The Bonhams Simeone Museum 2015 auction was held Monday, October 5th at the Simeone Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, resulting in $3.3 million in total sales and an 86 percent sell-through rate. The fourth annual ‘Preserving the Automobile’ sale featured vehicles from all eras, and even Civil War-era locomotives.
Beginning with automobilia, of which 99% sold, a variety of items were offered with the highlight surely being the one-of-a-kind motorized Oilzum advertising diorama that made $11,875. The historic locomotives from the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, garnered substantial interest among private collectors and institutions. The Mississippi — which achieved $220,000 — along with the York and John Stevens, were all bought by institutional buyers and sold well after active bidding in the room and especially on the telephones.
Among automobiles it was the unrestored cars that commanded the greatest attention and, as a result, many made records. The 1937 Morgan Super Sports from the Du Pont Collection achieved three and a half times its high estimate when it sold for $88,000. The 1908 International Model A Runabout, 1955 Arnolt-MG Coupe and 1962 Jaguar E-type Series I 3.8-Litre Roadster all surpassed their estimates and sold well. The 1908 Rainier Model D in rare untouched condition made a new auction record at $253,000, as did the Ferdinand Porsche-designed 1936 Wanderer W25 Kompressor Roadster at $319,000.
“We’re very pleased with this year’s sale,” said Eric Minoff, Bonhams Head of Sale. “We had keen international interest, a strong sell-through rate, impressive results with many individual lots making records, and a well attended, highly successful auction. This year’s event once again demonstrates that motorcars with sound provenance and in original condition are increasingly sought after by collectors.”
Bonhams Simeone 2015 – Top Five Auction Results
1. 1936 Wanderer W25 Kompressor Roadster – $319,000
2. 1908 Rainier Model D 45/50hp Seven Passenger Touring – $253,000
3. 1835 Brathwaite and Ericson ‘Mississippi’ Locomotive – $220,000
4. 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Roadster – $154,000
5. 1935 LaSalle Series 50 Convertible Coupe – $126,500
For a complete list of results, visit Bonhams.com/Simeone.
The Bonhams Motoring Department continues its 2015 auction calendar with the Lonati Collection of American Motorcycles in Stafford, England on October 17th and the London To Brighton Veteran Car sale in London on October 30th, followed by the Scottsdale Motorcar Auction in January 2016.
[Source: Bonhams]
