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Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 – Auction Report

1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition S850667 Pawel Litwinski
1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition S850667

Bonhams, Westin Kierland, Scottsdale, Arizona, January 19, 2017

As the results below show, this was Bonhams best Scottsdale auction ever, exceeding its prior largest sale by 46.7%.

The median sale was down substantially from last year, and dwarfed by the average transaction showing that this sale was dominated by some of the best cars in the Arizona auction week with seven lots sold on hammer bids over $1 million, including the week’s top transaction, $7,370,000 for the ex-Bob Jane Jaguar E-Type Factory Lightweight.

The enthusiasm during the preview and in the tent during the sale was palpable, from Bonhams’ staff, experienced observers, onlookers and bidders. It was a uniformly high quality consignment of delectable cars that catered to diverse interests.

It didn’t hurt that Bonhams’ Evan Ide gave your scribe a ride in the Mercedes-Benz Typ S Tourer.

Scottsdale 2017 was a Bonhams milestone, and that’s all that really needs to be said.

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Andrew Newton contributed to the on-site observations, comments and photos; the editor is responsible for the final content.

Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 – Auction Report

1988 Lamborghini LM002 America Utility
Lot # 7 1988 Lamborghini LM002 America Utility; S/N ZA9LU45A8JLA12108; Engine # 12108; Black/Gray leather; Estimate $200,000 – $300,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $170,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $187,000. With Reserve – 5167cc/444hp V12, 5-speed, Pirelli Scorpion tires, tinted glass, rear-mounted spare, vinyl bed cover, six Webers, power windows, air conditioning. – One of 328 ‘Rambo Lambos’ built. Repaint over some cracks in the front fenders. Body sides are a little wavy but they might have always been that way. Wrinkled seats but they’re not bad. Engine bay is a little dirty but also not bad. Pretty good interior. Not perfect and not totally original, but not abused. – LM002s have been through at least two up-cycles before and now appear to be in their next resurgence. Perhaps helped by less expensive gasoline (of which they use prodigious quantities) or just a general refreshed interest in all terrain capable vehicles. This result would buy a pair of even the best FJ40s, but has far more stature and isn’t the most expensive LM002 seen recently, either.
1977 Honda Civic CVCC 2-Dr. Sedan
Lot # 9 1977 Honda Civic CVCC 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N SGE3532853; Engine # ED33903781; Carolina Yellow/Black houndstooth; Estimate $15,000 – $25,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $14,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,400. No Reserve – Roof rack, pushbutton radio, period 3-piece flower print luggage, grille guard, jack, tools, owner’s and service manual. – One owner until 2011. Wonderful original paint, chrome and interior with replaced cloth inserts. Impressively preserved except for a few deteriorating door seals. – This little CVCC is cute, original and practical, a rare combination in an economy car that is forty years old. It appealed to just about everyone but didn’t get bid into anything approaching extravagance. As an affordable collector car, it stands out, and is a sound value, too.
2003 Ferrari Enzo Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina
Lot # 15 2003 Ferrari Enzo Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFCW56A830132650; Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $2,800,000 – $3,200,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $2,350,000. With Reserve – – Chipguarded nose and mirrors. Freshly serviced with new tires. Documented with books and service records. It is represented to have just over 3,600 miles from new and none of them show up in its presentation. One of eight US-spec Enzos in Giallo Fly. – Low miles, originality and Fly Yellow paint are important but the seller was optimistic about finding a better offer than this in a week when Tommy Hilfiger’s one-owner Enzo (in Red/Tan) changed hands at $2,695,000 at RM Sotheby’s a day later.
1963 Jaguar XKE SI Lightweight Competition
Lot # 24 1963 Jaguar XKE SI Lightweight Competition; S/N S850667; Engine # V682558P; White, , Blue stripe/Blank leather; Estimate $7,500,000 – $9,000,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $6,700,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,370,000. With Reserve – RHD. 3781cc/293hp alloy block engine, Lucas fuel injection, close ratio 4-speed, 45-gallon fuel tank, hardtop, Dunlop centerlock alloy wheels, aluminum body panels. – Bob Jane’s 1963 Australian GT Championship winning car, carefully preserved and highly original, one of twelve built by Jaguar. Replacement alloy engine block from Jaguar, other modifications by Jaguar in period. One good repaint by the second owner, Peter Briggs, and good chrome. Worn and surface cracked original upholstery. Orderly but aged engine compartment and chassis. Maintained and never restored, with a mediocre old repaint and reported to have 3,621 miles, mostly at speed, from new. Lavishly documented from new including Bob Jane’s original specifications order to Jaguar. – This was the top sale in the Arizona auctions this year, and it deserved to be, with a combination of history, preservation, rarity and performance that is hard to find in any competition car. It was sold by RM at Amelia Island in 1999 for $847,000 and broke the bank today.
1956 Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle 2-Dr. Sedan
Lot # 25 1956 Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 10988279; Engine # 3784132; Beige/Brown vinyl; Estimate $30,000 – $50,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,900. No Reserve – Roof rack, bumper overriders, Motorola radio, whitewalls. – Loose left side beltline trim held on with sticky tape. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Restored like new. – Another wonderful, affordable, collector car that proves it isn’t necessary to have a Ferrari 308 or Healey BJ8 to enjoy the hobby. The condition is almost like new and the price is nothing but reasonable.
1956 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster, Body by Reutter
Lot # 27 1956 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster, Body by Reutter; S/N 82601; Engine # 62877; Aquamarine Blue Metallic/Red leatherette; Black cloth top; Estimate $425,000 – $525,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $480,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $528,000. With Reserve – Coupe seats. – Represented as the original matching numbers engine and original color. Freshly restored to showroom condition with better paint and chrome. First in Class at Hilton Head in 2016, documented with a Porsche CofA and a copy of the Kardex. – This is as good as it gets in a Speedster absent a 75hp Super engine and it brought a price that validates its quality and attention to detail.
1947 MG TC Roadster
Lot # 29 1947 MG TC Roadster; S/N TC3781; Engine # XPAG4501; Dark Blue, , Red grille/Red leather; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Recent restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500. No Reserve – 1250/70hp supercharged, wire wheels, single Lucas driving light, Dunlop tires, dark blue cloth tonneau cover, woodrim steering wheel, rear-mounted spare. – Exquisite paint and interior. Spotless underbody and engine bay. A phenomenal car, represented as a no expense spared restoration and looks like it. – The period supercharger may only increase power from 54 to 70hp, but that’s 30 percent and makes an already fun car even more entertaining. The real value is in this car’s exquisite condition, however. It’s a monumental price for a TC, but for one with this equipment and in this condition, it’s deserved.
1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider, Body by Zagato
Lot # 30 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider, Body by Zagato; S/N 10814358; Engine # 10814358; Red/Dark Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $2,800,000 – $3,400,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $2,550,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,805,000. With Reserve – RHD. 1752cc/85hp, supercharged, Memini dual choke carburetor, dual rear spares, black wire wheels, Firestone tires, Bosch headlights, wind wings. – Largely known history with consistent numbers throughout on mechanical components and bodywork. Sound paint, chrome and upholstery. Cockpit surround is worn through by the top bows. Engine and chassis have been driven but are very orderly and honest. – I had the good fortune to join Alfa expert Keith Duly as he went through this 6C and he enthused about its correctness and originality, sufficient endorsement for me. It is satisfyingly presented with aged but pleasing patina on its 1980’s restoration: done, but not overdone the way great automobiles like this should be. It’s worth every dollar of the price it brought.

Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 – Auction Report Page Two

1970 Porsche 914-6 Targa
Lot # 35 1970 Porsche 914-6 Targa; S/N 9140431518; Engine # 6409470; Canary Yellow/Black leatherette; Estimate $65,000 – $85,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500. No Reserve – 1991cc/110hp, 5-speed, Fuchs wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, fog lights. – Porsche CoA. Masking errors around the engine cover vent and window weather stripping. Paint chips at the tops of the black painted window frames. Good original interior. Single repaint on a solid car underneath. Very pretty, genuine 914-6 let down by paint prep problems. – This price should have bought one with a better repaint than this but otherwise is a realistic price for a carefully preserved 914/6, and less than one that was not so good brought in Kissimmee last week.
2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Spyder
Lot # 36 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Spyder; S/N WP0CA2A15FS800268; Metallic Dark Blue/Black leather, Acid Green piping; Estimate $1,300,000 – $1,500,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,250,000. With Reserve – Carbon fiber interior trim, glare reducing package, chipguarded nose, HomeLink, front suspension lift, 280hp electric hybrid system – Unblemished and to all intents and purposes a new car with one owner from new and under 1,000 miles. – The consignor’s thinking in turning down the reported high bid just $50,000 (3.8%) under the low estimate is obscure. While a paltry number have sold for over this much, it’s not a stable market and money has time value.
1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II 2 + 2, Body by Pininfarina
Lot # 38 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II 2 + 2, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 7901; Engine # 7901; Black/Crimson leather; Estimate $375,000 – $450,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $340,000. With Reserve – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, Becker Europa II AM-FM. – Repainted over old paint and areas of filler. Engine compartment is like new. Inviting interior. 2016 Cavallino Classic class winner and it looks the part. Represented as the original engine. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson’s Northeast auction in June for $330,000; it seems unlikely that a 2+2 in this condition would bring enough more seven months later to put the consignor in the money, and that proved to be the case.
1972 De Tomaso Pantera Coupe, Body by Ghia
Lot # 39 1972 De Tomaso Pantera Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N THPNM04214; Engine # 87403164; Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $140,000 – $180,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $92,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $101,200. No Reserve – 351/310hp, 5-speed, Campagnolo wheels, Radial T/A tires, Ansa exhaust, power windows, air conditioning, Blaupunkt AM/FM stereo. – Rare and desirable Pre-L model with ephemeral bumpers. Very good cosmetic restoration. Light mechanical sorting recently. Age underneath and on the old exhaust. Chip at the front edge of the driver’s door. Otherwise very good newer paint and interior, a sympathetically maintained, pleasingly original Pantera. – Later Panteras had flares, wings, spoilers, grotesque bumpers and huge tires, but this is the rare, original Pantera shaped by Tom Tjaarda at Ghia and pure both in its design and in this example’s preservation. It is the ideal Pantera and was given a serious price by the Bonhams Scottsdale bidders.
1973 BMW 3.0CSL Batmobile Coupe
Lot # 40 1973 BMW 3.0CSL Batmobile Coupe; S/N 2275525; Engine # 2275525; Polaris Silver, , Black/Black; Estimate $325,000 – $375,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $300,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $330,000. With Reserve – 3,153/206hp, 5-speed, Alpina wheels, Michelin XWX tires, hood pins, roof spoiler, leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood door trim. – Represented as matching numbers. Restored. Light scratches on the fender flares. Passenger’s door doesn’t quite fit flush with the body. Big chip in the edge of the fuel filler door. Crack in part of the rubber on the rear wing. Very good restored interior. Not a concours car, but restored to high standards a while ago and it’s hard to be picky with a car this cool. – Offered by Russo and Steele here in Arizona four years ago when it no-saled at a reported $150,000, a bid that made sense at the time. The appeal of these aerodynamically tweaked road cars is innate, an artifact of a time when aero was more a matter of experimentation than it was science and flips and strakes channeled air around and over boxy bodies. The fascination is also apparent in the price it brought here, a bit generous for its older restored condition but an incidence of the ‘where will you find another’ this well kept’ kind. Neither the car nor the price are subtle.
1939 BMW 327 Cabriolet
Lot # 42 1939 BMW 327 Cabriolet; S/N 74582; Engine # 1111864; Blue, , Light Blue/Blue; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $250,000 – $325,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $200,000. With Reserve – 3-carb 80hp engine, centerlock wheels, banjo steering wheel, dash clock, scalloped rear fender skirts, enclosed rear-mounted spares. – Fresh from a long-term restoration. Cracks around the left side handle for the hood. Decent, not excellent paint. Chips in front of the doors. Clean and restored underneath. Pretty good interior. Says fresh from a long term restoration, but the work must have been started quite some time ago. An attractive car in pretty colors, but far from perfect. – Not sold at Bonhams Amelia Island last year at a high bid of $275,000, which falls right into Bonhams’ more conservative estimate range this time around and makes Amelia Island look like a missed opportunity for the seller. Long term restorations frequently turn out badly, with the project aging in the restoration shop, as in this case.
1952 Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione, Body by Vignale
Lot # 44 1952 Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione, Body by Vignale; S/N 0196A; Engine # 0196A; Red/Tan leather, cloth; No top; Estimate $7,500,000 – $9,000,000; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $5,800,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,380,000. With Reserve – RHD. Silver painted wire wheels, full width windscreen. – A storied history including the 1952 Mille Miglia driven by Piero Taruffi, Le Mans driven by Maurice Trintignant, Targa Florio driven by Giovanni Bracco. Restored in the late 90’s with a new body. Professionally patinated with hand painted numbers and faux cracked SF shields. Lightly soiled upholstery. Clean, orderly underbody and chassis in nearly like new condition. – A great history, comprehensively restored and developed for historic events. The engine is original; the body isn’t. The price is an intelligent compromise between racing history and restoration history.
1956 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet
Lot # 45 1956 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet; S/N 1575247; Engine # 3663424; White/Black vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $32,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $35,200. No Reserve – Antenna but no radio, hubcaps, wide whitewalls. – Loose left side windowsill trim, sound chrome, paint and interior. Clean repainted underbody. A usable cosmetic restoration with minor flaws that are easily addressed. – People pay twice this for Fiat Jollys, and the windows roll up and the top folds on this Beetle Cabriolet. This is a healthy result for this cosmetically restored car.

Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 – Auction Report Page Three

1970 Abarth 1300 SS Scorpione Coupe, Body by Francis Lombardi
Lot # 46 1970 Abarth 1300 SS Scorpione Coupe, Body by Francis Lombardi; S/N 104S128729067; Engine # 655019204; Silver/Black leather; Estimate $70,000 – $110,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $106,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $116,600. No Reserve – Campagnolo wheels, dual Weber 40DCOEs, Abarth leather-wrapped steering wheel, Simpson lap belts, fire extinguisher. – Sold new in Holland, then in a Belgian Abarth museum until the 1990s. Fully restored over several years to high standards for what it is. Shown at the Concorso Italiano in 2015 and the Hillsborough Concours in 2016. Small chip in the middle of the nose. Small painted over chip above the right window frame. Very good interior. Tidy, lightly run engine bay. Cool car. It’s hard to put into words how tiny this thing is. The roof is well below waist height, and it makes the Ferrari 308 it’s parked next to look like a Range Rover. – The 1300 Scorpione SS was essentially a Fiat 850 chassis with a 124 engine, clothed in a body by Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi and resulting in a car that weighed 1,500 pounds. It was also Abarth’s last independently developed car. This is a lot of money for a 1,300 cc car made out of Fiat parts, but in terms of style, fun per dollar and exclusivity, it’s one of the better values of the sale.
1953 Porsche 356 "Pre-A" Cabriolet, Body by Reutter
Lot # 47 1953 Porsche 356 “Pre-A” Cabriolet, Body by Reutter; S/N 60157; Engine # P87728; Ivory/Red; Black cloth top; Estimate $225,000 – $300,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $205,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $225,500. With Reserve – Hub caps, Vredestein tires, gold brightwork, black vinyl boot cover, woodrim steering wheel, radio. – CoA, Kardex. Upgraded with later 356 1600 Super engine. Reportedly in Bill Cosby’s collection at one time, which isn’t much of a selling point these days. Excellent paint. Top is a little tired. Very good interior with light wear to the seats. Cracks in the mirror gasket and a surprising amount of road wear underneath. Looks like a show car from 10 feet away, but it’s quite used underneath. – Pre-A Cabriolets are rare and valuable cars, but considering this car’s older restored condition and replacement engine, the result here was clearly on the expensive side.
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina
Lot # 48 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 08973; Engine # 8973; Silver/Black leather; Estimate $2,500,000 – $3,500,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,575,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,732,500. No Reserve – Centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin XWX tires. – Dusty underbody but otherwise like new. The engine and gearbox possibly were replaced by Ferrari when just a year old and it is now Ferrari Classiche certified. – This result is a harsh judgment upon the engine change but represents a huge value for the new owner.
1928 Mercedes-Benz Typ S Sports Tourer, Body by Erdmann & Rossi
Lot # 54 1928 Mercedes-Benz Typ S Sports Tourer, Body by Erdmann & Rossi; S/N 35323; Engine # 66540; Red, , Dark Red beltline accent/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $5,000,000 – $6,000,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $4,375,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,812,500. With Reserve – Black wire wheels, dual sidemounts, Zeiss headlights, driving lights and spotlight, copper brake drums, outside exhaust head pipes. – First delivered in the U.S. and discovered, dilapidated but complete, by H. Edward White, later owned by Ben Moser and Ed Swearingen for whom it was restored and displayed at Pebble Beach in 1996 winning its class and the Gwen Graham Award. Very good older paint with a few chips. Very good chrome and upholstery. Clean, dry engine compartment, chassis and underbody. A quality older restoration showing its age and use but altogether too good to re-restore. – The sound of the mechanically-engaged supercharger on a Typ S Mercedes-Benz has been most engagingly described as ‘the shriek of a banshee’, not entirely appropriately as the vehicle and its conception are thoroughly German, and banshees are female spirits of Irish folklore. The description is, however, perfect as I found out during a ‘test’ ride with Bonhams’ Evan Ide. Even at under 2,000 rpm the sound is chilling; at or close to the engine’s 4,500 rpm redline it must be exhilarating, enough to send lesser vehicles (and in 1928 every vehicle on the roads of every continent was ‘lesser’ than Dr. Porsche’s Type S) scurrying out of the way. This Typ S tracks and stops straight, handles well at speed and is dialed in. ‘Worth every penny’ is overworked, but a few miles with the blower engaged will make this price seem like a pittance.
1976 Ford Bronco Ranger Utility
Lot # 57 1976 Ford Bronco Ranger Utility; S/N U15GLC78000; Solar Yellow, , Black accent and hardtop/Black vinyl; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. No Reserve – 302/140hp, 3-speed, locking front hubs, CD stereo, rear-mounted spare, chromed alloy wheels, woodrim steering wheel, chrome bumpers. – Sound repaint over old paint, good chrome and interior. Soiled steering wheel rim. Underbody has been done like new but has some paint loss. – Land Cruiser mania has a worthy antidote in this Bronco Ranger with V8 power and a rugged suspension. It is a little gussied up with the bright alloy wheels but pleasing and utilitarian. It was sold by Mecum in Monterey last August for $35,200 and brought a much more generous price in Scottsdale where the forecast rains may have lent it a little extra appeal.
1975 Lamborghini Espada 400 GTE SIII Coupe, Body by Bertone
Lot # 58 1975 Lamborghini Espada 400 GTE SIII Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N 9566; Red/Tan leather; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $62,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $68,200. No Reserve – Automatic, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows, Kenwood cassette stereo, air conditioning, power steering. – Older average quality repaint with cracks in the nose and at the back of the hood. Wheels are a little dinged up and could use restoration. Engine bay is pretty tidy. Interior is rough with numerous tears in both seats and wavy dash top. Espadas are rare, but it would still be worth it to wait for a better one than this. – Aggressively discounted by an appropriately large amount for somewhat ragged condition and automatic transmission, it actually could have brought another 10 grand without being expensive.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, Body by Pinin Farina
Lot # 64 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 2277GT; Engine # 2277GT; Red/Brown leather; Estimate -; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $10,650,000. With Reserve – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, grille-mounted fog lights, no bumpers, open headlights. – Very good paint, chrome and interior on an older chassis restoration showing age and miles appropriate to the 5,195 km on the odometer. Engine compartment is clean, orderly, detailed and better than the chassis. Represented as the original matching numbers engine. – This isn’t the best Cal Spyder in the world, but is a good, sound, attractive, and eminently drivable example that might be even better and definitely more distinctive in the original Nocciola (Hazelnut) paint with Tobacco interior.
1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina
Lot # 66 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 14393; Engine # B1116; Red/Black leather; Estimate $650,000 – $850,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $540,000. With Reserve – 8-track stereo, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, silver painted wire wheels, silver painted nose panel with popup lights, headrest seats. – Good older repaint, chrome and original interior. Underbody has old undercoat. 28,820 miles, serviced recently and Ferrari Classiche certified. A quality, mostly original Daytona. – The result here is consistent with prices generally in Scottsdale this year and consignors and auction companies are trying to adjust to buyers’ willingness to spend.

Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 – Auction Report Page Four

1995 Lotus Esprit S4S Coupe
Lot # 70 1995 Lotus Esprit S4S Coupe; S/N SCCFD30C5SHF63075; Engine # LN910950328890T; British Racing Green/Beige leather; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $39,600. No Reserve – 2,174/300hp, turbocharged, 5-speed, OZ wheels, sunroof, power windows, air conditioning. – Two owner car. Handful of tiny chips on the bottom of the nose and front lip, but you have to be looking for them. Weather stripping is all sound and great. Interior looks to have a tenth of the wear that the 21,931 miles on the odometer would suggest. A remarkably well kept original Lotus and much better than most cars with the same badge. – An appropriate, deserved result that’s still well off from the car’s $80,000 original MSRP. Compared to peers like the Acura NSX, Porsche 993 Turbo and Ferrari F355, Esprits are still something of a bargain, as this sub-40 grand result for a very good example shows.
1976 Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina
Lot # 72 1976 Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 19483; Engine # 256; Red/Black leather; Estimate $200,000 – $240,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $177,500. With Reserve – Air conditioning, power windows, dry sump. – Mediocre old repaint and replaced interior. Poorly repainted side window trim. Underbody slathered assembled with undercoat. Shows 99,633 claimed original kilometers. – A bit lighter than the usual run of steel bodied 308s, this is the most desirable of the series although the reported high bid here represents a reasonable offer for it.
1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II, Body by Pinin Farina
Lot # 74 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 1967GT; Engine # 1967GT; Ice Blue/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $1,400,000 – $1,800,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,300,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,430,000. With Reserve – Chrome spoke wire wheels, Michelin X tires, two tops, Marchal head and fog lights. 398F engine internal number and represented as the original engine. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody done a while ago and shows age and use. Orderly and attractive underhood without being overdone. – After being offered at the Gooding auction here in Scottsdale last year this result at Bonhams is fair to both the buyer and the seller. In some sense buying a Pf Cabriolet for one tenth the price of a California Spyder represents a good value.
1950 Crosley Hot Shot Roadster
Lot # 75 1950 Crosley Hot Shot Roadster; S/N VC20070; Red/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $12,000 – $16,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $6,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,150. No Reserve – Crosley radio, no doors, chrome bumpers – Old Earl Scheib repaint, chipped and dull. Pitted chrome, old interior. Orderly and all here but needs everything. – Aged, but charismatic, a little automobile that begs to be adopted and has nearly infinite possibilities. It’s hard to find a postwar auto with this much character for under $10 Large and the new owner should be seriously pleased with its acquisition. It was last auctioned at Auburn Spring in 2011 for $9,350.
1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina
Lot # 77 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 15357; Engine # 00350; Marrone/Beige leather; Estimate $275,000 – $325,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $120,000. With Reserve – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XGT tires, Grundig cassette stereo, power windows. – Fair repaint erratically masked and applied over old paint. Scratched trim chrome, loose door window channels. Good upholstery, interior trim and carpets. Clean, orderly engine compartment. A sound and usable driver. 46,132 miles, two owners from new. – Sold at the Keno brothers auction in New York November 2015 for a healthy $313,600 which may mark the high point of C/4 values in the current cycle although the high bid reported here is not a realistic representation of any recent decline, just a dearth of interest.
1961 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I BT7 Roadster
Lot # 79 1961 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I BT7 Roadster; S/N HBT7L15506; Engine # 29EH2086; Ice Blue, , Ice Blue hardtop/Dark Blue; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $72,000. With Reserve – Minator centerlock alloy wheels, Lucas driving lights, hardtop, woodrim steering wheel, heater, hardtop, rally style deck lid, no front bumper – Tasteful upgrades. Very good chrome. Excellent paint. Some light pitting on the windshield frame. Some odd discoloration on the seats, but otherwise an excellent interior. Very tidy underneath. Mostly a fantastic, well done car. – But also a car that should have sold at the reported high bid if there was money close to it.
Lot # 85 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 4-4-2 Convertible
Lot # 85 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 4-4-2 Convertible; S/N 338677M165524; Engine # V203241; Blue/Blue vinyl; Dark Blue vinyl top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $50,600. With Reserve – 400/350hp, Rally wheels, bucket seats, floor shift, console, factory radio, M20 4-speed, blue vinyl boot cover, power steering and brakes. – Very good older paint and chrome, but none of the body trim quite fits straight. Good restored interior other than lightly worn original switchgear and vents. Sound older restoration of a desirable convertible version. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2013 for $31,900. That was a good buy, but this is a good sell. The seller could have been happy with 40 grand, so this was a strong result helped along by the wealth under the tent at the Westin.
1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo 2 4-Dr. Sedan
Lot # 87 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo 2 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N WDB2010361F7435730; Engine # 10299210000166; Black/Black; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $143,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $157,300. No Reserve – 2463/235hp, 5-speed, alloy wheels, Potenza tires, wings, flares, Becker Grand Prix radio, power windows, sunroof. – Lots of scratches and rusty fasteners on the bottom edge of the air dam. Tidy used engine bay that’s not perfect but well maintained. Otherwise, the paint is excellent and so is the interior. Showing 55,898 km. Almost looks new. – The 190 Cosworth was a already a potent sporty sedan, but the Evo 2 that debuted in 1990 had extra aero bits and another 36hp. 502 were built and they were never sold in the States, but there were two to choose from in Arizona this year. RM had one as well, which had just 5,000 km, was in slightly better shape and sold for $220,000. That makes this one seem like a bargain.

Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 – Auction Report Page Five

1966 Fiat 1500 Spider, Body by Pininfarina
Lot # 89 1966 Fiat 1500 Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 437124; Gray/Red leather piped in Black; Red top; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $28,600. No Reserve – 1481/83hp, 5-speed, single Weber, hub caps, Cinturato tires, dual mirrors, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, red cloth boot cover. – Tiny chip in the front right bumperette. Good older paint and chrome. Trim over the top of the grille is loose and sticks out in a few places. Good but not super fresh older paint and chrome. A solid older restoration of one of these rare, gorgeous Fiat cabriolets. – The Italians answer to the Thunderbird and 190SL, a pretty little boulevardier with enough performance to keep up with traffic and just enough sporty panache to attract attention on the Riviera or the Hamptons. This price wouldn’t buy a Thunderbird this good and it would take four of these to buy even a tired 190SL; the price is right for the market, but represents a good value for style and condition.
1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC 6.0 AMG Coupe
Lot # 92 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC 6.0 AMG Coupe; S/N WDB1260451A429238; Smoke Silver/Black leather; Estimate $125,000 – $140,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $98,000. With Reserve – 5,956 32-valve V8, 385hp, automatic, wide body fenders over AMG wheels, headlight washer/wipers, power windows, air conditioning, factory stereo, sunroof. – With the original owner in Japan for 25 years. Small chips on the left A-pillar. Three cracks behind the right front wheel. Right side of the rear bumper is wavy. Very good, lightly worn interior. Tidy underneath. Showing 97,375 km. This car has considerable mileage and shows age, but was clearly babied. A great, rare and significant example of AMG German muscle. – 385 horsepower in 1989 was a big deal and this AMG was an awesome automobile, but today ordinary Lexi and Cadillacs have more power, better suspension and a wider range of comfort and convenience features. The staying power of cars like this AMG is questionable and it might not have been a bad idea to take the money.
1985 Renault R5 Turbo 2 Hatchback
Lot # 93 1985 Renault R5 Turbo 2 Hatchback; S/N VF182200F0000222; White, , Gray/Tan cloth; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $78,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $85,800. No Reserve – 1397/160hp, turbo, 5-speed, power windows, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Cibie fog lights, TRX tires. – Represented as refurbished, better called cosmetically restored and mechanically freshened, which helps ameliorate the 111,050 km on the odometer. Paint and upholstery are pretty much like new. All the painted surfaces look great. Interior looks very good other than some quite worn original switchgear. – Exhilarating performance in an insane package that rightly deserves the substantial prices Renault Turbos bring; although this much money would buy a whole barn full of new Mini Coopers.
1987 Porsche 944 S Coupe
Lot # 94 1987 Porsche 944 S Coupe; S/N WP0AA0944HN452281; Zermatt Silver Metallic/Black leather; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $26,400. No Reserve – 2,479/188hp, 5-speed, power windows, air conditioning, telephone dial wheels. – 14,936 miles from new, original throughout. Two light scratches on the left rear flank. Very lightly worn seats. Otherwise the car looks phenomenal. The 944 has long been the cheapest way to get into a ‘proper’ Porsche. The low purchase price combined with the high parts cost means that many 944s are in terrible shape. That makes this car all the more remarkable. For a 911 to be in this shape isn’t much to write home about, but for an original 944, and an S at that, to be this good is truly remarkable. – Even the twin-cam 944 S has traditionally been a pretty cheap car, and while Bonhams $30,000 low estimate proved ambitious, this car came pretty close. Don’t think that 944s are going to start selling for $20,000-plus, though, because the difference between this immaculately kept car and the vast majority of other ones on the road is massive.
1984 Ferrari 308 GTSi QV Spider, Body by Pininfarina
Lot # 95 1984 Ferrari 308 GTSi QV Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFUA13A4E0051941; Engine # 383; Red/Beige leather; Estimate $150,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $165,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $181,500. With Reserve – Air conditioning, power windows, Alpine cassette stereo, film window tint, Momo leather rim steering wheel. – Good original paint and interior. Peeling black bumpers. Lightly soiled driver’s seat. Tired original underbody. The Magnum P.I. Ferrari. – 328s have made a move in the past year or so and this result reflects that plus a large premium for the TV history, arguably even more ‘iconic’ than the Crocket and Tubbs Testarossa at Barrett-Jackson, and it brought more money than the TR, too.
1961 Maserati 3500GT Coupe, Body by Touring
Lot # 96 1961 Maserati 3500GT Coupe, Body by Touring; S/N 1011580; Engine # AM1011580; Red/Black leather; Estimate $160,000 – $180,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $142,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $156,200. With Reserve – Triple Webers, 5-speed, hub caps, Vredestein tires, Jaeger dash clock, solid state radio, power windows. – Represented as matching numbers and with $55,000 spent on an extensive recent mechanical restoration. Delivered new to an Italian senator in gray over light blue leather. Cosmetics done at some point many years ago. Some dirt and fuel residue on the carbs, the engine bay is otherwise quite clean. Blisters and chips on the door edges. Touch up in the right rear fender, several large cracks on the right rear fender and fisheyes above the trunk lid, lots of blisters around the wheel wells, lots of chips around the edges of the driver’s door. Original and fairly dirty underbody. Interior is pretty good with light wear but not great. Chrome is pretty dull. Presents like a preserved original car, but the cosmetics are not factory original, just old. The reassuring thing is the $55,000 in recent mechanical work. Maserati Classiche documented. – Aside from the old repaint and interior this is a surprisingly honest and original car with extensive work in the past two years to address any mechanical issues. The price it brought is extensively discounted for the age and deterioration of the cosmetics. The new owner could spend the money on a nut-and-bolt restoration to make it pristine, but why bother? It should run and drive well after the recent work and provide years of enjoyable grand touring before it needs more than routine maintenance; that’s the time for the restoration. It is a good value at this price.
1955 Austin-Healey 100/M Le Mans Roadster
Lot # 101 1955 Austin-Healey 100/M Le Mans Roadster; S/N BN1L227001; Black, , White/Maroon; Estimate $80,000 – $120,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $56,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $61,600. With Reserve – Dealer M equipment, centerlock wire wheels, red vinyl boot cover, banjo spoke steering wheel, Lucas driving lights, 4-speed, overdrive, louvered hood, air box – Originally painted Old English White. Believed to have been upgraded to M Le Mans specs at the dealer in period. 4-speed was added in the 1980s but the original 3-speed comes with the car. Black paint was added in the 1980s as well. Uneven door gaps. Paint coming off of the windshield frame. Hammer marks on the wheel lobes, paint chips and cracks around the headlights. Chip at the front edge of the hood. Paint rub through on the left front fender. Overall finish is a little dull. Fairly worn original interior. Very much a used car, but still a presentable driver and largely original. – Not sold at a high bid of $60,000 at Mecum Monterey last year. The result here in Scottsdale isn’t strong, but is appropriate to a dealer modified M car in this condition with a non-original gearbox. The buyer looked through the condition and the static of upgrades to see the very enjoyable, attractive BN1 Healey that will be a delight to drive.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Convertible
Lot # 102 1955 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Convertible; S/N 5501389; Silver/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $121,000. No Reserve – Hub caps and trim rings, narrow whitewalls, Autovox radio, VDO dash clock. – Very clean and fresh engine bay. Very good paint and chrome other than a sizable dent in the rear bumper. Interior and top are excellent as well. Other than that unfortunate dent, it’s a fantastic car that was restored in 2016 to high standards. – A first year 190SL with 300SL style seats, freshly done to high standards and bought for an advantageous price.

[Source: Rick Carey; lead photo: Pawel Litwinksi]