Market Analysis : Q1 2018 Whats Moving in the Market.

By: John Mayhead

 The latest update to the Hagerty Price Guide was published on 20th April. The Guide now covers 1,987 models, and we’ve recently expanded our coverage of various ranges including the Citroen DS/ID, BMW Z3, Lancia Montecarlo, Lamborghini Diablo and others.

BMW Z3

Overall, the market seems to be returning to a state of growth: the Hagerty Classic Index (which tracks 50 popular classics) showed an average rise of 3.38%, up from 1.78% in late 2017. News from the trade seems to support this: despite the awful weather, dealers are reporting that spring 2018 has been a good time after a period of uncertainty from the end of summer 2017.

Ferrari Testarossa 

Just two cars on the Index fell this quarter: the Austin-Healey 100-4 BN1 (down 0.63% to an average of R800000-00) and the Ferrari Testarossa (down 2.76% to an average of R2,1 million). Whilst the Austin-Healey fall is negligible, the Testarossa’s dip continues a trend that has seen the model lose value steadily over the last four HPG updates. Hagerty feels this says more about the massive rise in advertised Testarossa prices that took place over the period to late 2016 that just weren’t sustainable for all but the very best. As an example, one low mileage, RHD car in very good condition that was expected to sell for R2,5 million at H&H Duxford in March sold for just R1,8 million inclusive of costs.

Austin Healey 100 4

Other car values were flat. The Ford Capri Mk III 2.8i remained at an average of R250000-00 flat after a period of quick increase. Even a cosseted, low-mileage Capri 280 once owned by Mark Blundell failed to sell at Silverstone Race Retro sale; maybe big-engine Capri fever has abated for the moment. The Lotus Esprit Turbo SE was also a non-mover at R350000-00 average.

Lotus Espirit Turbo

Many cars maintained a healthy, albeit quite small increase in value. The Triumph Stag rose 2.65% to an average of R300000-00, helped by a big increase in the very top values of these once inexpensive roadsters. The Volkswagen Golf GTI MK1 rose 5.41% to an average of R250000-00, again with a significant rise in top values, and continuing this car’s upward trend. Finally, the Jensen Interceptor Mk III rose 3.01%, with the car’s average being a shade under R1,1 million.

Citreon DS

A few cars made double-digit rises. The Citroen DS21 EFI Pallas made a jump of 21.75% to an average of R400000-00, although this could be affected by our expansion of that model range during this update which created an anomaly. A rise of 16.53% for the Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato to an average of R495000-00is more indicative. This car was undervalued for a long time, and even less-than-perfect examples are doing well: an older restoration with a top estimate of R145000-00 made double that at the Bonhams Members’ Meeting sale.

Lancia Beta Monte Carlo

Overall, we believe we’re seeing the market continue to stabilise, with values of popular classics continuing to rise steadily and those that were overpriced (like the Capri and Testarossa mentioned above) falling to realistic levels. The latter takes time: it’s hard for dealers and private sellers to admit they’ve caught a cold, but we’re not expecting too many more corrections. True ‘bargain’ risers like the Fulvia Sport Zagato are exceptionally rare now: most of the good cars from good marques have already been identified and snapped up. It’s no coincidence that we’re tracking newer and newer models; bargain hunters are having to look to more modern cars to find their quarry.

We expect that trend to continue, and for the big percentage risers of summer 2018 to be post-1990 cars

Golf GTI MK1

The 10 Biggest Car Collectors in the World

Some people love to collect sports memorabilia or jewelries but there is a handful of others.

10. Wyclef Jean and Nick Mason

Tying up at number 10, hip-hop sensation Wyclef Jean and Pink Floyd
drummer Nick Mason do not just share fondness for great music but also for
cars, lots of them. Both have more than 40 cars to their name with their
specially done garages. Wyclef’s collection of McLaren F1, Ferrari, Italian
Pagani Zonda, Cadillac, and Humvee as well as a customized Hummer
complete with a fish tank can be seen in his Miami garage.

Nick Mason, on the other hand, has a certain preference for Italian super sport cars
delving on models and makes that have a historical significance in the automotive world.
Some of these noteworthy cars are; a Bugatti T35, an Aston Martin LM18, a
Ferrari 213 T3, McLaren F1, Porsche 962 and the infamous 23M-pound Ferrari
250GTO.

9. Ralph Lauren

Fashion mogul and style exemplar, Ralph Lauren may be best known for
his “Polo” design but in the world of hot engines and metallic sensations, his
all-red car collections have always been a sight to behold each time they open
for exhibition. Speed, style and beauty are the highest forms of
vanity and this eccentric combination perfectly conceptualized Lauren’s epic
collection of Ferrari’s, Alfa Romeo roadster’s, Bugatti, Mercedes, Bentley,
Jaguar, McLaren F1 and many others comprising a total of more than 60 cars.
This amazing collection is 98% red in color and are laid on an all-white
platform raised on a specially-done NYC garage carpeted in all-black
fashion.

8. Jay Kay

Apart from collecting hats, Jamiroquai’s front man Jason Luiz Cheetham (famously known as Jay Kay) also has a not-so-secret attraction to cars. This Grammy-winning English-born singing sensation has amassed quite a collection of at least 68 cars (last counted) including a number of Porsche’s, Ferrari’s, Rolls Royce’s, Lamborghini’s, Mercedes, Bugatti’s,
Maserati, Chevy, Aston Martin, among others. He even owns one of Coco
Chanel’s Mercedes 600.

7. Dmitry Lomakov

Moving up to Russia, the best way to find the best car collections in this area is
through a museum built by the Lomakov family headed by Dmitry. The current
president of Retromoto, Dmitry Lomakov’s fondness for antique cars and
anything of historic excellence is quite unparalleled up to this day. In a span of
40 years, he was able to collect 120 antique cars and motorcycles particularly
the antique 1914 Peugeot motorcycle, the last of its kind as well as other
Russian-made vehicles no longer in existence like the 1977 Chayka GAZ-13.
Recently he had also made waves in the media when he bought Adolf Hitler’s infamous Mercedes Benz from a private auction used largely during Hitler’s reign.

6. Gerard Lopez

The renowned chairman of the Lotus F1 Team, this Luxembourg-born
businessman co-owned Genii Capital and Mangrove Capital Planters, a top-
rated venture capital business firm that specializes in technology like Skype.
He is also the managing director of CS Fola Esch, which is a football club. A self-
made entrepreneur, he is definitely more famous for his amazing car collection
recently shown to Britain’s Top Gear. Amassing quite a plethora of pixel-
perfect vintage ponies and muscle hot rods to racing cars, he has a Porsche,
Peugeot, Bugatti and other Euro-exotic sounding car maker’s names on his list.

5. Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani

The richest man in India does not just have a immense Mumbai mansion he
adoringly calls Antilla but also an astounding collection of European cars
reaching to 168 or perhaps more. The 22nd richest man in the whole
world also has an avid passion for cricket, the country’s national sport, through
his co-ownership of the Indian Premier League Team. Understandably, this
extends his love for fast and sporty, yet elegant, European cars like Bentley,
Maybach, Bugatti and Mercedes as well as a few Porsche’s.

4. Ken Lingenfelter

Rivaling Jay Leno‘s ethereal collection, the U.S. based owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering also created quite a collection with 20 Lamborghini Reventon’s on the top of the list. He has more than 150 American muscle cars to his name and amazing collections of Corvettes, Mustangs, Bugatti, Porsche’s and other sensational items he can get his hands on. No wonder, he needed a 40,000 square foot building in Michigan for a garage.

3. Jay Leno

Move over Oprah and Conan, tonight’s show is all about Jay Leno. A famous
talk show celebrity, his car collection is quite astounding as is his Tonight
Show. His collections are usually made of cars that you would never expect in
a million years to still be working up to this day. From 200 cars bearing perfectly maintained a 1909 Baker Electric, a 1931 8-liter Bentley, a 1909 Stanley Steamer, a 1934 Phantom II from Rolls Royce, a 1927 Duesenberg Model X and a 1925 Hispano-Suiza plus 22 steam-powered vehicles and 25 classic cars, it is no wonder where Mattel’s Hot Wheels get their inspiration.

2. Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan

A billionaire member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling elite, the “Rainbow Sheik” is quite
renowned for his colorful collections of 7 Mercedes S-Classes, each one in a
different color of the rainbow. Additionally, he also has customized Mercedes
monster trucks, a slew of Jeep’s for the largest Bedouin Caravan, a Dodge Power
Wagon, and whatever sensational cars he can find to match his equally
sensational personality. What makes him unique is how he stashed his worthy
finds in a pyramid.

1.    Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

With a staggering $20 billion net worth and the largest royal palace in the world with
diamond and gold gilded bathrooms, it is no wonder that he is able to amass
some 7000 cars consisting of 209 BMWs, 574 Benz, 452 Ferraris, 179
Jaguars, 382 Bentleys, 134 Koenigseggs, a slew of Lamborghinis, Aston
Martin, SSC, Cicero BDB Maestro, and so on. His limited edition and concept
cars made only for him like the Ferrari Mythos, Pininfarina-designed Jaguar,
Bentley Java and 4×4 Dominator, a Koenigsegg Agera CC GT and a Porsche
Carma are definitely a sight to behold. Definitely, this is one person who sees
collecting top-rated cars as child’s play.

Amelia Island 2018 Concourse d Elegance

Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2018 – Best of Show Winners

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2018 was held Saturday, March 10th on the fairways of The Golf Club of Amelia Island next to the Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island, Florida.

With more than 300 cars and motorcycles in attendance, the judges at the 23rd annual Amelia Island Concours were tasked with a difficult job of not only picking class winners, but also awarding the Best of Show Winners. The Concours awards Best of Show for two designations — Concours de Sport and Concours d’Elegance.

Best of Show Concours de Sport at the Amelia Island Concours 2018 was awarded to the 1963 Ferrari 250/275P from The JSL Motorsports Collection in Redwood City, California.

To contest the new World Prototype Championship in 1963 Ferrari introduced its first of many mid-engine V12 powered prototypes, the 250P. Four cars were constructed with three litre engines. All were factory team cars and immediately successful. Ferrari entered two cars in the Sebring 12 hour race and finished first and second overall. They went on to overall wins at the ADAC Nurburgring 1,000Kms and the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year taking the 1963 World Prototype Championship. The cars were updated with larger 3.3 liter engines in 1964, now called a 275P and went on to overall wins at Sebring and Le Mans again.

The Amelia winning Ferrari 250/275P won the overall at the 1963 ADAC Nurburgring 1,000Kms with John Surtees and Willy Mairesse and the 1964 Sebring 12 Hours with Mike Parkes and Umberto Maglioli driving. This car finished second at the 1963 Sebring event and won the first race at Mont Tremblant as a NART entry with Pedro Rodriguez driving. The car was campaigned as a NART entry in 1964 and 1965.

Best of Show Concours d’Elegance at the 2018 Amelia Island Concours was given to the 1929 Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible owned by Harry Yeaggy from Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Duesenberg J was advertised as “The World’s Finest Motor Car”. The list of Duesenberg owners was a Who’s Who of Hollywood elite along with captains of industry. No wonder — a bare chassis cost $7,500 and coachwork added another $10,000 to $15,000.

Duesenbergs were built from 1913 thru 1937. Industrialist E.L. Cord purchased the Indianapolis, IN, company in 1926 and hired Fred Duesenberg to design a chassis and an engine that would be the best in the world. The Model J was introduced at the New York Car Show of 1928. In unsupercharged form, the J produces 276 horsepower from a straight-8 engine with dual overhead camshafts and was capable of a top speed of 119 mph. The supercharged version, the SJ, could do 135-140 mph in third gear; and at a time when the best cars could rarely reach 100 mph.

The winning Duesenberg J/SJ Convertible has Murphy roadster-style coachwork that was restyled in period by Bohman and Schwartz of Pasadena, California. Styling changes included a lengthened hood, slotted fenders and more modern bumpers. One of the early owners of this car was Edward Beale McLean, who owned the Hope Diamond and whose family owned The Washington Post.

“I could not be more pleased with the judges’ decisions for the 2018 Amelia Island Concours winners,” said Bill Warner, Chairman and Founder of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. “We are overjoyed to present the Duesenberg and Ferrari with these honors. These cars are prime examples of automotive prestige and we are proud to recognize them.”

1992 Ferrari F40 Right Hand Drive For Sale

1 of 7 RHD F40 models made exclusively for the Sultan of Brunei by Pinninfarina at enormous expense.

Ferrari’s F40 is the definitive supercar and has a formidable reputation alongside the 250 GTO as possibly the best road Ferrari built to date. With the F40 Pininfarina produced an era defining creation, one that even today is instantly recognisable by old and young enthusiasts alike.

The 2936cc motor produces approximately 500bhp at 7000rpm with the help of two water-cooled IHI turbochargers running 1.1bar of boost – at 1202kg the F40 still has a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio, resulting in a top speed of 201mph flat out making it the first production car to surpass this mystical boundary. The F40 was a landmark not just on account of its crushing performance and stunning looks, but it was fittingly the last ever car presented by Enzo Ferrari, this taking place at Maranello in June 1987, 14 months before the great man’s death.

From 1991 onwards, cars were fitted with catalytic convertors to meet ever tightening legislation and at this time adjustable suspension became an option. Production was discontinued in 1992 after 1311 examples had been completed in five years (600 or so being bound for the USA and being noticeably different to their lighter and faster European cousins).

This example offered for sale, chassis 91283, is one of the original ultra-rare cars built by Pininfarina for the Sultan of Brunei in RHD. Of the RHD cars just 2 are believed to currently be in public circulation and both have been sold by Talacrest. This car is presented in concours condition having covered just 10,257 kms. A large file accompanies the car detailing a thorough recent restoration totalling over $160,000 by a well know marque specialist justifying the cars exceptional condition and detailing all work carried out including the replacement of the fuel cells at that time.

Interesting and unique features of this car include electric windows and the seating set up for a taller driver with F40LM seats and a unique headlining (for extra head room).

Talacrest bought this car direct from Brunei and has passed it on to new custodians twice and we can confirm #91283 has been maintained with no expense spared.

7 Eyebrow-Raising Sales from Amelia Island March 2018

·         By CCW

Auction weekend at Amelia Island may have been slightly down in overall sales, but there was nonetheless a sensational crop of cars on offer, some of which stood out prominently from the rest of the pack. These seven cars, many of which were exceptional examples of lower-tier models, commanded significantly more cash than expected. There are always anomalies out there, and anything can happen when two bidders badly want in or when a car has special qualities like low mileage or famous ownership. Based on previous sales and values these seven top-market sales are likely to be outliers or signals of a rising market to come.

Outliers

1988 Mercedes 560SL

1988 Mercedes 560 SL, RM Sotheby’s

Sold for R1,2 million SA Rand (Hagerty Price Guide #1 value: R750000)

Great colours, showing 2965 miles, and in essentially showroom condition. Along with earlier SLs, these cars hit full prices and then started going down to more realistic levels. For the 560, Hagerty saw a decline starting in 2016. This is probably one of the very best 560SLs around, but for it to be more than 50 percent over Hagerty’s #1-condition price is a little extreme. Safe to call it an Outlier—this car is not going to sell for more than this any time soon.

1974 Porsche 914 2.0

1974 Porsche 914, Gooding & Company

Sold for R1,2 million SA Rand (HPG #1 value: R530000)

Solid colors, showing 4934 miles, a time-warp showroom-condition car. This result tied the record for most expensive four-cylinder 914 at auction. (The other one was at RM Monterey last year, in similarly like-new condition.) Obviously, a showroom-condition original 914 is rare, and Porsche collectors are going to clamor for it, but at greater than twice Hagerty’s  #1 value, it is hard to justify as anything but an Outlier.

1957 Triumph TR3

1957 Triumph TR3, Gooding & Company

Sold for R685000 SA Rands (HPG #1 value: R540000)

Hagerty has been cutting values on the ’57 TR3 over the last several HPG updates. This example was among the nicest TR3s ever seen, fresh from a concourse restoration and pretty much show-ready. TR3s are usually too cheap for a restoration this good, and prices at the moment are essentially flat. This car is top-notch but not likely the best in the world, so there doesn’t seem to be any reason (or a rational one, at least) for it to sell so far above our current #1 value.

Ahead of the curve

1956 VW Beetle convertible

            1956 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, RM Sotheby,

Sold for R875000 SA Rands(HPG #1 value: R525000)

A car with nice period accessories, restored to excellent, perhaps near-concourse condition. Although it was very expensive, it’s tough to call this one an Outlier because a ’56 convertible is rare, and the car was in almost tip-top shape. And given what VW Sambas have done lately (shot up in value), maybe attention will next turn to certain special VWs like this.

1986 Porsche 944

1986 Porsche 944, Gooding & Company

Sold for R500000 SA Rand(HPG #1 value: R250000)

Not an ‘S’, not a Turbo, just a base 944 with 5100 miles and in showroom-fresh condition. While the ‘86 944 has remained flat for the past couple of HPG updates, this might be ahead of the curve. Still, it this car and its value could take several years to germinate and bear fruit—all of which is dependent upon the mileage remaining low. Prime low-mileage 944s specifically have done quite well at auction over the last year or so, but prices in general seem to have flattened out.

1969 Porsche 912

1969 Porsche 912, RM Sotheby’s

Sold for R850000 SA Rand  (HPG #1 value: R780000)

Showing 24,566 miles and far from perfect. Probably the most desirable year for the 912, and this example has to be one of the better unrestored ones out there. Given that this car has the sought-after five-speed, the price wasn’t all that outrageous for an original car. If 912 values move up any more, then this car (or one like it) could probably get a similar price again if it stays in this condition.

1975 BMW 2002 Turbo

1969 Porsche 912, RM Sotheby’s

Sold for R2,4 million SA Rand

This was a world-record sale at auction for the model, by 32 percent. As we previously noted, 2002 Turbos just keep on soaring, as do vintage BMWs in general, so prices may very well catch up to these mammoth transactions soon.

Vroom with a View

Dentist who has so many cars he keeps them in enormous warehouses is selling his 450 classic vehicles for £100 MILLION.

Britain's largest private car collection, built up by cosmetic dentistry millionaire James Hull, 53, pictured, is for sale as a whole for £100million

• James Hull has built up collection of unusual and valuable cars, from Elton John's old Bentley to rare Jaguar KXSS
• Multi-millionaire Dr Hull, 53, of Kensington, west London, keeps all his precious cars in warehouses in Herefordshire
• Having fought off cancer three times, he now wants to sell the collection, and is determined to sell it as a whole
• The founder of cosmetic dentistry pioneers James Hull Associates hopes to find a buyer with £100million in Britain
• Collection includes a rare Jaguar D-Type worth at least £4million, old pedal cars, and a Sinclair C5 from the 1980s.
   
• A car-obsessed dentist who has amassed Britain’s biggest private car collection is selling the whole lot for £100million.

James Hull, 53, who founded the James Hull Associates chain of dentists, owns more than 450 rare and classic cars, ranging from multi-million pound rare Jaguars to Winston Churchill's Austin, and a Bentley once owned by Elton John.

With no room to park them all near his home in Kensington, west London, he garages them in vast warehouses in Herefordshire, but has now decided to sell up because of health reasons.

All yours... if you've got deep pockets: Dr Hull's 457-strong car collection is currently kept in warehouses in Herefordshire

None of the cars are cheap, but a buyer with particularly deep pockets is needed, because Dr Hull says he is determined to sell the 457-strong collection as a whole.

He is hoping a buyer will come in with a £100million-plus offer, making it the highest value car sale in Britain.

For that price, the buyer will get 457 classic vehicles, 365 pedal cars and 300 pieces of memorabilia including model aircraft from WW1 and WW2.

As well as full-size motors, the collection includes more than 300 miniature pedal cars, pictured at the back, as well as a Sinclair C5 from the 1980s

Planes (no trains) and automobiles: Dr Hull has collected Bentleys, Rolls Royces and Jaguars, as well as some aircraft from the First and Second World Wars

With cars represented from every decade since the 1930s, the collection includes a Jaguar D-Type, worth in excess of £4million, a similarly valuable Jaguar C-Type, and Lord Mountbatten's Mini Traveller, as well as a super-rare 1950s Jaguar KXSS.

The collection also includes a Humber which was owned by the judge presiding over the Profumo Affair and a 1961 Jaguar E-Type which belonged to Britain’s world motorcycle champion Mike Hailwood.

 Dr Hull, who made his fortune pioneering cosmetic dentistry in the UK, has battled cancer three times in the past four years, earning him the nickname Lazarus to friends.  He traveled around the world to track down some of the rarer models in his collection, shipping them back to Britain and then having them stripped down before rebuilding them.

This classic racing car, right, driven in this picture by Sirling Moss.

He said: 'It's the culmination of a life-long hobby.  Each car has its own story and all have played a part in the history of British motoring.  It's part of our heritage.

'I'm merely a passionate custodian of this hugely significant part of British history and, with luck, I will succeed in finding a home that can not only be enjoyed and treasured by the British public but also be admired by visitors from across the world.'

A number of Dr Hull's cars have appeared at motor shows around the world, competed in the Mille Miglia Italian road-race, and even been used for the Queen’s 80th birthday parade.

There are also dozens of cars which have won concourse awards, and a collection of British campervans from the 1940s, 50s and 60s, as well as early Land Rovers, classic Range Rovers, and a Sinclair C5 from the 1980s.

The collection, which is being sold privately, has already had a 'huge amount of interest' from private buyers and consortia, from overseas as well as nearer to home, but Dr Hull hopes it will remain in Britain.

Graham Searle, from the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club, said: 'Dr Hull is a well-known Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club member with an immense passion for Jaguar cars.

This classic Bentley is among Dr Hull's collection - he travelled the world finding rare cars before shipping them back to Britain and having them restored

Most of his cars are very original or restored to original specification with great attention to detail, and over the years he must have won more concourse awards than any other Jaguar collector.

'He does immense service to the classic car movement in keeping these cars in top condition, and the sale of the collection will attract enormous interest from around the world.

Mint condition: This shining red Mini Traveller was once owned by Lord Mountbatten, and is now for sale as part of a job lot going for at least £100milion

'We of course hope that whoever buys them allows them to be seen and enjoyed by enthusiasts for years to come.'

James Hull made his money after founding James Hull Associates in 1987, becoming the market leader in cosmetic dentistry, specialising in teeth whitening, veneers and implants. 

A Classic Alvis.  

He was devastated in 2006 when vandals broke into one of his warehouses, before hotwiring the Jaguars and crashing dozens of them. Police later said they had 'treated the cars like dodgems'.

Over the past decade, prices for classic cars have shot up, outperforming every other investment and sending the value of the collection soaring. 

If he finds a suitable buyer, Dr Hull will need a new hobby, but he's not yet sure what it will be.

He said: 'I’m a collector, so who knows what will turn up next.  My wife hopes it will be something smaller like stamps.'

Jaguar XKSS

Is now the time for Collection Classic Motorcycles ?

The Las Vegas Bonhams auction shows that the classic bike market is healthier than ever, at a time when classic car prices have rightly flattened off.

The Bonhams motorcycle auction in Las Vegas yesterday brought together an excellent collection of vintage and collectible motorcycles. This sale was a typical collection for Bonhams in that most of the bikes on offer were serious collector’s items. The sale went on for a few hours with, basically, business as usual – and then the original condition, Australian speed record-setting, 1951 Vincent Black Lightning motorcycle hit the block.

Bidding started at around $400,000 (R4,4 million SA Rand) and just kept going. The sale for this bike finally hammered sold at an unbelievable $929,000(R10,3 million SA Rand), which makes it the most valuable motorcycle ever sold at auction.

The bike was built as a special order and imported new into Australia by Tony McAlpine. The Vincent Black Lightning, number 7305, is one of just approximately 30 Black Lightning models built by the Stevenage, England factory.

At the time when it was built, another well-known Vincent, nicknamed 'Gunga Din', was undergoing work in the factory as well and was prepped to smash speed records. After both were completed, the two machines were raced at an airfield where it is said that McAlpine's bike was a clear 30 yards ahead of Gunga Din, and factory records indicated that it achieved speeds in excess of 130mph in third gear.

The story gets better though, in that in 1953 the McAlpine-ordered motorcycle smashed the existing Australian speed record when Jack Ehret rode it to an average speed of 141.5mph.

'Rollie Free and Marty Dickerson [legendary Vincent riders], knew of this motorcycle and Ehret's acclaim,' according to Ben Walker, Bonhams head of motorcycling. 'After the "Bathing Suit Bike" ridden by Free, the Ehret bike is likely the most important Black Lightning in existence and is one of the world's most desirable machines.'

This piece of history is the most important motorcycle seen offered at a US motorcycle sale and speaks to a market that is ready and willing to step up and pay whatever it costs to acquire important and significant motorcycles.

The rest of the sale also saw some very strong numbers, especially with the other Vincent’s and Bough Superiors on offer. These included the all-original two-owner 1950 Vincent Comet selling for $33,925(R375000 SA Rands), the 1953 Vincent Black Shadow Series C selling for $88,550R975000 SA Rands), the 1955 Vincent Black Prince selling at $104,650(R1,1 million SA Rand), and the 1939 Brough Superior SS80 (above) that sold for $120,500(R1,4 million SA Rand).

Some of the Italian motorcycles did not fare as well as the British counterparts. A pair of MV Agustas, a 1975 750 America (above) and a 1977 850SS were no sales, as were the 1985 Ducati-NCR 850 Pro twin, which had a pre-auction estimate of $80,000 to $100,000R880000-R1, million SA Rand), and the 1987 Ducati 750F1 Laguna Seca, which had only a $23,000 to $26,000(R250000-R325000 SA Rand) pre-auction estimate.

On the Japanese bike front, a huge winner was the 1990 Honda VRR750R RC 30 that sold for what could be a record $92,000(R1,1 million SA Rand), or basically R130k more than the Vincent Black Shadow. The best buy for Japanese bikes was, for me, the competitor in period to the RC 30, the 1991 Yamaha FZR 750RT OW01 (below) that was bought extremely well for $34,500(R375000 SA Rand).

Despite all of this serious heavy metal selling at strong prices, Bonhams also brought a number of entry-level collector bikes to their sale. The standouts of these were the 1975 BMW R75/6 that was a strong buy at only R40000-00 the 1970 Norton Commando 750S café racer for a bargain R60000-00 the stunning Jacaranda Purple over Silver Sheen 1970 Triumph T100C (below) that sold for R100K.

This year looks like it could be a banner year for classic motorcycles, and being a collector of these bikes myself I think that it is about time.

The Most Expensive British Car to go on Auction

Famed DB4GT Zagato ‘2 VEV’ to go under the hammer at Goodwood.

The most celebrated Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato – ‘2 VEV’ – will hit the open market for the first time in almost half a century when it crosses the block at Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed auction on 13 July. Bonhams expects the car to make well in excess of £10m.

The Essex Racing Stable 1961 Zagato ‘2 VEV’ is easily the best known of the 19 cars produced, and ranks somewhere near the top of Carrozzeria Zagato’s most important creations. Raced in period by Jim Clark, ‘2 VEV’ is one of just two quasi-works cars and one of only three configured in the ultra-light – and ultra-desirable – DP209 specification. Incredibly, the FoS sale represents the first time that the car has been offered for 47 years, having spent all of that time in the care of the same family. 

Owner John Ogier campaigned the Zagato throughout 1961 and 1962 under his Essex Racing Stable banner, during which the car was driven extensively by the great Jim Clark. The future two-times Formula One World Champion famously took the wheel during the 1961 and ’62 RAC Tourist Trophy at Goodwood, finishing fourth behind sister car ‘1 VEV’ – driven by Roy Salvadori –  in the first race before colliding with the Ferrari 250GTO of race leader John Surtees during the second. 

Clark also drove the Aston at Montlhéry, and finished sixth in the Paris 1000km alongside Innes Ireland. The car also took to the grid of the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1961, though, along with its Essex Racing sister car, it failed to last the distance. 

A fruitful career in historic racing followed once the Zagato retired from top-flight competition, being raced with great success throughout the ’80s and ’90s by Roger St John Hart, and later by Nick Cussons of the Aston Martin Owners’ Club. 

The car benefited from a full Aston Martin factory restoration in the mid-1990s and is described as being ready for track action. Bonhams’ James Knight said: “Bonhams is absolutely delighted to be bringing this landmark vehicle to auction, which continues our history of offering the world’s most important and celebrated sports and collectors’ motor cars to market. It is, by some distance, the most valuable British motor car ever to be offered at a European auction, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for this historically significant vehicle.”

Adam Carolla is Selling His Incredible BMW 3.0 CSL Racer

Adam Carolla is one of the lesser known celebrity car collectors. He isn’t as big of a name as, say, Jay Leno or Jerry Seinfeld but Carolla has one of the more impressive and exciting collections of cars of all celebrity car enthusiasts. Back in 2016 he sold off a handful of excellent Lamborghinis that would make any enthusiast drool. Now, he's selling another car: A stunning BMW 3.0 CSL one of the most iconic BMWs of all time.

It started out life as a road-going 3.0 CSL but was converted to race-spec by  Heinz-Jorgen Dahmen back in the ’70s. It was an active racing car from 1974 to 2004 and accumulated several victories and podium finishes. At some point during that time, it was bought by then-actor Cullen “Cuffy” Crabbe, who continued to race it.Crabbe eventually converted it to Group 2 racing spec and upgraded the engine

In 2011, Adam Carolla bought it from Crabbe, to add to his impressive vintage car collection. However, Carolla has never raced it. Although, he has had it professionally maintained and it’s said to start up and run well. The 3.0 litre I6 engine sounded devilish in its time.

The BMW 3.0 CSL is not only one of the most iconic BMWs of all time but one of the most iconic racing cars from any manufacturer of all time. There isn’t a price listed for the CSL, though don’t expect it to be cheap. It’s going to fetch a pretty penny, thanks to its prestige of its own and the fact that it’s changed celebrity hands a few times. We’re interested in seeing how this car’s sale turns out.

Lamborghini Meseum

Lamborghini didn’t actually have a museum until 2001, when the takeover by Audi freed up cash to put its rare treasures out on display.

Sitting next to the factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, its two stories are packed with cars dating right back to the 1963 foundation of Lamborghini

7 LAMBORGHINI FACTS

1. Ferruccio Lamborghini used to drive a Ferrari. When the clutch broke, he noticed it was the same as a tractor’s. He went to Ferrari to ask for a replacement but received bad customer service there. So he started building his own cars.
2. Lamborghini as a company is now part of the Volkswagen Group.
3. It takes about 130 people to handcraft the Lamborghini Murcielago.
4. That same Murcielago goes from 0 to 100 kmph in 3.4 seconds and has top speed of 340 kmph.
5. The first Lamborghinis were… tractors. Lamborghini Trattori still exists but is a different company now.
6. Once, Lamborghini donated two AWD screamers to the Italian police so they could use the speedy cars to quickly deliver organs to patients in need.
7. Ferruccio Lamborghini, the man behind the brand, has Taurus as star sign. Hence the brand’s logo.

1964 350 GT

The very first Lamborghini ever, this lovely-looking machine was a rival to the Ferrari 250 GT. 120 were made between 1964 and 1966, whose 276bhp 3.5-litre V12 gave them 155mph potential.

1966 Miura P40

A prototype of the most famous Lamborghini in the world – and the earliest still in existence. It was first seen at the 1966 Turin motor show and arguably set the template for the modern super car look.

1972 P250 Urraco

In the early 1970s, oil prices were rocketing, and hurting supercar firms such as Lamborghini. Bertone thus designed the Urraco 2+2, billed as a more fuel-efficient model based around a 2.5-litre or 3.0-litre V8 engine, but also offered with a downsized 2.0-litre V8 where taxes were particularly punitive.

1974 Countach LP400

Like the Miura, famed Italian designer Bertone created the Countach, the original sharp-edged and ‘extreme’ Lamborghini. This is the very first production car, whose 4.0-litre V12 produced 370bhp – enough, it was claimed, for a top speed of 196mph.

1986 LM002

Did you know Lamborghini made a 4x4 in the 1980s? Not just any 4x4 either, but a ‘Lamborghini Military’ grade machine with 5.2-litre V12 engine from the Countach, capable of up to 434bhp. A monster in every sense of the word, of which the firm built 300.

1988 P140

Lamborghini was experimenting with more affordable cars way back in the late 80s. The P140 had its first V10, and a removable roof panel, yet didn’t make it to production, despite later reappearing in 1995 with the Cala name. We’d have to wait a while longer for the Gallardo to eventually arrive.

1991 Lamborghini Lambo F1

Lamborghini had a sole season in Formula 1 back in 1991, with a car and engine designed entirely in-house. In its very first race, it finished in a creditable seventh place, but the 700bhp V12 racer then failed to even qualify for most of the races thereafter.  

  2001 Diablo 6.0 SE

Lamborghini built the Diablo for 11 years and to celebrate the end of production, it made 42 examples of this ‘Special Edition’. Finished in gold and brown, the car’s 6.0-litre V12 was given its most potent tune yet, for a top speed of 205mph.

2006 Miura concept.

Lamborghini celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Mura in 2006, with this lovely 21st century reimagination. Serious collectors were lining up with the cheque books but, despite this, no more examples were ever built, sadly.

2007 Reventon

 How’s this for a rare production Lamborghini – just 20 Reventon were made. Based on the Aventador, its 6.5-litre V12 was squeezed up to 641bhp, giving the F22 Raptor fighter jet-inspired car a top speed in excess of 211mph.