Highlights Cruising into This Year’s Quail Auction

Sports cars of all eras dominate Bonhams|Cars Auction held during the renowned Monterey Car Week

August 8, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Bonhams|Cars will return to the Monterey Peninsula for its 26th year during the August 2023 Car Week. The Quail Auction is set to host 109 collector cars crossing the block on Friday August 18 with previews beginning on Wednesday August 16 at the scenic Quail Lodge & Golf Club. The auction will feature an impressive array of motor cars, representing the rich history of the automotive world, many of which were sports racing and sporting road cars of their day.

From a modern icon, the 2003 Enzo, to Le Mans competing 1951 212 Export to the star lot of Monterey Week, the esteemed ex-Maranello Concessionaires 1967 412P, Bonhams|Cars’ offering of Ferraris are a must-see. Other offerings with Le Mans race history include the 1957 AC Ace Bristol Le Mans Roadster and the 1999 Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S. Bonhams|Cars reputation for early era cars is on display with a ‘best in brass’ category that includes the ex-A.K. Miller 1916 Stutz Model 4C Bearcat, which stands as one of the finest surviving examples of the model, while celebrity and movie provenance is seen in the ex-Steve McQueen 1951 Allard J2X and the 1965 Apollo GT from The Love Bug.

Ferrari highlights include:

1951 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta
Estimate: US$4,250,000 – US$4,750,000
View Lot

This desirable 1950s Ferrari has exquisite original Superleggera coachwork by Touring, has been freshly refurbished and is eligible for the most prestigious of tours. Delivered to Charles Moran of New York in the Spring of 1951, its history of racing began at the Le Mans 24 hours which it completed coming in 16th overall and 7th in its class, being one of only two 212 Export Barchettas to run this prestigious event and the only one to finish. A successful racing career followed with impressive results at Watkins Glen, Bridgehampton.

In 1954, the Barchetta was bought by the notable American car collector John Shakespeare, who continued its racing chapter. In the present ownership, the Barchetta has received a cosmetic restoration of its original, unharmed body and chassis with a careful eye on preserving its beautiful lines and originality.

2003 Ferrari Enzo
Estimate: US$2,900,000 – US$3,400,000
View Lot

The 2003 Ferrari Enzo is a legendary hypercar designed to commemorate Ferrari’s Formula 1 successes and honor the company’s founder, Enzo Ferrari. Only 111 examples were allocated for the US market out of a total production run of 400. This specific Enzo boasts a captivating Rosso Corsa DS 322 paint, originally delivered in this iconic color but later repainted black before being professionally restored back to its original hue. Ferrari Classiche has certified its authenticity and heritage. Having been carefully maintained and driven, this Enzo remains in superb condition with only 16,900 miles on the odometer.

Best in Brass highlights include:

1916 Stutz Model 4C Bearcat
Estimate: US$1,750,000 – US$2,750,000
View Lot

A true American automotive icon. Few cars are worthy of such a title but even fewer deserve it more than this early Stutz Bearcat. No car of the era had a more enduring reputation and became so engrained in popular culture as the Stutz Bearcat. This particular Bearcat was part of AK Miller’s famous collection and has only had two owners in the past 80 years. It is highly original and mechanically sorted as well as having won a class award at the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance.

Originally conceived by Harry Clayton Stutz, the Bearcat gained instant success and fame after finishing 11th in the 1911 Indianapolis 500. Its unique design, potent 60hp Wisconsin T-head engine, and precise handling made it a beloved American sports car. Only a few genuine Bearcats survive and this one, from AK Miller’s collection, is considered the most original and sought-after. It underwent thorough recommissioning and restoration, preserving its originality and earning its recognition at prestigious events. Today, genuine early Bearcats are among the rarest, and most sought after, of all the early sports cars.

1914 Simplex 50hp Tourer
Estimate: US$1,250,000 – US$2,000,000
View Lot

Hot on the heels of the World Record price achieved by Bonhams|Cars in Scottsdale for the marque comes this 1914 Simplex 50hp Tourer. Renowned as one of the most potent cars of its day, the 50hp Simplex offers performance that surpasses many cars made decades later. This car features matching numbers, dual-chain drive, and original custom coachwork. With a fresh award-winning restoration and full touring preparation, it stands as a coveted car from its era. Having a storied history with prominent owners, including Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, Albert Hood, Mahlon Patton, and Manny Souza, this Simplex is a prized collector’s gem offering an exceptional driving experience and unmatched charisma.

Le Mans highlights include:

1957 AC Ace Bristol Le Mans Roadster
Estimate US$750,000 – US$950,000
View Lot

The 1957 AC Ace Bristol Le Mans Roadster is a highly significant and storied sports car. Originally built as an AC Works demonstrator, it was transformed by Ken Rudd into an AC Bristol factory entry for the 1957 Le Mans 24 Hour race. Rudd extensively modified the car, enhancing its performance and endurance. The car performed impressively at Le Mans, finishing 2nd in class and 10th overall. Afterward, it changed hands multiple times, competing in SCCA races and serving as a daily driver for its long-term owner. In recent years, the car underwent a meticulous restoration to its Le Mans configuration, winning concours awards.

1999 Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S
Estimate: US$350,000 – US$550,000
View Lot

The 1999 Roadster was the second LMP1 developed by Don Panoz and was a groundbreaking Le Mans Prototype that defied conventional racing car design by placing its engine in front of the driver, who sat just ahead of the rear wheels, and next to the Xtrac sequential 6-speed gearbox. Despite this unconventional layout, the car proved to be successful and competitive, coming 11th at the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours and further competing throughout the 1999 season. The chassis has been carefully stored for over two decades and is now ready for a complete drivetrain, offering a piece of racing history that defied norms and expectations.

Hollywood provenanced cars include:

1951 Allard J2X, driven by Steve McQueen
Estimate: US$300,000 – US$400,000
View Lot

The 1951 Allard J2X is a rare and special car with a fascinating history, being owned for nearly two decades by Steve McQueen from 1962 until his passing in 1980, the car is a true collector’s item. The renowned actor and avid car enthusiast owned and raced many vehicles during his lifetime and the Allard J2X was one of his prized possessions. After his passing, the car was sold at the 1984 Imperial Palace Auction, and since then, has only had two subsequent owners.

The Allard J2X was a sports racing car designed and built by Sydney Allard, a British racer and car builder. The J2X was an updated version of the earlier J2 model, featuring improvements in handling and more cockpit room. It was powered by various American V8 engines, including the Chrysler Hemi, making it competitive in various racing events during the early 1950s. The car remains in its original British Racing Green color after an older restoration, and it is fully documented with provenance and authenticity.

1965 Apollo GT from The Love Bug
Estimate: US$175,000 – US$250,000
View Lot

The 1965 Apollo GT offered is one of the two original ‘Thorndyke Special’ cars used in the 1968 movie, The Love Bug. Modified and prepared by Hollywood Motors’ Max Balchowsky for the film, the car has undergone extensive research and ground-up restoration in the current ownership. With its unique movie history, the car presents a world of possibilities, from display at tours and shows to enjoying on the road.

This classic American sports car with Italian-inspired design was acquired as a project in 2004 and only afterwards were its movie origins discovered. Remnants of its original yellow paint beneath the primer and evidence of damage determined that the car was one of the two Apollos used in the movie, prepared by Hollywood Motors for the dicing and crashing scenes. Its restoration took around nine years and it debuted at the Concorso Italiano in 2013 where it was introduced to important figures connected to the Apollo marque’s history.

Media Enquiries

Morgan Potts
Head of Communications
[email protected]

About Bonhams|Cars

Bonhams|Cars uniquely offers a choice of live, online and private platforms for buying and selling collector cars—platforms characterised by levels of trust, reliability, and transparency born of over three decades of experience asthe premier automotive auction house. Through prestigious live auctions around the world, 24/7 online auctions, and our recently introduced Private Sales service, Bonhams|Cars makes it simple for buyers and sellers to find the platform that best meets their needs.

Bonhams|Cars host 17 live auctions annually, participates in all the significant concours around the world, and presents unique selling opportunities at international events such as the 2023 Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as the official auction partner of the Formula 1 Paddock Club™, Goodwood Motorsport Events in the UK, The Quail on the Monterey Peninsula in California, The Audrain Concours in Newport, Rhode Island and The Zoute Concours d’Elégance in Belgium. At Bonhams|Cars Online, formerly The Market by Bonhams, we provide our clients with fast, expert, accurate and agile single-car auctions, 24/7. With dedicated motoring departments in London, Paris, Los Angeles, New York, Brussels and beyond, Bonhams|Cars has a world-class team with expertise in all divisions, from vintage cars to racing motorsport and automobilia to motorcycles.

For more information, please visit BonhamsCars.com

Source: Bonhams|Cars

####