H&H Buxton 05/2012 Highlights

Posted on June 3, 2012 by classiccarweekly

H&H Auctions’ May 24, 2012, sale at The Pavilion Gardens in Buxton, U.K. featured quite a range in sale prices among the 40 vehicles sold. The top sale was this 1937 Alvis Speed 35 SB Tourer in the style of Vanden Plas. It was originally a saloon and was re-bodied in the 1960s. It looks quite nice and sold for $147,000.

Other interesting sales included a 1939 BSA Scout that sold for $15,700 (below, top) and a 1929 Rover 10/25 Riviera Saloon with coachwork by Weymann (below, bottom), which looks kind of unusual as the sides are kind of featureless. It sold for $14,900.

Our featured 1957 DAF YA 126 Dutch military truck sold for $4,900. For complete results, click here.

Mecum Spring Classic 2012 Highlights

Posted on June 2, 2012 by classiccarweekly

Dana Mecum’s 25th Original Spring Classic Auction held May 15-20, 2012, sold a ton of cars. I mean, it has seriously taken me two days to go through the results and my mind has melted from staring at the computer screen. The top sale was this gorgeous 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible, one of 18, that sold for $600,000.

Muscle cars were the stars of the show. Numerous Hemi Mopars and big-block Chevys went across the block and brought big numbers. One of my favorite Hemi cars to sell was a 1966 Dodge Charger – my favorite Charger bodystyle. It sold for $190,000 – and it’s all original and unrestored.

Another wonderfully rare muscle car brought the second-highest price paid for a car at this sale. It’s a 1969 Yenko Nova and it’s one awesome looking car. It sold for an eye-popping $475,000.

Our featured car, the Baldwin Motion Manta Ray GT failed to sell. Interesting sales of note included this 1978 Jeep J10 Honcho 4×4 that looks great and would’ve only cost you $7,000.

Carroll Shelby’s recent passing put a spotlight on all Shelby-badged vehicles. One of the more obscure models with the Shelby name on it is this 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota. It’s one of 1,500 built and sold for $9,500.

And finally, there was the 1964 Voisin Biscuter microcar – and it’s about as cheap as you can go on the Voisin scale. It sold for $13,000 – less than half of what it was priced at a month ago at Hyman Ltd.

There are countless – literally – other cars that sold at this sale. Check out the complete results at Mecum’s website.

Silverstone Spring Sale Results

Posted on May 27, 2012 by classiccarweekly

Silverstone Auctions’ recent Spring Sale featured two ex-Ayrton Senna race cars. The Formula One car failed to sell, but the 1982 Ralt RT3 Formula Three car sold for $177,000.

The top sale was a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring that brought $320,000.

Our two feature cars, the Ford RS200 and the Turner Mk II both failed to sell. Another interesting sale was this 1992 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton. These were real hot rod sedans of the early 1990s. It’s a 114,000-mile car and sold for $15,500.

For complete results, click here.

Bonhams’ 2012 Aston Martin Sale

Posted on May 26, 2012 by classiccarweekly

Bonhams’ almost exclusively Aston Martin sale (there were a few Lagondas), held on May 19, 2012, was a huge success. The sell rate was very high and some cars brought a lot of money – and by a lot of money I mean some cars sold for up to five times the amount of the high-end of their estimate. Such as our featured 1971 DBS Estate. The upper end of the estimate was $110,000. It sold for $533,000. Wow.

The top sale of the auction was a 1991 DB4GT Zagato. While not one of the original 1960s DB4GT Zagatos, this was one of a handful of DB4s that were upgraded by the factory in the late-80s/early-90s. It sold for $1,896,720. But look at it. If there was a “perfect shape,” this is about as close as I’ve seen.

The second highest-sale was a 1962 DB4 Vantage Convertible with single-family ownership from new. It sold for $967,000.

Other interesting sales included a pair of sedans. First was a 1963 Lagonda Rapide – one of only 55 produced. It brought $90,800. The second was a Series I Aston Martin Lagonda from 1975. It is one of only seven made and it sold for $533,000.

And our other feature car, the 1952 DB2 Drophead Coupe, sold for $427,000. For complete results, click here.

RM Auctions Monaco 2012 Highlights

Posted on May 20, 2012 by classiccarweekly

If you like auctions where there are a lot of million dollar cars, then RM Auctions’ May 11-12, 2012 sale in Monaco should bring a smile to your face as a stunning 13 cars sold for more than $1 million. The top sale was one of our feature cars – the 1957 Ferrari 625 TRC Spider that sold for $6,526,800. The next two top selling cars were also feature cars here on the site: the 1952 Ferrari 225 Sport Spyder Tuboscocca sold for $3,263,400 – which was the same price brought by the 1966 Ferrari 206 S Dino Spyder. The next highest-selling car was a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A that brought $3,009,590.

After that, another of our feature cars, the amazing 2007 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Le Mans race car sold for $2,175,600. Then another amazing performance car: a 2006 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione, which is basically a track-only Enzo on steroids, sold for $1,733,288.

Continuing down the list, we come across a few more feature cars. First, the 1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3 which sold for $1,595,440. Then the 9th Ferrari built, the 1948 166 Inter Spyder Corsa – hammered away for $1,307,950. Then we have the other Alfa Romeo prototype race car, the 1968 Tipo 33/2 Daytona selling for $1,305,360. Also selling for $1,305,360 was yet another Ferrari, a 1971 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder.

The next top-selling car – er, thing – was also the top selling boat of the sale (there’s a sentence I’ve never written). It’s also a Ferrari – or, at least, Ferrari-powered. It’s called a 1953 Timossi-Ferrari “Arno XI” Racing Hydroplane. It’s actually pretty amazing, looking like a WWII fighter plane with a hull instead of wings. And it’s powered by a 4.5-liter Ferrari Formula One V-12 engine making over 600 horsepower. It’s insane and sold for $1,124,060.

The other two million dollar cars were also Ferraris. The 1968 330 GTS sold for $1,102,304 and the 2000 F1-2000 ex-Michael Schumacher Formula One car brought a paltry $1,044,288. See if you can figure out which picture is which.

Other interesting sales include this 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II by Brockman. The body is solid copper – therefore you should not park it in a bad neighborhood. It sold for $203,506.

Some of our other feature cars were the 1953 Ferrari 375 MM Spider – which did not sell. The record-holding 1978 Rondeau-Cosworth sold for $464,128. This rare 1976 Lancia Stratos Stradale sold for $387,982.

We featured a pair of other Lancias: the 1995 Hyena, which sold for $116,032; and the 1964 Sport Prototipo Zagato, which brought $246,568.

The first day of this sale included a giant collection of Ducati motorcycles. The highest price realized for any of them was $325,757 for this race-winning 2010 Desmosedici GP10 CS1 with MotoGP rider Casey Stoner.

Another interesting sale was this 1953 Siata Daina Sport 1800 that sold for $224,812.

For things more affordable, you could have had this tongue-twister of a Mercedes – a 1934 Mercedes-Benz 200 W21 Sonnenscheinlimousine – for $36,260.

Our other two feature cars, the 1994 Bugatti EB110 GT and the ex-Fangio 1950 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport failed to meet reserve and did not sell. Finally, the true odd-ball of the auction, the 1951 Piero Taruffi “Italcorsa/Tarf II” Speed-Record car sold for $116,032. You can read about its unique history via that link.

For complete results, click here.

Bonhams Monaco 2012 Highlights

Posted on May 19, 2012 by classiccarweekly

Bonham’s May 11, 2012 auction held in Monaco saw some of their premier cars fail to sell. However, there were still a number of nice cars that went across the block that did sell. The top seller among them was this 1965 Ferrari 330GT/250 GTO Re-creation.

It’s not a true GTO (as evidenced by the sale price of “only” $364,000 – a true GTO could bring in excess of $20 million). This is a 330GT with a re-body made to look the part. It’s a true Ferrari – and a gorgeous one at that – that you can enjoy as if it were the real thing, without the, relatively, hefty price tag.

The second biggest sale was a 1962 Facel Vega II. This is the perfect car in which to cruise around Monte Carlo. It sold for $326,000.

Among our feature cars, the ex-Scuderia Ferrari 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS did not sell. Nor did the 1980 Ferrari sedan. Nor did the 1938 Bugatti 57C. And to round out our feature cars, the Citroen SM Prototype also failed to sell. Not a good day for our feature cars.

But, other interesting cars that did sell include this 1935 Audi UW 220 Cabriolet.

You don’t see pre-war Audis all that often – especially not in similar numbers to cars from other German marques like, say, Mercedes-Benz. But this cabriolet, with coachwork by Gläser, is one of about 1,800 made and one of much fewer that survive. It sold for about $110,000.

Iso Rivolta built some awesome cars in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Most of them were sporty coupes – but they also built a sedan. The Iso Fidia, the one seen here a 1973 model, was produced in limited numbers from 1967 until 1975. Only 192 were made. This one has a 5.8-liter Ford V8 and it’s good-lookin’ too. It sold for about $67,000.

And finally, this 1957 Fiat-OSCA 1500 S Coupe by Viotti sold for about $44,500. It’s a solid looking car built by Fiat with a body by Carrozzeria Viotti and powered by an OSCA four-cylinder engine.

For complete results, click here.

Bonhams RAF Museum Highlights

Posted on May 12, 2012 by classiccarweekly

The top sale of Bonhams’ April 30, 2012, sale that took place at the RAF Museum in Hendon, London was a 1957 Bentley S1 Continental. It brought $311,000. Not my favorite Bentley, but the H.J. Mulliner fastback bodywork definitely makes it the looker among S-Type Bentleys.

The two cars we featured, the 1901 Darracq and the 1910 Gladiator, both failed to sell (this is becoming a bad habit). Other top sales included this 1969 AC 428 by Frua. These wonderful British sports cars stand right there with their Italian contemporaries when it comes down to looks (possibly having something to due with it being styled in Italy). It sold for $126,000.

Another car, one that I almost featured, is this 1935 Talbot BA105 Tourer. I’m starting to think Bonhams gets such solid prices because many of their top dollar cars are photographed on lavish English estates. Where cars like this belong. This one sold for $107,000.

About the next car: “What’s this?” you say, “It looks like a dilapidated Mini.” And that’s what it is. But, it is the oldest unrestored Mini. It is the 8th Mini to roll off the line and is technically a 1959 Austin Mini Se7en De Luxe. History has a price and it is $65,000.

For complete results, check out Bonhams’ website.

Auctions America Spring Carlisle Highlights

Posted on May 5, 2012 by classiccarweekly

Auctions America’s Spring Carlisle auction featured quite a number of cars. Some of them sold. The International Travelall we featured here, did not. Here are some of the highlights of those that did sell.

Top sale was the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster pictured above. It brought $99,000 and is one of only 10 built in 1957 with this color combination. The next largest sale was a 1969 Buick GS 400 Convertible, bringing $78,650.

Other interesting sales included this 1968 AMC AMX which brought $18,590.

And finally, this special edition 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Le Mans Commemorative Edition built to, well, commemorate Corvette’s back-to-back class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It sold for $28,600.

For complete results, check out Auctions America’s website.

H&H – Imperial War Museum Highlights

Posted on April 28, 2012 by classiccarweekly

H&H held their classic car auction at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, England on April 19th. Our highlighted 1926 Arab Super Sports sold for about $144,000. Top sale of the auction went to this odd yet strangely attractive in yellow 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage.

It sold for $338,000. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one in that color, but I kind of like it. Other highlights include the how-did-I-fail-to-feature-this 1947 HRG 1100 which brought $52,000.

Next is the very attractive 1936 MG SA Saloon in silver and blue. It’s a big car and proof that not all MGs be needlessly minuscule and terrifying. It sold for $55,900.

And finally, one super-cool car from Peugeot, the rally-bred 1984 205 T16 that could do 130 mph and hit 60 mph in six seconds. It is one of 200 and it sold for an impressive $180,000. For complete results, check out H&H’s website.

Mecum Houston Highlights

Posted on April 21, 2012 by classiccarweekly

Mecum’s Houston, Texas sale occurred last weekend and the only car we featured, the very rare electric Henney Kilowatt, sold for $35,000. Here are some of the other highlights.

Top sale went to a 2010 Ferrari California, a car that, whenever I see it, I begin to hear Freddie Mercury singing about how “fat bottomed girls make the rockin’ world go round.” It sold for $177,500.

The second-highest selling car was an actual classic, not a brand-new Italian grand tourer. It was a 1931 Cadillac V-12 Roadster and it brought $165,000.

As far as interesting or unusual cars at this sale, well, the Henney Kilowatt takes the cake there. But there were a few other cars I deemed worthy of highlight, including this 1969 Beaumont Custom. Beaumont was a marque produced in Canada by General Motors from 1966-1969 (it replaced the also short-lived Acadian marque and was replaced by Pontiac after 1969). Beaumont’s were also sold in Chile and Africa. It was essentially a re-badged Chevelle with Pontiac trim. This is the “Custom” model and it is one of 568 built in 1969. Unfortunately, at some point, this car had it’s motor swapped for that of a Chevy Astro. However, it is still interesting and sold for only $10,250.

Another car… or SUV… or wagon, that you just don’t see everyday is the 1962 Dodge Town Wagon. The Town Wagon was the more suburban version of the Town Panel, which was primarily intended for commercial purposes. It sold for $18,000.

Here’s one I particularly enjoyed seeing: a 1977 Pontiac Can Am. The Can Am was a one-year only option package on the Pontiac Le Mans and it was intended to be the “muscle car” package. This car has the 200 horsepower 6.6-liter V8 and is one of less than 1,400 built. This low-milage example brought $19,500.

And finally, the steals of the auction go to a pair of Cadillac Town Sedans. There was a 1925 model (pictured) that sold for only $20,000. A similar 1923 model brought $19,000. Sure, neither are in concours-level condition but they appear to be drivers with fantastic looking paint and bodywork. Good luck finding something as desirable as a driveable and decent-condition 1920s Cadillac for less than $20,000.