Bonhams international auctioneers has announced that their second annual sale held in conjunction with the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance in Westport, Connecticut will now span two days, Saturday September 17th and Sunday, September 18th, with a 1935 Duesenberg Model J of singular, art deco design, including a special waterfall radiator, bearing the engine number J310, featured as a top lot, estimated to draw bidding in the half-million dollar range.
Saturday, September 17th will be devoted to The Estate of Bob Jefferson featuring Rolls-Royce, Bentley and other marques, with over 400 lots from one of the most knowledgeable Rolls-Royce restorers in the country. From original literature, spares and rare early parts to an extensive collection of workshop tools and equipment, this single estate offering is comparable to Bonhams highly successful auction of the Frank Cooke collection in 2006, which drew bidders from around the world. A good selection of Jaguar parts, engines and spares will also be on the block Saturday, coming from the same estate. The auction will begin at 12:00 noon.
“Bob Jefferson and Frank Cooke were two of the best known Rolls and Bentley specialists during their lifetimes, both with shops in Brookfield, Massachusetts, and Bonhams is thrilled to once again bring a collection of this magnitude to the Rolls-Royce and Bentley marque collectors and enthusiasts,” Rupert Banner Bonhams New York motorcars specialist said.
On Sunday, September 18th’s auction action will start at noon with the general automobilia sale, followed directly by the motorcar auction at 3:00 pm. On offer from the same collection as the 1935 Model J Duesenberg, are a good selection of American antiques and classics, including a1928 Model A Touring Car, a 1938 REO Speed Delivery and a wonderfully original 1964 Chevy C/20 4×4 Pick Up Truck with only 6,000 miles.
“Bonhams is bringing a nice mix of sports cars, brass era motorcars, and classics to this important Connecticut event, some fully restored and, in keeping with our New England tradition, some incredible barn discoveries and restoration projects, “ Rupert Banner remarked. A rare and attractive1937 Mercedes Benz 170v Cabriolet A, exposed to the daylight for the first time in forty years, estimated at $10,000-20,000 serves as a good example of the “barn finds” available at the sale.
Sunday’s motorcar auction will also offer select period era Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Jaguar motorcars, including a highly original New England car that hasn’t seen the light of day in over 50 years: A 1928 Rolls Royce Phantom I with a custom body designed by Hibbard and Darin, manufactured in Springfield, MA.
One of the earliest examples of the American motorcar, a 1899 Locomobile, manufactured at a time when the famous Stanley brothers were still working with Locomobile, is estimated to draw keen interest world-wide.
Seinfeld television show fans will want to take note of the 1977 Volkswagen Bug, factory finished in Porsche Silver owned by, comedian, television star, Jerry Seinfeld — with only 150 original miles! The last year of the original Beetle, and one of only a handful finished in the Porsche Silver, with the original window sticker in place and title showing its Jerry Seinfeld provenance, this lot is anticipated to draw bidding in the $15,000 to $25,000 range.
This is Bonhams second year conducting an auction at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, the site of the auction and concours event. Preview times are on Saturday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday (motorcars only) 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. The online catalog will be available in the coming weeks, at www.bonhams.com. To request a catalog by mail please contact Bonhams New York office at: 212 461-6515. The cost of the illustrated catalog is $30.00, which admits two people to the preview and auction. A limited number of consignments are still being accepted. For more information regarding the Bonhams auction at the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance, please contact: Rupert Banner in New York at 212 461 6515, or Mark Osborne in San Francisco, at 415 391 4000. For more information regarding the Fairfield County Concours, please visit the website: www.fairfieldcountyconcours.com.
Image: A 1935 Duesenberg Model J, of singular design, including a special waterfall radiator, bearing the engine number J310, featured as a top lot, estimated to draw bidding in the half-million dollar range at Bonhams Fairfield auction September 17th and 18th. Photo courtesy of Bonhams.