Bonhams “Deuces Wild Ford Collection” Auction September 26th at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, Brookline, MA
A large number of super rare 1932 Fords, best known as “Deuces” will headline the Bonhams annual Brookline, MA motorcar auction at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, on Saturday, September 26th. Bonhams is pleased to announce the “Deuce’s Wild Ford Collection” of nearly 30 vintage Fords, from New England’s most active collector of original Fords and period style performance parts. A majority of these early Fords are presented for auction either ‘as found’ unrestored models or exquisitely restored Roadsters and Sedans with desirable mechanical and cosmetic tweaks.
“Long time favorites of the hot rod hobby, it is rare to find so many 1932 Fords that have not been customized extensively,” Rupert Banner, Bonhams New York Motorcar Specialist remarked. “We’ve got 18 super-rare, unmolested Fords, along with a treasure trove of over 150 lots of original Ford parts.”
The crown jewel of the Ford Collection, exemplifying the modified Fords, is the 1932 Ford Model B Deluxe Roadster, a true “wolf in sheep’s clothing” with a R.E.M. Engineering twin-overhead cam unit, (serial #001, inspired by the similar Offenhauser setup), a dual intake manifold with Stromberg 97 carburetors, and external oil filter, and custom stainless steel exhaust headers, this period piece with adrenaline injection shows the no-expense spared attention of the owner (estimated value: $100,000-$135,000).
“The Vintage New England auction event will surely live up to its name this year, with the “Deuces Wild Ford Collection” and our signature rare, pre-war motorcars. And this year’s highlights include even pre-great war automobiles from numerous famous American and European Marques,” Mr. Banner, elaborated.
Bonhams is frequently noted for finding cars that have been hidden away for many years and leading that category this year is a remarkable ‘timewarp’ 1924 Bentley 3-Liter 'Red Label' Speed Model, with coachwork by Vanden Plas, which has been off the radar of collectors since the mid-1960s. In totally original and untouched order, the car is running, ready to use, but carries a fabulous patina of age and authenticity (estimated value: $275,000 - $325,000). Other European collectibles include a 1937 AC 16/80 Competition Model Two Seater (valued at: $160,000-$200,000), from the estate of the late John J. Dalessandro, an avid vintage car enthusiast from New York.
The earliest known Stanley Steamer, a 1901 Runabout, an important historical find, will be on the block, drawing the interest of collectors and institutions world-wide. Built right in Newton, MA, this post-Locomobile era Stanley has emerged from a private collection where it has been since the 1960’s, providing an important link in early motorcar history. Other highlights include, an immaculate 1925 Stutz Speedway Six Series 695H Seven-Passenger Touring Car; and a very rare 1924 Wills Saint Claire A68 V8 Two Seater Sports Roadster, which hailed from two major collections in America, that of the late Bill Harrah of Harrah's fame and the late William B. Ruger.
Bonhams’ Brookline sale will include nearly 400 lots of “Automobilia” - motor car related memorabilia - hood ornaments, motor car art, rare manuals, books, motorcar parts, accessories and spares. The Bonhams Auction begins on Saturday, September 26th at 10:00 am; auction previews start Friday, September 25th, at 9:00 am. Additional sale information and illustrated catalogs are available online at www.bonhams.com or contact the Bonhams Motoring Department. E-mails can be sent to motors.us@bonhams.com, or calls may be made to the following individuals: Rupert Banner, Motoring Dept. Business Development Dir., New York, 212- 461-6515; Mark Osborne, Motoring Department Director, San Francisco, 415-391-4000.
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America and in August 2003, Goodmans, a leading Australian fine art and antiques auctioneer with salerooms in Sydney, joined the Bonhams Group of Companies. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further seven throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com. (01-08)
