Motor museum closure sees collection up for grabs; conservative estimates see numerous over-achievers
After a previous postponement due to Covid-19, Donington Auctions held their large Binalong Motor Museum sale over the weekend sending over 300 lots across the block as the motoring museum shutters its doors.
On offer were a hugely varied collection of automobiles, motorbikes, and more automobilia and garage décor than you could hope for.
Many lots had rather reasonable pre-auction estimates and, subsequently, many lots overachieved significantly.
Just six cars failed to find new homes, one of them being a rare factory right-hand drive 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4. The completely original car finished second at the Ferrari Concours d’Elegance in Sydney and was estimated to fetch up to $500,000.
Its more modern counterpart, a 2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello sold well for $270,000, representing the highest-achieving lot of the sale.
The performance bargain of the night had to be the Guinness World Record-holding 1996 Julien & Boyer Matra-Honda land speed record car, which sold for $53,000.
One of the more unique offerings of the sale was an exacting replica of Pernelli Jones’ 1963 Indy 500-winning Watson Roadster, which was estimated to fetch up to $42,000, but sold for $64,000.
A manual 1961 Jaguar 3.8 MkII saloon sold almost $20,000 over its top-end estimate, selling for $58,000.
There were high hopes for a 1925 Bentley 3-litre Vanden Plas-style Tourer, estimated to fetch up to $370,000. Unfortunately, it failed to sell, however its Victorian ‘210’ heritage plates – which it has been wearing for the past 88 years – sold for a dizzying $235,000.
Buyer confidence at the top-end of the market has softened during a tumultuous 2020, however more affordable entry and mid-level tiers are seemingly as active as ever.
Find the full list of cars’ results below
Lot 66 – 1967 Fiat 500 Bambino – Sold: $14,000
Lot 67 – 1966 Daimler Majestic Major – Unsold
Lot 68 – 1947 Citroen Traction Avant 11cl Light Fifteen – Sold: $14,000
Lot 69 – 1922 Citroen 5CV Roadster – Unsold
Lot 70 – 1996 Julien & Boyer Matra-Honda LSR (World Record Holder) – Sold: $53,000
Lot 113 – 1971 Austin ‘London Black Cab’ FX4 Saloon – Sold: $12,000
Lot 115 – 1934 Armstrong Siddeley 12HP Tourer – Unsold
Lot 116 – 1990 Jaguar XJS V12 Coupe – Sold: $17,000
Lot 118 – 1961 Jaguar 3.8 Mk2 Saloon (manual) – Sold: $58,000
Lot 119 – MG N Type Magnette Supercharged Special – Unsold
Lot 120 – 1963 Watson Indianapolis Recreation Roadster – Sold: $64,000
Lot 122 – 1938 Packard 8 Sedan (Project) – Sold: $8,000
Lot 160 – 2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello – Sold: $270,000
Lot 162 – 1972 Ferrari 365GTC/4 by Pininfarina – Unsold
Lot 168 – 1925 Bentley 3-Litre Vanden Plas Style Tourer – Unsold
Lot 170 – 1913 Straker-Squire 15HP (1 of 2 in Aus) Sold: $24,000
Classic Australian Family Car Value Guide home page
Muscle Car Value Guide home page
Japanese Classic Car Value Guide home page