Bonhams had a busy September, offering 530 cars across five auction sales for a grand total of £9.63 million, reflecting the enduring appeal of classic cars and automobilia.
On September 26th, Bonhams made their sale debut at the annual Weekend de l’Excellence Automobile at Reims, raising Euro 2.71 million with 70% sold by lot. The top seller was a rare 1968 Ferrari 330GTS Spyder which achieved Euro 458,500 against a pre-sale estimate of Euro 325,000-425,000. Bidding was predominantly limited to the Euro zone European market, as many of the cars offered were left-hand drive models and UK bidders generally struggled to compete due to the relative weakness of the pound.
Other highlights from the sale include the second Gullwing to be sold by Bonhams in as many weeks – at Euro 345,200; whilst a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Bicentennial Convertible, one of just 200 ever made, also fared well in the sale. The model, which had just 76 miles on the clock, reached pre-sale expectations at Euro 31,280.
On the other side of the Atlantic – on the same day – the US team were conducting the annual Brookline auction, reaching a total of $2 million, with 70% of cars sold by lot. Top lots there included a 1937 AC 16/80 Competition Model Sports Two Seater which achieved $166,500 (estimate $160,000-200,000) and a 1924 Will Sainte Claire V8 A-68 Roadster which sold for $154,400, in excess of its pre-sale estimate of $80,000-120,000.
These results was the latest in a series of sales for Bonhams including the Beaulieu Auto Jumble which raised £2.15 million, with 96% lots sold by value (90% sold by lot) and the annual sale for Goodwood Revival which achieved a total of £3.87 million (85% by lot and 87% by value).
James Knight, International Managing Director of the Bonhams Motoring Department comments: “It has been a hugely busy month for Bonhams with all parts of the Motoring Group very active conducting five strong sales which have yielded a great total of some £10m. A great effort by all, from the front of house specialists to the unsung heroes who have to administrate it all – it really was an epic road show.
“Hosting so many sales in a relatively short space of time enables us to be at the forefront of the industry, in a great position to spot trends and respond to the needs of the market. Far from resting on our laurels, we are keenly looking ahead to our regular classic motorcycle sale at Stafford in October, the sale of the prestigious Willy Neutkens collection of BMW motorcycles in November and our annual fixtures for the London-Brighton veteran car run and sales at Harrogate and at Olympia, making it another busy quarter for Bonhams.”
[Source: Bonhams]
