On the occasion of the Audrain Concours, Bonhams organized an auction on 3 October 2025, at which 43 cars, three motorcycles and a trailer went under the hammer. The total value of the vehicles was estimated at USD 12.8 million, 85% of which were ultimately sold for around USD 10.3 million.
On average, the vehicles were around 47 years old and 60% went under the hammer without a reserve price.
US-heavy offer
Just under two thirds of the vehicles came from US manufacturers, with Europeans, above all Porsche (4 cars) and Mercedes-Benz (3), supplying the rest.
While all 12 Chevrolets, four Dodges and three Fords were sold, half of the Porsches offered did not reach the minimum price, and one Mercedes-Benz did.
The Detroit Electric on offer, a Ford Thunderbird, a Stevens Duryea and a 1935 Riley Imp, which failed to sell at USD 110,000, also fell by the wayside.
The Bugatti Chiron fulfilled the hopes
The highest estimated Bugatti Chiron Super Sport from 2022, one of eight examples destined for the USA, was by far the most expensive car in the field with an estimated price of USD 4.9 to 5.4 and was alone responsible for almost half of the expected sales.
The bidders were not to be outdone and drove the bids up to USD 5.2 million, which meant a sales price of USD 5.725 million (EUR 4.866 million, CHF 4.58 million).
Almost the most expensive road-going 190E
The 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II on offer had raised eyebrows beforehand.
The Bonhams specialists had estimated the car at USD 725,000 to 925,000, several times more than what had previously been paid for this model, of which 502 were built. However, chassis WDB2010361F741313 was a car in as-delivered condition and with just 175 km on the clock, an "absolute time-capsule", as emphasized in the catalog.
The bidders were indeed prepared to leave their usual price levels behind and went as high as USD 650,000. However, this was not enough to win the bid, the Evo was withdrawn and the sensation failed to materialize.
The special E-Type
The new owner paid USD 285,500 (EUR 242,675, CHF 228,400) for a Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Coupé from 1965. This sounds like a handsome price, but USD 300,000 to 500,000 had been expected.
The high estimate was explained with a 3800-hour restoration and modernization project. In fact, this E-Type had five gears, fuel injection, modern brakes and even Apple Car Play.
Visually, however, there was little to notice and apparently the buyer liked it just as much.
Two RS unsold
Among the unsold cars were two famous Porsche RS models, namely a 2.7-liter Touring from 1973 that had been converted to lightweight specification.
However, nobody wanted to bid more than USD 400,000; at least USD 50,000 more was probably expected.
The black 964 Carrera RS from 1992, which was originally delivered in Austria and has since covered 38,830 km, fared similarly. With a top bid of USD 240,000, the highest bidder was probably around USD 40,000 too low.
Nevertheless, the third RS, a white 993 Carrera RS from 1996, was sold for USD 390,000.
The only Ferrari, a 1986 Testarossa "Monospechio", also found a new owner, changing hands for USD 184,800.
Bargain?
Well below expectations, but some of the US cars on offer were sold nonetheless.
For example, a 1956 Ford Thunderbird could be bought for USD 79,520 instead of the estimated USD 110,000 to 130,000. For a 1956 Buick Special Estate Wagon, you only had to pay USD 31,360.
But the 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo I also fell short of expectations with a sales price of USD 224,000. And a 1952 Jaguar XK120 roadster cost just USD 50,400.
Thanks above all to the Bugatti that was sold, the people responsible at Bonhams must have been very satisfied with the auction in Audrain; a sales quota of 85% was also a good result.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Harley-Davidson Sportster Seventy-Two XL 1200V | 2013 | 6000 | 8000 | 2800 | 3220 | 2576 | 2737 | -54%
|
V |
| 102 | West Coast Choppers FLII "Kiehl's" Custom | 2008 | 8000 | 12'000 | 41'000 | 47'150 | 37'720 | 40'077 | +371.5%
|
V |
| 103 | Harley-Davidson FL 74ci Panhead Hydra-Glide 'Dresser' | 1955 | 10'000 | 15'000 | 11'000 | 12'650 | 10'120 | 10'752 | +1.2%
|
V |
| 104 | Chevrolet C10 Pickup | 1966 | 30'000 | 40'000 | 25'500 | 28'560 | 22'848 | 24'276 | -18.4%
|
V |
| 105 | Buick Special Estate Wagon | 1956 | 40'000 | 50'000 | 28'000 | 31'360 | 25'088 | 26'656 | -30.31%
|
V |
| 106 | Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe | 1961 | 50'000 | 60'000 | 35'000 | 39'200 | 31'360 | 33'320 | -28.73%
|
V |
| 107 | Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible | 1964 | 30'000 | 40'000 | 43'000 | 48'160 | 38'528 | 40'936 | +37.6%
|
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
