2022 Bonhams Amelia Island Sale (Auction Results)

A 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder and 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Victoria were the top results at the Bonhams Amelia Island 2022 classic car auction.

1955 Porsche 550 Spyder front on sale in the Bonhams Amelia Island 2022 classic car auction — © Bonhams

Bonhams Amelia Island 2022 Classic Car Sale

Bonhams: eighth Amelia Island sale on March 3, 2022, at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club in Florida, USA.

In 2022, Bonhams earned $15 million with a 95% sell-through rate.

The 2021 auction has a relatively high 90% sell-through rate that was very encouraging for the classic car market especially given the high number of prewar and even brass era automobiles on offer.

Bonhams had the two top results at the Amelia Island 2020 auctions but the lowest sell-through rate of 76% and total earnings of $21.2 million with an average price of $240,536 (according to Hagerty).

In 2019, Bonhams earned $16 million with a respectable sell-through rate of 84%. Highlights of this sale were two dozen American antique Brass Era cars from the Don Boulton Collection.

Top Results at Bonhams Amelia Island Sale 2022

The top results at the Bonhams Amelia Island 2022 classic car auction were:

	Year	Car	Price ($)	Estimate
1	1955	Porsche 550 Spyder	4,185,000	4,500,000 – 5,500,000
2	1929	Duesenberg Model J Convertible Victoria	1,066,500	900,000 – 1,200,000
3	1954	Jaguar XK120 SE Coupe	940,000	900,000 – 1,300,000
4	1937	Riley Sprite Two Seater Sports	491,750	475,000 – 625,000
5	1914	Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost	489,000	475,000 – 575,000
6	1933	Bentley 3 ½ Liter Sports Tourer	428,500	400,000 – 600,000

Million-Dollar Results at Bonhams Amelia Island 2022 Auction

Only two cars sold for more than a million-dollar at the Bonhams Amelia Island 2022 classic car auction:

1955 Porsche 550 Spyder

Although Gooding sold seven Porsches for over a million dollar at Amelia Island 2022, the most expensive Porsche of the week was the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder sold for $4,185,000 in the Bonhams auction. It was sold from 50 years of single-family ownership.

A seminal model for Porsche, the 1500cc 550 Spyder was the manufacturer’s first genuine racing car, earning the ‘giant killer’ soubriquet for its victories over larger-engined rivals in the most challenging races such as the Le Mans 24 Hours.

This particular car had its own racing pedigree, having been campaigned extensively in Europe, including at the Nürburgring, by its first owner, German racing driver Theo Helfrich. The Porsche was acquired in 1959 by an American military man stationed in Germany, who brought it back to the US, where it was purchased by the vendor in 1972.

Cherished for 50 years, including a factory-correct five-year restoration, the car had been under wraps since the early 2000s.

1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Victoria

The only other car selling for over a million at the Bonhams Amelia Island 2022 sale was a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Victoria which achieved $1,066,500. This Duesenberg with coachwork by Rollston had been the subject of an extensive restoration that had been well-preserved over recent years.

A fellow American legend set an auction world record at the Bonhams sale. Believed to be the oldest surviving Ford Model T, the 1908 Ford Model T Touring variant, extensively restored some 20 years ago, achieved $246,400, becoming the highest value example sold to date.

Top British Results at Bonhams Amelia Island 2022 Sale

1933 Bentley 3½ Liter Sports Tourer — © Bonhams

The best of British motoring was represented by two unique examples at Bonhams Amelia Island 2022. The first was a 1954 Jaguar XK120 SE Coupé, the only XK120 bodied by the Italian Carrozzeria Pinin Farina, which realized $940,000. From its introduction as the 1955 Geneva Motor Show car, the Jaguar was found in a sorry state in a field in 1972 but was returned to its former glory by the vendor with a nut and bolt restoration.

Lining up with the Jaguar was the very first Rolls-Royce-built Derby Bentley, the pivotal link between the WO Bentley and Derby eras. Originally used extensively as a promotional model, this historic 1933 Bentley 3½ Liter Sports Tourer, chassis number B1AE, was driven in period by some of the greatest racing drivers including Sir Malcolm Campbell and Woolf Barnato. Offered from 60 years’ ownership, the matching numbers Bentley changed hands after six decades for $428,500.

The 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Open Two-Seater, sold above estimate for $335,000. One of the most unusual and striking Phantom IIs, this automobile’s one-off coachwork was designed by a former owner and built by renowned Rolls-Royce coachbuilder Hooper of London in the 1950s.

A ‘white glove’ result for the Charles Jacob single-owner collection of 46 motorcycles and eight cars. The 100% sold collection of largely British ‘golden age’ motorcycles and American automobiles of the classic era had been amassed over several decades by the late long-time Jacksonville, FL resident. However, Hagerty questioned the wisdom of selling motorbikes at Amelia Island and rated prices fairly weak.

Top Cars Not Sold at Bonhams Amelia Island 2022 Sale

The following were the most expensive cars failing to sell at the Bonhams Amelia Island 2022 classic car auction:

Year	Car	Highest Bid	Estimate $
1960	Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster	HB 1,700,000	1,900,000 – 2,300,000
1938	Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio Cabriolet	HB 1,225,000	1,300,000 – 1,700,000
1957	Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Coupe	HB 530,000	550,000 – 650,000
1952	Allard J2X Two Seater Sports	HB 350,000	400,000 – 450,000

Bonhams had an interesting variety of cars on offer at Amelia Island 2022. However, not all were the top choices or concourse condition vehicles. The three highest unsuccessful bids came very close to the lower estimates and there might be some seller remorse post-auction. The Roadster was actually erroneously listed as sold during the sale and $1,980,000 would have been a strong result.