June 2016 - US auction previews
3 June, 2016
The catalogue cover car at Bonhams’ Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction on 5 June is a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sport Cabriolet A. Only 83 of the 540K chassis were bodied as a Cabriolet A, of which it is believed that Sindelfingen only built 10 of these with the elegant and desirable set-back radiator. Chassis 154146 was delivered new to its first owner in Germany – Miss Martha Jordans – and a well-documented history shows it has subsequently spent the majority of its life in the US. More recently, following a lengthy restoration which was completed in June 2014, 154416 won third in class at that year’s Pebble Beach Concours d'Élegance.
Other star attractions include a three-owner 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, owned by the vendor since the mid-70s and presented in its original Verde Pino over Nero colour scheme (estimate $2,900,000 – 3,200,000); a 1989 Ferrari F40, with less than 9,000km from new; and a one-owner 2005 Ferrari 575M Superamerica, one of just 43 produced with a manual gearbox (estimate $700,000 – 900,000).
Also set to under the hammer is a 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL with matching Mini Tears Teardrop trailer. In 2013 Bruce Adams was commissioned to carry out a 16 month nut-and-bolt restoration on the car, subsequently being instructed to adapt the exterior of the trailer to match the style of the 190 SL (estimate $150,000 – 200,000).
Other highlights include a ‘barn find’ 1957 Jaguar XK 150 SE 3.4 Roadster, delivered new to the US (estimate $40,000 – 50,000); a 64,000-km 1975 Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior Stradale, one of just 193 built (estimate $150,000 – 200,000); and a 1935 Riley 9hp Imp with known-history from new (estimate $125,000 – 175,000).
The Finest Automobile Auctions hold their inaugural sale during the Elegance at Hershey event on 11 June. Highlights among the 50-lot auction include a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K, the only example of the model known to exist with coachwork by Norrmalm. Chassis number 169389 has a documented history and has formed part of the John W. Rich Collection since 2001 (estimate $950,000 – 1,300,000).
Other significant entries include a recently-restored 1968 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 (estimate $575,000 – 650,000); a 1963 Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster, described as ‘concours condition’ (estimate $225,000 – 275,000); a 1929 Bugatti Type 40A Roadster, in single-family ownership since 1961 (estimate $425,000 – 500,000); and a 1972 Nissan Fairlady ZG, resplendent in the original shade of Grand Prix Maroon (estimate $65,000 – 85,000).