It was an Aston Martin that was the top-seller at Bonhams’ Reims sale – but not the one-of-two V8 ‘Sportsman Estate Car’. Instead, it turned out to be the almost as rare (one of 17), LHD 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage.

Estimated at 300,000 - 400,000 euros, the Silver Birch/red Connolly leather coupé sold for a stunning 414,500 euros. Another Newport Pagnell car which did well was the 1970 Aston Martin DBS Vantage, again a LHD car, achieving 103,500 euros.

At the lower end of the 100,000 - 130,000 euros estimate, this is nevertheless strong money for what was once a model unloved by collectors, and it's above what many a more modish DB2 might garner.

1991 Alfa Romeo SZ Coupé - Sold for 27,600 euros

1970 Aston Martin DBS Vantage - Sold for 103,500 euros

Elsewhere in a sale that saw just over half the entries finding new buyers, the c.1971 Ford Capri RS2600 sold for 80,500 euros, the 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet for a handy 109,250 euros, and the 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ Coupé (a modern classic if ever there was one) achieved 27,600 euros.

Of the older cars, the 1938 BMW 327 Cabriolet went for 149,500 euros.

Bonhams' next motoring sale will be at the Goodwood Revival on 17 September.

To see the full results, please CLICK HERE.

Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Bonhams

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