Bonhams was another auction company to set up shop in Monaco last weekend and saw quite some success with a solid number of cars selling in excess of the pre-auction estimates. We’re not going to touch on every single car, but rather a few that jump out at us a notable for reasons that will become clear.
There was never any doubt that this 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Crown Edition would ring the bell. It was being offered with no reserve by Bonhams and we saw another of these change hands for a similar price just a few weeks back.
The difference with this one is that it’s a one-owner car and has covered just 72 km since it was new. It’s also the last of the ten Crown Editions that were built on the SLR 722 model.
The Crown Edition SLR was built for Middle Eastern royalty and this particular example stuns in pale yellow paint with a Red Silver Arrow leather interior. It was recently recommissioned following a long period of sitting in a major collection and includes a copy of the original invoice.
There can’t be be any doubt about this – the Crown Edition was well-sold.
Sold for €506,000
Does anyone else remember that song, Crazy by Gnarls Barkley? Every time I see a Fiat Jolly approaching, or even exceeding six-figures I hear those lyrics, “I remember when I lost my mind,” repeating in my head. Because it’s a Fiat Jolly!
But this is a special one, that can’t be denied. It’s a stunningly original car, having remained in the same family since it was new. It’s also a matching-numbers example, which I suppose is worth considering even though it’s not rocking a V8 or anything like that.
Of course as soon as the description of the car explained that the owner had the car “craned onto his yacht” in the summer, there go those lyrics again. But I digress.
This 1959 Fiat 600 Jolly shows all of 19,183 km and it’s possible, if not likely, that the odometer is showing its true mileage. It wasn’t exactly driving all over the yacht.
Some years back we watched a Fiat Jolly sell for a remarkable price, at least at that time, at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island auction and can’t help but wonder if a similar situation occurred here with two very determined and very well-off bidders. However, the final price was pretty much in the middle of what Bonhams estimated the car to be worth and there is something to be said for a car that’s spent its entire life in the care of one family, so although we’re going to call this well-sold it won’t surprise us to see another Jolly running up the bids like this in the not-too-distant future.
Sold for €97,750
The Maserati A6G/2000 Coupe is a fascinating car that has brought seven-figure prices at past auctions, but this is a very different beast compared to those. The best known coachbuilders for this model are Pininfarina and Zagato, but the example offered by Bonhams was completed by Allemano.
It’s a one-of-one car, the only example of the Maserati A6G/2000 Coupe that we’re aware of that was built specifically for use on open road rally racing. It was special-ordered by Richard Cicurel, an American who was living in Europe at the time with build sheets showing around 50 modifications made to the car per his request to outfit for competition usage.
These include fog lights, a larger fuel tank, even a map light for the navigator. It’s believed to have been the most expensive Maserati built for use on the road when it was produced. And it was very much used for rally racing, at one point suffering damage that resulted in returning the car to Maserati for repairs.
It benefits from a thorough and careful restoration to its original color scheme and rally-going specs and seems to be the perfect car for long-distance vintage rally races today.
Selling for €931,500, in excess of the high-end of Bonhams’ pre-auction estimate, we’ve got to call this one well-sold. Although there’s still a hint of well-bought when considering how unique this particular A6G/2000 Coupe happens to be.
Sold for €931,500
As iconic as the Speedster look is to Porsche, it wasn’t until Ferdinand Porsche was convinced bo build a trial of 15 roadster versions of the 356 by Max Hoffman with the goal of producing a less costly, entry-level car that the idea for the Speedster was born.
The T2 variant of the Speedster, as offered by Bonhams, featured a number of updates compared to earlier model-year 356s. This example is powered by the 1.6L Type 616/2 engine and is documented as a numbers-matching example by its Certificate of Authenticity and Reutter’s certificate.
It’s one of just 141 examples of the Speedster that were finished in black paint is perhaps the most striking example of the 356 Speedster we’ve seen in some time. It underwent a nut and bolt restoration by Piotr Bem Restoration Garage in Warsaw and includes invoices and photos documenting the full restoration project.
Its selling price of €327,750 is so close to perfect – just above $356,000 – we’re actually a bit disappointed that it’s below the low-end of Bonhams’ estimate for the car. Of course that really just means it was well-bought, so congratulations to its new owner.
Sold for €327,750
Powered by a 3.6L flat-six cylinder engine, the same found in the standard Carrera 2, the 1992 Porsche 911 Type 964 Carrera 2 Cabriolet WTL is so named because it features the “Turbo Look” body that featured wider fenders, a larger wing, and a more aggressive stance like the 911 Turbo, but with a naturally aspirated engine.
It’s appreciated by many collectors for the pure Porsche experience offered by the combination of the standard flat-six and rear-wheel drive. In addition to the cosmetic upgrades the Works Turbo Look option package also included upgraded brakes, 17-inch wheels, and suspension elements from the 911 Turbo that aided in providing even better handling and performance.
The example offered by Bonhams in Monaco started its life in Germany and was special ordered in the remarkable Amethyst metallic paint with Magenta leather interior and matching soft-top that it still wears to this day.
Its history is well-documented including time spent in Belgium prior to being acquired by the consignor in Italy. The car has been well maintained throughout its life and currently shows 113,055 km, a figure backed by its original service book.
The Porsche market can be a bit strange at times – sometimes Porsche collectors care less about the originality of a car than how it performs, and we can understand that drive. But while this doesn’t have the added power of the turbo, its stunning color combination and documented history means its no shock to see this sell for €218,500.
Sold for €218,500
Next for Bonhams|Cars
Bonhams’ next major car auction will take place on June 30. Consignments are still being accepted for The Bonmont Sale that will be held in Cheserex, Switzerland.