Donington’s Binalong Motor Museum Auction results

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 27.07.2020

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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