A Trio of Bugattis set three world auction records at Gooding & Company's Passion of a Lifetime sale - Photo copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company.
The 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports set a new world auction record for a Bugatti, selling for £9,535,000.
The UK sale also set a new record for highest average price per lot at a motor car auction.
Gooding & Company, the internationally recognized auction house, realized £34,048,900 in total sales at its highly anticipated Passion of a Lifetime auction.
The company’s first-ever UK sale, conducted at the historic Hampton Court Palace during the esteemed Concours of Elegance, saw 14 of the collection’s 15 lots sold, achieving an impressive 93% sell-through rate with eight cars realizing over £1 million. The company also set a world auction record for the highest average price per car at an auction at £2,432,064, along with six new records, including the most valuable Bugatti and Vauxhall sold at auction.
Enthusiasts from around the world tuned into the live broadcast as the once-in-a-lifetime event, consisting of telephone, and absentee bidding, as well as limited in-room bidding, delivered the most exciting and successful automobile auction in 2020.
“It has been our distinct pleasure to work with our consignor to pass these beautiful cars on to their new owners. Witnessing our team set six records at our premiere UK sale was exhilarating,” states Gooding & Company Founder and President, David Gooding. “A private collection of this quality is rarely offered for sale anywhere and we are immensely proud of these exceptional results.”
Bidding was strong from the very beginning, with the 1927 Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model Sports Tourer earning £345,000. Without a doubt, the star of the auction was the highly publicized 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports, which became the most valuable Bugatti ever sold at auction for £9,535,000. The second of three Bugattis was met with resounding applause from Concours attendees when the beautifully preserved Type 35C Grand Prix sold for £3,935,000. The 1937 Bugatti Type 57S served as the grand finale for the collection, achieving £7,855,000. In total, Bugatti set new world auction records for the French marque’s respected models and accounted for over £21 million of the entire sale.
One of the most exciting lots on sale was the record-breaking 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Speciale. Applause erupted throughout the Palace grounds after a rousing bidding war resulted in a final price of £3,207,000.
Viewers from over 73 nations tuned in via the company’s live HD webcast to watch spirited bidding overseen by renowned auctioneer Charlie Ross. As bidders competed for exceptional lots, Mr. Ross’ captivating style energized the dynamic event. Most notably the stunning 1955 Aston Martin DB3S generated a price of £3,011,000, while the 1935 Aston Martin Ulster found a new home after selling for an impressive £1,583,000. The impeccable 1924 Vauxhall 30-98 OE-Type Wensum reached a world record price of £1,247,000, and the 1919 Rolls Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle Tourer, one of the finest restored examples ever to come to auction, met a final price of £1,023,000.
Complete List of Lots Sold:
Lot 1 - 1927 Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model Sports Tourer, sold for £345,000
Lot 2 - 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Speciale, sold for £3,207,000
Lot 3 - 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America, sold for £709,400
Lot 4 - 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports, sold for £9,535,000
Lot 5 - 1924 Lancia Lambda 3rd Series Torpédo, £391,000
Lot 6 - 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT, £379,500
Lot 8 - 1959 Lancia Flaminia 2500 Sport, sold for £310,500
Lot 9 - 1939 Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Cabriolet, £517,500
Lot 10 - 1928 Bugatti Type 35C Grand Prix, sold for £3,935,000
Lot 11 - 1935 Aston Martin Ulster, sold for £1,583,000
Lot 12 - 1924 Vauxhall 30-98 OE-Type Wensum, sold for £1,247,000
Lot 13 - 1955 Aston Martin DB3S, sold for £3,011,000
Lot 14 - 1919 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle Tourer, sold for £1,023,000
Lot 15 - 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, sold for £7,855,000
New World Auction Records:
1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports, sold for £9,535,000
1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, sold for £7,855,000
1928 Bugatti Type 35C Grand Prix, sold for £3,935,000
1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Speciale, sold for £3,207,000
1924 Vauxhall 30-98 OE-Type Wensum, sold for £1,247,000
1924 Lancia Lambda 3rd Series Torpédo, £391,000
