THE MARKET

Top buys from Palm Beach and a raft of UK regional sales

What’s sold, what’s selling soon – and how to buy a 1930s Ford V8

BARRETT-JACKSON’S HUGE annual Palm Beach Auction on 12-15 April saw a total of 692 vehicles sold for a total of $38.3 million. This included the no-reserve auction of the John Staluppi ‘Cars of Dreams’ collection, the top-seller of which was a 1959 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible for $330,000. In fact eight of the top ten cars in the auction came from Staluppi’s collection. The only car in the sale to surpass the Staluppi cars was a 2012 Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition – with only 1600 miles – that sold for significantly more at $770,000.

Almost six months into 2018, it seems as though UK auction buyers continue to be more discerning than ever. On the whole, the UK market is still feeling very cautious. During research for Octane’s 2018 classic car price guide, the message from the trade was that most prices are holding steady, but the market is generally quiet.

H&H Classics’ April auction ended with a sale rate of 52%, with few outstanding results. Interestingly, a 1934 Austin 10/4 Tourer made £18,281, while a 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Roadster sold for £15,750 – both considerably above their estimates.

There is excitement around slightly more unusual older cars – those that might not necessarily have had broad appeal in the past – as well as the emerging modern classics. This is a market that Anglia Car Auctions’ 14 April auction proved is alive and well, with sales of £2.1m. A Lister-converted Jaguar XJ-S 6.0-litre manual sold there for £37,100, and the ex-Ronnie McCartney Jaguar Mk2 rally car for £48,760.

Barons’ Spring Classic on 21 April was topped by a 1965 Mercedes 230SL Pagoda at £51,700, but it was a 1930 Nash 494 Straight Eight Sedan that exceeded expectations at £44,000.

Brightwells’ 11 April sale had traditional cars such as the Alvis Speed 20 SA Vanden Plas Sports Tourer for £79,520, but also showcased modern classics, notably no longer relegated o their own dedicated auctions. We loved the restoration project four-door Bristol 405, sold for £7840.