Car records fall at auction

A Wellington businessman’s car collection has exceeded expectations at auction, netting more than a million dollars and breaking records.

The 30 cars – just part of Roy Savage’s collection – sold for about $1.5 million at Southward Car Museum in Otaihanga, north of Wellington, on Sunday.

At least three of the cars have new overseas owners, two New Zealand records were set and all 30 cars offered were sold.

Hundreds of classic car fans were at the auction, while more bid over the phone and online from overseas.

The most expensive vehicle sold was a 1955 Jaguar XK 140 Fixed Head Coupe, which went for $258,750.

The collection had a focus on British cars from the postwar era.

Auckland-based Mossgreen-Webb’s ran the auction. Chief executive Paul Sumner said he had expected the auction to net closer to $800,000.

He said the Jaguar had broken the New Zealand auction record for the model, and the price was likely to also be a southern hemisphere record.

A 1972 Rover P5B 3.5-Litre Coupe Automatic sold for $57,500, a New Zealand record, he said.

The Savage family history, and the fact the cars were well-maintained, meant bids were higher than anticipated, Sumner said.

‘‘We think in some cases international buyers were outbid by New Zealand buyers, who were perhaps paying over the normal market price for the Savage family connection.’’

Savage made his money through workplace clothing safety and equipment companies NZ Safety, and Alsafe in Australia.

He said on Sunday that the auction had exceeded his expectations.

‘‘It is a bit sad to see the cars disappear but you get the feeling from what we’ve seen here today that they’re going to very good homes.’’

He said between 10 and 15 of his collection had been retained for family reasons, including the Morris Minor his children learned to drive in, and the station wagon the family used to take on holiday.

Steve Cowie is the new owner of a 1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II 4.2 Fixed Head Coupe, for which he paid $143,750.

He drove from Auckland on Saturday for the auction, viewing the cars later that day, he said.

‘‘I’m delighted to have finally got my hands on a car I wanted to own one day.

‘‘You think about it for a long time, and It comes to the point where you can get your hands on one.’’

Museum manager Craig Andrews said he was happy with the event as a whole.

‘‘The prices these cars are going for is quite amazing, and it’s really good to have the car park full.’’

1. 1955 Jaguar XK 140 Fixed Head Coupe: $258,750.

2. 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Automatic: $149,500.

3. 1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II 4.2 Fixed Head Coupe: $143,750.

4. 1996 Bentley Azure Drophead Coupe: $138,000

5. 1965 Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8 Mk III 2+2 Convertible With Hard Top: $109,250.