join the party
DEPARTMENTS
38 25 Years of SCM: A timeline for our Silver Anniversary
18 Auction Calendar
18 Crossing the Block
22 The Inside Line: Concours d’Elegance of Texas, Keels &
Wheels, New England 1000, Marin Sonoma Concours
d’Elegance, SVRA’s Spring Vintage Festival, Carlisle Import &
Kit Nationals, American Le Mans Monterey, Annual
Celebration of Automobiles
24 Contributors: Get to know our writers
26 You Write: Toly’s Stratos adventures, when to sell or buy
an E-type
28 Display Advertisers Index
30 Time Pieces: Blancpain Léman Flyback chronograph
30 Neat Stuff: Historically correct paddock gear and a most
elegant toolbox
32 In Miniature: 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahnkurier
32 Book Review: Lola T70: The Design, Development & Racing
History
94 Fresh Meat: 2012 BMW 750Li sedan, 2012 McLaren
MP4-12C, 2013 Maserati GranTurismo Sport
114 Glovebox Notes: 2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
136 Mystery Photo: “The Milk of Magnesia sales force was to
drive cars like this prototype, but the plan ran out of gas”
136 Comments with Your Renewal: “After a dozen-plus
years, it’s still the best mag I read”
138 Showcase Gallery: Cars for sale
142 Resource Directory: Meet your car’s needs
14
Sports Car Market
Bill Rothermel
Page 14
Shifting Gears Keith Martin
Becoming a Florida Car Guy
I learned as much from the Connoisseurship attendees
as they may have learned from me
report in the next issue). The concours was extremely well organized,
and I was especially impressed that Case called a “post-mortem”
dinner meeting Sunday evening, where he facilitated a round-table
discussion about what had improved from the previous year (fewer
cars, higher quality, better field arrangement) and asked for thoughts
about how next year could be even better.
Case owns the largest Honda dealership in the world, along with 15
other franchises, and he brings the same determination to create relationships
and a good customer and sponsor experience to the concours
field that he has for his automobile customers.
The Boca concours is a first-rate event, and it has a perfect loca-
tion on the calendar for collector-car snowbirds, as it occurs between
Cavallino and Amelia Island.
It was back to Portland for four days, just long enough to drop off
and pick up the dry cleaning and see how the newly hatched angelfish
(Pterophyllum scalare) in Bradley’s 29-gallon tank were doing. Too
soon, I was in another taxi at 4:30 a.m. on the way to PDX.
Connoisseurship gathering
This time, I was en route to the 7th Symposium of Connoisseurship
Wayne was chasing this?
W
e’ve seen more gators than ducks or beavers recently, as
we’ve spent 20 of the past 30 days in Florida, with our
home state of Oregon becoming more of an imagined
entity than a place.
We had barely unpacked our bags from our February trip to
Rétromobile when it was time for another early-morning taxi to PDX.
Our ultimate destination was the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance,
but we thought we’d sneak in a side trip to a resort in the Bahamas for
a non-car-related vacation. (Such a thing exists for the Martin family?
I can already see you shaking your box-end wrenches in disbelief.)
Atlantis, as the resort was called, was an exercise in fantasy —
especially if you are 5-year-old Bradley Martin and get to feed manta
rays and swim with dolphins. One of the mega-yachts docked at the
resort was named “Never Again III.” I’m sure every SCMer has cars
they would christen the same.
From Atlantis it was on to the Boca Raton Resort and Club, where
the concours, along with a first-time and very successful Bonhams’
auction (Carl Bomstead’s review is on p. 106) and a gala fund-raising
dinner, were held. The weekend’s events were a benefit for the Boys
and Girls Club of Broward County, and more than $1m was raised.
If you’ve ever been involved with fundraising, you’ll know what a
monumental achievement that was, and hats off to concours founder
and driving force Rick Case for emphasizing the charitable side of the
event — while continuing to improve the concours.
I was emcee of a panel on car collecting, and my participating lumi-
naries were Wayne Carini, Tom DuPont, Dave Kinney, Bill Rothermel
and Paul Sable. The room was packed, with over 200 inquisitive collectors
involved in the give and take as we discussed today’s trends.
At the end, each panel member gave his pick for the car they thought
would appreciate the most in the next five years. My choice, “Any Alfa
that I currently own,” didn’t get the respect I expected.
I served as Grand Marshal of the concours and awarded my trophy
to a 1927 Voisin C7 owned by Olivier Cerf. Best of Show was a muchdeserving
1947 Talbot T26 brought by Jim Patterson (there will be a
16
and the Collectible Car, held at the Revs Institute in Naples, FL, in
conjunction with the Revs Program at Stanford. Founder Miles Collier
brings together about 100 thoughtful collectors — some as faculty and
some as attendees — for free-wheeling discussions about issues of
contemporary interest, ranging from how to use reversible paint for
restorations, to collecting Japanese cars, to exploring how we might
interest Millennials (born 1982–2000) in collecting cars.
I was honored to return for the fifth time as a faculty member. I
chaired two panels and led two gallery walks with good friend and
SCM’s columnist-at-large Simon Kidston.
In one gallery walk, where we discussed current market values,
participants included Bruce and John McCaw, noted European dealer
Adrian Hamilton, museum founder Fred Simeone, and collector Bruce
Meyer, among others. They were fully engaged as we discussed what
makes a car a true blue-chip, top-tier collectible (Alfa 8C 2900 yes,
BMW 328 no, for instance) and how the market goes about sorting
out valuations on rare cars. There’s no question that I learned as much
from the attendees as they may have learned from me. Kidston’s
thoughts appear in his column this month on p. 38.
The Gatorland trek
After five days of thoughtful tire-kicking, ACC contributor
Michael Pierce and I drove from Naples to Amelia Island. As always,
the Amelia weekend was a total immersion experience. The class I
judged was “What Were They Thinking,” and the judging team included
Automobile President and Editor-in-Chief Jean Jennings (head
class judge) and famed long-distance racer Hurley Haywood. Best in
Class was a brilliantly restored 1959 F.M.R. Messerschmitt TG500
owned by J.C. and Judy O’Steen, and the Camile Janatzy award for the
car having the most audacious exterior went to the ugliest car I have
ever seen, a 1957 Spohn convertible brought by Ralph Marano and
Wayne Carini. Of course, there will be full details in the next issue.
As much as I enjoy kicking tires and talking with SCMers, it’s good
to be home. Another batch of angelfish eggs has hatched, Bradley is
about to have a pint-sized, gas-powered Corvette coming into his
life courtesy of Pierce, and I look forward to bike rides around the
neighborhood and barbecuing fresh-caught Pacific salmon on the back
deck. We’ve got three weeks to enjoy the nascent Oregon spring before
heading out to the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance and then Keels &
Wheels in Lakeland, TX. ’Tis the season. ♦
Sports Car Market
Page 16
Crossing the Block Tony Piff Images courtesy of the respective auction companies
Worldwide Auctioneers —
The Houston Classic Auction
Where: Montgomery, TX
When: May 4
More: www.wwgauctioneers.com
Last year: 101/119 cars sold /
$6.6m
Held in conjunction with
the second annual Concours
d’Elegance of Texas, the Houston
Classic Auction once again
returns to the air-conditioned
Versailles Ballroom at the exclusive
La Torretta Lake Resort
& Spa. Among the featured cars
are the ex-Rod Stewart 1966
Shelby 427 Cobra, accurately
restored to award-winning level;
the ex-Donald Healey 1950
Nash-Healey Roadster, serial
#1, $400k restoration recently
completed; a 1932 Auburn
8-100A Boattail Speedster with
known ownership since 1966,
completely restored and ready
for concours and tours; and a
multiple-award-winning 1958
Porsche 356A Speedster.
Auctions America — Auburn Spring
2013
Where: Auburn, IN
When: May 9–11
1950 Nash-Healey Roadster at Worldwide Houston
More: www.auctionsamerica.com
Last year: 194/408 cars sold /
$4.4m
More than 600 collector cars
are expected at this twice-annual
auction. Notable early entries
include a 1931 Auburn 8-98
Boattail Speedster in black
and silver with red pinstriping
and several desirable options;
a restored 1947 Buick Super
Estate woodie wagon; an awardwinning
1957 Ford Thunderbird
Auction Calendar
Email auction info to: chad.tyson@sportscarmarket.com.
APRIL
4—TOM MACK CLASSICS
Concord, NC
4–6—MECUM
Houston, TX
4–6—BARRETTJACKSON
Palm Beach, FL
5–6—MECUM
Davenport, IA
12–13—BRANSON
Branson, MO
12–13—SILVER
Portland, OR
12–14—COLLECTOR CAR
PRODUCTIONS
Toronto, ON, CAN
13—COYS
Essen, DEU
13—DAN KRUSE
CLASSICS
San Antonio, TX
14—BARONS
Surrey, U.K.
17—H&H
Duxford, U.K.
19–20—VICARI
Nocona, TX
19–21—ELECTRIC
GARAGE
Edmonton, AB, CAN
20—SMITHS
Toccoa, GA
25–26—AUCTIONS
AMERICA
Carlisle, PA
25–27—MECUM
Kansas City, MO
27—CHEFFINS
Cambridge, U.K.
27—COYS
Ascot, U.K.
27—RM
Fort Worth, TX
27–28—CLASSIC
MOTORCAR
Novi, MI
28—BONHAMS
Stafford, U.K.
18
E-code; and a fully equipped
1967 Shelby GT500, said to be
one of only 200 built in Brittany
Blue. Highlights from the 19-car
John Soneff Collection include
a 1949 Hudson Commodore
6 Brougham convertible; a
1950 Hudson Commodore 8
brougham convertible; and a rare
1939 Hudson Business Six Big
Boy pickup. The late Mr. Soneff
was regarded as one of the country’s
foremost Hudson experts.
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.
29—BONHAMS
Hendon, U.K.
29—SHANNONS
Melbourne, AUS
MAY
4—WORLDWIDE
Montgomery, TX
4—VANDERBRINK
Sioux Falls, SD
4—SPECIALTY AUTO
Brighton, CO
6—SHANNONS
Sydney, AUS
8—SILVER
Spokane, WA
9–11—AUCTIONS
AMERICA
Auburn, IN
10–12—ELECTRIC
GARAGE
Calgary, AB, CAN
11—VANDERBRINK
Murdo, SD
14–19—MECUM
Indianapolis, IN
15—BRIGHTWELLS
Herefordshire, U.K.
17—SILVERSTONE
Northamptonshire, U.K.
18—BONHAMS
Newport Pagnell, U.K.
18—VANDERBRINK
St. Cloud, MN
24–26—B&T SPECIALTY
Las Vegas, NV
25—RM
Lake Como, ITA
25—BONHAMS
Francorchamps, BEL
31—DRAGONE
Westport, CT
JUNE
2—BONHAMS
Greenwich, CT
7–9—LEAKE
Tulsa, OK
9—BARONS
Surrey, U.K.
10—ARTCURIAL
Paris, FRA
15—BONHAMS
Oxford, U.K.
15—H&H
Rockingham, U.K.
15—SILVER
Coeur d’Alene, ID
20–22—RUSSO AND
STEELE
Newport Beach, CA
21–22—RALEIGH
CLASSIC
Raleigh, NC
21–23—ELECTRIC
GARAGE
Penticton, BC, CAN
28–29—MECUM
Champaign, IL
29—COYS
Oxfordshire, U.K.
29—VANDERBRINK
Austin, MN
Mecum — Spring Classic
Where: Indianapolis, IN
When: May 14–19
More: www.mecum.com
Last year: 1,335/1,991 cars sold /
$50.2m
The legendary 1967 Shelby
GT500 Super Snake headlines
Indy for 2013. Other star cars
at this muscle-car mega-sale
include a 1967 Chevrolet
Corvette 427/400 convertible, a
1968 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro
RS/SS and a documented 1970
Dodge Charger R/T SE with
only 17,600 miles.
Bonhams — Aston Martin Works
Service
Where: Newport Pagnell, U.K.
When: May 18
More: www.bonhams.com
Last year: 41/47 cars sold / $10.2m
A one-of-a-kind DB4GT with
Italian coachwork will cross
the auction block for the first
time in 25 years at Bonhams’
14th annual all-Aston sale. The
multiple-award-winning 1960
Aston Martin DB4GT “Jet”
(Bonhams estimate: $4.3m–
$5.9m) features unique Bertone
coachwork and has been fully
restored to concours standards
by Aston Martin. An unrestored
“barn find” 1964 DB5 Sports
Saloon ($230k–$310k), now out
of 30 years of storage, will also
be offered.
Silverstone — The Spring Sale
Where: Northamptonshire, U.K.
When: May 17
More: www.silverstoneauctions.
com
Last year: 25/60 cars sold / $1.1m
Sold cars averaged $45k at
this sale last year. Early consignments
this time around include a
Sports Car Market
Page 18
Crossing the Block Tony Piff
“Barn find” 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Sports Saloon at Bonhams Newport Pagnell, U.K.
1948 Land Rover Series I ($30k–
$40k); a 1986 Ferrari Testarossa
($75k–$95k); a “barn find” 1968
Maserati Ghibli ($18k–$25k);
and a 1968 Ford Mustang S-code
“Bullitt” replica ($60k–$80k).
Bonhams — The Spa Classic Sale
Where: Francorchamps, BEL
When: May 25
More: www.bonhams.com
This inaugural sale coincides
with the prestigious Spa Classic
race and takes place at the Spa
Motor Circuit. The featured
early star car is a 1973 Porsche
Carrera 2.7 RS, offered without
reserve (Bonhams estimate:
$200k–$270k).
RM — Villa d’Este
Where: Lake Como, IT
When: May 25
More: www.rmauctions.com
2011 results: 24/32 cars sold /
$33.4m
This biennial sale of
1931 Auburn 8-98 Boattail Speedster at Auctions America Spring Auburn
elite, world-class collectibles
coincides with the Concorso
d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The
many important consignments
include a 1953 Ferrari 340/375
MM Berlinetta “Competizione,”
driven in period by World
Champions Alberto Ascari,
Dr. Giuseppe Farina, and Mike
Hawthorn (estimate available
upon request); a 1905 Fiat 60-hp
race car, completely unrestored
but in very good driving
condition, built especially for
August Anheuser Busch, and
the last remaining example of
only 20 ever built (estimate
available upon request); a
Ferrari Classiche-certified
1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica
SWB coupe, in its original
Blue Sera Italver paintwork
($2.5m–$2.7m); a 1947 Cisitalia
202 MM “Nuvolari” Spider,
with period Mille Miglia race
history ($600k–$700k); a wellrestored
1930 Bugatti Type 46
Superprofile coupe ($1m–$1.3m);
a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I
Open Tourer, used as the official
transport for then-Princess
Elizabeth II during her state
visit to Kenya in 1952 ($500k–
$600k); and a custom-built 1960
Riva Tritone “Speciale” Cadillac
powerboat ($735k–$1m). ♦
1973 Porsche Carrera 2.7 RS at Bonhams Spa Classic
20
1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta “Competizione” at RM Villa d’Este
Sports Car Market
Page 20
Inside Line Alex Martin-Banzer Send news and event listings to insideline@sportscarmarket.com.
■ With the raceway pavement
dry at last after a long winter,
it’s finally time to take out the
sports car you bought at the
last auction and head to Elkhart
Lake, WI, for SVRA’s Spring
Vintage Festival from May 17
to 19. More than 300 participants
are divided into 10 groups —
with automobiles ranging from
production and grand touring
cars to sports racers, prototypes
and formula cars. They will test
their vintage-racing skills on
Road America’s four-mile-long,
14-turn circuit. There will also
be an honorary race for the 50th
birthday of the Porsche 911.
www.svra.com (WI)
■ With a description on
Events
■ The May 3–5 Concours
Celebration of Automobiles at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
■ Any reason to visit Laguna
d’Elegance of Texas returns
to La Torretta Lake Resort &
Spa with a great array of classic
cars — all presented with famous
Texas hospitality. The vehicles
on display range from classic
sports cars to antique tractors,
and this year’s featured marque
is the cars of Carroll Shelby.
The weekend starts on May 3
with the Texas Tour d’Elegance,
where concours cars and owners
will hit the road. Worldwide
Auctioneers present The Houston
Classic Auction on May 4. The
concours is on May 5. Admission
is $25 per person. www.concoursoftexas.org
(TX)
■ What could be better than
sitting on your sun-drenched
docked vintage boat with your
Stutz parked on the nearby grass
— and listening to publisher
Keith Martin emcee the event?
It’s that time of the year to pack
your captain’s hat along with
your driving gloves and head to
Seabrook, TX, for the 18th Annual
Keels & Wheels Concours
d’Elegance on May 4–5. The
event will proudly host a large
gathering of antique wooden
craft, featuring Blonde Deck and
Yellow Jacket Boats. Don’t forget
about the 200 vintage automobiles
that will be there. Stutz
is the star automobile marque.
Martin returns for his third year
as emcee. www.keels-wheels.
com (TX)
22
Seca — so you can smash your
face up against the chain-link
fence and soak in the sounds of
cars snarling around the track
— is a good reason. The famous
corkscrew track will host the
American Le Mans Monterey
from May 9 to 11. High-tech
racers from major marques including
Mazda, Acura and Aston
Martin will compete in a sixhour
race that will push drivers
and vehicles to the limit. $60 for
a two-day pass.
www.mazdaraceway.com (CA)
■ The world-famous India-
napolis Motor Speedway will
host the Third Annual Celebration
of Automobiles on May 11.
European marques and Brass Era
cars from 1910 to 1970 will be
highlighted at this year’s event.
For Indy 500 lovers, open-wheel
race cars, past pace cars and his-
toric unrestored cars will be on
display. The honorary head judge
is Mario Andretti, who won the
Indy 500 in 1969. Andretti also
will choose which lucky car will
drive away with the Driver’s
Choice Award. Admission is $10,
children 12 and younger get in
free. www.celebrationofautomobiles.com
(IN)
■ If you’re in the mood to kick
some unusual tires, the Carlisle
Import & Kit Nationals will
take over the Carlisle Fairgrounds
from May 17 to 19. This festival
will highlight more than 1,200
classics as well as high-performance
vehicles. Imports and kit
cars from at least seven countries
will be on hand. Admission is
$8 on Friday and Saturday, and
$4 on Sunday. Event passes are
available for $15. Kids 12 and
younger get in free. www.carsatcarlisle.com
(PA)
their website of “It’s the perfect
chance to enjoy the power of
historic racing machines on
track, plus the incomparable
beauty of some of the finest vintage
automobiles in the country,”
how could any gearhead miss the
Fifth Annual Marin Sonoma
Concours d’Elegance on May
18–19? A red carpet will welcome
the cars of Hollywood legends
to the Marin Civic Center.
Corvette is the featured marque,
and the concours will celebrate
Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary.
Admission is $20, and children
younger than 16 get in free. But
wait, there’s more. Just 15 miles
away from the Marin Civic
Center, vintage racers will howl
around Sonoma Raceway during
the Sonoma Historic Motorsports
Festival. A $45 pass
gets gearheads into both events.
www.marinsonomaconcours.org
and www.racesonoma.com (CA)
■ The vintage rally season is
Concours d’Elegance of Texas
here, and the car that has been
under covers for months will
thank you for taking it on the
New England 1000 from May
19 to 24. Six days and 1,000
miles of sublime back-road driving
through the Adirondacks,
Berkshires and Catskills are
just part of the trip. Participants
will visit the Sagamore Resort
on Lake George, Lake Placid,
and a concours at the Saratoga
Automobile Museum. This rally
is famous for friendly people and
fantastic meals and accommodations.
The cost is $5,695 for one
car and two participants.
www.vintagerallies.com/newengland1000.html
(NY) ♦
Sports Car Market
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Glenn Zanotti
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
Toly’s excellent Stratos
adventure
To the Editor:
Hoo boy! A car I know some-
thing about!
I’ll start here and ride off in
all directions. The engine has
Dino origins, of course; but in
the Stratos (February 2013 Race
Profile, p. 54) it was rated 5 or
10 horsepower less than the
Dino.
The carbs were different and
the cams were different. The distributor
might’ve been different
too. I didn’t find torque ratings
to compare the two. I was given
a test drive at the Torino Salone
in ’74, and on a chilly day on a
greasy hillside blacktop road on
the standard Pirelli CN36 tires,
I nearly slid over the edge at 20
mph, understeering all the way.
I whomped the brakes a few
times to slow down enough that
the front tires bit — or more
aptly “gummed” — the surface.
The standard suspension had
anti-roll bar adjustments, but I
don’t recall adjustable shocks.
Impractical? Heck no! I drove
the car through the night from
Torino over the mountains to
Cherbourg to load the little darling
onto the Queen Elizabeth II.
This was back in those lovely
days when you could take a
car on the boat with you. Then,
because of a storm delay, the
ship went directly to Boston
instead of NYC. We’d planned
for a truck to take the car to
Tulsa, but in Boston, Joe Marina
and I loaded some garment bags
in the trunk (plenty of room
with yellow mouse-fur carpet on
the bottom) and headed for Tulsa
in the Stratos through a New
England winter.
The heater worked very well,
cracking the windows got our
cigar smoke out smoothly, and
the big door bins, supposedly
meant for helmet storage on
transit stages, were perfect for
shaving kits and bags of burgers.
The seats were quite comfy;
in fact, for a while as we were
racing the car, I put one of the
seats in my SWB California.
Slide one seat off the rails, and
slide the other seat on.
We had teething troubles
racing, of course. It all began
when Lancia told us there were
no available Stratos for sale,
26
Impractical? Heck no! I drove the car through the
night from Torino over the mountains to Cherbourg to load
the little darling onto the Queen Elizabeth II
but when we walked by one
in the showroom window of
SVAT — the factory store in
Torino — they grudgingly sold
it to us for about $12k. They
were afraid we’d drive it on the
street in the United States and
thereby bring governmental ire
upon FIAT and jeopardize their
U.S. sales — which might’ve
been in everybody’s best interest
anyway.
The factory was little help
to us vis-à-vis racing; we got all
our help from Chequered Flag
in England, who also warned
us that the factory might try
to unload 4-valve heads on us
because they didn’t work out that
well, and the titanium valves lost
their heads after about 12 racing
hours.
Also, Joe, who had been
parts manager at a FIAT
dealership in Nashville, pointed
out a few parts that had been
recalled when they were used on
FIATs: the accelerator and cable
mechanism (it broke on our car),
maybe door latches (no trouble
that I can remember) — stuff
like that. We discovered that
the stock master cylinder gave
out after very few racing hours.
I believe we went through two
additional ones the first time we
practiced and ran the Daytona
24 Hours.
We also went to BMW rear
hubs and possibly brake discs.
The ultra-thin windshield broke
under gravel bombardment at
Hallett; a replacement through
our Nashville connection was
about $200. When that one
broke, it turned out the next one
would cost $1,200! We went to
Lexan.
I won’t go through all the
problems we had racing the car,
but half were our fault and half
racing parts suppliers. We were
responsible for an IMSA rules
change after being held in the
pits for well over a half an hour
during Sebring ’77 (instead of
letting us race under the possibility
of being black-flagged),
which cost us a very likely third
in our class.
If we’d been able to get the
car a couple of years earlier, as
hoped for, we could have had an
outside shot at the championship
against the Porsches. When Joe
and I went back to Torino in ’77,
the Lancia people were trying
to unload one or two Stratos on
us: this time, for $12k apiece
or make an offer. I remember
briefly thinking it might be a
good idea to pick one up as a
spare tub or just a souvenir. But
I didn’t.
Set up for the road, the car
had little feedback. It was like
driving some kind of simulator.
It wasn’t the kind of car you’d
think of when you say, “Isn’t it a
nice day for a drive in the
country!” And when it spun
on the track, I, at least, could
never feel it coming. But
barreling down the Daytona
backstretch at 2 a.m. with only
the distant glow of pit lights
off to the left (none of that
artificial daylight they race
under now — a night race was a
NIGHT RACE) — and hugging
the bottom lane at 150 mph to
let Danny Ongais blast by in
the turbo Porsche, ah, what
wonderful memories! — Toly
Arutunoff, via email
Does selling an E-type
make economic sense?
To the Editor:
I don’t look to SCM for
economic trending or advice, but
I can’t help but respect the tremendous
amount of cash invested
within the collector-car market.
There, of course, is passion in this
Sports Car Market
Page 26
You Write We Read
Ad Index
Alan Taylor Company, Inc ..........117, 119, 121
American Car Collector ............................. 135
Aston Martin Dealers ................................... 29
Aston Martin of New England ................... 117
Auctions America ......................................... 23
Automobilia Monterey ............................... 143
Autosport Designs Inc ................................ 121
B & T Specialty Classic Car Auctions ......... 47
Bennett Law Office .................................... 141
Berlinetta Motorsports LTD. ......................... 8
Beverly Hills Car Club ............................... 131
Black Horse Garage ................................... 115
Bonhams / SF ............................................... 21
Bonhams / UK .............................................. 19
Bradstreet Collection ................................... 75
Canepa .......................................................... 99
Carlisle Events ............................................. 67
Chequered Flag International ..................... 123
Chubb Personal Insurance ............................ 17
Classic Investments .................................... 125
Classic Showcase ....................................... 109
Collector Car Price Tracker ....................... 135
Colorado Concours D’ Elegance .................. 91
Copley Motorcars ....................................... 110
Dealer Accelerate ......................................... 43
Driversource Houston LLC ...................95, 111
European Collectibles ................................ 127
Exotic Classics ........................................... 141
Fantasy Junction ......................................... 129
Gooding & Company ..................................... 2
Grand Prix Classics - La Jolla CA ............. 113
Greenwich Concours D’Elegance ................ 59
Greystone Mansion Concours d’Elegance ... 81
Grundy Worldwide ......................................111
Gullwing Motor Cars, Inc. ......................... 129
Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. ................... 53
Hahn and Woodward .................................. 127
Hamann Classic Cars ................................... 45
Heacock Classic .......................................... 27
Heritage Classics .......................................... 69
Hyman, LTD ................................................ 73
Intercity Lines .............................................. 37
JC Taylor .................................................... 107
Jeff Brynan ................................................. 137
JJ Best Banc & Co ..................................... 139
Kidston ......................................................... 11
L.A. Prep ...................................................... 79
Le Belle Macchine d’Italia ........................... 93
Louisville Concours d’Elegance ................ 131
Luxury Brokers International ..................... 125
Mac Neil Automotive Products Ltd ............. 41
Maserati North America ............................. 148
Mercedes Classic Center ............................ 101
Mershon’s World Of Cars ............................ 99
Mid America Auctions ................................. 97
Miller’s Mercedes Parts, Inc ...................... 110
Motor Classic & Competition Corp. .......... 143
Paramount Classic Cars ............................... 85
Park Place LTD ............................................ 29
Paul Russell And Company ....................... 105
Pebble Beach Concours ............................... 10
Pinehurst Concours D’ Elegance.................. 77
Premier Financial Services ........................ 147
Putnam Leasing ............................................ 15
Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club ................. 40
QuickSilver Exhausts Ltd. ........................... 33
RB Collection ............................................. 113
Reliable Carriers .......................................... 65
RM Auctions .......................................4-5, 7, 9
Road Scholars .............................................. 71
Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo ......................... 141
Russo & Steele LLC .................................... 25
Silver Collector Car Auctions ...................... 39
Specialty Auto Auctions, Inc ...................... 141
Sports & Specialist Cars ............................ 119
Sports Car Market ................................ 87, 137
Steve Austin’s Great Vacations .................. 101
Swissvax USA, LLC .................................... 31
Symbolic Motor Car Co ................................. 3
T. Rutlands ................................................... 83
The Auto Collections ..................................... 6
The Masterpiece ......................................... 105
The Stable, Ltd. ............................................ 89
Vintage Rallies ........................................... 123
VintageAutoPosters.com ............................ 141
Worldwide Group ......................................... 11
Zymol Florida .............................................. 35
28
You Write We Read
market, but no one drops dollars
by the bucketful without some
level of investment consideration.
Do you feel there exists within
this community a feeling these
autos offer an inflation hedge?
In particular, I’m considering
the sale of my ’67 Jag E-type
— even though current market
prices would have me plus/
minus 20% upside down. So the
question is an economic forecast
driven in respect of timing.
Would you sell such a car now?
From your historic perspective,
what do you suppose the impact
of inflation might be, and where
might it take the value of desirable
but not-so-rare production
cars such as mine?
Thank you for your consid-
eration and a great publication.
You have done a commendable
job of managing your business
and offerings in pace with the
times while having fun doing
what you love, a winning
combo! — Greg DeJohn,
Pompano Beach, FL
Keith Martin responds:
Greg, thanks for the kind words.
The missing part of your
equation is the “why” factor.
Why would you be choosing
to sell your car now? If current
pricing would leave you
upside-down, that means you
paid a serious premium — and I
would ask what were the reasons
that went into your decision
to acquire the car? Have they
changed? Do you need the
money for something else? Are
you tired of the car? Have you
run out of storage?
The market is continuing
to rise, without question, and
I believe it has another couple
of years to run in the current
bubble. So hanging on for 12
more months could net you
more money. But the mere fact
that you are asking the question
means to me that you have
“ fallen out of love” with the
car, and when that happens, it is
really time for it to move on.
So my answer to you is, if
you are emotionally done, sell
the car. If you still find pleasure,
keep it, drive it and revisit this
question in May of 2014.
Different opinions
on a 356B
To the Editor:
As a longtime subscriber to
SCM and ACC, let me offer con-
I’m considering the sale of my ’67 Jag
E-type — even though current market
prices would have me plus/minus 20%
upside down
gratulations for your magazines,
which are the best in the world.
I never complain, but in this
special case, I need to share my
opinion.
I’ve been to many auctions
in the U.S. over the years. I was
at the McCormick Auction last
November, and I was interested
in Lot 188, which was a 1963
Porsche 356B T-6 coupe.
The description in advance
sounded very interesting, but when
I inspected the Porsche, I saw that
the underbody was rusted through
at several places. There were holes
big enough that I could feel the
carpet from outside!
The seller was very serious
and helpful when answering
all my questions. The history
was very interesting and the
interior very original and still in
good shape, as described in the
auction report by Carl Bomstead
(March 2013, McCormick Palm
Springs, p. 84).
The hammered $46,725
showed the correct — and
max — price that bidders who
had paid a lot of attention to the
car were willing to pay. This
Porsche was a 4 (only if you
honor history, mileage and interior,
otherwise it was a 4- or 5).
I don’t understand how Carl
Bomstead rated the car a 2+ and
a “Best Buy.”
This report shows a totally
wrong result — and makes a
wrong impression for most of
your readers. To repeat Carl’s
last sentence: “A car I should
have bought!” Yes, Carl, you
should have bought it. — Peter
Kahl, Neuried, Germany
Carl Bomstead replies:
Dear Mr. Kahl, we certainly
appreciate reader interest and
comment, but I must say you
are a harsh automotive critic
indeed. In reviewing my notes
regarding the 1963 Porsche
356B T-6 coupe, I found a
receptive and forthright owner
with two binders full of documentation.
I noted the body was
straight and appeared solid,
the paint and brightwork very
presentable and the mechanicals
properly sorted—based on the
receipts and owner comments.
The interior, as you mention,
was original and in very nice
condition with minor patina. I
did not check the floor pans, but
is that a show-stopping expense
at $5k for repairs — at most? I
think not, as the appreciation
curve currently places these
cars, when in above-average
condition, at $60k–$75k. This
is a far cry from a 4 car, which
in our rating, is a semi-useful
parts car.
Yes, Mr. Kahl, I stand by my
comments and still wish I had
acquired the car. ♦
Sports Car Market
In Miniature by Marshall Buck
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahnkurier
Designed for high speeds on Germany’s new Autobahn,
this car debuted at the 1934 Berlin Auto Show. Rumor has it
that there were a total of three of these built on 540K chassis
— and they should not be confused with the additional three
or four built on 500K chassis. Two 540K Autobahnkuriers
are known to exist. Another unconfirmed rumor is that the
Autobahnkurier directly influenced Jean Bugatti’s design of
the famous Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. Even if there is no
credence to that, it still makes for a good story.
Spectacular and sinister, the Autobahnkurier beckons you
closer, just as if it were a Siren of Greek mythology. The real car did this to
me in 2006 at Pebble Beach, and now the model has done it again. Fortunately
for me, the Sirens are only myth — and I was on land both times. If you are a
fan of classic automobiles with shapely bodies, this magnificent miniature will
captivate you as well.
Until now, only a few manufacturers have offered models of these cars,
and all were in small, 1:43 scale. The Autobahnkurier miniature shown here
is a new 1:18 scale release from BoS-Models, a new manufacturer. Apparently
“BoS” stands for “Best of Show,” which I only discovered when the model arrived,
and I looked at the box with its printed information. The packaging is
simple, but it does the job.
BoS-Models are made in China exclusively for
Model Details
Production date: 2013
Quantities: Numbered edition
of 2,000
SCM Five-Star Rating:
Overall Quality:
Authenticity:
Overall Value:
½
Web: www.modelcarworld.de
Model Car World in Germany.
This 1:18 model offers staggeringly good value at
approximately $130. It is a serial-numbered, limitededition
model — but not too limited. Don’t bother with
eBay for this one, as you’ll pay double! BoS chose to
replicate Chassis 408336, which is owned by Arturo
and Deborah Keller. Paul Russell & Co. restored the
actual car.
The model is resplendent in its superb high-gloss
black finish, and BoS nailed the proportions, stance and
exterior components. As with many specialized, semi-
Speaking Volumes by Mark Wigginton
Lola T70: The Design, Development & Racing History
By John Starkey and Franco Varani, 550 pages, Gryfon, $150.00
After putting together my first Revell slot car, which was a sturdy,
heavy and slow Cobra, the next step was a piano-wire chassis covered
with a light, clear plastic body you painted from the inside. There was
only one choice in my fevered teen mind: a Lola T70.
It was just the most beautiful race car ever.
I clearly wasn’t alone in that view. John Starkey, the prolific motors
ports author and racer, also fell in love with the T70. He even raced one
This led to his book Lola T70: The Racing History & Individual Chass
Record. After going through four updated editions, the last in 2008, h
heard from Franco Varani, another chassis historian.
It was a meeting of the best kind: two guys deep in the weeds on eve
chassis made, working the phones, the postal service and the Internet
every last bit of history on a particular car — in this case the T70 — f
the 1963 prototype Mk. VIGT. The car came from Eric Broadley’s sh
mind and pen, and led to the development of a series of open and closed cars,
finishing with the IIIB coupe in 1969.
They weren’t world beaters, but by all accounts the Lola T70, in addition
to being beautiful, was easy to drive, fast and ran out of brakes in a hurry (like
most cars of the generation). The success for the T70 was mixed, with only
one win in world championship endurance racing — Daytona 24 Hours in
1969. But the chassis took John Surtees to the 1966 title in the premier season
of the Can-Am championship.
Within a few years, the Lola T70s were uncompetitive at the top levels,
and many found themselves in club racing. Before long, even those were just
“used-up” race cars with little value. More than one owner from the late 1960s
all but gave them away, with no thought of the value of one today in vintage
racing — now usually powered with a bullet-proof Chevy lump that will
last forever. (Ask Portland’s legendary sports car dealer Monte Shelton, who
32
campaigned the second T70 chassis
d sold it for less than the cost of a
thday breakfast.) They now can
e worth $500,000 with the right
story.
Unlike a fading Hollywood star,
he looks of the Lola T70 seem to
be timeless, and their value continues
to climb.
Provenance:
John Starkey has a long list
of motorsports book successes,
and the addition of Franco
Varani has sharpened the history.
Comparing individual
entries from the last edition of
Starkey’s book and the new book
shows new information and corrected race histories.
Fit and finish:
This is a beautiful book, jammed with lovely images, many
in color. While the design is simple and unobtrusive, the typography
isn’t up to the rest of the book’s quality.
Drivability:
It’s the reference you need for all things Lola T70. The
first chapters detail the design and production history, and
the rest deal with history on individual chassis numbers,
their race history and ownership. The first is a readable and
smart history lesson, the second is an ever-more-complete
history of one of the most beautiful race cars ever to take a
green flag. ♦
Sports Car Market
low-volume model production
runs, this is a “curbside”
model, meaning no opening
or functional parts, except
for rolling wheels.
There is just a tad of
underside detail — main
frame, rear axle and exhaust.
All chrome trim is very well
finished. However, to save on
cost, the model makers chose to replicate some of the chrome
with silver paint applied to molded-in trim on the door sills,
window trim, and running down the center of the windshield
and simulated hood (bonnet) hinge. The effect is only okay —
it really should be better. I would have preferred paying a little
more for complete chrome trim.
Great attention has been paid to the excellent wire wheels,
with exposed weights and more. Up front is a terrific rendition
of the radiator shell, with perfect photo-etched mesh screening,
Mercedes-Benz emblem, and star ornament. The headlamp
lenses (with engraved lines) are crystal clear, as are all of the
windows, allowing easy view of the well-replicated interior.
The tan interior with off-white headliner and simulated
wood trim all around looks very good, but more cost-cutting
measures are evident, such as molding some of the detail in
place and painting the window cranks, door pulls and handles
all silver instead of chrome.
Aside from the overuse of silver paint, the steering wheel
position is far too high, the windshield wipers are oversized,
and I believe that the interior should be red for the car. I’ve only
seen tan on a different Autobahnkurier. That said, this model
is so well executed — especially for the low price — that all
gaffes can be forgiven.
Page 32
Affordable Classic 1991–2005 Acura NSX
A Practical Supercar
For the NSX enthusiast, the car is everything it needs to be, and who cares
what others might think?
by Dale Novak
1995 Acura NSX-T; this one brought $41,000 at Mecum Kissimmee
T
he automotive world is buzzing with the second coming of the Acura NSX,
which is slated to hit the streets in 2015.
That’s great news for Acura supercar fans — and should be even better news
for those who already own a first-generation NSX — as it could prop up the mar-
ket by reinvigorating the original breed — and create more demand for the early cars.
The Acura NSX, built by Honda from 1990 to 2005 (1991 in North America), dis-
patched the notion that a supercar had to be mechanically fussy, wildly expensive to
repair and at a price point only for those with reserved parking spaces at expensive
country clubs.
While it wasn’t cheap ($60,600 MSRP
Details
Years produced: 1990–2005
Price range: $20,000–$40,000 for early models
Number built: Numbers are incomplete for early cars. A total
of 2,521 were sold in the United States between 1995
and 2000.
Pros: A reliable high-performance car that showed a supercar
doesn’t have to be super-expensive
Cons: Two sizes of tires needed — and both are costly. Some
gearheads can’t accept this pioneering car as a collectible.
Best place to drive one: Past an early 1990s Corvette on the
highway
A typical owner is: A free-thinker who loves low-cost, highperformance
fun and doesn’t need the approval of others
More: www.nsxprime.com
Alternatives:1992–95 Dodge Viper RT/10, 1990–95 Chevrolet
Corvette ZR-1, 1991–93 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
SCM Investment Grade: C
34
in 1991), it was affordable if you could actually
buy it for the sticker price — which
was exceedingly difficult to accomplish
during the first release in 1991, with
dealers hammering starry-eyed buyers
for an additional $25,000 in “market
adjustment” profit. Some guys, who for
whatever obtuse reason, just had to have
one, stroked a $100k check for first dibs.
Today, a well-sorted, low-mileage,
NSX can be had for $20,000 to $65,000,
depending on the model year. In fact, we
just looked over a first-year 1991 model
at Mecum’s Kissimmee sale — it was a
very nice example, black on black with
56,000 miles, selling for a respectable
$36,040 (Lot S76). Keep in mind that
these cars are new enough to purchase a CARFAX,
which might disclose a wrinkle or two if something is
amiss. This information can be very handy when you’re
hunting for a good example.
A high-tech ride from the start
The NSX accomplished a few production-car firsts,
such as an all-aluminum engine, body and suspension,
four-channel ABS, titanium connecting rods, and
electric power steering (automatic-transmission models
only). Powering the machine was an aluminum 3.0-liter
V6 engine, with dual overhead cams and variable valve
timing. All of the initial NSX coupes had 5-speed manual
transmissions, and the V6 produced 270 horsepower.
A 4-speed automatic transmission came into play a few
months later, but power dropped to 252 horsepower.
Over the years, the body design remained largely
unchanged, with a Targa-top model introduced in 1995
as the NSX-T, which was the only model sold in 1995.
The fixed roof returned in 1996, which offered buyers
a choice between the two body styles. More liters and
ponies were added in 1997, increasing power output to
290 horsepower, and a new 6-speed transmission was
offered. In 2002, the body was refreshed with the first
styling update and the fixed-roof model was dropped in
favor of the Targa NSX-T, which would run until the end
of production in 2005.
Sports Car Market
Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
Page 33
Expensive tires, transmission repairs
Scouring through the blogs and NSX enthusiasts websites, the most common com-
plaints appear to be the cost of the tires, which are at different sizes front to back, massive
repair costs if the car is damaged, ABS brake issues in the 1991–92 models and
door-lock knobs that can come loose and cause the rod to drop down inside the door
(1995–97). On the “pre-purchase inspection” list, expensive repair items can include
the shocks and struts, automatic transmission issues and exhaust system repairs.
While the NSX lacks some of the look-at-me factors enjoyed by other high-perfor-
mance two-seaters, they are extremely refined, have excellent road manners, are reasonably
fast (0–60 mph in 5.8 seconds) and enjoy a long history of Honda reliability. If
there’s a nit, some owners have picked on the lack of visibility of the audio and climate
control systems in strong sunlight — and the top of the dash can be distracting when
it reflects back into the low-slung windshield.
Early models starting the price climb
The market for these mid-engine cars can vary, much like any later-model classic.
However, values of these cars are tied more to miles and a clean vehicle history. You
are more likely to see an Acura NSX referred to as “clean” or “very clean” rather than
viewed as a #3 or #2 “classic car”-graded example.
Part of that equation, at least from my perspective, is that the car was so forward-
thinking when it was introduced, so it still appears fairly modern today — even if it’s
22 years old. This can play into a classic buyer’s mind, as many times we seek out cars
that look the part.
Drive an NSX into a classic-car show, and you’re likely to have plenty of onlookers
scoff at the notion that it’s really a classic car. Park it next to a 1991 Corvette, and you’ll
see what I mean. Of course, for the NSX enthusiast, the car is everything it needs to be,
and who cares what others might think — which is as it should be.
The 1992 models are the most affordable of the bunch, with values starting in the
low-$20k range for an average example — if you’re a patient shopper. As one would
expect, values climb for the NSX-T editions, as the roof comes off, allowing drivers to
do their best Don King hairdo impressions at speed.
Values peak for the 2005 models, which range from $50k to $60k, depending on
overall condition. Keep in mind that 1991–95 models may have turned the corner
1991 Acura NSX — a $36,040 sale at Mecum Kissimmee
— meaning possible future appreciation — while the
1996–2005 years may still be depreciating.
Although I seem to have misplaced my crystal ball,
I’ll fire off an off-the-cuff, mud-on-the-wall, market
prediction. I like these cars — and have since they hit
the streets in 1991. In my mind, that means plenty of
other guys like them too — and at least one enthusiast
liked one well enough at Mecum’s Kissimmee sale to
part with $36,040.
That said, I also like a lot of cars — so there’s the
Achille’s heel. If I wanted to squirrel one away, I’d look
for a fully documented, fastidiously serviced 1991 NSX
or 1995 NSX-T with low miles, the original paint, a
clean history and the manual gearbox.
While I’m at it, I’d like to find one with fresh tires
on it. ♦
May 2013
35
Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
Page 34
Legal Files John Draneas
Good Insurance Is Your Car’s Best Friend
A good policy can keep legal battles at bay when a friend, mechanic
or other person damages your car
Friends are risky
This can be pretty serious stuff.
Hagerty reports that in one year they
had four claims with fatalities — all
involving the same high-performance
sports car model. Every one of them involved
a permissive user. And, Hagerty
adds, a very high percentage of their
claims involving supercars also involve
permissive users.
It’s not that your friends are ir-
responsible. Think about it. We know
that many collectors really aren’t
skilled enough drivers to handle their
high-performance sports cars safely
in difficult situations. But at least they
have had some hours in the seat — and
they have some idea about when things
are going to be getting dicey.
Put a friend without that experience
When your buddy slices off-course, avoid financial traps with collector-car insurance
L
ast month’s “Legal Files” illustrated how loaning your car to
another can wreak havoc at the highest levels. This month, we’ll
explore some more mundane situations that can be equally unsatisfying.
Let’s start with a pretty common situation — you and your friend
enter a rally in your 1957 Porsche Speedster. On the second day, you
trade places and your friend drives. While you’re trying to figure out
where you took the wrong turn and how to get back on course, your
friend gets distracted, misses a turn and crashes into a tree.
Fortunately, you both escape injury, but your Speedster doesn’t.
Your friend apologizes profusely, accepts responsibility and promises
to have his insurance carrier take care of the damage. How’s that going
to work for you?
Not so good.
In the United States, the rule is that insurance follows the car. Your
carrier and policy are going to cover the loss — no matter what deal you
and your friend might make.
The technical logic behind this is pretty simple. Most policies pro-
vide that a permissive user is treated as an insured under your policy.
Even if you refuse to submit the claim, your friend or his insurance carrier
can submit it for you. And, since your friend is an insured, the insurance
carrier cannot recover the loss from him no matter how bad he
screwed up — just the same as it couldn’t recover from you if you were
driving. McKeel Hagerty, President and CEO of Hagerty Insurance,
puts it pretty plainly: “When you lend your car to your friend, you lend
him your insurance policy too.”
Risk of cancellation or premium increases
So how does this affect your policy? Simply put, it counts as a claim,
just the same as if you were driving. You probably won’t lose your coverage
if it’s your only claim, but if there have been others, who knows?
If your policy stays in force, your premium could increase — depending
upon the severity of the claim.
36
in the driver’s seat, and it isn’t very
hard to imagine that he might get into
a difficult situation without knowing it.
This can easily happen even if you’re in
the passenger’s seat.
Mechanic crashes
Another permissive user situation arises where you give your collec-
tor car to a shop for repairs, and a crash occurs while your mechanic is
test-driving the car. As an example of how extreme the situation can get,
you might recall the Legal Files in which the mechanic test-driving a Ford
GT left the road and ended up in the tree tops (January 2011, p. 32).
Again, your policy covers the loss. But, you might ask, what about
the shop’s garage keeper’s policy? Shouldn’t that cover the loss? Why
should you and your policy get hammered? You shouldn’t — and you
won’t — but don’t avoid reporting the incident to your insurance carrier.
Here’s how this works: Your insurance policy will provide primary
coverage and fix your car. When your insurance carrier pays the claim,
your legal rights against the shop are automatically transferred to your
insurance carrier, and it can pursue the claim against the shop and its
garage keeper’s policy. Legally, this is called subrogation. And, no need
to worry, your carrier will pursue the claim, as it doesn’t want to get
stuck with the bill either.
Jim Fiske, U.S. Marketing Manager for Chubb Personal Insurance,
urges readers to submit their claim to their carriers and not to try to
bring the claim against the shop themselves. “This is just part of the
service that your premiums buy,” he said.
Bringing the claim yourself can be frustrating.
Shops are supposed to carry insurance, but their coverage limits can
vary all across the board. Their deductibles can be high — sometimes
too high for a marginally profitable shop to be able to pay.
Dealing with the adjuster can be difficult. Garage keepers’ policies
are commercial policies issued by insurance companies that don’t often
realize how expensive collector-car repairs can be, and why they are
different than repairing your basic Toyota Camry.
Hagerty puts it simply: “Not many of them know, or want to believe,
that a replacement windshield for a Ferrari 275 costs $30,000.”
Trying to negotiate your way through that can be like beating your
head against the wall — even for a savvy insurance company.
Sports Car Market
Tony Piff
Page 35
“When we handle the claim, we just get the car fixed right and back
on the road as quickly as possible,” Fiske said. “Then we pursue the
subrogation claim. We’re pretty good at what we do, but I would estimate
that our average recovery on a subrogation claim is about 50% of
what we paid on the claim.”
Fiske reminded me of a claim Chubb covered last year involving one
of my clients. His Shelby GT350 was damaged en route to one of the
Monterey auctions. The transport company accepted responsibility, and
then found a no-name local body shop that would handle the repair. That
scared everyone. Chubb’s adjusters stepped in, found a local restoration
shop to do the work, and paid extra to have them work all night long to get
the Shelby ready for the auction. The damage and repair were disclosed
on the auction block, and the sale fell within the estimate range.
So what does this sort of thing do to your policy? Fiske and Hagerty
both say, “Nothing.” When the loss was caused by a third party, neither
of them consider it a claim that would affect your coverage or premium.
But if you want to be careful, ask the shop about their coverage before
leaving your car.
Transporter claims
As already mentioned, your car can be damaged while a transport
company is moving it from one place to another. The good news is that
your policy covers the loss. The bad news is the caliber of the transport
companies’ coverages are hit and miss. Some have very generous coverage,
while others are pretty skimpy.
Again, it’s okay to ask them about their coverage beforehand, but are
you really capable of evaluating the nuances? If not, give your primary
insurer a call and ask their permission.
Keep your policy in force
Three years ago, many collector cars were damaged in the wind-
storm that hit Scottsdale during the January auctions (“Legal Files,”
April 2010, p. 28). It was surprising how many of the damaged cars
were uninsured.
It seems that many collector-car owners are too quick to cancel their
insurance coverage when they aren’t driving them. Policy premiums are
pretty cheap, so this can be a penny-wise and pound-foolish scenario.
It’s not hard to see the potential for bad things to happen when you
put your car on a transporter and send it across the country to an auction,
where it will be driven around the auction site — and potential
bidders might take it on a test drive. It’s definitely a wise investment
to keep your insurance policy in force until you know the sale is final.
Similarly, when you sell your car to a buyer who gives you a check
and drives off, do not immediately call your agent and cancel your coverage.
Say the check bounces, and you have to track down the buyer to
get your car back — only to learn that it has been crashed or stolen. That
coverage you canceled would have been pretty handy to have in force.
This is less obvious, but it is a good idea to keep your car insured
even when it is undergoing a restoration. While it may seem unnecessary
to cover a car that is sitting in pieces, those pieces can disappear or
get damaged in a fire or other casualty. The shop’s legal duty is to take
reasonable care of the car — but you don’t get an absolute guarantee
that nothing bad will happen on their watch. Any of these occurrences
could be outside their standard of care, leaving you to suffer the loss.
And even if their garage keeper’s policy does provide coverage, our
earlier discussion explains why the shop’s carrier is not necessarily
going to be the easiest one to deal with.
In all these situations, your best strategy is to keep your collector-
car policy in full force. These are not the times to be trying to save a
buck or two. ♦
JOHN DRANEAS is an attorney in Oregon. His comments are general
in nature and are not intended to substitute for consultation with an
attorney.
May 2013
37
Page 36
Simon Says Simon Kidston
Glimpsing the Future While Exploring the Past
Young enthusiasts were grilled on what they liked best and least about
today’s collecting scene — and they like Miatas
Does the argument that it was built to do just that still
hold water when it’s long past its sell-by date?
Mercedes-Benz museum supremo Michael Bock
flew in from Stuttgart HQ to share with us the secrets
of keeping the German firm’s 900-plus car collection in
working order, with no fewer than 800 of them making
guest appearances at events last year alone.
We take for granted that future generations will see
and hear Silver Arrows, but it’s an eye-opener to learn
how Mercedes-Benz keeps them running when the right
tires disappeared decades ago, the evil cocktail of fuels
they originally depended on would give Ralph Nader
and his followers palpitations (and if left in the car overnight,
they’d destroy that, too) and, for the formidable
1980s Group C racers that descended from the original
Silberpfeile, have you considered if anyone ever thought
to preserve those quaint Pac-Man era electronic boxes
without which they go nowhere?
Buy your Miata now?
Perhaps most thought-provoking was when a panel
Cunningham C4-RK coupe — unique, untouched, priceless
I
s there such a thing as a quiet month in the old-car world these days?
In one week in March, our opinions, body clocks and travel budgets were chal-
lenged during a Davos-style get-together of the collecting greats at the “connoisseurship
symposium” that Miles Collier hosted at his legendary Florida museum.
Add to that a feast of automotive beauty at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
— and the raw commercialism of the surrounding auctions — which, let’s face it, is
probably the reason you’re reading this magazine, but I’ll leave that part to Keith this
month.
So what have we learned? From the Collier gathering, lots.
Keynote speaker and three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, whose broad
Scots accent recalls his mentor Jackie Stewart — as do the groovy 1970s sideburns —
is an unexpected old-car fanatic with an equally surprising encyclopaedic knowledge
of his hero Jim Clark. Fittingly, it would have been Clark’s 77th birthday when we met.
Describing what it’s like to pilot a modern single-seater gave anyone who thinks
they will one day be collectible (including myself) pause for thought when Dario reminded
us that just to start them you need a team of technicians and a bank of computers
— powering software the team won’t sell you. To fit in the cars, you need to spend
more time in the gym than most collectors spend in the boardroom, and, assuming you
make it out the pit lane, you’ll likely spin off the track before you can blame cold tires
and absent downforce.
Let’s agree they may have a limited market.
Restoring and racing
The provocatively titled “Restoration as Fiction” debate explored how human na-
ture inevitably imposes an owner’s tastes and personality on any restoration he commissions.
This, after all, is surely part of the reason any of us go through all the pain,
isn’t it? But it’s probably healthy to recognise that we’re almost all guilty of rewriting
history.
Following on from this, the “Too Important to Use?” segment asked whether some
cars should really be driven at all — let alone raced. A case in point is the Collier
Collection’s Cunningham C4-RK coupe, as sinister a device as you’re likely to ever
see on four wheels (if Batman had chosen racing instead, this would have been his
weapon of choice). This car, to use a much-abused phrase, really is preserved in “time
warp” condition down to its flaking, 60-year-old cream-and-blue U.S. racing livery
and the small office fan hastily mounted on the dashboard when it led Le Mans in 1952.
This car is unique. It’s untouched. It’s priceless. Should it ever be historic-raced?
38
of young enthusiasts were grilled on what they liked
best and least about today’s collecting scene — and how
they saw it changing. Apart from their suggestion that
the Miata may have a future at Pebble Beach, I won’t
give too much away — other than to say that when a
youngster next approaches you at a concours, remember
that in years to come he may be the tycoon bidding on
your car or — more scarily — the editor of SCM.
I’ll end on a story, which came not from one of our
faculty members but a veteran historic racer in the
audience. It summed up for me all that’s best about the
historic-car fraternity.
A few years ago, he accompanied Phil Hill on a trip
to the U.K., where they decided to pay their respects at
the grave of the late Dick Seaman, the young British
Mercedes-Benz team driver who lost his life at the wheel
of a W154 whilst leading the wet 1939 Belgian Grand
Prix at Spa.
Arriving to find fresh flowers on the grave, they
enquired with the vicar where they came from.
“Mercedes,” he replied. “They’ve sent flowers every
week since 1939.” ♦
1992 Mazda Miata. The future of collecting?
Sports Car Market
Page 40
Feature London to Brighton 2012
A Little Rain on the Parade
While Genevieve was among the first of the 500-plus entries to make the
finish, some of us were less fortunate
by Bob Ames
for one-time London-to-Brighton participation with the
submission of age documentation and appropriate photographs
with a more modest $250 fee. Once in the U.K.,
the car can be inspected if permanent status is desired,
and the additional fee paid.
I plan to personally test the new procedures next
year with my 1903 Searchmont, an American-built car
previously dated 1904. In addition to the 12-page form
and a comprehensive set of photographs, I will submit
evidence of the company’s 1903 bankruptcy and cessation
of production, along with a later letter from the car’s
designer Lee Chadwick attesting to no further production.
Stay tuned.
Saturday’s concours on Regent Street was another
step up in the development of London-to-Brighton
Week. This year, the “Mile of Style” was closed completely
to traffic in both directions. International brands,
such as Burberry, Armani, Apple and the new Ferrari
store vied for attention with the 100 or so London-toBrighton
entrants on display.
Many of the elderly machines parked back to back
Genevieve arrives, among the first of 500-plus entrants to finish
L
et’s see, we have Monterey Week, Goodwood Week — which begins with the
Beaulieu Autojumble — and Rétromobile Week. Now it seems the fanciers of
the earliest — pre-1905 — cars are about to have a London-to-Brighton Week.
Beginning with RM’s auction preview on the Tuesday before the Run and
ending at Brighton’s Madeira Drive on Sunday afternoon, an American intending to
take in everything — including the Bonhams Veteran Motor Cars auction on Bond
Street Friday night and the Regent Street concours on Saturday — will need a full
seven days, including flight time.
On the Thursday afternoon prior to the November 4 Veteran Car Run, the Royal
Automobile Club sponsored a forum titled “Damned If You Do, Damned If You
Don’t,” which explored that question so often being asked in our circles these days:
Should historic cars be restored or preserved? The panel included Toby Ward, the
chairman of the Veteran Car Club, Doug Hill of the National Motor Museum, and the
Louwman Museum’s Evert Louwman.
Robert Brooks, Bonhams’ chairman, screened photos of the Lance Macklin Austin-
Healey 100S that is now being restored, a recently sold — and very original — SS
Mercedes, and three post-war Aston Martin DB4 convertibles representing barn find,
preserved and restored examples. Much discussion and some debate ensued.
This gathering also provided the Veteran Car Club with the opportunity to present
the basics of its new dating procedure. There is considerable controversy surrounding
this undertaking, as it requires re-examination of previously dated London-toBrighton
entrants, and involves more substantial fees — about $1,200 — for inspection
and dating. The inspection is done firsthand by a VCC dating committee member. To
qualify for London to Brighton, cars must have been built
before 1905.
My longtime London-to-Brighton co-driver, SCMer
Details
Monte Shelton, became aware of the new dating procedure
when he recently applied for dating one of his pre1905
machines. He was asked if he could bring it to the
Hershey swapmeet, where an inspector would be available.
This is a 5,000 mile round trip from our Portland
homes.
Happily, a U.S. entrant can be issued a “passport”
42
Plan ahead: The 2014 London
to Brighton Veteran Car Run is
scheduled for November 3, 2014
Where: London to Brighton
begins at Hyde Park and ends at
Madeira Drive in Brighton
More: www.veterancarrun.com
in the middle of one of the world’s highest-rent retail
streets were accompanied by drivers and passengers in
turn-of-the-century dress. I seem to remember that not
so many years ago, period attire on the run itself was
frowned upon — as the cars were the focus of attention.
Goodwood Revival influence perhaps?
A popular addition to the Regent Street scene this
year was a showing of Britain’s most popular cars from
throughout the 60-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II. It
was yet another Jubilee celebration, only this time featuring
Minis to E-types.
Unfortunately, the reason for the rapidly expanding
week of events — Sunday’s Veteran Car Run — began at
dawn in a downpour. One of the Run’s stalwart participants,
Queenie Louwman, aboard the most famous car
entered, Genevieve herself, said upon arrival at Brighton
that she’d never seen as much water on the Run — ponds,
not puddles.
While Genevieve was among the first of the 500-plus
entries to make the finish, some of us were less fortunate.
Unfortunately, my benefactor Robert Brooks and I
“failed to commence” aboard his 1899 Panhard. While
the finicky hot-tube ignition was finally persuaded to
stay lit, the machine’s long inlet manifold and remote
surface carburetor fell victim to an ambient temperature
far lower than experienced on test runs a month before.
The resulting frost kept the two-cylinder engine from
developing any useful power.
What would have been a daylong challenge in
the best of weather became a 10:30 a.m. arrival at the
Brighton seafront thanks to British Rail, which virtually
matched our achievement aboard the 1904 four-cylinder
Sunbeam in 2010.
Of course, by noon the sun was out, and thoroughly
soaked finishers began showing up in greater numbers
to be awarded their finisher’s medals and welcomed with
Bonhams’ mulled wine and hot soup. ♦
Sports Car Market
Bob Ames
Page 42
Feature 2012 Cavallino Classic and Classic Sports Sunday
Ferraris as Far as the Eye Can See
For the Ferrarista, this is the equivalent of a trip to Mecca
by Bill Rothermel
A visual buffet for Ferrari fanatics
A
re you of the opinion that all Ferraris are red? If so, you owe it to yourself to
spend a few days at this annual celebration of the faithful to prove yourself
wrong.
Unlike years past, the 2013 Cavallino and its companion Classic Sports
Sunday came with a bonus — they were not held the same weekend as the Arizona
auctions. This year’s Ferrari Lovefest was January 22–27, so gearheads could simply
jet in from Scottsdale and not miss a thing in Palm Beach.
For the Ferrarista, this is the equivalent of a trip to Mecca, with everything a devo-
tee to the Prancing Horse might have on a wish list, including four days of track events
at nearby Palm Beach International Raceway, a road tour of Palm Beach, Thursday’s
Jet Reception on the tarmac at Palm Beach International Airport and Friday’s Yacht
Hop at Palm Beach Marina.
As in real estate, Cavallino Classic is all about location, location, location. The
spectacular Breakers Hotel serves as host as well as the site of Saturday’s Concorso
d’Eleganza. Classic Sports Sunday moves a short distance away to Donald Trump’s
swank Mar-a-Lago Club.
Add chamber-of-commerce weather in the mid- to upper-70s and no rain during the
six days, and things don’t get much better. Be forewarned, though, this is not an inexpensive
weekend, and all events are ticketed. Palm Beach is, after all, the playground
of the rich and want-to-be famous. If you want to do Cavallino on a budget, show up
early and stay late to watch the parade of cars enter and
leave the showfield and the adjacent valet parking lot at
the Breakers. You can experience all the heavy metal in
action for no more than the cost of parking.
Seeing 200 Ferraris assembled together (including
Details
an equal amount in the valet lot) at Saturday’s Concorso
d’Eleganza is a sight to behold. Organizers carefully
place all the highest-priced, rarest, and most exotic machinery
upon entering.
This year, attendees were treated to a special display
44
Plan ahead: The 2014 Cavallino
Classic and Classic Sports
Sunday is scheduled for
January 21–26
Where: The Breakers Palm Beach
and The Mar-a-Lago Club
More: www.cavallino.com
of vintage Alfa Romeo and Bugatti racing cars. Judging
is no small feat — every car is beautiful — and becomes
something akin to choosing your favorite child.
SCMer J.W. Marriott Jr. was awarded the Scuderia Ferrari
Cup for Best of Show Competition Ferrari in recognition of
his superb 1957 500 TRC. He also received the award for
the Finest Four-Cylinder Ferrari. The Gran Turismo Ferrari
Cup for Best of Show GT Ferrari went to SCMers Graseia
and Wayne Golomb for their equally beautiful 1955 375 Plus
PF Cabriolet. Nineteen major awards were presented, along
with class awards for each judging category.
Classic Sports Sunday, which began a few years back
as a poor cousin to Saturday’s concours, continues to
grow in popularity and added prominence. Ninety cars
were arrayed on the lawn at Trump’s private club.
The champagne is poured when the showfield opens
at 10 a.m., and a buffet luncheon at noon and awards
presentation follow. Proceeds benefit the American
Council of the Blind Scholarship Fund and the Dreyfoos
School of the Arts. Rolls-Royce and Bentley were featured
marques, and 18 competed for honors. Best
in
Class Open went to SCMers Orin and Stephanie Smith
and their 1931 Phantom II, while both Best Bentley
and Gentleman’s Choice were presented to SCMers
Richard and Angie Workman, owners of a 1953 R-type
Continental. SCMer Tom DuPont’s 1929 Le Mans
Speedster took home Best American Car. SCMer Jim
Patterson received Best French Car and the coveted Best
In Show award for his sumptuous 1947 Talbot-Lago T26
Cabriolet by Figoni and Falaschi. ♦
Sports Car Market
Bill Rothermel
Page 44
Feature 2012 Lake Mirror Classic
Step Lively Into the Collector-Car Hobby
Put on your walking shoes, as there is a lot of car-filled ground to cover.
You won’t want to miss a thing
by Bill Rothermel
Noted race car driver and SCMer
Brian Redman served as honorary
chairman at this year’s classic.
As a pleasant diversion, Redman
was interviewed by Amelia Island
Concours Chairman and Founder
Bill Warner, also an SCMer, over the
public address system while lunch
was served. A vintage fashion show
for participants dressed in period attire
and a parade of wooden boats on
Lake Mirror capped off the concours
events prior to the awards ceremony.
Best in Show Classic was pre-
sented to William and Christine
Snyder’s Derham-bodied 1930 Stutz
M Cabriolet. The 1962 Chevrolet
Corvette of Mel Mann took Best in
Show Non-Classic honors.
The Art Eastman Award went
Around Lake Mirror at the concours
N
eed proof that the car hobby is alive and well? All you need to do is attend
the Lake Mirror Classic in Lakeland, FL.
There are cars, cars, and more cars — along with crowds of car lovers.
Well over 550 vehicles were on display at the 2012 Classic. Lake Mirror,
a municipal lake in the downtown area of this historic and charming town, becomes
the center of activity for the three-day event, which ends Sunday with a road tour.
The fun begins Friday with the Budweiser Hot Rod Rendezvous featuring an outdoor
concert and more than 100 pre-1960 hot rods and customs on display.
Saturday’s concours takes center stage right where Friday’s party left off — albeit
with a more upscale, but still casual, atmosphere. Over 140 vehicles line up around the
lake. At times, the day got a bit crowded, as more than 35,000 people dropped by to
see the handsome cars, which included hot rods, full classics, sports cars and tractors.
Hundreds of cars and clubs of all marques lined the streets of the downtown busi-
ness district of Lakeland.
A beautifully
restored
1970 AMC Rebel Machine
caught my eye. Put on
your walking shoes, as
there is a lot of ground to
cover. You won’t want to
miss a thing.
Details
Plan ahead: The 2013 Lake
Mirror Classic is scheduled for
October 18–19
Where: Lakeland, FL
Cost: Free for spectators
More: www.lakemirrorclassic.com
46
Best in Show, the 1930 Stutz M cabriolet by Derham, owned
by William and Christine Snyder of St. Augustine, FL
The Continental Mark II of Warren Wubker,
winner of Best in Class Post War Group I
Sports Car Market
to the 1957 BMW 507 of SCMers
Jim and Dee Thomas, while the
Most Historic Racing Car Award
was given to SCMer A. Dano Davis
and his 1919 Miller TNT. SCMer
Wellington Morton’s 1937 Cord 812SC won Best in
Class — Open Classics.
Best in Class Post War went to Warren Wubker
and his striking black 1956 Continental Mark II, and
Best Muscle Car honors went to Michael Merlo’s 1969
Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 convertible.
Signature Swan Awards were presented to some very
unique and unusual vehicles, including SCMer Craig
Brody’s 1952 Lazzarino Sports Prototipo, SCMer Mike
Adams’ spectacularly restored 1963 Willys Pickup and
Billy Paul’s 1967 Goggomobil TS-250 coupe.
This year’s Lake Mirror Classic was the 13th and its
most successful to date. Perfect weather, a beautiful setting,
accessible location, plenty to do, and the support
of the local community combine to make this a great
family-friendly event. ♦
Bill Rothermel
Page 46
Ferrari Profile
1962 Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet Series II
Originality is the buzzword of the collector community, and 3499GT oozes
originality. Then add that it is a 250 Ferrari
by Steve Ahlgrim
Details
Years produced: 1959–62
Number produced: 200
Original list price: $13,000
Current SCM Valuation: $425,000–
$750,000
Tune-up cost: $3,000
Distributor caps: $400 (two required)
Chassis #: Left frame member by
steering box
Engine #: Right rear above motor mount
Club: Ferrari Club of America
More: www.ferrariclubofamerica.org
Alternatives: 1956–59 Ferrari 250 TdF,
1959–62 Ferrari 250 Pininfarina
coupe, 1962–64 Ferrari 250 GT/L
Lusso
SCM Investment Grade: B
Comps
1961 Ferrari 250 GT Series II cabriolet
Lot 146, s/n 1755GT
Condition 2
Sold at $770,000
RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 3/10/12
SCM# 197203
Chassis number: 3499GT
Engine number: 3499GT
T
48
he 250 engine paved the way for a large family
of cars that helped Ferrari expand their limited
output into series-produced sports cars. The
new range was based on the 3-liter V12 engine
designed by Gioacchino Colombo. The engine was powerful,
smooth and adaptable to both touring and racing.
The trend continued with the arrival of the Cabriolet 250
GT PF in 1957 — the last two letters standing for Pinin
Farina (then still written as two words), who oversaw the
design and the manufacture of the coachwork
At the 1959 Paris Motor Show, Ferrari presented the
Cabriolet 250 GT Series II. The appeal of its sophisticated
mechanics was complemented by the relaxed pleasure
of driving with the top down. This cabriolet was
one of the most glamorous models of the 1960s — if not
in the history of car-making.
The current owner of 3499GT used to take his Alfa
Romeo 1750 Coupé Bertone for servicing at Garage
André in Marseille. Mr. Paulet, the original owner of
3499GT, used to bring the Ferrari to the same garage
and it was here that the two men met. Mr. Paulet was so
impressed by the young man’s passion that he promised
him first refusal if he ever decided to sell. Five years
later, Madame Paulet called to fulfill her late husband’s
wishes. Our enthusiast had no hesitation in selling his
Alfa Romeo and with the proceeds, plus another 500,000
French francs, secured the Ferrari.
The car is in an unheard-of original state: Everything
— down to the screws — is in virtually original condition.
The owner guarantees that the Ferrari’s mileage
is indeed 15,000 km (9,320 miles). The car is equipped
with its very rare hard top and original Ferrari leather
wallet.
In its original gray livery, its leather granted a hand-
some patina by time, it resembles a Sleeping Beauty
that has just awoken from a lengthy slumber. To have
survived for nearly 50 years in this condition is almost
miraculous. This cabriolet must be one of the most authentic
and original currently known.
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 310, sold to a longtime
SCMer for $1,131,456, including
buyer’s premium, at Artcurial’s Paris auction on
February 6, 2013.
Followers of the Ferrari Profile know there has been a
huge upward movement in the values of top-end Ferraris
1960 Ferrari 250 GT PF Series II cabriolet
Lot 338, s/n 1865GT
Condition 2
Sold at $520,432
Bonhams, Paris, 2/5/11
SCM# 168818
1959 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Series II
cabriolet
Lot 522, s/n 1865GT
Condition 3+
Sold at $385,000
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA, 8/15/09
SCM# 142041
Sports Car Market
Courtesy of Artcurial
Page 47
for the past few years. The 250 models are at
the front of the pack.
I should have anticipated that the 250 Cab
would be the next to blast off, but I didn’t.
These cars aren’t race cars or a close derivative.
The nicest one on the planet would
be hard pressed to draw much attention at a
major concours. The major redeeming feature
of a Series II Cab has long been that it was
the least-expensive Classic Era open Ferrari.
The idea that one could be a million-dollar
car never crossed my mind.
There are fewer than 1,000 Classic Era
open-top Ferraris and they are the blue-chip
investment of the Ferrari world. The 250
Cabs might be on the bottom rung of the opentop
ladder, but the ladder reaches the sky.
The sale price of 3499GT certainly was
unprecedented, but the questions it poses
may be of even more significance: Is this sale
an aberration in the market or is it an early
marker for the future of 250 GT Cabriolets?
Even more significant, has the Series II Cab
moved up the ladder?
Daytona Spyder money
The sale of 3499GT is more than any 275
GTS has sold for and probably more than any
330 GTS. You could definitely buy a nice Daytona Spyder for this money, so are we
seeing auction magic — or is there a new order?
Only time will answer those questions, but I can offer some interesting insight. The
more expensive the car, the less important the price is to the buyer. The vast majority
of the population hears the price of a new Ferrari and thinks, “That’s more than my
house.” On the other hand, it’s quite likely that a person buying a new Ferrari has a
second home that’s worth more than the car.
If your first thought on 3499GT was that a person could have a Daytona Spyder or
330 GTS for what they paid for this Cab, you need to adjust your thinking. Rolls-Royce
used to say their competition was a second home or a yacht. This is a step beyond. This
is the Monopoly Money Zone. Buyers here can afford the second home, the yacht and
the car. Someone who buys a million-dollar 250 Cab already has a Daytona Spyder —
if they wanted one. They probably have a 330 GTS and a few others too. Buyers in this
range don’t miss things they want over money.
Oozing originality
3499GT had a lot going for it. It was unique in its his-
tory and its condition.
Originality is the current buzzword of the collector
community, and 3499GT oozes originality. Then add
that it was a red-hot 250 Ferrari. There are more 250
Ferraris in the million-dollar club than out of it. The
same goes for open-top Classic Era Ferraris.
I don’t think the record result was a case of auction
fever. Newcomers want shiny cars in turn-key condition.
I suspect a preservationist bought this car. Originality
has long been a goal of the collector-car community,
and preservation is the new focus. Preservation is the
goal of many seasoned collectors. It involves
finding worthy cars and preserving them with the
minimum amount of restoration.
There’s a thin line between tatty and cool —
and it often depends on who’s driving the car. If
the driver can’t afford to restore the car, then it’s
tatty. If he can, then it’s cool. As the Preservation
movement catches on, there will be more attention
on the virtues of the car than its defects. The skill
of a preservationist may soon trump the deeppocketbook
restorations of today’s collector.
Big money for a reason
3499GT ticked many boxes and was rewarded
with a blue ribbon result. While I’m astounded
with the number, I’m not surprised. My memory is
too full of images of lumpy old 250 Cabs to accept
them as million-dollar cars. Fortunately, the buyer
was more objective. The bid was well over market,
but I think the buyer knew what he was doing.
Great cars like 3499GT don’t come up often,
and it was the one to stretch for. The seller definitely
came out on top — but not as much as the
numbers may indicate. It will take a very special
Series II Cab to make a million dollars again, but
the door is open and more will enter. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of Artcurial.)
May 2013
49
Page 48
English Profile
1985 Aston Martin Lagonda Saloon
With the Lagonda, Aston Martin was trying to build a space shuttle with
technology from the Wright Brothers
by Stephen Serio
Details
Years produced: 1976–89
Number produced: 645
Original list price: $150,000
Current SCM Valuation: $20,000–$45,000
for 1985–87 cars
Tune-up cost: $933. After that, anything
goes
Distributor cap: $58.77
Chassis #: Plate inside driver’s door
jamb; plate on right inner fender and
chassis stamp on bottom of left front
suspension point
Engine #: Plate on right inner fender;
engine number is stamped rear center
top of block
Clubs: Aston Martin Owners Club
More: www.amoc.org
Alternatives: 1978–87 Maserati
Quattroporte, 1985–98 Bentley Turbo
R, 1981–87 Rolls-Royce Corniche,
1980-84 Ferrari 400i
SCM Investment Grade: D
Comps
Chassis number: SCFDLO1S4FTL13439
Engine number: V5803439
A
ston Martin’s periodic revival of the Lagonda
name saw it applied to a stretched, 4-door V8
in the mid-1970s, a mere handful of which
were constructed. When the concept re-
emerged, it was the sensation of the 1976 London Motor
Show.
Clothed in striking “razor-edge” bodywork designed
by William Towns — the man responsible for the DBS —
the new Lagonda saloon used the same long-wheelbase
V8 chassis as its immediate predecessor while breaking
new ground in terms of electronic instrumentation
and switch gear. Problems with the latter would delay
production until April 1978, by which time a less-radical
design had been adopted.
The interior was every bit as luxurious as the exterior
was futuristic, featuring selected Connolly hides, deep
Wilton carpeting and plentiful walnut veneer, all handfinished
by skilled craftsmen in the best Aston Martin
tradition. The Lagonda was face-lifted in 1987, acquiring
a slightly softer, less hard-edged look, and continued
in production until May 1990, by which time a total of
645 had been built. Even today, almost 40 years after its
sensational debut, there are few cars that can match the
visual presence of the Aston Martin Lagonda.
A left-hand-drive model equipped with the almost
universal automatic transmission, this example was
first owned by one Najib Choufani (from the Lebanese
Republic) who had the car registered in the U.K. (as
C772 DRO) and delivered to Monte Carlo in French
50
specification (see copy of original bill of sale on file).
A letter on file claims that Aston Martin has confirmed
that 13493 is the seventh car completed, with an engine
incorporating hardened valve seats, which lets it run on
unleaded fuel. The Lagonda was next owned (from 1991)
by George Patterson of Exmouth, followed by Billy J.
Smart of Waltham Abbey, who purchased it in 2008. The
current vendor acquired the car in 2010.
Chassis number 13493 comes with a large history file
containing the service booklet, assorted correspondence
and numerous bills/invoices recording regular maintenance
and servicing by Aston Martin Lagonda and
various specialists. The most recent invoice, issued by
AML in May 2011, is for a 10,000-mile/annual service,
a replacement oil cooler and extensive repairs to the sills
and other lower body sections. Finished in Suffolk Red
with magnolia leather upholstery, and described as in
immaculate condition, this well-documented Lagonda
is offered with the aforementioned history file, owner’s
handbook, numerous expired MoT certificates, U.K.
V5C document and a fresh MoT.
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 625, sold for $37,387,
including buyer’s premium, at
Bonhams’ Paris Grand Palais Auction on February 7,
2013.
This legendary example of the classic “Beauty and the
Beast” dichotomy was showcased at the Bonhams sale in
Paris. Picture this: a 1985 Aston Martin Lagonda parked
in the excessive elegance of the Grand Palais.
1979 Aston Martin Lagonda
Lot 356, s/n LOOR13015
Condition 3Sold
at $13,451
Bonhams, Sussex, 9/17/10
SCM# 166181
Sports Car Market
1985 Aston Martin Lagonda
Lot 161, s/n SCFDL01S9FTL13419
Condition 3+
Sold at $45,370
Artcurial, Paris, 11/11/12
SCM# 214392
1989 Aston Martin Lagonda
Lot 346, s/n 13579
Condition 2
Sold at $38,353
Bonhams, Newport Pagnell, U.K., 5/22/10
SCM# 162891
Simon Clay, courtesy of Bonhams
Page 49
I guess our world puzzles me at times.
I don’t understand the civilization-ending
popularity of the Kardashians, the world’s
current savage religious imbroglios, the
true ingredients of haggis, why some golf
balls spin and others don’t — or why anyone
would insult their garage by parking a
Suffolk Red Aston Martin Lagonda inside
it. Any true, self-respecting, worn-out
MG Midget, clapped-out Morris Minor or
circus-color Citroën 2CV would commit
suicide if forced to share a garage with the
automotive anti-icon known as the Aston
Martin Lagonda. Well, maybe these cars
would quietly skulk away and find a place
to rot in peace — and sabotage their own
brakes for revenge on the owner.
The Grand Palais — a magnificent
work of breathtaking architecture — was
just sullied by this Ke$ha-mess of an automobile.
Blech, just blech. I felt dirty just
looking at it, and then I almost brushed
up against it. Pop singer Ke$ha is having
her pop-culture moment in much the same
way this origami wedge did in the 1980s.
Three, two, one and poof! If there’s any
cosmic karma, Ke$ha will be relegated to
the indignity of the “All-Time 10 Worst Pop Stars” — just like the Lagonda is placed on
the “All-Time 10 Worst Cars” list each year.
If the steel girders in the Grand Palais could have come alive, they would have
formed into a Transformers-like hand, punched a hole in the roof and thrown that pile
of aluminum merde out to the Maginot Line in one swing.
Junk from a temple
My first visit to Aston Martin was 1985. It was old English cottage-industry crafts-
manship at its finest. The body panel hammering was happily deafening, the one-technician
engine building system artfully arcane and the smell of Connolly leather in the
trim shop was curiously erotic. This Edwardian-era style of manufacturing produced
the rather glorious, brutish and powerful V8 coupe, the Volantes, the Vantages — and
the massive overreach known as the Lagonda.
With the Lagonda, Aston Martin was trying to build a space shuttle with technology
from the Wright Brothers.
“We want to build a car with a 220-volt dashboard and mate it with a GM 3-speed
slushbox and a glass sunroof that doesn’t actually open!” Do you see what I’m getting
at? Reams of leather, pallets of burled wood, gallons of lacquer paint — all mated
with electronics aching to leave the car where it was last
parked.
This was the biggest car from stem to stern made with
the smallest interior, a performance-neutering gearbox
and ergonomics provided by Phineas and Ferb. No doubt
Beauty and Beast were arguing in the boardroom.
Yes, Aston Martin sold 645 units, which may have
bolstered the blood-red-ink bottom line during this
production run. Yes, they catered to the newly wealthy,
and yes, the Lagonda was considered “oh so modern and
cutting edge” for five minutes. That’s it; that’s all you
get. Crockett and Tubbs have aged better — and we don’t
even know where Tubbs is!
I can’t believe that this stupendous absurdity of a car
was built in a place that is still automotive hallowed
ground. They were “Look at me because I’m famous, but
I’ve never accomplished anything” cars. They are overweight,
oddly shaped, slow — and don’t work most of
the time. I knew the Kardashian thing would come
full circle.
New owner needs luck, cash
In period, Aston Martin ran an ad that used the
phrase “Demoralize Thy Neighbor.” Today, should
you attempt to enjoy your newly purchased classic
with any regularity, you will understand the phrase
“Demoralize Your Wallet.” Folks, this is a warning.
If you need proof, ask to see the wiring schematic
for this car. You may as well buy a used Cray supercomputer
to help write email and do Photoshop.
This transaction did have some merit, and
there is a small silver lining to this sale. Kudos
to Bonhams for placing this orphan. The car was
Suffolk Red with Magnolia, which is sale-proof in
most countries, and yet the car sold for the princely
sum of $37,387.
Well sold, and bonne chance to the new owner.
Hopefully he drove it away painlessly. You do know
that at the world-wide launch the prototype failed to
operate and had to be pushed? True story. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of
Bonhams.)
May 2013
51
Page 50
English Profile
The Cumberford Perspective
Antiquated futurism
By Robert Cumberford
T
he “Folded Paper”
school of body design
that flowered
in the 1970s is usu-
ally credited to Giorgetto
Giugiaro, but Britain’s
Bill Towns was an even
more fervently committed
practitioner. His
once-
dramatic work has not
aged particularly gracefully,
but
the Lagonda
sedan with its hatchetblade
nose was an absolute
sensation at the London
Motor Show in 1976. Far
more science-fiction than
traditional — despite
great swathes of wood
and leather inside — it
caught the fancy of the
entire world. Attempting
to make the car an advanced
electronic marvel
in a country incapable of
making a reliable electric
fuel pump was a disastrous
and costly mistake
for Aston Martin, but that
had nothing to do with its
appearance.
It may have been an
excellent automotive
expression of its era,
coinciding as it did with
the first commercial
flights of the supersonic
Concorde — itself an icon
of the age — but
today
the Lagonda represents,
more than anything else,
a misguided styling direction
leading nowhere:
space-ineffic
aerodynamic a
the essentia
beauty
tha
certainly
ish Profile
The Cumberford Perspective
Antiquated futurism
By Robert Cumberford
T
he “Folded Paper”
school of body de-
sign that flowered
in the 1970s is usu-
ally credited to Giorgetto
Giugiaro, but Britain’s
Bill Towns was an even
more fervently committed
practitioner. His
once-
dramatic work has not
aged particularly grace-
fully,
but
the Lagonda
sedan with its hatchet-
blade nose was an absolute
sensation at the London
Motor Show in 1976. Far
more science-fiction than
traditional — despite
great swathes of wood
and leather inside — it
caught the fancy of the
entire world. Attempting
to make the car an ad-
vanced electronic marvel
in a country incapable of
making a reliable electric
fuel pump was a disas-
trous and costly mistake
for Aston Martin, but that
had nothing to do with its
appearance.
It may have been an
excellent automotive
expression of its era,
coinciding as it did with
the first commercial
flights of the supersonic
Concorde — itself an icon
of the age — but
today
the Lagonda represents,
more than anything else,
a misguided styling di-
rection leading nowhere:
space-ineffic
aerodynamic a
the essentia
beauty
tha
certainly
down
down succe
tions of enth
car is a cur
is
lish Profile
The Cumberford Perspective
Antiquated futurism
By Robert Cumberford
T
he “Folded Paper”
school of body de-
sign that flowered
in the 1970s is usu-
ally credited to Giorgetto
Giugiaro, but Britain’s
Bill Towns was an even
more fervently committed
practitioner. His
once-
dramatic work has not
aged particularly grace-
fully,
but
the Lagonda
sedan with its hatchet-
blade nose was an absolute
sensation at the London
Motor Show in 1976. Far
more science-fiction than
traditional — despite
great swathes of wood
and leather inside — it
caught the fancy of the
entire world. Attempting
to make the car an ad-
vanced electronic marvel
in a country incapable of
making a reliable electric
fuel pump was a disas-
trous and costly mistake
for Aston Martin, but that
had nothing to do with its
appearance.
It may have been an
excellent automotive
expression of its era,
coinciding as it did with
the first commercial
flights of the supersonic
Concorde — itself an icon
of the age — but
today
the Lagonda represents,
more than anything else,
a misguided styling di-
rection leading nowhere:
space-ineffic
aerodynamic a
the essentia
beauty
tha
certainly
down succe
tions of enth
car is a cur
is
ing
ing and hi
significant. B
not really de
even if ever
worked, w
is a highly u
likely possi
ity. ♦
52
6
5
FRONT 3/4 VIEW
1 Thin, flat roofs were all
the rage in the 1970s, but
none were bigger, thinner or
flatter than this one, which
even incorporated skylight
glass panels.
2 The tiny, barely functional
grille is almost a joke, but of
course, cooling air actually
entered below the bumper.
3 This full-width air dam
forces air upward on those
rare occasions when all the
electrons are aligned and the
car is ready to move forward
under its own power.
4 A clumsy design error was
skewing this cheap rectangular
side marker to match the
descending crease line rather
than fixing it parallel to the
ground plane.
3
4
5 The planar surfaces go
slightly awry where they
bulge to accommodate the
wheel openings, and they are
especially awkward here at
the aft edge of the rear doors.
6 The bottom of the body
sweeps upward far more than
the deck drops at the back,
assuring a good departure
angle and making the body
seem even slimmer.
REAR 3/4 VIEW
7 The fender ends in a blade
that looks almost razorsharp,
not unlike the first
front-wheel-drive Cadillac
Eldorado coupes a decade
earlier.
8 On the other hand, these
lamps without bright trim
preceded the Volkswagen-era
Bentley Continental coupes
by decades.
9 The blunt, black bumper
bar seems more suitable for
a railway buffer than for a
luxury sedan, but it is almost
the only possible solution for
the extreme wedge shape.
10 Pushing the body surfaces
to extremes meant that a lot
of the exhaust system is very
visible.
11 All four doors are
surprisingly short. One
would normally expect the
front door cut to drop away
from the base of the A-pillar,
enhancing foot entry room.
12 The flattened outer face
of the wheels, pushed to the
exterior, is good for aerody-
namics and is quite handsome
and rather unexpected.
INTERIOR VIEW
(see previous page)
The electronic instrument
readouts, in whichever iteration
or technology — LEDs
or cathode ray tubes — were
never reliable in the way
modern units (mostly) are.
What looked like “2001: A
Space Odyssey” when the
Lagonda was new now just
looks like a lot of flat slabs
of expensive material with
some twinkling lights here
and there. The footwells are
narrow and restrictive, and
the steering wheel looks
like something from a cheap
little delivery truck. Like
the exterior styling, it hasn’t
aged well.
8
7
9
1
2
12
11
10
Sports Car Market
Page 52
Etceterini & Friends Profile
1971 Citroën SM Coupe
Most of the SMs still living are cars with needs, both obvious and hidden,
but this car is not one of them
by Donald Osborne
Details
Years produced: 1970–75
Number produced: 12,920
Original list price: $11,700
Current SCM Valuation: $25,000–$35,000
Tune-up cost: $300
Distributor caps: $75
Chassis #: Passenger’s side, between end
of steering rack and a/c blower case
Engine #: Driver’s side, middle of the
block
More: www.citroensm.org
Alternatives: 1972–75 Alfa Romeo
Montreal, 1975–81 Jaguar XJS,
1972–76 Maserati Merak
SCM Investment Grade: C
Comps
Chassis number: SB2915
Engine number: C1141108468NA0848
W
hat makes this Citroën SM special is that it
is as close to a new car as is possible to be
following a no-expense-spared restoration.
It was given to the renowned Garage du
Lac, run by Vincent Crescia in Switzerland, for a total
mechanical and body rebuild.
New or refurbished parts were fitted throughout, and
the gearbox, running gear, steering, wiring, hydraulic
and cooling systems were all restored to new. The body
was completely dismantled and elements that showed
any defect were replaced, with the rest sanded, stripped
and prepared before being repainted. Any accessory that
was less than perfect was replaced.
To restore the interior, the owner went to Barron-
Sellier in Lyon, who re-upholstered the car in tobaccocolored
leather. They also put leather trim on the
dashboard, steering wheel, glove box, sun visor, rear
shelf and part of the pedals. The wool carpets are also
trimmed in leather.
Today, the car is part of a British collection that was
featured in Octane magazine. Presented in metallic
brown with alloy wheels, this coupe is equipped with
the famous 2.7-liter V6 170 bhp engine developed by
Maserati. Mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, the engine
powers the car to 220 km/h (136 mph) in the total
comfort and safety provided by the hydraulic system.
These qualities have brought the car great success in
rallying, including victory in the 1971 Rallye du Maroc.
This coupe is without a doubt one of the most stun-
ning examples it is possible to buy. By returning this car
to as-new condition, the owner has paid a fitting tribute
to one of the most extraordinary Gran Turismo cars of
its generation, both technically and stylistically.
54
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 319, sold for $170,672,
including buyer’s premium, at the
Artcurial Rétromobile auction in Paris on February 8,
2013.
The Citroën SM has long been one of the collector-
car world’s sad stories. Born with the high ambition
to restore to the roads a powerful, fast, elegant and
dramatic French motorcar, the heir to the great Grand
Routiers of the 1930s to the 1950s, it was also one of
the few examples of an automotive merger actually realizing
useful synergies.
Citroën bought Maserati in 1968 for the sole purpose
of having a source for a more appropriate engine for
a grand tourer than their own agricultural 4-cylinder.
They not only got the perfect V6 engine from Maserati,
but the car was positioned in the market below the heart
of the Maserati line and costs were optimized by placing
the same engine in the Maserati Merak.
The SM was also a showcase for not only the well-known
advanced engineering concepts Citroën had been using
for years, but it also added pioneering variable-assist
power steering, a rain-sensitive automatically adjusting
windshield wiper, outstanding braking capability, optional
ultra-lightweight composite resin wheels and a top speed
of over 130 mph. The SM’s reasonable success in rally
competition was proof of the durability and strength of
the design. The car’s “failure” in the marketplace can be
clearly attributed to the combination of federal safety legislation
and the first energy crisis of the 1970s — combined
with the sale of Citroën to the determinedly unimaginative
Peugeot company in 1974. It would be obvious to any observer
that after Maserati was sold off and DS production
ended, the SM would be history.
1972 Citroën SM Espace
Lot 217, s/n 00SB6200
Condition 3
Sold at $135,658
Artcurial, Le Mans, FRA, 7/7/12
SCM# 209154
1971 Citroën SM
Lot 343, s/n SBSB00SB4672
Condition 2
Sold at $34,492
Artcurial, Paris, 2/3/12
SCM# 192744
1973 Citroën SM
Lot 75, s/n AC7300SD0707
Condition 2
Sold at $50,600
Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach, CA,
8/14/2010
SCM# 165736
Sports Car Market
Courtesy of Artcurial
Page 53
Most have needs, but not this one
The website of the French SM Club has a Guide
to Buying section. It begins: “Is the car in working
condition? The car is complete? Are the papers OK? If
there is a summary of registrations, check the most recent
to get an idea of the last time it was used.” It goes
on to advise that the engine costs about $13,000 to
rebuild, plus 40 hours for removal and re-installation.
The 205/70 Michelin XWX tires are very expensive,
and if you want or have to replace a set of the rare,
super-desirable resin alloy wheels, they will set you
back about $4,000 each. The guide continues with the
usual spots to check for rust, and advice on mechanical
pitfalls in the gearbox and suspension hardware.
Going inside, the guide tells us that an original radio
costs $650 to $1,050 if you have to source one. It
makes no mention of the hydraulics, which, of course,
is not a very big deal in France.
What that list does tell you is that this isn’t gener-
ally the buying advice that goes along with cars that
are either well-preserved and cherished originals or
superbly restored jewels. Most of the SMs still living
are cars with needs, both obvious and hidden.
Without a wide network of support sources for maintenance, many quickly sank on
more than their suspensions after dealer service was no longer an option. It is one of
the reasons that they developed a scary reputation as unreliable money pits. Any highperformance
car that isn’t regularly run and maintained will become a nightmare, and
that is not exclusive to the SM.
The best restoration possible
There are obviously more knowledgeable and experienced restoration and mainte-
nance shops for these cars in Europe than in the U.S., and one of the best known and
most respected is the Garage du Lac in Saint-Blaise, Switzerland. The restorations
they perform on Citroëns, especially coachbuilt models, are legendary. When they
come to the auction market in Paris they tend to “ring the bell,” as the expression
goes, and this 1971 SM was no exception.
I saw the car on the Artcurial stand at the Rétromobile show, and it was truly im-
pressive. I love these cars in this color combination of Metallic Brown with Tobacco
leather, the same as was featured in the first catalog. The incredibly evocative images
of this sleek coupe traveling through Paris at night are burned into my psyche. The
body panels were impeccable, the trim unmarked, the interior just inhabited enough to
make it inviting. It sat evenly on its wheels and not a drip or weep could be seen under
the hood or on the floor for the days it sat in court.
It carried an estimate of €60,000 to €100,000 ($79,800–$133,000) at no reserve.
That’s a healthy price for a non-coachbuilt SM. It’s not impossible to conceive, as
Bonhams sold a convertible four-door SM by Chapron, one of the two “Présidentielles,”
for $217,350 in Paris in 2011 — a figure that remains the
record at auction for an SM.
It’s worth mentioning here that I noted the euro was
at $1.33 on the day of the sale, although inexplicably
Artcurial uses the exchange rate of $1.27 on their website
— thereby listing this sale at $162,511. I only wish it
had been that good a rate.
As impressive as the sales price is, take into account
that the 249,428 CHF spent on the restoration basically
translates to the same amount in dollars, as the currencies
have been more or less at parity since mid-2010. So,
it is likely that the SM was bought for a little less than
70% of the cost of the work done, with the car thrown
in for free.
A market changer?
Back in August 2010, a good friend and client bought
an SM from Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach sale.
Also finished in Metallic Brown with Tobacco, he paid
a not inconsiderable $50,600 for it (see Comps for details).
Various people thought him nuts; I was not among
them. The car, well rebuilt and maintained by SM World
in Southern California, has proven to be both dependable
and reliable. It also has been a thrilling vintage
rally mount for him on a number of occasions. As is so
often the case, the SM’s loudest detractors are those
with no firsthand experience of the car. Properly set up,
maintained and used regularly, they are the equal of
their contemporary competition and offer a truly unique
driving experience.
This sale is obviously an outlier. SMs are not now
$150,000 cars on a regular basis. We will have to see if
this transaction prompts other owners with superb cars
to bring them to market — and encourages owners who
want to keep them to invest serious money into making
them as good as they deserve to be.
We’ve seen this now with Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciales,
Lancia Aurelia B24 Spiders and convertibles, Maserati
3500GTs and several other perennially undervalued
models where the market moves in quick steps. That’s
the key — the market always moves in steps; if indeed
the SM is being re-evaluated, we will have to see quite a
few intermediate sales to prove the fact.
For now, this sale is unrepeatable. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of Artcurial.)
May 2013
55
Page 54
German Profile
Column Author
The Porsche 906 and Its Kin
A look at the sale of a Porsche 906 in
the context of the entire 904, 906,
910, 907 and 908 lineup
by Miles Collier
Chassis number: 906126
T
his 1966 Porsche 906 sold in Paris at Bonham’s Grand Palais sale
on February 7, 2013, for $732k, including buyer’s premium. At
first glance, that price appears awfully favorable for the buyer.
Was no one awake in the room, or is there an issue with the
car? There have been enough major adjustments in the Porsche market
that an overview of the sports prototype sector with our subject 906 as
centerpiece might be helpful.
If we accept Porsche Spyders as $3m collector cars, and Porsche
917s as $15m cars, we can see that the “lesser” plastic-bodied, tubeframe
sports and sport prototype competition cars from Zuffenhausen
— the 904s, 906s, 910s, 907s and 908s — are relatively cheap and very
interesting collectibles.
First, a little history
The second age of Porsche racing opened in 1964 with the transi-
tion from formed aluminum to the molded-fiberglass construction used
in the 904. Using build techniques designed to facilitate the relatively
high 100-car production for homologation stipulated by the FIA, the
904 was the last competition Porsche that could be road-licensed in
Germany.
Unfortunately, the sheet-metal, box-section chassis bonded to a
chopper-gun-sprayed body was very heavy, difficult to repair and prone
to rust. More than one collector has been shocked by the problems this
construction method presents during restoration.
The newly designed 901 6-cylinder engine was supposed to power
1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, sold at $1,210,000 at Gooding & Company,
Pebble Beach, CA, on August 21, 2011
56
the 904, but Porsche ultimately decided to keep using the venerable
4-cam, 4-cylinder Carrera engine. The 2-liter Type 587/3 engine performed
yeoman service for Porsche’s racing (and road) customers for
the next two years.
Sports Car Market
Courtesy of Bonhams
Page 55
A variety of engines
The factory itself fielded a small series of 904s with the new 901 flat
six. Given the unforeseen subsequent introduction of the 906 Carrera 6,
these 904s were confusingly serial-numbered as 906s. Another couple
of cars were powered by Type 771 8-cylinder engines. Both of these
latter configurations raced as factory prototypes. The 6-cylinder and
8-cylinder cars are of great historical interest, and the Carrera 6 cars,
with the easy-to-maintain 901, are eminently practical as vintage racers.
There is currently quite a bit of demand for 904s. The only competi-
tion car styled by “Butzi” Porsche, the 904 stands out in any collection.
While road-licensable, I find them hot, cramped, noisy and claustrophobic.
Compared with later racing models, the 904, like the 550 in
its series, is the least potent. Even so, good 904s are commanding $1m
and more.
The 906 Carrera 6
The Carrera 6, like the 904/6, has a 906 serial number but starts
with 1xx versus 0xx. Significantly, the Carrera 6 represents a reversion
to Spyder tube frame design — albeit with non-stressed, lightweight fiberglass
skins. This construction method was to last for the duration of
the second age of Porsche racing that terminated with the incomparable
917. Two hundred pounds lighter, 30 horsepower more powerful, the
Carrera 6 dominated 2-liter sports and sports prototype racing.
As was now customary, the basic homologation model was relegated
to Porsche’s clients, while non-homologated prototype cars powered by
injected 6-cylinder engines and 2.2-liter, 8-cylinder 771s were factory
campaigned. Today, the 906 is a capable and reliable vintage racing
car. Its 901/20 engine ensures both easy parts supply and a plethora of
capable repair shops.
No more dual-use racers
Now here’s an important point: Despite being an order of magni-
tude superior to the 904, the 906 could not be road-licensed. Mid-1960s
racing technology had finally advanced to the point where successful
competition cars had to be divorced from road use.
Sports car homologation rules in 1966 required only a 50-unit run.
As Porsche could identify 50 racing-only sales, the now-problematic
road capability was dropped. In today’s collector market, usability
on both road and track commands a price premium. We see this very
clearly with the Ferrari GTO and the subsequent 275 LM. The GTO is
much more usable than its faster, track-only successor. What should the
906’s “track only” discount from the dual-use 904 be? Fifty percent?
Less — or more?
With that preface, do we see an apparent bargain in the case of our
subject car? Alas, no. Our 906 has a notorious and unfortunate history
May 2013
57
Courtesy of Bonhams
American Car Collector Profile
1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster
Is a Cobra’s value based on a sum of its parts — or which factory it rolled
out of?
by Colin Comer
Details
Years produced: 1965–67
Number produced: 260
Original list price: $7,495
Current SCM Valuation: $750k–
$1,050,000
Tune-up cost: $500
Distributor cap: $15
Chassis #: Tag riveted to passenger’s
foot box, engine compartment, and
stamped on right front frame rail near
upper control arm
Engine #: Casting number and date code
on lower front
Club: Shelby American Automobile Club
PO Box 788, Sharon, CT 06069
More: www.saac.com
Alternatives: 1963–65 Shelby 289 Cobra,
1972–73 Ferrari Daytona Spyder
1957–63 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
SCM Investment Grade: A
Chassis number: CSX3301
E
very Shelby 427 Cobra is rare simply by nature,
but some reach the level of “exceptional” — a
fact Carroll Shelby acknowledged when he
signed the glovebox door of CSX3301 with the
inscription: “One of the rarest CSX3301 Carroll Shelby.”
This Cobra was completed at AC Cars for delivery
directly to Ford Advanced vehicles in Slough, England.
As such, it was never invoiced to Shelby American.
Factory equipped with Smiths gauges, a hard top, 427
engine and Sunburst wheels, it was purchased new by
a Mr. Franck of Paris, France. The car was seldom seen
for years — until it was sold to The Vintage Car Store in
Nyack, NY, in August 1977. It went through the hands of
Kirk White and then Larry Megibow, who sold the car
to Dan Turman in 1979.
In 2001, CSX3301 was restored by HRE Motors in
Freeport, NY, who returned it to its original white with
blue stripes, black sidepipes and chrome roll bar, and
it remains the same today, with the odometer showing
10,872 kilometers (6,755 miles). In addition to its listing
in the Shelby American World Registry, documentation
includes photos of the original ledger at AC Cars.
SCM Analysis This car, Lot S155, sold for $779,100,
including buyer’s premium, at
Mecum Auctions’ Kissimmee, FL, sale on January 26,
2013.
It is no secret that most Cobras have a story. Perhaps
there are so many stories because it takes an “interesting”
sort of person to own one — or that their special
aluminum skins seem to be drawn to stationary objects.
Beyond their life stories, there were multiple differences
from one batch of cars to the next. These differences can
greatly affect value today.
Such is the case with the 260 original big-block
60
Cobra street cars produced. Note that I did not say “427
Cobra,” but more on that later. The CliffsNotes version
of original big-block (CSX3000 chassis numbers) street
Cobras puts the cars into three distinct batches:
The 3100 series cars were a mix of various rear-
fender configurations that define the cars. All had 427-ci
engines with dual-quad induction and small rectangular
taillights from the earlier small-block cars.
The 3200 series cars were all “wide-hip” cars with
new round taillights (two per side), and with a few exceptions,
were powered with 428-ci “Police Interceptor”
engines with single 4-barrel induction — Shelby’s costcutting
measure.
The 3300 cars shared the same body, and after the
first few cars (from 3306 more or less) returned to 427ci
power with a single 4-barrel after Shelby’s engine
trickery was discovered and protested.
Then — and now — buyers prefer 427 Cobras with
a real 427 under the hood. As a result, few 428 cars
retain their original engines. Regardless of current
powerplant, any “427” Cobra originally sold with a 428
suffers a reasonably steep value penalty with today’s
buyers.
As for our subject car, before we get to its original
configuration, let’s address how — and where — it was
originally built and sold.
A little backstory: With the small-block Cobras, there
was enough of a demand for them from European buyers
that Shelby American licensed AC Cars Ltd. to build
their own Cobras to sell in Europe. These cars were
given their own unique chassis number prefixes: COB
(CObra Britain) for sale in the U.K.; and COX (CObra
eXport) for the rest of Europe. Rather than use Shelby’s
2000-series chassis numbers, the COB and COX cars
used serial numbers from 6001 to 6062.
1966 Shelby Cobra 427
Lot 217, s/n CSX3228
Condition 2Sold
at $880,000
RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, 1/19/12
SCM# 192676
Sports Car Market
1966 Shelby Cobra 427
Lot 53, s/n CSX3216
Condition 1Sold
at $825,000
Gooding & Co., Pebble Beach, CA, 8/18/12
SCM# 209443
Comps
1965 Shelby Cobra 427
Lot 114, s/n CSX3014
Condition 1-
Sold at $1,485,000
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA, 8/17/12
SCM# 209501
Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
Page 59
These cars never went to Shelby American, as they were com-
pleted at AC Cars using engines and transmissions shipped to the
U.K. from Shelby American, and they were sold as “AC Cobra 289”
cars with AC Cars, rather than Shelby, badges — and without the
famous “Powered by Ford” fender emblems.
By the time the big-block Cobras arrived, few European buyers
were interested. However, AC Cars did complete three big-block cars
in the manner of the 289 cars. These cars — CSX3217, CSX3222, and
our subject car CSX3301 — were all delivered to Ford Advanced
Vehicles in the U.K. to sell.
A true Shelby Cobra or an AC Cobra?
So, as CSX3301 was not built at Shelby American and never set
tires on American soil until 1977, is it a Shelby Cobra in the truest
sense? I asked SAAC’s Cobra Registrar Ned Scudder to chime in on
the subject:
“We know that 3217 and 3222 originally had AC emblems rather
than Cobra badges, and we suspect 3301 did as well,” Scudder said.
“3217 and 3222 also had the 289-style “AC Cars” footbox VIN tags,
and 3301 did as well, but a Shelby American one was installed at
some point. And yes, I would call these cars AC Cobras and not
Shelby Cobras.”
Ned’s thoughts aligned with those of other Cobra collectors to
whom I spoke as well. So it seems that being assembled at AC Cars and not at Shelby
American robs CSX3301 of that Shelby magic for many.
The SAAC Registry history lists: “CSX3301. White/black interior. Completed at AC
Cars for delivery to Ford Advanced Vehicles (Slough, ENG). As it was neither shipped
nor invoiced to Shelby American, its chassis number did not appear in their production
work order sequence. Shipped 9/1/66 to FAV with a factory hard top, a 428 engine
and Sunburst wheels.”
It is worth noting that CSX3301 was not listed on Shelby American’s production
ledger — but on AC Cars Ltd.’s ledger. Over the years, CSX3301 gained a 427 and the
requisite hood scoop, roll bar, sidepipes, stripes, and lost its unique Sunburst wheels,
as these cars typically do.
The Registry lists all of CSX3301’s past owners, offers for sale, and numerous
auction appearances up to its most recent sale in January 2013. It has had a lot of
short-term owners — most of them dealers — including Megibow and his famous sale
of the car when the bank held the title. All of this data is valuable in documenting the
car’s history, and there is some good news: no missing owners or years apparent, and
none of the dreaded “hit tree, rebuilt, sold, hit bridge, rebuilt” stories that are all too
common.
However, there is one issue that comes from CSX3301 spending its first decade in
Europe. The SAAC Registry explains: “Caveat Emptor: A second car exists which was
fraudulently stamped with the chassis number CSX3301 in the late ’70s. This car is
the result of bad timing on the part of a triumvirate from Southern California. Using a
mole to scan DMV computer registrations, and finding no trace of records belonging
to CSX3301 in the mid ’70s, this group elected to build one, not realizing that the
original car was in France and therefore absent from
the U.S. DMV computer base. It is believed that the illegitimate
3301 is based on the shell of an original street
427 Cobra. This car was last known to be in Encino, CA.
It is NOT the original or legitimate CSX3301.”
Obviously, having two cars share a VIN is never good
— but thankfully SAAC states a firm opinion of which
3301 is real. The Mecum car is the real deal.
The big question remains, is 3301 a Shelby or an
AC? Is a Cobra’s value based on a sum of its parts — or
which factory it rolled out of? Clearly a precedent was
set with the COB and COX cars built under license by
Shelby and sold outside of the United States with unique
chassis numbers as AC 289s. Should CSX3301 be called
an AC 427? Perhaps, and clearly at some point, an
owner felt its value would be higher as a Shelby Cobra,
as evidenced by the VIN tag and badge swap.
I have to assume the buyer — who got a full and clear
description from Mecum Auctions on how 3301 was built
at AC Cars and sold through FAV in the U.K. and not
Shelby American — was comfortable with that lineage.
AC or Shelby, it’s still a Cobra
Nobody can ever say that CSX3301’s story isn’t unique
or interesting. And the bottom line is that in appearance
and function 3301 is all Cobra, whether one wants to
call it an AC or a Shelby.
Personally, I’d hunt down the imposter car, demand
its unlawful VIN be removed, and then put the real
CSX3301 back to pure street-car configuration (sans
pipes, scoop, roll bar, stripes, S/C engine bits and so
on) and dress it exactly as it left FAV in England — AC
badges and all.
So, semantics of 3301’s origin aside, how does its most
recent sale add up? What is a low-mileage, 428 Cobra
that was built by AC Cars Ltd. and later restored with
427 S/C Cobra gingerbread and a 427 engine worth?
On this day it was worth $779k. That places it square
in the range of what similar spec 428 big-block Cobras
have sold for recently at auction. Did buyers discount it
from what a no-stories, built-in-Los Angeles, 427 Cobra
would bring? Absolutely. I’d call the price strong, but
with the Cobra market on fire, it is most likely the new
market price for a big-block Cobra with a footnote. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of Mecum
Auctions.)
May 2013
61
Page 60
Race Car Profile
1936 Talbot-Lago T150C Racer
This car has less absolute value than a perfect one, but the value is real
and every bit as stable — just lower
by Thor Thorson
Details
Years produced:1936–37
Number produced: Six
Original list price: N/A
Current SCM Valuation: $1,500,000–
$3,000,000
Chassis #: Plate on firewall, left side
Engine #: Left side of block under rocker
cover
Alternatives: 1933–35 Bugatti Type 59,
1931–35 Invicta 4.5-liter, 1935–39
Alfa Romeo 8C 2900
SCM Investment Grade: A
Comps
1938 Talbot-Lago T150C SS
Lot 127, s/n 90112
Condition 1
Chassis number: 82930
T
he heads of the Automobile Club de France, keen
to see prestigious national firms return to racing,
decided to introduce new rules for the 1936 ACF
Grand Prix. The new regulations, adopted on
October 13, 1935, opened the event to sports cars. The
declared goal was, of course, to encourage the involvement
of French firms and, if possible, facilitate their
success; but also to openly encourage “reasonable” racing
cars whose development could be directly applied
to series cars. Models were therefore to be produced in
minimum numbers — and conform to a model available
to the public.
In early 1934, Anthony Lago arrived from England to
take charge at Talbot and ensure its return to economic
health. After a convalescent period of modifications and
modernization, he decided to go into track racing for
two reasons: to generate vital publicity, and — above all
— as the perfect testing ground for the firm’s new models.
Lago naturally responded favorably to the ACF’s
new rules, and he tasked Walter Becchia to design a new
sports car at the end of 1935. The result was the T150C.
Four cars were produced for the 1936 season (the series
would be completed by two further cars in 1937). To ensure
Talbot could start racing — and to pay for his new
team of René Dreyfus and André Morel — Lago had no
option but to sell two of the four cars — although they
were still assembled at the factory. One was acquired by
Pierre Louis-Dreyfus; the other was sold to Francique
Cadot, a little-known car enthusiast from Lyon. The car
offered here is the one bought by Francique Cadot in
1936.
62
SCM Analysis This car, Lot 342, sold for
$1,995,001, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at Artcurial’s Paris auction on February 8, 2013.
There is an old English saying that goes, “When your
guests start talking about how honest they are, it’s time
to count the silverware.” That really doesn’t apply here,
yet the auction company’s decision to publish an entire
separate booklet and devote a mind-numbing arsenal of
words to detail the history of the car gave me pause.
The English translation of the catalog entry ran over
3,300 words (this profile is about 1,400, for comparison),
and you have to wonder why they felt they had to
say so much. Consider a hypothetical alternate approach:
“1963 Ferrari GTO, Chassis #XXXX, perfect;
start bidding.”
The point here is, the greater the car, the less you
need to explain it. In their defense, I acknowledge that
this is a relatively obscure car with a very long and complicated
history, so if you want more than the few true
cognoscenti of the marque to raise their paddles, you’ll
need to explain the car, but still….
A vivid history…
Let me give you a Reader’s Digest summary of what
the catalog actually said, and then we can consider the
sale. In the mid-1930s, the international Grand Prix
formula was so utterly dominated by the Mercedes
and Auto Unions of the Third Reich that nobody else
had a chance of even placing — much less winning.
The French didn’t like this at all, so, starting in 1936,
they made up their own rules for the French races. The
1937 Talbot-Lago T150 SS Teardrop
Lot 558, s/n 90115
Condition 1-
Not sold at $1,200,000
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA, 8/05/09
SCM# 142118
Sold at $4,475,000
RM Auctions, Cernobbio, ITA, 5/21/11
SCM# 177900
1938 Talbot-Lago T150C Teardrop
Lot 359, s/n 90034
Condition 1
Sold at $4,620,000
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA, 8/13/10
SCM# 165601
Sports Car Market
Courtesy of Artcurial
Page 61
French performance car builders all jumped in.
Antonio (Tony) Lago was a brilliant engineer and promoter who bought the Talbot
marque out of its parent company’s bankruptcy in 1935, and he saw the new rules
as an excellent opportunity to re-establish Talbot-Lago as a serious player in the
performance-car business.
Lago and his engineers developed the T150 — a 4-liter upgrade of the earlier Talbot
design with a hemispherical cylinder head, improved suspension, etc… — with this in
mind. They started by building four competition T150s for the 1936 season — selling
two of them to finance the two factory team cars.
Candidly, these cars were not particularly successful, but they paved the way for
the 1937 and later T150Cs that were more competitive and, in the “Teardrop coupe”
version, stunningly beautiful. These have become ultimate collectible treasures.
Today’s subject car was one of the two sold. It went to a wealthy amateur who
quickly realized he shouldn’t be racing. He loaned the car to other drivers, and it
became the effective Talbot B-team through 1937.
The car then passed through a few owners and races before ending up with Pierre
Levegh (best known for the 1955 Le Mans catastrophe) in 1938. He raced it extensively
— but with limited success — until World War II stopped things. Levegh drove the car
again when racing started up after peace returned.
At the end of 1946, Levegh sold it to a Mr. Mouche, who threw the original body
away and replaced it with something newer-looking before racing it extensively in
1947. Now getting thoroughly out of date and uncompetitive, the car passed through
a series of owners who filled up the back positions in lots of French races, until it
was retired and put into storage in 1950. It spent the next 33 years sitting in various
garages and collections without being restored or used.
…with a reproduction body
In 1983, the car ended up in London in the possession of legendary vintage dealer
Dan Margulies. He got it running — but couldn’t find anyone interested in buying a
weird old Talbot with unknown history and an incorrect body — so he decided to have
Paul Grist rebody it as a competition T150. Little did Margulies suspect that that is
what this car originally was.
Finished in 1984, the car was quickly sold and started its new life as a historic-
racing icon, passing through the collections and racing adventures of a virtual Who’s
Who of high-profile Europeans — and along the way having its true history discovered
and documented. It was restored again in 2000 before passing into the ownership of
the German seller at this auction.
What drives the price of a car
Now let’s talk about value. I am told that the seller was disappointed with the result,
but is this reasonable? This car sold for effectively $2 million, which is either an awful
lot of money or not very much, depending on a very subjective set of considerations.
Let’s go back to collector basics: authenticity, originality, beauty, rarity, historical
importance, speed and sportiness, usability, and — not least — communal lust for a
certain car (is a GTO really worth that much money?). All these carry different relative
values in each car’s “what’s it worth?” calculation.
It is a given that the greatest cars have all the basics in abundance — but very few
May 2013
actually do — and it is useful to consider what happens
if a car comes up short. I will argue that as the values
reach the nosebleed levels, authenticity and originality
become the primary determinants, as they are the only
variables that you can’t fix (historical importance and
rarity aren’t variables).
As a group, Talbot T150s tick most of the boxes and
are incredibly collectible. The “Teardrop” coupes are
comfortably over $4 million these days, and although
the open competition cars aren’t as flat-out gorgeous,
they make up for much of the difference with rarity and
performance and remain easily in $3 million territory
for a great one.
Our subject car was unquestionably real, docu-
mented, and dripping with history, but it wasn’t completely
original, and on some levels, it was presented as
a bit of a fraud.
The issue rides on
the car’s body. The
patina is extraordinary:
old, faded
blue paint with the
“Talbot Lago” script
on the bonnet almost
worn off
from the
years — you can almost
smell the sweat
and smoke of heroic
drives with the clouds of war looming overhead — except
that it is all reproduction. The body was built in
1984 in England with patina applied as cosmetic.
The rest of the car is real and important, but it’s not
Freshly patinated in 1984
the original, complete package, and there is nothing
anyone can ever do to fix that.
Still a valuable — and usable — racer
The compensating good news is that the car is far
more usable as a racing weapon; you don’t need to worry
about bending irreplaceable sheet metal and paint.
This car has been flogged by the best all over Europe
and can continue to race for as long as historic racing
continues, which gives it a value a collection queen
can’t have. It has less absolute value than a perfect one,
but the value is real and every bit as stable — just lower.
On balance, I’d say that it sold fairly and will provide
great value to the buyer. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of Artcurial.)
63
Page 62
Market Reports Overview
February Auctions Hold Their Own
Twelve tiny cars from the Weiner Collection sold above
$100k, including a 1958 FMR TG500 “Tiger” at $322k
By Tony Piff
J
anuary’s seismic blast of auction activity in Arizona
thundered right across the globe and into February.
For European collectors, Rétromobile in Paris
marks the beginning of the new year. Artcurial is
the official auction house of the event, and this was their biggest
Paris sale to date by every measure. They sold 102 out
of 115 cars consigned, up from 94 out of 103 last year, for a
combined total of $18.5m, up from $17.8m. That’s double the
$9.3m achieved in 2011. The much-anticipated 1936 TalbotLago
T150C racer secured top-sale honors for the sale (and
for this entire issue) at $2m (see the profile, p. 62), followed
by a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Murphy convertible at $1.4m
and a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT PF cabriolet at $1.1m (see the
profile, p. 48).
Not far away, Bonhams held their sale at the Grand
Palais. 2013 marks the veteran auction house’s 100th year,
and the sales figures confirmed that they are still growing.
Bonhams sold 88 cars for a combined $14.9m, up from $9.2m
last year. Two cars broke $1m here: a 1929 Bentley 6½ Litre
Speed Six tourer, sold at $1.1m, and a 1963 Aston Martin
DB4 Series V Vantage cabriolet, at $1.1m. Close behind, a
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Special Coupe fetched $935k, and a
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K cabriolet made $911k.
Vintage track enthusiasts converged in Warwickshire,
U.K., two weeks later for Race Retro, where Silverstone
hosted its
annual
race-themed sale. Numbers dipped
slightly, with 50 cars sold for a combined $2.4m and an average
price of $49k. A 1958 Tojeiro Jag sold for $452k, ahead
of a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 Series II coupe at $269k and a
1966 Shelby GT350 at $162k.
Looking stateside, Mecum grew their mammoth week-
long Kissimmee sale to an unbelievable 10 days. Shattering
any concerns of a saturated market or exhausted bidders,
Mecum sold 75% of 2,424 consignments for a $70.8m total
and a $39k average price. A 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 found
SCM 1-6 Scale
Condition Rating:
1: National concours standard/
perfect
2: Very good, club concours,
some small flaws
3: Average daily driver in decent
condition
4: Still a driver but with some
apparent flaws
5: A nasty beast that runs but
has many problems
6: Good only for parts
64
http://bit.ly/ZOf8zr
Sales Totals
Mecum, Kissimmee, FL
Artcurial, Paris, FRA
Bonhams, Paris, FRA
RM Auctions, Madison, GA
Leake, Oklahoma, OK
Bonhams, Boca Raton, FL
Silverstone, Warwickshire, U.K.
Coys, Birmingham, U.K.
$70,760,568
Scan this code with
your smartphone for
complete results of
each auction covered
in this issue, or go
to URL listed (left)
$18,512,160
$14,912,258
$8,093,850
$2,444,023
$1,804,608
$5,697,340
$3,669,050
$780k, a 1968 Chevrolet L88 Corvette made $583k and a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429
rounded out the podium at $442k.
Bonhams’ inaugural Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance auction was a marked suc-
cess. They sold 46 cars for $3.7m total and an $80k average. The Ex-Mrs. E.L. Cord 1930
Duesenberg Model J Torpedo phaeton was the high sale at $699k. Next in line were a 1970
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Spyder conversion at $391k and a 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III
drophead coupe at $264k.
And RM attracted global attention when it sold off the 200-car Bruce Weiner Microcar
Collection without reserve. Like gumdrops on a frosted cake, the tiny cars were irresistible
to bidders. Twelve tiny cars sold above $100k, including a 1958 FMR TG500 “Tiger” — a
rare, high-performance Messerschmitt capable of 80 mph speeds — sold for an incredible
$322k.
We conclude the market reports with highlights from Leake Oklahoma City and Coys
Birmingham in the Global Roundup. Lastly, Chad Tyson takes a look at those most practical
of collector cars from the middle of last century: four-door '50s rigs that sold on eBay
Motors. ♦
Top 10 Sales This Issue
(Land Auctions Only)
1. 1936 Talbot-Lago T150C racer, $1,955,001—
Art, p. 80
2. 1929 Duesenberg Model J convertible,
$1,386,006—Art, p. 84
3. 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Spyder, $1,131,456—
Art, p. 82
4. 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage
drophead coupe, $1,090,453—Bon, p. 88
5. 1938 Bugatti Type 57C coupe speciale,
$934,674—Bon, p. 90
6. 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K cabriolet, $911,307—Bon, p. 90
7. 1938 Lancia Astura 4th Series cabriolet, $903,518—Bon, p. 92
8. 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Vanvooren cabriolet, $783,866—Art, p. 78
9. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 roadster, $779,100—Mec, p. 74
10. 1953 Bentley R Continental sports saloon, $711,277—Bon, p. 88
1. 1953 Bentley R Continental
sports saloon, $711,277—Bon,
p. 88
2. 1953 Messerschmitt KR175 dome top
microcar, $23,000—RM, p. 103
3. 1951 Mochet CM-125 Luxe cabriolet,
$19,550—RM, p. 100
4. 1980 MGB convertible, $13,250—
Mec, p. 70
5. 1974 Volkswagen Thing 4-dr convertible,
$6,380—Lke, p. 130
Sports Car Market
Best Buys
Page 64
Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL
Mecum Kissimmee
Looking for a 1965–67 Mustang? There were 39 on offer. How about
a 1969 Camaro? There were 80
Company
Mecum Auctions
Date
January 18–27, 2013
Location
Kissimmee, FL
Auctioneers
Mark Delzell, Jimmy Landis,
Bobby McGlothlen, Mike
Hagerman, Matt Moravec,
John Hummer, Jeff Knosp,
Russ Conklin, Steve Holt
Automotive lots sold/offered
1,806/2,424
Sales rate
75%
Sales total
$70,726,118
High sale
1966 Shelby Cobra 427
roadster, sold at $779,100
1966 Shelby Cobra 427 roadster, sold at $779,100
Report and photos by Dale Novak
Market opinions in italics
I
have been covering Mecum’s
January Kissimmee sale for more
than a few years now. Looking at
the behemoth that it has become, it’s hard
to believe that just 104 cars changed hands here in
2004. This year, the sale lasted 10 days with 2,423
cars up for grabs, surpassing all other classic-car
sales in history. Along with the cars, there were an additional
700 lots of memorabilia and road art for sale,
which accounted for one full day of the auction. To call
it a “Super Bowl of car auctions” might be a colossal
understatement, but I’ll stick with that for now.
If you came here to buy a car, there were plenty to
choose from. Looking for a sharp 1965–67 Mustang?
There were 39 on offer. How about a 1969 Camaro? Try
80. I chose to come during the first half of the sale rather
than the latter half, as I could not attend all 10 days.
Some folks I spoke with, both dealers and retail buyers,
suggested that the sale might be too long and too large,
or that the market would reach a saturation point. But
Mecum shattered all of those concerns, achieving a very
impressive sell-through rate of 75%. A press release
from Mecum stated that over 75,000 people attended the
10-day event, which I’m sure was a nice boost for the
local economy.
High-sale honors went to a 1966 Shelby Cobra 427
roadster that changed hands for $779k. Other cars of
66
Buyer’s premium
$300 up to $5,499, $500 from
$5,500 to $9,999, 6% thereafter,
included in sold prices
Kissimmee, FL
note included a 1968 Shelby GT500 KR, sold at $175k, and a rare 1968 “Tasca”
Ford 428 Lightweight Mustang, which went home unsold with a high parting
bid of $200k. A very nice 1970 Plymouth Superbird, equipped with V-code
440 Six Pack, 4-speed and full documentation, hammered home for $166k.
Considering the potent drivetrain and matching numbers, this Mopar was
one of the best deals of the event.
For those of you who prefer a cup of tea to go with your wool driving
cap, there was a 1955 Jaguar XK 140 sold at $127k and a 1967 AustinHealey
BJ8 Mk III convertible, which sold post-block for $61k. And
featuring British styling with a spunky Ford 289 under the hood was a
1967 Sunbeam Tiger, which sold for the tidy sum of $69k.
Last year’s event was a marked
success, with 1,546 cars sold out of 2,243 consigned,
for an overall total of $58.5m and an
average price per car of $38k. This time around,
Mecum shot for the moon and increased every
one of those figures except for average price,
which still came through at a respectable $29k.
With the vast majority of cars changing hands at
prices fair for both buyer and seller, this looks
like a healthy stabilization of the market.
Mecum’s General and Operations Manager
Harold Gerdes said, “To put this event on is like
putting on a professional basketball game and a
rock concert at the same time and doing it every
night, 10 nights straight.” I can’t wait to see how
they up the ante at next year’s sale. ♦
Sales Totals
$70m
$60m
$50m
$40m
$30m
$20m
$10m
0
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Sports Car Market
Page 66
Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL
ENGLISH
#F236-1955 JAGUAR XK 140 roadster.
S/N S810008. Red/tan cloth/tan leather. Odo:
9,867 miles. Paint is well applied but showing
signs of age; beginning to unwind in areas.
Some microblistering noted as well. Some
interior switches are a bit weathered. Fresh
crinkle-style paint on steering wheel. Trunk
out, hood is tight. Chrome slightly pitted with
some bubbling under the chrome windshield-
noted in the trunk. Tape on driver’s seat. Trunk
out. Dashpad is a bit lumpy. Interior fit and
finish beginning to unwind in areas. Engine
in most regards. Fitted with a/c. Dash is still
weathered but cleaned up more than the last
surround. Leather is fresh. Cond: 3+. SOLD
AT $127,200. Overall this was a very nice
presentation with the only real nits being the
older paintwork that was showing signs of
age. Some paint was lifting, which was alarming.
These are sought-after machines with a
good deal of investor interest for nice ones.
This one presented well and with some of the
paint issues resolved would drift squarely into
#2 territory. Market-correct.
#W131-1957 TRIUMPH TR3 roadster.
S/N TS17589L. Yellow/black vinyl/black vinyl.
Odo: 96,967 miles. An older frame-off
restoration. Fisheyes and lots of trash in the
paint, along with some sanding marks; some
paint rather flat and lifeless. Chrome and trim
lightly pitted and scratched. Driver’s door out.
Fender panel fit could be better. Dash and
gauges very nice, clear and not worn. Seats
bay lacks attention to detail, shows some light
oil and fuel-staining. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$60,950. The car card stated that this was a
fresh restoration with zero miles on the drivetrain
since completion, but it sure didn’t present
that way under closer scrutiny. Not saying
that that wasn’t the case as it just might be a
case of a less-than-stellar restoration. As it
was, this was a very nice driver and looked
totally usable with little to fret over. A fair deal
for both parties.
#K167-1967 SUNBEAM TIGER Mk IA
convertible. S/N B382001595LRXFE. Black/
black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 87,665 miles.
Straight Mk IA with 260 V8 swapped out for a
289. Well-done black paint. Some body filler
noted in wheelarches. Color changed from red
to black with some red still visible. Non-stock
Tiger graphic sealed under the clearcoat. Good
gaps, trunk is high. Chrome and trim in nice
condition with only some light scratches
noted. Interior shows some wear and perhaps
time I reviewed this car. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT
$23,850. When possible, I try to locate cars
I’ve seen before to track their progress or valuations.
This Jaguar was last seen by me here
at Mecum Kissimmee 2012, where it sold for
$19k (SCM# 192891). It was quite rough last
time, and this go-round had been refurbished
a bit, especially inside the cabin, which was
just about all new. The paint appeared better
as well, but most likely was just touched up
and buffed. No money was made here. At market,
given the condition.
#L112-1973 MG MIDGET racer. S/N
GAN5UD136100G. Maroon/black vinyl/black
vinyl racing seats. Odo: 64,972 miles. Plaid
racing seats. Beater paint with too many issues
to note. Signs of road and driving use abound,
with no part of the car particularly nice. Some
rust forming blisters in spots. No questions as
have a few creases. Oil-soaked engine is
grimy all over. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $24,910.
Not particularly well done anywhere you
looked, but not a beater either. These are popular
little British roadsters with a fairly good
following. Parts are easy to source as well.
Slightly well sold, but no harm done.
#K74-1967 AUSTIN-HEALEY 3000 BJ8
Mk III convertible. S/N HBJ8L41628.
Blue/blue cloth/blue vinyl. Odo: 68,527 miles.
Some light pitting on trim. Nice paint overall
but does show some prep issues, fisheyes and
a dent in the trunk lid. Some mottled paint also
68
presents more as a lightly used driver. Engine
bay about the same. One of five Tigers on offer
here, which is a huge amount. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $68,900. The Tiger market seems to
be having an awakening as of late, and who
knows if this price is the new normal, but it
appears to be based on some other recent
sales. Keep in mind that the result here was
for a Mk IA—it’s usually the Mk IIs (and stock
260-powered Mk IAs) that find more money at
auction. A very nice driver, well sold.
#J70-1973 JAGUAR XKE 2+2 coupe.
S/N UD1S75154. Red/tan leather. Odo:
53,237 miles. Body relatively solid with paint
that has been fluffed up. Appears to have been
blue in another life. Rear bumper heavily
scuffed. Interior is new and looks fairly fresh
Sports Car Market
to the use of this car. Cond: 4-. NOT SOLD
AT $10,000. This was a full race-spec SCCA
vintage track car and looked to have been
used for just that. The plaid seats were a nice
touch given the British Heritage of the storied
MG. Lots of performance parts with an authentic
look. High bid wasn’t enough—at least
according to the seller.
#T174-1974 JAGUAR XKE convertible.
S/N UE1S24274. White/black vinyl/black
leather. Odo: 21,526 miles. Sanding marks,
fisheyes and some body filler noted in the
Page 68
Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL
wheelwells. Chrome and trim somewhat dull
and lifeless. Newer top, but back window has
yellowed already. With factory a/c and a
4-speed transmission. Gauges show plenty of
use and wear. Door jambs are nasty. Interior is
well sorted but a bit weathered. An end-to-end
driver. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $49,820. Miles
claimed original, which may be so, but the car
was tired just about anywhere you looked. I’m
a big fan of the series I, II and III XKEs, as
they are simply beautiful cars to look at—but
owning and driving them can be another adventure
altogether. This one had plenty of
needs and was well sold at this price.
#G216.1-1980 MGB convertible.
S/N GVVDJ2AG510372. Orange/
black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 4,824
miles. Claimed to be actual miles. Top shows
some repair stitching. Original paint holding
up well. Small dent on the fender. Added cup
holder stuck on the door panel. Kick panel is
peeling. Fitted with a Kenwood stereo. Car is
BEST
BUY
microcar like this, there’s really no reason to
not go ahead and restore it, since there’s not a
ton of surface area or parts to refurbish. Most
I’ve seen have been impeccably restored. The
market for these has deflated as of late; for a
driver with some tacky plastic trim, this was
well sold.
#G183-1966 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
2-dr sedan. S/N 116800736. Light green/
black & green vinyl. Odo: 64,439 miles. Poor
paint prep. Body putty noted in the wheel lips.
Rust has been painted over in the engine bay
area. Well-weathered interior. Headliner is
coming loose. Door panels split. Rockers are
soft under the rubber trim. Driver’s door out.
Poor front bumper fit. Mix of new and original
coming loose. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $74,200.
Last sold for $43k at McCormick’s Palm
Springs sale in February 2011, wearing white
(SCM# 176113). 1971 is the last year of the
W113 body style and sought-after not only by
Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts but by collectors in
general. This one was a bit of a driver, which
is fine if you pay driver money for it. That
wasn’t the case here. Very well sold indeed.
presented very dirty, and a good cleaning will
do wonders. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $13,250. I
will never understand how a guy can send a
car, any car, to auction and not have it detailed
for the sale. That said, this was a lowmile
example that remained in good shape
overall. Well bought, given the unusually low
miles.
GERMAN
#T214-1955 MESSERSCHMITT KR200
microcar. S/N 56257. Gray/blue vinyl. Odo:
59,045 miles. Lightly pitted chrome. Plexiglass
canopy is scratched up. Chrome is worn
in areas. Wavy body with plenty of issues and
blemishes in the paint. Some quasi-plastic trim
affixed to the body to replicate the original
trim. An interesting driver with plenty of curi-
parts. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $11,660. The Volkswagen
market seems to do well one week,
and then not so well another, with only the
best out there keeping any level of consistency.
The miles stated were believed original, which
would be on par with the condition assessment.
This was a fluff-and-buff special to me,
as you could tell it was tarted up to be sold.
Well sold.
#G67-1970 VOLKSWAGEN KARMANN
GHIA convertible. S/N 1402860360.
Red/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 29,134
miles. Red paint showing on weatherstripping.
Paint peeling in spots; some blistering chrome
noted in areas. Passenger’s door out. Chip on
engine bay lid channel, chips on door. Lumpy
dashpad. Chipped and scratched upper door
with little to note. Cond: 3. SOLD AT
$23,320. 912Es are the red-headed step-children
of the Porsche universe, but I like them
for what they are. They seem to be gaining
traction as of late, so I suspect you may see
some continued upward movement in this market.
We shall see. That said, this was well sold.
#F209-1999 PORSCHE 911 Carrera
ous onlookers. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $32,860.
This looked decent until you started to pick
apart the details of the restoration. With a
70
panel on painted portion. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT
$15,105. Just a weathered old Karmann Ghia.
This example showed plenty of needs—too
many to address and still come out on top. Just
drive it and enjoy it for what it’s worth, but
don’t bother restoring it. Better off buying one
that’s already done. Popular cars for fairweather
driving, but this car was well sold.
#S257-1971 MERCEDES-BENZ 280SL
convertible. S/N 113044E13. Navy blue/navy
coupe. S/N WP0AA2997XS622091.
Silver/red leather. Odo: 35,407 miles. Wellkept
interior with only the driver’s seat showing
wear and some wrinkles. Rust forming at
door latch. Upper portions of the door panels
are soiled. Rear window tint starting to peel.
Wheelarches have been modified and cut to
house larger wheels and tires; tires still cutting
into the wheelwells. Front spoiler is cracked.
Respray noted to average standards. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $28,620. The cut wheelwells would
have stopped me cold from bidding on this car.
The factory setup is more than adequate, and
Sports Car Market
#W158-1976 PORSCHE 912E coupe.
S/N 9126000797. Yellow/tan vinyl. Odo:
80,302 miles. Some sanding marks and dryspray
noted; paint sanded through to the
primer in places, with a few touch-ups. Sills
scratched. Doors open and close extremely
well. Engine lid is tight. Wheels are in good
shape for a driver. Interior looks good overall
blue hard top/blue leather. Odo: 49,682 miles.
Trash noted in the paint along with fisheyes.
Solid body is nice and straight. Small dent
noted in the hood. Repaint holding up reasonably
well. Interior nice for a driver. Underdash
a/c. Driver’s seat soft, and bottoms out
from typically weak springs. Weatherstripping
Page 70
Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL
years and is now showing signs of life once
again. I like these cars, and so do a bunch of
other guys, which will translate to an upward
trend over time. A market-correct sale.
AMERICAN
#F106.1-1930 FORD MODEL A road-
departing from stock on a Porsche can be the
kiss of death when it comes to selling it. The
miles were lowish, so at least the buyer has
that to hang his hat on. This was all the money
and then some for a modified Porsche.
#S192-2011 PORSCHE 911 Carrera S
cabriolet. S/N WP0CB2A97BS755377.
White/black cloth/red leather. Odo: 4,000
miles. Basically new-car status with only mild
signs of age. Small dimple in back seat. Passenger’s
seat lightly soiled. Black matte trim is
mottled a bit. Stated to cost $122,560 new.
trunk. Painted wheels. Steering wheel poorly
restored. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $44,520. Ford
built 124,219 Model A roadsters in 1930, but
few remain today. The fact that any of these
cars are still chugging along tells you a lot
about how well they were built. All steel with a
very good body helped out here. This is about
the going rate for a decent example at auction.
Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $90,100. Not much to
pick on except for the black matte trim being
slightly sun-faded. Otherwise, like new in every
way. On a Porsche dealer’s lot, this might
have been offered at about $80k with some
room to move if a good offer came across an
eager salesman’s desk. Well sold.
JAPANESE
#S76-1991 ACURA NSX coupe. S/N JH-
4NA1152MT002936. Black/black leather.
Odo: 56,405 miles. Some bug marks on front
nose and spoiler, along with some stone chips.
Spoiler is scraped up along the bottom. Seat
bolsters worn, especially on driver’s side; rest
of interior in fine condition. Overall nice con-
Restored wood bed. Oil-soiled engine bay
with some tattered wiring noted. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $45,580. Last seen at Mecum Indy
in May 2012 selling for $30k (SCM# 205716).
I’m not sure if it was the nifty vintage Schwinn
bike strapped into the bed, but some auction
magic occurred with this sale. Driver-condition,
but well presented and well sold.
dition and shows well. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$36,040. These were claimed to be the first
cars constructed using an all-aluminum chassis
and body, including titanium connecting
rods. The NSX market has fluctuated over the
72
#S129-1953 BUICK SKYLARK convert-
ible. S/N 16982376. Blue/white vinyl/blue &
white leather. Odo: 2,296 miles. 322-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Good gaps show well, driver’s
door in a tad, slightly out at rear quarter-panel.
#T242-1951 FORD F1 pickup. S/N
F1R1KC16901. Blue/gray vinyl. Odo: 79,128
miles. 239-ci V8, 2-bbl, manual. Older restoration
still holding up reasonably well. Some
touch-ups noted, paint lifting in spots, hinges
show plenty of wear. Both doors out. Driver’s
door handle very loose. Nicely restored interior.
Schwinn bicycle strapped into the bed.
some oil and fuel soiling. A few plastic homemade-looking
shims noted on the body
mounts. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $164,300. This
was a nice Buick with little to fault other than
some signs of road use, in great colors with
chrome and brightwork in very good condition.
Overall, if you wanted one to drive, this
was the one to buy. The Skylark market has
deflated along with other high-flyers and
seems to have settled in to this range, which is
still very respectable given the low production
numbers and overall market appeal. This was
spot-on market-correct, and both parties
should be pleased.
#F246-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
racer. S/N E57S105938. Blue/red vinyl. 283ci
283-hp fuel-injected V8, manual. True RPO
684 race-prepped Corvette, said to be one of
only 51 produced. One of 43 RPO 579E fuelinjected
cars. Always a racer. Fuel filler door
out, driver’s door in, trunk fit tight. Aluminum
trim on top of doors. Roll bar. Hood locked
down with four pins, so no peeking inside.
Some paint blisters noted. Vintage racing
stickers. Driver’s seat is well worn, passen-
ster. S/N A2943554. Tan & brown/tan cloth/
brown vinyl. Odo: 36 miles. Chips and
scratches noted in paint, along with some fisheyes.
Trim is bent up here and there. Faded
headlamps. Both doors out. Cowling fit is off.
Rumble seat. Luggage carrier with a vintage
Chrome and trim just a notch under show condition
with some light scratching. Wheels in
excellent condition. Interior shows some light
wear but is aging nicely. Top fit could be better.
Engine bay of a well-preserved driver with
ger’s seat like-new. Some small cracks in
paint. No odo. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT
$100,000. This Corvette just oozed cool and
looked great in most regards. Sure it was worn
and tattered in spots, but what respectable
vintage race car wouldn’t be? Campaigned by
Dave King in the 1960s, with documents and
history going forward to present day. Log
books are included with a long race history.
These are market-driven cars, so this was all it
was worth on this day in Kissimmee, FL. Perhaps
we’ll see it up for grabs another day.
Sports Car Market
Page 72
Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, FL
#T273-1960 CADILLAC SERIES 62
convertible. S/N 60F120060. Blue/white
vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 81,991 miles. 390-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Paint and prep are well done
over a straight body. Top is in good condition.
Light scratches on interior trim. Seat piping is
chipped, steering wheel is cracked. Dash is
warped slightly. Smells like an old car inside,
musty and perhaps moldy. Rusty pliers
jammed into the frame, visible from the en-
tach. Cool period interior looks well done and
remains tight and clean. A super-nice driver.
Miles claimed actual. PHS documentation
gine bay. Valve covers are leaking oil. Cond:
3. NOT SOLD AT $39,000. Last seen at
Mecum Indy in May 2012, selling for $44k
(SCM# 204530). The paint appeared to be
fairly fresh and presented well, with the balance
of the car appearing to be a well-kept
original. These are desirable Cadillacs, but
$40k for a nice driver is about the going rate.
The seller might have been looking for a quick
flip, but I don’t see that happening any time
soon given the condition.
#F304-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. S/N 30837S102473. Red/tan. Odo:
59,579 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8,
4-sp. Older paint holding up well. Lots of
scratches in the back glass. Front bumper is
uneven, fuel filler cap way off center, driver’s
door out. Interior is nice, but gauge cluster is
rattle-canned with little attention to detail.
Very good engine bay: neat and tidy and indis-
supports the build, so a rare Pontiac. Cond:
3+. SOLD AT $74,200. This was a very nice,
period-correct, Super Duty-style Catalina,
meaning that it was fitted with the stout 421
with two fours sitting up top. Complete with
the eight-lug wheels and 4-speed transmission,
this car is set up to surprise the hell out of
some kid in his modern winged four-banger.
Looks like just another comfortable and roomy
Pontiac cruiser until you drop the hammer. I
figured it would do well, but the final bid still
surprised me. The market has been set.
#W41-1964 CHEVROLET CORVAIR
Greenbrier van. S/N 4R126S101451. Copper
& white/tan & black vinyl. Odo: 19,160 miles.
163-ci I6, 2-bbl, auto. Some dry-spray noted
in paintwork, body putty repair under lifting
paint on passenger’s side. New weather—
stripping, nice rear bumper. Vintage surf-style
stickers added. Fitted with T-3 headlamps.
Steering wheel chipped, wiper scratches on
early Bronco market is fairly hot right now,
but only for the best examples. This one was
nice, finished in Resale Red, and the restoration
work appeared fairly fresh. I would have
ditched the wheels for stock, as well as the
Grant steering wheel. That said, this was a
nice example that appeared to be solid and
well done. Slightly well sold, but not by much.
TOP 10
No. 9
#S155-1966 SHELBY COBRA 427
roadster. S/N CSX3301. White/black
leather. Odo: 10,873 miles. 427-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. A genuine Cobra 427. History
from new, mileage claimed original. Paint
excellent all around, with some light scratches
from the hard top. Driver’s door out. Very nice
interior. Gauges slightly worn. One of only
348 Cobra 427s. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$779,100. Presented well, great condition
putably clean. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT
$110,000. Last seen at Mecum St.Charles in
October 2012, where it no-saled at $120k
(SCM# 214420). This round, another no-sale
at $10k less. Yes, it’s a Fuelie, and it’s obvious
the seller wants more for it, but I think parading
it around must be taking its toll. Given the
last sale was Corvettes-only, I didn’t expect it
to do much better here, and it didn’t. Fair bid.
#F264-1963 PONTIAC CATALINA 2-dr
hard top. S/N 363D14706. Black/red & white
vinyl. Odo: 13,499 miles. 421-ci V8, 2x4-bbl,
4-sp. Body trim coming loose in spots. Buff
marks through the paint in small areas, but
paint presents well over a clean and straight
body. Excellent steering wheel. Light pitting
on the door handles and window cranks. Dash
74
windshield. Previously reported to have had a
$40k full frame-off restoration. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $15,900. Driven 667 miles since
the last time it was seen, at Barrett-Jackson
Palm Beach 2010, where it sold for a whopping
$32k (SCM# 160270). There, it generated
a bunch of interest, but at this huge sale it was
lost in the sea of cars. Unusual for sure, and
quite rare to find one in this condition. It was
well sold in 2010 and likely well bought in
2013.
#L197-1966 FORD BRONCO SUV. S/N
U15NL879388. Red/black vinyl & cloth. Odo:
24 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. A fresh restoration.
Paint is well applied, with some minor
orange peel noted. Both doors out. Some
switches are heavily pitted. Other chrome and
trim excellent. Grant steering wheel. Door
handle has fallen off and is sitting on the floorboard.
Decent engine bay, neat and tidy all
around. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $25,440. The
throughout and looked like it was carefully
used over the years. Sold new in Paris,
France, and acquired by GT40 owner JeanPierre
Van Den Doorn. It did not find its way
back to the States until 1977. Last seen at RM
Monterey 2008, no-saling at $775k (SCM#
117483). 427 Cobras seem to trade in the
$750k range, and this was a nice one with an
interesting history. Given the no-sale in 2008
at $775k, I’d call this slightly well bought.See
the profile on p. 60.
#T44-1967 JEEP JEEPSTER convert-
ible. S/N 870102E11. Turquoise/white vinyl/
turquoise vinyl. Odo: 13,995 miles. 134-ci I4,
2-bbl, auto. 4X4. Much of the paint appears to
be original. Driver’s door out. Convertible top
in good shape. Gaps decent overall. Chrome
and trim presentable and most certainly original.
Interior shows plenty of use and enjoyment
with wear just about anywhere you look.
Fresh undercoating. Chassis is covered with
grease and oil. Incredibly original from top to
bottom. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $21,200. If I
were in the market for a Jeepster, my hand
would have been up for this one. Granted, the
money paid was aggressive for condition, but
Sports Car Market
Artcurial Paris, FRA
Artcurial — Rétromobile 2013
The star of the show, the Talbot-Lago T150C racer that warranted its own
catalog, changed hands for just under $2m
Company
Artcurial
Date
February 8, 2013
Location
Paris, FRA
Auctioneer
Hervé Poulain
Automotive lots sold/offered
102/115
Sales rate
89%
Sales total
$18,512,160
High sale
1936 Talbot-Lago T150C, sold
at $1,955,001
Buyer’s premium
1936 Talbot-Lago T150C, sold at $1,955,001
Report and photos by Paul Hardiman
Market opinions in italics
I
n a marathon evening sale that lasted until
well after midnight, two lead-sled
American customs sat alongside cars
from four private collections. Three
cars topped $1m: the very original 1962
Ferrari 250 GT PF cabriolet, still with books
and cartridge tapes, at $1.1m (see the profile, p.
48); the Duesenberg J cabriolet by Murphy at
$1.4m; and the star of the show, the Talbot-Lago
T150C racer that warranted its own catalog,
changing hands for just under $2m (see the profile,
p. 62).
The action continued: As the two Bugattis belong-
ing to one-time company owner Romano Artioli came
up, the man himself stood and waved to loud applause,
which can only have boosted the cars’ prices. The EB110
SS made $600k, and the Type 57 Coach Ventoux went
well over estimate for $539k. Perhaps the best Citroën SM
in the world, super-detailed with extra-factory finishes,
garnered $171k (see the profile, p. 54).
Two other star lots, the catalog front-cover 1953 Fiat
8V coupe by Vignale, now beautifully restored, and an
achingly perfect 1956 Maserati A6G2000 by Allemano,
failed to reach their $984k and $550k estimates.
A very original pairing of a 1970 Lamborghini Miura
S and a 1972 Ferrari Daytona made $555k and $411k,
76
Paris, FRA
while a two-owner 1973 Dino 246 GTS fetched a very healthy $350k —
outdoing, by $15k, the ex-Jacques Swaters 246 GT sold at Bonhams the
previous night. The 1967 330 GTC blew its estimate to reach an amazing
$559k, and the 1987 Ferrari Testarossa owned by actor Alain Delon
settled at $217k after a three-way bidding battle — way over its $106k
estimate. The price realized by Lot 406, a similar 1990 car, was a more
market-friendly $57k.
A well-restored left-hand drive Aston Martin DBS Vantage achieved
a strong $134k. For competition cars, an FIA MGB looked rich at $70k,
far more than they sell for in the U.K., while a little-used Lancia 037 was
well over RS200 money at $236k.
As the clock struck midnight, Auctioneer
Poulain had passed the 100-lot mark, patiently
taking €1,000 bids for a restored 1969 Fiat 500.
Offered without reserve, it sold for $25k. Even the
last lot, a Rover P5B that rolled across well after
midnight, attracted attention on three hot telephone
lines. The most persistent bidder acquired
it for $14k to round off the 6½-hour sale.
Artcurial sold 102 out of 115 cars consigned,
up from 94 out of 103 last year, and overall totals
notched up to $18.5m from $17.8m. That’s double
the $9.25m of 2011 and six times the $3m earned
in 2010. Clearly, the French auction house has
settled into its Rétromobile groove, and the formula
is working. ♦
$18m
$15m
$12m
$9m
$6m
$3m
0
Sales Totals
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
16% up to $401,220; 12%
from $401,221 to $802,440;
10% thereafter, included in
sold prices ($1.00 = €0.75)
Sports Car Market
Page 76
Artcurial Paris, FRA
ENGLISH
#405-1963 JAGUAR XKE 4.2 convert-
ible. S/N 879080. Blue/navy blue cloth/blue
leather. Odo: 38,355 miles. Straight car. Good
paint following older restoration, with a couple
small bubbles in rockers. Right seat
jammed. Leather not worn, but one cigarette
burn in top of one seat-back. Has all 4.2 fea-
$44,613. From same German collection as
several of the DSs and the cheaper SMs. This
is extreme money for a Mk X derivative. To
reach this level in the U.K., it would either
need to be totally original or better-than-new
concours. Well sold.
FRENCH
#348-1898 FISSON 8HP vis-a-vis ton-
tures, but that model did not appear until October
’64, and chassis number looks like a 3.8.
With hard top. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $111,532.
Originally in U.S., transported to France in
2009. A fairly average car, but low mileage is
the selling point here. If it’s genuine, and the
chassis number can be made to tie up, then the
price looks fair.
#408-1964 MGB racer. S/N 911516. Red
& silver/silver hard top/black velour. Odo:
5,379 miles. FIA racer with all the usual bits
including single Weber 45 and hard top.
Straight and tidy, two seats. Engine said to be
1,800-cc but more likely 1,950, and gearbox
said to be new. FIA papers and Tour Auto and
Le Mans Classic history, so it’s a proven run-
certificate, possibly later carburetor. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $326,632. Sold where expected,
which is much stronger money than a LondonBrighton
runner would generate in the U.K.
Being the only one known to exist certainly
helped.
#387-1927 LORRAINE-DIETRICH B3-
ner. Mileage is presumably since it was made
into a racer. Quoted chassis number is meaningless,
though, as a ’64 car would be in the
GHN3-45000–50000 range. Cond: 3+. SOLD
AT $70,107. Pretty big money for a racer.
Although it would cost at least this much to
replicate, these can generally be bought in the
U.K. for well under £25k ($40k). Well sold.
#327-1969 JAGUAR 420G sedan. S/N
GID77828BW. Sable/tan leather. Odo: 14,943
km. Recently repainted and good throughout.
Appears structurally sound, although there’s a
lot of overspray underneath. Some polish
marks in chrome and one ding in left rear
overrider. Timber all good and original, not
too shiny. Leather newish, dash excellent, rear
belts fitted. No reserve. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
78
6 Torpedo Sport roadster. S/N 124060.
Maroon/black leather. Odo: 13,180 km. Greatlooking
French roadster. Marvelous old thing
likely started life as a saloon. Age of body
indeterminate, now with chipped paint and
abundant patina. Beautifully dulled and
slightly wrinkled radiator shell. Well-creased
SOLD AT $539,171. In U.S. from 1958, in
U.K. by 1986, sold at Sotheby’s in Hendon,
U.K., in 1992 for $133k (SCM # 2886) to Romano
Artioli. One of two Bugattis (the other
was an EB110 SS) entered in this sale by the
one-time Bugatti company savior and owner.
Sold over estimate, but with good history and
quite charming.
patterned leather. Various bits of motor polished
and plated, some of it dusty. French title.
#364-1936 BUGATTI TYPE 57C Ventoux
coupe. S/N 57308. Two-tone green/olive
leather. RHD. Odo: 18,636 km. First 57C constructed.
Nicely unmessed-with, although it’s
had two chassis numbers in its history and the
Sports Car Market
neau. S/N 502. Yellow/black leather. Panhardstyle
Fisson has a vertical twin engine, making
it very powerful for the era. Good and tidy
with decent leather and varnish. VCC dating
around 1939. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $783,866.
Believed one of three VV cabrios made that
year, 11 in all. Hammered sold a touch over
low estimate, like many lots at this sale. Previously
sold by Hervé Poulain in 1988 to the
current owner, according to the catalog. A fair
deal both ways.
#392-1936 BUGATTI TYPE 57 Ventoux
coupe. S/N 57344. Eng. # 265. Blue/black
leather. RHD. Odo: 12,253 km. Not quite tatty,
but delightfully worn in. Newish leather unscuffed
and plenty of evidence of mechanical
care. Motor is freshly rebuilt and dry, but not
overly buffed over. French title. Cond: 2-.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $133,839. Sold just over
lower estimate, which means the price is probably
right. Fairly bought and sold for half the
price of a 3 Litre Bentley, to which it is
roughly equivalent in performance and ability.
TOP 10
No. 8
#367-1935 BUGATTI TYPE 57 Vanvooren
cabriolet. S/N 57274. Eng. #
5727 4107. Cream & brown/tan cloth/
brown leather. RHD. Odo: 29,894 km. Good
older resto with plump new leather and perfect
instruments. Blockley tires are a good sign of
enthusiastic driver ownership. Motor tidy but
not concours quality. Now with hydraulic
(rather than cable) brakes, probably fitted
Page 78
Artcurial Paris, FRA
supercharger is missing. Nice Scintilla lamps,
fair plating. Lovely original olive leather. Windows
yellowing and seals giving up. Cond: 3.
same. Seat leather looks newish. Big straightsix
power and preselector box. No odometer.
German title. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $1,955,001.
Warranted its own supplement to the catalog.
It’s continued to compete, latterly in historic
events. Last sold in 2000 for $687,680 by Barrett-Jackson/Coys
in Monte Carlo (SCM#
9644). About as important to the French as a
Blower Bentley would be to a Brit, and worthy
of the mid-estimate money it made. (See the
profile on p. 62.)
#322-1946 TALBOT-LAGO T26 Record
SOLD AT $563,641. Like Bentleys, Type 57s
tend to be a bit mix-and-match in the mechanical
department. And like Bentleys, this doesn’t
seem to overly affect their value. Compare this
with the $539k spent on Lot 392, the very original
Artioli 57, and we’ll call it fair.
#331-1936 PEUGEOT 402 Eclipse cab-
riolet. S/N 616372. Cream/tan steel/tan
leather. Odo: 56,959 km. Amazingly well restored
with good panel fit. Excellent paint and
chrome. New carpets, even in the top storage
bin. Virginal leather on plump seats. Most
remarkable is that opening steel roof still
cabriolet. S/N LR100002. Eng. # 26002. Metallic
blue/black cloth/maroon leather. RHD.
Odo: 38,606 km. The road-car star of the
show. Achingly beautiful and in near-perfect
post-restoration condition. Flawless paint and
chrome. Interior still oozes character. Perfect
paid, around bottom estimate, didn’t look out
of order. In this case it was cheaper than Lot
334, the real Chapron decap from the same
collection that sold for $170k. Slightly well
bought.
#334-1966 CITROËN DS21 M cabriolet.
S/N 446066. Eng. # 0572008386. Silver/black
cloth/red leather. Odo: 35,612 km. Restored,
straight, fair panel gaps, good paint, decent
chrome. New leather. Underneath, chassis is
solid and well Waxoyl-ed. Newish exhaust.
Was a red-hydraulic-fluid car, converted to
dash and instruments, leather has a few
creases. 4-speed preselector. Dutch title. Cond:
1-. SOLD AT $477,997. Sold near top estimate
but still at something like Horch
money—a lot cheaper than a coachbuilt Mercedes
500K, so perversely looks quite well
bought.
#385-1959 PANHARD DYNA Z17 Tigre
works—this is where retractables all started,
folks. German title. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$231,032. Reportedly one of only 29 built like
this. From the collection of a German Peugeot
and Citroën dealer. Sold at lower estimate,
which I would call a fair deal.
TOP 10
No. 1
#342-1936 TALBOT-LAGO T150C
racer. S/N 82930. Blue/black leather.
RHD. The archetypal pre-war French
racing car. Beautifully used to the point of
tattiness, with massive racing history, much in
the hands of French heroes Pierre Levegh and
Louis Rosier. Various bits replaced over the
years, including likely the body—now with
nicely aged patina or a good approximation of
lower estimate, explained by rarity of the convertible
body style, although it rightly lags
behind a Citroën DS Décapotable. I’ll remind
you that this would buy you a decent XK 120
or E-type drop-top.
#329-1966 CITROËN DS19 Le Dandy
coupe. S/N 4200103. Blue & silver/gray velour.
Odo: 194 km. Very rare coachbuilt
model. Recent repaint with a few polish
marks. Chrome okay and still with bonkers
dash trim panels and 4-speed semi-auto. Cond:
1-. SOLD AT $130,653. The Le Dandy is even
rarer than a real Chapron Decap, so the price
80
cabriolet. S/N 1090103. Red/beige canvas/tan
vinyl. Odo: 74,636 km. Straight car with an
older repaint. Original vinyl seats in good order.
All the vulnerable alloy trim parts on the
outside are still there. Tiny flat-twin up front.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $95,600. Sold for twice
green, which makes it easier to live with.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $170,652. One from a
small collection of a German Citroën and
Peugeot dealer who entered the Jag 420G,
402 Eclipse and various DSs including the
Dandy. This wasn’t mad money for a decent
Decap. Exceptional cars can fetch $200k.
#319-1971 CITROËN SM coupe. S/N
SB2915. Eng. # C1141108468. Gold/tan
leather. Odo: 31,567 km. Over-restored to better-than-new
condition, as if it’s been Photoshopped
with extra contrasts and sharpness.
Replicated factory check marks. Anodizing the
headlight brackets and leather-trimming the
dash top rather “over-eggs the pudding” and
renders this a bit of a trailer queen. Shame, as
it’s likely the best in the world and I doubt if
even Citroën has one this good. An amazing
job, nonetheless, and could only be improved
if it had the optional and very rare resin
wheels. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $170,652. Offered
without reserve and sold for four times the
price of a nice SM—even so, it couldn’t be
repeated to this standard for the money. (See
the profile on p. 54.)
Sports Car Market
Page 80
Artcurial Paris, FRA
ITALIAN
#395-1953 FIAT 8V coupe. S/N 106000046.
Eng. # 000149. Red & silver/maroon
leather. Odo: 14,406 km. A truly amazing restoration.
Pin-sharp body, paint and chrome,
although not in original colors. Was red over
black, and now has 8V script mounted in
up and lovely, with quilted cockpit lining (one
tear in seat). Overdetailed with yellow paint
dabs on every fastener in sight. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $41,426. Hard to know quite what
you’d do with it, and that may be why it was
let go for comparatively little, well under its
lower $53k estimate. Still, if the Goodwood
Festival of Speed decides on a “men in sheds
hurtling down blind alleys” category, this is a
dead cert.
TOP 10
No. 3
#310-1962 FERRARI 250 GT PF
Cabriolet. S/N 3499GT. Silvergray/black
cloth/tan leather. Odo:
grille. Leather hardly sat in. Original engine
replaced by another from a second-series car
in the early ’60s. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT
$802,440. Not sold against a €750k ($1m)
estimate, but worth a mention for the lovely
period photos reproduced in the catalog, including
the front cover.
#399-1957 LANCIA AURELIA B24 S
convertible. S/N B24S1478. Eng. # B241602.
Red/black cloth/black leather. Odo: 47,106
km. Excellent restoration in Italy. Body and
trim all straight. Older leather in good shape,
with original guarantee, plus cartridges for the
8-track stereo. This is the first V12 I’ve seen
with mismatching oil filters. Cond: 3-. SOLD
AT $1,131,456. In Marseilles all its life. Sold
near top of the estimate range and rightly so
for such an unmolested, unrepeatable car. If a
rotten barn-find Chinese-eye 330 GT 2+2 can
find $100k, then a million for a 250 GT cab
this original looks entirely reasonable. (See
the profile on p. 48.)
refinished crackle dash; dash top is a bit shiny.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $374,432. The convertible
isn’t quite as elegant as the Spider, although
arguably slightly easier to get along with, but
this fetched Spider money. Well sold.
#401-1958 LANCIA AURELIA
Paronzini monoplace racer. S/N N/A. Eng. #
B213373. Red/red leather. MHD. Weird single-seater
made out of an Aurelia. Rearmounted
B21 engine and original transaxle
dictate rather extreme length of very homemade-looking
chassis. Original photos appear
to show it still with sliding-pillar suspension,
but now on wishbones all around. All chromed
#394-1967 FERRARI 330 GTC coupe.
S/N 9503. Silver blue/black leather. Odo:
24,877 km. Good and straight, with nice paint
and chrome. Leather lightly creased but not
worn—possibly original if mileage is genuine.
With original books and tools and Ferrari
Classiche Certification. Italian title. One
15,038 km. Very original car, not as ratty and
tatty as you might expect. Has incredibly low
mileage and is claimed never to have seen
rain. Likely wearing an older repaint, as it’s
orange-peeled. Wheel rims lightly chewed.
Hard top fitted. Very original interior. Still
Presented wearing “1970” plate next to Lot
363, the Daytona with “1972,” as a very original
period pair. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $555,288.
Offered at no reserve. Sold for the right money
a little under lower estimate. Almost any Miura
can clear $500k these days, while Daytonas
sometimes struggle to reach two-thirds of
that.
#363-1972 FERRARI 365 GTB Daytona
coupe. S/N 16119. Red/tan & black leather.
Odo: 57,650 km. Slightly tired-looking. Swirl
marks in older windows-in repaint, originally
blue. Structure and exhausts look okay. New
brake servo. Still on 7½-inch rears (unusual
for a Daytona). Inside, original leather is
#365-1970 LAMBORGHINI MIURA
P400S coupe. S/N 4419. Eng. # 30450.
White/tan leather. Odo: 17,980 km. Looks a
bit ratty from the outside, but very untouched
apart from respray from original Azuro Mexico
(blue). Low mileage. Very original interior.
soiled and creased. French title. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $411,078. In France all its life.
Presented next to Lot 365, the very original
and also slightly faded-looking Miura, these
made a charming period pair. Last sold by
Hervé Poulain in 1989 with 54,580 km. This
time offered at no reserve and sold right for a
Daytona slightly past its best.
#361-1973 FERRARI 246 GTS DINO
Spyder. S/N 06678. Yellow/black leather.
Odo: 55,344 km. Two-owner car in excellent
restored condition. Power windows fitted in
period. Slightly orange-peeled paint. Good
panel fit, although rear lid is slightly out of
owner from new until 1991. Cond: 2. SOLD
AT $559,053. Major money here, and shows
the difference in desirability between the pure
coupe and the lesser-loved 2+2 (of which we
have seen several restoration projects go
through auction recently). Well sold, even if
that low mileage is genuine.
82
Sports Car Market
Bonhams Paris, FRA
Bonhams — The Paris Sale
The undisputed shock highlight was the $1m paid for the tattily original
1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage drophead coupe
Company
Bonhams
Date
February 7, 2013
Location
Paris, France
Auctioneer
Malcolm Barber
Automotive lots sold/offered
88/123
Sales rate
72%
Sales total
$14,912,258
High sale
1929 Bentley 6½ Litre Speed
Six, sold at $1,121,609
Buyer’s premium
1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage drophead coupe, sold at $1,090,453
Report and photos by Donald Osborne
Market opinions in italics
French capital. The vast Beaux Arts
building of iron, glass and marble was surprisingly
comfortable, and the display of cars
was spacious and well lit. The saleroom was
packed, the energy was high and the bidding
was active.
From the opening of Rétromobile on
O
Tuesday, there seemed to be more Americans
in attendance than usual. The nearly 100 attendees at
the SCM/Automotive Valuation Services/Cave Creek
Classics reception bore out that observation.
The Yanks were back and they were bidding. Jamie
Knight, group director of the Bonhams Motoring
Department, confirmed my feeling. “We had a higher
American attendance than prior years that resulted in
more bidding from them,” he said, “and they were also
the winning bidders on occasion too.” Of course, as underbidders
they helped boost prices as well.
The Americans were not the only “foreigners” shop-
ping. Bonhams reported sales to clients from Australia,
the Middle East, the Far East and Russia.
On the heels of a very good start to the year with
Bonhams’ second sale in Scottsdale, AZ, and a motorcycle
auction in Las Vegas, Paris continued the momentum,
delivering the highest volume and sales rate the company
has ever seen in this sale venue.
The undisputed shock highlight of the sale was the
86
n February 7, Bonhams returned
to the spectacular
Grand Palais in Paris
for their sixth sale in the
15%, included sold prices
($1.00 = €0.74)
Paris, FRA
$1m paid for the tattily original 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Series V Vantage
drophead coupe. With the current interest in “preserved” cars, this rare
one-family LHD Vantage was sure to attract attention. Top sale honors
were had for not much more money: A stunning 1929 Bentley 6½ Litre
Speed Six tourer went to a new owner for $1.1m. Another Bentley was a
bit of a bargain. The 1953 R-type Continental, a beautifully presented RHD
model with lightweight seats, sold at a very reasonable $711k.
Other highlights included the 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Special Coupe,
said to have been Ettore Bugatti’s personal car, although it was more likely
a factory demonstrator, staff car and development vehicle. The $935k it
brought at its third appearance at auction represented another drop in value.
Unless the largely original car is given a full restoration, it’s hard to see how it will move
in the opposite direction anytime soon.
And there were enough French rarities to remind us where we were, such as a 1922
Mors 30-hp Torpedo that sold for $65,427 and
a 1934 Panhard et Levassor X72 Panoramique,
going to a new home for $12,462.
A pleasant innovation at this year’s sale was
that the main podium duties for automobiles
were taken by Malcolm Barber, Bonhams’ managing
director and U.S. CEO. With the charming
Catherine Yaiche of Bonhams France serving
as
the
government-regulated Commissaire-
Priseur, there to declare “adjugé” for sold lots,
Barber actually called for bids and hammered
the lots. And he did so in dashing, multilingual
style.
It was a welcome return to what must be the
most beautiful and dramatic automobile auction
venue in the world, and Bonhams delivered a
show worthy of the architecture. ♦
Sales Totals
$3m
$6m
$9m
$12m
$15m
0
Sports Car Market
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Page 85
Sports Car Market
Keith Martin’s
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Page 86
Bonhams Paris, FRA
BELGIAN
#548-1957 MINERVA C22 “Tout Terrain”
utility. S/N 10002. Beige/brown canvas/
brown leather. Odo: 55,513 km. Paint excellent;
one small stress crack on left front fender.
Very good chrome, except for minor pitting on
hood latches. Excellent interior is no doubt far
paint is somewhat faded and uneven in color,
showing large touched-in chips but holding a
shine well. Perfect patina on seats, rugs worn
and soiled. Dashboard wood is dull but even.
Two-band HMV radio. Originally bodied by
Franay, thought to have been re-bodied by
Graber following an accident in the early ’50s.
more posh than when new. Beautiful instruments.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $56,080. Belgianbuilt
Land Rover 80, constructed by the
legendary Minerva company. You certainly
won’t find a restoration like this on any Landy,
and you’ll be the only Minerva at the next offroaders’
meet. Hard to value, but given the
likely cost of restoration, certainly a bargain.
CZECH
#579-1948 TATRA T87 sedan. S/N
73274. Light blue/gray cloth. Odo: 8,120 km.
Very good panel fit. Very good paint shows a
few minor prep flaws, chips at left front door
handle. Shiny chrome. Interior finish varies.
Seats well upholstered, but bases were not
redone. Nicely finished dash and steering
wheel. Bright trim not polished. Insect holes
Cond: 4. SOLD AT $228,995. From the same
source as Lot 537, the super-original Aston
Martin DB4 Vantage DHC in the sale. Graber-bodied
cars tend to be simple and elegant,
but this one might bear too close a resemblance
to Alvis coachwork—not distinctive
enough a design statement for a Bentley. Quite
nicely preserved, but you’ll have to explain it
everywhere. Well sold.
TOP 10
No. 10
BEST
BUY
#540-1953 BENTLEY R
CONTINENTAL sports saloon.
S/N BC24B. Eng. #
BCB23. Black/red leather. RHD. Odo: 63,496
miles. Excellent panel fit, although left door
gaps could be more even. Excellent paint
shows a small rub on left front fender. Very
good chrome, except for some waviness and
warning lights. Overdrive, Playmate radio.
Cond: 4-. SOLD AT $1,090,453. Ultimate
drop-top DB4, high-performance Vantage
spec, LHD, combined with single-family ownership
and extreme originality. While it was
popular in preview, all were stunned when the
hammer came down, a whopping $400k over
high estimate. The jury is out whether it can
remain a “preservation” car with those bubbling
sills. Well sold, to say the least.
#520-1968 KOUGAR-JAGUAR
SPORTS roadster. S/N 01260986S. Eng. #
7A330928. Red/tan leather. RHD. Odo:
31,489 miles. Fiberglass body shows lots of
orange peel in paint, less so on fenders. Several
panels show color variation. Chunk missing
out of top left fender. Very good chrome.
Interior is good, with nicely settled seats and
very good instruments. Rather chunky wood-
in headliner. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $140,201.
The Tatra V8 streamliner is still a stunning
car. It’s interesting to see it in bright blue,
rather than the silver or dark colors usually
encountered. This example was fairly well
presented, but uneven details seriously let it
down. A big price for condition, but interest
remains high, and this one is already done.
ENGLISH
#536-1947 BENTLEY MARK VI cabrio-
let. S/N B139BH. Eng. # B69B. Light blue/
black Everflex/red leather. RHD. Odo: 93,857
km. Excellent panel fit, except trunk slightly
uneven. What appears to be largely original
88
micropitting on radiator shell. Excellent wood
trim and seats, some decomposition of paint
on rear of steering-wheel boss. Lightweight
seats, Philips two-band radio. Cond: 2-. SOLD
AT $711,277. R-type Continentals have great
style and a good turn of speed, welcome at
rallies and concours alike. This one was very
nicely presented and was a bargain below low
estimate. Well bought.
#537-1963 ASTON MARTIN DB4
Series V Vantage drophead coupe.
S/N DB4C 1099L. Eng. # 3701138JJ.
White/dark red Everflex/red leather. Odo:
59,612 km. Good panel fit. Paint shows fading,
bubbling in rockers, touched-in chips.
Louvered hood. Bright trim is good to fair.
Three painted wire wheels, one chromed.
Lovely seats with nice patina, carpet is worn.
Instruments may have been refurbished. Label-gun
stickers for dashboard controls and
TOP 10
No. 4
Sports Car Market
rim steering wheel. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT
$28,040. The Kougar is a fascinating creature:
A minimalist fiberglass sports car built
around Jaguar power and suspension parts.
Vastly entertaining, they’re known to rather
few people, even though David E. Davis of
Car & Driver was a well-known owner of one.
This one appears to have been run hard and
put away slightly wet, but for the price paid,
it’s still a “kool” sportster.
FRENCH
#571-1902 DELAHAYE TYPE O 6hp
Page 88
Bonhams Paris, FRA
Vis-à-Vis tonneau. S/N 120. Eng. # 92. Burgundy
& black/beige leather. RHD. Paint is
presentable, showing some stress cracks in
body and sinkage on fenders. Good upholstery
is soiled, floor mat a bit worn. Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $109,045. This early Delahaye is a
world away from the Grand Routiers of the
’30s. It sold at the low end of the estimate
range, appropriate for a car with London-toBrighton
eligibility but some clear needs.
#533-1927 RENAULT 6-CYLINDER
double phaeton. S/N 116. Eng. # 93A. Gray
& black/blue leather. RHD. Odo: 33,667 km.
Excellent panel fit. Paint is presentable but a
bit flat, with a big cracked adhesion bubble on
leading edge of the hood and microblistering
in spots. Brass trim needs a polish, nickel trim
#588-1938 BUGATTI TYPE 57C
coupe speciale. S/N 57335. Eng. #
340. Green & black/green leather.
RHD. Odo: 84,126 km. Good panel fit, except
both doors slightly out at front bottom edge.
Paint is generally good, with some signs of
aging. Bright trim is okay; roughly hammeredout
dents in radiator shell. Very good seats,
soiled carpets, wear on dashboard. Period radio
still fitted. With Lockheed hydraulic
brakes. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $934,674. De-
TOP 10
No. 5
#544-1950 TALBOT-LAGO T26 grand
sport cabriolet. S/N 102028. Eng. # 26531.
Silver/gray canvas/tan leather. RHD. Odo:
38,984 km. Beautifully restored almost 15
years ago, still very impressive. Excellent
panel fit. Beautiful paint shows a few tiny
flaws. Minimal bright trim is very good to
excellent. Very good seats show some minor
staining. Excellent dashboard and instruments,
very good wheel, minor pitting on chromed
on headlights good. Well-settled seats, nicely
finished steering wheel. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT
$225,880. Dramatic big Renault tourer, the
epitome of ’20s French style. Older complete
restoration now has feel of slightly worn original.
Deserves a new restoration. Price was
high, but not for France.
#501-1934 PANHARD ET LEVASSOR
X72 Berline Panoramique sedan. S/N
97472. Dark gray/taupe cloth. RHD. An older
casual refurbishment, unraveling now. Very
good panel fit. Paint is blotchy, with stress
cracks, microblistering, bubbling and sprayedover
chipped undercoat. Weak bright trim.
Worn seat covers, newly covered non-matching
door panels. Good dashboard. Odometer
signed by Jean Bugatti, and the precursor to
the Galibier sedans. Said to have been Ettore
Bugatti’s car, but certainly a factory demo,
staff car and development hack for the postwar
Type 101. Last sold by Gooding & Co. at
Pebble Beach in 2009 to John O’Quinn for
$1.375m (SCM# 141996). Offered after his
death by Bonhams in Chichester, U.K., in June
2012, where it no-saled at $1.328m (SCM#
209122). It’s slowly drifting downwards in
condition and value, so a restoration may be
in its future.
#505-1948 PEUGEOT 202 Canadienne
woodie wagon. S/N 715608. Eng. # G2X1839.
Burgundy & wood/taupe cloth. Odo:
87,800 km. Variable panel fit. Older paint
shows aging but still shines well. Wood paneling
appears to be mostly original and is generally
good, except for some areas of very
crudely applied filler. Bright trim is fair. Front
seats show patching and wear, rear seat under
steering column. Shown at Pebble Beach
Concours in 2000. Ex-Bahre and Jerome Sauls
Collections. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $389,448.
Stunning, simple and elegant Talbot-Lago, the
essence of Graber coachworks’ style. Sold in
2001 by Christie’s in Tarrytown, NY, for
$170k, fresh from Pebble appearance (SCM#
23869). Sold again at Bonhams Paris in 2008
for $298k (SCM# 51943). The value of a great
car, well done and equally well maintained, is
proven once again.
GERMAN
TOP 10
No. 6
#586-1938 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K
cabriolet. S/N 169333. Gray/black
canvas/red leather. Odo: 28,952 miles.
Very good panel fit, very good paint. Chrome
is a bit weak. Good interior with seats somewhat
soiled. Dashboard over-varnished, door
caps finished much better. Instruments are a
bit dull, steering wheel shows wear. Original
set to zero. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $12,462.
Wonderfully wacky sleeve-valve-engined
French pre-war luxury car, although not as
wild as the later Chrysler Airflow-esque Dynamique.
Sold last year by Artcurial at their
February 2012 Rétromobile sale for $40k
(SCM# 192820). Consignor took a massive hit
with this no-reserve sale, but is very likely
happy nonetheless.
90
a cover. Dashboard control knobs are worn,
interior wood door panels good. Cond: 4-.
SOLD AT $38,945. A very handsomely styled
woodie, with great chisel details on the upright
posts. These post-war Peugeots feature
the neat “headlights in the grille” styling,
which today seems unimaginable. In its current
condition, this would be the perfect driver
to run from Paris to your country estate in
Normandy. Price seems fair for a surviving
original.
owner was Randolph Hearst, son of William
Randolph Hearst. Cond: 3. SOLD AT
$911,307. Slightly soberly bodied by Vanden
Plas. Has more of the look of an Alvis than a
Mercedes, but perhaps it’s just because the
Sindelfingen bodies are engraved in our
minds. Nicely presented but not special. Price
is market-correct, perhaps a bit of a bargain
and solidly in the estimate range.
#598-1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 220S
coupe. S/N 7511652. Black/gray leather. Odo:
81,049 km. Very good panel fit. Shiny paint
Sports Car Market
Page 90
Bonhams Paris, FRA
shows some orange peel, microblistering,
seam bubbling and fisheyes. Chrome generally
good, but micro-pitting on bumpers, dings in
driver’s door side trim. Original interior teeters
on edge of patina and worn, with open
spears. Superb Art Deco dashboard and nice
patina on seats. Some casual work on door
caps. 2009 Concorso Villa d’Este class-win-
seam on side of driver’s seat. Refinished wood
trim is excellent. Period Blaupunkt radio. One
of 2,081 built. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $70,101.
These Ponton coupes are charming and elegant,
and rarer than their sexier drop-top
sisters. This car had a great look in terrific
colors. The mix of original and refurbished
gave it a nice “used car” feel. Don’t try to
restore it—it will cost the earth. Drive it as-is
and enjoy until you have no choice. Appropriately
bought.
ITALIAN
#511-1933 LANCIA LAMBDA roadster.
S/N 1427. Eng. # 1485. Dark blue & dark red/
red leather. RHD. Very good panel fit and
paint. Very good bright trim, except for dull
hood side trim. Good seat shows some weak
stitching, steering wheel dull and a bit dirty.
Heavy varnish on dashboard wood. Cond: 2-.
ner. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $903,518. Lancia’s
pre-war flagship, magnificently rendered by
Carrozzeria Boneschi. Wonderful details
abound in the design, which ultimately takes
second place to Pininfarina’s take on the form,
due to the non-disappearing top. To win top
concours prizes it will need lots of work,
which would be a shame—but worth it. Market-priced,
which is to say a bargain.
#594-1952 ALFA ROMEO 1900C 5-window
coupe. S/N 1035. Eng. # 00096. Dark
blue/gray cloth. Odo: 37,477 km. Out of long
storage, needs a total restoration. Good panel
fit, except doors out at rear bottom. Older
repaint is thick, with orange peel, fisheye,
painted-over flakes and chips, a dent in the
right rear fender and generally untidy. Fair to
poor bright trim. Plexiglas rear quarter windows.
Large parts of interior eaten by moths,
cracked steering wheel spokes, instruments
fitted. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $10,905. The Multipla
was a compact people-carrier far ahead
of its time. This example was an original U.S.delivery
car, with larger high-mounted headlights
and a Virginia dealer sticker on the
back. Not nice enough for preservation, and a
bit too nice to restore, but the price paid was
low enough that the new owner can figure it
out.
#509-1958 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA
Sprint Veloce coupe. S/N 149308721. Eng. #
131532399. Red/black vinyl. Odo: 16,968 km.
Excellent panel fit, very good paint. Bright
trim shows some waviness and light pitting on
bumpers and headlight trim, alloy trim shows
some dullness. Nicely finished interior, but
seats are overstuffed and casually done. Contemporary
small-diameter Nardi wood-rim
SOLD AT $93,467. Very attractive but anonymous
coachwork on Lambda chassis, reminiscent
of Carrozzeria Touring’s style.
Catalogued as a Dilambda, but discovery of
chassis number dates it as a Lambda chassis
for coachwork instead. Excellent workmanship,
but essentially a fairly high price for a
bitsa.
TOP 10
No. 7
#552-1938 LANCIA ASTURA 4th
Series cabriolet. S/N 413125. Eng. #
41240. Dark gray metallic/gray
leather/dark gray leather. RHD. Odo: 33,307
km. Said to be very original except for a
respray. Good panel fit. Very good paint shows
only a few minor flaws. Very good to good
bright trim, with various small dings in side
92
good, radio missing. Accessory Abarth dualcarb
manifold underhood, with modern and
quite inelegant linkage. Original Marchal
lights. Cond: 5+. SOLD AT $249,246. Early
“long-door” 1900 Sprint “5-window” coupe,
with many interesting features. History includes
run in the Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti
rally when new. Prices have been stagnant on
1900s for quite a while now. This is a big price
leap for a car with needs. Let’s see what the
next few do. Well sold for now.
#502-1956 FIAT 600 Multipla microvan.
S/N 100108059877. Eng. # 100008764889.
White & black/red & white vinyl. Odo: 41,977
km. Good panel fit. Older paint shows orange
peel and some overspray. Left front door panel
rather wrinkly. Alloy bright trim is dull,
chrome is fair. Original window glass, weak
windlacing. Original seats are good, instruments
are faded. 1970s Audiovox AM radio
wheel fitted. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $77,890.
Very well-presented Giulietta Sprint Veloce, a
most desirable ’50s Alfa. Let down by detail
flaws, this would nevertheless be a wonderful
companion on tours and rallies. The price
difference for a Mille Miglia-eligible ’57 is
huge, but the number achieved here would
have bought a #1 1958 a short time ago, so
look out for values on the move upward.
#596-1962 ALFA ROMEO 2600 Sprint
coupe. S/N AR820392. Eng. # 00387. Cream/
red leather. Odo: 81,054 km. Excellent panel
fit. Very good paint shows a few small stress
cracks. Chrome appears original, with light
pitting on most pieces; grille is very dull, as
are original badges. Wheels painted gray instead
of silver. Interior has very good original
rear seat, redone front seats with incorrect
grain hide in incorrect pattern. Curious leather
covering on transmission tunnel instead of
Sports Car Market
Page 92
Fresh Meat
by Chad Tyson Bonhams Paris, FRA
Online sales of contemporary cars
2012 BMW 750Li sedan
Date sold: 02/27/2013
eBay auction ID: 271156329964
Seller’s eBay ID: scottsdaleferrari
Sale type: Used car with 10,803 miles
VIN: WBAKB8C55CDX20641
Details: Jet Black over oyster/black leather; 4.4-liter
V8 rated at 400 hp, 6-sp auto, RWD
Sale result: $71,000, best offer, sf 263
MSRP: $97,800 (as equipped)
Other current offering: Reeves Import Motorcars
in Tampa, FL, offering a 5-mile, black over saddle/
black 2012 750Li for $93,495.
2012 McLaren MP4-12C
carpet. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $42,060. Lovely
color combination on a well-presented big
Alfa. Anyone who has read SCM for any
length of time knows I love these cars. At first
glance I fell for this one, but the closer I got,
the more the wrong details added up. That it
had these issues and still made over $40k
bodes well for the 2600 market.
#546-1965 FERRARI 330 GT 2+2 Series
I coupe. S/N 6635. Eng. # 6635. Black/red
leather. Odo: 78,638 km. Excellent panel fit,
except left door out at rear edge. Good paint
shows a few small rubs, a couple of door-edge
chips and light polish scratches. Bright trim is
good, weakest are door handles. Wheels are
painted an incorrect silver. Well-done seats
Date sold: 02/26/2013
eBay auction ID: 271158523261
Seller’s eBay ID: straightlineautomotivegroup
Sale type: Used car with 999 miles
VIN: SBM11AAA4CW000901
Details: Fire Black over black/orange leather; 3.8-liter
twin-turbocharged V8 rated at 593 hp, 7-sp dualclutch
auto, RWD
Sale result: $210,000, best offer, sf 361
MSRP: $268,000 (as equipped)
Other current offering: Naples Motorsports in
Naples, FL, asking $279,995 for a Pearl White over
Harissa Red leather MP4-12C with 1,400 miles.
2013 Maserati GranTurismo Sport
in chips on hood. Fair-to-good bright trim.
Stripped interior with OMP racing seats, full
roll cage, Racetech electronic oil pressure and
water temp gauges. Twin rally clocks, plexi
windows side and rear. Cond: 3. SOLD AT
$70,101. Fulvia HF “Fanalone” cars are rally
legends. Value difference between a genuine
Works car, a customer car and a tribute is
considerable. This car has been publicly offered
twice before. At Bonhams Goodwood in
2005, it sold for $43k, presented as a Works
race car (SCM# 38693). In February 2011 at
Artcurial Paris, it no-saled at $68k, with
Works connection now removed (SCM
#169040). Chassis number puts it in the right
place, but doubts remain. Not a bad buy at the
price, yet more research may pay dividends.
#542-1973 FERRARI 246 GTB Dino
coupe. S/N 06626. Eng. # 13505. Red/black
leather. Odo: 36,301 km. Excellent panel fit,
except trunk lid is a bit high due to new rubber
gasket. Excellent paint, very good chrome.
Interior is excellent with nicely broken-in
“Daytona” seats, which show only slight wear
on left side of driver’s seat. Former property
of Jacques Swaters, proprietor of Garage Fran-
and door panels, original headliner and burl
wood dashboard. Sinudyne radio. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $154,100. Great color combo on
Series I 2+2, well-done interior. The car was
“converted” to a single-headlight Series II
appearance during restoration. It doesn’t quite
hold together the way you want it to, and the
front-end change will always require explanation.
Well sold.
Date sold: 02/26/2013
eBay auction ID: 111017130017
Seller’s eBay ID: ferrarisanfrancisco
Sale type: New car with 75 miles
VIN: ZAM45VMAXD0069637
Details: Nero over Nero leather; 4.7-liter V8 rated at
444 hp, 6-sp auto, RWD
Sale result: $148,000, best offer, sf 14
MSRP: $142,800 (base)
Other current offering: Maserati of the Main Line in
Devon, PA, offering a new Grigio Alfieri over Bordeaux
2013 GranTurismo Sport convertible with 10
miles for $143,795. ♦
94
#512-1969 LANCIA FULVIA 1.6 HF
Fanalone coupe. S/N 818540001578. Eng. #
8185402264676. Red & black/black cloth.
Odo: 6,579 km. Very good panel fit. Shiny
paint shows some minor prep flaws, touched-
corchamps, the legendary Belgian Ferrari distributor.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $334,925. While
the targa-top GTS spider commands a considerable
premium over the coupe, the latter has
a more attractive shape. This car was very
well restored and presented—one of the nicest
GTBs I’ve seen. The level of restoration combined
with the Swaters provenance pushed it
to an over-the-top result. Well sold, but
equally well bought.
#541-1973 FIAT 238 van. S/N 238B1-
0103116. Red, white & green/black vinyl.
Odo: 84,139 km. Ex-Garage Francorchamps,
the Belgian Ferrari distributor. Livery advertises
the range: 308 GTB and S, 400A and 512
BB. Italian tri-color stripe and bold Prancing
Sports Car Market
RM Auctions Madison, GA
AUSTRALIAN
#550-1958 GOGGOMOBIL DART road-
ster. S/N 131383. Black/red vinyl. RHD. Nice
condition, but not perfect. Plexi headlight
cover cracked. Red interior could use a good
scrubbing. The magic of a Goggo engine is
that most of it is concealed by the fan cooling
shrouds, so they usually look orderly, unless
the owner spills some of the 2-stroke oil when
filling the injector-oil reservoir. This engine is
unblemished. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $54,050.
with the engine just behind the seat. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $12,650. Velorex began by produc-
Aussie Goggo importer Bill Buckle designed
and built approximately 700 Darts using
Goggo mechanical components, including the
floor-pan chassis and all the running gear,
instruments, electrical wiring, lights, etc. By
omitting doors, the body helped stiffen the
chassis (and minimized production and assembly
costs). These are very desirable, with few
ever making it to the U.S. Slightly over market,
but this is an attractive and usable addition to
any collection. Well sold.
#588-1964 LIGHTBURN ZETA Sports
roadster. S/N 2817. Maroon/black canvas/
dark red vinyl. RHD. Body suffering from
typical stressed fiberglass crazing. However, it
is all there and appears to be a runner. Like its
U.K. cousin, the Frisky, it is powered by a
Sachs 500-cc 2-cylinder 2-stroke engine,
working for Vignale. Nothing sells like a
bright yellow, well-turned-out car. Cond: 1.
SOLD AT $57,500. Good design makes itself
seen and heard, as in the noise of frantic bidding
for this Frisky, which sold for nearly four
times the $15k low estimate.
which should make it fly. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$51,750. The Zeta Sports was restyled by the
U.K. Frisky Sprint team, who went to Australia
to ready the body for production under
Aussie regulations. The doors were eliminated
to make the fiberglass tub stiffer. A project car,
Lot 635, sold for $24,150. Both were well sold.
CZECH
#637-1959 VELOREX OSKAR cabrio-
let. S/N 02949044. Brown/tan canvas/red vinyl.
Generally all there. Built like a light
airplane with a space frame, then covered with
brown “Igelit” vinyl. The space frame was
typically painted the same color brown, and
the cycle fenders were either white like this or
black. Interior is totally utilitarian and simple,
98
Sports Car Market
#323-1960 SCOOTACAR DELUXE Mk
II coupe. S/N K74500. Silver/dark red vinyl.
MHD. Silver finish in excellent condition, as
is the Mk II’s sumptuous interior seating.
to exist. This example restored to like-new
condition. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $120,750. This
P50 totally stole the show. The price paid was
2½ times the estimated value, but what other
celebrity car could you keep in your bedroom?
Very well sold indeed.
FRENCH
#257-1948 MOCHET TYPE K cabriolet.
S/N 1560. British Racing Green & black/black
cloth/dark green vinyl. Deluxe version with
wood doors and full weather protection, meticulously
restored. In like-new condition,
down to the single-cylinder, 125-cc, 2-stroke,
ing handicap vehicles. Construction was minimal,
with CZ and Jawa motorcycles as donors
for the engine, transmission, wheels, fenders
and even the fuel tank. Typical engine size was
either 250 or 350. Production was over
15,000, and many seem to have survived,
which makes them plentiful. I still see them on
the roads in the Czech Republic. Well bought
in the appropriate price range.
ENGLISH
#276-1959 FRISKY FAMILY THREE
coupe. S/N 20487. Yellow & white/red vinyl.
RHD. Great paint scheme on very flat side
panels. Excellent door fit as well as rear deck.
A good-looking car from any perspective.
Body designed by Giovanni Michelotti, then
Rather than sitting astride the central engine
cover of its predecessor, the Mk I, this
Scootacar looks, feels and handles like a true
automobile. Ease of entry is one of its most
appealing selling features—with such tall interior
space, one never feels claustrophobic.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $50,600. As the
Scootacar evolved, the engine and suspension
were also upgraded. In 1961, the 1-cyl Villiers
engine (which this car has) was upgraded to a
250-cc 2-cylinder 2-stroke, which was a startling
difference in a new concept for Scootacar
called performance. There was a lesser-quality
Mk I on offer that sold at $39,100, which
was substantially above the high estimate of
$25,000, illustrating the demand for these
oddball tall microcars. Both were very well
sold.
#258-1964 PEEL P50 coupe. S/N D535.
Red/black vinyl. MHD. The world’s smallest
production car, made infamous by “Top Gear”
host Jeremy Clarkson, who drove one through
London, across the lobby of the BBC building,
into the elevator, up to the news floor and
down the rows of cubicles. Only 26 are known
Page 98
RM Auctions Madison, GA
Burt’s Picks
My four personal star cars
#249-1956 BMW ISETTA 300 “bubblewindow”
cabriolet. S/N 4995137. Light
green/tan canvas/green & black plaid fabric.
While all Isettas have a fabric sunroof, few
have the convertible rear-window section,
which allows for “wind in your hair” driving.
This one is a European version with smaller
bumpers, headlights and taillights. As nice as
they come, complete with requisite picnic bas-
air-cooled engine driving the rear axle via
chain. Spotless engine bay with nary a drop of
grease. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $35,650. The
Model K was the first in the series that used
folded metal panels to simplify fabrication and
assembly. To raise the window, one would
grasp a leather strap and pull the window up,
and then secure the strap to the inside of the
door. Mochet did everything as simply as possible
to keep costs down and make his cars
affordable to post-war France. Market-correct
hammer price, fair to seller and buyer.
BEST
BUY
#593-1951 MOCHET CM-125 Luxe
cabriolet. S/N 2695. Yellow & black/
black canvas/black vinyl. Perfect fit
and finish. The paint breaks follow the stamping
nicely with no ridges. All mechanicals are
visible and clean. Upholstery and large top
canopy are wrinkle-free. The elegant stamping
in post-war times as a solution to limited parking.
When the owner exited the car, he merely
went to the front and lifted the body. The
wheels tucked in, narrowing the car’s width so
that it could be moved off the street, through a
gate, and even inside one’s home. With so few
of them available, and with so many collectors
wanting one, it was not surprising that the
final bid was more than double the low estimate.
Very well sold.
#604-1956 AVOLETTE RECORD DE-
LUXE roadster. S/N 8. Orange/black vinyl.
Paint excellent without any flaws. Dash, interior
and engine compartment of same quality,
with great attention to all the small details.
The thick half-round rubber piece that conceals
the joint between the upper and lower
body sections is nicely integrated into the
fenders and into the aluminum steps for cock-
ket. Very well presented. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$89,700. Isetta and Messerschmitt are the most
iconic microcars of all. The only conspicuous
flaw here was the front bumper, which had
been “pranged” and then straightened flat.
Not a big deal, but when everything is so perfect,
a minor flaw becomes a bigger distraction.
Paint and interior were immaculate,
which caused the price to soar. Well sold at
almost twice the low estimate.
#589-1956 HEINKEL KABINE 150
coupe. S/N 301431. Orange/tan canvas. Quick
and sloppy paint with poor masking job. No
interior, bench seat missing, many parts inside
car in cardboard boxes and plastic bags.
However, the body tub and panes appear to be
straight. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $20,700. After
WWII, aircraft manufacturer Heinkel used
to suggest rear fenders is a delightful solution.
Cond: 1. SOLD AT $19,550. Notice the softer
lines here compared with Lot 257, the 1948,
which was all simple break-folded panels.
Surprisingly, the 1948 sold 50% higher. This
was well bought, substantially under the $35k
low estimate.
#594-1951 REYONNAH roadster. S/N
1706. Beige/burgundy cloth/ ivory & burgundy
vinyl. MHD. Striking paint quality.
Chrome fittings and interior latches restored to
same high degree. Contrasting convertible
roof is meticulously trimmed. Burgundy interior
with rolled ivory channels of very high
quality. Unique folding front suspension raises
pit access. The entire tub is a wonderful exercise
in design innovation. With only 30 ever
built, this may be the only survivor in the U.S.
Cond: 1. SOLD AT $74,750. This is a viable
two-seat car with good handling qualities and
comfortable room for two. The 250-cc Maico
2-stroke motorcycle engine made 14 hp, which
allowed the Avolette to keep up easily with
traffic on rural French roads. It is another
gem for a serious microcar collector. Well
sold.
#546-1956 VELAM ISETTA “bubble
window” coupe. S/N 103976. White/black
canvas/black, white & red vinyl & houndstooth.
French firm Velam’s own interpretation
of the Iso bubble car. Acceptable paint with
clean white wheels. Interior very busy with
cloth houndstooth fabric trimmed in red-andwhite
vinyl. Red carpet on inner wheelarches
and parcel platform. Exterior lines are more
their engineering and manufacturing
experience to build these cars. Note that the
rear end is radically different from the Isetta,
in that there is full and easy access to the 200cc
single-cylinder 4-stroke engine. When
aircraft prohibition production ceased, the
minicar operation moved to Ireland under the
Trojan marque. This was well sold. Lot 597, a
usable Kabine, sold for $35k.
100
the body quite high, showing that undercarriage
is finished to the same high level.
Reyonnah was designer Robert Hannoyer’s
name spelled backwards. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$184,000. One of the rarest, most unusual
vehicles of the entire microcar world, designed
simple and elegant than the interior. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $37,375. Iso sold most of the Isetta
tooling to BMW as part of their licensing
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RM Auctions Madison, GA
Burt’s Picks
I wish they’d gone home with me
#245-1961 MESSERSCHMITT KR200
cabriolet. S/N 74947. Red/black fabric/black
vinyl & snakeskin. MHD. Very tidy and correct
restoration by microcar expert Peter Svilans,
right down to the F.M.R.-stamped hubcaps and
difficult-to-find dash clock. The black vinyl
interior with gray snakeskin vinyl was standard
on the KR201. Also has a front seat from the
larger Tiger 500, which is a substantial ergo-
agreement, so the French Velam company decided
to do their own stampings and fitments.
Global versions were built in Belgium, Brazil,
England, France, Germany and Spain. Any
one of these derivations would be welcome in
a microcar collection. However, Velams seem
to be the most modestly priced.
#612-1957 VESPA 400 cabriolet. S/N
06938. Blue/brown/black & white textile.
Original paint. Tired exterior. No obvious rust
or chips. Interior has been well cared for. Top
is old, with opaque rear window. Side view is
almost identical to the Autobianchi Bianchina
Transformable, but this uses a 2-stroke 2-cyl-
MHD. Body complete, with strong aircraft
influence. All trim in place, but shows signs of
60 years of wear. Interior shabby. This is a
very early version of the Messerschmitt, which
has the spare tire mounted flat on the rear
nomic improvement. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$52,900. The cabrio was the logical alternative
to the Messerschmitt’s clear aircraft dome, which
seemed to amplify cockpit temperatures. This was
an early-auction sale before the action reached a
fever pitch. The buyer had been admiring Messerschmitts
for several years but did not want to
restore one. Sold within appropriate price range
for a well-prepared, ready-to-drive cabrio.
#622-1958 GOGGOMOBIL T-250 sun-
roof 2-dr sedan. S/N 0196154. Turquoise/tan
canvas/black & ivory fabric. Restoration at its
best: excellent paint on exterior, clean undercarriage
and suspension. Spotless engine compartment
is noteworthy. Interior door panels
and upholstery in period fabric show very
well. The sunroof is a seldom-seen accessory,
and the sunshade across the windshield is very
desirable. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $63,250. Goggo
inder, instead of Fiat’s 500-cc 4-stroke. Cond:
2. SOLD AT $28,750. The Italian Piaggio
Company had manufacturing capacity in their
French scooter factory to produce this wellengineered
small car for the French public.
They specifically avoided competing with Bianchina
Transformable in Italy. Price was
very strong for this car. Well sold.
#292-1957 VOISIN BISCOOTER C31
cabriolet. S/N 21775775. Polished aluminum/
tan canvas/red wicker. Entire body is polished
aluminum. Doors and hood built to very high
tolerances. Excellent fit and finish. The red
wicker seats fore and aft are equally attractive
and do not show any wear. Cond: 1-. SOLD
AT $80,500. Voisin was an architect who began
building planes during WWI. Later, this
fender vs. under the rear engine cover. Cond:
2+. SOLD AT $23,000. As an early version of
the KR175, this example did not come with
electric starter, which means that the 2-stroke,
single-cylinder engine had to be kick-started.
This was one of the best buys of the auction,
selling for about the same as other incomplete
and rusted Messerschmitts. It would be a perfect
restoration candidate, or it could be made
operational and enjoyed as-is.
#585-1955 KLEINSCHNITTGER F-125
roadster. S/N 652080. Red/red canvas/red
vinyl. High-quality finishes throughout, constructed
like a fine piece of jewelry. Design is
simple yet elegant, with well-balanced components.
Nothing looks or feels out of place.
Kleinschnittger literally translates into “littlestylish.”
The earliest gestations featured front
fenders made out of aluminum cooking pots
is considered the third-most-iconic microcar
brand, behind Isetta and Messerschmitt. They
built perfect small vehicles that were very reliable
and durable. In 2010, a friend of mine
drove his Goggo van from Los Angeles to the
Micro/Mini Car World Meet in Chicago. It
was an effortless trip, following Route 66.
Over 100,000 sedans were produced, plus
coupes, vans and cabriolets. This perfect
T-250 sold a bit over high estimate, but considering
the utility and rareness of the sunroof,
the price seems market-fair.
102
visionary designer made exquisitely graceful
cars in the 1930s. Post-war, he began making
small cars with strict aesthetic guidelines,
striving for visual perfection. The Biscooter
was a refined automobile for its day, easily
competing with both the Renault and Citroën
2CV. The final bid on this example was right
on the money at the high bid estimate. Fair
price for seller and buyer.
GERMAN
BEST
BUY
#243-1953 MESSERSCHMITT
KR175 dome-top microcar. S/N
2160. Beige/clear plastic/tan vinyl.
cut in half. The well-made DKW single-cylinder
2-stroke is capable of keeping up with
rural traffic. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $48,300. I
remember sitting in one of these in Germany
20 years ago and thinking how perfectly proportioned
it was. These are extremely rare,
and when you do find one, it has to be totally
restored. This one is as perfect as they come,
and therefore worth the price. Buyer paid a bit
above market, but where else will you find
one?
#259-1957 JURISCH MOTOPLAN prototype
single-seat trike. S/N N/A. Turquoise/
black canvas/olive green & black vinyl. Paint
is flawless, as is the interior. Features Jurisch’s
outstanding design and craftsmanship. Unlike
many other microcars, utilizes a Heinkel single-cylinder
4-stroke. Has a 4-speed trans-
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Page 101
RM Auctions Madison, GA
mission, plus reverse gear. Unusual steering
with push-pull levers on either side of the seat.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $103,500. For cockpit
access, the whole front of the car pivots forward
and up; once seated, pull the body back
down and fasten the side latches. This could
be the centerpiece of any microcar collection,
and rarity and aesthetics motivated spirited
bidding. Well sold.
#603-1958 F.M.R. TG500 “Tiger” 2-pas-
senger microcar. S/N 20563. Salmon &
black/clear plastic/black vinyl & cloth. MHD.
Salmon over black fenders makes for a strong
contrast on this king of the Messerschmitts.
Restored to better-than-new perfection, both
cosmetically and mechanically. A true sports
car of its day, with hydraulic brakes and exceptional
handling for an 80-mph 500-cc microcar.
Said to be one of 150 known examples
back, with the 250-cc motor between the angled
seat-backs. Other than a broken sidemarker
light, the car is in excellent condition.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $51,750. Zündapp manufactured
motorcycles after WWII, and like
other German entrepreneurs, they wanted in
on the microcar boom. In an era when economy
travel often involved tent camping, the
Janus seats could be folded flat to make an
indoor bed. For their distinctive appearance
(and rarity), these make worthy additions to
any microcar collection. While the price was
above the auction estimates, it seems a good
value.
hance microcar collections worldwide. Bidding
was spirited for the three other
Transporters on offer, ranging from $92k to
$138k. This was the last one sold, and it surpassed
$138k quickly. Perhaps it was the PEZ
name, which in itself is a serious collector
segment. All were very well sold.
#247-1958 MAICO 500 2-dr sedan. S/N
808457. Maroon & white/tan vinyl. RHD.
Appears to have been imported from South
Africa with LHD. From bumper to engine
compartment, appears absolutely flawless.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $29,900. Maico was a
successful manufacturer of bicycles and
#314-1961 NSU PRINZ 30 2-dr sedan.
S/N 33096. Light blue/red vinyl & cloth. Decent
paint, with blemish on left side, chipped
paint on ivory wheels. Chrome free of pits and
rust. Engine bay clean and presentable. Interior
shows signs of use. Overall, could be used
and enjoyed with modest detailing. By definition,
this is not a microcar, but a minicar due
to engine size exceeding the 500-cc limit.
of 360 produced. Cond: 1. SOLD AT
$322,000. While not necessarily very rare,
there is a limited supply of TG500s. For some
time, they quietly changed hands within the
microcar community around the $150k mark.
The opening bid here was $160k, and the price
skyrocketed north, as many collectors in the
room wanted it. This was the highest price
ever paid for a microcar. Other TG500 owners
in the room could be heard gasping with joy,
knowing that they had their own “tiger by the
tail.” Very well sold.
#613-1958 GOGGOMOBIL TL-400
Transporter microvan. S/N 08233608. Dark
blue & white/gray vinyl. Perfect paint over
large ripple-free body panels. Interior detailing
as meticulous as exterior. Engine bay sanitary.
These were originally developed for the German
post office. Cond: 1. SOLD AT
$172,500. All four Goggo transporters here
were prepared to the same high levels by the
museum’s in-house staff. These commercial
vans have become much sought-after to en-
May 2013
103
motorcycles, and their Maicomobil scooter
was an over-the-top deluxe touring machine,
so it was no wonder that they wanted to enter
the burgeoning small-car arena. The Maisch
brothers attempted to save the Champion car,
but did not have the time to adapt their
smaller engines to the heavier car, so they
purchased Heinkel 2-stroke 2-cylinders. Purchase
price seems spot-on.
#248-1958 ZÜNDAPP JANUS 4-passen-
ger sedan. S/N W3571. Gray & pale yellow/
tan vinyl. Double-ended car is named after the
two-faced Roman god, as the front and rear
doors are identical. Bench seats are back to
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $23,000. At one point,
NSU was the world’s largest producer of motorcycles.
Automotive production ceased after
WWII, but in 1957 they introduced a new
small car with large-car features, called the
Prinz. It used a 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, aircooled,
583-cc engine. (Dr. Wankel developed
his famous rotary engine for NSU, which contributed
to the company’s collapse and eventual
merger with Auto Union.) Market-correct
sale here.
ITALIAN
#283-1960 FIAT 600 Multipla microvan.
S/N 100D108083570. Yellow & ivory/tan &
white vinyl. Non-standard paint color, but of
excellent quality with good door alignment.
New rubber around windows. Excellent
chrome, including all four hubcaps. Interior is
Bonhams Boca Raton, FL
ENGLISH
#311-1956 JAGUAR XK 140 MC road-
ster. S/N S812251DN. Eng. # G72768S. Arbour
Green/tan fabric/biscuit leather. Odo: 171
miles. An older restoration with little use
since. Rare “Arbor Green” paint color looks a
shade off. Piping on leather interior is attractive
but incorrect. The MC package provided
20 addition horsepower, dual exhaust and Lucas
fog lamps. The “S” chassis prefix indicates
floor XKE just a few years ago. Stunning, but
at a price.
#345-1964 JAGUAR XKE Series I con-
vertible. S/N 879718. Primrose Yellow/tan
fabric/biscuit leather. Odo: 74,562 miles. Recent
restoration with original Golden Sand
livery changed to Primrose Yellow. Retains
Moss “crash box” and Lucas lighting. Series
III clamps used on engine. Radio-delete but
has heater. JDHC-documented. Cond: 2+.
the “C” heads and the DN verifies the overdrive.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $143,000. XKs
have been in a bit of a slump until this one
crossed the block. The unique (albeit incorrect)
color must have got a few bidders excited.
This was last seen at Auctions America
by RM’s June 2012 Auburn sale, where it nosaled
at $70k, and we said, “Seller was wise
to hang on” (SCM# 202240). Well sold today.
#301-1962 AUSTIN MINI Mk I 2-dr
sedan. S/N AA257L231455A. Red/black
vinyl. Odo: 34,349 miles. An early externaldoor-hinge
example, delivered new to the U.S.
and only three owners from new. Lowish
miles thought to be actual. Restored in early
miles stated to be actual. Documented with
Heritage Certificate. A well-preserved driverquality
XKE. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT
$92,000. Price bid should have been close to
getting the job done. It all depends on the
value placed on the low miles and very original
condition. Seller thought it was worth a
bunch more than this, so we will have to wait
and see.
#338-1973 JAGUAR XKE Series III V12
convertible. S/N UD1521850. Red/black
fabric/beige leather. Odo: 39,113 miles. A
driver-quality XKE that shows some wear and
tear on the leather seats. Respray some 20
years back and now has a bit of an edge.
Brightwork as expected. With covered head-
SOLD AT $96,800. The later 4.2-liter XKEs
are generally more desirable, but this
3.8 example was a good car. Recently seen at
McCormick’s February 2012 sale, where it
no-saled at $65k, and we said the seller was
“wise to hold on for another day” (SCM#
196903). The trip from Palm Springs was well
worth the journey.
#333-1965 ASTON MARTIN DB6 VAN-
TAGE shooting brake. S/N DB62387LNK.
Eng. # 4002488VC. Eggplant/beige leather.
Odo: 18,574 km. One of six “Shooting Brake”
conversions performed by Radford. Done in
1967 or 1968. Goodwood Green livery
changed to Eggplant at that time, and a/c upgraded
to “Coolair” system. Little has been
lamps and U.S.-mandated black rubber bumper
guards. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $55,000.
Fair price for a driver-quality XKE. Some love
the Series III for the V12, but many don’t due
to the bulbous rubber bumpers. If your cup of
tea, this was a well-bought example.
#348-1996 BENTLEY TURBO R SE
1990s. Paint now dull with numerous small
scratches. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $8,800. Not a
lot of money for a cute little Mini. An estimated
10,000 were delivered to U.S. between
1960 and 1967, but few have fared as well as
this one. An excellent buy.
#327-1962 JAGUAR XKE Series I
coupe. S/N 885391. Opalescent Bronze/red
leather. Odo: 43 miles. Recent comprehensive
restoration to high standard. Very well-done
period metallic paint changes hue. An early
flat-floor car with welded louver hood. Interior
retrimmed in red, rather than original tan biscuit.
New window rubbers throughout. Nothing
to fault here. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$165,000. Time to adjust the price guides, as
this brought twice what you’d pay for a flat-
108
sedan. S/N SCBZR14C8TCX58147. Black
Emerald/black leather. Odo: 27,867 miles.
Special Edition Turbo delivered new to the
U.S. at a stated cost of $199,500. This is number
six of only 12 built. Two owners from new
and maintained in exceptional condition.
done to the car since, with expected wear and
tear. Window rubbers worn with a few paint
blisters. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $470,000.
Aston Martins continue to attract attention,
and this shooting brake is certainly unique. I
have a hard time getting my head around half
a million bucks for a station wagon, however—especially
one finished in Eggplant.
#305-1965 JAGUAR XKE Series I 4.2
convertible. S/N 1E10658. Eng. # 7328719.
Silver Blue/dark blue fabric/dark blue leather.
Odo: 19,338 miles. A later Series I with the
desirable 4.2-liter motor that pre-dates the
Series 1 1/2. Well equipped with “Le Chaperon”
AM radio and original tool roll, knockoff
hammer and passenger’s foot rest. Low
Miles believed actual. Has a rather sinister
look. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $48,400. A lot of
car for not a whole lot of money. Someone else
took the depreciation hit, and the new owner
gets the enjoyment and prestige on the relative
cheap. Well bought.
Sports Car Market
Page 108
Bonhams Boca Raton, FL
FRENCH
#358-1962 CITROËN 2CV Sahara se-
dan. S/N 5400185AW. Green/green fabric/
green fabric. Found in Chile in 1984, restored
in France in late 1990s, and holding up well.
Unique dual-engined drivetrain offers 4x4
capability with top speed of about 55 mph.
Just the ticket for touring the French countryside.
Priced under $1,000 when introduced,
about right. But the nits hurt, and a stronger
presentation would have brought better results.
#329-1967 PORSCHE 911 Targa. S/N
500695. Eng. # 911989. Polo Red/black
leather. Odo: 85,096 miles. First year for the
Targa with the removable roof panel and detachable
plastic rear window. Purchased new
by consignor’s father. Respray in 2007 back to
original Polo Red. Minor pitting on exterior
which was less than a dollar a pound. Cond:
3+. SOLD AT $80,300. It is thought that only
a handful of these survive. Price paid seems a
bit excessive, but probably follows on the heels
of the unrestored Sahara that fetched $143k at
Bonhams’ Philadelphia sale in October
(SCM# 213796). Well sold.
GERMAN
#303-1957 BMW ISETTA 300 microcar.
S/N 494575. Red/white vinyl. Odo: 20,141
miles. Recent restoration of a rust-free bubblecar
with distinctive curved glass. Offered with
sunroof for emergency exit. Very nice paint.
Correct interior pattern. Fitted with luggage
trim. Complete with books and records with
receipts for extensive refurbishing. Has original
tool roll and Certificate of Authenticity.
Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $70,000. Porsche
911s are hot property of late. The price bid
would have gotten the job done a few years
back, but not today. Needed another well-deserved
$10k or so.
ITALIAN
#307-1965 ALFA ROMEO GIULIA
Sprint Speciale. S/N AR380813. Eng. #
AR0012100914. Alfa Blue Posillipo/tan
leather. Odo: 71,234 km. Aerodynamic styling
with cues from earlier BATs. Recent mechanical
rebuild. Attractive paint, but some swirls
rack and picnic basket. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$36,300. These show up at most every auction.
After the success of the recent Weiner Microcar
Collection auction, the price paid here is
market-correct.
#319-1967 MERCEDES-BENZ 250SE
convertible. S/N 1112310087684.
Burgundy/Marine Blue fabric/Marine Blue
leather. Odo: 34,625 km. A European-delivered
250SE with the desirable 4-speed manual.
Minor chips and cracks in paint. Body straight
and solid. Minor wear on leather interior.
Snaps missing for boot. Dirty whitewalls.
Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $58,300. The 4-speed
adds about $5k here, so the price paid was
110
and other minor flaws. Very nice complementing
interior. Engine clean and tidy. Wheels
worn. Missing plastic windscreen that was
positioned in front of windshield wipers.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $143,000. A very desirable
Alfa that sold for the anticipated amount.
Would not take much to bring it up a notch, so
I will call it well bought.
Sports Car Market
Page 110
Bonhams Boca Raton, FL
#312-1967 ALFA ROMEO DUETTO
spider. S/N AR662917. Eng. # AR0053610888.
Red/black fabric/black leather. Odo:
23,777 km. A well-maintained example that
has not been restored. 24,000 km on the clock
are rare enough that converting coupes once
made financial sense, but uncut coupes are
now worth more than the conversions. In that
context, this one was market-correct for condition.
All square here.
#330-1984 FERRARI 512 BBI coupe.
S/N ZFFJA09B000050469. Black/black
leather. Odo: 27,057 miles. Well presented
with only a few minor touch-ups noted. Low
miles claimed actual. Major service properly
documented. Complete with books and records.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $126,500. In the
early ’80s, the flat-12 switched to Bosch fuel
injection, replacing the four triple-barrel
stated to be actual. Paint with expected patina.
Interior trim pitted, top bow scratched. Cond:
3+. SOLD AT $29,700. A cute little Duetto at
a most reasonable price. Limited use is a plus
here. Well bought.
#331-1969 FIAT JOLLY beach car. S/N
2347428. Sand/tan & white surrey/wicker.
Odo: 21,559 miles. Called a “late production
European-delivery model.” Extensively restored
to very correct standards and listed in
the Registro Storico Fiat. Resprayed in origi-
neglected in restoration process. The woodbodied
Ford wagon was first introduced in
1929. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $24,200. A cute
“woodie” at a decent price. Priced at $695
when new, which was top of the Ford line. Will
attract all kinds of attention at next local allFord
event.
Webers. Production continued into 1985, before
being replaced by the Testarossa. The two
documented engine-out major services here
were a big plus, as buyers often find out that
they are lacking only after the fact. The solid
overall condition makes this a most reasonable
buy, squarely in the middle of the SCM
Pocket Price Guide valuation of $91,500–
$140,000.
AMERICAN
#354-1925 STUTZ SERIES 695 Speed-
nal color. Motor rebuilt. Only issue is a loose
badge. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $52,800. Just the
ticket for traveling from the yacht to the summer
estate. These have been popular with the
country-club set, and now their appeal is
spreading. Price paid is the going rate for one
in decent condition.
#339-1970 FERRARI 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Spyder conversion. S/N 13281. Yellow/
black fabric/black leather. Odo: 61,267 km.
An early Plexi-nose example delivered to Europe.
(The transparent Plexiglas panel that
covered the headlamps was replaced with popup
lights in later models.) Quality Spyder con-
ing is very attractive. Well done, but not authentic.
Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $49,500. Price
paid was twice the high estimate. I can’t help
but think the bidder has plans to turn this into
something more in line with original configuration,
and the task should not be too difficult.
Time will tell. Very well sold.
version done in the 1980s. Properly
maintained over the years, as it still presents
well. Originally Marrone Metallizzato. Cond:
2. SOLD AT $390,500. Real Daytona Spyders
112
#344-1930 FORD MODEL A wagon. S/N
A3889827. Brown & black/black fabric/black
vinyl. Odo: 31,201 miles. Restored to acceptable
standard with nicely varnished wood
trim. Plated radiator shell. Fitted with unique
horn and rather awkward fog lamps. Dash was
Sports Car Market
way Six replica speedster. S/N 14128. Eng. #
14128. White/red leather. Odo: 80,685 miles.
A custom Speedster that was built from a more
common body style around 1990. Designed as
a race car with only the basics. Has a couple
of large paint chips, but the tufted leather seat-
instruments, a/c added. Chrome rear spare a
bit much. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $21,450. Not a
very exciting car back in 1934, and not a lot
has changed since. With air added, this would
be a nice Florida tour car, and the new owner
most likely won’t lose any money when it’s
time to move on. Price paid looked about
right.
#356-1937 LASALLE MODEL 5027
coupe. S/N 2239275. Briarcliff Blue/tan fabric.
Odo: 597 miles. An older restoration that
has been properly maintained. Loaded with
every option on the order sheet, including
rumble seat, radio and heater. Restored 20
years ago by marque expert and driven fewer
than 600 miles since. AACA First in 1992.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $38,500. 1937 marked
#351-1934 CHEVROLET SERIES DA
MASTER sedan. S/N AG579. Gold & brown/
tan vinyl/ tan fabric. Odo: 34,035 miles. Hot
rod modified with Chevy 350 while retaining
original body lines. Couple of minor paint
issues noted, but all in all very presentable.
Lowered coil springs in front with 16-inch
wires. Disc brakes up front, drums in the rear.
Interior retrimmed with buckets and Classic
Page 112
Bonhams Boca Raton, FL
Glovebox Notes
2013 Kia Optima SX Limited sedan
A brief look at cars of interest that have passed
through the SCM garage. HHHHH is best.
the return to the V8 for LaSalle. This would
make a wonderful tour car for Cad-LaSalle
events. Price paid was well within reason,
considering the quality presented.
#353-1939 BUICK 46C Special coupe.
S/N 23491052. Eng. # 48699820. Verde
Green/tan fabric. Odo: 29,897 miles. Restored
20 years back and properly stored and maintained
since. Powered by Dynaflash 8 that was
recently tended to. Radio-delete with blank in
Price as tested: $35,470
Equipment: 2.0-liter 274-horsepower turbocharged
direct-injected inline 4, 6-speed Sportmatic
transmission, electric power steering,
leather, SX Premium Touring Package, EX/SX
Technology Package, SX Limited Package.
EPA mileage: 34/39
Likes: Good power from the turbo four —
enough to make you wonder if you’re actually
driving a six. Competent transmission keeps
the turbo in its power band most of the time.
Road noise is minimal, even on the highway.
Plenty of legroom in front and rear, and visibility
from the driver’s seat is good. Interior
fittings are very high quality, and the tech
features (at least in our tester) are numerous.
They included satellite radio, heated and
cooled seats, iPod integration, hands-free
calling, dual sunroof, Bluetooth, HID headlights
and LED taillights, Infinity audio and
more. Navigation and stereo controls are
completely intuitive — they’re much easier to
use than comparable units from Acura.
Dislikes: Electronic steering system doesn’t feel
right at slow speeds — a gripe that’s hard to
quantify, other than to say that the feeling of
resistance changes differently at slow speeds
than many traditional hydraulic units. And
$35,000 is a lot of money for a Kia — even
one this nice.
Fun to drive: HHHHH
Fun to look at: HHHH
Overall experience: HHHH ½
Verdict: Kia has made good progress taking on
the Japanese heavy-hitters in the midsize category,
and this car is a great example of that.
Their brand is actively shedding the image of
cheap transportation in favor of quality, and in
this case, there’s no denying that the Optima’s
solid construction, performance and refinement
are worth every bit of the MSRP. In fact,
I’d even call this car a deal considering what
you get for the money. The trouble is you’ll
still have to explain to your friends why you
spent $35k on a Kia. But once you take them
for a drive, they’ll get it. — Jim Pickering
walls were not offered until late in model year.
Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $110,000. T&C
convertibles have not had much movement in
the past few years, and they need to be highpoint
examples to get into six figures. This one
had a few needs, so the price bid was close,
but in the seller’s opinion, not close enough.
place. Very nice interior, but side panels and
seating finished in different fabrics. Folddown
“opera” rear seats. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$18,700. A fun local tour car for not a lot of
money. Very presentable as-is, so all that’s
needed is to get in and get the rubber on the
road.
#349-1946 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
convertible. S/N H141931. Skyline Blue/tan
fabric/blue leather. Odo: 11,654 miles. 305-ci
V12, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Said to be one of only 201
Continentals built in 1946. Restored in the
early 2000s and continues to show well. Attractive
Skyline Blue livery, but blue leather
interior a bit bright and clashing. A few minor
ther. Comprehensive restoration completed in
2007, but dash trim was neglected. Only about
6,760 produced in 1951 and few survive without
alteration. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT
$50,000. Price bid was light by at least $10k
considering the condition of this Merc convertible.
With the long-term family history, I
don’t blame them for taking it home.
#320-1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD con-
paint blems and a good-size chip on driver’s
door hinge. A Full CCCA Classic. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $47,300. I can attest that these
make wonderful tour cars when properly
sorted. Not a lot of power, due to the extensive
leadwork in the body, but certainly attractive.
Prices, however, have not moved much in the
past few years, so price paid here was marketcorrect.
#322-1947 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER
Town & Country woodie convertible. S/N
7402722. Newport Blue & wood/tan canvas/
blue leather & taupe cloth. Odo: 46,487 miles.
324-ci I8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. An older restoration that
appears to have been properly maintained.
Light pitting noted on trim. Wind-wing delaminating.
Bumpers scratched. Leather and
Bedford cloth seating in good order. White
114
vertible. S/N P6FH356145. Colonial White/
black fabric/black & white vinyl. Odo: 98,716
miles. 312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Second year for
the T-bird with the spare stored outside the
trunk. Has an overall neglected look.
#306-1951 MERCURY SERIES 1CM
convertible. S/N 51ME23581M. Monterey
Red/tan fabric/black & white leather. Odo:
48,353 miles. 255.4-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. A
customizer’s favorite, due to the simple but
elegant lines. Equipped with optional “MercO-Matic.”
Purchased new by consignor’s fa-
Equipped with rusty Kelsey-Hayes wire
wheels. Interior carpet worn and separating.
Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $34,100. The small
’Birds have not had much movement of late, so
Sports Car Market
Silverstone Warwickshire, U.K.
Silverstone — Race Retro
The 1953 Connaught A-type was the high sale and a good deal at $298k
Company
Silverstone
Date
February 23, 2013
Location
Warwickshire, U.K.
Auctioneer
Jonathan Humbert
Automotive lots sold/offered
50/81
Sales rate
62%
Sales total
$2,444,012
High sale
1953 Connaught A-type
Grand Prix racer, sold at
$298,274
Buyer’s premium
1953 Connaught A-type Grand Prix racer, sold at $298,274
Report and photos by Paul Hardiman
Market opinions in italics
convictions and bravely offer racers, reflecting
managing director Nick Whale’s passion.
The auction house achieved plenty of sales in the
C
middle range, although the top competition cars fared
less well. The 1953 Connaught A-type went well
under lower estimate for $298k on the phone, and
the star lot, the Lola T70, failed to sell at $815k bid.
The road cars did better, as illustrated by a super
selection of 911s. The much-admired SWB 1968
911L hit $53k, and an average 3.2 Carrera Targa on
later wheels managed $23k. Two Tuthill-prepared
rally cars and a 964 Carrera 2 track car remained unsold.
Of the three competition-prepared Lotus Elans, only
the cheapest sold, at just under $30k on the phone. That
left the real 26R racer unsold against a desired tag of
$185k and the shiny wannabe available for half that.
But a rebuilt Sierra Cossie Group N rally car once
driven by Gwyndaf Evans and Bertie Fisher was $62k
— just right for the new RAC Rally Championship that
caters to 2WD cars made up to the end of 1986.
The Ford Falcon racer sold for much less than its
build cost at $99k, as did the BMW CSL racer, postauction
for $130k. Also looking a great value was the
Mk2 Mini Cooper S, expensively restored and built into
a rally car. At $26k, the price paid was much less than it
116
ompetition cars are a hard sell at
auction, as proven time and again
— even at a racing-car show. But
Silverstone continues to stick to its
12.5% up to $45,888; 10%
thereafter, included in sold
prices ($1.00 = £0.65)
must have cost to create, although it might have been worth more in its original
form as a police car, judging by Silverstone’s recent results on these.
A 1972 Morgan 4/4 Sports was well bought at $38k, even though its original
BDA had been replaced by an almost period-correct Fiat twin-cam. A roadspec
Escort Mexico, rather overdone as one man’s idea of a rally car tribute,
was $42k, while a real RS1600, completely correct and restrained apart
from its Works forest arches, sold post-sale for $46k.
On straight road cars, a one-family-owned 1967 Aston Martin
Warwickshire, UK
DB6 sold for $188k, reflecting the amount of work lurking under the
shiny skin, but for now it was perfectly usable as-is. A 1950 Jaguar
XK 120 roadster looked a good value at $78k, as did a 150 drophead
at $94k.
At its last sale, Silverstone sold a more-than-concours Series I
Land Rover for $39k, and here they
managed to top that for a less-shiny 1952 80inch
at an astonishing $51k (even fitted with a
later engine).
A BMW E9 coupe restored as a CSL looka-
like and fitted with an E34 3.8-liter M5 engine
couldn’t be replicated for the $33k that secured
it by phone; by contrast, a standard example did
not sell for $23k.
Below the $20k mark, a Fiat 500 was $11k on
the Internet, and a Bugeye Sprite sold for $15k.
While it was road cars that kept the numbers
up, the competition cars remained the stars.
Driving race cars isn’t easy, and neither is selling
them, but Silverstone knows that both are
worthwhile endeavors. And so do we. ♦
Sales Totals
$3m
$2.5m
$2m
$1.5m
$1m
$.5m
0
Sports Car Market
2013
2012
Page 116
Silverstone Warwickshire, U.K.
ENGLISH
#257-1952 LAND ROVER SERIES I
80” utility. S/N 36101005. Eng. # 111705222.
Green/green vinyl. RHD. Odo: 82,988 miles.
Restored to better than new, with some evidence
of work in the rear bed. Most else is
new, including 2-liter engine instead of original
1.6. Stainless fuel tank the only other
#216-1962 LEYLAND ROUTEMASTER
double-decker omnibus. S/N RMC1456.
Red/tartan cloth. RHD. You’ll never
know the shiver of pleasure it gives me to introduce
the term “omnibus” to SCMers. Anyway:
It says Leyland, but these were built by
its subsidiary AEC. RMC is the “coach” version
for longer routes and has an electric rear
door instead of the classic open platform. Sits
sion, but there isn’t much of a price premium
for the 1500. I’ll call this one correctly bought
in mid-estimate range, so it’s a fair deal both
ways.
#258-1957 ASTON MARTIN DBR2
noted deviation from standard. New seats and
canvas tilt. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $51,364. A
simply amazing price that just kept on going
past the $20k lower estimate and exceeded the
$39k paid for an even shinier example at Silverstone
NEC in November (SCM# 214615).
Very well sold.
#266-1953 CONNAUGHT A-TYPE
Grand Prix racer. S/N AL10. Green/black
leather. MHD. Clean and tidy, not raced since
recent rebuild. Includes FIA papers and VSCC
passport. Sold with spares package including
original engine plus cylinder-block mold and
set of rare Elektron wheels. A-type is an F2
car that handily suited the World Champion-
ASM replica racer. S/N ASMDBR22009934007.
Metallic green/gray cloth. RHD.
Constructed 2009. Well-done fiberglass body
with alloy doors, trunk lid and hood on ASM’s
own tube chassis, with Jaguar XK power. Dig-
ital odo. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $83,608. A good
and slightly unusual alternative to a glass
C-type replica at a similar price (Silverstone
sold a Proteus Jag at this sale a year ago for
$68k: SCM# 196806). Not a collector’s investment
piece, but should hold its value as a usable
tool.
#244-1960 JAGUAR MK II 3.8 saloon.
S/N 201730DN. Dark green/tan leather. RHD.
Odo: 5,071 miles. Very straight and sharp Mk
II built from a new shell and then expensively
upgraded with modern autobox (overdrive
switch still in place), power steering, a/c, electric
windows, parking sensors, etc. New tan
ship rules in 1952 and ’53. Nine were originally
built, so I’m guessing this is a later bitsa.
Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $298,274. A relatively
cheap entry to the world’s top historic-race
events. Considering the lower estimate was
£200k ($309k), this looked remarkably cheap
at an accepted bid of £175k ($271k). The figure
reported in the final results looks more like
it.
#268-1954 MG TF roadster. S/N
HDC261054. Red/beige canvas/beige leather.
RHD. Odo: 42,824 miles. Chassis number
tells us this is a right-hand-drive export car
(Africa or Australia). Restored to sharp and
tidy condition. Repaint in its original color.
Chrome very good. Newish leather. Top and
sidescreens are new repros. Wheels are new.
Motor rebuilt 2012. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$40,810. This was the smaller-engined ver-
118
leather. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $108,449. Probably
the best in the world for what it is, and
not as obvious as a Beacham. Well bought
compared with the cost of doing it again. Sold
in the room after Humbert’s sheer persistence
beat the bid back up from an opening and
mildly insulting £46k ($69k). Well sold.
level. Straight and tidy, repainted in one of its
original liveries. Original 9.6 AEC diesel may
well have been replaced by later, smaller DAF
unit, as was common on last Routemasters in
service. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $31,663. In service
until 2003. Sold on the phone for less
than similar buses are asking in the classifieds—although
those tend to be “classic”
single-headlight Routies, and who knows what
they really sell for? Lots of potential—a posh/
quirky pub/hotel/restaurant near me uses one
as its reception office—so it looks well bought.
#213-1963 MORRIS MINOR convert-
ible. S/N MATSD1038928. Eng. # 10MAUH61657.
Gray/red vinyl/red & white leather.
RHD. Odo: 1,389 miles. Perfectly restored to
better than new (which is why I’ve docked it
half a point). Leather hood bag and interior,
rather than vinyl. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$26,738. Sold right and will surely retail for a
lot more. Some might call it overdone, but they
don’t come along like this very often.
#269-1964 LOTUS 26R racer. S/N
26R43. Eng. # 15641013. Dark blue/red racing
buckets. RHD. Odo: 202 miles. Real 26R
with good and well-known history including
Goodwood Revival 2012. Nice shape for a
racer. Was in Oregon and raced 1970–90, then
back to U.K., where it was restored, rebuilt
and raced until 1996. Refreshed 2006–07 at a
Sports Car Market
Page 118
Silverstone Warwickshire, U.K.
which it probably needs before too long? The
sums don’t stack up for the former, so I’d say
correctly bought (in the room) as a slightly
tired driver. The market prefers the Mk II, but
that wasn’t an issue at this level of condition
or money.
#248-1967 AUSTIN MINI Cooper S 2-dr
stated cost of £13,500 ($26k). £11,000 ($17k)
spent on it in October 2012. Cond: 2. NOT
SOLD AT $16,500. People confuse 26Rs with
ordinary Elans, but top bid was indeed about
$30k light to buy it.
#203-1965 AUSTIN MINI Super De
Luxe 2-dr sedan. S/N AA2S7S804876A.
Eng. # 8AHAH110. White/red vinyl. RHD.
Odo: 74,795 miles. Looks tidy from 10 paces.
Underneath it’s an undersealed horror, hiding
who knows what. Sills and jacking points look
solid enough, with usual loss of jig brackets.
fast road or competition car. Cond: 1-. SOLD
AT $26,034. Too nice to use in actual rallies,
and all those mods don’t get their money back,
because this sold at average Mk II Cooper S
money. Had it been restored to police spec,
like the one sold for $29k at Silverstone’s November
2012 Birmingham sale (SCM#
214668), it might have made more. As it was,
quietly well bought.
Original interior. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $11,406.
Early Minis have been fetching serious money,
but this probably needed some structural work
and was an automatic, which makes it even
more feeble. And it was not such an early car
anyway. So it did quite well to get this far. Well
sold.
#241-1967 ASTON MARTIN DB6
coupe. S/N DB63298R. Eng. # 4003368. Dubonnet
Rosso/black leather. RHD. Odo:
85,993 miles. Very original. Paint lightly flaking
around nose, a few swirl marks and water
blisters on doors. Bubbles around wheelarches
and rockers, chassis and fenders OK. Newish
exhausts. Leather just lightly creased. A hand-
stock. Comes with original “Passport to Service”
book. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $17,063.
Fair money for an above-average car. Automatic
keeps the price down, but the slusher
suits the original engine, which doesn’t like to
rev as standard. Their poor handling reputation
precedes them, but they’re OK on modern
tires. Although rare, these don’t get much more
money than the common-as-muck 4-cylinder B.
some but slightly faded old thing. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $188,111. The quandary: Smoke it
around as-is or subject it to a restoration
120
#233-1971 FORD ESCORT Mexico 2-dr
sedan. S/N BFATLY38069. White/black velour.
RHD. Odo: 1,088 miles. Roadgoing
Sports Car Market
#209-1969 MGC GT coupe. S/N
GCD14065G. White/black leather. RHD. Odo:
86,392 miles. Straight, clean, rust-free and
tidy. Chrome OK. Door fit not brilliant. Newer
black leather with red piping. Dash and instruments
all in good order. Motor is tidy and
floor. Original 4-speed gearbox supplied with
car. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $45,888. Why this
didn’t sell for a lot more than Lot 233, the
wannabe Escort Mexico, is a mystery. Someone
got a bit of a (post-sale) deal. Bid to
$45,422 but not sold at Silverstone’s May
2012 Northamptonshire sale (SCM# 201702),
so this near-identical bid confirms the market
value.
#231-1972 FORD CAPRI coupe. S/N
BBECMG08960. Gunmetal/gray velour.
RHD. Odo: 155,745 miles. Oh dear—some-
sedan. S/N CA2SB1088410A. Black & white/
black velour. RHD. Odo: 3,227 miles. Excellent
condition. Originally a police car, modified
into a rally replica and more recently very
sharply restored. All the right bits, including
hot motor and dog box. Very appealing as a
may have been filled. Harnesses, roll bar,
Brantz, strut brace, big tank, big wheels, forest
arches, etc. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $42,041.
Compare this kid-in-an-accessory-store pushrod
car with Lot 270, the real BDA RS1600
that sold for $46k in a post-auction deal. Then
tell me which one you’d rather have. Exceedingly
well sold.
#270-1971 FORD ESCORT RS1600 2-dr
sedan. S/N BFATKR23313. Yellow/black vinyl.
RHD.Really straight and original example
of the most desirable Escort. Stock other than
forest arches, most likely dealer-fitted, as they
were an option when new. Sound structure.
Good original vinyl interior. All proper RS
bits, including rare skid plate under trunk
Mexico with added bling. It’s apparently a
rally-car tribute but is really trying too hard.
Excellent rot-free condition, although rocker
Page 120
Silverstone Warwickshire, U.K.
one’s “Eleanored” a “facelift” Capri. Windsor
V8 substituted for the Ford V6. Craftsmanship
is excellent. Slightly unfortunate cosmetics,
and bling wheels are a matter of taste, but far
more important are the rust stains leaking out
of the rockers. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $16,095.
Sold for the price of a really good 2.8 Injection
(the last of the Capri line) and for a bit
less than a 3-liter Mk I in the same overall
excellent condition. Well sold.
#282-1972 MORGAN 4/4 Sports road-
ster. S/N B711M6015BA. Yellow/black
leather. RHD. Odo: 1,911 km. Originally fitted
with a Cosworth BDA engine, which would
make it a very rare commodity indeed, but
now fitted with a Fiat 1600 twin-cam and its
5-speed ’box, which is nearly period (4/4s had
the Fiat motor 1981–85). In excellent order.
series, in which it came 2nd. In excellent restored
order, rebuilt with all the right bits.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $62,194. Up to 87 FIAspec
cars have been allowed in historic rallies
in mainland Europe for a while. But there’s a
new series in the U.K. that will accept 2WD
cars like this, which is why it went a little beyond
expectations. Shame to mess up a nicely
restored car, but cheaper than building a new
one from scratch.
Period alloys are a treat to see. Quoted chassis
number here looks more like the engine number,
as the BDA was based on the 711M crossflow
block. Was a racer in period, but chrome
roll bar today probably would not pass scrutiny.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $37,820. Sold for the
right money. With the BDA, it would have been
a lot more, as the motor alone is worth $15k.
(Probably why it was swapped out.)
#242-1979 ASTON MARTIN V8 coupe.
S/N V8SOR12171. Metallic blue/cream
leather. RHD. Odo: 95,319 miles. Oscar India
spec, meaning October 1978 introduction, of
which 352 were built. Good and straight with
no rot (so rockers have probably been done).
Later-spec BBS cross-spoke alloys are uns-
still in sharp condition and not knocked-about.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $55,684. A good start for
a nice competition car. Bought by someone
who intends to make it a bit more serious. Well
bought and sold.
GERMAN
#267-1968 PORSCHE 911L coupe. S/N
cuffed. Lightly creased leather. New exhaust.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $50,477. The best V8s are
increasing in value, so I’ll call this one mildly
well bought. “Mildly” because, although
$25k’s been spent in the past year, a V8 is an
ongoing project and there will be more soon.
#255-1985 FORD SIERRA Cosworth
Group N rally car racer. S/N WFOEXXGB-
122
11810682. Powder blue/tan leather. RHD.
Odo: 98,142 miles. U.K.-market car in really
nice restored condition. Straight and rot-free
with correct finishes. New Weber 40IDA3s.
Interior clean, tidy and unworn with new
leather instead of vinyl. The ’68 reg might
keep it out of rallies, but you could point to
the chassis number and prove it was made in
’67. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $52,772. Attracted a
huge amount of interest. Although it didn’t do
the huge money expected, it was the only early
ber or odo. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $130,017.
Not sold from the rostrum on a top bid of £69k
($109k), but a deal was done post-auction.
Still cheap, as it’s the same old story with racers—to
build it again would cost almost twice
this. Well bought, as long as the seller’s had
his fun.
#207-1973 BMW 3.0 CSL replica coupe.
S/N 2265368. Silver/blue velour. RHD. Odo:
11,998 miles. Shiny and straight but underneath
not quite as nice as it looks, although
front inner fenders are sound, with a couple of
weld patches. Started as a stock 2800 CS to
which a later E34 3.8 twin-cam with 5-speed
Sports Car Market
FRENCH
#225-1973 ALPINE A110 coupe. S/N
BA0664. Blue/black vinyl. Odo: 98,000 km.
Spanish-built (FASA) A110 done up to look
like a rally car. But as it’s not a rally car, it’s
911 to sell, the other three pre-’75 cars sticking.
Well bought.
#275-1970 FORD CAPRI RS2600 coupe.
S/N GAECKU50576. Orange & white/black
velour & vinyl. Odo: 56,051 miles. Painstaking
resurrection of a rare model. All the right
bits, except missing motor has been replicated
BEFD18237. White/black velour. RHD. Before
we all get too excited, Group N is pretty
much car-dealership-spec racing, but this has
some history, being the winningest Group N
Sierra. Built by Ford from a press-launch car
in period for a Ford-sponsored Sierra rally
from a period-correct 2300 V6. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $38,728. At £26k, auctioneer
Humbert deferred to boss Nick Whale sitting
alongside, who shook his head. The right
buyer wasn’t here.
#250-1973 BMW 3.0 CSL “Batmobile”
race replica coupe. S/N N/A. Orange/orange
paint. Race car built out of unidentified E9
shell. Now a Batmobile Works rep with wings,
slicks and 3.5-liter slide-injection motor
freshly rebuilt by Mathwall. No chassis num
Page 122
Silverstone Warwickshire, U.K.
namic body helps as much as it can. Good,
straight and tidy condition. Thickly repainted.
Fairly recent red leather, dash original and
excellent. Motor tidy, still with plunger central
suspension lube system. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT
$95,601. One of an estimated 167 coveredheadlight
cars, and very few survive, so rarity
helps explain high price, right in line with
market value.
#264-1965 ALFA ROMEO GIULIA
dog-leg Getrag and 17-inch Alpina wheels
have been added. Unmarked blue velour interior.
The uninitiated would think it was the
real thing. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $33,422.
Looked a very good deal for someone who
wanted a potent CSL lookalike—especially as
Lot 217, the stock E9 CSI, failed to sell at a
top bid of $23,385. Well bought.
#262-1987 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF “all
white” cabriolet. S/N VWVZZZ152HK023826.
White/white vinyl/velour. RHD. Odo:
20,625 miles. SOLD AT $15,831. Once run
belts to be 2013-compliant. Cond: 2-. SOLD
AT $32,542. Probably not enough put into this
to make it into a front-runner, but the next
owner could. On that basis, fairly bought.
#222-1967 FIAT-ABARTH 695 SS 2-dr
sedan. S/N 851810. White/black vinyl/black
vinyl. Odo: 78,550 km. Apparently a real one.
Nice and straight and without the usual folded-
by the partner and then manager of U.K. actor
David Jason. No doubt this will have BaT
readers in a frenzy, but these are very dated
here in the U.K. Sold slightly high, so credit
the “celebrity” ownership.
ITALIAN
#252-1960 LANCIA APPIA GTE coupe.
S/N 812012965. Eng. # 814002970. Dark
blue/red leather. Odo: 38,520 km. Super rare
and a bit weird, as you’d expect of a collaboration
between Lancia in its era of proper
over-engineered cars (as opposed to the later
Lancia-badged Fiats) and Zagato. Has tiny
narrow-angle V4, and the lightweight, aerody-
Unused for a time, so needs “recommissioning.”
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $10,202. In an Italian
collection until recently. This makes an
interesting, cheaper alternative to a Lancia
Delta Integrale, using much of the same AWD
technology. Bit of an oddball, but cheap
enough for a punt.
#202-1993 CAGIVA MOKE beach car.
S/N TX5XKFP3285290020. White/white
vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 12,915 km. Portuguese-built
Moke, although Italian company
Cagiva owned the rights at the time. Slightly
tired paint, a little surface rust on the floorpans
up sill seams. Cond: 4. SOLD AT $44,328.
Attracted the usual “how much for that little
car” comments from casual passers-by, but
sold at the right money for the real thing.
#228-1990 LANCIA DELTA HF Integrale
hatchback. S/N ZLA831ABO00519027.
White/gray patterned velour. Odo:
41,254 km. Clean and tidy, well preserved,
with straight panels and good shut lines. Interior
has worn well, although driver’s seat base
is going a little baggy. Has been static in a
collection so will need recommissioning,
which should at least include fluids and a
cambelt. Italian registration, with books and
manuals. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $24,979. Integrales
got really cheap at one point in time,
thanks to a large proportion of them being
124
Sprint GT racer. S/N AR752185. Red/black
racing bucket. RHD. Odo: 6,739 miles. FIAspec
racer. Good, straight and tidy. Needs seat-
riddled with rust and reliability issues. This
looked a cut above the rest but still feels pretty
spendy. Well sold, especially considering the
buyer probably needs to spend another $3k
before starting it.
#201-1992 ALFA 155 Q4 sedan. S/N
ZAR1670000047752. Red/gray velour &
leather. Odo: 56,647 km. Rare 4x4 155, in
Alfa’s Touring Car livery of the time. Straight,
clean, tidy and unscuffed. Interior excellent
and wearing well for an Italian of this era.
and front corners, but basically straight and
tidy. Seats and top in good order. Low mileage.
Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $14,072. Sold
cheaper than the $25k paid for one at RM Monaco
in May of 2012 (SCM# 206355). But
Sports Car Market
Roundup Selected Sales Combined in One Comprehensive Report
Highlights from Leake Oklahoma
City and Coys Birmingham
Oklahoma City 2013
ENGLISH
#320-1950 ALLARD J2 racer. S/N
99J1574. Green/brown leather. RHD. Odo:
58,705 miles. Originally a privateer race car in
the U.S., where it received the Cadillac 331;
Jag 4-speed came later when it returned to the
U.K. Now with wire wheels. Tidy and straight,
newish leather. With HTP papers and recent
U.K. racing history. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD
AT $447,152. Offered for sale by a private
1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro, sold at $209,000
Company: Leake
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Date: February 22–23, 2013
Auctioneers: Jim Richie, Brian Marshall, Tony Langdon,
Jeff Knosp
Automotive lots sold/offered: 257/352
Autosport 2013
Sales rate: 73%
Sales total: $5,697,340
High sale: 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro, sold at
$209,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Phil Skinner
investor group, which is slimming down “because
the market’s all over the place.” About
$50k more would have bought it. Even at the
asking price, it would still look a great value
against other drum-brake ’50s sports racers
such as the C-type Jag. Only question is why it
has HTP rather than “original” papers—
could be due to the gearbox. Coys, Birmingham,
U.K., 01/13.
#334-1965 MGB FIA racer. S/N GHN3L97682.
Black/black fiberglass/black velour.
RHD. Odo: 3,659 miles. FIA racer built from
left-handed export car with fresh motor; exact
spec is unclear. Straight, tidy and rot-free. Fiberglass
hard top. With some spares, including
gearbox and wheels. Still road-registered and
with two seats, so there’s an awful lot you can
do with it. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $37,087.
1935 FRAZER NASH-BMW 315 “Willis Special” roadster, sold at $222,523
Company: Coys
Location: Birmingham, U.K.
Date: February 12, 2013
Auctioneer: Chris Routledge
Automotive lots sold/offered: 23/52
Sales rate: 44%
126
Sales total: $1,804,608
High sale: 1935 Frazer Nash-BMW 315 “Willis
Special” roadster sold at $222,523
Buyer’s premium: 15% on first $48,532, 10%
thereafter, included in sold prices ($1 = £0.62)
Report and photos by Paul Hardiman
Owned by a private investors’ group (the same
that was selling Lot 320, the Allard) which has
decided to slim down its stable a little due to
market uncertainty. Not much interest, but
high bid was just enough to buy it. That
doesn’t quite make it the cheapest B FIA racer
of the past 12 months, but not far off. As ever,
bought for much less money than it would cost
to repeat (the motor alone cost $16k). Well
bought and realistically sold. Coys, Birmingham,
U.K., 01/13.
#333-1966 JAGUAR XKE 4.2 convert-
ible. S/N 1E11160. White/black canvas soft
top/black fiberglass hard top/red leather. Odo:
26,960 miles. Looks a bit ratty and tatty with
Sports Car Market
Page 126
Roundup
poor paint, but more appealing the more you
look at it. Very original, with no rot and excellent
(factory) door shuts. Original leather
lightly creased. With all books and tools,
gaps and nice chrome. Looks very original and
incredibly well preserved but is in fact a complete
and meticulous restoration. Catalog
shows a mesh wind deflector behind the seats,
thankfully gone by sale day. Cond: 1-. SOLD
AT $116,341. Offered by a dealer who normally
handles top-end supercars (which might
explain the wind deflector), this sold for the
right money with a fair margin left in it for
retail. Interestingly, just a touch above Lot
333, the very original Series I LHD roadster
with tatty paint. Coys, Birmingham, U.K.,
01/13.
#324-1973 LOTUS ELAN Plus 2S 130/5
plus original sales brochure, plus factory hard
top. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $104,038. One-family
ownership from 1967 and practically untouched.
This is the kind of car that doesn’t
come along very often, and which purists are
increasingly seeking out. Sold to an E-type
specialist who will hopefully have the sense to
leave it well alone, and I’d call it correctly
bought and sold. Coys, Birmingham, U.K.,
01/13.
#346-1968 FORD ESCORT Twin Cam
Group 5 racer. S/N BB48HB39281. Red &
gold/black vinyl. RHD. Odo: 82,713 miles.
Ex-Alan Mann (effectively the factory team)
racer, now restored to original spec with FVA
power (effectively half a DFV), front wishbones
instead of track control arms, fivelinked
rear. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $120,937.
er’s seat base. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT
$15,158. Appeared to sell, and the slightly
light high bid would have been a reasonable
deal for the buyer but was not listed in final
results. As prices of the smaller Elan continue
to rise, buyers look to the cheaper (but arguably
more-elegant) Plus 2. Coys, Birmingham,
U.K., 01/13.
Sadly, although it was driven by Peter Arundell
and Jackie Oliver, it’s not the famous one
(which is in private hands). It’s been a rallycross
car and back again before being restored
to its original spec. Unusable as a
historic racer due to lack of safety kit, so destined
for a life on the show circuit—which
seems a terrible waste of an FVA. Well sold.
Coys, Birmingham, U.K., 01/13.
#336-1972 JAGUAR XKE Series III V12
convertible. S/N 151406. Primrose/black
cloth/black leather. RHD. Odo: 44,359 miles.
Very, very straight with good paint and panel
Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $120,292. This car was
once Freddie Mercury’s—well, bought by his
company in 1979 and chauffeur-driven for
him, as he never passed his driving test. Interest
was simply massive, with at one point four
phones in battle, one rumored to have a representative
of Queen on the other end, until it
crept up in £1,000 ($1,600) increments to a
128
#331-1974 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER
SHADOW sedan. S/N SRH18696. Silver/
gray leather. RHD. Odo: 52,372 miles. Formerly
owned by Queen singer Freddie Mercury.
Straight and unmolested with decent
chrome, but rockers are rotting through, rear
arches are frilly and lower front fenders are
about to depart from their attachments. Inside,
nice dash veneer, lightly worn and creased
leather, with period radio-telephone fitted.
Motor is tidy and dry with no leaks. Sits level.
is slightly baggy seat velour. Cond: 1-. NOT
SOLD AT $54,825. Very rare, given that only
an estimated 108 were built (out of the 400
required for homologation), and many of those
became rally cars—which explains why they
left the factory with minimal spec and a small
carb destined for the junk bin. Seller was right
to keep it at this bid. Coys, Birmingham,
U.K., 01/13.
#328-1980 FORD CAPRI 2.0S coupe.
S/N GAECAK054600. Lime green/black
vinyl/synthetic tigerskin. RHD. Odo: 53,275
miles. Just the right amount of authentic ’70s
swagger. Has a little surface rust around the
edges. Strangely, the wheels have been refinished.
Still with red mirrors and wiper boots
coupe. S/N 73011140L. Bronze & silver/beige
vinyl. RHD. Odo: 77,927 miles. Paint recently
refinished. No stars, cracks or chips in the
body. Alloys unscuffed, fresh tires. Original
vinyl interior good with one tiny hole in driv-
winning bid of about 20 times what it would
be worth without celebrity ownership. Without
that, this would likely have been put out of its
misery (i.e., broken for spares) years ago.
Coys, Birmingham, U.K., 01/13.
#341-1977 FORD ESCORT RS1800 2-dr
sedan. S/N GCATTB01871. White/black velour.
RHD. Odo: 69,022 miles. Very straight
rally-homologation special with BDA motor
that could go up to the 2-liter class limit. Still
with original twin-choke carburetor. Only deviation
from standard is 7x13 RS wheels. Following
light restoration, only discernible wear
and hideous “tigerskin” interior. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $35,475. “Only Fools and Horses”
was a “classic British sitcom” that aired between
1981 and 2003. This car made a few
appearances on that show before being bought
by the vendor in 1998. Against an estimate of
$38k–$43k, this was well bought. Coys, Birmingham,
U.K., 01/13.
#332-1986 MG METRO 6R4 racer. S/N
SAXXRWN7AD570179. Orange & white/
black velour. RHD. Odo: 4,123 miles. Good
and tidy and (unusually) doesn’t smell like gas
inside. Most of interior has survived well, all
Sports Car Market
Page 128
Roundup
down to it being the less fierce Clubmans version.
Never rallied, has been stored for many
years. Now fitted with International-spec motor.
Original 250-hp Clubmans unit has been
and still on original TRX tires. Interior unworn.
Full service history. Cond: 1-. SOLD
AT $87,784. Last sold for $179k at H&H
Duxford in April 2012, then showing 8,054 km
(SCM# 198367). Well bought today. Coys,
Birmingham, U.K., 01/13.
GERMAN
#323-1935 FRAZER NASH-BMW 315
Willis Special roadster. S/N 51203. Blue/gray
leather. RHD. Based on a Frazer Nash-BMW
315 Sport, now with Bristol-headed 2-liter
BMW 328 power and preselector gearbox—a
sort of homemade Le Mans Replica replica, if
you will. Customized and lightened by builder
Ron Willis in late 1940s, campaigned through
1952. Riding on lightweight magnesium-alloy
located and is available separately. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $103,812. 205 built, just enough to
homologate it for Group B rallying—which
was killed off in 1986. Sold before the sale, but
appeared in Coys’ corral. There is now a historic-rally
championship category for upto-1987
cars, but only 2WD, so this looks
destined for a life in collections or gentle
demos as a course car. Market-correct price.
Coys, Birmingham, U.K., 01/13.
FRENCH
#348-1972 CITROËN SM hatchback.
S/N VA56546197VA. Black/black leather.
Odo: 43,699 km. Scratches and marks on
bumpers, but worst worry is that the rockers
are bubbly and pinged. Sits level with no
wheels of Willis’ own design. Rebuilt in recent
years with fresh-ish leather, digi odo. Cond:
2-. SOLD AT $222,523. Good period racing
history will open many doors, and it has its
FIA papers. In this ownership since 2009, having
been though the hands of the great and the
good of the VSCC. Sold on the phone to Oregon,
so watch for it to appear near SCM
World Headquarters. Coys, Birmingham,
U.K., 01/13.
#2474-1959 VOLKSWAGEN dune
leaks, though. Unworn leather. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $22,833. This had good presence
and an appealing interior. Sold at fair money
for a fair Euro-spec SM. Coys, Birmingham,
U.K., 01/13.
#340-1985 PEUGEOT 205 T16 hatch-
back. S/N VF3741R76E5100177. Black/black
leather & gray velour. Odo: 8,067 km. Tidy,
unscuffed, repainted. Two owners from new
fresh. Retains original speedometer. Needs a
cleanup; a tune and a fuel flush would be
smart. No reserve. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $7,700.
Zero investment value, but price paid was
good compared with similar off-roaders recently,
and definitely cheaper than constructing
one on your own. Well bought and sold.
Leake, Oklahoma City, OK, 02/13.
130
or heater. Lights and horns work; not sure
about the gauges. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $6,380.
Things are still regarded as novelty cars for
many. Values seem to have hit a plateau, and
this unkempt example was one of few I’ve seen
sell under $10k recently. I think the seller just
didn’t care, and hopefully the owner will have
some time and finances to spruce it up before
it goes to the next owner. Really sharp examples
can come close to $30k. Well bought.
Leake, Oklahoma City, OK, 02/13.
Sports Car Market
buggy. S/N 2513699. Yellow & black/black
canvas/black nylon. Odo: 63,321 miles. Unknown
body, but chassis is pure VW. Popular
1,600-cc powerplant, with a few upgrades like
dual carbs, but no fuel injection. Construction
looks good. Fitted with sturdy rollcage, KC
lights, Hurst shifter. Seats and top all look
#319-1972 PORSCHE 911 S/T replica
coupe. S/N 9112300225. Eng. # 623092.
Yellow/black velour & vinyl. Odo: 89,113 km.
Really nicely done S/T replica with all the
right bits based on correct oil-flap body and
high-butterfly twin-plug 2.5-liter motor. Super
clean in and out, and even the injector pump
looks new. N.O.S. steering wheel, 10k-rpm
tach. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $205,173. Nice to
see an alternative to the usual RS 2.7 replica.
S/T is a harder device, the missing link between
the R and RS, with only about 25 originals
built in various capacities between 2.3
and 2.5 liters. Well bought for 60% of its build
costs—and that’s before you factor in the $80k
or so the base car would have cost to buy.
Sold in the room to a man who clearly knows
a good thing when he sees it, for about 50%
over the price of a decent RS 2.7 rep, more or
less mirroring the difference between a factory
S/T and a real RS. Coys, Birmingham, U.K.,
01/13.
#200-1974 VOLKSWAGEN THING
4-dr convertible. S/N 1842221245.
Dark green/tan fiberglass/dark green
& black vinyl. Odo: 47,236 miles. One of the
most original Things I’ve seen in a long time.
Looks like original paint. No sign of body
repair or rust-out; no signs of detailing or prep
work. Heavy-duty front and rear bumpers.
With removable fiberglass top with side-curtains
for all four doors. Weatherstripping is
dry; stress cracks around windshield. No radio
BEST
BUY
Page 130
Roundup
#137-1977 VOLKSWAGEN TRANS-
PORTER Riviera camper minibus. S/N
2372072037. Yellow & white/yellow plaid
fabric. Odo: 93,699 miles. Fresh paint on a
tired bus. Appealing from a distance, frightening
upon closer inspection. Interior is the highlight,
with sink, table and pop-up camper top.
Nice soft trim. Fitted with up-front spare.
gray leather. RHD. Odo: 50,581 miles.
Sraight, tidy and unscuffed. Leather lightly
creased (as it should be). Full service history,
which is crucial on these, shows new turbos
fitted. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $57,599.
993 values are supposed to be hardening
slightly, but I’m not sure if the values of the
more desirable ones ever really went away.
Market-correct high bid. Coys, Birmingham,
U.K., 01/13.
ITALIAN
Good glass. Sliding door loose on its tracks.
Some quickie body repairs noted on lower
edges. Engine bay shows signs of leaks.
Brakes make a wonderful noise. Has not had
an easy life. Cond: 4. SOLD AT $10,890. A
scary project not for the faint of heart, but a
skilled VW enthusiast could put $10k into this
and sell it for $25k. Well sold otherwise.
Leake, Oklahoma City, OK, 02/13.
#326-1989 PORSCHE 911 Speedster.
S/N WP0ZZZ91ZKS152384. Red/black
leather. RHD. Odo: 8,879 miles. Straight,
clean and tidy, with low miles and dealer service
history. Original paint code sticker still
under hood. Driver’s leather lightly creased.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $120,292. Thought to be
one of 63 U.K.-supplied RHD cars. This sold
#303-1961 LAMBORGHINI 1R tractor.
S/N 17627. Orange & blue. MHD. A proper
Lamborghini from the days before Ferruccio
got diverted by cars, this being the low-production
twin-cylinder diesel. Thick older repaint,
but appears to be all original with
numbers on gear knobs and transmission castings
all close or consecutive. Later side- and
taillights fitted, so may have been in use more
recently. No odo, but 2,114 hours recorded.
$58,888. Sold on the money. It won’t be competitive
in historic stage rallying, but it would
be a welcome change from all the Group
4-spec Mk II Escorts that dominate. Coys,
Birmingham, U.K., 01/13.
#2430-1972 DETOMASO PANTERA
coupe. S/N THPNMG03320. Black/black
leather. Odo: 28,826 miles. Older bodywork
visible on right front fender, bubbling or ripples
on front wing. Paint reveals slight door
adjustments are needed. Glass is clear, chrome
deep. Engine clean, surroundings dingy. Interior
clean, gauge faces show no hazing. CD
player, speaker cut into panels. Original
wheels look good. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT
$35,000. Of several Panteras as this sale, this
was probably the most “pure” example. Seller
was looking to get closer to $45k, and $40k
would be fair, but considering how many of
these are available for sale at any given moment,
high bid probably should have done it.
Leake, Oklahoma City, OK, 02/13.
With original sales invoice. Cond: 3+. SOLD
AT $13,795. Sold on the phone for a little over
the expected top whack, this was quite a bit
more expensive than the shiny “little grey Fergie”
sold for $2,300 at Bonhams Harrogate in
November 2012 (SCM# 214218). But this is a
Lambo—and practically in Gulf colors too.
Average runners can be had for under $2k.
Well sold. Coys, Birmingham, U.K., 01/13.
for a market-correct price (a little cheaper
than a left-hander sold at Artcurial’s Paris
sale in November, SCM# 214261) to a London
dealer and immediately retailed “POA,”
which no doubt means a substantial mark-up.
Well bought. Coys, Birmingham, U.K., 01/13.
#315-1996 PORSCHE 911 993 Turbo
coupe. S/N WPOZZZ99ZTS371807. Silver/
#305-1970 LANCIA FULVIA HF Fanalone
coupe. S/N 818540. Red/black vinyl.
Odo: 8,278 km. Fanalone is the big-headlight
one. This example in road trim but sans bumpers.
Straight and tidy, some bubbles in tops of
aluminium doors and around the rear arches,
#318-1972 LANCIA FULVIA Sport 1600
Series II coupe. S/N 8187511308. Silver/
black leather. RHD. Odo: 85,143 miles. Billed
as a resto project, in storage for 19 years.
Straight body, but rockers are rotted out.
Smells musty inside and swaging doesn’t line
up between doors and fenders. Cond: 3-. NOT
SOLD AT $7,256. However rare and desirable
the model is, this example wasn’t. I would
have taken the money. Coys, Birmingham,
U.K., 01/13.
#485-1997 FERRARI 550 Maranello
but rockers and floors are okay. Dash is good,
with some cracks. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
132
coupe. S/N ZFFZR49A0V0109664. Nero
Black/black leather. Odo: 31,900 miles.
Stealthy finish, blacked-out wheels, heavily
tinted glass. Kept locked most of the weekend.
Reportedly sold new in the San Francisco
area, with recent maintenance check and belt
service in January 2012. No sign of damage.
Daytona power seats. Light surface rust on
discs shows car has been idle. Light cloudiness
on headlight covers. Cond: 2. NOT
SOLD AT $43,000. One of the best-looking
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English
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot tourer
1956 Jaguar XK 140 MC 3.4 OTS
pion, scoring 100 points in 3 consecutive 2011 shows.
Excellent opportunity for the serious collector. Classic
Showcase, 760.758.6100, Email: sales@classicshowcase.com
(CA)
1966 Jaguar XKE Series 1 4.2 OTS
in 2009. Car is located in Colorado Springs, CO.
$90,000 OBO. Contact Star, 719.660-0609, Email:
starletteyoung@gmail.com (CO)
1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL convertible
A crowning achievement, this E-type is a show-level
champion and subject of a no-expense-spared restoration;
One of the finest XKE examples available
in the world today. An amazing opportunity for the
discerning collector. Classic Showcase, 760.758.6100,
Email: sales@classicshowcase.com (CA)
1983 TVR Tasmin
S/N S178FR. One of 28 Ascot tourers built by
Brewster. Beautifully restored with restoration
receipts. Engine by AJ Glew. Known ownership from
new. $385,000. Contact Chris, Fantasy Junction,
510.653.7555, Email: sales@fantasyjunction.com
Web: www.fantasyjunction.com
1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Body by Wendover
limousine
S/N SH9TA13A2DBDH1033. Red/black w/red piping.
94,000 miles. 2.8L, 4-sp. Hand-built British sports car
on tube frame w/Jaguar suspension under a fiberglass
body. Very light, nimble and a joy to drive with
its Ford of Germany 2.8L. Maintenance is a snap.
Upgraded with several tasteful European spec items
(bumpers, spoilers, decals, full leather seats, etc).
Enthusiast owned. Over $25k invested. Sacrifice for
quick sale. $9,500 OBO. Contact Tony, 916.813.8669,
Email: tblevins@apple.com
Imperial Maroon/beige. This striking, original
California black-plate car has received a no-expensespared
restoration by Jaguar Professionals. Rare
color combo. This roadster is sure to satisfy the
serious collector. Classic Showcase, 760.758.6100,
Email: sales@classicshowcase.com (CA)
1957 Morgan Plus 4
S/N GXK-1. Light blue/royal blue. 62,000 miles. 3.5L,
6-cyl., 4-sp. Right-hand drive. Impeccable condition.
Motor redone by Cooke. New clutch, suspension.
Interior like new. Brooks trunk. Original tools. “Best
In Show.” $60,000. Contact Peter, 450.451.6518,
Email: peter.nicoll@gmail.com (CAN)
1946 MG TC roadster
One owner from new until the 1990s. Restored to
beyond-new standards with some wonderful performance
mods making it the best-driving Morgan
on the planet. Finished in British Racing Green,
green Connolly leather; Triumph powered with
twin Webers, oil cooler, full belly pans, Brooklands
windscreens, stainless steel exhaust. $55,000. Matthew
L. deGarmo LTD, 203.852.1670, Email: matt@
deGarmoLtd.com Web: www.deGarmoLtd.com (CT)
1960 Lotus Elite coupe
Black/tan. V12, 5-sp. Buy one, get one free! Purchase
my ‘86 Jaguar for $4,500, get my ‘71 Triumph
TR6 for free! (Jag runs great, TR6 will need to be
towed—minor problem, unable to fix myself.) Call
Don 413-717-1092 or 413-258-4974. $4,500 OBO.
Contact Don, 413.258.4974, Email: marilynrottweiler@yahoo.com
(MA)
1994 Jaguar XJ6 saloon
Slate Grey Metallic/black. 7,000 miles. H6, 6-sp.
Superb condition, fully loaded, 3.6L engine, ABS,
6-speed, Sport Seats, Bi-Xenon headlamps, carbon
fiber, Michelin tires, Monroney label included, no
disappointments. Classic Showcase, 760.758.6100,
Email: sales@classicshowcase.com Web: www.
classicshowcase.com (CA)
Italian
1962 Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale coupe
1986 Jaguar XJS-12 convertible
80,000 miles. Auto transmission, original radio and
clock, new tires and two tops, 80,000 original miles.
Garage stored, excellent condition. $46,000. Contact
Jerry, 516.225.6273, Email: hamov@optonline.
net (NY)
1973 Porsche 911 RS Carrera
Yellow/black. 58,642 miles. 2.7-L H6, manual. In
Japan since 1979 and completely restored there in
2010 at a cost of $80k with receipts. Everything done
to perfection. Original sport seats. The next 300SL in
investment terms. Car currently in France. $295,000
OBO. Contact Aaron, Elux Motors, (33)6.35.52.59.26,
Email: lotuselise73@hotmail.com (FRA)
2005 Porsche 911 GT3 coupe
Diamond Blue/87,000 miles. I6, Showroom-perfect
inside and out, 87k original miles, all power accessories,
leather, owner’s manuals, sales catalog.
Must see to appreciate. $7,000. Contact Joseph,
719.306.2530,(CO)
Blue/tan. 1,000 miles. I4, 4-sp. Fully restored by
founders of the MG Club of Central New York with
only 1,000 miles since. Performs well and looks
fabulous in its original shade of blue. $39,500.
Contact George, AutoLinc Sports & Classics, 585-7461848,
Email: Autolinc@gmail.com Web: Autolinc.
US (NY)
1954 Jaguar XK 120 roadster
1997 Land Rover Defender 90
S/N 1151. 33,500 miles. A true “Survivor.” Highly
original example with single-family ownership until
2012. Matching numbers. Mostly original paint and
interior. RHD. Ideal event car. $98,500. Contact
Chris, Fantasy Junction, 510.653.7555, Email:
sales@fantasyjunction.com Web: www.fantasyjunction.com
1961 Jaguar XK 150 3.8 drophead coupe
S/N SALDV3244VA121192. Conniston Green/grey.
9,720 miles. 4.0 V8, automatic. This is a fantastic
one-owner NAS Defender 90 wagon with only 9k
original miles. Always garage-kept, dealer-serviced,
and babied. They do not come any nicer. Own the
best. $74,950. Contact Kenneth, 954.816.8885,
Email: offisland4x4@gmail.com
German
1939 BMW 326 cabriolet
S/N 674797. Solid, sound example. Restored by
Longmate Vintage Restoration. Well maintained.
RHD. Weather equipment, tri-bar headlights, driving
lights and wire wheels. $78,500. Contact Chris,
Fantasy Junction, 510.653.7555, Email: sales@
fantasyjunction.com Web: www.fantasyjunction.com
138
Spectacular Imperial Maroon/Biscuit color combo
with a no-expense-spared restoration by Jaguar
Professionals, this XK 150 is a JCNA national cham-
S/N 112736. Black/Red. 62,000 miles. I6, 4-sp.
Extremely rare car with just over 62k km. Repainted
S/N 16819. Red/beige. 37,156 miles. V12, 5-sp. A
late-production European Type A. Concours prepared
with score sheets. Books and tools. XWXs on alloy
wheels, Borranis available. Period-correct Becker
Mexico radio. Well maintained with interesting history.
Financing available, Trades welcome. $446,500.
Contact Steve, Motorcar Gallery, 954.522.9900,
Email: contact@motorcargallery.com Web: MotorcarGallery.com
Sports Car Market
S/N AR177413. Beautiful and correctly detailed
shell-up restoration. “Best of the Marque” award at
Concorso Italiano 2008. Fitted 5-speed. $169,500.
Contact Chris, Fantasy Junction, 510.653.7555,
Email: sales@fantasyjunction.com Web: www.
fantasyjunction.com
1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona coupe
Advertise in the SCM Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218 for information, e-mail: scmadvert@sportscarmarket.com.
Auction Companies
Artcurial-Briest-Poulain-Le Fur.
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)
Carlisle Collector Car Auctions.
717.243.7855, 1000 Bryn Mawr Road,
Carlisle, PA 17013. Spring and Fall
Auctions. High-line cars cross the
block. Hundreds of muscle cars, antique,
collector, and special-interest
cars, trucks and motorcycles. Real
Cars. Real Prices.
www.carlisleauctions.com. (PA)
eBay Motors. List your car for sale.
Auctions America. 877.906.2437,
Formed in July 2010 as a subsidiary of
RM Auctions, the Auctions America by
RM team, led by collector car expert
Donnie Gould, specializes in American
classics, Detroit muscle, hot rods, customs
and vintage motorcycles. Consign
With Confidence.
www.auctionsamerica.com. (IN)
$0 insertion fee. $60 listing fee if vehicle
sells for under or at $2,000, $125
if it sells for over $2,000. Visit the “Services”
section on www.ebaymotors.com
for more details.
Mecum Auction Company.
262.275.5050. The Mecum Auction
Company has been specializing in the
sale of collector cars for 25 years, now
offering more than 12,000 vehicles
per year. Mecum Auctions is the world
leader of collector car, exotics, vintage
motorcycles and road art sales. Auctions
are held throughout the United
States and broadcast live on Velocity,
Discovery Network. For further information,
visit www.Mecum.com.
445 South Main Street
Walworth, WI 53184.
262.275.5050 (WI)
MotoeXotica Classic Cars & AucGooding
& Company.
Barrett-Jackson Auction.
480.421.6694, 480.421.6697. For nearly
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. N.
Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.
info@barrett-jackson.com.
www.barrett-jackson.com. (AZ)
310.899.1960, 310.899.0930. 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)
H&H Classic Auctions. +44 8458
334455, +44 8458 334433. The Motor
House, Lyncastle Road, Warrington,
England. WA4 4BSN
www.handh.co.uk. (U.K.)
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
& exotics.
www.classic-carauction.com. (CA)
Hollywood Wheels Auctions &
Bonhams. +44.207.228.8000,
+44.207.585.0830. Montpelier St.,
Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1HH.
www.bonhams.com. (U.K.)
Bonhams. 415.391.4000,
415.391.4040. 220 San Bruno Avenue,
San Francisco, CA 94103.
www.bonhams.com. (CA)
Shows 800.237.8954, Hosting two
auctions a year in beautiful Palm Beach,
FL, March & December. Offering
quality collector cars and personalized
service, all in a climate-controlled,
state-of-the-art facility. Come be a part
of the excitement! Check us out at
www.hollywoodcarauctions.com.
Where Collectors Collect! See You On
The Block!
Worldwide Auctioneers.
RM Auctions, Inc. 800.211.4371,.
With offices and auctions throughout
North America and Europe, RM is
the largest auction house globally that
caters to collectors of high-end vintage
automobiles. The RM team of car specialists
is the largest in the world, offering
services in a numbers of languages
and decades of experience in buying,
selling, racing, and restoring collector
cars. www.rmauctions.com. (CAN)
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 catalogue-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.)
In addition to helping collectors
buy and sell cars at auction, we offer
specialist-appraisal, estate-management
and collection-consultancy 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)
Branson Collector Car Auction.
800.335.3063, 417.336.5616. PO Box
6907, Branson, MO 65616. www.bransonauction.com.
(MO)
Leake Auctions. 800.722.9942,
Join Leake Auction Company as they
celebrate 40 years in the collector car
auction industry. Their unsurpassed
customer service and fast-paced twolane
auction ring makes them a leader
in the business. Leake currently operates
auctions in Tulsa, Oklahoma City,
Dallas and San Antonio. Visit them
142
Russo and Steele Collector Auto-
mobile Auctions. 602.252.2697,
Fax: 602.252.6260. Specializing in the
finest European sports, American muscle,
hot rods and custom automobiles;
Russo and Steele hosts two recordbreaking
auctions per year; Monterey,
CA, every August and Scottsdale, AZ,
every January. As one of the premier
Alfa Romeo
tions. 866.543.9393, After 24 years of
selling classic cars, MotoeXotica has
branched out with classic & exotic car
auctions. MotoeXotica currently has
auctions in St. Louis, MO; Springfield,
MO; and Phoenix, AZ. Combining
some of the industry’s lowest entry
fees and commissions MotoeXotica
is poised to keep expanding while
maintaining superior customer service.
Contact MotoeXotica today at 866-5439393
or online at www.motoexotica.
com. Worth the trip!
Silver Auctions. 800.255.4485,
Silver Auctions isn’t successful because
we auction the most expensive cars,
we’re successful because we auction
the cars that you love. Silver Auction’s
staff, bidders and consignors are everyday
people with a passion for Nostalgic
and Collector cars. Come see the difference
at Silver Auctions. 2020 N. Monroe,
Spokane, WA 99205.
Email: silver@silverauctions.com,
www.silverauctions.com. (WA)
online at www.leakecar.com or call
800.722.9942.
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.
www.russoandsteele.com. (AZ)
Specialty Auto Auctions and Sales.
800.901.0022, Established by Bruce
and Helen Douglas in 1987. Based
in Colorado and doing auctions in
Colorado, Nevada and South Dakota.
This year we will join forces with Hot
August Nights and B & T Custom Rods
for two sales in Nevada. We will also
be working with Automania for sales in
South Dakota. For personalized service
contact us. www.saaasinc.com. (CO)
Centerline Products. 888.750.
ALFA, Exclusively Alfa Romeo for
Sports Car Market
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Page 141
over 30 years — rely on our experience
to build and maintain your dream
Alfa. Restoration, maintenance and
performance parts in stock for Giulietta
through 164. Newly developed products
introduced regularly. Check our web
site for online store, new arrivals, tech
tips, and special offers.
www.centerlinealfa.com. (CO)
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).
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.
Jon Norman’s Alfa Parts.
800.890.2532, 510.525.9519. 1221
Fourth Street, Berkley, CA 94710.
Large selection of parts from Giulietta
to 164. Efficient, personal service.
www.alfapartscatalog.com. (CA)
Vintage Auto Posters. Since 1980,
Appraisals
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.
Auto Appraisal Group.
800.848.2886, Offices located nationwide.
Pre-purchase inspection service,
insurance matters, charitable donations,
resale vales, estates, expert witness
testimony. On-site inspection. Certified,
confidential, prompt, professional.
“Not just one man’s opinion of value.”
See web site for locations and service
descriptions. www.autoappraisal.com.
Brighton Motorsports.
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)
480.483.4682, Brighton Motorsports,
Scottsdale, AZ, is a unique dealership
specializing in Vintage European and
American Collector Cars with their
Sales/Showroom and Mechanical Repair
facility in the heart of Scottsdale’s
legendary auction arena. They also
have a state-of-the-art paint & body
shop specially equipped to do all levels
of repair and restoration just down the
road, creating a one-stop shop for the
avid car enthusiast.
www.brightonmotorsports.com. (AZ)
Kastner & Partners Garage.
West Coast Auto Appraisals.
310.827.8400, Pre purchase, diminished
value, total loss settlements,
expert witness. Let us be your eyes and
ears, friendly and very knowledgeable
car experts, muscle cars, street rods,
Europeans, Full Classics, modern-day
and more. Servicing all of California,
nationwide for larger car collections.
Member of IAAA and AMA. Check out
our web site for a full list of services.
www.thecarappraiser.com. (CA)
Automobilia
Coachbuilt Press. 215-925-4233,
Coachbuilt Press creates limited edition
May 2013
310.593.2080, Born of a true passion
for classic automobiles rather than from
a purely business standpoint, Kastner
& Partners Garage strives to offer some
of the finest collector vehicles available,
combined with unparalleled and experienced
service from our spectacular
Santa Monica location. We are constantly
searching for new inventory, so
if we do not currently have that which
you are looking for or, if you have a
classic that you are looking to sell,
please let us know.
150 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA
90405
Ph: 310-593-2080, Fax: 310-593-2081
sales@kastnerandpartnersgarage.com
www.kastnerandpartnersgarage.com
Buy/Sell/General
Located in San Diego County.
Email: sales@classicshowcase.com,
www.classicshowcase.comm. (CA)
The Last Detail. 847.689.8822
Heritage Classics Motorcar Company.
310.657.9699, www.heritageclassics.com.
Heritage Classics Motorcar
Company, the premier West Coast
classic car dealership established in
1985. Offering one of the largest indoor
showrooms in Southern California with
an exceptional inventory of the very
finest American and European classic
cars available. We buy, sell and consign
collectible automobiles, offering the
best consignment terms available, contact
us at sales@heritageclassics.com
When in Southern California visit
our beautiful showroom and specialty
automotive bookstore, Heritage Classics
Motorbooks, open Monday–Saturday.
For current inventory and to visit
our virtual bookstore visit
www.heritageclassics.com
Hartek Automotive, 319.337.4140,
Hartek Automotive is a division of
Hartwig Motors Inc., one of the oldest
automotive retailers in the Midwest
since 1912. Hartek Automotive specializes
in the maintenance and sale
of sports and prestige automobiles.
Their reputation for service continues
with a very personalized approach to
maintenance of an individual’s daily
driver, to the restoration of that special
automobile. Hartek Automotive also
offers pre-sale or post-sale inspections.
Located in Iowa, we are equally accessible
for the enthusiast from anywhere.
Drive in or fly in...you will find us most
accommodating. www.hartek.org (IA)
North Chicago / Kenilworth, IL, As
“Trusted Advisors” for over 35 years,
we have been helping enthusiasts make
critical decisions before creating costly
mistakes. Whether servicing, buying or
selling, your one stop destination for all
of your automotive needs, Down to....
The Last Detail!
www.thelastdetail.com. (IL)
Woodies USA. 949.922.7707,
949.412.8812, We buy and sell great
woodies — hundreds to date. If you
are buying or selling give us a call.
We can help. Woodies are fun! Every
car collection should have at least one.
Located in Laguna Niguel, California.
www.woodiesusa.com. (CA)
Classic Car Transport
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.
Collector Car Insurance
Barrett-Jackson is proud to endorse
Classic Showcase. 760.758.6100,
restoration 760.758.6119. Always
buying: Offering top dollar for your
European classics. Always selling: 3
showrooms with an excellent selection
to choose from. Always Restoring: We
feature an award-winning, world-class
restoration facility, with the expertise
to restore you car to any level, including
modifications. Super craftsmanship;
attention to detail; knowledgeable staff;
servicing all of the collector’s needs.
Paul Russell and Company.
978.768.6092, www.paulrussell.com.
Specializing in the Preservation and
Sales of European Classics, pre-war
through the 1970s, since 1978. You
can rely on our decades of experience
with Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Porsche,
Bugatti, Alfa Romeo and other fine
collectibles. Repeat customers are the
lifeblood of our business. Contact us
today to join them. Car Sales Manager,
Alex Finigan: Alex@paulrussell.com.
(MA)
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.
143
Page 142
Advertise in the SCM Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218 for information, e-mail: scmadvert@sportscarmarket.com.
Chubb Collector Car Insurance.
1.866.CAR.9648, The Chubb Collector
Car Insurance program provides flexibility
by allowing you to choose the
agreed value and restoration shop.
Broad coverage includes no mileage
restrictions and special pricing for large
schedules. For more information, contact
us at 1(866)CAR-9648 or
www.chubbcollectorcar.com.
tor 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
ding, 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)
raris, you can count on a single-source
leader in the Ferrari parts business…T.
Rutlands.
Call us Toll Free 800.638.1444, Internationally
770.493.8852. Email: Sales@
trutlands.com. www.trutlands.com
Finance
Aston Martin of New England.
Grundy Worldwide. 888.647.8639,
Grundy Worldwide offers agreed value
insurance with no mileage limitations,
zero deductible*, and high liability
limits. Our coverages are specifically
designed for collectible-car owners.
From classic cars to muscle cars,
Grundy Worldwide has you covered.
(*Zero deductible available in most
states.) 888.6GRUNDY (888.647.8639).
www.grundyworldwide.com. (PA)
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)
www.wirewheel.com, 772.299.9788.
British Sports and Race Cars BoughtSold-Traded.
Located in Beautiful Vero
Beach, Florida. In business for over
25 years, specializing in Lotus, TVR,
Griffith, Jaguar, Austin Healey, MG,
Marcos, Panoz, Lola, and more. Over
50 sports and race cars always in stock.
Please check our website for our latest
inventory offerings:
www.wirewheel.com. (FL)
Ferrari/Maserati/Lamborghini
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)
Hagerty Insurance Agency, LLC.
800.922.4050, is the leading insurance
agency for collector vehicles in the
world and host to the largest network of
collector car owners. Hagerty offers insurance
for collector cars, motorcycles
and motorcycle safety equipment, tractors,
automotive tools and spare parts,
and even “automobilia” (any historic
or collectible item linked with motor
vehicles). Hagerty also offers overseas
shipping/touring insurance coverage,
commercial coverage and club liability
coverage. For more information, call or
visit www.hagerty.com. (MI)
Ferrari Financial Services.
Carobu Engineering. 949.722.9307,
Ferrari specialist. Engine rebuilding/
development, dyno-testing, parts and
service. Your source for high-performance
brakes, suspension, gaskets,
engine parts, wheels and exhaust.
Dealer for Tubi, Brembo, Koni, Razzo
Rosso, Sangalli, Zanzi, Novitech Rosso
and X-Ost. www.CAROBU.com.
201.510.2500, 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.
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
5 minutes!
Radcliffe Motor Company.
Classic Showcase. 760.758.6100,
restoration 760.758.6119. World class
full service restoration facility. Creating
show/show drivers, and driver
restorations. Specializing in British,
German and Italian classics. Superb fit;
attention to detail; great craftsmanship;
knowledgeable staff; passionate on
quality. Located in San Diego County.
sales@classicshowcase.com
www.classicshowcase.com. (CA)
410.517.1681, The Mid-Atlantic’s
premier facility for the maintenance,
repair, and light restoration of exotic
Italian and fine European automobiles.
Having gained the trust of the exotic
car community we are known for our
proficiency and workmanship. Host of
the annual Vintage Ferrari All Italian
Car Event each May, you are cordially
invited to attend. Visit our website for
more information about our shop, and
see photos of past events.
www.RMCCAR.com.
Premier Financial Services is the
nation’s leading lessor of vintage and
exotic motorcars. Our Simple Lease
Program is ideal for those who wish to
own their vehicle at the end of the term,
as well as for those who like to change
cars frequently. Our Simple Interest
Early Termination Program allows you
the flexibility of financing with the tax
advantages of leasing. Contact Premier
at 877.973.7700 or info@pfsllc.com.
www.premierfinancialservices.com (CT)
German
Heacock Classic. 800.678.5173, We
understand the passion and needs of the
classic-car owner; agreed value, one
liability charge, 24-hour claim service
and paying by credit card. We provide
classic car insurance at rates people can
afford! Instant quotes at
www.heacockclassic.com. (FL)
Fourintune Garages Inc.
262.375.0876, www.fourintune.
com. Complete ground-up restoration
on British Marques – specializing in
Austin-Healeys for 35 years. Experience
you can trust, satisfied customers
nationwide. Visit our website for details
on our restoration process. Located in
historic Cedarburg since 1976 – just
minutes north of Milwaukee, WI.
T. Rutlands & T. Rutlands West
J.C. Taylor Insurance.
800.345.8290, Antique, classic, muscle
or modified — J.C. Taylor Insurance
has provided dependable, dynamic,
affordable protection for your collec-
144
Kevin Kay Restorations.
530.241.8337, 1530 Charles Drive, Red-
provides international service from one
of the world’s largest Ferrari parts inventories
coast to coast. We have more
Ferrari parts, more Ferrari parts experience
and better Ferrari parts prices than
most anyone. Since 1981 T. Rutlands
has been building valuable partnerships
with the Ferrari industry’s most
respected repair shops, professionals
and car owners seeking to provide a
one-stop shopping experience for Ferrari
parts, tools and accessories. Ferrari
parts are our only business and we are
true product and service specialists
in every sense of the word. When you
need a comprehensive parts selection
for both vintage and contemporary Fer-
Classic Showcase. 760.758.6100,
restoration 760.758.6119. World class
full-service restoration facility. Creating
show/show drivers, and driver
restorations. Specializing in German,
British, and Italian classics. Superb fit,
attention to detail, great craftsmanship,
knowledgeable staff, passionate on
quality. Located in San Diego County.
sales@classicshowcase.com
www.classicshowcase.com. (CA)
Sports Car Market
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Carl Bomstead
eWatch
Top-Notch Porcelain Brings Big Bucks
Harbor Petroleum, Beacon Security Gasoline and other ultra-rare signs
hit the market and make some jingle
Thought
Carl’s We spend years — if not decades — collecting stuff, and then when the time comes, what the heck do we do with it? We may want to
liquidate so we don’t stick our families with the task, or a change of direction may be in order. Regardless, it’s a difficult decision, and
there are always some folks on the sidelines looking to line their pockets during the process.
A friend who is a serious parts dealer at Hershey amassed an amazing sign collection. When a property deal required additional funding, he
decided to sell the collection at auction. He selected Matthews Auctions, a house that has been steadily making a name for itself in the vintageadvertising-sign
world. The results from the March 1, 2013, auction in Peotone, IL, were simply staggering.
Here are just a few of the premier pieces that caught our eye, and the results from the entire auction can be found at matthewsauctions.com.
Sold prices include 10% buyer’s premium.
gan “The Car That Made Good
In A Day” in the center and some
staining at the bottom on both
sides. It dates to the 1920s and is extremely
rare. As such, the price paid
was well within reason and one of
the few at this auction that we can
even call well bought.
was slightly bent, but that did not
detract from the sign. It was about
42 inches in length. This sign is
seldom offered, and the price paid
reflected the condition and rarity.
SERVICE PORCELAIN SIGN.
SOLD AT: $10,450. This shovelnose
sign was in very nice condition,
although it was only in two
colors: blue and white. It had a little
damage along the bottom edge but
nothing serious. The catalog stated
“it may be the only survivor,” but
Barrett-Jackson in January sold a
slightly better example for $17,500,
so that was obviously not the case.
Considering the condition, the price
paid here was fair.
LOT 294: BEACON SECU-
RITY GASOLINE “A CAMINOL
PRODUC T” PORCELAIN
SIGN. SOLD AT: $55,000. This
single-sided, die-cut porcelain sign
measured 48 inches by 30 inches,
and it was in delightful condition,
with only a few flea bites around the
edges. They are rare as heck in this
condition, although smaller sizes
are reproduced. This is the Holy
Grail in the sign collecting world
and well worth the staggering price
paid.
LOT 300: HARBOR PETRO-
LEUM PRODUCTS PORCELAIN
SIGN. SOLD AT: $40,700.
This 39-inch-by-35-inch porcelain
sign features a sea plane and was in
very good condition, with a dimesize
chip near the B and smaller
chips around the mounting holes.
These signs are seldom offered, so
the price paid is not surprising, as it
is one of the most desirable gas and
oil signs ever produced.
LOT 306: CADILLAC V8,
V12, V16 AND LA SALLE V8
PORCELAIN SIGN. SOLD AT:
$36,300. The distinctive block lettering
was used by the Walker Sign
Company from 1933 until 1935, but
LaSalle offered the V8 only in 1933,
so that dates the sign. One side had a
few chips, but all in all the condition
was exceptional. Barrett-Jackson,
at their January automobilia sale,
sold a similar example that dated to
early 1930 — as it did not reference
the V12 — and it realized $17,250.
This example was a touch more
desirable, but I don’t think it was
worth twice what was paid earlier
in the year. Very well sold.
LOT 360: FERRARI
LOT 321: UNITED MOLOT
317: AUTHORIZED
STUTZ SERVICE DOUBLESIDED
PORCELAIN SIGN.
SOLD AT: $8,800. This 20-inchby-30-inch
sign had the Stutz slo-
TORS SERVICE PORCELAIN
SIGN WITH ARROW. SOLD
AT: $7,700. This two-sided sign
was near mint, with excellent gloss
and color. The tip of the arrow
LOT 311: MACK TRUCK
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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146
PRANCING HORSE PORCELAIN
SIGN. SOLD AT: $9,350.
This 38-inch-by-18-inch sign had
wonderful gloss and color — plus
an interesting story. It was stated
to have hung in the Ferrari factory
in Maranello and was presented to
Matt Kallens by Enzo Ferrari in
1959 when his father purchased an
automobile. This story is not documented
and sounds a bit far-fetched,
but the sign sold for a fair price with
the fable thrown in for free. ♦
POSTMASTER
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PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208
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Sports Car Market
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