NEWS

NEWS FROM BONHAMS CHANTILLY AND BEAULIEU SALES

Monday 05 September 2016

The Club’s Principal Associates, Bonhams enjoyed a successful weekend with a double-header of Sales at Chantilly and Beaulieu on Saturday 3 September.

BONHAMS SEE SALE SUCCESS AT CHANTILLY AS TIMELESS GERMAN CLASSICS GO UNDER THE HAMMER
 
The best of German automotive engineering headlined Bonhams Chantilly Sale, with the ex-1935 Berlin Motor Show Mercedes-Benz 500K Special Roadster realising €5,290,000 (£4,457,354/$5,921,097), while a trio of Horch greats sold for a collective €2.3 million.

In 1935 the 500K took pride of place on the Mercedes-Benz stand at the Berlin Motor Show, where it was promptly bought by Hans Friedrech Prym (1875-1965). Hans came from the industrial Prym dynasty, a family who for twelve generations had produced haberdashery, copper, and brass products, leading to Hans becoming known locally as the ‘zipper king’.

“The 500K was subsequently stolen, but now – after having returned to the family more than 80 years later, and carefully entrusted to Bonhams for auction – it has sold at our Chantilly Sale for an excellent €5,290,000,” said Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Head of Motoring.

“Bonhams return for only our second Sale in Chantilly. We’re delighted that the results have far exceeded that of last year, achieving more than €9 million at today’s sale.”
 
Elsewhere in the auction was a trio of Horch classics from the 1930s. Founded in 1904, Horch is one of the ancestors of the present Audi Company. In its short lifetime, the company produced several magnificent motor cars, three of which achieved excellent prices in the auction room. The 1937 Horch 853 Spezial Roadster sold for €1,035,000 (£872,291/$1,158,475), while both the 1938 Horch 853 A Sport Cabriolet and the 1934 Horch 780 B Cabriolet realized €632,500 (£532,944/$707,957).

Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Co-Chairman, said: “Chantilly Arts & Elegance is a fabulous event where Bonhams is proud to offer the sole motoring auction. We’ve achieved an excellent result today, and look forward to the two further auctions coming up in September, with the Goodwood Revival Sale taking place 10 September, and the Robert White Collection Sale taking place 19 September.”
 
Further auction highlights include the 1956 Bentley S1 Coupé, sold for €293,250 (£247,092/$328,234); the 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupé sold for €238,625 (£201,065/$267,092), the 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Cabriolet sold for €207,000 (£174,418/$231,695); the 1994 Porsche 928 GTS, sold for €101,200 (£85,271/$113,273); and the 1990 BMW Z1 Roadster sold for €69,000 (£58,139/$77,231).

Bonhams Chantilly Sale takes place on the grounds of the Château de Chantilly, at the Chantilly Arts and Elegance fair, an event now in its 3rd year. The annual event attracts thousands of spectators, taking in the delights of the "Concours d'Elegance" competition for modern concept cars, and a superb "Concours d'Etat" for Classic cars from around the world. The "Art & Elegance" event also plays host to fine art exhibitions, fashion shows, live music and various lifestyle exhibits, all on the grounds of the magnificent château.


 
ASTON MARTIN ACCELERATES TO TOP ESTIMATE AT BONHAMS BEAULIEU SALE
 
A British barn find Aston Martin DB4 – with no front wheels or seats – soared to £203,100 at Bonhams Beaulieu Sale this weekend, Saturday 3 September.

“This rare Series I DB4, the 78th of 149 built, was the perfect barn find Aston Martin for our Beaulieu Sale, and deserved to take top estimate,” said Tim Schofield, Bonhams UK Head of Motoring. “Over the years, it had fallen into disrepair but, once restored, we expect it to have been a worthwhile project.”

The Bonhams Sale at the 50th Annual International Autojumble saw more than 400 lots of motor cars, motorcycles, and rare automobilia go under the hammer, collectively achieving a grand total of £3.1million for the Sale, with 84% of lots sold.
 
Also selling well was the 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Coupé. Originally owned by King Hussein of Jordan, it was the perfect car for statesmen, or indeed royalty, of the era. After an intense bidding battle, the 300 S finally sold to a European bidder for £292,700.
 
Further highlights of the auction include a 1939 Brough Superior 982cc SS100 motorcycle, sold for £113,100, a 1936 Cord Sportsman 812 Supercharged, sold for £100,060, and a 1963 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider soared above estimate to achieve £92,220.



The Bonhams Motoring Department next head to Chichester for the Goodwood Revival Sale, taking place on Saturday 10 September.
 
For further information about this and other Sales, please CLICK HERE

1935 Berlin Mercedes