Auctions Commentary from CCFS Market Analyst Richard Hudson-Evans.
World record auction price breaking Porsche 928 Clubsport Prototype - one of only five made that was owned by factory race team driver Derek Bell, who drove his CS ‘company car’ approximately 42,000 miles between June 1987 and February 2005 - sold for 253,000 euros (a mighty £228,593, even in devalued Sterling!) during a Friday evening session in the Bonhams tent during Zoute GP weekend.
The next day, at Ascot Racecourse, a 2009 Lamborghini Murecielago LP 670-4 Super Veloce in right-hand drive was hammered away by Coys for £280,680 with charges, a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL in rarer rhd for £51,080 and a one owner from new in 1971 Morgan Plus 8 for £35,000. Whilst on the Sunday back across the EU Channel again at Chateau sur Epte, Normandy, the sun certainly shone on Equipe Artcurial who successfully shifted 100% of the Andre Weber Collection to a packed house, the 78 largely American automobiles selling for 912,376 euros including 18% premium (£821,138).
Bringing his much exercised hammer down on Yanky classics of the 50s and 60s Maitre Herve Poulain recalled the idols of his youth, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, in a film by Howard Hawks, along with the music of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Those were the Days My Friends. Artcurial MD Matthieu Lamoure was also in fine voice, deserving warm applause for his rendition of ‘Blue Suede Shoes’.
Buicks were in demand in Normandy, Weber’s 1939 Special 4-Door selling for 21,900 euros (£19,710) after a lively battle between two combatants in the saleroom, while a 1956 Century 4-Door Hardtop found a new owner with 13,400 euros (£12,060). Ford Vedettes were also a favourite with acquisitive Monsieur Weber (he was married in one!), his 1954 Vedette Vendome fetching the same argent, while his 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe changed cruisers for 33,400 euros (£30,060), well above the 24,000+ euros forecast.
All the French voitures in the collection were snapped up, too, a 1935 Talbot T210 Coach heading the prices with a 35,300 euros result (£31,770) from a still futuristic though made in 1938 Panhard Panoramique X73 Berline Parisienne 28,600 euros (£25,740). A 1934 Delage D6-11 Roadster cost the next guardian 23,100 euros (£20,790) and a 1934 Citroen Rosalie 10A Saloon 9700 euros (£8730).
Although the top priced automobile of an entertaining afternoon was not home grown, but an all-American 1932 Packard 904 Victoria-style Convertible by Rollston which sold for a within estimate 53,500 euros (£48,150). Formidable! Hopefully, the all-Porsche Silverstone Auctions sale in The Wing this Saturday 15 October - automobilia from 11am, Porsches from 2pm - will be as successful for vendors and buyers as well as mere observers, like your wandering scribe.