Bonhams sold a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight as the top results in the 2023 Audrain Concours Auction.
The Audrain Concourse Auciton in Newport, Rhode Island, was the final 2023 US auction for British auctioneer Bonhams Cars. Strong results were achieved with most of the top results for cars from the Estate of Mr James Messenger including the most expensive cars sold in the auction: an anthracite 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL for $1,292,000 and a tangerine 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight for $428,500.
Bonhams Audrain Newport Concourse Auction 2023
Bonhams|Cars held its third The Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week auction at the Newport, Rhode Island, international Tennis Hall of Fame on 29 September 2023.
The Audrian Concours Auction presented 53 lots and achieved a total of $7.2 million, with 96% sold by lot and 97% sold by value. The boutique selection of collector cars reflected the event’s theme of history, luxury and sport, showcased against the backdrop of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The highest volume of buying came from an international crowd of enthusiastic bidders who were in the room raising their paddles.
Top Results at the Bonhams Audrain Concours Auction 2023
White glove results were achieved for the Estate of Mr. James Messenger and the Estate of Andrew W. Edmonds. Buyers were appreciative of Mr. Messenger’s exquisitely maintained collection of road and race cars, which tallied $4.2 million and was headlined by a superlative example of a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, which sold for $1.3 million.
From the Estate of Andrew W. Edmonds, the 8-lot collection achieved $850,000. Of the five Cadillacs offered, included a beautiful V-16, considered Cadillac’s crowning technological achievement, which sold for $184,000.
Messenger Collection Results at Bonhams Audrain 2023
The most expensive cars sold in the auction were from the Estate of Mr James Messenger, including the top result of $1,292,000 paid for a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster. The anthracite metallic exterior is punctuated by its chrome-finish wheels and recent retrimming of the interior in black leather, among other elegant finishes. The car retained its original engine.
Other highlights from the Messenger Collection included:
- A Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.8 sold for $428,500. The striking Tangerine paintwork with black Carrera stripes is a pure expression of the Porsche 911. Just one of 1,308 M472 “Touring” models built, this rare Carrera RS was converted to “Lightweight” specifications by the highly regarded Porsche racing and restoration specialist David Morse of Morspeed in California.
- A 1960 Aston Martin DB4 sold for $390,000. Many were interested in this rare model – just one of 349 Series 2 produced.
- A 1958 Porsche 356A T2 1600 Speedster sold for $302,000. This desirable model — only 552 were produced — drew plenty of bids for those looking for a pristine Speedster to compete in rallies and road events.
Elsewhere in the sale, a 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster achieved $362,500 while the recently discovered “Chain Gang” 1931 Frazer Nash 3-4 Seater brought $224,000 and 1922 Bentley 3-Litre which had travelled to the auction from its long-term Australian ownership realised $263,200.
Next US auction for Bonhams|Cars US is The Scottsdale Auction, slated for January 25th, 2024, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Arizona.
