March 2022 - auction highlights
11 April, 2022
A 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS became the most valuable French car sold at auction when it changed hands at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island sale for $13,425,000, helping the US auction house towards its best Amelia Island result to date with a $69 million total and a 94% sell-through rate.
Gooding also set six further auction records, notably a 1967 Toyota 2000 GT Shelby made $2,535,000 – a new high-water mark for a Japanese car at auction (estimate $2,750,000 – 3,500,000); a concours award-winning 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback sold for $2,975,000 (estimate $2,000,000 – 2,500,000) – new territory for the model at auction; and a 1,500-km 1988 RUF Turbo R Limited drew $2,040,000 (estimate $1,400,000 – 1,800,000) – a record for a RUF at auction.
[ Gooding & Co Amelia Island Sale – auction results here ]
The star attraction at Bonhams’ Amelia Island sale posted its top result, the 1955 Porsche 550 with a guide of $4,500,000 – 5,500,000 was hammered away for $4,185,000. A 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Victoria, owned by the consignor’s family since 2004, headed the pre-war success at $1,066,500, while the one-off 1954 Jaguar XK 120 SE Coupe rounded out the top-three at $940,000 (estimate $900,000 – 1,300,000).
[ Bonhams Amelia Island Sale – auction results here ]
Hypercars performed well at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale, a 3,950-mile 2019 Bugatti Chiron Sport – the first example publicly sold at auction in North America – brought $3,360,000 (estimate $3,000,000 – 3,300,000); a barely-used 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari crept above its lower estimate at $3,662,000 (estimate $3,600,000 – 4,000,000); and a one-of-106 2020 McLaren Speedtail with 275 miles took $2,700,000 (estimate $2,600,000 – 3,000,000). The stand-out result for many, however, was a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan which smashed its high estimate by over a $1,000,000, selling for $3,525,000.
[ RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island Sale – auction results here ]
The RAF Museum London provided the perfect backdrop for Silverstone Auctions’ March sale, with the cars displayed among the museum’s exhibits. Strong demand for the ex-Colin McRae 2001 Ford Focus WRC saw its £300,000 – 350,000 estimate comfortably exceeded when it found a new home at £423,300. Other highlights included a recently-restored 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8 Roadster 'Outside Bonnet Lock' at £270,000 (estimate £260,000 – 320,000) and a 1985 Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 Hannu Mikkola-Group B Homage at £292,500 (estimate £225,000 – 275,000).
[ Silverstone Auctions RAF Museum Sale – auction catalogue here ]
British machinery topped the results at H&H’s March sale, led by a 1929 Bentley Speed Six Le Mans-style Tourer at £438,750 (estimate £500,000 – 600,000). Elsewhere, a 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Supersport achieved a well-deserved £78,000 (estimate £80,000 – 90,000). One of only 34 right-hand drive examples produced, it emerged from a three-year restoration in 2019 and was sold with a fully documented history from new supporting the indicated 65,786 miles.
[ H&H Duxford Sale – auction results here ]
Overall honours at Artcurial’s Rétromobile sale went to the ex-works 1968 Porsche 907 with Le Mans history at €4,390,400 (estimate €4,000,000 – 6,000,000). Ferrari F50 prices continued their upward trajectory, a 1,318-km example from Maître Étienne Léandri’s collection establishing a new record for the model at €4,161,600 (estimate €2,700,000 – 3,500,000). Other notable sales from Léandri’s collection included a 2003 Ferrari Enzo that went for €2,846,000 (estimate €2,200,000 – 2,800,000), a 2013 Ferrari LaFerrari with less than 1,000km from new raising €2,714,440 (estimate €2,200,000 – 2,800,000), and a 1989 Ferrari F40 making €2,102,400 (estimate €1,300,000 – 1,600,000).
[ Artcurial Rétromobile Sale – auction results here ]
Aguttes’ first sale of the year in Paris produced robust results across the board, with 80% of the cars on offer heading to new owners. The catalogue cover star, a 1927 Bugatti Type 35 C recreation, didn’t disappoint on the day. Listed at €300,000 – 400,000, it commanded a winning bid of €507,400. An ex-Chris Amon 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II also beat its upper estimate at €407,100, as did a well-preserved three-owner 1991 Porsche 911 Turbo with 42,000km at €206,860.
[ Aguttes Spring Sale – auction results here ]
Classic car auction results and prices for: Talbot-Lago | Toyota | Bentley | RUF | Porsche | Duesenberg | Jaguar | Bugatti | Ferrari | McLaren | Ford | Audi
From leading auction houses: Gooding & Company | Bonhams | RM Sotheby’s | Silverstone Auctions | H&H | Artcurial | Aguttes
Read through the rest of our classic car auction reports for more auction results. Check out our online resource for upcoming classic car auction events and classic car auction results around the world.