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30/08/2012
Bonhams at the Goodwood Revival, 15 September 2012: Preview

'ARX 91B', The ex-Works BMC Competitions Department, 1963-64 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III Lightweight Works Rally Car: £180,000 - 220,000

There’s something about the ‘Goodwood effect’ that adds an extra degree of polish to an associated event such as the annual Bonhams Revival sale. Many cars are eminently ‘Goodwood-able’, and several have been photographed for the catalogue at the famous West Sussex circuit.

These include the 1950 Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica (£800,000 - 1 million, the ex-Bob Gerard car – highly significant in the annals of British motor racing) and ‘ARX 91B', one of the famous ex-Works BMC Competitions Department ‘Big Healeys’.

Carrying an estimate of £180,000 - 220,000, the red-with-white-roof Healey 3000 Mk III has seen more action in period than many an equivalent Ferrari or Porsche. Do look at Bonhams' website for the full details, but as well as rallying, ARX 91B took part in the Targa Florio (TWICE, 1965 and 1967) and finished its international racing career at Brands Hatch in 1967 for the BOAC 500.

As Bonhams' cataloguer so aptly puts it: “One can truly judge a great car by the company it has kept.” And in 1967, that ‘company’ included Gulf Mirages, factory Porsche 907s and Alfa T33s. For the money - £180,000 - 220,000 - a great buy.

1969 De Tomaso Mangusta: £90,000 - 120,000

Other post-War racing cars of interest to the competition-minded Classic Driver include the ex-Roger Nathan 1959 Lotus Elite (£65,000 - 75,000), the ex-Cooper Car Company, Warwick Banks, Group 5 1964 Austin Mini Cooper 1275 'S' (£60,000 - 70,000) and ‘Powerful Peanut’, a Rae Davis Racing-prepared 1958 Austin A35.

Only £30,000 - 35,000, but historic racing cars don’t come more ‘Goodwood’ than this.

Away from the track, some attractive post-War sports cars number the £60,000 - 70,000, 1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9-litre SS Coupé, the 1989 Ferrari F40 (£300,000 - 350,000) and the 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider. At £300,000 - 400,000, the LHD car really presents well in the catalogue and has benefited from an exhaustive, six-year restoration.

1928 Mercedes-Benz 36/220 6.8-litre S-Type Four-Seat Open Tourer: £1.5 million - 2 million

Life does not revolve around the race track. Nor does the history of the motor car start in 1946. No. As entries to one of its flagship sales, Bonhams has assembled a world-class list of pre-War cars.


1968 Ferrari 330GTC: £200,000 - 250,000	1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon: £370,000 - 420,000

These are headed by the remarkable ‘time warp’ 1928 Mercedes-Benz 36/220 6.8-litre S-Type Four-Seat Open Tourer, a car that has resided in the same family ownership for 84 years. A masterpiece - at an Old Master’s estimate of £1.5 million - 2 million.

Joining the grey supercharged Mercedes is the 2nd-place car at Le Mans in 1939, the ex-Works, Lords Selsdon and Waleran, 1939 Lagonda V12 at ‘Refer Dept.’, two Maserati Type 26s and a brace of Alfa Romeo 6Cs. Terrific stuff.

Finally, let’s finish on another Austin-Healey. Lot 154, the 1958 100/6, is catalogued as a rally car and did, indeed, see a lot of action in period in races and rallies.

For this writer, though, its main claim to fame was a starring role in one of the great British b/w films of the 1950s, ‘School for Scoundrels’.

Just the thing for a trip to the local tennis club. Or next year’s Revival, of course.

1950 Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica: £800,000 - 1 million

Prior to the motor cars, Bonhams' Automobilia department will offer 87 lots including several Heuer watches, some superb models by Javan Smith and collectable vintage Louis Vuitton luggage.

Bonhams' Saturday 15 September sale will be held at the Goodwood Revival, Goodwood, West Sussex. Automobilia 13:00, motor cars 14:30.

To see the complete lotlist please click HERE.

For further information, visit www.bonhams.com

Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - Bonhams

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