The British car auction on the Thursday night is dominated, as you’d expect, by the usual British sportscar brigade, with all the usual suspects; Jaguars from XK120 through to E-type, Big Healeys, MGs of all shape and size, Triumph, Morgan and Allard, the majority of which are offered without reserve. There are certainly a few standout cars in this selection though, the pick of which is the last ever Aston Martin DB4 GT, chassis number # 0175.
# 0175 is a very special car, being one of only 6 ever made to full Factory Lightweight specifications. The weight reduction of these cars was achieved by replacing many steel parts with aluminium, by judicious use of “hole-cutting”, and by the deletion of many other components. Who needs a window washer or glove-box lid anyway? The car was totally restored and race prepared in 1995, and has many historic racing victories to its name. An excellent entry to the world’s best motoring events, at an estimate of around $1 million USD.

Other highlights in the British car auction include a DB4 race car with many modern safety and performance components and a 416bhp engine, a DB4 GT Zagato Replica (est $300,000 – $450,000 USD), and a 1964 Jaguar E-Type “Semi-Lightweight” race car which was specified from new with all the desirable racing modifications, and sympathetically upgraded over the following forty years (est $300,000 – $400,000).

Most of the really interesting (though possibly less useable) stuff is reserved for the Friday auction however, with a range of Detroit concept cars due to cross the block, including four from the “Dream Machine” 50s, when the sky really was the limit when it came to styling, and one very interesting concept from the 90s.
The most important of these concepts, and considered by many to be one of the most significant concept cars ever produced, is the 1954 Mercury XM-800. A dramatic two-door hardtop, its futuristic design influenced most American cars of the next few years, and introduced such features as the forward sloping A-pillars and wrap-around windscreen, functional hood scoop, and aerodynamic fender skirts. A unique car, subject to a nut-and-bolt restoration, and of immense historical importance, this car’s estimate is ‘available upon request’ (that’ll be millions then).

Other concept cars from the 50s include the 1958 Cadillac “Raindrop” convertible, which could automatically raise it’s hardtop roof at the first raindrop it felt (est $250,000 – $300,000 USD), and the 1956 Cadillac Maharani Special, which featured a fridge, hotplate, folding table, coffee dispenser, and kitchen sink with running water. Sounds like a bargain at an estimated $150,000 – $200,000 USD.

Chrysler’s 1956 “Plainsman” concept car was designed by Virgil Exner and crafted by Ghia. A response to the growing station wagon market, it is a two door car supposedly reflecting the “colorful [sic] and casual way of life that typifies the nation’s westward movement” according to the contemporary promotional material. Another one-off show car, the car is fascinating for its subsequent life. To avoid paying duty on the car Chrysler loaned it to a gentleman in Cuba, and it was then bought by a Chrysler employee living in Cuba. When he was forced to flee Cuba he took the car with him to Australia, where it was converted to RHD and fitted with a 440 cube V8. On return to the USA it was driven regularly as a family car, before eventually being sold on and converted back to LHD. It remains street legal and is completely original. The consignor of the car encourages a complete cosmetic restoration. What a cool car. Estimate is $250,000 – $300,000 USD.
Fellow fans of the classic video game Gran Turismo 2 will no doubt remember fondly the Ford GT90. From memory it was a pretty hard car to win in the game, and then was pretty tricky to handle anyway, but looked pretty stunning. Well, here’s your chance to own the real thing, as the only GT90 ever built is up for sale at this auction. With 720bhp from a 6.0 litre quad-turbocharged V12, and supposedly the “world’s mightiest supercar”, the car is probably more notable for introducing Ford’s ‘edge’ styling theme, which produced some pretty good looking cars to my eyes, including Focus, Mondeo and Cougar. Another lot with ‘estimates available upon request’, this car will easily break the million dollar mark.

Not many cars can wear the tag ‘legend’ easily, but the car which is undoubtedly the highlight of the Automobiles of Arizona auction was built to wear that label. CSX 2196 was originally a 289 Shelby Cobra, but when the racing competition started to get more threatening during 1963, the decision was made to stuff a 427 engine in it to see what it could do. Legend has it that Carroll Shelby took it for a test drive, got out, and simply said “make it a race car”. Months of testing, strengthening, racing, strengthening, and more testing and strengthening followed, and eventually the car was fitted with a unique clam shell design body, with both boot and bonnet hinging at the cars extremities for easy access to the mechanicals, and both doors simply flipping down from their lower edge, giving the car its “flip-top” nickname. This car is the only Cobra 427 prototype ever made, and one of the most important cars in history, in this writer’s humble opinion. Oh, and did I mention that it has 623bhp from its aluminium block V8? Yes, estimate is available upon request. I would expect at least $3 million USD for this car, but if that’s too much there is a ‘normal’ 427 Cobra in the auction at an estimated $650,000 – $770,000 USD in a lovely black on black colour scheme.

All this is a bit rich for my blood, but I’d be tempted by the 1963 BMC Technical Support Vehicle at an estimate of $115,000 – $145,000 USD. One of only 8 remaining, these vehicles were designed to carry a car to an event and provide logistical support. Transporters can be very boring, but these ones were styled by Pininfarina, and it shows. Flowing lines and beautifully sculpted alloy panels lead down to small tail fins and chrome bumpers. What better way to take your race car to Goodwood?

Pictures courtesy RM Auctions and associated photographers.

Of other no reserve lots, some keen prices were bid and taken from the floor, which was well filled but generally subdued throughout. The first lot, a pretty 1965 Karmann Ghia in White which garnered some serious get-down-on-your-knees inspection pre-sale went for a bargain $7500 (est: $8-12,000). Another non-reserve German, a 1980 Merc 450SLC with injected and thoroughly thirsty V8 with poor paintwork and ‘substantial underbody rust’ according to auction manager Chris Boribon went for a paltry $2300 ($8-12,000), after a tongue-in-cheek $1000 bid opened proceedings after an anxious wait.

Along with the Hummer, a cosmetically refurbished and highly presentable 1959 MGA 1600 Mk1 energised crowd and Shannons team alike as two telephone bidders slugged it out. Eventually this little gem sold for $21,500 ($14-18,000).

Frustratingly, other bidding battles often faded as low estimate values were breached. The key Europeans included a marvellous Mercedes-Benz 190SL in red (similar to another sold by Shannons four months previously for an Australian record $170,000) stalled at $96,000 which was not enough to find a new home. Admittedly the bidders could be forgiven for their disappointment as this was $6,000 above the bottom estimate ($90-105,000).

An original RHD HK 500 Facel Vega, very rare in Australia and with big-block Chrysler motivation was also passed in, at $108,000 ($100-125,000). This trend continued when a splendid blue Ferrari 330GT 2+2 with sumptuous light blue leather reached an impasse at $154,000 ($150-180,000). This was a very competitive price range in the current world market for its condition as described by Shannons.

The ‘no sale’ story continued through the American muscle machines with all three open air Corvettes and both sixties Mustangs failing to attract enough interest to move on. As for Aussie muscle- traditionally the best indicator of confidence in our collector car market- the news was similarly staid. Vehicles from each of the big three (Ford, GM-H and Chrysler) ranged from $32-165,000 pre-sale but each was passed in. Perhaps the biggest disappointment was the White A9X Hatch, fully restored with the cachet of a Neil Burns (ex-HDT) engine rebuild, which stalled at $108,000, well short of $130-160,000 estimates. An XA GT sedan, in the right shade of red with black bonnet and in storage since 1993 only attracted $67,000 against $68-76,000. The highpoint in Aussie attractions was an immaculate Grey E49 Charger, but it also hit the wall at $148,000 before it was passed in (curiously $8,000 above pre-sale estimate ($140-165,000)).

Small relief was provided by 1961 Holden EK, an older but well executed restoration that sold for $11,500 ($8-12,000). A Customline with several paint marks but in otherwise sound condition attracted solid bids to sell for $16,700 ($14-17,000). A 3.4 litre Jaguar Mk2, originally auto but now with a 4 speed overdrive manual, hit it’s mid-estimate at $14,000, an attractive price for a usable classic.

Shannons now look forward to 2009 and their showcase sale in March’s Melbourne International Motor Show. As Christmas passes and consumers settle into the economic conditions, the government is attempting to stimulate spending by improving borrowing conditions. The flow on effect should see investors turn back to quality classics, especially now that sellers are being forced to reduce their pricing expectations. 2009 is shaping up to be a buyers market and auctions should recover as a result.

For full auction results visit www.shannons.com.au

Of course the star attractions were the smattering of highly significant Grand Prix Lotus vehicles once owned by John Dawson-Damer. Standing out among these was the ex-Jim Clark 1963 Championship winning Lotus 25. On an estimate of $1.1-1.8 million it was hammered down at $1,350,000. The other championship model, an ex-Andretti and Reutemann 79, sold for $510,000 (est: $480-620,000). However the best Lotus performer was an immaculate example of a 1957 Eleven Le Mans Series 1. Pre-sale figures suggested a range of $90-110,000 but the hammer dropped at $120,000, indicating continued strong interest in the more usable and just as significant Le Mans Sports sector.

Indeed of the 8 Lotus racers put up for sale, 7 sold and all on estimate or better. An ex-Gregory and Bonnier 1961 18 was sole Lotus unsold.

Of the more sedate road going offerings, some value was realised by one enthusiastic punter who picked up a ‘diamond in the rough’- 1913 Sunbeam 12/16hp Tourer chassis, with other parts in pieces and a replica torpedo body frame all supplied for $15,250 (est: $20-30,000). Another below estimate deal, albeit in a different price range, was completed when a 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud 2 with desirable Mulliner Park Ward convertible coachwork and a wonderfully plush red leather interior found its bidding stall at $145,000 against an estimate of $160-200,000.

Arguably the brightest light on the night for Bonhams was the 1951 Alta GP car, resplendent in red and selling for $40,000 above its top estimate, capturing a cool $200,000. This could prove an astute purchase for the new owner given the cars undeniable rarity (only 2 two-stage engines of this type were ever built) and the historic racing world’s constant fascination with early post-war GP cars.

Another red racer, the ex-Lex Davison Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 went for $345,000.

Back to road cars and the Pre-sale star was the 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Volante. In Aquamarine, and one of only 29 to this spec, it realised $430,000 ($400-500,000).

Of the 25 lots Bonhams & Goodman listed, 20 were sold, an 80% success rate. Only 6 of these were below estimate. Overall it was a reasonable result for their slick production. It is difficult, however, to ascertain the current condition of our Australian classic market as a whole. The small sample size and the fact that the majority of lots were heavily marketed to an international audience meant the more bread and butter type cars you generally see at Australian auctions were not consigned. Hopefully a more accurate measure of our classic industry will be demonstrated at Shannons on the 24th November. L’autista will be there to bring you the news straight from the floor.

Figures quoted are exclusive of Buyer’s premium. Bonhams & Goodman’s current premium is 11.5% of the purchase price.

Highlighting the sale, and sparking serious international interest is the collection of significant Lotus single-seat racing cars previously owned by the late Hon. John Dawson-Damer. From 1971 until 1984 Dawson-Damer developed his collection and it is internationally renowned as the largest privately owned collection of this marque’s racing history, outside the Chapman family.

Top of the list is a highly significant example of the first Lotus to win a world championship: Lotus 25 chassis number R4, ex- Jim Clark and Richard Attwood. Clark won 7 GP races in this very chassis in 1963, on the way to his first driver’s championship. With continuous history supplied, the chance to acquire this perfect piece of world motor racing history is estimated at $1.1 million to $1.8 million.

Other Lotus marvels include a front-engined F2 spec Lotus 16 (est: $320-480,000), an ex-Gregory/Bonnier 18 from 1961 ($260-400,000), and another ex-Clark car in the form of a Type 39 Tasman special, later owned by Leo Geoghagen. A technically interesting but not so well known GP Lotus, the 1969 Type 63 (only 2 ever made), which utilised a Ferguson 4WD system and was used by 2 world champions in period- Mario Andretti and Jochen Rindt- is estimated at a relative bargain of $175-265,000.

Rounding out the GP collection with a nice symmetry is an example of the last Lotus champion, the type 79. This vehicle, chassis 79/5 is an ex-Andretti and Carlos Reutemann machine and is estimated to sell for between $480-620,000.

Still in keeping with the motorsport theme are a pair of scarlet racers- a 1952 twin supercharged 1.5l Grand Prix Alta ($120-160,000) and a well known Australian delivered Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 formerly owned by Lex Davison. This car participated in the first speed event to be held in Victoria in post-WW2 times, in Ballarat in 1947. By 1948 it had been rebuilt with the 2 seater sports bodywork it wears today. Bonhams suggest contacting them direct for an estimate on the contacts below.

In terms of pure road cars, top billing in terms of value has to go to the Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Volante. 1 of 29 built to this specification and presenting in a striking Aquamarine colour and believed to have covered only 92,000 miles since new, the Aston is estimated to sell at $400-500,000.

A beautiful short-chassis 1938 Lagonda V12 ($150-180,000) will compete with a range of Bentley and Rolls-Royce metal, ranging from the $32-38,000 estimate of a 1953 R-Type saloon to a 1961 RR Mulliner Park Ward Convertible at $160-200,000.

The quality of entries for this sale promises much, with the motoring department at Bonhams confident of exceeding the $5 million mark to cap off what has been a record year. With their global connections a sale of this calibre can only mean good things for the Australian Classic Car industry.