May 2015 - UK auction previews
20 April, 2015
Bonhams returns to Newport Pagnell on 9 May for their single-marque Aston Martin Works Sale, with more than 50 cars due to go across the block, including 21 DB4, DB5 and DB6s. Heading the entries are two DB4 convertibles; the ex-Sir Peter Ustinov 1962 IV Vantage, one of only nine produced in left-hand drive (estimate £900,000 – 1,000,000); and a right-hand drive 1962 4.0-Litre Series IV with a pre-sale estimate of £800,000 – 900,000.
Tim Schofield, Bonhams UK Head of Motor Cars said "This year's sale features a selection of significantly rare left-hand drive Aston Martins from the David Brown era. At the time, only a small number of left-hand drive models were produced by the luxury marque, making the models incredibly rare. This year's sale – in which more than a quarter of cars are left-hand drive – is very unusual indeed."
Other notable lots include; a 1988 V8 Vantage Volante with a pre-sale estimate of £160,000 – 220,00; a 1958 DB Mark III restoration project (estimate £30,000 – 50,000); and the 1952 DB2 Drophead Coupé, originally the property of His Royal Highness, Prince Bertil of Sweden (estimate £250,000 – 300,000).
Top lot at Coys’ Ascot sale is a 1995 Porsche 911 RS with a pre-sale estimate of £180,000 – 220,000, with the oldest car on offer a 1918 Bianchi Sport (£85,000 – 100,000).
The final incarnation of Ferrari’s Testarossa – a F512 M – goes under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions’ 23 May sale. Just 501 cars were produced, this two-owner left-hand drive 1994 example is finished in Giallo Modena and has covered 18,820km from new (estimate £280,000 – 330,000). Other notable lots include a 1997 Renault Sport Spider, one of 60 right-hand drive models manufactured, this particular example has covered only 3,290 miles and has an estimate of £18,000 – 22,000.
Star of the show at Brightwells is a 1937 Fraser Nash TT Replica, the 5th from last chain-drive car built. Sold by Brightwells in September 2014 for £253,000, the vendor at the time had been unaware of the use of replacement chassis side rails and has now re-offered the car, as a result of this new information (estimate £140,000 – 160,000).
Amongst the 18 Mercedes-Benz consigned for Morris Leslie’s May sale is a stylish 1951 220 Cabriolet A with a pre-sale estimate of £90,000 – 100,000 and a 1984 500 SEC Convertible by Lynx (estimate £20,000 – 25,000).
Richard Edmonds is offering a 1972 Datsun 240Z, imported from California in April 2011. The car had a complete bare metal restoration and conversion to right hand drive before a final fettle by an ex-Nissan works race engineer (estimate £20,000 – 22,000).