Licence to Thrill …On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Mercury Cougar Sets new World Auction Record for Model at Bonhams


Lot 104 - 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible s_n 9F94R549292 - Sold £356,500 €392,500

Lot 104 - 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible s_n 9F94R549292 - Sold £356,500 €392,500

 

London, 19th December, 2020 

A beautifully restored 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible, which had a starring role in the classic Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, stirred the Bonhams Bond Street Sale of motor cars on 16 December, selling for £356,500 - more than twice its pre-sale estimate and setting a new auction world record for the model. 

The former star was the subject of spirited and protracted bidding before the gavel fell in favour of a bidder on Bonhams App, earning applause from the New Bond Street saleroom.

In the motion picture, the Cougar was owned by ‘Bond Girl’ Contessa Teresa (Tracy) di Vicenzo played by the late Dame Diana Rigg, and famously driven on ice in a high-speed car chase scene. 

One of three identical Cougars bought for the 1969 movie by the filmmakers Eon Productions from Ford’s luxury division Mercury, the car was used in the ‘barn scene’ when James Bond, played by George Lazenby in his only outing as 007, proposed to Tracy as they sheltered in the car from a blizzard. 

The Cougar was built in February 1969 as a special order and was registered in the UK a week later. One of only 127 XR7 convertibles powered by the desirable Cobra Jet (428) engine with Ram Air, this example was finished with red paintwork and matching leather interior. For its film role, it was also fitted with a rack for Kneissl skis and red French temporary visitor registration plates.

When the vendor bought the car – originally for its engine – it was not in a red-carpet condition. However, when he discovered the Cougar’s illustrious past, he embarked on a full restoration, bringing the Cougar up to concours standard over a 30-year period. He also reinstated it to its film specifications, including fitting a period ski rack, complete with the Kneissl ‘White Star’ skis.

Tim Schofield,Head of Department, Bonhams Motor Cars UK, said:“The Cougar was the star of the Bond Street Sale. We’re delighted that this Bond story has had a happy ending – and setting a new world record as well.”


Other highlights


Other sold lots with a licence to thrill at the Bonhams Bond Street Sale included a 1937 Atalanta 2-litre sports car, a hand-made British built sports car, and one of only two short-chassis examples. Auctioneer James Knight said it was the first Atalanta he has the privilege to offer and proceeded to sell the sports car for £287,500. 

Further highlights from the sale: 

  • 1924 Vauxhall 30-98 OE-Type Velox Tourer, sold for £149,500
  • 1953 Alvis TC21 3-litre Cabriolet Sport, with coachwork by Carrosserie Graber, realised £138,000
  • 1928 Aston Martin 1½-litre Standard Sports Model made £115,000


Bond mania was also present in the preceding automobilia sale, in which an original poster for the film starring the Cougar – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service– made more than four times its pre-sale estimate, selling for £6,375, while a photograph of the first James Bond, the late Sir Sean Connery, tripled its estimate, achieving £4,080. 

The automobilia sale was led by a rare nine carat gold model of the Concorde aeroplane, presented to its test pilot Brian Trubshaw upon his retirement, which sold for £29,000.  

Lot

Description

S/N

Estimates (£)

Price incl. Buyer’s Premium

101

1985 Ferrari 328 GTB Coupé

60743

£80,000 - 120,000

Not Sold

102

1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL with Hardtop

113042-22-015489

£80,000 - 100,000

Not Sold

103

1928 Aston Martin 1½-Litre Standard Sports

TS10

 

£115,000 €126,612

104

1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible

9F94R549292

 

£356,500 €392,500

105

1995 Aston Martin Vantage Coupé

SCFDAM2S0RBR
70065

£150,000 - 200,000

Not Sold

106

1955 Jaguar XK140 Drophead Coupé

807214

£115,000 - 145,000

Not Sold

107

1953 Alvis TC21 3-Litre Cabriolet Sport

25255

 

£138,000 €151,935

108

1966 Aston Martin DB6 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon

DB6/2726/R

£180,000 - 220,000

Not Sold

109

1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS

06590

£270,000 - 330,000

Not Sold

110

1924 Vauxhall 30-98 OE-Type Velox Tourer

OE 188

 

£149,500 €164,596

111

1964 Aston Martin DB5 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon

DB5/1614/R

£600,000 - 650,000

Not Sold

112

1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25hp Owen Sedanca
Three-Position Drophead Coupé

GEX28

£110,000 - 140,000

Not Sold

114

1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Volante Convertible

DBVC/3650/R

£550,000 - 650,000

Not Sold

115

1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Berlinetta

9613

£425,000 - 525,000

Not Sold

116

1937 Atalanta 2-Litre Sports

1011

 

£287,500 €316,532

117

1959 Aston Martin DB4 'Series I' 4.2-Litre

DB4/179/R

£420,000 - 460,000

Not Sold

118

1953 Bentley Continental 4.9-litre Sports Saloon

BC22A

£550,000 - 700,000

Not Sold

119

1965 Lola T70 MkII Spyder

SL71/19

 

£132,250 € 145,604

120

1959 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Coupé

1533GT

 

£230,000 € 253,225

121

1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage 4.2-Litre

DB6/2650/R

£220,000 - 260,000

Not Sold

 

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