Amelia Island sale highlights 'affordable' classics

By Greg MacLeman
Auctions
 | 11 Mar 2014

More than $30m worth of metal was sold at Gooding & Company's Amelia Island auction on 7 March including $1.4m for a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS Lightweight and $2m for a 1964 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster. But it was the raft of more attainable classics that really set the sale apart.

A 1964 Austin Mini Cooper 'S' that was fully restored to factory specification sold for $39,600. The 1071cc engine car beat its pre-sale upper estimate of $35,000, the no-reserve listing generating a good deal of interest.

 

1964 Austin Mini Cooper S

 

A charming 1968 Datsun 1600 Roadster stuck with the Swinging Sixties theme and sold for $50,600. A comprehensive restoration in 2013 ensured the car was in top condition and the attractive silver bodywork contrasted nicely with the red interior.

1968 Datsun 1600 Roadster


Also from 1968 was a BMW 2000 CS that sold for $46,200. With a lower estimate of just $40,000, it was well bought. The car came complete with an extensive history file and factory toolkit, and was running its original engine.

1968 BMW 2000 CS

 

The bargain of the day came in the form of a stylish 1941 Buick Super Convertible that sold for $35,200 – well below its $60,000 lower estimate. The car had been in the same family's ownership for 54 years and was fitted with the legendary Buick Fireball-8 engine and dual compound carburettors.

1941 Buick Super Convertible

 

Those with a bit more cash in their wallet weren't left bereft because there were plenty of saltier classics on offer. Falling short of its $110,000 lower estimate was a 1956 Austin-Healey 100 BN2 Le Mans, which sold for $96,800. It had just two owners for the past 55 years and had been fully restored two months prior to the sale.

1956 Austin-Healey 100 BN2 Le Mans

 

Motor-sport fanatics were also in their element as a 1968 Porsche 907 Longtail –  winner of the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona – crossed the block for $3,630,000. As well as being the first Porsche to win a 24-hour endurance race, it received the Most Significant Race Car award at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. Despite the impressive price achieved, it fell some way short of its $5m upper estimate.

1968 Porsche 907 Longtail

 

Also from Stuttgart's stable was a 1959 Porsche 718 RSK, which was one of only 35 examples built. As well as being very original, the car boasted an outstanding history file and period racing record, including entries at Courtland, Cuba, Nassau and Riverside. It stormed home at $3,300,000.

1959 Porsche 718 RSK

Profile picture for user Greg MacLeman
Greg MacLeman

Greg MacLeman is a contributor to and former Features Editor of Classic & Sports Car, and drives a restored and uprated 1974 Triumph 2500TC