 Once again the beautiful and sunny setting of Carmel Valley, California, drew collectors from around the world to Bonhams' flagship Quail Lodge motorcar auction last Friday the 14th.As expected, the most hotly contested cars came from the Sidney & Jenny Craig Collection, which was 100% sold and included spirited battles for the ex-Al Capone 1930 Cadillac V-16 armored Sedan, the ex-President Franklin D. Roosevelt Lincoln Model K, and the ex-William Boyd a.k.a. Hopalong Cassidy 1933 Duesenberg Model J Torpedo Convertible Victoria, which achieved $1,437,000. Elsewhere in the sale there were a number of strong results, the market being most buoyant for the rarest and freshest offerings. These included: A new world record set for a 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster formerly owned by Otis Chandler at $804,500.A price of $804,500 for the1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Coupe 'Bumblebee'. The 1929 Bentley 4.5-Liter Supercharged Birkin Team Car Specification Tourer brought $722,000. The 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C Super Sprint Berlinetta from the estate of the late J.J. Dalessandro sold for $557,000. A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe went for $546,000. The unique steel sport roadster, ex-Brundage Motors Inc. (Brumos Porsche) 1954 12-Hours of Sebring, 1953 Porsche Roadster Type 540 K/9-1 sold for $529,500. A $27,500 hammer price for a rare Mickey Mouse nickel plated mascot from the 1920s and $27,500 paid for the 'Cinq Cheveaux' glass mascot by Rene Lalique - quite possibly a new world record for both types of mascots. $17,000 was raised for the charity Autism Speaks. It was clear that buyers are more selective in this financial climate and there were a handful of no sales that included the Bugatti Type 57S and Auto Union race car. (However, approaches have recently been made concerning post-auction sales for both these stunning cars, which may effect a further press release.) In all, with prices recorded ranging from well over estimate to under estimate and some spot on, the sale was clearly in balance with current conditions. 'This auction perfectly illustrates the strength of the Bonhams' motoring team worldwide – our specialists working in harmony throughout the year to assemble a well tailored sale to appeal to this particular market and achieving strong results', said Malcolm Barber, CEO Bonhams Group. Adds Motoring Department Head Mark Osborne, 'Our international clientele have come to expect the very best and the annual sale at Quail Lodge offered just that.'  |
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McCalls Motorworks Revival | Sports & Classics of Monterey | Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance | La Dolce Vita Automobili | Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company |
Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races |
