Although Bonhams stuck to the "live format", the differences between the 2020 and 2021 Scottsdale auctions were significant due to the pandemic. While the British auction house was able to offer 108 cars in 2020, the figure for 2021 was only 37, with an average age of 54 years (previous year: 58 years). While 68% were still sold without a reserve price in 2020 , the willingness to take risks fell in 2021, as only a good quarter were offered "no reserve".
Despite this, the Bonhams team did well, as 78% of cars were sold (2020: 82%) and on average, the highest bids were 85% of the median estimate (2020: 72%).
With 37 vehicles on offer, Bonhams covered a wide spectrum, from restoration projects to Pebble Beach Concours candidates. The oldest car was from 1911 (Maxwell), the youngest were built in 2018 (Porsche, Aston). Cabin scooters, racing cars, luxury GTs - the variety was huge.
Without an audience on site, bidders were able to participate via telephone contacts, the Internet or pre-bids, and they did so with some pleasure.
BMW 507 finds new owner
The most expensive car at the auction was a 1959 BMW 507 from the second series, estimated at USD 1.9 to 2.3 million. The black 507 was originally delivered to the USA and remained with its last owner for 30 years.
There was a lot of haggling over the elegant convertible, but USD 1.64 million was enough to win the bid, bringing the car to USD 1.809 million (EUR 1.483 million, CHF 1.61 million) including commission/surcharge.
Less successful was a Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Cabriolet A from 1973, which nevertheless won Best of Show at Pebble Beach in 1973. An estimated value was not given, but it can be assumed that significantly more than USD 2 million was expected.
However, the bids dried up at USD 1.9 million and the car remained unsold.
Youngtimer with a lot of credit
A Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 1 from 1991, painted in white and decorated with the attractive Martini stripes of the rally versions, did well.
Although the evolution model did not quite meet expectations, USD 182,000 (EUR 149,240, CHF 161,980) is still a respectable price for the all-wheel-drive compact car.
Coupé rather than convertible?
It was interesting to see how two 1966 Series 1 Jaguar E-Types fared. A coupé and a convertible were on offer, and the estimated values of the coupé were somewhat higher, with both expected to reach over USD 130,000.
This target was clearly exceeded for the coupé, which was knocked down at USD 195,000, resulting in a final sale price of USD 218,400 (EUR 179,088, CHF 194,376).
Bidding for the convertible stopped at USD 105,000, however, and the open-top "Jag" remained unsold.
Rarities with mixed results
The "Group 44" racing team is known worldwide; the cars were always white with a green stripe, regardless of whether they were E-Types or other fast racing cars. In 1969 a Triumph GT6 was driven by Mike Downs, Brian Fuerstenau and Bob Tullius and eventually won the SCCA E-Production Class.
In 2005, the car was rediscovered as a barn find and then restored, and since then it has been seen at the 2009 Amelica Island Concours, for example. In view of this history, the car was actually valued at USD 50,000 to 70,000, but the Bonhams people had correctly assessed the situation and USD 68,320 was enough to buy the racing legend.
A little more had to be paid for the attractive 1954 Kurtis 500KK SR-100 (Byers). However, the new owner was able to strike well below the estimated value of USD 130,000 to 160,000, as the highest bid of USD 80,000 was sufficient for the purchase.
An Elva Mk IV Sports Racer from 1959 would have been even cheaper, as no more than USD 52,000 was offered. However, this was not enough to win the bid.
Instead, the elegant 1954 Fiat 1100/103 TV Charmant Coupé with Vignale bodywork passed into new hands. USD 190,400 (EUR 156,128, CHF 169,456) is certainly not a bad price for this special body on a good basis.
The 1954 Mi-Val Tipo MO Mivalino was one of four cars to exceed the estimate. Manufactured under license in Italy, the cabin scooter was descended from the Messerschmitt but used a different engine. USD 80,640 (EUR 66,125, CHF 71,770) was paid for the little car.
Bargain?
Two or three years ago, it would have been hard to imagine that it would ever be possible to buy a Ferrari Testarossa "Monospecchio" for USD 72,200 (EUR 55,104, CHF 59,808) again.
But that's exactly what happened in Scottsdale, although the example on offer was certainly not in concours condition.
A Chevrolet Corvette L79 327/350 HP from 1968 was also sold very cheaply. The early Coke-bottle-shape coupé was knocked down for USD 22,000, which was only 49% of the median estimate.
A 1990 Jaguar XJ-S V12 convertible also went for USD 14,000, as did the 1911 Maxwell, which fetched USD 25,760.
The bidder reaction to the rather sad-looking Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 from 1969 ("in barn find condition") was quite different. Estimated at USD 6000 to 8000, the bidding only ended at USD 22,000.
Some super classics
In addition to the cars already mentioned, some super classics also went under the hammer, such as two Jaguar XK sports cars, although only one of them was sold.
Also of interest was the rare Lamborghini Islero 400 GT 2+2 from 1968, which found a new garage for USD 183,680.
The offered Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster from 1958 was not sold, USD 380,000 had been offered.
Overall, things did not go badly for Bonhams, although both the vehicles on offer and the sales achieved were significantly more modest than a year earlier.
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 | Jaguar XJ-S V12 Cabriolet | 1990 | 20'000 | 25'000 | 12'500 | 14'000 | 12'460 | 11'480 | -37.78%
|
V |
| 102 | Land Rover Defender 110 NAS | 1993 | 60'000 | 90'000 | 110'000 | 123'200 | 109'648 | 101'024 | +64.27%
|
V |
| 103 | Continental Mark II s | 1956 | 75'000 | 95'000 | 53'000 | 59'360 | 52'830 | 48'675 | -30.16%
|
V |
| 104 | Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe | 2008 | 55'000 | 75'000 | 44'000 | 49'280 | 43'859 | 40'409 | -24.18%
|
V |
| 105 | Chevrolet Camaro SS Restomod | 1969 | 140'000 | 170'000 | 112'500 | N | ||||
| 106 | Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Roadster | 1956 | 775'000 | 875'000 | 630'000 | 698'000 | 621'220 | 572'360 | -15.39%
|
V |
| 107 | Kurtis 500KK SR-100 | 1954 | 130'000 | 160'000 | 80'000 | 89'600 | 79'744 | 73'472 | -38.21%
|
V |
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
