For the first time, Bonhams was a guest at the Autoworld Brussels museum to auction 61 cars from 28 brands on September 6, 2020.
The total value of the cars, with a few motorcycles and automobilia also on offer, had been estimated in advance at EUR 6.54 million.
However, the bidders' desire to buy - a few were allowed to participate on site - was somewhat limited, with only 52 percent of the cars being sold. And on average, only 66 percent of the median estimate was offered.
Nevertheless, cars were handed over to new owners for a total of just under EUR 2 million, but of the ten highest-priced classics, seven were left standing, including the two pre-war Mercedes-Benz 380K Cabriolet B from 1934 (highest bid EUR 480,000) and 630K Sports Tourer from 1928 (highest bid EUR 530,000) as well as the Jaguar XK SS as a Recreation (highest bid EUR 200,000).
Wide range of brands
28 car brands were represented in Brussels, with Jaguar being the most represented with ten vehicles, followed by Mercedes-Benz with six and Porsche with five. Among the car manufacturers represented were some that are hardly ever seen anymore, such as Delaunay-Belleville, Berliet, Peerless and Simca.
The most expensive car sold was a Mercedes-Benz 300 Adenauer Cabriolet from 1952. The highest bidder paid EUR 270,250.
Peugeot with a good result
Original Darl'Mat roadsters based on the Peugeot 402 are almost unaffordable today. The 1938 Peugeot 402 Légère "Darl'Mat" roadster on offer was not an original, but was created by reproducing the shape designed by Georges Paulin in modern times. Estimated at EUR 170,000 to 200,000, it was considerably cheaper than an original and probably did not even cover the cost of the rebuild.
In any case, the bidders showed interest and went up to EUR 175,000, which meant that the car was sold for EUR 201,250 at the estimated value.
This put the Peugeot in a better position than half of its pre-war companions, because in addition to the two Mercedes-Benz cars already mentioned, the 1935 Jaguar SS1 Tourer, the 1924 Delaunay-Belleville P4B Drophead Coupé and the 1937 Riley 1 1/2 Sports Special also failed to find a new owner.
The 1933 MG J2 with supercharger, on the other hand, was sold and found a new garage for EUR 56,350.
The Berliet from 1912 and the Fiat 12/15hp Tipo 1a Torpedo from 1913 also found a new owner, both of which were auctioned without a reserve price, but had to be sold well below their estimated values.
Some super classics
Of course, the super classics were not missing either. No fewer than six Jaguar E-Types, three of which were Series 1, went under the hammer in Brussels, with estimates ranging from EUR 70,000 to 180,000.
Four of the six E-Types were sold, but here too the bids were below expectations.
Neither the Maserati Mistral from 1966 (highest bid EUR 90,000) nor the Mazda Cosmo Sport Series 2 from 1968 (EUR 48,000) changed hands.
However, a buyer was found for the 2001 BMW Z8, who only had to lay out EUR 138,000.
There were also two Ferraris on the lot list, a 365 GT4 2+2 from 1975 and an F355 Spider. Both remained unsold due to low bids.
Some rarities
Only 325 Peerless GT sports cars were built around 60 years ago. Chassis GT2-00198 is one of only 70 left-hand drive examples. These sports cars have a plastic body and use a Triumph TR3 engine. You could even race it at Goodwood or Le Mans, so EUR 40,000 to 60,000 would certainly sound interesting for this 2+2 coupé, which is described as being in good condition. A bid at the lower estimate was sufficient for the purchase.
This meant that the Peerless fared better than the 1957 Simca Aronde Plein Ciel. As with two other offers, there was no reasonable bid for the coupé, which is why the car could not be sold despite "No Reserve".
Bonhams was probably not really happy on Sunday, obviously the right bidders were simply missing at the Autoworld auction at the critical time, Corona and the related developments in Europe were probably not conducive either. But that's just the way it is in 2020.
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 | EUR Est from | EUR Est to | EUR HP | EUR SP | CHF SP | % Est | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 | MG 1600 Mark I Roadster | 1961 | 20'000 | 30'000 | 15'000 | 17'250 | 18'630 | -31%
|
V |
| 08 | Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile Convertible | 1961 | 10'000 | 15'000 | 7000 | 8050 | 8694 | -35.6%
|
V |
| 09 | Autobianchi Giardiniera Estate Car | 1971 | 15'000 | 25'000 | N | ||||
| 10 | Fiat 600 Multipla | 1959 | 30'000 | 50'000 | 15'000 | 17'250 | 18'630 | -56.88%
|
V |
| 11 | Fiat 500 TV Giannini (Jg. Ca.) | 1968 | 25'000 | 35'000 | 16'000 | N | |||
| 12 | Autobianchi A112 Abarth | 1978 | 12'000 | 17'000 | 12'000 | 13'800 | 14'904 | -4.83%
|
V |
| 13 | Rover Mini Saloon | 1997 | 20'000 | 30'000 | 13'000 | 14'950 | 16'146 | -40.2%
|
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
