Bonhams has been holding an auction at the Audrain Concours in Newport, Rhode Island in the USA for several years now. On October 4, 39 cars, a motorcycle and some automobilia will go under the hammer. The vehicles were estimated at USD 5.9 million, 60% will be sold without a reserve price.
Mainly luxury brands
With five (younger) Bentley, four Mercedes-Benz, three BMW and three Jaguar, European luxury brands are the most strongly represented at Bonhams.
On average, the vehicles are almost 57 years old, with nine cars dating from the pre-war period. Eight cars are youngtimers or younger. The rest are somewhere in between.
Drive like Bond
Only 100 "James Bond Edition" BMW Z3 Roadsters were sold by Nieman Marcus in 1996. With its 1.8-liter engine and largely standard equipment, they differed only slightly from the standard models, but corresponded to the Z3 that Pierce Brosnan briefly drove as James Bond in the film "Goldeneye".
Now number 62 of 100 with just 8145 miles on the clock is said to cost USD 15,000 to 25,000 (no reserve).
Another car that James Bond drove in a similar version in the movie "The World is not enough" will probably be significantly more expensive. As is well known, the car was cut in half. The black example from 2002 was spared this fate and can now be bought at auction for between USD 180,000 and 220,000.
Mini-BAT from Scaglione
The famous three Alfa Romeo BAT models by Franco Scaglione are among the design legends of automotive history. In 1959, the Italian designer created an aerodynamic coupé based on the Fiat-OSCA 1500.
The result was perhaps not quite as spectacular as the BAT trio, but with its twin-camshaft four-cylinder engine, the Fiat-OSCA was certainly an exciting car, although it was also estimated to be relatively expensive at USD 400,000 to 500,000.
Expensive evolutionary models
Both the BMW M3 E30 Evolution II (1988) and the Ford Sierra RS 500 Cosworth (1987) are rare in the USA, but are also sought after in this country.
However, the estimated values are relatively high at USD 130,000 to 150,000 and USD 160,000 to 220,000.
Pre-war specialties
There are some exciting vehicles among the many pre-war cars. One of them is the Chrysler Imperial Airflow Series C-10 Sedan from 1936, one of the most aerodynamic cars of the time.
An elaborate restoration guaranteed many awards and prizes and probably cost more than the now estimated USD 75,000 to 100,000.
For sporty types, the Riley 9 HP Imp from 1935 is certainly worth a second look. Original Imps are rare and the car on offer has a complete history with many consecutive log books.
Although the color changed once and the engine was also replaced in the sixties, the car has always been kept in working order over the years and is now said to cost USD 140,000 to 180,000.
The Oldsmobile Series 60 Special Station Wagon from 1940 was also rare; only 633 examples were built. The largely original station wagon is now expected to be worth USD 55,000 to 65,000, with no minimum price being asked.
Many super classics
Of course, there is no shortage of super classics at Bonhams on the occasion of the Audrain Concours.
Two Jaguar E-Types, an XK 150, a Facel Vega HK 500, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster from 1957 (USD 1.2 to 1.4 million), a Porsche 356 C Cabriolet from 1964 (USD 90,000 to 130,000) and a Porsche 930 Cabriolet with a flat snout from 1989 (USD 350,000 to 425,000) can be bid on.
The Shelby Mustang GT500 KR from 1968 and the VW Beetle convertible from 1974 were also among the most popular collectors' cars.
There is also an Alfa Romeo GTV6 from 1981 on offer, and this good-sounding six-cylinder coupé is rarely seen at major auctions.
Further information can be found on the Bonhams website.
Offered Vehicles
The following table lists all offered vehicles with estimated prices. The price conversion was made at the exchange rate valid at the time of publication. All information is provided without guarantee.
| Lot | Car | Year | NoR | USD Est from | USD Est to | CHF Est from | CHF Est to | EUR Est from | EUR Est to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Honda CA77 Dream | 1965 | Yes | 4000 | 5000 | 3400 | 4250 | 3560 | 4450 |
| 102 | MG TD Roadster | 1953 | Yes | 15'000 | 20'000 | 12'750 | 17'000 | 13'350 | 17'800 |
| 103 | Jaguar E-Type Series II 4.2 Roadster | 1971 | Yes | 60'000 | 80'000 | 51'000 | 68'000 | 53'400 | 71'200 |
| 104 | BMW Z3 James Bond Edition Roadster | 1996 | Yes | 15'000 | 25'000 | 12'750 | 21'250 | 13'350 | 22'250 |
| 105 | Porsche 356 C Cabriolet | 1964 | 90'000 | 130'000 | 76'500 | 110'500 | 80'100 | 115'700 | |
| 106 | Jaguar XK 150 S OTS | 1958 | Yes | 80'000 | 100'000 | 68'000 | 85'000 | 71'200 | 89'000 |
| 107 | Mercedes-Benz 190 SL | 1961 | Yes | 60'000 | 80'000 | 51'000 | 68'000 | 53'400 | 71'200 |
| 108 | Lancia 2000 Berlina | 1972 | Yes | 15'000 | 20'000 | 12'750 | 17'000 | 13'350 | 17'800 |
| 109 | Mercedes-Benz 240 GD | 1984 | Yes | 75'000 | 100'000 | 63'750 | 85'000 | 66'750 | 89'000 |
| 110 | Pierce-Arrow Model 38-C-4 Five-Passenger Touring | 1916 | 130'000 | 160'000 | 110'500 | 136'000 | 115'700 | 142'400 | |
| 111 | Chrysler Imperial Airflow Series C-10 Sedan | 1936 | 75'000 | 100'000 | 63'750 | 85'000 | 66'750 | 89'000 | |
| 112 | Packard Series 1502 Super Eight Convertible Sedan | 1937 | 80'000 | 100'000 | 68'000 | 85'000 | 71'200 | 89'000 | |
| 113 | Delage D8C Faux-Cabriolet | 1932 | Yes | 180'000 | 240'000 | 153'000 | 204'000 | 160'200 | 213'600 |
| 114 | BMW Z8 Roadster | 2002 | 180'000 | 220'000 | 153'000 | 187'000 | 160'200 | 195'800 | |
| 115 | Porsche 911 'Type 930' Turbo Cabriolet 'Flachbau' | 1989 | 350'000 | 425'000 | 297'500 | 361'250 | 311'500 | 378'250 | |
| 116 | Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible | 1974 | Yes | 20'000 | 30'000 | 17'000 | 25'500 | 17'800 | 26'700 |
| 117 | Allard Motor Works J2X MkIII (Jg. Ca.) | 1953 | 100'000 | 140'000 | 85'000 | 119'000 | 89'000 | 124'600 | |
| 118 | Fiat-OSCA 1500 Aerodynamica Berlinetta | 1959 | 400'000 | 500'000 | 340'000 | 425'000 | 356'000 | 445'000 | |
| 119 | Facel Vega HK500 | 1962 | Yes | 80'000 | 100'000 | 68'000 | 85'000 | 71'200 | 89'000 |
| 120 | Mercedes-Benz 600 SWB | 1969 | Yes | 80'000 | 120'000 | 68'000 | 102'000 | 71'200 | 106'800 |
| 121 | Rolls-Royce Park Ward | 2001 | Yes | 60'000 | 80'000 | 51'000 | 68'000 | 53'400 | 71'200 |
| 122 | Bentley Azure Mulliner 'Final Series Performance' | 2003 | Yes | 80'000 | 100'000 | 68'000 | 85'000 | 71'200 | 89'000 |
| 123 | Bentley Continental T | 2002 | Yes | 80'000 | 100'000 | 68'000 | 85'000 | 71'200 | 89'000 |
| 124 | Bentley Azure Mulliner 'Final Series Performance' | 2003 | Yes | 80'000 | 100'000 | 68'000 | 85'000 | 71'200 | 89'000 |
| 125 | Bentley Continental R Mulliner 'Final Series' | 2003 | Yes | 120'000 | 150'000 | 102'000 | 127'500 | 106'800 | 133'500 |
| 126 | Bentley Continental SC | 1999 | 225'000 | 275'000 | 191'250 | 233'750 | 200'250 | 244'750 | |
| 127 | Kaiser-Darrin 161 Convertible | 1954 | Yes | 100'000 | 140'000 | 85'000 | 119'000 | 89'000 | 124'600 |
| 128 | Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 | 1981 | Yes | 30'000 | 50'000 | 25'500 | 42'500 | 26'700 | 44'500 |
| 129 | BMW 'E30' M3 Evolution II | 1988 | 130'000 | 150'000 | 110'500 | 127'500 | 115'700 | 133'500 | |
| 130 | Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth 3-Door | 1987 | 160'000 | 220'000 | 136'000 | 187'000 | 142'400 | 195'800 | |
| 131 | Peugeot 205 CTI 1.9 Cabriolet | 1987 | Yes | 40'000 | 50'000 | 34'000 | 42'500 | 35'600 | 44'500 |
| 132 | Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Liter Roadster | 1966 | 175'000 | 225'000 | 148'750 | 191'250 | 155'750 | 200'250 | |
| 133 | Shelby Mustang GT500 KR | 1968 | Yes | 160'000 | 200'000 | 136'000 | 170'000 | 142'400 | 178'000 |
| 134 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1957 | 1'200'000 | 1'400'000 | 1'020'000 | 1'190'000 | 1'068'000 | 1'246'000 | |
| 135 | Clenet Series 1 Roadster | 1979 | Yes | 60'000 | 80'000 | 51'000 | 68'000 | 53'400 | 71'200 |
| 136 | Riley 9hp Imp Two Seater | 1935 | 140'000 | 180'000 | 119'000 | 153'000 | 124'600 | 160'200 | |
| 137 | Alvis Type TJ 12/50 Tourer | 1932 | Yes | 40'000 | 50'000 | 34'000 | 42'500 | 35'600 | 44'500 |
| 138 | Packard Model 1102 Convertible Victoria | 1934 | 110'000 | 140'000 | 93'500 | 119'000 | 97'900 | 124'600 | |
| 139 | Stoddard-Dayton Model 9A Five Passenger Touring | 1909 | 60'000 | 80'000 | 51'000 | 68'000 | 53'400 | 71'200 | |
| 140 | Oldsmobile Series 60 Special Station Wagon | 1940 | Yes | 55'000 | 65'000 | 46'750 | 55'250 | 48'950 | 57'850 |
All information is provided without guarantee.
Legend: Column NoR = No Reserve (no minimum price), Column S = Status (V = Sold, N = Not sold, Z = Withdrawn, U = Under reserve)
Est = Estimate, HP = Hammer Price, SP = Sale Price
