 |
| 1925 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix Two-Seater: Sold for £430,500 |
“One of the best ever Goodwood Festival of Speed sales,” was James Knight’s verdict on Bonhams’ £7.25m auction held on the Friday of the famous Festival.
What made the figure even more impressive was the fact that it did not rely on one record-busting, multi-million-pound lot; the top selling car was the historically significant, Bertone-bodied 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupé which achieved £606,500. This was followed by the catalogue’s ‘cover car’, the 1925 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix two-seater formerly owned by past Bugatti Owners’ Club director and editor of Bugantics magazine, Mr Jack Perkins, which fetched £430,500.
And elsewhere in the results many cars broached the magic £100k mark. The market’s insatiable appetite for classic Aston Martins knows no bounds, with the 1967 DB6 Volante selling for £309,500, the 1963 DB5 for £254,500, and the 1960 DB4 Series II for £188,500.
Meanwhile, other Blue Riband entries did well. The 1989 Ferrari F40 (£353,500), the 1924 Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model Tourer (£135,700) and the partially restored 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental (£298,500 against an estimate of £120,000-150,000, wow!) are all marques and models on most serious collectors' ‘must-have’ lists.
 |
 |
| 1972 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible: Sold for £25,300 | 1989 Ferrari F40: Sold for £353,500 |
Of the pre-War cars, the 1936 Jaguar SS100 2½-litre Roadster was a rare non-seller, while the 1937 Bentley 4¼ Litre Allweather Convertible went for £155,500, the sporting 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sedanca de Ville £139,000 and the ‘other’ Bugatti, the 1926 Bugatti Type 37 Monoposto, an estimate-busting £197,300.
‘Celebrity cars’ included the 1967 Lamborghini 400GT owned in period by Paul McCartney which sold for £122,500 and an ex-Simon and Yasmin Le Bon c.1974 Alfa Romeo Montreal Coupé going for £31,050.
 |
 |
| 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Volante Convertible to Vantage specification: Sold for £309,500 | 1959 Porsche 356A Convertible D: Sold for £91,700 |
Finally, to a British motor racing celebrity who redefined the expression ‘larger than life’, the great Gerald Dallas Royston Marshall. One of Gerry’s most famous cars was up for sale at the Festival. Coming direct from the Marshall family, the ex-Dealer Team Vauxhall 1971 Vauxhall Firenza - colloquially referred to as 'Old Nail' - is as much a part of British motor racing history as a Napier or an ERA.
A glass (“with a handle, please, Steve...”) should be raised to whoever bought the little car which sold for a fine £47,700 (est. £30,000-40,000). We look forward to seeing it on a circuit again, driven in suitably exuberant style.
Prior to the motor cars, a variety of automobilia and watches was sold, including a c.1970 Heuer ‘Monaco’ chronograph wristwatch for £6000.
At the Festival of Speed, Bonhams was also showing an early entry to its 16 September Goodwood Revival sale, the ex-Sir Robert Ropner, factory supplied semi-Lightweight 1964 Jaguar E-type roadster (estimate on request).
To see the complete results of the Bonhams 1 July Goodwood sale, please click HERE.
Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Bonhams
ClassicInside-The Classic Driver Newsletter
Free Subscription!