The eight-car Ecurie Ecosse Collection totaled $14.5m at Bonhams’ London sale on Sunday, leading to an overall $27.6m. Out of 34 lots, 28 sold, for a 82% sales rate. Just as they did in the 1950s, four of the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguars raced ahead of their rivals. The team’s 1952 Jaguar C-type sold for no less than $4.75m amid auction-room applause, while their 1956 Jaguar “Shortnose” D-type sold for $4.2m. Both went to a buyer in the United States. Meanwhile, the packed saleroom resounded to further applause as the Collection’s Jaguar XK120 roadster made a record $1.16m. Million-pound mark-up for two-stroke truck […]
The eight-car Ecurie Ecosse Collection totaled $14.5m at Bonhams’ London sale on Sunday, leading to an overall $27.6m. Out of 34 lots, 28 sold, for a 82% sales rate.
Just as they did in the 1950s, four of the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguars raced ahead of their rivals.
The team’s 1952 Jaguar C-type sold for no less than $4.75m amid auction-room applause, while their 1956 Jaguar “Shortnose” D-type sold for $4.2m. Both went to a buyer in the United States.
Meanwhile, the packed saleroom resounded to further applause as the Collection’s Jaguar XK120 roadster made a record $1.16m.
Million-pound mark-up for two-stroke truck
However, it was the Ecurie Ecosse three-car Transporter, their unique 1960 Commer TS3 immortalized for many by the Corgi toy, which exceeded all expectations. It sold to the same U.S. buyer for $2.9m after a telephone bidding war that lasted almost 20 minutes.
The 800-strong crowd in Bonhams’ $50m New Bond Street headquarters – opened by London Mayor Boris Johnson on October 24 – erupted as auctioneer Robert Brooks’ hammer sealed this sale of the most valuable historic commercial vehicle ever sold at auction.
Following the Ecurie Ecosse Collection’s sale excitement, the spotlight turned to Ringo Starr’s Facel Vega, which sold for $553k, while seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher’s Benetton-Cosworth Ford B194 went to a German museum in Boeblingen for $1m, bringing the auction total to $27.6m. Out of 34 lots, 24 sold, for a 71% sales rate.
James Knight, Bonhams’ Group Motoring Director, said, “We always knew that today’s sale had the potential to be a roaring success, but nobody quite anticipated the incredible atmosphere in the saleroom that saw so many truly historic cars go for such astounding prices.
“The Jaguars especially were exceptionally popular, and I am delighted that the Transporter will still be carrying two of its original Ecurie Ecosse racing cars.”
