Headline Lagonda makes way over estimate
So many people made their way to the H&H sale at Buxton (April 12) that the company ran out of catalogues! Many of the lots fetched way over estimate – including the headline Lagonda – and the auction grossed in excess of £1/2 million.
The star car was a 1931 Supercharged Lagonda 2-litre. Bidding for this very attractive vehicle started at £30,000 and, following strong interest from both the phone and the floor, it was finally knocked down for over £57,500 including premium – some 51% over the bottom estimate!
Many of the other older cars in the sale also fetched excellent prices. The very rare 1905 Alldays & Onions 10/12hp made just over £17,700, the 1911 Brasier 15hp topped £18,500, the 1923 Wolseley A9 Colonial Tourer commanded £19,350 and the Scottish-built 1925 Galloway 12hp ‘Duck’s Tail’ Tourer found a new owner in the town of its birth for just over £13,700 – each of these prices was well above the corresponding estimates.
The very pretty alloy and GRP Jensen 541 Prototype was knocked down for £19,350 while the stunning 1991 Ferrari Testarossa that had covered only 21,000 miles from new was bought for just £33,325 – over its estimate but surely still a bargain in that condition.
Somebody snapped up the incomplete ‘barn find’ Bond Minicar for £425, while the more presentable 1955 version went to a Greek buyer for £1,350.
Strong automobilia interestThe automobilia sale of the previous day was also especially well attended and achieved equally impressive results, with the vast majority of the lots finding new homes. Of particular note were the battery-powered Bugatti child’s car that made over £1,900, the pre-war Exide showroom lightbox that fetched nearly £1,700, the Minerva 8-litre mascot that was knocked down for £1,350 and a box of assorted dashboard instruments that drew nearly £800 against an estimate of £40-60 – an increase of nearly 2000%!
Pre-war and racing photos were especially fought over, with many making 10 to 20% more than expected.
The next H&H car and automobilia sale will take place at Syon Park, London on May 24, while the next motorcycle and bicycle auction will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham on June 24/25.
