The Complete E-type No Reserve Selection |Amelia Island 2019: Part 2
Amelia Island 2019: Part 2
With the first of the East Coast classic car sale of 2019 reviewed in Part 1 (missed it? CLICK HERE), we turn our attention to the two remaining auction houses hosting sales in sunny Florida this week. RM Sotheby’s and Gooding & Co, both with impressive catalogues full of million-dollar, such as a 1938 Bugatti Type 57 SC Tourer by Corsica and 1979 Porsche 935. Unfortunately, unlike like Bonhams, RM and Gooding’s E-type stock is a little thin on the ground.
RM SOTHEBY'S
Entering their 21st Amelia Island classic car sale and an official partner of the Florida event, RM Sotheby’s have a successful sale track record in Amelia Island, grossing $27 million with a high sell-through rate of 85% in 2018 selling 87 of 102 LOTS offered. Unlike Bonhams, the upcoming RM auction will be only offering two E-types out of their 149 cars crossing the block.
RM start strong with a 1973 Series 3 V12 Roadster, offered with no reserve. While the market favours the early Series 1’s, the demand for a fine ready to use Series 3 is definitely on the rise. More recently, a good Series 3 is commonly used as the base for a true enthusiast’s passion project, like our recently completed reborn V12 – Project Zero.
Like the pair of Series 3’s E-Type UK currently have in stock, this roadster comes fully restored and rust-free, with an added benefit of believed to be only two owners from new. This Arizona example was treated to nut and bolt restoration from specialists Farland Classic Restoration at a cost of over $200,000 and with all works invoices and photos supplied, so off to a good start. During its restoration, the Series 3 was also subjected to a full colour change to the British Racing Green over tan and is still presented in exceptional condition today. The desirable example continues to please as it is accompanied by an original black hard top, air conditioning, chrome wire wheels and an uprated 5-speed transmission.
So with a no-expense-spared restoration and with fewer than 500 miles on the clock since completion, the Series 3 is given an estimate $120,000 - $140,000 (£91,000 - £105,000), a more than fair price for an example finished to this standard.
1962 Jaguar E-type Series 1 3.8 Coupe
On to what RM Sotheby’s are calling “the crème de la crème of the E-Types” and they aren’t wrong with LOT 279. The car in question is a 1962 Jaguar E-type Series 1 3.8 Coupe finished in an exquisite Opalescent Silver Blue and a pristine black interior featuring an early aluminium centre console - this ones got our attention already.
An all matching numbers early Series 1 with superb history and a stunning restoration. A Jaguar Cars New York supplied E-type which straight off the bat joined a 16,000-mile country tour with its first owner. The car was then later kept in storage for over 40 years and later discovered in 2005 by the Mille Miglia pair Dick McClure and Charles Cross who assigned the car to a full extensive restoration to be overseen by retired Jaguar Heritage engineer, Richard Manson. Other than desirable cooling upgrades (aluminium radiator) and upgraded exhaust manifolds, the Series 1 is factory correct and currently in excellent condition.
The E-type is well travelled and known in Jaguar circles, 2007 saw the car shown at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, Los Angeles Auto show, featured extensively in Jaguar World magazine and in 2011 took part in the 50th Anniversary run from Coventry to Geneva. Later years saw the car invited to represent Jaguar at the grand opening of Jaguar Land Rover’s new U.S. New Jersey headquarters – so just a bit of interesting history accompanying this one. We’ll be grabbing a front row seat for this superbly restored 1962 example. Estimate $175,000 - $210,000 (£133,000 - £160,000).
Gooding & Company
Finally, we look at Gooding & Co’s line up and this will be a short one for E-types as out of the 91 LOTS crossing the block just one is an E-type. However, in 2018, Gooding & Co earned 35.5 million with a staggering 94% sell-through rate, 81 of 86 lots were sold, so with this in mind, it will be interesting to see whether the markets current state will affect this year’s final figures. On to the one and only E-type in Goodings Amelia Island catalogue, a 1965 Series 1 4.2 Roadster in Primrose Yellow over Beige, not the most desirable colour scheme around, however, things do get better as this Series 1 example proves to quite original.
1965 Series 1 4.2 Roadster
Factory finished in the colour scheme you see today with a fawn hood and black hard top, the Series 1 was loved and enjoyed remaining in Coventry until 1970 where it was sold onto another faithful custodian for the next 34 years. Having kept a detailed log book and remaining in storage until 2004, whereupon the car was sold to a true purest collector with a passion for original and unrestored sports cars. The car was returned to running condition and more importantly, left as it was found - original.
Benefiting from sparing use, the Series 1 is full matching numbers and boasts original factory features such as original paint, soft top, Triplex glass, Girling shock absorbers, stickers, tool kit and jack. An exclusive offering, as this will be the first Public Sale the car has ever seen, a wonderfully preserved example, with only three owners from new. While the colour scheme isn’t to most people’s taste, this E-type is all about originality and offers a genuine investment opportunity for a true mid-Series 1 E-type, a worthy addition to any purist’s collection. Estimate $150,000 - $200,000 (£115,000 - £150,000).
With that original Series 1, we conclude our Amelia Island pre-auction review. Much to our delight, there are some stunning E-type examples circulating the market at this year's Amelia Island auctions, from Concours fully restored examples to charming and ready to use examples. The E-Type UK team will be attending this year’s Amelia Island auctions, watching closing and analysing the auction.