|
Now in its 6th year at the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Bonhams, founded in 1793, and one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine arts and antiques, conducted an auction of exceptional motorcars and automobilia on June 5, 2011 that drew intense interest from on-site bidders as well as international telephone bidders.
There were many auction highlights including a handsome maroon 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom/Towncar with coachwork by Brewster & Co. that generated fast-paced and intense bidding, far exceeding the pre-sale estimate of $80,000 - $100,000, ultimately selling to a telephone bidder for $172,000.
1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom/Towncar
Fame and beauty was the order of the day for the creamy yellow with deep green upholstery and beige cloth top 1928 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom/Ascot Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton on the auction block, which was featured in the 1974 motion picture, "The Great Gatsby" starring Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Sam Waterson, and Bruce Dern. The 1928 Rolls-Rolls drew excited worldwide bidding interest and sold for $185,200.
1928 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom/Ascot Dual Cowl
Sport Phaeton
Another pedigreed car was a 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Saloon with Division originally purchased by H.R.H. Prince Chula of Thailand with its distinctive "Special Blue" livery and blue hide upholstery with a pre-sale estimate of $65,000 - $85,000 that sold just shy of its mark at $64,350.
1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Saloon with Division
International Rolls-Royce collectors were also racing to out-bid one another for the opportunity to add a rare left-hand drive 1969 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Limousine to their fold, which was the first Phantom VI sold in Holland, and featured a cocktail cabinet set-up with crystal flasks and glasses. Although the pre-sale estimate for the two-tone garnet over Mason's black livery was $100-$140,000, it exceeded its estimate and sold for $174,200.
1969 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Limousine
Automobiles from the 1950s also drew their share of attention, a red, one-of-a-kind 1952 Lazzarino Sports Racer, Chassis number 0004, with a pre-sale estimate of $125,000 - $150,000 sold for $130,200; and a 1958 A.C. Ace Roadster, estimated to sell between $165,000 - $185,000 sold for $188,500.
1952 Lazzarino Sports Racer
Aston Martin collectors provided serious competition for the opportunity to own a 1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk II 2+2 Coupé with deep grey finish with red leather interior, which had a pre-sale estimate of $250,000-$300,000, and sold for $249,000, and a 1958 Aston Martin DB MK III Sports Saloon with "Fiesta Red" paint, black leather interior, and a pre-sale estimate of $190,000 - $220,000, that sold for $191,800 to a telephone bidder against an in-house bidder.
1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk II 2+2 Coupe
1958 Aston Martin D8 MK III SPorts Saloon
Another car with a movie connection was a black 1965 Mercedes-Benz 220SEb Convertible with red upholstery, owned by film director James Ivory, who inherited the car after the death of his partner, Ishmail Merchant in 2005. Mr. Merchant had purchased the car at an auction in the late 1990s, and the pre-sale estimate was $35,000 - $45,000, with the car exceeding expectations and selling for $53,820.
1965 Mercedes-Benz 220SEb Convertible
A yellow 1968 Maserati Ghibli Berlinetta once owned by entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. also generated intense bidding excitement between an in-house bidder and worldwide competitors, with the in-house bidder eventually claiming the Maserati for $78,390.
1968 Maserati Ghibil Berlinetta
 In addition to the spectacular motorcars at the auction, collectors were also able to add to their automobilia collections bidding on brochures, automobile art, trophies, mascots, and more. A few of the mascot highlights included a rare silver-plated bronze 4-inch high "Gorgan-Medusa" mascot by G. Poitvin for Hermes, 1920, which had a pre-sale estimate of $3,500 - $4,500, and sold for $6,710; a bronze, nickel-plated Rolls-Royce "Spirit of Ecstasy" mascot measuring 7 inches total with its wooden base, estimated to sell between $200 - $300, sold for $1,220; and a René Lalique glass "Perche" mascot introduced 20 April 1929, catalog number 1158, with molded R. Lalique signature, with pre-estimate of $300-$500, sold for $519.
Rolls-Royce "Spirit of Ecstacy" 1920 "Gorgan-Medusa"
It was an exciting experience sitting in the Bonhams' tent at the auction watching the intense bidding action and the look of satisfaction when a bidder was able to claim his prize.
To read the complete results of the Bonhams - Greenwich Concours d'Elegance: Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia Auction, or for information on upcoming auctions, please contact Bonhams or visit their website: www.Bonhams.com.
Read about the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance 2011 Americana in the Antiques section.
Read about the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance 2011 European Collection in the Antiques section.
For information on the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, please visit their website at: www.GreenwichConcours.com.
Bonhams
580 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
United States
Telephone: +1-212-644-9001
Website: www.Bonhams.com
Greenwich Concours d'Elegance
30 Sumner Road
Greenwich, Connecticut 06831
United States
Telephone: +1-203-618-0460
Fax: +1-203-618-0460
Contact: Bruce Wennerstrom
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.GreenwichConcours.com
© June 2011. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryEexperience.com All rights reserved.
|
