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$1.16m 300 SL Roadster tops Bonhams’ latest Audrain Concours auction

$1.16m 300 SL Roadster tops Bonhams’ latest Audrain Concours auction 6th October 2024

With British auctioneer Briony Harford at the rostrum last Friday, there was a fresh look to the Bond St firm’s familiar sale held during Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week. The smaller catalogue and fewer cars offered at No Reserve this year, though, resulted in a gross for motor cars of $3.7m vs. $7.3m in 2023.

Until 26 April 2024, the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (pictured, top) that headed the results belonged to the estate of discerning collector Peter Mullin. Gooding sold the car that day for $1,105,000 all-in. It achieved $1,160,000 gross ($1,050,000 net) at Audrain just over five months later. Originally Hellblau (light blue) with blue leather, the car has been silver with green since before Mullin bought it in the early 1990s. Sold for the right price – twice.

At a glance:

* Gross, motor cars: $3,673,425 (2023, $7,288,860)
* Percentage sold by number: 79% (2023, 100%)
* Top-selling car: 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster $1,160,000 gross, $1,050,000 net (est. $1.2m to $1.4

Amongst a low-key catalogue, one car stood out: the unusual 1959 Fiat-OSCA 1500 Aerodynamica Berlinetta (est. $400k to $500k, below) bought for £360,000 net, $401,000 with premium. It would not win prizes in a beauty contest, and is unlikely to be the ultimate driving machine, but the recently restored car does make an interesting concours entry.


Bonhams at the Audrain Concours, 4 October 2024 – results (2023)

Gross: $3,673,425 ($7,288,860)
Number of cars not sold: 8 (0)
Number of cars withdrawn: 2 (0)
Total number of cars: 38 (53)
Number sold: 30 (53)
Percentage cars sold by number: 79% (100%)
Percentage by value average low/high estimate: 56% (84%)
Percentage of cars met or sold below low estimate: 83% (53%)
Percentage of cars sold below avge of estimates: 90% (70%)
Percentage of cars sold met/exceeded top estimate: 3% (17%)
Average year of cars offered: 1967 (1962)
Average price of cars sold: $122,448 ($137,526)
Percentage of cars offered at No Reserve: 61% (77%)

Photo by Bonhams