$28m gross: Bonhams at Quail Lodge 2022

The Brits were back at The Quail for another 140-car marathon that started late-morning and did not finish until the sun was starting to set later in the day. In that time, 121 cars found new owners and $27,914,900 was traded.

A brand-new and very smart rostrum set-up greeted bidders. This, together with Maarten ten Holder (in particular) on lively form gave the event impetus.

The figures, lower than in 2021, don’t really back that up. The Lightweight E-type estimated at $7.5m to $9.5m received no meaningful bids. It sold for $8m at Bonhams in August 2017.

At a glance:
 
* Gross, motor cars: $27,914,900 (2021, $35,937,770)
* Percentage sold by number: 87% (2021, 89%)
* Top-selling car: 1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT, $2,095,000 gross, $1,900,000 net (est. $2.25m 50 $2.76m)
* Well sold? A mad bidding war in the tent meant a normally ca. $400k Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster sold for $1,325,000.
* Well bought? Most things were cheap for a reason.

Other results of note (all prices gross):

* 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’, $1,737,500. Unremarkable red car but benefitting from Rudge wheels.
* 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S, $1,957,500. Older restoration of what was a highly original car done in the US to lower standards than today. But very correct car with matching numbers. Bought by previous-to-current owner.
* 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, $1,039,000. Nothing special car inevitably in red.
* 1995 Porsche 911 'Type 993' GT2, $1,545,000. Beat upper estimate by $400k.
* 1972 Porsche 911 T 2.4 Coupé, $252,000. Only a ‘T’ but nice late car in attractive and rare Chartreuse.

Bonhams at Quail Lodge, 19 August 2022 – results (2021)

Gross: $27,914,900 ($35,937,770)
Number of cars not sold: 18 (15)
Number of cars withdrawn: 1 (0)
Total number of cars: 139 (139)
Number sold: 121 (124)
Percentage cars sold by number: 87% (89%)
Percentage by value average low/high estimate: 51% (70%)
Percentage of cars met or sold below low estimate: 50% (38%)
Percentage of cars sold below avge of estimates: 69% (62%)
Percentage of cars sold met/exceeded top estimate: 17% (22%)
Average price of cars sold: $230,702 ($289,821)
Average year of cars offered: 1957 (1967)
Percentage of cars offered at No Reserve: 49% (56%)

Photos by K500