The magic word 'barnfind' proved as potent a wallet-opener as ever at Bonhams today as a much-hyped 1965 Ferrari 330GT 2+2 soared to £68,700, the price you would expect to pay for a nice running and road-legal example.
The well-travelled Pinin-styled Ferrari, which was last used in 2005, was sold as a potential recommission, suggesting the widely distributed moss-covered pictures exaggerated its deterioration, but those pictures – and subsequent press coverage – also helped push its value to an astonishing height considering immaculate dealer cars are less than 25% more.
The allure of wrecks – but looking rather better value – was backed up when a part-dismantled 1936 Park Ward-bodied Bentley 4 1/4 Sports Saloon with one owner for the past 45 years clocked up £13,570.
Boasting not only neglected status but also, potentially, a crucial war years build date, a 1945(ish) Volkswagen Type 82 Kubelwagen astonished when it sold for almost £22k including premium.
Similarly impressive was a 1926 AC Six Tourer that went for £13,225. Owned by the vendor since the early 1970s, it has been dry-stored for 30 years and was sold with no reserve.
There was healthy bidding on a whole range of working cars, too, with a 1950 Delahaye 135M with Guilloré coachwork second top seller at £55,200.
Third best was a very appealing 1933 MG Midget J2/J4 Sports that made just shy of £45k.
A pair of Rileys also impressed, a 1937 12/4 Sports making £28,750 and a 1937 Special selling for £2000 less.
The £20,700 paid for a super-low-mileage 1990 Jaguar XJ-S V12 Convertible reflected the car's status as a multiple concours winner.
While the 1975 Panther J72 at £22,425 was undoubtedly boosted by its mere 6574 miles and one-owner-from-new status.
