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Coys 'True Greats', London 7 December 2011: Preview

1952 Aston Martin DB2: £70,000 - 80,000

“Our best catalogue this year,” is how Douglas Jamieson of Coys describes the company’s forthcoming London sale.

Listed in the 212-page volume are several top-level entries such as the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A (£500,000 - 600,000), the ex-George Harrison 1964 Aston Martin DB5 (£225,000 - 260,000) and that 2011 must-have, an unmolested, unrestored 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, with this one carrying an estimate of £225,000 - 275,000.

As we’re covering the ‘preservation class’ 300SL elsewhere on Classic Driver, let’s start with a Mercedes roadster from an earlier era. The 540K, in all its various forms, is as instantly recognisable as a Bugatti T35 or a Blower Bentley. While the pre-War 540K Roadsters and Special Roadsters can command multi-million-dollar prices, the still elegant Cabriolet As - particularly carrying in-house, Sindelfingen coachwork you see here – run them close, for a considerably more affordable sum.

1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster - Dry stored since 1988: £225,000 - 275,000

One of just 83 cars built, this red-with-red-leather example was a regular on the concours lawn in the 90s, before joining the Ecclestone Collection and then in recent years the Heselden Collection, whence it has been consigned. A fabulous car.

The Platinum Silver Aston Martin DB5 was supplied new to Beatles member George Harrison on 1 January 1965, with several factory-fit extras that included Britax safety belts, FIAM horns and a detachable passenger headrest. As a DB5, the estimate is spot-on, and if you factor in the Beatle connection, well, this could be an attractive, “You know what, I’m going to treat myself…” early Christmas present.

1956 Jaguar XK140 Roadster: £48,000 - 65,000

And while on the Aston front, you are never TOO far away from a barn-find DB at auction these days, and Coys will be offering a left-hand drive 1958 DB Mk III for £60,000 - 70,000. Rock fans preferring something heavier than Harrison’s mellifluous strumming might be interested in Lot 345, the 1936 Cord 810 Phaeton once owned by Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. Finished in a surprisingly sedate dark blue, it’s estimated at £75,000 - 100,000.

Elsewhere in the 68-car catalogue lies a varied selection of quality entries. For example, there’s still time to buy an E-type in its 50th anniversary year. Coys’ 1963 example is a 3.8 Series I FHC in the desirable specification of Opalescent Grey with black hide and carries an estimate of £45,000 - 55,000.


The Ex-Nick Moor Racing, 1967 Lotus Type 47 Group 4: £70,000 - 90,000 1955 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1: £35,000 - 45,000
1964 Aston Martin DB5, ex-George Harrison: £225,000 - 260,000 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A, Coachwork by Sindelfingen: £500,000 - 600,000

With Astons and now E-types having become so desirable, perhaps it's inevitable that Healeys are now following suit. Coys’ £35,000 - 45,000, 1955 100/4 BN1 presents well in the catalogue, and there’s also a 1965 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III for a more accessible £24,000 - 28,000.

Of the older cars, Mercedes apart, mention must be made of the 1937 Jaguar SS100 2 ½ Litre (an original matching number car for £160,000 - 200,000), the 1938 BMW Frazer Nash 326 Convertible (£40,000 - 50,000) and the LHD, Brewster-bodied 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Playboy Roadster for £150,000 - 200,000.

In addition to the 300SL Roadster, there’s a well-presented, black/red 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing' for £450,000 - 500,000 and several Porsche 356s. All left-hand drive, the pick of these must be the 1953 ‘Pre A’ 1300 coupé at £65,000 - 85,000 – although we do like the later 356 convertibles and the similar-period 1960 Facel Vega HK500 (£60,000 - 70,000). Decisions, decisions.

1948 Bentley Mark VI, Drophead Coupé by Graber: £100,000 - 120,000 1953 Porsche 356 'Pre A' 1300: £65,000 - 85,000

Prior to the motor cars, Coys will offer a selection of Film Posters & Related Items and Motoring Collectibles.

Auction:Wednesday 7 December 2011 at 16:00
Viewing: Tuesday 6 December 12.00 - 20.00 (On the day of the sale from 10.00 to start of sale)
Location: The Royal Horticultural Halls, Elverton St, Westminster, London, SW1P 2PE

To see the complete lotlisting of the Coys 7 December, London 'True Greats' sale, please click here, or you can see all the cars in the Classic Driver Marketplace.

To find out more about Coys auctions and showroom sales, please read the Classic Driver Profile.

Coys
Manor Court
237 - 241 Lower Mortlake Road
Richmond
London TW9 2LL
UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 8614 7888
Fax: +44 (0)20 8614 7889
Mail: [email protected]


Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Coys



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