A 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT and a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 were the top results at the Gooding London based Geared-Online European sale in February 2021.
Gooding sold a collection of nine cars in the Geared Online European Sporting & Historic Collection classic car auction based in London, UK, in February 2021. All nine cars offered sold with four achieving above a million dollar: a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT, a black 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, a pale yellow 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, and a silver 1963 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible. The classic Bentleys and Rolls-Royces sold often due to low (or no) reserves.
Gooding Geared Online European Sporting & Historic Collection Sale 2021
Gooding held a special Geared Online European Sporting & Historic Collection sale of nine London-based automobiles in an online-only auction from Thursday, 28th January, to Friday, 5th February 2021.
Gooding realized £8,453,500 ($11.6 million) with an average price of £939,77 ($1,290,000) per car.
Top Results at the Gooding Geared Online European Sale 2021
The nine results at the Gooding Geared-Online European Sale 2021 were:
| Year | Car | Price ($) | Price (£) | Estimate (£) | |
| 1 | 1961 | Aston Martin DB4 GT | 3,777,280 | 2,750,000 | 2,000,000 – 2,500,000 |
| 2 | 1967 | Ferrari 275 GTB/4 | 2,568,550 | 1,870,000 | 1,750,000 – 2,000,000 |
| 3 | 1963 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL | 1,284,280 | 935,000 | 900,000 – 1,200,000 |
| 4 | 1963 | Aston Martin DB5 Convertible | 1,133,180 | 825,000 | 750,000 – 1,000,000 |
| 5 | 1931 | Bentley 8 Pointed Tail Two Seater | 861,220 | 627,000 | 400,000 – 600,000 |
| 6 | 1930 | Bentley 4 ½ Litre Sports Tourer | 740,350 | 539,000 | 650,000 – 900,000 |
| 7 | 1934 | Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Drophead Coupe | 543,930 | 396,000 | 600,000 – 800,000 |
| 8 | 1930 | Rolls Royce Pnatom II Continental | 392,840 | 286,000 | 450,000 – 650,000 |
| 9 | 1950 | Bentley B Special Speed 8 | 294,830 | 214,500 | 225,000 – 300,000 |
This Geared Online auction event follows Gooding’s record-breaking “Passion of a Lifetime” sale at Hampton Court Palace in 2020. At that auction, Gooding sold five of the ten most expensive cars in 2020, including the most-expensive Bugatti ever, a Type 59 Sports for $12,681,550. Gooding sold all three Bugattis that ever achieved above $10 million at auction (nominal).
Million-Dollar Cars at Gooding Geared-Online European Sale
Four cars sold for over a million dollars, including two for over a million pounds, in the Gooding Geared Online European Sporting & Historic Collection sale in London:
1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT
The top result in the Gooding Geared-Online European sale 2021 was £2,750,000 paid for a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT (Estimate: £2,000,000 – £2,500,000), chassis DB4GT.0144/L. This car was one of only 75 DB4 GTs originally built, of which only 30 were specified in left-hand drive. This example retained its matching-numbers engine per factory records and benefits from a no-expense-spared restoration by marque specialist RS Williams Ltd. in 2020.
The result was particularly remarkable as another 1959 Aston Martin DB4 GT sold for only $1.6 million at the Artcurial Parisienne sale in Paris a few hours earlier. While the Paris price was exceptionally low, the Gooding result was one of the highest ever paid for a non-Zagato DB4 GT.
1963 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible
The 1963 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible (Estimate: £750,000 – £1,000,000) achieved £836,000 — $1,133,180. This car was one of only 123 convertibles produced by the factory, making it one of the most exclusive of all road-going Aston Martins. This particular car, chassis DB5C/1261/R, was delivered new to an enthusiast in Scotland and its upcoming appearance at auction marks the first time that this remarkable car will be offered for public sale. It was restored by Aston Martin specialist Post Vintage and boasting an attractive factory specification.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4
The 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 sold for $2,568,550, (Estimate: £1,750,000 – £2,000,000), as the second GTB result this year for Gooding. Chassis 09389, is handsomely finished in a striking black over green color scheme with a rich history documented by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini. It featured as the 1967 Brussels show car before being sold new to its first owner via Garage Francorchamps.
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
The 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (Estimate: £900,000 – £1,200,000) was at $1,284,280 the most expensive of the three 300 SL Roadster sold at auction thus far in 2021. It is a late production car as one of only 26 produced in 1963. This final run represented the apogee of the 300 SL, as the ultimate and most advanced expression of the highly developed model.
With a meticulous restoration by Swiss marque specialist Pichler GFG AG, this 300 SL Roadster is now returned to its factory-original color combination of Gelb (Yellow) over Biscuit. Comprehensively documented, this significant 300 SL Roadster is accompanied by its original matching factory hardtop, fitted luggage, tool kit, and jack.
Classic Bentleys at Gooding Geared Online European Sale 2021
Three classic Bentleys were on offer in the Geared Online European Sporting & Historic Collection 2021 sale.
The 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Pointed Tail Two Seater (Estimate: £400,000 – £600,000 without reserve) was the unexpected star result and only one of the Bentley to have sold well above presale estimate. This well-maintained H.J. Mulliner Saloon was expertly converted in the 1960s to a unique “Speedster” specification by Fred Hoffman.
The late example Vanden Plas-bodied 1930 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Sports Tourer (Estimate: £650,000 – £900,000) sold for well below estimate. This 4 1/2 Litre hails from exceptional provenance, having been owned by US Le Mans veteran William “Bill” Spear.
The 1950 Bentley B Special Speed 8 by Racing Green Engineering (Estimate: £225,000 – £300,000 without reserve) sold for near lower estimate. The open sports-type body inspired by Bentley’s Speed Six Team Cars is equipped with a robust Mk VI chassis and powered by a dry sump, straight-eight engine.
1930s Rolls-Royces at the Gooding London Sale 2021
It was a struggle for the two prewar Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continentals in the Gooding sale with both selling well below estimate:
- The 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Drophead Coupe (Estimate: £600,000 – £800,000) achieved only £396,000.
- The 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental (Estimate: £450,000 – £650,000) sold for only £286,000.