June 2015 - UK auction highlights
20 June, 2015
Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed sale on 26 June 2015 saw spirited bidding push an ex-works 1935 Aston Martin Ulster ‘LM19’ to a new world record of £2,913,500 easily surpassing the pre-sale estimate of £1,600,000 – 2,200,000. The Porsche RS61, bought for $1,705,000 (£1,100,000) in 2010 by Sir Stirling Moss, netted him a tidy profit when it sold for £1,905,500.
At the time of its introduction the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster was the world's most expensive 'production' car with a price tag of $1.5 million. With only six made exclusivity is guaranteed and Bonhams’ 1998 car (the only example finished in black) made £1,513,500, against a pre-sale estimate of £1,400,000 – 1,800,000.
The 1973 Porsche 911 S, owned for the majority of its life by the pop art legend Richard Hamilton, smashed its upper estimate of £300,000 taking £393,500. Both Bill Wyman’s cars achieved sales, the 1971 Citroën SM made £61,980 and his 1966 Mercedes-Benz 250 S sold for £20,700.
Elsewhere, a 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2, described as un-restored and original, still on the same wire wheels and tyres it left the factory with and showing a recorded mileage of 7,438 miles took £214,300 (estimate £120,000 – 160,000). Also achieving strong money was a 1988 Aston Martin V8 Volante selling for £306,140 (estimate £200,000 – 250,000); the Alpine Rally class winning 1954 Jaguar XK 120 Competition Roadster made £365,500 (estimate £240,000 – 280,000); and a 1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud Drophead Coupe took £208,700 (estimate £130,000 – 160,000).
Bonhams’ second sale in June took place in Oxford. The star lot, as expected, was the 1934 Talbot AV105 ‘Alpine Replica’ Tourer, which made £130,300 against a pre-sale estimate of £120,000 – 160,000. Vying for top honours was a 1974 BMW 2002 Rally car, making £119,100 (estimate £120,000 – 150,000). Strong demand for an original example of a rare 1964 1071cc Mini Cooper S saw its conservative upper estimate of £15,000 easily exceeded, finding a new home at £39,100.
Historics at Brooklands’ 6 June sale generated an auction total in excess of £3.8 million from the 139 lots which sold, and a sale rate of 73%. Top lot was a 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, taking £246,400 (estimate £180,000 – 210,000), whilst a 1970 Lamborghini Espada with a high estimate of £55,000 made £91,840. An unrestored Jaguar XK 140 Drophead smashed its estimate of £58,000 – 64,000, selling for £104,160. Meanwhile a 24-mile unregistered DeLorean also blitzed its estimate, posting a sale at £57,120 (estimate £34,000 – 39,000).
ACA’s 1962 Maserati 3500 GT had been in storage since 1986 and was in need of a full restoration, but that didn't deter the bidders as it made over three times its top estimate, selling for £117,600. Other star performers included the 59,445-mile 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth which brought £47,250 (estimate £15,000 – 20,000). A bumper 263 lots were offered, with 78% selling for a total of £1,955,860.
Burghley House hosted H&H’s June event held in association with the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club. Notable highlights included a 1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 with unique fastback coachwork by Barker selling for £95,200 and a 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Shooting Brake making £161,280 (estimate £100,000 – 120,000).