Archive
13/11/2020
Red line risks
This article discusses the recent online classic car auction by RM in the UK, which failed to reach expected sales figures. The author suggests that the auction house should reduce the number of cars on offer to maintain the quality and reset bargaining power. The article provides examples of three cars that illustrate the difficulties faced by the auction, including a 1961 Jaguar E-Type that failed to sell despite a colossal estimate, Gerhard Berger’s Ferrari F40 that received no bids beyond £840,000, and a 1965 Aston Martin DB5 that was in need of restoration and was located in Dubai. The author also emphasizes that online auctions have the advantage of indicating the location of cars on offer, which can influence the final purchase decision.
12/11/2020
The Secret Archive of Pininfarina
The article highlights the fascinating history of Pininfarina, the renowned Turin coachbuilders, by showcasing some of the one-off cars that were made for important clients worldwide.
11/11/2020
Gooding: a step back to move forward
Gooding & Company's “Geared Online” auction held in October 2020 was a success despite the current period of uncertainty and the proliferation of online platforms for classic car auctions. The event could become a permanent fixture as it expands Gooding's offer and attracts a livelier and younger market. The auction saw 65.3% of lots sold and 75.4% of takings, including the sale of all three top lots. The article highlights some of the most interesting cars sold, including a 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Spider, a 1972 Porsche 914/6, a 1975 Lancia Stratos, and a 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Razor Edge Saloon, which sold for a bargain $14,850. The BMW M3 Coupé E36 US version was also sold for half of the estimated price and considered the best deal of the auction.
10/11/2020
The real value is passion
The article discusses the world's top-ranked collectors of historic cars, as featured in The Key.
09/11/2020
Road plane
The article discusses Paul Lewis, an inventor with a strong belief in three-wheeled vehicles, and his attempts to create a successful model. Despite his passion and up to 28 patents to his name, Lewis faced multiple setbacks.
08/11/2020
Bargains at the RM Sotheby’s Elkhart auction
This article discusses four unique cars sold at the Elkhart auction, highlighting their features and prices. The cars include a 1969 Lotus Elite Race Car, a 1957 Jaguar MkVIII, a 1966 Fiat 850 Spider, and an ACMA Vespa 400. The Lotus Elite Race Car, equipped with a Coventry Climax engine and three Weber carburetors, was sold for $67,200, while the largely original Jaguar MkVIII with a Borg Warner automatic transmission was sold for a bargain price of $34,720. The article also features the cheapest car in the selection, the 1966 Fiat 850 Spider, sold for $15,680, and the ACMA Vespa 400, a minicar with an interesting background story, sold for $47,600, which was much higher than its estimated price of $25-30,000.
07/11/2020
The space of a morning
The Lancia D24 was a magnificent open top sports car designed by Pininfarina in the 1950s to compete with other top brands such as Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar, and Aston Martin.
06/11/2020
Nice party grandma
Bonhams defied the odds and successfully held an auction of vintage cars without a physical event, widening the range of vehicles to include cars up until 1939. The sale, dedicated to the “Golden Age of Motoring 1886-1939”, sold 19 out of 34 cars (55.9%) for a total of £3,281,000 out of £4,911,000 (66.8%). The top lot was the Fowler 10HP B6 Showman “The Lion” model, which sold for £911,000, followed by a 1901 Panhard & Levassor Type A2 7hp Twin-Cylinder Rear Entrance Tonneau sold for £322,000. Other notable sales include a 1938 Lagonda V12 Drophead Coupé sold for £132,250, a 1929 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport Tourer sold for £310,500, and an Alta 1.5 Supercharged sold for £90,850.
05/11/2020
Longboard cars
The article explores the connection between surfing and "woodies", wooden-panelled cars that became a cultural icon in the 1960s in Southern California.
04/11/2020