9 cars to watch at Bonhams' Goodwood auction
Classics like this 1981 Aston Martin V8 Volante will roll across the block this weekend.
Rare European machinery old and new will cross the block in the UK this weekend
Bonhams is gearing up for its annual Goodwood Members Meeting auction in the UK, with a catalog filled with rare European cars and even a jet bomber. (If you're looking to start your own air force the 1959 English Electric Canberra may be a spectacular bargain, but you might have some registration issues in your respective country.)Earth-bound machinery, on the other hand, will offer an easier time when it comes to obtaining license plates with plenty of recent but importable classics headed to the auction block this weekend.
Listed below are nine lots worth watching from the comfort of the Internets.
Clean classic Range Rovers are getting tough to find.
Classic Range Rovers are starting to undergo some serious restorations, and so far it appears to be paying off. The days of being able to find a classic Rangie from the '70s in the local paper are starting to come to a close as the best examples are plucked off the market for restorations.
Bonhams will offer a 1971 two-door model finished in Lincoln Green that was restored 20 years ago and has since had some components replaced as needed. Its restoration in the mid 1990s was featured in Land Rover International magazine. It now shows 86,000 miles, and comes with receipts for work dating back to the late 1980s. Bonhams expects this one to fetch between $36,000 and $43,000. If it lands anywhere near the low estimate, it may seem like a bargain in a few years.
The Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth was one of the hottest sedans back in the day.
Created for Group A homologation in the late 1980s, Ford's Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth packed 220 hp and all-wheel drive. This model was Ford's super sedan of the day, at least in Europe; many of them settled in the UK and Germany.
Bonhams will offer a 1991 example finished in Ebony black, a car originally supplied to Spain that now shows 27,500 miles. The auction house says that this Sierra was recently serviced by Cosworth specialist Graham Goode Motors. Bonhams estimates that it'll bring between $21,000 and $29,000 on auction day.
This Zagato may well turn out to be a bargain.
Zagato-designed coupes from the 1960s and 1970s have always received due attention from collectors -- much more than the carrozzeria's efforts from the 1980s -- but they haven't always been affordable. Lancia was one of the design studio's most frequent collaborators 50 years ago, and many of their models are not out of reach price-wise.
Bonhams will offer a 1970 Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato 1.3s Coupe at the upcoming sale; it's a right-hand-drive model. These are the most collectible versions of the Fulvia, and this example wears an aluminum hood and door panels over a steel body (some versions were all-aluminum). The Lancia is estimated to bring between $26,000 and $31,000 on auction day.
Testarossas of all colors are coming out of the woodwork in hopes of a big pay day.
The Ferrari Testarossa is suddenly the darling the auction circuit (the-'80s sports car's sudden jump in value might have something to do with it), and Testarossas of all vintages and colors are coming out of their climate-controlled garages to give the roulette wheel a spin.
Bonhams will offer a 1990 left-hand drive example finished in the unusual hue of blue sera and sold new to Switzerland. The auction house says that this Testarossa has been kept in dry storage its whole life, and now shows 13,900 miles. It's a driveable example that recently received recommissioning work, which is normal for low-mileage supercars prior to auction. Bonhams estimates that this Testarossa, reported to be in near-concours condition, should bring between $140,000 and $180,000 on auction day; a conservative estimate given the values some other examples have achieved in recent months.
The Indy has received only modest attention from collectors in recent years.
The Maserati Indy is not a commonly seen model even at classic Italian car events, despite (or because of) the fact that it is not as collectible or pricey as some of the others from that era.
Bonhams will offer a 1973 example of the wedgy coupe, one of just 300 of Indy 4900 models made. Styled by Vignale, the 4900 is powered by a 4.9-liter engine, and this one has the desirable manual transmission (a three-speed manual was also offered). Bonhams notes that this Indy was refurbished inside relatively recently, getting new leather inside and new paint outside, in addition to some mechanical work. The auction house estimates this one to bring between $93,000 and $120,000 on auction day. Interest in the Indy is not as strong as in some other Maserati models, hence the large estimate spread. No-sales of Indys are common, unless they sellers cut them loose when they don't have the momentum to reach reserve. Still, overlooked Masers are on the price rebound.
This Cord spent its early years in South Africa.
The Cord 810 is one of the most recognizable designs of the pre-war years, and represents one of the last gasps of the great American luxury marque
In its last days, the automaker was not relying solely on the domestic market. Hence, Bonhams will offer a 1937 Model 810 Sedan in right-hand drive; the car spent its early years in South Africa before moving to the UK in the 1970s. Powered by a Lycoming V8, this Cord was originally white before being painted dark red and had been in a museum on static display since 1977. Museum storage is not always ideal, and the auction house reports that the car will need recommissioning. Bonhams estimates this Cord to bring between $40,000 and $50,000 on auction day.
Bristols are rare even in their home country.
Bristols are very rare, even in the UK, but the marque enjoys a loyal following in former British colonies even though they're seldom seen in the States. Usually, it's the older models that collectors are after.
Bonhams will offer a 1948 Bristol 400 at their upcoming Goodwood sale. The car is derived from several pre-war BMW models: The body is similar to the 327, the engine is from the 328 and the chassis is from the 326. This example is powered by a 2.0-liter six-cylinder, and spent its early years in Australia before moving back to the UK in the 1990s where it received a restoration. Bonhams estimates that it'll bring between $79,000 and $86,000 on auction day.
Bonhams will offer this 1966 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 350 Coupe at the Goodwood sale, and it might just stay in the country.
The Shelby GT 350 is nothing short of a legend, offering impressive performance for the day in an almost-stock wrapper.
Bonhams will offer a 1966 example that has been modified to FIA racing specification. That includes a Roxwell Racing 4,727cc engine tuned to 423 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque. This car spent time in the Wheatcroft Collection in the UK, and will be offered with a Paxton supercharged engine thrown in. Bonhams estimates this Mustang will bring between $140,000 and $190,000 on auction day.
The V8 Volante has been steadily climbing in value, which is why we're seeing more of these lately.
The Aston Martin V8 soldiered on from 1969 through the late 1980s with relatively few changes, with the company substituting performance and craftsmanship for just about everything else that the buyers may have wanted. Even the debut of the very angular Lagonda sedan in the 1970s didn't persuade the company to visually update the V8 coupe and cabrio.
Bonhams will offer a 1981 Volante convertible, an example that had seen modest use in the UK since new. Finished in green metallic with cream leather upholstery, this V8 Volante now shows a reported 25,700 miles from new. This is one of just 849 built during the entire run (Aston Martin's output was much more modest back then). Bonhams expects this one to fetch between $86,000 and $110,000. If it achieves a sale price near the top estimate, this may seem like a bit of a bargain in just a few years, as the best V8 models have finally started to gain traction at auctions, and not just the Series 4 "Oscar India" variants.
