Bonhams reports an 82 percent sell-through rate and $3.32 million on sales for its annual Collectors’ Motor Cars and Automobilia Auction held October 11 at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia.
Topping the sale was a 1931 Bentley 8-liter Tourer that brought $885,000, the final sale right at the top of the car’s pre-auction estimated value, Bonhams noted.
But perhaps just as impressive was the second star of the results, a Sindelfingen-bodied 1935 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet A presented in barn-find condition. The car was consigned to the auction by the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, Bonhams noted, and sold for $362,500 after frenzied bidding.
While pre-war cars topped the sale and dominated the top-10 results, a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 cracked the auction’s top-5, selling for $346,000 (prices reported include buyer’s fees). Also in the top-10 was another Detroit muscle machine, a 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 coupe.
Another Detroit product, albeit from a different era, also was among the top-10 sales with a 1913 Rauch & Lang Model J electric coach topping its pre-sale estimate and selling for $80,640.
“As usual, we achieved fantastic results for our highlight pre-war lots,” noted Greg Porter, Bonhams motor car head of sale for the US, adding, “and also great results for some of the outstanding American muscle cars.”
Top-10 sales, Bonhams at the Simeone museum 2020
- 1931 Bentley 8-liter Tourer, $885,000
- 1935 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet A, $362,500
- 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429, $346,000
- 1934 Lagonda M45 T8 Tourer, $179,200
- 1933 Packard 1004 Super Eight Convertible Victoria, $112,000
- 2009 Aston Martin DBS coupe, $108,640
- 1931 Packard 840 Deluxe Eight roadster, $105,280
- 1913 Rauch & Lang Model J electric coach, $80,640
- 1912 Peugeot Bebe 6hp Type BP1 2-seat tourer, $78,400
- 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 coupe, $78,400
(Prices include buyer’s fee.)
Bonhams next US sale is scheduled for January 21 as part of Arizona Auction Week.
For more information, visit the Bonhams website.