A superb 340+ page catalogue showcases Bonhams’ 2008 Quail sale. The E2A has been getting all the attention, but in addition to the famous ex-works Jaguar there’s a multitude of high-class entries, such as this 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT, estimated at $1,500,000 - 2,000,000.

Delivered new to the US (although a RHD car) in 1961, the dark blue Aston has spent the last 20 years in continuous ownership Stateside. Despite its club racing preparation, it’s been on the concours field - rather than the track - where DB4/GT/0156/R has seen most action. Bonhams famously sold a more ‘street’ '4GT at Newport Pagnell this year for £1,079,500. I shall be interested to see what happens to this one.



We previewed the entry of the one-off, ex-Le Mans 1960 Jaguar E2A elsewhere on Classic Driver. It’s officially ‘Refer Department’; however, Bonhams’ early publicity hinted at a price of $7m-plus. I’ve no reason to dispute that, as it’s a truly historic car that can be driven on the road as well as being eligible for all the big historic racing events, including the Le Mans Classic (next run in 2010, the car’s 50th. Hint...).

1967 Lamborghini 400GT 2+2 Coupe - $200,000 - 250,000

Fox & Nicholl Team Car 'EPE 97' ,1936 Lagonda LG45R Rapide - $1,200,000 - 1,500,000

Other post-War competition cars entered include the ex-NART, Posey/Rodriguez 2nd in class, 1969 24 Hours of Daytona, 1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4 (Refer Dept.), the ex-James Garner/American International Racing (AIR) Leslie/Guldstrand, 24 Hours of Daytona, FIA GT, 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Competition Convertible ($700,000 - 900,000), and the 1976 Porsche Type 934/5, a car with an incredible history in period, estimated at $525,000 - 600,000

Bonhams has - probably wisely - decided to major on its traditional strengths of top quality pre- and post-War European cars in 2008, rather than enter the ‘American Muscle’ arena, a market well-served by indigenous houses such as RM, Gooding and Russo & Steele.

1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Competition Convertible - $700,000 - 900,000

1965 Ferrari 330 GT Shooting Brake - $500,000 - 600,000

The catalogue includes a superb collection of Voisins, including the best-in-class winner at Pebble Beach in 2006, the 1931 C14 'Chartre' ($900,000 - 1,400,000), as well as the ex-Ecurie Nice 1939 Talbot-Lago T150 C ($3,500,000 - 4,500,000), and a car once described as “the most famous Lagonda of all”: the Fox & Nicholl Team Car 'EPE 97', 1936 Lagonda LG45R Rapide ($1,200,000 - 1,500,000).


There are also two of the most fabulous inter-War Rolls-Royces: the ex-Maharaja Bahador of Jammu and Kashmir - Streamlined Experimental, 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Torpedo (Refer Dept.), and the 1933 Monte Carlo Rally, 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sportsman's Coupé for $800,000 - 1,200,000.

1968 Porsche 911S Coupe - $75,000 - 95,000

1933 Monte Carlo Rally,1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sportsman's Coupe - $800,000 - 1,200,000

Prior to the motor cars, Bonhams will sell a variety of jewellery and watches, and automobilia. The latter includes a selection of car mascots by René Lalique and Lot 177: a Porsche 917 steering wheel from the movie ‘Le Mans’. This is signed by Steve McQueen – and others – and carries an estimate of $20,000 – 30,000.

Please CLICK HERE to see the full lotlist for the 2008 Quail Lodge sale.

The sale will be held at the Bonhams & Butterfields' pavilion at the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club, 8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel, CA 93932.

Automobilia will commence at 10:00 in the pavilion, Jewellery and Watches at 12:00 in the grounds of 'The Quail', and Motor Cars at 13:00, in the pavilion.

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Bonhams

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