Bonhams’ Bond Street sale might be the best 29-car auction you’ve ever seen

A £21m catalogue of cast-iron classics

When it comes to car auctions, quality usually trumps quantity.

With some sales offering up vast catalogues of hundreds – or even thousands – of classics, it’s all too easy to miss the really good stuff, hidden among legions of average ’00s sports cars.

Thankfully, British auction house Bonhams seems to agree: its Bond Street auction on 1 December features just 29 lots – and each and every one of them is well worth a look. 

From racing Jaguars to rare BMW roadsters, it's a small-scale sale par excellence, with an average lot price of some £700,000 and, if everything sells for its estimate, a total billing of £21m. 

Here’s our guide to what’s on offer, in age order…

1924 Vauxhall 30/98hp OE115

Estimate: £330-390,000

Vauxhall wasn't always Corsas and Astras: back in the ’20s, the British marque built lightweight tourers with big engines which, if you ask the right people, could comfortably eclipse Bentley machines on country roads.

Hitting the scales at roughly 1200kg, the 90bhp Vauxhall could top 100mph in race trim – but it isn't the stats that make this example famous.

No, ‘OE115’ is renowned both for its quality – it retains its original, matching-numbers chassis and engine – and the fact that it was ordered new by one Hari Singh, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. Regal indeed.

1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide

Estimate: £750-850,000

Before it was bought out by Aston Martin in 1947, Lagonda was a renowned name in luxury sports cars – and it even had an outright Le Mans victory to its name, claimed at the 1935 event.

A refined Bentley rival (ironic, given that W.O. Bentley helped to develop it) with 4.5-litre power at its disposal, the LG45 launched in the year of that victory. Powerful yet comfortable, it was most potent in lightened Rapide form – as this 1937 example illustrates.

One of just 25 built, it’s been well-maintained for all of its 81 years – from a restoration in the mid ’80s to more recent mechanical refinements. And, just for good measure, it even went rallying in 2015.

1954 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Roadster

Estimate: £250-350,000

A Bertone-bodied Bristol, based on a BMW and branded as the Bolide. Phew.

Besides its alliterative appeal, this mid-century sports car – dreamt up by American Stanley Arnolt, styled by Italian Franco Scaglione – was a very capable racer, its tall, 2-litre six-cylinder motor packaged neatly into a nimble chassis and lightweight shell (complete with nifty hood scoop to hide the engine’s height).

Just 130 were built, of which there are few survivors. This example – the recently restored chassis 3065 – is one of the finest.

1957 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud

Estimate: £350-450,000

One of just 21 Mulliner-bodied Silver Clouds in drophead guise, this stately Rolls is an absolute treat.

With a hand-crafted aluminium shell, 4.9-litre engine and luxurious interior, it was the ultimate in cruising style and comfort in its heyday – and remains much the same now (with a price to match).

Lovingly driven and maintained for the last 60-odd years, a restoration at the end of the ’90s has seen it age beautifully.

1958 Aston Martin DB MkIII

Estimate: £480-680,000

The oldest of the nine Astons going under the hammer with Bonhams is this 1958 convertible – one of just 85 DB MkIII models ever made by the British marque.

Built between 1957 and 1959, the DB MkIII became the seminal bridge between the classically styled DB2/4 before it and the game-changing DB4 that would follow – and it was the MkIII that first wore that now-iconic grille.

A matching-numbers example that’s spent time in the UK, Germany and, latterly, Belgium, it’s always been meticulously maintained, leaving it in incredible condition today – complete with fresh British Racing Green paint job.

1958 BMW 507 Series II

Estimate: £2.1-2.2m

A mid-century stunner that still turns heads today, the 507 almost sank BMW when it launched in 1956, thanks to spiralling development and production costs – yet it’s now a machine worth millions.

Just 252 of the magnificent drop-tops ever left the factory, including this 1958 number which, in 1971, was bought by one Count Albrecht Graf von Goertz. Who? Only the man who designed the 507!

A German designer stationed in New York, von Goertz was responsible for the roadster’s sweeping wheelarches, uncluttered lines, long nose and sharp front end. So it makes sense that he wanted one himself – and now it could be yours. After you win the lottery, obviously.

1959 Lister-Jaguar Knobbly

Estimate: £2.2-2.8m

Last up is a Lister-Jaguar racer that’s Knobbly by name, storied by nature. Where certain classics sell for millions at auction because of their rarity or condition, this lightweight speed machine earns its bids through its racing reputation.

Raced between 1958 and 1963, ‘NBL 660’ claimed a staggering 29 wins and 53 podiums in period, before going on to become a stalwart of the classic racing scene, competing in events at Goodwood and at the Le Mans Classic.

Sold with a vast, detailed compendium of its competition history, together with a raft of parts – including a spare chassis, engine, suspension and body panels – this mid-century beauty is both a rarity and a legend.

1959 Jaguar XK150S 3.4

Estimate: £60-80,000

The first of two XK150S machines at the Bond Street auction, this 1959 example – one of 199 models built in 3.4-litre spec – certainly looks neat and tidy, with a restoration early in the new millennium leaving it in fine condition.

Oh, and it used to belong to Jo Ramírez. Who? Well if you’re a McLaren fan, you might know the name: the Mexican was one of the big guns behind the scenes at the marque’s Formula 1 team from 1984 to 2001. Which, in case you needed reminding, is when the team was at its most successful.

Something of a legend, then – and if you’ve got £60k going spare, you can own his old Jag.

1960 Jaguar XK150S 3.8

Estimate: £130-150,000

The other XK150S is this one – but why is it so much more expensive? That probably has something to do with the fact that it’s an example of the more powerful, 3.8-litre, 265bhp variant – the rarest of all XK150 machines, with just 282 built.

What’s more, it’s a matching-numbers machine, one of only 115 built in right-hand drive guise and unusually fitted with mechanical overdrive, making it arguably the ultimate XK150.

Stabled with the same owner from 1965 to 2000, it’s had just four custodians from new and goes to auction in stunning condition, fitted with several subtle upgrades to enhance its drivability. Power steering might not be to every taste, but there’s no denying this motor’s beauty.

1964 Jaguar MkII ‘Coombs Replica’

Estimate: £50-60,000

This mid-’60s sports car might look too stately to be a racer, but beneath that understated shell sat a very capable 220bhp 3.8-litre engine that could really get the MkII moving. And that’s just the standard model.

See, this particularly MkII has been treated to upgrades inspired by the Jaguar that dealer John Coombs took racing in the ’60s. The result? It’s pretty darn handy.

Restoration began in 1992, with no expense spared in rebuilding and upgrading the engine, as well as retrimming the car as a whole.

1964 Aston Martin DB5

Estimate: £640-680,000

The second Aston on the list is a model made famous by Bond and long synonymous with the world’s favourite spy.

We’re referring, of course, to the DB5, and although this 1964 hardtop doesn’t pack the gadgets 007 might expect, there’s no disputing that it’s a stunner, what with its original interior, five-speed ZF gearbox and dashing colour scheme.

Stabled with the same owner from new until 1996, it’s about as evocative as classics come – and you’ll have to pay a hefty price for the privilege of steering it.

1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series II

Estimate: £1.3-1.4m

Next up is a Ferrari you don’t hear about very often – yet, at launch, it was the marque’s most powerful and most expensive road car.

That car is the 500 Superfast, a luxury sports car equipped with a 5-litre V12 engine and derived from the 400 Superamerica. It was also the last of the Italian firm’s low-volume coupés; the factory finished just one of the 400bhp special-edition machines per month, each bespoke to its owner.

This 1966 example is one of only 12 Series II cars built (a mere eight of which were in right-hand drive guise) and was first owned by famous racing name Jack Durlacher.

1966 Citroën DS21 Decapotable

Estimate: £150-180,000

France’s only showing at the Bonhams sale comes in the form of this charming Citroën DS21. 

Wrapped in sweeping bodywork by Parisian coachbuilder Henry Chapron, the ’60s stunner still wins praise today for its captivating shell – particularly, as here, in drop-top Decapotable guise. 

This particular example – an immaculate 1966 number that lived in Malta for almost 50 years – is even more desirable due to its larger, more refined 2.2-litre engine and right-hand drive setup; just six of its type are believed to survive today.

1966 Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante

Estimate: £1.4-1.6m

If you know your Aston Martin history then you’ll know that this isn’t a DB6 – though it’s often mistaken for one.

This mid-’60s drop-top was the first to use the Volante moniker when it was introduced alongside the DB6, but was initially built on the shorter DB5 chassis.

Just 37 left the factory in Short Chassis guise before production of the proper DB6 Volante (on its longer wheelbase) began in 1966.

All of which makes this Volante one of the rarest and most coveted of all Aston Martin models – hence the rather steep guide price for this, the sixth one built.

1969 Cooper-Chevrolet T90 Formula A/5000

Estimate: £115-135,000

Although not the only track car at the Bond Street sale, this late-’60s open-wheeler is probably the most startling – especially if you were to drive it home from the London auction.

A Formula A car that made use of an F1-derived chassis, this example of the T90 – chassis F1C/3/69 – was the last single-seater racer ever built by the famed Cooper Car Company.

As if that doesn’t make it significant enough, this 1969 machine was also raced extensively in the USA in period, including at the Road Race of Champions at Daytona, before retiring and undergoing an exacting restoration.

1970 Ferrari 365GTB/4 Daytona

Estimate: £520-580,000

Officially the GTB/4, unofficially the Daytona, universally one of the greatest Ferraris: this Pininfarina-bodied, sharp-chinned masterpiece paired muscular 4.4-litre V12 power with astounding drivability, making it perhaps the best all-rounder ever to come out of Maranello.

One of just 150 built in right-hand drive guise, this 1970 example was – somewhat strangely – delivered new to the British School of Motoring, for service on its high-performance course.

Later kept in an Australian private collection for some 39 years, it goes to auction with much-vaunted Ferrari Classiche certification, confirming that it’s a matching numbers machine.

1973 Ferrari Dino 246GTS

Estimate: £450-550,000

British DJ and TV presenter Chris Evans is well known as a petrolhead, and this Dino once belonged to the sometime Top Gear host.  

A long-time Ferrari fan with a famous collection of white Prancing Horse machines, Evans acquired the V6-engined 246GTS in the ’90s, following the first of two careful restorations.

Though not as muscular as its V12 Ferrari cousins, the 2.4-litre drop-top doubtless offered the presenter plenty of thrills before he passed it on – though it’s not all white now. Sorry.

1975 Ferrari 365GT4 Berlinetta Boxer

Estimate: £260-290,000

Here’s one we covered earlier. Back in June 1998, this bonny Berlinetta Boxer graced the cover of Classic & Sports Car – and for good reason: it’s a truly lovely example that’s remarkable for its service history.

OK, so that’s probably not the sexiest way to sell a 380bhp mid-’70s Prancing Horse, but chassis 18685 has enjoyed an unrivalled level of care throughout its entire life.

From appearing at the 60th London Motor Show to being offered for sale by its ninth owner, this Rosso Cordoba Metallizato machine has been lovingly maintained by every one of its custodians – and it ships with three crates of invoices to prove it.

1979 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Limousine

Estimate: £250-300,000

If the Phantom VI was the peak of ’70s luxury cruising, then chassis PGH116 floated in a hot air balloon above it: this Mulliner-bodied machine was finished by Rolls-Royce to the highest possible specification, including a host of options and extras.

Why? So that it could serve as the factory demonstrator vehicle – a role it fulfilled for many years, remaining in the ownership of the Rolls-Royce factory to the present day.

In fact, so plush is this Phantom that it’s been loaned out to the British Royal Household on more than one occasion. Win the bidding and you never know: you might sitting where a princess once perched.

1980 Aston Martin V8 Volante

Estimate: £160-200,000

We’re into the ’80s Aston Martin machines now, and this beefy drop-top is a fine piece of touring muscle from the decade that style forgot.

Powerful, comfortable and nothing if not butch, the British marque built 848 V8s in 150mph convertible guise – and this 1980 number is one of the finest around today.

Treated to money-no-object maintenance throughout its entire life, the Aston is set to go under the hammer from its first and only owner. 

1985 Jaguar XJR6

Estimate: £2.2-2.8m

Some lots just like to show off. This is one of them: a racing Jaguar prepared by esteemed outfit Tom Walkinshaw Racing – functioning as a kind of semi-official factory team – it competed in five World Endurance Championship events in 1985.

And, while it didn’t achieve the success the team was hoping for, thanks to a string of mechanical issues, with the likes of Martin Brundle and Jan Lammers driving it that season chassis 285 helped lay the foundation for Jaguar’s future Le Mans wins.

Subsequently raced in historic events and going to auction accompanied by a raft of documents detailing its history, there’s little wonder it could fetch as much as £2.8m on 1 December.

1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato

Estimate: £450-550,000

Not conventionally pretty – not by a long way – this limited edition version of the V8 Vantage saw Italian coachbuilder Zagato going a bit wild, and it was nothing if not controversial.

Besides the trademark double-bubble roof, everything from the bonnet hump to the wraparound rear window to that widely derided squared-off grille challenged perceptions of what an Aston Martin should be. 

Highly desirable today (just 52 were made), this 1986 example has spent its entire life in professional storage – bar a couple of outings for servicing – meaning it goes to auction in completely original condition, with just 393 miles on the clock.

1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Pack

Estimate: £270-340,000

Another V8 Vantage, this later example was one of just 130 optioned with the desirable X-Pack from the factory.

No, that’s not a stomach-toning system: it’s a tuning pack which took the already capable V8 Vantage (the fastest-accelerating production car of its time) and turned things up to 11, with power output hitting a truly hefty 432bhp.

Finished in ’88 with the rare specification of an automatic gearbox and sunroof, this attractive black number has enjoyed a well-serviced life of regular maintenance – hence the price tag.

1993 Jaguar XJ220C

Estimate: £2.2-2.8m

One £2.8m Tom Walkinshaw Racing Jaguar not enough? Try this XJ220C, too: it’s the very machine driven by David Coulthard, David Brabham and John Nielsen to GT class victory in the 1993 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Well, on-track victory at least. After the chequered flag fell, the XJ220C – entered on different rules and under appeal – was disqualified for not having a catalytic converter, its appeal filed too late. Victory did not belong to the big cat.

Morally, though, the machine took the win (as many British fans celebrated at the track) – and immediately after the finish it retired from racing, going on to spend time in the TWR Museum, with the Sultan of Brunei and with the Jaguar Heritage display.

It’s a significant car with a complex tale – neither of which does anything to harm its value.

1999 Aston Martin Vantage V600 Le Mans

Estimate: £425-475,000

How do you celebrate the 40th anniversary of your marque’s famous Le Mans win? You build 40 special-edition versions of your top-end sports car, wrap them in ridiculous, bespoke bodywork loosely inspired by the DBR1 that won the race, and offer an optional engine upgrade to deliver a staggering 600bhp. Obviously.

This V600 is number 19 of those hand-built 40, finished in – what else? – Aston Martin Racing Green and equipped with the monstrous 600bhp engine.

A swansong for the V8 range, it’s a true rarity today – and one that’s worth a pretty packet.

2004 Aston Martin DB7 Zagato

Estimate: £250-300,000

Just look at the roof: this DB7 is yet another example of Italian coachbuilder Zagato having a go at re-shelling a very capable sports car.

Conceived as an homage to that most famous of Aston Martins, the DB4GT Zagato, this new-millennium effort was built to the tune of just 99 vehicles and designed to be a two-seat luxury tourer without compare. 

Shorter and lighter than the standard DB7, its 6-litre V12 engine was tuned to kick out 440bhp while the shell received a host of Zagato flourishes – from a gaping grille to puffed-out panels.

This 2004 example has 14,272 miles on the clock and is a surefire future classic.

2011 Ferrari 599GTO Coupé

Estimate: £500-600,000

As a spiritual successor to the 250GTO and 288GTO, the 599GTO had big boots to fill when it was unveiled in 2010 as a roadgoing variant of the 599XX track attacker. Let’s just say the 671bhp stallion didn’t disappoint.

Almost 100kg lighter than the standard 599, the honed Maranello machine could accelerate to 62mph in 3.3 seconds and continue all the way to 208mph, making it the fastest ever Ferrari at its launch.

This 2011 example is one of just 60 built and, with 3600 miles on the clock, is pretty much immaculate.

2016 Jaguar F-Type Project 7 Roadster

Estimate: £150-200,000

We’re right into recent times now, but this top-end version of Jaguar’s feisty F-Type is another future classic, and was built to the tune of just 250 examples – a mere 80 of which were destined for the UK.

First seen as a prototype at Goodwood, the Project 7 – named as a nod to the marque’s seven Le Mans wins – was 45kg lighter than the standard sports car and squeezed 567bhp from its supercharged V8 engine, making it one very mean beast (it could hit 60mph in 3.8 seconds and topped out at a limited 186mph).

Bought last year and with just 26 miles on the clock, this example is basically brand new, packing the same punch that made the Project 7 so instantly popular.

2017 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato

Estimate: £550-650,000

The youngest of the Bond Street lots is this 2017 stunner: essentially a brand-new example of the Zagato special unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d’Este two years ago.

Based on the existing, second-generation Vanquish (complete with 565bhp V12 engine), it’s the latest in a long line of incredible Aston Martin machines bodied by the Italian design house – and a true beauty to behold, from the double-bubble roof to the space-age tail lights.

Just 99 were made and, with a mere 101 miles on the clock, this Ming Blue number is as good as they come.