On January 25, 2024, Bonhams auctioned 85 vehicles in front of a large audience at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, including a Vespa team that sold for significantly more than expected.
Overall, the vehicles were on average 68 years old and valued at USD 255,600. The total value amounted to USD 21,73 million, of which USD 12 million was realized with a total of 68 vehicles sold (80 %). This was helped by the fact that 59% of the vehicles went under the hammer without a reserve price.
Some of the bidders were a little cautious and achieved an average of less than 80% of the median estimate.
Two Bugatti cars steal the show
The most expensive car at the auction was a late-registered vehicle. USD 5 to 5.5 million was the estimated price for an almost new Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ from 2022.
It was finally sold for USD 5.175 million (EUR 4.761 million, CHF 4.502 million).
The Bugatti Type 57 Atalante from 1936, which is equipped with a retractable roof, sold slightly below expectations. Chassis 57432 took part in the 1938 Rallye des Alpes and now belonged to the jeweler Charles Olivero. Instead of the requested USD 1.5 to 1.8 million, the new owner "only" had to invest USD 1.38 million (EUR 1.27 million, CHF 1.2 million).
No new owner for the Duesenberg Model J with Franay body
Most Duesenbergs were probably built in the USA, but the 1931 Model J, which was presented at the Paris Motor Show with a Franay body, was built in Paris. The 265 hp car was sold to Queen Maria of Yugoslavia at the time and was fitted with different fenders early on.
Apparently the engine, chassis and body are still original, but have of course been restored. In Scottsdale, the estimated USD 2 to 3 million was not reached with a maximum bid of USD 1.88 million, so the car remained unsold.
The 1930 Cadillac Series 452 V-16 Fleetwood Roadster, which had been announced with an estimate of USD 1 to 1.2 million, also failed to find a new owner. Nobody wanted to bid more than USD 865,000.
Bidding wars for two Aston Martin DB6
Two Aston Martin DB6s from 1965 and 1966 were hotly contested in Scottsdale.
In the end, USD 232,400 (EUR 213,808, CHF 202,188) was paid for the older coupé, significantly more than the expected USD 100,000 to 140,000.
But the younger car also significantly exceeded the estimate, set at USD 150,000 to 200,000, with a sales price of USD 268,800 (EUR 247,296, CHF 233,856).
Superclassics from European manufacturers with mixed success
Apart from the two Astons and the Bugatti 57 already mentioned, things did not go so well for the more expensive European super classics.
Neither the Mercedes-Benz Gullwing from 1956 (highest bid USD 1.28 million) nor the Ferrari 250 GT Ellena from 1958 (USD 870,000) could be sold.
The 1956 Talbot-Lago 2500 Sport Coupé also failed to find a new owner.
Instead, the Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spider from 1970 sold for USD 596,250 and two open-top Mercedes-Benzes, a 190 SL from 1962 and a 280 SL from 1969, found new owners for good prices, as did a Porsche 356C 1600 Cabriolet from 1964.
Surprisingly controversial was a 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III, which eventually found a new garage for USD 100,800 for considerably more money than expected.
Cheap exotics
Even with a small budget, you could find an interesting car at Bonhams in Scottsdale.
For a 1953 Fiat 500 C Topolino Belvedere, for example, you only had to pay USD 11,200 (out of an estimated USD 30,000 to 40,000).
A Hudson Hornet V8 Custom Sedan from 1957 could be bought for USD 12,320, a Citroën ID 19 from 1959 for USD 19,040.
The 1955 Talbot-Lago "Baby" with its unusual Baboo body was also sold for USD 57,120, which was significantly cheaper than estimated.
And a Panhard PL-17 from 1961 went to a new owner for just USD 12,880.
The USD 39,200 for a Bristol 401 from 1953 can certainly be considered a bargain.
The fact that the Hillman Minx IIIA convertible from 1960 was sold for USD 16,800 above the estimated value, on the other hand, was one of the positive surprises.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | Vespa 150 Super VBC with Sidecar | 1966 | 10'000 | 15'000 | 21'000 | 23'520 | 20'462 | 21'638 | +88.16%
|
V |
| 03 | Moretti 500 | 1969 | 15'000 | 25'000 | 9000 | 10'080 | 8769 | 9273 | -49.6%
|
V |
| 04 | Honda N600 "Woodie" Wagon | 1971 | 14'000 | 18'000 | 9000 | 10'080 | 8769 | 9273 | -37%
|
V |
| 05 | Autobianchi Bianchina First Series Transformabile Coupé | 1959 | 25'000 | 35'000 | 16'000 | 17'920 | 15'590 | 16'486 | -40.27%
|
V |
| 06 | Hillman Minx IIIA Convertible | 1960 | 10'000 | 15'000 | 15'000 | 16'800 | 14'616 | 15'456 | +34.4%
|
V |
| 07 | Citroën 2CV | 1948 | 12'000 | 18'000 | 16'000 | 17'920 | 15'590 | 16'486 | +19.47%
|
V |
| 08 | Citroën ID 19 Berline | 1959 | 40'000 | 50'000 | 17'000 | 19'040 | 16'564 | 17'516 | -57.69%
|
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
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