17.11.10

Fresh from its success in Monterey and Hershey, Canadian company RM Auctions held its final European sale of the year, on Wednesday October 27th. Returning to central London and the Battersea Evolution, with a catalogue of 103 collectors cars, 2 motorbikes and 1 helicopter, the 5.5 hour(!) auction delivered an 87% sale rate and revenues of almost £20 million.

The spacious exhibition venue, allows all cars to be displayed internally, with an F40 and Enzo greeting attendees in the reception and the 3 stars of the sale – the “James Bond” Aston Martin DB5, Jaguar C type and Talbot Lago T23 “Jeancart Teardrop”, on the auctioneers rostrum.

A full copy of the results in sterling (including buyers premium) can be viewed here. These were the highlights…

Star “lot” and heading Stateside (from where it was consigned by Jerry Lee, its owner of more than 40 years), the aforementioned Aston Martin DB5 was the evening’s top sale at £2.9 million. The vendor has given all the sale proceeds to a charitable foundation.

One of my favourite, current supercars is the AMG Mercedes powered, Pagani Zonda R. Credited with lapping the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6mins 47 secs earlier this year and a planned production of just 15 units, it was offered at “no reserve”, selling at £806k – a healthy discount over “list”.
Of the 9 Ferrari’s offered, only 4 have new owners, with the 365 California Spyder achieving £739.2k, the short nose 275 £537k, the aforementioned F40 £316k and Daytona (requiring work) £128k.
For Lamborghini devotees, a 1971 Lamborghini Miuraconverted by the factory to SVJ (Jota) specification when 2 years old and more recently restored by Californian Ferrari and Lambo specialist Gary Bobileff, achieved a whopping £728k, with a similar SV specification example selling at £700k and the first ever RHD Countach £196k…making the £106k paid for the 1969 Islero GTS , seem a very good deal. A much campaigned and very usable Lancia Aurelia B20 was snapped up by the UK trade at £52k and £700k secured a 1956 Maserati A6G/2000.
My car of the evening, was the simply stunning Talbot Lago T23.The sole 4 litre built, with a Figoni and Falaschi designed, Jeancart inspired, “Teardrop” body. It won the “Excellence in Motion” award at the 2000 Pebble Beach concours, since when it has had a complete restoration completed by RM in Blenheim Ontario. A long-time US resident, it’s new custodian is a discerning UK collector, who secured it for £1.79million.

With over 500 attendees, telephone bidders from 30 countries and the sale broadcast “live” via the internet, RM Europe’s latest auction attracted much media attention immediately prior, and post sale. Auction prices confirm the continued interest in the market as an enjoyable, rewarding and relatively “safe” haven for private collectors cash, as well as dealers having the opportunity to replenish depleted stock, with attractively priced inventory.

Me…I kept my hands in my pockets in London (as I have a plan!), except for delivering a letter to David Cameron, giving him 15 reasons why McLaren’s Ron Dennis should be the next motor-sport “Knight”……and not just because he invented ronspeak!!

Resident Stateside for the last 25 years this Tojeiro Bristol has been a VSCCA regular and following a recent rebuild was race ready and achieved £129K

Driven by Sir Stirling Moss to victory in the 1961 Oulton Park Gold Cup, the unique Ferguson P99 has seen more recent historic action with Barrie Williams and its original driver, which wasn’t enough for a new owner to secure it, with a high bid of £410k

Imported into Europe some 20 yrs ago, the De Soto Indy style racer has seen little action and with direct drive, could be fun at £29k!

A recent “press car” on the Mille Miglia retro, this Aston Martin DB5 has benefited from much recent work, by marque specialists and achieved £224k

In 1935 Land Speed record holder and MG racer, Captain George Eyston managed a 3 car, all female(6) driver line up in MG PA’s – known as the “Dancing Daughters” – this was the sole remaining car and sold at £79k

Restored by one of the globe’s foremost Miura experts, Californian Gary Bobileff, this uprated SVJ example, was the subject of a recent 2 yr US $225k restoration, which helped it to a record £728k

A faithful recreation of a 1907 GP Itala and consigned from the Hooper Collection the Itala sold at £67k

Greeting visitors in the reception areas, was this 2004 spec, 9k mile from new and Ferrari Classiche certificated Enzo which was a no sale at £575k