The end-of-year auction on Bonhams' New Bond Street has become a cherished tradition. On December 4, 2021, it was that time again. 32 classic bikes, two of which were newer Ducati motorcycles, with an average age of 47 years came under the hammer at Bonhams headquarters.
Sholto Gilbertson acted as auctioneer. The auction lasted around 2 3/4 hours, during which around two dozen automobiles also changed hands.
The total value of the vehicles was estimated at £5.6 million, and around half of the cars were offered without a reserve price.
The youngsters shone
Some of the very young cars on offer made a good showing. The buyer was prepared to invest £ 333,500 (EUR 390,195, CHF 403,535) for a Porsche 997 Sport Classic from 2010 with low mileage. The highest bid was 166 percent of the median estimate.
Two Mercedes-Benz SLS Coupés from 2011 and 2014 also sold well above expectations, while two Ferrari Coupés, an FF and an F12, changed hands around the estimate.
A BMW Z8 from 2000 was knocked down for £132,250 (EUR 154,733, CHF 160,023) within the estimate, but actually sold relatively cheaply.
Well-valued Bentley pre-war cars
Two Bentley Tourers from 1928 and 1930 achieved prices well above expectations.
A 4 1/2 Litre Tourer with Vanden Plas-style bodywork from 1930 fetched £ 448,500 (EUR 524,745, CHF 542,685), while a 6 1/2 Litre Tourer from 1928 went for £ 460,000 (EUR 538,200, CHF 556,600).
The elegant Bugatti Type 46S as a two-door coupé from 1933 fetched £ 460,000 in line with expectations.
An SS 100 Jaguar with a 3.5-liter engine from 1937 fetched £ 264,500 (EUR 309,465, CHF 320,045).
Bargain of the day? Plastic rarity from France
As is well known, the first production car with a mid-engine was not made by Ferrari or Porsche; it was built by René Bonnet and was called the Djet. 181 Djet IIs were built around the mid-sixties, Bonhams was able to offer chassis number CRB11108. The sports car was in the same ownership in 1992 and was estimated at £ 35,000 to £ 50,000.
However, the bidders did not want to join in and only went up to £21,000. Because the car was offered without a reserve price, the buyer therefore only had to pay £24,150 (EUR 28,256, CHF 29,222) for the rare classic with plastic bodywork. A bargain!
Extensive Aston portfolio with surprises
Only one brand stood out in the catalog: Aston Martin. As many as 10 cars from this brand were on offer. The Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide from 1961 offered at the end was particularly surprising, as it was the Earls Court London show car and later "factory demonstrator", which was also modified in the direction of a possible Series 2 version.
Estimated at £50,000 to £80,000, the Lagonda was eventually offered at £86,000, resulting in a sale price of £98,900 (EUR 115,713, CHF 119,669).
One of the two V8 Vantage Sports Saloons from 1979 also sold well above expectations, fetching £ 151,800.
Two of the three DB6s on offer sold for more than expected, while the 1965 DB5 found a new owner for £ 586,200 (EUR 685,854, CHF 709,302).
A 1998 Vantage Coupé did not find a new owner.
One of 38 surviving Austin-Healey 100 S
With "EVV 106" (chassis AHS 3509), one of only 55 Austin-Healey 100 S cars built went under the hammer. It is assumed that only 38 of these basically right-hand drive cars have survived. EVV 106, built in 1955, can look back on an extensive racing history and has had a manageable number of owners.
With a top bid of £500,000, the Healey fell slightly short of expectations (£550,000 to £650,000) and also below the valuations achieved by previously sold examples. Nevertheless, it sold for £ 575,000 (EUR 672,750, CHF 695,750).
Cheap pearl from Alfa Romeo
Much cheaper, but no less attractive, was an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupé from 1959 with left-hand drive. The car was in the same ownership from 1966 to 2012 and was apparently unrestored. The engine was overhauled once, the 59,000 km on the speedometer appeared to be the first.
An estimate of £30,000 to £40,000 was set for the Alfa, which was originally delivered to Germany, but £36,000 was eventually offered, bringing the sale price to £41,400 (EUR 48,438, CHF 50,094), which was rather reasonable.
Cobra in tails not sold
Only 29 AC 428 Convertibles were built in the late sixties. The design came from Pietro Frua, the technology largely from the AC Cobra. The right-hand drive car on offer with chassis number CF25 was built in 1968 and was equipped with an automatic transmission. The engine and gearbox were once overhauled.
With a top bid of just £185,000, the AC fell well short of expectations (£225,000 to £250,000) and thus went back to the consignor.
It shared its fate with a Lamborghini Islero from 1968 (highest bid £ 125,000) and a Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Coupé from 1956 (£ 310,000), as well as the aforementioned Aston Martin Vantage.
All other cars and the two Ducatis were sold.
With a sales rate of 88 percent and top bids averaging 98 percent of the average estimate, Bonhams was certainly satisfied, as was the total turnover of 5.44 million.
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 | GBP Est from | GBP Est to | GBP HP | GBP SP | CHF SP | EUR SP | % Est | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | René Bonnet Djet II Coupé | 1964 | 35'000 | 50'000 | 21'000 | 24'150 | 29'221 | 28'255 | -43.18%
|
V |
| 102 | Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint | 1959 | 30'000 | 40'000 | 36'000 | 41'400 | 50'094 | 48'438 | +18.29%
|
V |
| 103 | Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2 Vantage Sports Saloon | 1970 | 160'000 | 200'000 | 220'000 | 253'000 | 306'130 | 296'010 | +40.56%
|
V |
| 104 | Porsche 911 Type 997 Sport Classic Coupé | 2010 | 150'000 | 200'000 | 290'000 | 333'500 | 403'535 | 390'195 | +90.57%
|
V |
| 105 | Aston Martin Vanquish S | 2004 | 60'000 | 90'000 | 60'000 | 69'000 | 83'490 | 80'730 | -8%
|
V |
| 106 | Aston Martin Vantage Coupé | 1995 | 60'000 | 90'000 | 88'000 | 101'200 | 122'452 | 118'404 | +34.93%
|
V |
| 107 | Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Coupé | 1956 | 380'000 | 440'000 | 310'000 | N |
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
