Bonhams Quail Lodge 2011 – Auction Report

Lot # 415 1932 Auburn 12-160 Boattail Speedster; S/N 1973E; Engine # BB2419; Black, Grey accents, Red coachlines/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $550,000 - $600,000; Concours restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $400,000 -- Chrome wire wheels with knock-offs, dual sidemounts with metal covers, Pilot-Ray lights, dual spotlights, 2-speed axle. Very deep chrome and paint, with only one stress crack along the coachline. The interior is barely worn and the top is perfect. Even the chassis has been rubbed out. It's gorgeous and really too nice to drive. Restored in 2005 and winner of the Roy Faulkner Award, Best of Auburn Award and Auburn Speedster first place at the 2005 Auburn ACD Meet. Quite a good car and the ultimate Auburn. The bidders in the tent may have been looking for a good driver rather than the show car presented here because the estimate was within reason for a superlative example like this and the seller was right to hold out for the right number.

Lot # 418 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50hp Gentleman's Roadster; S/N 80LE; Engine # N267H; Green, Tan coachline/Brown leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $450,000 - $600,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Post-block sale at $389,091 plus commission of 11.80%; Final Price $435,000 -- RHD. Green wire wheels, dual cloth-covered sidemounts, rear-mounted brown leather covered trunk. Lots of orange peel on the hood and bubbling on the fender. The plating has been highly polished and the underside shows a little wear. The restoration was not over the top when completed almost twenty years ago, but nicely done and has mellowed nicely. High Speed chassis. Believed to be the first Rolls-Royce chassis bodied in the U.S., owned by Seymour Knox, Jr. from new until 1990 with only one family ownership since. Restored in 1994 in its original colors and a multiple award winner since in concours and RROC events. Although the restoration has mellowed and the car has made the rounds on the concours circuit, it's a rare body style and has fascinating history and provenance. This is a really sporting car and the owner got a good value for the money paid. Bid to $400,000 on the block and closed post-block at this price, a reasonable compromise for both the buyer and the seller, but a prize acquisition that will be honored by Rolls-Royce owners for many years to come.

Lot # 419 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 2-Dr. Hardtop Custom; S/N 588C05766; Metalflake Gold/Gold, White leather; Estimate $70,000 - $125,000; Customized restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $58,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $67,860 -- An attractive mild custom by John D'Agostino. Still recognizable as a '58 Olds Holiday, but combining classic customizing elements in a pleasing package. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Shows little evidence of age or use. Kustoms are essentially personal but this Olds has wider appeal, particularly at this price.

Lot # 420 1937 Duesenberg Model J Landaulet Limousine, Body by Bohman & Schwartz; S/N 2613; Engine # J587; Green/Black leather & Green cloth; Black leather top; Estimate $400,000 - $600,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Post-block sale at $357,273 plus commission of 11.96%; Final Price $400,000 -- The Father Divine Throne Car. Flawless paint and chrome with an equally nice unworn interior and underside restored to show standards by Fran Roxas. Black wire wheels with wide whitewalls, dual metal covered sidemounts and divider window. One-off custom coachwork with wide, three-abreast, seating, concealed running boards, faired-in sidemount covers and stretched 178 1/2 inch wheelbase. John M. O'Quinn estate. This Duesenberg has a great history, a concours restoration and is arguably one of the superlative examples of the marque- it's also just big and gaudy. the limited appeal of its Pullman-sized coachwork should have been more than offset by its historic value and the quality of its Fran Roxas restoration. In fact, maybe it was ....

Lot # 421 1955 Messerschmitt KR-200 Cabriolet; S/N 56265; Red/Red vinyl; Black top; Estimate $38,000 - $44,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $21,500 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $25,155 -- Plexiglas bubble top, luggage rack. An older restoration with heavily worn and polished paint. The plexiglas is scraped and scuffed and the chrome is slightly pitted. This Messerschmitt is okay for joyriding, conversation or as a parade car but needs more attention to be anything more. These cars have a following but this example needs a lot of attention to be more appealing and more expensive. The price paid is reflective of that. It is auction tradition to follow a giant classic like the Father Divine Duesenberg with a microcar, a tradition honored here and validated by this realistic price for a mediocre Messerschmitt.

Lot # 422 1962 Autobianchi Bianchina Panoramica; S/N 120B078104; Engine # 120000087604; Lime Green, Grey roof/Cream leather, Tan cloth sunroof; Estimate $18,000 - $24,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $12,500 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $14,625 -- Silver steel wheels with hubcaps and blackwall tires, accessory map light, CD player. Lots of orange peel in the paint and runs around the panel edges. Interior decent but seat cushions moderately worn. The chrome is lightly pitted but decent except for the window chrome which is shot. The badge is missing from the front of the hood. A driver quality vehicle. Although presented as a decent driver, the Panoramica is less desirable than the Transformable. The car presented here was decidedly mediocre and superficially presented. It would have to have been better to bring more money than this.

Lot # 432 1925 Bentley 3-Liter 100mph Supersports 'Brooklands'; S/N 1161; Engine # 546; BRGreen/Black leather; Estimate $500,000 - $600,000; Rebodied or re-created, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $540,000 plus commission of 11.30%; Final Price $601,000 -- RHD. Green wire wheels, eight day clock, tachometer, single sidemount and dual aeroscreens, blade fenders, high mounted left side exhaust with fishtail, four-wheel brakes, Lucas headlights, four CAV taillights. Replacement coachwork by Jim Howarth in 1987. The paint has been well maintained but shows some polishing marks. The now-black chassis is chipped revealing earlier red paint. The undersides of the fenders are worn from road use. The seat leather is respectfully worn in; this is truly a proper motorcar. Despite modern replica coachwork and the engine out of another car, the bidders were enthused by the presentation of this rare version of the 3-liter. There's no more upside in the car except to take it out on the road. Sold by Bonhams in London in December 2008 for $410,329 (GBP 276,500 at the time against $601,000 and GBP 363,300 here), this is a wonderful high speed 3-Liter Bentley with delectable coachwork and full value for the money.

Lot # 434 1962 Maserati 5000 GT Coupe, Body by Allemano; S/N 103046; Engine # 46; Dark Metallic Blue/White leather; Estimate $525,000 - $700,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $500,000 plus commission of 11.40%; Final Price $557,000 -- Factory-installed Frigikar A/C, chrome spoke Borranis, no radio, Lucas FI, 5-speed, disc brakes, Nardi woodrim steering wheel with trident-style spokes. Attractively restored with good cosmetics in the early 90's then driven and toured. Cosmetics are still very good but engine and chassis are a little aged and grimy. This is a choice example of one of the great grand tourers of the Sixties. Allemano coachwork is the most common and least desirable of the 5000 GTs, but that keeps the value down and makes it possible for an enthusiastic driver to experience its performance at a reasonable price like this.

Lot # 436 1956 Lincoln Premiere "Dreamsicle" Custom; S/N 56WA47889L; Tequila Sunrise Orange/Pearl leather; Estimate $70,000 - $100,000; Customized restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $52,650 -- Extreme custom built by Gene Winfield and Bill Reasoner, then further developed by John d'Agostino. Excellent paint but chipped in front of driver's door. Left front fender trim loose. Chassis is repainted over old undercoat and not attractive. No Reserve. John M. O'Quinn estate. The somewhat shaky condition is typical of cars coming out of John O'Quinn's massive collection but this is on its own a dramatic custom car, particularly at this modest price which probably barely exceeds what O'Quinn invested in its new paint and interior.

Lot # 440 1957 BMW 507 Roadster; S/N 70038; Engine # 40037; Silver/Grey leather; Blue top; Estimate $850,000 - $1,100,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $905,000 plus commission of 10.77%; Final Price $1,002,500 -- Reproduction Rudge knock-off wheels, AM radio, A/C, Nardi woodrim steering wheel. Deep chrome and excellent paint. New leather with very light wear. The underside is very clean but some of the spray in the wheelwells is beginning to peel revealing the original or older paint. Driven on the Gauthier Classic in 2003, then the Colorado Grand in 2004. Engine freshly rebuilt by Motion Products. This rare 507 has had quite a bit of work done since being presented as a #4 car over a decade ago at Brooks' Amelia Island auction in 2000 where it fell short of the consignor's expectations at a reported high bid of $150,000. The presentation of the car was gorgeous and the seller should be happy but the enthusiastic buyer had better have checked closely for more signs of restoration shortcuts like the peeling paint under the wheelwells before committing to this generous price, a value for these Albrecht Goertz-designed but under-powered beauties that only recently vaulted over $1 million.

Lot # 443 1962 Porsche 356 1600 B T6 Roadster; S/N 89753; Engine # P700369; Black/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $125,000 - $140,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $150,000 plus commission of 14.67%; Final Price $172,000 -- Silver steel wheels, hubcaps, blackwall Michelin XZX 185SR15 tires, headrests, Porsche woodrim steering wheel. Restored like new with some age and use but offset by consistent maintenance. Sold by RM in Arizona in 2005 in freshly restored condition for $103,400, then by Gooding at Pebble Beach in 2006 showing a little age for $140,800, it's now a little more aged (and has lost its fog lights) but brought a little more, reflecting the continuing appreciation of these very desirable cars over the past seven years.

Lot # 450 1929 Stutz Series M Dual Cowl Speedster, Body by LeBaron; S/N M843CY17A; Engine # 3036; Black, Grey accent/Silver leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $300,000 - $400,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Post-block sale at $243,636 plus commission of 12.87%; Final Price $275,000 -- Chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, dual cloth-covered sidemounts with strap-on mirrors, wind wings. Cutdown front doors are striking, distinctive element. Ex-Briggs Cunningham and Bill Ruger, Sr. Cataloged as the car that was turbocharged with electronic fuel injection by Callaway in the 1990's but that was a DV-32 fishtail tourer, not this car. Presentable old restoration to good driving condition. Used. The mis-description probably is inadvertent as Sturm, Ruger made several sets of titanium rods for the Callaway project and this 'Safety Stutz' may have gotten a set along the way. The coachwork alone is sufficient to support the price paid in this post-block transaction.

Lot # 453 1986 Porsche 962 IMSA GTP Endurance racer; S/N 962121; Engine # 361; Black, White 'Havoline'/Black; Estimate $800,000 - $1,000,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $730,000 plus commission of 10.96%; Final Price $810,000 -- RHD. Raced by Bayside Disposal in the Eighties, winning six of eleven races in 1987 and two consecutive Sebring 12 Hours wins in 1987-88. Restored to like-new condition in its 1988 Sebring livery with excellent cosmetics and prepared to front-line historic racing specifications. Visually, at least, this car needs nothing. Arguably one of the most successful Porsche endurance racers built -- which says a lot, even with 'arguably' included -- this car is sharp, crisp and impeccably presented. It's a front-line-ready historic racer ready to challenge any driver's concept of fast enough.

Lot # 454 1963 Maserati 3500 GTi Coupe, Body by Touring; S/N 1012640; Engine # 1012640; Red/White leather; Estimate $125,000 - $150,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 14.38%; Final Price $183,000 -- Becker Cologne AM-FM, chrome wire wheels, triple Webers, Cibie head and fog lights. Prior owners include Alfredo Brener and J. Geils. Good paint, interior and glass. Good major chrome but weak window moldings. Tidy underhood. Repainted undercoat and chassis. An attractive driver restoration done a few years ago. A distinct and attractive alternative to increasingly expensive Sixties Ferraris and Aston Martins, this is a whole lot of car for the money, an assessment shared by the Bonhams' bidders who concluded it was worth $10,000 more than the high estimate. Maybe a little optimistically....

Lot # 457 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Roadster Custom; S/N 5762113291; Lilac/Lilac leather; Estimate $100,000 - $125,000; Customized restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $76,050 -- Chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, pushbutton radio. Customized by Rick Dore for SEMA in 2006 with several subsequent awards Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Old undercoat. Cowl chrome needs attention. Built for its effect, which is immediate and compelling, the workmanship out of sight is less than impressive, but that's not what customs are about. The price here, even with commission, is a modest piece of what it cost to create, or the effect it will create. Harley Earl would have been pleased.

Lot # 458 1922 Pierce-Arrow Series 33 Touring Sedan; S/N 332157; Cream, Brown fenders and coachline/Cream leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $45,000 - $65,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $46,800 -- Varnished wood spoke wheels with older yellowed whitewalls. Dual cloth-covered sidemounts, rear trunk, Dawley headlights. The older nickel is lightly worn and the paint has been well kept except for light wear around the edges. The cloth top is lightly soiled but the underside is extremely clean. The paint doesn't show the stress cracks typical of an older restored open car. What a history. Sold at The Auction in Las Vegas in 1991 in cosmetically restored condition but missing some bits for just $17,325, then at Auburn Fall in 2001 for $32,860, it brought $108,000 at Barrett-Jackson in 2005 after restoration and was bid to $95,000 at Bonhams Brookline auction in 2008 but only $50,000 at RM's Hershey Auction in 2009. This is an older restoration of mediocre quality but Pierce is a high quality automobile and the restoration, such as it is, has held up well. More than an entry level car and a decent price for the buyer.

Lot # 459 1953 Facel Ford Comete 2-Dr. Hardtop, Body by Facel Matallon; S/N 1016; Engine # 606523; Green/Tan leather; Estimate $45,000 - $65,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $42,120 -- Seduction AM radio, manual transmission, wheel covers, whitewalls. Quick old repaint over old paint, decent redone interior. Appears to be sound and mostly original. Pitted interior bright trim, decent chrome. Definitely unusual if done to indifferent standards. The best feature of this French car is its very French 'Seduction' branded radio. The seller should be happy the buyer noticed it, otherwise the car could have struggled to find a bidder at any price.

Lot # 461 1959 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I Roadster; S/N HBT7L/4114; Engine # 29DRUH4693; Metallic Blue/Dark Blue vinyl with White piping; Estimate $65,000 - $75,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Post-block sale at $53,419 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $62,500 -- Chrome wire wheels. Excellent paint and brightwork but door fit could be better. The underside exhibits light road wear. Almost no interior wear on this 2007 restoration. This is a very nice Big Healey that can be shown with pride and fully enjoyed on the road for the price paid but is fully valued when measured against the later and more luxurious 3000 Mk III Phase 2s.

Lot # 463 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Spider, Body by Vignale; S/N 1011295; Engine # 1011295; Red/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $320,000 - $360,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $320,000 plus commission of 12.19%; Final Price $359,000 -- Chrome spoke Borranis, blackwall Engelbert tires. Restored like new in Prague in 2004 with excellent paint, chrome, interior and panel fits. Chassis is clean and like new. 2008 Hillsborough second in class. This is a handsome car but fully valued at this price.