H&H set a new auction world record price for a MG K3 Magnette at its Buxton sale on September 16th, 2009. The figure achieved – £231,000 – also stands as a new marque record for a car sold at auction.
The previous holder of this title was a 1935 MG NB Magnette Airline Coupe which RM Auctions dispatched for £199,037 in April 2007 (though, back then £1 = $2.0034 whereas today £1 = $1.63133). Purchased by a European collector the 1934/37 MG K3 Magnette had prompted much debate in the lead-up to the sale as to the relative merits of continuous history versus originality. And while ‘JB 3180’ had certainly had a chequered (chequered flag?) past few could argue with its rich history.
Another car to create strong interest was the 1957 AC Ace Bristol restoration project. Offering a new custodian the chance to have the two-seater refurbished to his / her own precise specification, it was bought for £90,750. Formerly owned by the naturalist, sportsman and historian Captain Humphrey Drummond of Megginch Castle and exuding a wonderful patina, the 1931 Lagonda 3 Litre Tourer soared past its £50,000 – £60,000 saleroom estimate to fetch £80,300.
Other results included an older restored 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage (£69,300), beautifully presented 1965/2005 Jaguar Suffolk SS100 (£34,100), solid left-hand drive 1964 Jaguar E-type 3.8 litre Roadster (£28,600) and smart 1964 Daimler SP250 ‘Dart’ (£21,450).
The rarest car in the auction the 1957 Allard Palm Beach MKII GT (1 of only 2 made) had been dry stored for many years and thus needed recommissioning. A former Motor Show exhibit and Sydney Allard’s personal transport for a time, the striking coupe nevertheless exceeded its £30,000 – £40,000 saleroom estimate to make £44,000. A real head turner despite its tarnished chrome, faded paint and cracked tyre sidewalls, the 1928 Chrysler Imperial L-80 LeBaron Club Coupe (1 of 25 made) was hotly contested fetching £20,350 against a £10,000 – 
£12,000 saleroom estimate. Decidedly more dilapidated, the 1937 SS Jaguar 3.5 Litre Saloon still managed a bullish £17,050. Both styled by Pininfarina and sharing the same jewel-like 2.4 litre V6 engine, the 1971 Fiat Dino 2.4 Spider and 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT commanded £36,850 and £66,000 respectively.
A Vincent Rapide restoration project offered for sale without a frame but with a logbook and quantity of other spares elicited a round of saleroom applause when it made £24,750 (rather more than its £4,000 – £5,000 saleroom estimate). While, other notable prices realised in the motorcycle section encompassed the stunning 1926 Wanderer (£22,000), 1922 Sunbeam Combination (£9,900), 1952 BMW Combination (£8,800) and 1986 Manxman Racer (£9,900). Though, the presence of a BBC film crew also enabled the 1961 Cazenave Moped to reach £350 (the vendor splitting sale proceeds between the NSPCC and RSPCA).
The automobilia sale proved to be among H&H’s best to date with a bound run of The Automotor Journal taking £4,387.50, a McLaren F1 launch brochure £2,475, a Sonic 7 petrol-powered child’s car £2,250, The Dunlop Trophy £2,137.50 and a charcoal study drawing by F. Gordon Crosby £731.25.
Overall, the auction grossed in excess of £1.3 million and attracted bidders from four continents. For more information and photographs please contact head office on 08458 334455 or info@handh.co.uk
[Source: H&H]
