Bonhams 5Th Annual Amelia Island Auction Sets Records; Don Boulton Collection 100% Sold

March 11, 2019 by Bonhams

Fernandina Beach, FL -- Thursday at Amelia Island's Fernandina Beach Golf Club, Bonhams' fifth annual collectors' car sale hosted bidders from eight countries and four continents, and achieved a total of $16-million with a very respectable sell-through rate of 84%.

The highlight of the day was the world-renowned Don C. Boulton Collection of Brass Era automobiles. Fresh to market and representing some of the rarest and most desirable antique American motorcars in the world, the Boulton Collection of antique ephemera and two dozen cars was 100% sold as competition from bidders – in the room, on the phones and online – was competitive and many times frenzied.

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Several world records were set, including $885,000 paid for the exquisite 1914 Simplex Speed Car; $698,000 for the ultimate 1904 Peerless Type 8 Roi des Belges; and $456,000 for what's been called the most famous antique car in the world – the 1908 Welch 4-L 7-Passenger Tourer; to name a few.

'The Don C. Boulton Collection represented another landmark one-owner, early and historic collection of cars for the Bonhams team that garnered interest internationally with fantastic results,' said Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Group Co-Chairman and auctioneer of this collection. 'It was a veritable Aladdin's Cave of memorabilia and historic cars from the early days of American manufacture that was put together over more than three decades and, as a result, attracted intense bidding and was 100% sold.'

The ex-Jacky Ickx – who is this year's Grand Honoree at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance – 1968 GP-winning Brabham-Cosworth BT26 achieved $1.105-million after spirited bidding between a buyer on the telephones and one in the audience, with the former ultimately winning and applause erupting from the audience.

Another of the many highlights was the majestic 1930 Cadillac 452 V-16 Roadster with coachwork by Fleetwood. This imposing and sublime motorcar was the subject of much pre- auction attention and was bought by a connoisseur for $1,187,500.

'The sale shows the enduring appeal of some collector car genres which rarely appear on the market, such as the brass era and major single-seat racing cars,' said Rupert Banner, Bonhams Motoring Group Director and auctioneer. 'At all price points there was spirited bidding making for a great atmosphere and an enjoyable day for all who participated.'

For complete auction results, go to Bonhams.com/Amelia. To learn more about our two motoring sales next month – the Goodwood Members' Meeting in England and the Tupelo Auto Museum in Mississippi, visit Bonhams.com/Motoring