Bonhams & Butterfields at Brookline, USA 1st May 2004 - Preview - Classic Driver - MAGAZINE

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22/04/2004
Bonhams & Butterfields at Brookline, USA 1st May 2004 - Preview

Nearly 700 lots are included in the forthcoming Brookline Sale, of which only 52 are cars. The vast majority of this sale is traditionally of an automobilia nature and this year is no exception. On the four-wheeled front there is a star in the form of a 1950 Maserati A6GCS Sports-Racing Car estimated at $500,000 - 600,000.

Discovered by renowned British classic car dealer (and sometime driver and F1 entrant of note) Colin Crabbe in a Brazilian scrapyard in 1972, the car was one of a pair of cycle-winged sports-racing cars exported to Rio de Janeiro in 1951. Unrestored, and having spent some time in Tom Wheatcroft’s ownership, the car was then sold to an American collector who commissioned an English restoration, finally taking possession of the car in its current state in 1980, and enjoying many years on rallies and other events (including the Mille Miglia) worldwide. Competition-ready right now it’s believed to be one of only eight surviving examples of the type and appears to be right ‘on-the-button’ for all sorts of activity, ranging from touring to serious historic racing.

Another big-ticket item is the 1913 Mercer Model 35 Roadster 'Runabout', $380,000 - 440,000. A competitor to Stutz at the time, the Mercer is a pre-WW1 big car for the quintessential American ‘sportsman’ of the time. Other uniquely ‘stateside’ items in the sale include a 1951 Mercury Woody Wagon $60,000 - 70,000, a very James Stewart 1950 Willys Jeepster Phaeton Convertible $20,000 - 25,000, and a 1931 Chrysler Imperial Dual Cowl Phaeton $180,000 - 200,000.

On the European front there are several Mercedes, some of which, like the 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300s Coupe ($85,000 - 100,000), found popularity with contemporary film and radio stars. There also two W108/109 S-Class convertibles, a 1968 250SE for $20,000 - 25,000, and a 1969 280SE for £35,000 - 40,000. The 1977 Ferrari 400 GT at $24,000 - 29,000 is the first of its type produced, and a stranger to US shores as the Maranello company never had the model type-approved due the cost of crash testing two cars.

1974 Laverda 750SFC

1977 Ferrari 400 GT - the first of its type produced

Prior to the motor car sale there is an extensive selection of motorcycle lots including this fine 1974 Laverda 750SFC at $14,000 - 17,000 and amongst the automobilia is an entire collection of 29 Lalique mascots such as the rare ‘Hibou’ owl model, introduced in January 1931. This collection alone is estimated at $600,000 - 800,000 and in addition there are several other single items of Lalique including what may well be the rarest of all, a ‘Renard’ introduced in December 1930 and now up for auction at a jaw-dropping $220,000 - 260,000.

Rene Lalique ‘Hibou’ owl mascot, part of a collection for sale in its entirety $600,000 - 800,000

Rene Lalique 'Renard' mascot, $220,000 - 260,000

Click HERE to view the complete lotlist.

Bonhams' annual all-Aston Martin Sale of motor cars and automobilia (including James Bond items) will be at held at 'Works Service', Newport Pagnell on 8th May, please click HERE to view our first preview.

Bonhams Europe are just putting the finishing touches to their exciting May 15 Monaco Sale. Please click HERE to see the lots entered so far on the Classic Driver car database.