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Rare Mercer Type 35K Runabout Leads Seminal Brass Era Collection at Amelia Island Auction


Lot 145 - 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Boattail Speedster s_n  2094 Est. $600,000  -  800,000 (NR) · £430,000  -  580,000 · €500,000  -  660,000

Lot 145 - 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Boattail Speedster s_n 2094 Est. $600,000 - 800,000 (NR) · £430,000 - 580,000 · €500,000 - 660,000

 

London, 23rd April, 2021

An early American supercar, a 1913 Mercer Type 35K Runabout, leads an important private collection of Brass and Classic Era automobiles newly consigned to the Bonhams Amelia Island Auction on May 20

One of the most revered motor cars of its day, the Type 35 Runabout was the luxury version of the legendary Type 35 Raceabout, one of the first race cars for the road which competed in early motorsport meetings as the Indy 500 and at Daytona.

The Runabout shared the same 108 inch-wheelbase chassis as its sibling as well as its revered ‘T-head’ 4-cylinder engine and the 1913 version also had the external 4-speed gearbox. However, it offered some comfort in the form of side doors, full windshield, a top and slightly raised steering column.

Although circa 400 Runabouts were produced, many were rebodied in the more rakish Raceabout style. This particular example is the only surviving Runabout with its original bodywork and externally shifted four-speed transmission. It has an estimate of US$1,000,000 – 1,500,000.

The vendors, the late Clem and his surviving wife Mary Lange, purchased the Mercer from Bonhams at the 2004 Brookline Auction, placing it as the capstone of their impressive private collection, of which 13 motor cars will be offered in the Amelia Island sale.

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Eric Minoff, Senior Specialist for Bonhams Motoring, said: “We are honored to be entrusted with this exceptional motor car once again and delighted to be offering it as part of this seminal collection which celebrates the early age of motoring.”

Another highlight of the collection is a 1934 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet. The first all-new Bugatti of the era designed by Jean, son of the founder Ettore, the 57 was beloved of the international glitterati. This particular example is the only one to have had its bespoke coachwork designed by Carrosserie Franay, Paris-based coachbuilders, for its first owner, the German film star Hella Hartwich. Subject of a fairly recent $650,000 restoration, the Bugatti is now offered with an estimate of US$800,000 - $1,000,000

A further eleven motor cars are offered from the formative collection of Clem and Mary Lange, enthusiasts from Indiana. Fittingly, for these proud ‘Hoosiers’ the collection offers a strong representation of Indiana-built machinery, including Classic Era automobiles from such names as American, Auburn, Duesenberg and Stutz and Indianapolis 500-style race cars built by Knox, Inter-State and National.

Leading the pack is a 1933 Duesenberg Model J ‘Sweep Panel’ Dual Cowl Phaeton. ‘Category 1’ Certified by the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club this well-known example was fitted in the 1960s with a desirable original LaGrand Dual Cowl Phaeton Body and is offered with an estimate of US$1,000,000 – 1,250,000. 

Other highlights include: 

1912 Stutz Model A Bear Cat, estimate US$650,000 – 850,000. The earliest surviving Stutz in existence and the 63rd Stutz built. This well-known motor car was restored by Stutz Club judge Raymond Drake.

1935 Auburn 851 Boattail Speedster, estimate US$600,000 – 800,000 without reserve. A rare export model delivered new with right hand drive, and Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club Certified, this example is offered with no reserve. 

The line-up for the Amelia Island Auction is being curated to include some of the finest motorcars ever offered at auction, representing more than a century of automotive excellence and innovation. The sale will offer an early example of the quintessential collectors’ Rolls-Royce: a 1909 Silver Ghost, the model dubbed the best car in the world and the epitome of Edwardian coachwork and engineering excellence, offered with an estimate of US$1,300,000 – 1,500,000.

The sale also offers another prestigious private collection – that of the late Massachusetts property developer Howard Fafard. A long-time collector of the finest European marques, with a particular passion for Mercedes-Benz, his collection is led by a 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500/540K Spezial Roadster, the marque’s top of the line sportscar of the 1930s, (estimate on request), and features a rare 1928 Mercedes-Benz 630K ‘La Baule’ Torpedo, estimate US $1,100,000 – 1,250,000.

Further highlights: 

1935 Godsal Sports Tourer, the sole eponymous prototype produced by engineer Charles Godsal, which won a Best in Class award at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, estimate US$750,000 – 950,000.

2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition, estimate on request. One of only 343 limited examples of the supercar finished with the Heritage livery of blue and orange, recalling the famed Gulf Oil sponsored John Wyer Automotive Engineering cars which won the 24 hours of Le Mans in both 1968 and 1969. 

The Bonhams Amelia Island Auction 2021 will be held as a traditional live auction at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club on Thursday, May 20, with bids accepted from clients in the room (respecting social distancing and all local COVID-related guidelines), with limited public admission by prior appointment. 

The sale will also be streamed and available on the Bonhams App, which provides registered bidders the opportunity to bid in real time online via Bonhams.com while watching the auctioneer and videos of cars on offer. Absentee and telephone bids are also encouraged.

Pre-sale viewing will take place at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club on May 19 and the morning of May 20

 

Lot

Description

S/N

Estimates

Price incl. Buyer’s Premium

101

1955 MG TF 1500 Roadster

HDC48/8175

$30,000  -  50,000
(NR)

 

102

1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC

107.024.12.
004638

$8,000  -  12,000
(NR)

 

103

1965 Land Rover Series IIA 88” Hardtop

24419706 B

$17,500  -  25,000
(NR)

 

104

1963 Studebaker Avanti R1

63R 1060

$35,000  -  45,000

 

105

1982 DeLorean DMC12

SCEDT26T5CD
011262

$25,000  -  35,000
(NR
)

 

106

~1940 Bombardier B-7 Seven Passenger Snowmobile

18-5932072

$30,000  -  40,000

 

107

1934 Chrysler Airflow Model CU Sedan

6597577

$40,000  -  60,000

 

108

1940 Dodge VC-1 ½ Ton 4X4 Command Reconnaissance Car

VC1-8640364

$40,000  -  50,000

 

109

1970 Quasar SR-70 SR-70 "D Sports Racer"

003

$15,000  -  25,000
(NR)

 

110

2001 Bentley Azure

SCBZK22E51CX
62572

$45,000  -  65,000
(NR)

 

111

1980 Rolls-Royce Camargue

JRL50745

$50,000  -  70,000
(NR)

 

112

1959 Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus Deluxe 'Samba' 23-Window

329207

$140,000  -  180,000

 

113

1968 Chevrolet Corvette L71 427/435hp Convertible

194678S420470

$100,000  -  130,000

 

114

1959 Aston Martin DB4 Series 1 Saloon

DB4/143/L

$280,000  -  340,000
(NR)

 

115

1959 Jaguar XK150 3.4 Liter Drophead Coupe

S838005

$110,000  -  150,000

 

116

1969 Aston Martin DBS Saloon

DBS/5417/LC

$60,000  -  90,000
(NR)

 

117

1994 Land Rover Defender 90 NAS

SALDV2285RA
945303

$65,000  -  85,000
(NR)

 

118

1971 De Tomaso Pantera "Pulsante"

THPNLE01379

$100,000  -  140,000

 

119

1958 Aston Martin DB MkIII

AM300/3/1307

$120,000  -  160,000
(NR)

 

120

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster

WP0CF2A99KS
172412

$300,000  -  350,000

 

121

1964 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8 Roadster

881576

$120,000  -  160,000

 

122

1957 Chevrolet Corvette

E57S101876

$55,000  -  65,000

 

123

1979 Porsche 930 Turbo 3.3 Coupe

9309800621

$95,000  -  130,000

 

124

1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Boat Tail Roadster

S377RL

$150,000  -  200,000
(NR)

 

125

1953 RGS Atalanta

F1632-8

$300,000  -  500,000

 

126

1967 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Coupe

AM115.074

$250,000  -  325,000

 

127

1947 Allard K1

71K250

$45,000  -  60,000
(NR)

 

128

1961 Bentley S2 Continental Flying Spur

BC70LBY

$100,000  -  150,000
(NR)

 

129

2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition

1FAFP90S66Y
400284

$375,000  -  425,000

 

130

1966 Porsche 911

303494

$120,000  -  150,000

 

131

1921 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Touring Phaeton

47AG

$175,000  -  200,000

 

132

1904 Pierce Model 8M Motorette

187

$75,000  -  95,000

 

133

1907 Locomobile Model H 35hp Touring Car

1578

$160,000  -  200,000
(NR)

 

134

1908 Simplex 50hp "Speedcar"

211

$600,000  -  800,000

 

135

1909 Knox Model R "Raceabout"

2LR

$80,000  -  120,000
(NR)

 

136

1910 National Model 40 "Racer"

3272

$250,000  -  350,000
(NR)

 

137

1911 Locomobile Model 30 L-Type Baby Tonneau

4330

$200,000  -  300,000
(NR)

 

138

1911 Inter-State Fifty 'Bulldog' "Indianapolis Racer"

4157

$200,000  -  300,000
(NR)

 

139

1912 Stutz Bear Cat

A163

$650,000  -  850,000

 

140

1912 Hudson Model 33 'Mile-A-Minute' Roadster

28074

$80,000  -  120,000
(NR)

 

141

1912 American Underslung Model 22 Scout

X266

$150,000  -  200,000
(NR)

 

142

1913 Mercer Type 35K Runabout

1186

$1,000,000  -  1,500,000

 

143

1933 Duesenberg Model J 'Sweep Panel' Dual-Cowl Phaeton

2355

$1,000,000  -  1,250,000

 

144

1934 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet

57127

$800,000  -  1,000,000

 

145

1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Boattail Speedster

2094

$600,000  -  800,000
(NR)

 

146

1935 Godsal Sports Tourer

001

$750,000  -  950,000

 

147

1915 Locomobile 48 HP Tourer

10263

$65,000  -  85,000

 

148

1947 Delahaye 135M Convertible

800479

$300,000  -  350,000

 

149

1949 Bentley MK VI Saloon

B133EW

$45,000  -  65,000
(NR)

 

150

2006 Radical SR8

SR8-00022

$50,000  -  70,000

 

151

1967 Sbarro Lola T70 MK III Spyder

ACA0012

$40,000  -  50,000

 

152

1921 Haynes Model 47 Special Speedster

39799

$75,000  -  100,000

 

153

1906 Stanley 30HP "Vanderbilt"

 

$225,000  -  275,000

 

154

1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Open Drive Landaulette

1120

$1,300,000  -  1,500,000

 

155

1929 Chrysler Model 75 Roadster

CS630Y

$50,000  -  75,000

 

156

1922 Buick Model 22-45 5-Passenger Tourer

786958

$24,000  -  34,000
(NR)

 

157

1901 Stanley Steamer Runabout

48

$30,000  -  50,000
(NR)

 

158

1922 Marmon Model 34B Four-Passenger Speedster

1220226

$70,000  -  90,000

 

159

1912 Crane Model 3 Four Passenger Sport Landau

25

$275,000  -  325,000

 

160

1934 Mercedes-Benz 500/540K Spezial Roadster

105136

$4,500,000  -  5,000,000

 

161

1928 Mercedes-Benz 630 K 'La Baule' Torpedo Transformable

385133

$1,100,000  -  1,250,000

 

162

1933 Chrysler Imperial Model CL Dual Cowl Phaeton

7803639

$550,000  -  675,000

 

162

1930 Ford Model AA Stakebed Truck

A3150026

$10,000  -  12,000
(NR)

 

163

1963 Jaguar E-TYPE Series I 3.8 Coupe

887469

$160,000  -  210,000

 

164

1968 Aston Martin DB6 Saloon

DB6/3436/L

$150,000  -  200,000
(NR)

 

165

1920 Marmon Model 34B Seven-Passenger Touring

7201209

$20,000  -  40,000
(NR)

 

166

2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S

SCFESBCR4HGS
02804

$150,000  -  200,000

 

167

1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Transformal Phaeton

S355FM

$450,000  -  550,000

 

168

1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 1247 Convertible Sedan

3550032

$350,000  -  450,000

 

169

1932 Ford Model 18 V-8 Drophead Coupe

C18R1642

$100,000  -  150,000

 

170

1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II All-Weather Tourer

110MY

$180,000  -  230,000

 

171

1937 Packard 1507 Twelve Convertible Victoria

906571

$175,000  -  225,000

 

172

1959 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine 

59S111082

$40,000  -  60,000
(NR)

 

173

1959 Aston Martin DB4 Series 1 Saloon

DB4/214/L

$280,000  -  340,000
(NR)

 

174

2016 Jaguar F-Type Project 7 Roadster

SAJWA7A8XGMK
27480

$150,000  -  200,000

 

175

1950 Bentley Mk VI Drophead Coupe

B47LFU

$80,000  -  100,000
(NR)

 

176

~1928 'EX' Series Phantom Recreation 

R49358

$125,000  -  175,000

 

177

1976 Aston Martin V8 Saloon

AMV8/11478/LCA

$70,000  -  90,000
(NR)

 

178

1951 Bentley Mk VI Fixed Head Coupe

B6LHR

$120,000  -  160,000
(NR)

 

179

1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet

2929384

$125,000  -  150,000

 

180

1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Towncar

S154PM

$125,000  -  150,000
(NR)

 

181

1927 Cadillac 341-A V-8 Tourer

1-50115

$125,000  -  150,000

 

182

1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Touring Car 

LELW84

$80,000  -  100,000
(NR)

 

183

1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine

5LVA91

$70,000  -  90,000
(NR)

 

184

1975 BMW 2002 Turbo

4291515

$110,000  -  140,000

 

185

1926 Packard Standard Eight Model 236 Roadster 

211436

$80,000  -  110,000

 

186

1933 Packard Super Eight Coupe Roadster

750433

$150,000  -  175,000

 

187

1954 Sunbeam-Talbot Alpine Roadster

A3013546/LRX

$60,000  -  80,000

 

188

1966 Alfa Romeo 1600 Duetto Spider

AR661927

$25,000  -  35,000
(NR)

 

189

1978 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

FJ40-293604

$40,000  -  60,000
(NR)

 

190

1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SL

WDBBA48D0JA
090068

$45,000  -  65,000
(NR)

 

191

1901 Oldsmobile Model R Curved Dash Runabout

6269

$50,000  -  60,000

 

192

1936 Packard Twelve 1708 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton

904299

$200,000  -  250,000

 

193

1964 Dodge 330 Hemi Lightweight

6142229092

$150,000  -  200,000

 

194

1915 Stevens-Duryea D-Six Tourer

30089

$85,000  -  115,000

 

195

1907 Reo 8HP Model B Two/Four Seater Runabout

6174

$20,000  -  30,000
(NR)

 

196

1915 Reo Model ST 5 'The Fifth' Five Passenger Touring

73753

$12,000  -  15,000
(NR)

 

197

1954 MG TF Roadster

HPD46/5454

$20,000  -  30,000
(NR)

 

198

1973 BMW 2002 Cabriolet

2796017

$25,000  -  35,000
(NR)

 

199

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300b Cabriolet D

186.014.55.
0247

$175,000  -  225,000
(NR)

 

200

1939 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Limousine with Division

3DL20

$50,000  -  60,000
(NR)

 

201

1957 Ford E-Code Thunderbird

E7FH176933

$25,000  -  35,000
(NR)

 

202

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Resto-Mod

VC57B157832

$35,000  -  45,000
(NR)

 

203

1941 Lincoln Continental Resto-Mod

H109553

$45,000  -  60,000
(NR)

 

204

1932 Auburn 8-100A Phaeton Sedan

8100A7590H

$50,000  -  75,000
(NR)

 

205

1905 Maxwell Model L Tourabout

L4281

$25,000  -  35,000
(NR)

 

206

1931 Hudson Greater Eight Boattail Roadster

924469

$75,000  -  100,000
(NR)

 

207

1931 Auburn 8-98A Cabriolet

898A13046F

$70,000  -  90,000
(NR)

 

208

1929 Packard Model 640 Custom Eight Roadster

170979

$80,000  -  120,000
(NR)

 

209

1915 Ford Model T C-Cab Calliope Truck

4601046

$25,000  -  35,000
(NR)

 

210

1911 Ford Model T Speedster

68660

$25,000  -  35,000
(NR)

 

211

1905 Queen Model E Light Touring

1385

$75,000  -  100,000
(NR)

 

 

 

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