Bonhams & Goodman, 2.00pm Sunday 1 July, Sydney – A big crowd of enthusiastic bidders drove the collectors’ car market upward at an auction conducted by Bonhams and Goodman in Sydney today. The highest price ever paid at auction for a famous vintage sports car, the Vauxhall 30-98, was achieved when an overseas collector paid $354,616 including premium, bidding on the phone in his pyjamas in the U.K. at 3:30 am. The Vauxhall, a remarkably original and unrestored 1921 model featuring polished aluminium bodywork, had been in the same ownership for over fifty years and had covered less than 20,000 miles […]
Bonhams & Goodman, 2.00pm Sunday 1 July, Sydney – A big crowd of enthusiastic bidders drove the collectors’ car market upward at an auction conducted by Bonhams and Goodman in Sydney today. The highest price ever paid at auction for a famous vintage sports car, the Vauxhall 30-98, was achieved when an overseas collector paid $354,616 including premium, bidding on the phone in his pyjamas in the U.K. at 3:30 am.
The Vauxhall, a remarkably original and unrestored 1921 model featuring polished aluminium bodywork, had been in the same ownership for over fifty years and had covered less than 20,000 miles since 1928. Duncan Beaton of Adelaide immigrated to Australia in 1971 with the car, his pride and joy. Beaton purchased the car in 1953 from Colonel Austin who had lost his legs in the war and could no longer drive the car.
National Head of Collectors’ Cars at Bonhams & Goodman is Robert Glover whose father owns a 30-98 Vauxhall in the UK. “We had a great deal of interest in this car from around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, the US and the UK. We knew the result would be strong but had no idea that the bidding would smash the previous record in such a spectacular way”. Glover said.
The result highlights the current strength in the market for very original cars. Bonhams & Goodman chief executive, Tim Goodman said, “We marketed this car to the international data base of Bonhams in London, our parent company and the largest auctioneer of collectors’ cars in the world. This result demonstrates the incredible interest from overseas in top international cars discovered in Australia.”
Interest in the beautiful American classic, a 1934 Packard with glamorous convertible coachwork by Dietrich was disappointing with the car failing to sell. Negotiations continued at around $170,000 immediately after the auction.
The classic motorbikes from the estate of artist and Broken Hill legend, Kevin Charles (Pro) Hart were also very strong with all selling for well over estimate. A 1949 Vincent Rapide motor bike used by a display at Hart’s private museum at Broken Hill made $43,720 against an estimate of $14,000-22,000.
For Further Enquires:
Janan Bey, Head of Marketing and Media
(03) 85303905 0438647760
janan.bey@bonhams.com
Robert Glover, National Head of Collectors’ Cars
(02) 9327 9906 0417 661 012
robert.glover@bonhams.com
