Proclaiming that the classic car marketplace “has reached a new and encouragingly sensible level,” Chris Routledge, managing director for auction house Coys, rolled out the docket of cars which Coys touts for their “connections to royalty, government, sport and show business” that will be offered up for bidding at his company’s next auction.
That sale is scheduled for February 16-17 as part of the London Classic Car Show.
“The classic car market has reached a new and encouragingly sensible level,” Routledge was quoted in Coys’ news release. “Sales volumes are increasing as a result of sensibly priced cars being offered to the market at a price to sell. There is increasing optimism despite the uncertainty over Brexit.”
But it would appear Coys docket is designed to disrupt such sensibility with its push for celebrity provenance that tends to inflate prices.
“We have a spectacular auction,” he said, adding that the cars with royal or entertainment history are “the icing on the cake.”
But does Coys want to have its cake and eat it, too?
Bidders will decide regarding vehicles such as a 1995 Lotus Elan M100 S2 formerly part of Prince Charles’ Prince’s Trust, a 1967 Vanden Plas Princess R formerly used by British prime minister Harold Wilson, a 2007 Range Rover Sport that was owned by soccer star David Beckham and a Mark IV Mini 1000 purchased new by songwriter Bob Willis for his wife, entertainer Cilla Black.
Also on the auction docket are a 1959 Maserati Tipo 60/61 “Birdcage,” a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series V and a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT.
There is little doubt that a vehicle owned by a famous entertainer or motorsports champion will command a higher price. However, government royalty?? Not nearly as much. I would rather have Steve McQueen’s Persol sunglasses than a former PM’s limo.
Just my humble opinion 😊