Photo Gallery by Dave Brassington – Words by John Godley.
So, what happened to the half dozen vehicles on offer at last weekend’s Amelia Island auctions, which were highlighted for their variety, comparability and potential enjoyment?
First coming onto the stage was the diminutive Austin-Healey Sprite Mk IV, perhaps while the Bonhams staff were still getting into their stride. Possibly some the audience were yet to get into the spirit of the occasion, too, for the car was snapped up for a modest $18,000 ($19.8k with premiums), where the estimate range was $25-40k. In British terms, the eventual take home cost was just above £16,000. Whilst not a bargain basement sum by any means, a quick look at the range of UK based Sprites and Midgets, currently for sale on line, shows the road-worthy examples averaging between six and eighteen thousand pounds. This time-warp, almost new, A-H Sprite with under 5,000 miles on the clock could initiate any auctioneer’s closing comment, “Very well bought, Sir!”
By contrast, in so many ways, was the gargantuan Cadillac Broadmoor Skyview, later on in the Bonhams catalogue. It didn’t reach the unpublicised reserve, but indications were that this might be close to the lower estimate of $175,000. A small number of factors may be contributory. Firstly, there was a minor late amendment to the description. This was just a slight revision downwards in the quoted horse-power of the engine, but on close examination, the poor condition of the leather interior may have put some buyers off, particularly those only interested in pristine vehicles. I found photos and videos of at least two other Skyviews, from the original six commissioned by the Broadmoor Hotel, in seemingly concours condition (though not currently for sale). One which had been, back in 2010, made $87,000. It is, however, very rare for a Cadillac of the late ‘50s era to break into six figures. Absolutely perfect convertibles being those which occasionally do so. Only the pre-WW2 models with V16 engines can command much higher sums, so this 251 inch long twelve seater station-wagon may need some tidying up and a more realistic price before eventually tempting a buyer with a big enough garage.
Gooding & Company’s offer of an immaculately presented McLaren M1B with a terrific racing pedigree may have been too good – quite possibly too powerful – for the assembled audience in Florida. Although the auctioneer, the ever enthusiastic Charlie Ross, advised the model was welcomed for competition at Goodwood (the 75th Members’ Meeting takes place this coming weekend) and other top events, assembled buyers combined to raise the bid price up to only $230k, while the lower estimate had been previously set at $275k. It remains to be seen whether tripartite post-sale negotiations between the current keeper, David Gooding and a potential new owner could conclude a deal. Let us hope so, as this powerful historic sports car really deserves be back on the track, to be enjoyed by skilled drivers and spectators alike.
The second British-built sports car, reviewed at Auto-Addicts and on offer by Goodings, was the Jaguar XKSS, which began life as the short nosed D-type, XKD575. A late revision to the expected official estimate reduced the range from $16-18m, down to $13-16m. But they are still huge sums of money for a single car, despite its impressive racing history and current suitability for the most prestigious of ‘invitation only’ road touring events. The ascending offers both in the room and on the phones, whilst crashing through into eight figure territory, ultimately stalled at $11.9m. However, the ebullient Mr Ross was just itching to find a new buyer, as he hinted they were just one bid away from a successful sale. Perhaps after the current owner of XKSS ‘716’ drove it off the Amelia Island Concours exhibition lawns the following day, he may have been content to negotiate and ultimately hand the keys over to someone else, for a lower than hoped for figure
At the other end of the scale, in terms of XKSS shaped cars, was the immaculate 4.2 litre ‘recreation’ presented by RM Sotheby’s, only a few hours later. This still had a lower estimate of a not insubstantial $150k, but circumstances and reality brought the margin between these two similar looking Jaguars much closer together. Whilst highlighted in our pre-sale review article when the separation was a vast 120 fold, the actual difference in sums reached was much more than halved, at 47 times. Not only did the real XKSS manage $11.9m, but the Tempero (New Zealand manufactured) car smashed through its upper estimate and reached $255k. And that before any premiums and commissions were added. So, the new owner was obviously very impressed by the quality of workmanship and attention to detail. Additionally, he or she has a genuine Jaguar – for this car used a 1966 E-type as its basis. Wherever it’s driven, or parked, it will be admired. Only a tiny minority will be absolutely certain it is not one of the 16 originals. The rest may assume it isn’t but neither they, nor the fortunate driver especially, will really care.
And finally, the Aston Martin. Another rarity of the same year coming onto the RM Sotheby’s stage a little earlier. Also part of the collection from the Estate of collector Orin Smith, this Short Chassis Volante was amongst squadrons of opulent Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, a combined total of twenty-five, in fact. It was many of these which excited the audience, and those encouraged by staff on the telephones, the most. For upper estimates were ignored as benchmarks or recommendations and several changed hands for record sums. The convertible Aston, an example from only 37, as well as being chassis number one of this interim model between the DB5 and DB6 soft top production, might have been considered something of a bargain. Yes, when commissions were added it would just exceed the lower estimate of $1.6m, but that’s not much more than prices currently commanded by far more numerous DB5 coupés. Perhaps some of the modernising upgrades put off more potential buyers seeking pure originality, but the latest custodian won’t be bothered. As speculated in the pre-sale review article, the new driver had indeed saved about half a million dollars from the sum he may reasonably have been expecting to part with.
Therefore, to conclude on a cheerful note, we can imagine the smiles of both Aston Martin and Austin-Healey Sprite drivers will be that much broader, when enjoying open-topped motoring, this Spring.
John Godley of Classique Car Conduits.
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