Best of Bonhams

2013

The Ex-Scuderia Ferrari, Hans Ruesch, Dick Seaman, Dennis Poore, Donington Grand Prix and RAC Hill-Climb Championship-Winning
1935-36 Alfa Romeo 8C-35 Grand Prix Racing Monoposto

 

In September 1936, this imposing Alfa Romeo Tipo 8C-35 Monoposto was sold via the Scuderia Ferrari to the young Swiss private owner/driver Hans Ruesch who debuted the example in the Shelsley Walsh hill-climb in England on September 15, 1936. In October 1936, it was co-driven by Ruesch and R.J.B. 'Dick' Seaman in the long-distance – 302-mile - Donington Grand Prix at Donington Park.

This superb example of the first all-independently-suspended, big-engined Grand Prix racing design from Alfa Romeo was sold for £ 5,937,500 in 2013.

2014

The Ex-Lord Howe/Hon. Brian Lewis/John Hindmarsh/Charles Brackenbury/C.E.C.Martin/Marcel Lehoux - 1936 Grand Prix De L'ACF, 1936 And 1937 RAC Tourist Trophy,1936 BRDC Brooklands 500-Mile Race, 1937 Le Mans, 1952 Goodwood Nine Hours Entry And Alan Hess Sports Car Record Breaking, Fox & Nicholl Team Car 'EPE 97'
1936 Lagonda LG45R Rapide Sports-Racing Two-Seater

The 1936 Lagonda LG45R Rapide Sports-Racing Two-Seater here is one of the most visibly recognisable pre-war sports racing cars to survive from those halcyon days. It is a car that Geoff Seaton notably described as 'the most famous Lagonda of all', and it is one of the few cars of any period that have come to be known simply by its number plate.

This example was eligible for many of the world's most prestigious events and was competed at many of them in period, putting it at the top of the pile and also holding FIVA and FIA certificates. This example was sold for £ 1,569,500 inc. premium in 2014.

2015

"Blue Lena" Formerly The Property Of Keith Richards Of The Rolling Stones
1965 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur Sports Saloon

First owned by Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones and one of only 68 right-hand drive examples, this 1965 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur Sports Saloon was sold at our 2015 Goodwood Revival Sale for £ 763,100, nearly doubling its pre-sale estimate.

This 1965 Bentley was extensively restored and sold in splendid condition, a gallant survivor of its years in the hands of one of the all-time gods of Rock 'n Roll.

2016

The Ex-Willett Brown, Vasek Polak, Fred Sebald, Richard A. Barbour, George Reilly
1956 Porsche 1.5-Litre TYP 550/1500 Rennsport Spyder Sports-Racing Two-Seater

An amazingly original, unrestored example of Porsche's first purebred sports-racing car, this 1956 Porsche 550/1500 Rennsport Spyder is the Ex-Willett Brown, Vasek Polak, Fred Sebald, Richard A. Barbour, George Reilly example.

The 550 chassis '0090' example had never been offered publicly for sale and had been very rarely seen. Bonhams had the pleasure of selling this 60-year-old beauty that had genuinely never raced nor rallied, but, most significantly, had never been restored, for £ 4,593,500 in 2016.

2016

1965 Ferrari 275 GT Berlinetta

One of only 48 right-hand drive 275 GTBs built, this 1965 Ferrari 275 GT Berlinetta was delivered new to the UK and first owned by Sir Max Aitken. It was restored in the 1990s, finished in red with a tan interior; Rardley Motors carried out the mechanical rebuild, while the cosmetic restoration was completed by Moto Technique.

The Ferrari here was presented in very good condition and sold at the Goodwood Revival Sale in 2016, offering a rare opportunity to acquire what many consider to be the finest road-going Gran Turismo ever produced by Ferrari.

2018

1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta

One of only 350 made 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta is also one of the most beautiful of all Ferrari road cars. Delivered new to Germany and with an extensive history file, this model was Pininfarina styling at its finest.

This example was offered in 2018 after long-term enthusiast ownership and was fully documented over the 46 years, this much-loved example went on to sell for £ 921,666.

2018

1964 Shelby Cobra 289 Competition Roadster

One of only 32 factory-built competition Cobras, this 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 Competition Roadster was offered for sale from a prominent private collection and sold in 2018 for an incredible £ 1,359,000.

This Cobra had impeccable provenance and was a proven front-runner during its early and subsequent historic careers. It was expertly restored and was an ideal entrant for high-profile events such as the Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic and, of course, the Goodwood Revival.

2018

1990 Jaguar XJR-11 Group C Sports Prototype

This important 1990 Jaguar XJR-11 Group C Sports Prototype is one of just three XJR-11 prototypes built for the World Sports Car Championship and the most successful example. It raced in the Group C World Championship and All-Japan Sports Prototype Championship and finished in 1st place at Silverstone in 1990.

The Jaguar was fully restored in 2017/2018 and ideal for Historic Group C racing. It was sold in wonderful condition, race-ready at our 2018 auction for an impressive £1,191,000.

2019

The Ex-Donald Campbell, CBE; Works Demonstrator
1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Sports Saloon

Despite its tremendous rarity and value, the DB4GT remains a popular entrant at major historic racing events such as the Goodwood Revival and the numerous Martin Owners' Club Championship race meetings in the UK. This 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Sports Saloon was one of only 45 right-hand drive examples designed for competition and was sold in excellent restored condition and capable of competing with distinction in a variety of historic motoring events in 2019 at our Goodwood Revival Sale.

2019

From The Collection Of The Late Barry Burnett
1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Faux Cabriolet

One of only three Type 57s completed with Atalante coachwork, this 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante was the only known survivor and was sold at our Goodwood Revival sale with original chassis, engine, gearbox, and body, all numbered and matching for £ 1,499,000 in 2019.

The Bugatti was sold with a comprehensive history file, with the potential to be a candidate for touring, rallies, leisure driving and any of the world's most prestigious Concours events: Pebble Beach, Villa d'Este, and Amelia Island.