May 2015 - US auction highlights
17 June, 2015
RM Sotheby’s set a new record for a private automobile collection auction with their sale of the Paul and Chris Andrews Collection on 2 May, achieving a sale total of $53.88 million; with a 100% sale rate which included 16 individual million-dollar-plus sales.
The father and son team amassed the renowned collection over a 15 year period and the 78-lot vehicle sale was the result of their wish to reduce the collection to a more managebale size. Star attraction among the entries was a 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet which sold for $7,645,000 (estimate $7,000,000 – 8,500,000), whilst a 1963 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB Coupe brought $2,860,000 (estimate 3,500,000 – 4,500,000).
A 1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Stationary Coupe by Dietrich soared past its high estimate to achieve $4,180,000 – a new world record for a Packard sold at auction (estimate $2,400,000 – 3,000,000).
The unique ‘Ethel Mars’ 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Town Car brought $3,630,000 (estimate $3,400,000 – 4,500,000) and a 1931 Model J ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible Coupe sold for an above-estimate $3,520,000.
Other strong results included a 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, which exceeded estimates at $1,842,500; a 1956 Ford F-100 Custom, commissioned for noted hot rod and racing enthusiast, Joe MacPherson, realised $374,000; and a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray ‘Split Window’ Coupe made $253,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $80,000 – 110,000.
Bonhams' 8th annual Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction saw record prices achieved for several notable models and an overall sale total reaching nearly $8 million.
Leading the auction was a 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Cabriolet, which achieved a new world auction record for a Stelvio when it sold for $1,595,000, smashing the high estimate of $1,100,000. A 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 Long Wheel-Base Kombination Roadster, also set a new world auction record for the model when it was bought by a private American collector for $775,000 (estimate $750,000 – 850,000).
Other highlights included a 1973 Porsche 911 RS 2.7 Touring which made $594,000 (estimate $550,000 – 700,000) and a 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa 2.7 achieved a new model record at $85,250 (estimate $70,000 – 90,000).
The Geoffrey Howard Collection was 100% sold; significant entries included a 1938 Jaguar SS100 2.5 Litre Roadster fetching $215,000 (estimate $280,000 – 380,000); and a 1935 SS90 Roadster made $214,500 (estimate $250,000 – 400,000). Other notable results included a 1939 Delahaye 135M Competition Cabriolet Coupe which sold for $297,000, just short of its low estimate; and a 1988 Lamborghini Jalpa changed hands for $94,600 (estimate $70,000 – 100,000).