Bonhams Steps Up To The Crease For 20Th Aston Martin Sale

The 20th edition of the Bonhams Aston Martin Sale, the leading European auction dedicated to the Aston Martin and Lagonda marques, will be staged for the first time at the renowned Wormsley Estate in the Chiltern Hills of Buckinghamshire, on Sunday 19th May, in conjunction with the Aston Martin Owners Club concours.

This example bears the 'Gold Standard' certificate of the Aston Martin Assured Provenance, a bumper-to-bumper inspection to assess the originality, condition and historical significance of the company's Heritage cars. It has the sale's top estimate of £680,000 - £750,000.

'Bond-hams Sale'

The most iconic of these is, of course, the DB5 which famously featured in Goldfinger, Thunderball and Goldeneye, as well as Casino Royale and Skyfall. A 1965 example, estimated at £620,000 - £680,000, is offered in the classic cinematic finish of silver birch paintwork and black leather interior. Subject to a comprehensive restoration last year, the DB5 is 'ready to delight its next custodian'.

In 1969, a DBS sports saloon starred alongside George Lazenby as the secret agent in the sixth Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Bonhams is offering an original UK market, right-hand drive example from the same year, estimate £100,000 - £120,000, fitted with desirable ZF five-speed manual transmission.

By the late 80s, Timothy Dalton had taken on the role of 007, driving a V8 Vantage in the 1987 film The Living Daylights. The sale features two examples from that year, both finished in metallic 'Chichester blue': the first, one of only 131 genuine originals 'X-Pack' Sports Saloons, has covered 78,000 miles from new and comprises an 'exceptional' history file. Estimate £320,000 - £360,000.

The second is an X-Pack V8 Vantage Volante (£300,000 - £350,000) which at the time was the world's fastest convertible, achieving cruising speeds well in excess of 150mph. This car is one of only 109 ever built.

Zagato

The Bonhams sale also features three Zagato models, designed by the renowned Italian coachbuilder or 'Carrozzeria', which is celebrating its centenary this year and whose relationship with Aston Martin dates back to the 1960s, with the introduction of the DB4 GT.

The more modern Zagatos offered at Wormsley include the most recent edition, a 2019 Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake (£625,000 – £750,000), the 68th of only 99 built, featuring a 580bhp 6.0-litre V12 engine capable of 0-62mph acceleration in just 3.5 seconds.

This example of the Gran Turismo supercar with its renowned 'double bubble' profile, features a unique specification and is one of only three believed to have the bronze front and rear grilles. Finished in lava red metallic paintwork, with contrasting black leather with red stitching, including the 'Z' motifs, this Zagato has covered a mere 43 miles from new.

1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato Coupé

One of only 27 right-hand drive, manual transmission cars of a total production run of just 52, this very low-mileage (circa 4,200 miles from new), 1986 example (£420,000 - £480,000), is presented in its original colour scheme of Lightning Silver with Burgundy interior trim and features the registration number VZ 268. Arguably the pinnacle of the V8 era, the V8 Vantage Zagato Coupé now forms the centrepiece of many important Aston Martin collections.

2004 DB AR1 Roadster

The roadster DB AR1 was born of the favourable reception given to the DB7 V12 Vantage-based coupé, which recalled the sublime looks of the original DB4 GT Zagato. This example, number 39 of 99, has covered just over 2000 miles from new. Estimate £300,000 - £350,000.

Other highlights

1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 3.0-Litre Sports Saloon

With the introduction of the '2+2' DB2/4 in October 1953, Aston Martin extended the DB2's appeal to the increasingly important market of 'sports car enthusiasts with a family'.

Practicality did not compromise performance as, powered by the 3.0-litre 140bhp 'VB6J' engine, the DB2/4 was one of the fastest cars then built in Great Britain - with 100mph achievable in third gear and a maximum speed of around 120mph. This example (£100,000 - £120,000) is eligible for the Mille Miglia.

1959 DB MkIII Sports Saloon Project

The first and only Mark III Sports Saloon with automatic transmission was delivered new to California and is now offered as a restoration project. This left-hand drive example, (£85,000 - £115,000) would be the ideal basis for restoration.

A dismantled 3.0-litre engine is included in the sale, together with a Borg Warner automatic transmission and a David Brown manual gearbox, giving the new owner the option to fit their preferred transmission during the transmission.

1952 Lagonda 2.6-litre Drophead Coupé

The oldest car on offer on 19 May was originally designed and engineered by W.O. Bentley, who was responsible for the 2.6-litre, six-cylinder, twin-overhead-camshaft engine. The elegant lines with their Italianate flair, fashioned by Frank Feeley, may have been a nostalgic nod to the pre-war Lagondas, but the car featured the advanced all-round independent suspension. Estimate £70,000 - £80,000.

As ever, the Aston Martin sale will also contain fascinating examples of automobilia associated with the marque, including:

• A fine Javan Smith 1:8 scale scratch-built model of the 1963 Monza-winning Aston Martin 'DP214'– est £2,000 - £3,000

• A rare 'Agents for Lagonda Cars' enamel sign – est £1,300 - £1,800

• A Pre-war tool roll for 1.5 Litre Aston Martin – est £500 - £800

• A plethora of 'Bond' related items including several photographs of the various 007 cars, signed by the actors, Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig et al.

Finally, of interest to the 'gentleman or gentlewoman' farmer or keen Aston Martin collector, is the 1970 David Brown 990 Selectamatic Tractor. This remarkable piece of agricultural machinery was produced by the family firm of the former Aston Martin owner, with 'David Brown Ltd' being one of the UK's largest post-war tractor manufacturers. Estimate £7,000 - £10,000.

Photo credit: Bonhams
posted on conceptcarz.com

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