Auction News Network

Rusty Mini Outsells Keith Richards’ 1950 Pontiac

You’d think that a rusty 1959 Mini would sell for less—a lot less– than a classic 1950 Pontiac convertible once owned by Keith Richards. As it happens, you’d be wrong. Earlier today at a Bonhams auction at the RAF Museum in Hendon, England, the oldest surviving original example of a Austin Mini De Luxe Saloon in non-running “barn find” condition sold for $65,382, eclipsing the $61,604 paid for a dark blue Pontiac Chieftan Silver Streak in which Richards tooled about in the south of France.

Raymond Loewy’s Avanti In Monaco

In mid-century, few industrial designers could rival the portfolio of Raymond Loewy, who was responsible for such iconic creations as the Coca-Cola bottle, the Gray Hound Bus, and the stylish Avanti coupe. Loewy’s own Avanti II coupe, which he purchased in 1972 and had shipped back to Paris, is one of the highlights at Bonhams “Grandes Marques” sale in Monaco on May 11^th, when it’s expected to sell for $46,000-$65,700.

Most Powerful Road Racer Ever Built

A lot of distinguished vintage cars will come under the gavel at Gooding’s Amelia Island auction on March 9^th, but none is likely to be more valuable than a 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder. Billed as “the most powerful road-racing car ever built,” the thoroughly restored 1,200 HP Porsche participated in such races as the Rennsport Reunion and the Monterey Historics. One of only six examples produced, it carries an estimate of $3.25m-$4m.

Over $200,000 Expected For Spitfire Remnant

In its last wartime mission, a training flight in 1944, the Spitfire fighter plane with the call sign NK-K didn’t fare well. It crashed and its Australian pilot perished. Since that time, its parts have been assembled in a fuselage and cockpit display that a local English scout troop used for promotional purposes. This weekend, the English auctioneer Historics at Brooklands will auction the historic plane—or what remains of it—in a sale at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey, where it’s expected to fetch $190,000-$237,000.

1941 Chrysler Indy 500 Pace Car At Amelia Island

Not surprisingly, there are some stunning cars in the lineup for RM’s Amelia Island auction next month. Among the rarest is a 1941 Chrysler Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton by Le Baron, one of only 5 ever produced. This example, designed and built in just 90 days, was the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 in 1941. Formerly owned by Walter P. Chrysler Jr., it’s expected to sell for $1.5m-$2m.

Over $1m Expected For 1961 Aston Martin Classic

In 1958, Aston Martin introduced Britain’s answer to Italy’s automotive mastery. Engineered to be the ultimate Gran Turismo, the DB4GT was designed for competition. Only 30 left hand drives were produced, and the rare 1961 example that Bonhams will offer in Paris on February 2^nd is the product of a ground-up restoration. Campaigned extensively–and successfully–on the historic race circuit, it’s estimated at $1.7m-$2.2m.

JFK Hearse Sells For $176,000

A 1964 white Cadillac hearse that carried the body of assassinated President John F. Kennedy sold this weekend at a Scottsdale, Arizona auction for  $176,000. The car, offered at a Barrett Jackson event, transported JFK’s body and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis from Parkland Memorial Hospital to Dallas Love Field, where Air Force One waited.

One-Off Ferrari Leads Scottsdale Sale

The rarest—and likely most valuable—of the 10 Ferraris that RM will be offering at its two-day auction beginning this evening in Scottsdale, Arizona is a 1957 410 Superamerica Coupe by Scaglietti. It’s a one of a kind example that the factory built for favored Ferrari client Dottore Enrico Wax. After a two-year restoration, the car won Best in Class at the 1990 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Distinguished by its delicate and highly unusual little fins, the Superamerica is expected to sell for $1.75m-$2.25m.

A Carousel & Vintage Cars: Milhous Collection To Sell

Bob & Paul Milhous only wanted one object in an Austrian collection. It was a Weber Maestro orchestrion, a mechanical device that produces the sounds of a 24-piece orchestra. To close the deal, the brothers had to buy the entire 260-item collection. Through the years, they’ve added to it, so that their assortment of antique cars, mechanical musical devices, clocks and curiosities now totals over 1200 items. In late February, RM and Sotheby’s will sell it all for what’s expected to be more than $40m.

A Maharajah’s Ride

Around the turn of the last century, open touring cars were a big hit with the Indian nobility, and particularly with Maharajahs. The 1912 Lancaster 38hp State Limousine that Bonhams will be offering tomorrow belonged to the Maharajah of Rewa. It’s expected to sell for $125,500-$157,000 at the Mercedes-Benz World sale in Weybridge.

UPDATE: The Lancaster sold for $131,795. The 1929 Bentley did not find a buyer.

Celebrity Rides: Elvis, Tom Cruise & K.D.Lang

Not every car in Bonhams Classic California sale coming up next month belonged to a celebrity—it only seems that way.  Elvis’s 1955 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood Limousine (est. $100,000-150,000) may be the biggest draw, but it will be racing against the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SL Convertible that Sean Penn gave to Madonna (est. $20,000-25,000), the Lexus concept car that Tom Cruise drove in “The Minority Report”(est. $25,000-$35,000), and K.D. Lang’s 1967 “Desert Sled” Triumph motorcycle (est. $20,000-24,000).

World’s Oldest Running Car

Any guesses on the world’s oldest running motorcar? Hands down, it’s the 1884 De Dion Bouton Et Trepardoux Dos-A-Dos Steam Runabout, nicknamed “La Marquise.” Winner of the first car race in 1887—it was the only vehicle to show up—it has a top speed of 38mph, and is capable of running 20 miles on a tank of water. Amazingly, it was in one family for 81 years and has had only four owners since new. A double award winner at Pebble Beach in 1997, “La Marquise is expected to sell for $2m-$2.5m at RM’s auction tomorrow in Hershey, Pa.

UPDATE: The DeDion Bouton sold for $4.62m, almost double its high estimate, establishing a new auction record for an early motorcar.

Ike’s Presidential Limo For Sale

While he was president, Ike Eisenhower and his wife Mamie wanted a kind of personal limo that she could use, as well as one for parades and other formal occasions. What they got was a customized 1955 Cadillac. The car was bought by a European collector 20 years ago. He has shipped it to America to sell at an Auburn, Ind., auction this weekend.

Ferrari Sets New Auction Record

If the economy’s in disarray, there was little sign of it at the major vintage car auctions this past weekend in and around the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. At Gooding & Co.’s marquis event, a 1957 red Ferrari Testa Rossa prototype became, at $16.4m, the most expensive car ever sold at auction. Other records fell as well, as some $80m changed hands at Gooding’s alone. “The stock market almost helped us,” said RM Auctions’ Max Girardo. “It makes classic cars even more desirable” because they’re perceived to be safer assets.

Concept Cars At Pebble Beach

Concept cars are always one of the most interesting categories offered at Pebble Beach. This year is no exception. RM is featuring one of the first examples ever created, a 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt, with an electrically operated retractable hardtop. In its time, the sleek coupe toured the country, attracting huge crowds. After a 10,000 hour, concours-quality restoration, the car won “First in Class” at the 2010 Newport Concours d’Elegance. It’s estimated at $900,000-$1.2m at the sale beginning on August 21.