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2009 Classic California Auction Results – Bonhams

Bonhams & Butterfields celebrated the eighth year of its “Classic California” auction at the Petersen Automotive Museum on November 14th, 2009, with total sales of $2,138,736 for automotive collectibles and celebrity-owned vehicles, cars and motorcycles from noted private collections.

With a headlining ensemble of 28 cars from the Sam Garrett Collection and 33 motorcycles from the Forest “Woody” Shrider Collection – both of which were 100% sold – and numerous lots of vehicles and personal memorabilia from screen legend Steve McQueen, a healthy 76% of vehicles, both 2- and 4-wheel, were successfully sold.

Says Mark Osborne, VP of the Motoring Department at Bonhams & Butterfields, “Our annual Classic California sales at the Petersen Museum, which have consistently made world record prices and attracted lots from such celebrities as Steve McQueen, Bruce Willis, Von Dutch, Charles Bronson and Clark Gable, to name a few, continue to hold strong interest and just keep growing from strength to strength.” He continues, “This year, strength in the market was seen for celebrity–related cars and motorcycles from McQueen and Sinatra and the sale drew international interest from Europe, Asia and Canada as well as national attention from the Northeast and Midwest.”

A full list of sales results may be found at www.bonhams.com/Petersen.

2009 Classic California Auction Result Highlights

Ex-Steve McQueen 1940 Indian Chief motorcycle, as pictured on the cover of the book “Steve McQueen: The Last Mile”, set a new world record at $99,450.
Ex-Steve McQueen 1940 Indian Chief motorcycle, as pictured on the cover of the book “Steve McQueen: The Last Mile”, set a new world record at $99,450.
1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham previously owned by Frank Sinatra sold for $122,500.
1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham previously owned by Frank Sinatra sold for $122,500.
1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupe sold for $172,000.
1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupe sold for $172,000.
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Dual Cowl Touring sold for $111,150.
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Dual Cowl Touring sold for $111,150.
1915 Harley-Davidson Model 11K Boardtrack Racer surpassed its estimate selling for $58,500.
1915 Harley-Davidson Model 11K Boardtrack Racer surpassed its estimate selling for $58,500.
1966 Mercedes-Benz 600 SWB Limousine exceeded all expectations and went for $87,750.
1966 Mercedes-Benz 600 SWB Limousine exceeded all expectations and went for $87,750.

[Source: Bonhams]