November 2023 - UK auction previews
30 October, 2023
RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams kick off November’s auctions in London, RM returning to the capital for the 17th year of its annual sale with a 62-car catalogue, headed by a rare 1994 Ferrari 512 TR Spider (estimate £2,100,000 – 2,700,000). One of only three produced, it has been owned from new by Alfred Tan of Hong Seh Motors—Ferrari’s official Singaporean dealership. Tan had previously helped Ferrari create a handful of ‘Special Production’ Testarossa Spiders for the Brunei Royal Family; his car has covered just 570km and is the sole 512 TR Spider finished in Blu Cobalto over Blu Scuro leather.
The Spider is one of no fewer than 27 Ferraris set to go under the hammer, notable among which is a European-spec 1990 F40 with 20,967km (estimate £1,900,000 – 2,100,000), a 1963 250 GT/L, restored from 2014 to 2017 by JD Classics (estimate £1,250,000 – 1,500,000), and a 1969 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta that comes with Ferrari Classiche certification – completed in 2015 (estimate £480,000 – 540,000).
A 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible, unique in being the only example fitted with a DB4 GT engine by the factory from new, is listed at £1,200,000 – 1,600,000. Although the original unit was replaced for a standard engine in 1967, a recently completed three-year restoration at Aston Martin Works saw them create a new “SS” (Special Series) engine block and “GT” cylinder head to return the car to its original specification.
[ RM Sotheby’s London Sale – auction catalogue here ]
A 1912 Isotta Fraschini Typo PM Roadster is the star of the show at Bonhams’ Golden Age of Motoring Sale on the 3rd. Believed to be one of only three extant Tipo PMs, it was awarded 2nd in class at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elégance following a comprehensive restoration, which reunited the Carrozzeria Pavesi & Crespi coachwork to the chassis (estimate £400,000 – 450,000).
[ Bonhams’ Golden Age of Motoring Sale – auction catalogue here ]
Iconic Auctioneers has once again unearthed an enviable line-up of low mileage Fords for its NEC Classic Motor Show Sale, topped by a one-of-24 1986 RS200 Evolution which remained in storage for most of its life, currently showing a barely-used 12 miles on the clock (estimate £500,000 – 700,000). A one-owner 1997 Escort RS Cosworth with 402 miles carries a pre-sale estimate of £125,000 – 150,000, and a 12,530-mile 1987 Sierra RS 500, retained by Ford as a press car, and owned by the consignor ever since its factory duties ended, is expected to fetch £100,000 – 140,000.
Elsewhere, highlights include a three-owner 1990 Audi Quattro 20V with 32,837 miles (estimate £80,000 – 100,000); an ex-Works 1962 Sunbeam Alpine that competed at the 1963 Le Mans 24 Hours, and the Monte Carlo, RAC, Tulip and Tour de France rallies in period (estimate £150,000 – 180,000); and a 71,500-km 1995 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II (estimate £68,000 – 78,000).
[ Iconic Auctioneers’ NEC Classic Motor Show Sale – auction catalogue here ]
A time-warp 1975 Maserati Merak SS has been consigned for Historics’ 25 November sale, taking place at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands (estimate £50,000 – 60,000). Offered in an original unrestored condition with an unused spare wheel, this matching-numbers example has covered only 2,203 miles with two-owners, and its original set of keys, handbook and a Certificate of Authenticity accompany the car.
Early entries at H&H’s final sale of the year at Buxton on the 29th include a 1936 Frazer Nash BMW 319/55, one of only 26 built for the UK market (estimate £150,000 – 180,000). ‘DHX 347’ was campaigned regularly by its first owner Charles G. Fitt until the outbreak of World War II, including Shelsley Walsh, Donington and Brooklands, where he claimed a 1st-in-Class in the 1939 J.C.C Rally.
Classic car auction price estimates for: Ferrari | Aston Martin | Isotta Fraschini | Ford | Audi | Sunbeam | Lancia | Maserati | Frazer Nash | BMW
From leading auction houses: RM Sotheby’s | Bonhams | Iconic Auctioneers | Historics | H&H Classics
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