The trend for exceptional cars to fetch exceptional prices continues unabated, even as auction companies gradually adjust their expectations, and hence their estimates. Christies www.christies.com more than doubled its estimate on the Bugatti Type 57C barn find (well, how often do you find one of those in a barn these days?) at its Greenwich Concours sale in USA, the car going to a US private bidder for 430,556.
Top four prices were all paid by US collectors, though remarkably the top price of 50,000 for a 1957 fuel-injected Corvette was paid by a British collector.
A rather more prosaic barn-full of rarities in the US is up for sale on June 30, as Bonhams auctions the Jack Hogan collection of early Ford V8s but, as this is acknowledged to be the worlds finest collection of these much-loved US motors, considerable interest is expected. More on www.bonhams.com.
Bonhams, along with a good few rival US auction houses, is already gearing up for a bonanza during Pebble Beach week, the huge Californian concours/racing festival in the middle week of August.
Last year Bonhams sold a Jaguar D-type for two million dollars; highlights already promised for 2007 include (on the market for the first time since 1953) the ex-works Le Mans 1952 Allard J2X raced by Jack Fairman, and the 1932 Cadillac V16 Imperial Fleetwood Limo of President Herbert Hoover.
Auction success isnt universal, however, Artcurial experiencing a trying sale on June 18 in Paris with almost all its top lots and many others going unsold. Nevertheless there were some strong sales, including 28,000 for a 1954 MG TF and a top sale of 283,000 for a 1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast, the first time a Superfast has been seen at auction for a long time.
H&H Auctions www.classic-auctions.co.uk had a trying time the same weekend when its collection of Trevor Fiore styling drawings, rescued from a skip some years back, had to be withdrawn when the reclusive Sheffield stylist suddenly emerged with threats of legal action.
The cars included plenty of mainstream classics and there were good bargains to be had, including a 1932 Hillman Minx Tourer with two owners from new but needing full restoration for just 600, and a restored Jaguar XK140FHC for 16,600. Strong prices included 8600 for a Dellow Mk1 and 22,000 for a race-prepared Escort RS1600.
Sale rates werent bad, but they were well beaten by Bonhams Rolls-Royce and Bentley sale that weekend, where 23 of the 25 cars sold, an exceptionally high rate. Top price was 122,500 for the lovely 1920 40/50HP Silver Ghost Open-drive Landaulette, while a very special RAC Badge, Edward VIIIs Royal membership badge, fetched 2300.
Malcolm McKay, Motorbase News Editor
