Matters of moment: auctions, December 2006

This month’s lot
GP Delage
Franco-British icon will open auction season

Racers who know their history will be fighting over one of the prime pre-war cars – the GP Delage which made Seaman famous

1 Seaman Delage

Highlight of Christie’s Retromobile sale at Paris next February is the Dick Seaman 1927 Delage. In this 1.5-litre eight-cylinder supercharged GP car, modified by Giulio Ramponi, he rivalled the ERAs in the mid-1930s. The estimate is €2,000,000. Tel: 0207 389 2851.

2 Bubble and Squeak

Bonhams’ sale of Steve McQueen’s effects in LA promises a few bargains among the big bids – a gumball machine for £55-110, or a very groovy Wurlitzer jukebox estimated to make £1700-2700.

3 Fiat 8v Supersonic

This 2-litre coachbuilt V8 was one of the stars of The Sportcar Auction Company’s Geneva sale in October. Designed by Giovanni Savonuzzi, Supersonic coupés were built on Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Jaguar chassis. This one sold for €358,000.

4 Snap happy

The Rolleiflex camera which Jenks used to illustrate his Continental Notes in Motor Sport sold for £4600 at Bonhams’ Beaulieu sale.

5 Moving on

After 87 years in Queens Gate Mews, London, classic car sales firm Coys has moved to a purpose-built facility in Richmond on Thames. The new Manor Court premises offer the latest in sales display techniques and a state-of-the-art alarm system.

Diary

November 11

Bonhams’ McQueen sale. Petersen Museum. Los Angeles. Tel: 020 7468 5805.

November 15

Bonhams’ cars, motorcycles and automobilia, Harrogate.

November 28

Collectors cars and motorbikes at BCA’s Blackbushe base. Tel: 0845 600 66 44.

November 21/22

H&H cars and automobilia sale, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton. Tel: 01925 730 630.

November 30

Coys True Greats sale, Royal Horticultural Halls, London SW1. Tel: 020 8614 7888.

December 4

Bonhams’ cars, vintage ‘bikes and automobilia, Olympia.

December 9

Coys sports car sale, Nuremberg.

December 17

Bonhams’ Ferrari and Maserati sale, Palace Hotel, Gstaad.