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Bonhams Simeone 2016 – Auction Report

Bonhams Simeone 2016

Bonhams ‘Preserving the Automobile’ Simeone Museum, Philadelphia, October 3, 2016

2016 marked Bonhams fifth year for its Preserving the Automobile auction at the Simeone Foundation Automobile Museum near Philadelphia airport.

This has never been a big auction, but it is always a good one, for at least two reasons:

• Bonhams always manages to find intriguing examples of original and older restored cars; and
• It’s always a pleasure to come to Philadelphia to visit Dr. Fred Simeone’s fabulous collection of race cars.

Either reason would be sufficient to leave a few days early for Hershey and spend a couple nights in Philadelphia.

While this was Bonhams lowest sale total (and smallest consignment) in the sale’s history it didn’t lack for good cars, it just lacked for good expensive cars. Read through the selection below; it’s almost certain that among them there’s a puppy that will beg to be adopted, nurtured and find a happy family.

And come to Philadelphia next year; Bonhams will have more.

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Bonhams Simeone Museum 2016 – Auction Report

1907 Locomobile Model E Chassis
Lot # 203 1907 Locomobile Model E Chassis; Primer; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Incomplete restoration, 5 condition; Hammered Sold at $61,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $67,100. No Reserve. – – Known history since 1964, disassembled and partially restored after 1975 with much of the hard work done but with a confusing jumble of parts and no instructions provided. Once owned by Harrah’s (as a complete car) and sold from the collection of the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. The major items are cleaned and stripped but there’s plenty of grime left. – An intriguing project with serious possibilities although its potential is somewhat limited by its 1907 dating that is not LBVCR eligible. The Museum should be very satisfied with this result, and the buyer with the prospect of re-assembling this rare automobile.
1994 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur III 4-Dr. Sedan
Lot # 207 1994 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur III 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N SCAZN02C3SCX55376; Arctic White/Soft Tan leather; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $18,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,350. No Reserve. – Cassette stereo. – Very good original paint, chrome, interior and interior wood. Exactly what a 22,879 mile Rolls-Royce should look like. – There is nothing, other than 23K miles, wrong with this Spur. It has led an exemplary life, although the limited miles and no evidence of recent service are a tad concerning, and is a quality automobile at a realistic price
1954 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible
Lot # 208 1954 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible; S/N 546272302; Black/Red leather; White vinyl top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $64,000. With Reserve. – Parade boot, skirts, bench seat, WonderBar radio, power windows, power seat, power steering, power brakes, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls. – Restored to concours condition many years ago. Numerous flaws in the paint. Very good chrome and interior. Underbody is like new, without undercoat, and only a little age. Engine compartment is orderly but a little dusty; one air vent duct hose is missing. – Bid to $64,000 here, more than double what it brought at Auburn Spring 23 years ago in 1993, fresh from a cosmetic restoration which has been vastly improved since but which now in turn shows its age. It could have been sold for the reported high bid.
1959 Mercedes-Benz 300d 4-Dr. Sedan
Lot # 209 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300d 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 189010120011696; Engine # 189980129500313; Black/Grey cloth; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500. With Reserve. – Automatic, Blaupunkt multi-band radio, wheel covers, aftermarket air conditioning, Cibie driving lights, whitewalls, power windows. – Fair repaint over old paint. Good chrome and interior. Clean gauges with weak bezel chrome. Original undercoat in wheelwells. Good interior wood trim. Believed to be two owners from new and in condition appropriate to the 79,571 miles on its odometer. – A very satisfying car that suggests it is nothing more, or less, than it appears to be and is the pinnacle of luxury from its era. It isn’t sleek, it isn’t svelte, it doesn’t have a swarm of questionable power accessories; it’s just visual class stratification, both then and now, and is a highly reasonable acquisition at this price.
1932 Willys 6-90 Silver Streak Roadster
Lot # 211 1932 Willys 6-90 Silver Streak Roadster; S/N 8610; Engine # 8714; Dark Blue, Black fenders/Grey leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $41,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $45,100. No Reserve. – 3-speed Synchromesh transmission, Yellow wire wheels, wide whitewalls, rumble seat, rear-mounted spare, wind wings, fog light, Twilite headlights. – Very good paint, interior, chrome and top. Orderly engine compartment. Restored better than new a while ago, showing some age and use but still very good. – With a 65hp 6-cylinder engine this was nearly the performance counterpart of Henry’s 1932 V8, however the design, with its slightly raked and subtly veed grille shell, horizontal hood side louvers and sweeping fenders were a customizer’s Deuce dream. It was one of the most striking cars in Bonhams sale both for its design and its restoration and there was a notable contest to own it. Even ending up at half or less than the price of a comparable condition ’32 Ford V-8 roadster it still represents a sound value, a car that says, ‘What do you know? This is an extraordinary automobile.’
1942 GMC CC-150 Pickup
Lot # 212 1942 GMC CC-150 Pickup; S/N CC1523142; Engine # B228101942; Dark Green, Black fenders/Brown leatherette; Estimate $25,000 – $35,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000. No Reserve. – Hubcaps, wide whitewalls, outside mirror, no heater. – Very good fresh repaint, upholstery and interior trim. A thorough old restoration with fresh cosmetics. – Sold freshly restored by RM at Meadow Brook in 2001 for $13,750, then by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2010 for $25,740, its cosmetics have been redone since to high standards and the mechanicals received attention including conversion to a 12 volt electrical system. A classy and quality truck for show or go, it should need nothing and brought a very modest price.
1950 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Touring Saloon, Body by Park Ward
Lot # 213 1950 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Touring Saloon, Body by Park Ward; S/N WGC63; Engine # W262C; Metallic Red, Black fenders/Beige leather; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. With Reserve. – RHD. Skirts, fender mirrors, wheel covers, blackwall tires, trafficators, Jensen cassette stereo, – Poor old repaint over old rust blisters. Sound, dry old upholstery. Dull interior wood trim. Chassis and underbody repainted over old, peeling undercoat. Thin trim chrome. Sadly neglected, a car with no good surprises. – Assessing this Silver Wraith is a challenge between originality (because nothing significant other than cosmetics have been done to it) and neglect (for the same reasons). The paint is a disgrace to Park Ward’s quality finishing, the interior wood likewise to Britain’s craftsmen. The slantback coachwork is attractive, but more fussy than inspired. Making it any more than it is will be an expensive challenge. The seller should be very satisfied with this price.
1968 Morris Mini Cooper Mk II 2-Dr. Sedan hotrod
Lot # 214 1968 Morris Mini Cooper Mk II 2-Dr. Sedan hotrod; S/N KA2S61179700A; Red, Black vinyl roof/Black cloth; Estimate $18,000 – $24,000; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $14,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,400. No Reserve. – 1400cc/90hp engine, two SU carbs, 4-speed, ’85 Mini shell, high performance brakes, Mountney woodrim steering wheel, folding sunroof, Cibie Oscar fog lights, braced rollbar, cassette stereo, auxiliary engine gauges, Fulda Assuro tires. – Good paint and chrome, old undercoat in the wheelwells, good interior. Alloy wheels’ clearcoat is peeling. Everything appears to have been done to good, workmanlike standards. – A Mini hotrod, or at least a Mini Cafe Racer, that offers exemplary performance without being stressed beyond reasonable limits. It should drive the part it looks and is a great value at this price.
1967 Lotus Elan S3 Coupe
Lot # 215 1967 Lotus Elan S3 Coupe; S/N 36/6740; Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $29,000. With Reserve. – LeCarra woodrim steering wheel, gold painted 5-spoke centerlock Panasport alloy wheels, gold painted bumper covers, banded aluminum Talbot outside mirrors, upgraded CV joints, dual master cylinder, electronic ignition. – Sound repaint and interior done in 1986. Clean gauge faces and lenses. Orderly underbody. Crazing window frame chrome. Road grimy chassis. Orderly engine compartment. – Thoroughly and impressively upgraded in a long term effort to incorporate the latest improvements as Elan owners perfect their cherished possessions. This isn’t a collector’s Elan, it’s a driver’s Elan, and potentially a very good one at that. The seller should have no regrets about hoping to find a more attuned audience for this finely tuned Elan S3 Coupe.

Bonhams Simeone Museum 2016 – Auction Report Page Two

1965 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet
Lot # 217 1965 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet; S/N 1110231000089; Primer/Red vinyl; Beige cloth top; Estimate $18,000 – $24,000; Incomplete restoration, 5 condition; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,800. No Reserve. – 4-speed, Becker Europa AM-FM, – Dusty, dirty, rusty. Tattered upholstery. Filled door bottoms. Boxes of unsorted parts. Engine hasn’t been out or had anything done. Needs everything is an understatement. – Touted as a one owner car, a qualification that means little in this condition, especially with the visibly wavy filled door bottoms. It was a cosmetic restoration gone bad, real bad, and it will be an expensive challenge to make anything out of it, especially at this price going in.
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster
Lot # 219 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster; S/N 11304410014571; Red/Saddle Brown vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $0 plus commission of; Final Price. With Reserve. – Blaupunkt AM-FM, 4-speed, headrest seats, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. – Restored like new with some subsequent use and age. Very good paint and chrome. One rip in the driver’s seatback, otherwise the upholstery is sound and likely original. Underbody has been done to showroom condition with little evident subsequent use. –
1967 BMW 2000C Coupe
Lot # 220 1967 BMW 2000C Coupe; S/N 1200046; Engine # 1200046; Ice Blue/Blue vinyl, cloth; Estimate $25,000 – $30,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $14,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,950. With Reserve. – 5-speed, power windows, modern radio, alloy wheels, Michelin tires, fender mirrors, dual Weber carburetors. – Lumpy, heavily filled body must be like Swiss cheese under the clearcoat paint. Foggy gauge lenses. Scratched trim chrome, body color painted bumpers. Dirty underbody with thick undercoat slathered on. Frightening. – There is little good about this car beyond the dramatic body design and the 5-speed manual transmission. That conclusion is reflected in the minimal price it brought. After the most obvious shortcomings are remedied it will be an expensive example.
1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 4-Dr. Sedan
Lot # 222 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N WDB11603612005879; Engine # 11098512006994; Anthracite Grey/Black leather; Estimate $18,000 – $24,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $14,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,400. No Reserve. – Becker Grand Prix cassette stereo, alloy wheels, Michelin XWX blackwall tires, Euro headlights, sliding sunroof. – Good older repaint with rust bubbling up along the left drip rail. Dull, oxidized window and roof aluminum trim. Good chrome and interior. – An impressive performer when new, particularly in the context of the late Seventies when it ruled the road. It might be a little difficult to justify it these days when even the most mundane full-size American sedan has more power, but it has panache and has been well maintained even with over 100K miles. It’s hard to argue with the price it brought, which hedges all these issues.
1954 Jaguar XK 120SE Drophead Coupe
Lot # 223 1954 Jaguar XK 120SE Drophead Coupe; S/N S667294; Engine # F3878-8S; Red/Black; Black cloth top; Estimate $55,000 – $65,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $57,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $62,700. With Reserve. – RHD. 3442/180hp, chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, tribar headlights, original steel wheels and spats included. – The penultimate XK 120 drophead coupe built, represented to be the original engine and transmission. Sound older repaint, interior and interior wood trim. Orderly but aged and lightly used engine compartment. Decent chrome. A sound and presentable older restoration with plenty of subsequent use. – This Jag is represented to have been with its present owner since 1996, but is shown as being sold by Bonhams at the Goodwood Revival in 2001 for $74,105 (GBP 38,900). That was a reasonable price then; this is a reasonable price now.
1967 Jaguar XKE SI 4.2 2 + 2
Lot # 224 1967 Jaguar XKE SI 4.2 2 + 2; S/N 1E76006; Engine # 7E1231-9; Silver-Grey/Black leather; Estimate $65,000 – $75,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $57,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $62,700. With Reserve. – 4-speed, Becker Mexico AM-FM, fender mirrors, chrome wire wheels, Michelin X blackwalls. – One owner from new. Surface cracked but sound original interior. Fair repaint with orange peel not sanded out around the hood louvers and on the rear hatch. Blotchy color distribution. Orderly but dusty engine compartment. Original underbody; tires last replaced in 1968. A pretty used car. – Exceptionally well maintained and fully documented from new with invoices, warranty card, manuals, invoices and correspondence. Cars like this don’t come up very often, particularly desirable ones like a Series 1 4.2 E-type, and the new owner was both astute and fortunate to acquire it for this price, a sound value even if the top is fixed over room enough for four.
1927 FIAT 508 Torpedo Touring
Lot # 226 1927 FIAT 508 Torpedo Touring; S/N; Engine # 144591; Maroon, Black fenders/Maroon leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $13,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $14,300. No Reserve. – RHD. Wood spoke wheels, electric lights, rear mounted spare. – Sound, chipped, scratched old repaint painted assembled, and not very well at that. Stiff old upholstery is now aged to brown. Engine and chassis are oily and grimy. Old tires are hard as rocks. Its charm is that it’s never been apart, is all there and is usable as is. – And make no mistake, this is a charming car, good enough to use or as the basis for a straightforward restoration. The price it brought is no money at all for something this rare and cute.

Bonhams Simeone Museum 2016 – Auction Report Page Three

1957 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
Lot # 227 1957 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible; S/N 57620250212; Engine # 5762025012; Glade Green/Light Green, Dark Green leather; Light Green vinyl top; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,800. No Reserve. – Wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, power windows, power bench seat, WonderBar radio. – Tired old repaint with myriad chips and scratches, buffing through in places. Torn, cracked original front seat cushion upholstery; the rest of the leather is sound but stiff and dry. Flaking tail fin trim chrome, scratched bumpers. Original undercoat. Tired but sound and largely original. – This Cadillac has been used but appears to have been reasonably well maintained. It shows its age with some confidence and brought a modest price for its specification and even its aged presentation. Just drive and enjoy it, a luxury Cadillac convertible for less than the price of a comparable ’57 Bel Air convertible. This is a good value.
1917 Mack AB C-Cab Stake Truck
Lot # 228 1917 Mack AB C-Cab Stake Truck; S/N 579334; Red, Yellow chassis/Black; Estimate $30,000 – $50,000; Truck restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $15,000. No Reserve. – Acetylene headlights, kerosene sidelights, steel disc wheels, varnished bed rails, wood framed windshield. – Orderly and fairly dry engine compartment looks little used. Sound old paint with edge chips and age. Done well but now aged even if lightly used. – The bidders’ decision not to offer more for this Bulldog may be more related to the difficulty of getting it home than to the appeal of the truck. The consignor was not wrong in declining the high bid, but may reconsider after paying to have it hauled back home.
1959 Lancia Appia 4-Dr. Sedan
Lot # 231 1959 Lancia Appia 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N C10S28548; Engine # 31217; Black/Tan cloth; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,800. No Reserve. – 1,089cc/48hp V4, 4-speed, bench seat, fender mirror, halogen headlights, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls. – Indifferent quality but sound old repaint. Good upholstery and interior soft trim. Various edge chips and scrapes. Original door mount outside mirror mounting not repaired. Old but decent body seals; doors close like a vault. Orderly engine compartment, road grimy chassis. A sound, honest, unusual car. – One of the most viewed cars at this auction, largely unrestored and amazing solid for its age. 48hp may not sound like much, but it’s 12 more ponies than a Beetle that would cost at least this much with similar history and originality. This is a choice little sedan for a highly reasonable price.
1987 Ferrari Testarossa Coupe
Lot # 233 1987 Ferrari Testarossa Coupe; S/N ZFFSG17A8H0073607; Rossa Corsa/Tan leather; Estimate $90,000 – $125,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $78,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $85,800. With Reserve. – Air conditioning, books and tools. – Good, complete original car showing age and use appropriate to the 30,626 miles. Two owners from new, the most recent since 1992. Reportedly belt serviced five years and 5,000 miles ago – An excellent contrast to most of the multi-owner, foggy history Testarossas out there, it brought a reasonable price as Testarossa values have accelerated their appreciation in recent years. It is a good value at this price.
1978 Porsche 911SC 3.0 Targa
Lot # 234 1978 Porsche 911SC 3.0 Targa; S/N 9118311405; Engine # 632880; Ice Green Metallic/Black leather; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $28,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $31,350. With Reserve. – Blaupunkt cassette, black center Fuchs wheels, Falken tires, halogen fog lights. – Euro-spec car with a ‘paint to sample’ original color. Sound clearcoat repaint matching that color but didn’t bother with the door jambs. Newer upholstery but original interior trim and old body seals. Dirty original underbody with original undercoat. A usable, presentable car represented as two owners from new. – An attractive example of a fairly common car that brought a realistic price for its performance and production numbers.
1950 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster Competition
Lot # 235 1950 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster Competition; S/N 660214; White/Brown leather; Estimate $60,000 – $90,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500. With Reserve. – RHD. Bucket seats, chrome braced rollbar, aeroscreen, steel wheels, louvered hood, bubble headlight covers, hood strap, front and rear bumpers, exhaust headers. – Bought new in Australia by well known racer Bib Stillwell and raced there until 1979. Prepared for vintage racing in the U.S. a few years ago, but not restored. Tired, dull old repaint, good upholstery, dull chrome. Aged instrument panel. – Sold at Bonhams Quail Lodge sale in 2005 for $46,000, then at Quail in 2010 for an undisclosed price before the recent competition preparation. This Jag has great potential as a vintage racer, continuing the career that began in Australia in the 50’s, and isn’t expensive at this price.
1979 Ferrari 308 GT4 Dino 2 + 2
Lot # 236 1979 Ferrari 308 GT4 Dino 2 + 2; S/N 15220; Marrone (Brown)/Tan leather; Estimate $65,000 – $75,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $52,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,750. With Reserve. – Borletti air conditioning, power windows, sliding sunroof, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, new Michelin XWX tires, books, jack, tool kit, service book. – Quick old repaint with clearcoat cracking along its edges, possibly badly clearcoated over the original paint. Surface cracked, sound original interior. Clean original underbody that is appropriate to the 14,199 claimed original miles on the odometer. Slightly dull original bright trim. Clean, orderly engine compartment. A surprisingly good and largely original GT4. – Originality trumped the model’s inherent desirability at this result and brought a superior price that is well supported by the car’s preservation and low miles.

Bonhams Simeone Museum 2016 – Auction Report Page Four

1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II Coupe
Lot # 239 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II Coupe; S/N C5601637; Black/Grey, Black leather; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Incomplete restoration, 5+ condition; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $28,600. No Reserve. – Air conditioning. – Sound original interior, old but sound chrome trim, dull bumpers. Redone engine compartment needs some reassembly. Interior is out. Fair repaint with dirt and dust in it. Underbody and chassis have been done to factory standards. Some assembled required plus a truck to get all the boxes home. – A restoration started by Richard Hopeman whose Lincoln collection was featured in this auction. ‘Some assembly required’ hardly begins to describe the complexity of this project. ‘Expensive’ hardly begins to describe the price it brought in this condition.
1905 REO Runabout
Lot # 244 1905 REO Runabout; S/N 16946; Engine # 16946; Red, Black fenders/Black leather; Estimate $25,000 – $35,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $28,600. No Reserve. – RHD. B&L acetylene spotlight, Dietz kerosene sidelights, Nonpareil bulb horn, no top or frame. – A complete but aged and dirty old car with curdled paint. The engine and drivetrain are dirty but lightly oiled and move freely. This REO has the potential to be moving on its own before the end of the month and after that needs only consistent sympathetic care to the enjoyed for years. – This is a delightful little one-lunger, a bit more advanced than R.E. Olds’ preceding Curved Dash but still simple, elemental and enjoyable. Its equipment is impressive and its condition is ideal for learning how these old cars work. It’s a sound value at this price.
1963 Fiat 600D 2-Dr. Sedan
Lot # 251 1963 Fiat 600D 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 100D1425786; Engine # 1479693; Light Yellow/Grey vinyl, cloth; Estimate $8,000 – $12,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $6,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,150. No Reserve. – Braced rollbar, hubcaps, blackwall tires, bumper overriders. – Decent repaint and replaced interior. Later engine. Orderly engine compartment and trunk. Paint stirrer fuel dipstick. Not comprehensively restored but surprisingly well done for a 600. – Seriously cute, with room for a family (and maybe its goat on the way to market.) The work done could not be reproduced for the amount paid here; the car is free, but that doesn’t make it a bargain.
1963 Volvo P1800 Coupe
Lot # 252 1963 Volvo P1800 Coupe; S/N 3655; Engine # 4760; Ivory/Red vinyl; Estimate $8,000 – $12,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $21,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $23,100. No Reserve. – Overdrive, Sapphire V radio, heater, wheel covers, Michelin tires. – Poor old repaint and original interior but aged beyond practical salvation. Rusty, dirty engine compartment, not running. A Jensen-built restoration project, but all there and uncomplicated. – Volvo moved production from Jensen to Sweden after the British-built P1800s proved to be badly built and unreliable. And this one brought a premium price? The last car of the auction, bidders must have had cash in their pockets that they needed to spend and splurged on this Volvo.
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster
Lot # 232 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster; S/N 11304410003900; Green, Green hardtop/Tan leatherette; Estimate $45,000 – $60,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000. With Reserve. – 4-speed, Realistic cassette stereo, hubcaps, trim rings, Michelin X blackwall tires, – Mediocre old repaint, original interior, torn driver’s seatback bolster. Thin trim chrome, sound but scuffed bumpers. Orderly original undercoat in the wheel wells. A sound largely original driver. – A rather pleasing and honest car in condition appropriate to its age and the history represented but distinguished by its desirable 4-speed gearbox. This result is reasonable for its condition and specification.
1901 Locomobile Style 5 Locosurrey
Lot # 248 1901 Locomobile Style 5 Locosurrey; S/N 4507; Black, /Black; No top; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Unrestored original, 4- condition; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $121,000. No Reserve. – RHD. Tiller steered. Kerosene sidelights. – Stored since the 1930’s, never restored – or probably even touched – for longer than most collectors have been alive. Largely complete but untouched for by far the best part of a century. Needs everything, but well worth the effort. A wonderful example of the transition from carriages to automobiles, with a 2-cylinder reversing direct drive steam engine and fire tube boiler. – This Loco got juices flowing, soaring through Bonhams upper estimate to the top sale of this auction, a distinction it fully deserved for its character and preservation. It won’t be simple to get it running but when it is … it will be a star wherever it appears and it will be even better if the drivetrain can be made safely operable and the originality preserved. It is impossible to argue with the bidders’ decision to pay dearly for this relic.

[Source: Rick Carey]