Bonhams put 107 cars and a motorcycle under the hammer at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club on Amelia Island on March 7, 2019. The total value of the vehicles was estimated at almost USD 24 million.
82 percent of the vehicles were sold, which was certainly helped by the fact that around two thirds were auctioned without a reserve price. On average, however, a reasonable 74 percent of the median estimate or around USD 168,300 was bid.
Veteran fireworks
With an average age of over 72 years, Bonhams was able to come up with an offer that included significantly more pre-war vehicles (almost half) than you see at most auctions today. The bidders appreciated this, as the early cars actually performed significantly better on average than the more modern vehicles.
Among the 15 cars that performed best compared to the estimated value were 11 that were built before 1915. Either Bonhams had been too cautious in valuing Don C. Boulton's collection, among others, or the public had developed a new love of early automobiles.
Electric high-flyer
The most surprising lot was Lot 250, a 1904 Pope-Waverley Model 27 Electric Stanhope (approximately) with electric drive.
Instead of the expected USD 50,000 to 70,000, the bids rose to USD 90,000, which corresponded to a sale price of USD 100,800 (EUR 89,712 or CHF 101,808).
The Peerless Type 8 Style K 24HP Four-Cylinder King of Belgium from 1904 (lot 245) became really expensive, selling for USD 698,000 (EUR 621,220 or CHF 704,980), making it one of the most valuable cars at the auction.
The Peerless Simplex 50HP "Speedcar" from 1914 (lot 266), which found a new owner for USD 885,000 (EUR 787,650 or CHF 893,850), outperformed its price and also traded above expectations.
Incidentally, a 1923 Amilcar CGS did well with a sale price of USD 89,600 (EUR 79,744 or CHF 90,496), while the pretty 1939 BSA Scout drove off the stage for little money (USD 16,800, EUR 14,952, CHF 16,968).
The winning Brabham of Ickx and Rindt
The Brabham BT 26/BT26A from 1968/1969, which was once driven by Jacky Ickx and Jochen Rindt, aroused great expectations.
Due to its impressive palmares, the monoposto won the Canadian GP in 1969 and also achieved other good placings, it was hoped that it would fetch USD 1.1 to 1.4 million.
The bidding war began at 750,000, which eventually reached exactly one million American dollars in very small increments. The car was sold to a telephone bidder for USD 1,105,000 (EUR 983,450, CHF 1,116,050).
It was not the most expensive car at the auction, that honor went to the 1930 Cadillac Series 452 V-16 Roadster with Fleetwood body (Lot 240). This fine piece found its way into a new garage for USD 1,187,500 (EUR 1,056,875 or CHF 1,199,375).
Two Skyline
Bonhams brought two Nissan Skylines to Amelia Island. The bidding battles for both cars ended at a good 70 percent of the median estimate.
The more expensive of the two was from 1969, and the new owner paid USD 130,000 (EUR 115,700, CHF 131,300) for the Skyline 2000 GT-R.
The more recent Skyline R32 GT-R from 1989 was sold for USD 44,800 (EUR 39,872, CHF 45,248).
Fine Ferrari sports car
Ferrari enthusiasts were able to fulfill their desire for a sports car relatively cheaply with the Cavallo Rapante.
A Ferrari Testarossa from 1988 could be bought for a very humane USD 64,400 (EUR 57,316, CHF 65,044), a Ferrari 328 GTS from 1987 in a very rare gold-colored paint finish ("oro chiaro") was knocked down for just USD 47,000 after seven bids (selling price USD 52,640, EUR 46,850, CHF 53,166).
Even a 550 Maranello and a 308 GT4 could not significantly improve the Ferrari balance sheet.
Surprising price mark-ups on the Jaguar E-Type
Bonhams had five Jaguar E-Types on offer from Amelia Island, four of which were from the popular Series 1.
While a 3.8-liter roadster from 1964 sold for USD 196,000 (and thus above the estimate), hardly any bidders were apparently enthusiastic about a similar roadster from the same year.
The highest bid of lot 235 ultimately came to 40 percent of the estimated value, which meant a sale price of USD 100,800 (EUR 89,712, CHF 101,808). The car even came with two gearboxes, the mounted one from a 4.2-liter and the original Moss gearbox.
The less popular Series 1 1/2 Coupé with 2+2 seats from 1967 was an even cheaper option for the early E-Type, with a purchase price of USD 34,720 (EUR 30,901, CHF 35,067).
Bargains?
There were some really cheap cars for sale at Bonhams.
For example, a 1963 Volvo P1800S sold for USD 32,480 (EUR 28,907, CHF 32,805) instead of the expected USD 70,000 to 90,000.
The highest bidder paid USD 32,480 (EUR 28,907, CHF 32,805) for a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupé and USD 33,600 (EUR 29,904, CHF 33,936) for a 1966 230 SL, which was delivered in Switzerland at the time as chassis 113042.10.015934.
And a 1974 Volkswagen Type 181 cost just USD 11,760 (EUR 10,466, CHF 11,878).
Apparently, the Americans considered their own 1966 Meyers Manx Dune Buggy to be more valuable, as it was sold for USD 30,800 (EUR 27,412, CHF 31,108), i.e. roughly at the same estimated value.
And even rare Porsches were available at comparatively low prices, such as the 964 RS from 1992, which was sold for USD 184,800 (EUR 164,472, CHF 186,648), well below the usual level.
Offered and Sold Vehicles
The following table lists all offered and sold vehicles with estimated prices, highest bids, and sale prices. The price conversion was made at the exchange rate valid on the auction day. All information is provided without guarantee.
| Lot | Car | Year | USD Est from | USD Est to | USD HP | USD SP | CHF SP | EUR SP | % Est | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | Mercedes-Benz SL 500 | 2006 | 20'000 | 30'000 | 19'000 | 21'280 | 21'492 | 18'939 | -14.88%
|
V |
| 202 | Jaguar XJS 4.0 Convertible | 1995 | 30'000 | 40'000 | 15'000 | 16'800 | 16'968 | 14'952 | -52%
|
V |
| 203 | Volvo P1800S Coupe | 1963 | 70'000 | 90'000 | 29'000 | 32'480 | 32'804 | 28'907 | -59.4%
|
V |
| 204 | Fiat OSCA 1500S Spider | 1961 | 50'000 | 80'000 | 33'000 | 36'960 | 37'329 | 32'894 | -43.14%
|
V |
| 205 | Toyota FJ40 | 1985 | 60'000 | 80'000 | 38'000 | 42'560 | 42'985 | 37'878 | -39.2%
|
V |
| 206 | Volkswagen Type 181 – Beach Thing | 1974 | 18'000 | 24'000 | 10'500 | 11'760 | 11'877 | 10'466 | -44%
|
V |
| 207 | Buick Electra 255 Series 4800 | 1962 | 8000 | 12'000 | 10'000 | 11'200 | 11'312 | 9968 | +12%
|
V |
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All information is provided without guarantee.
Legend: Column S = Status (V = Sold, N = Not sold, Z = Withdrawn, U = Under reserve)
Est = Estimate, HP = Hammer Price, SP = Sale Price
