Bonhams are holding their Amelia Island Auction on 12 March at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club and such is the variety of desirable cars on offer, we started dreaming about which ones we would buy if funds were limited to a mere US$ 1,000,000
The 1911 EMF "30" two seat Racer caught our eye for open-air motoring from the brass era. Its dark blue livery and business-like appearance is tempting, but once we saw the 1912 Peerless Model 60 Runabout we found it irresistible. The 13.5 litre engine fills the space beneath the long bonnet. It’s the largest engine ever fitted to an American production car and is just asking to be unleashed to propel this machine along at high speed with all the associated sounds which make the whole experience so exhilarating. The sun glinting off the enormous copper fuel tank helps you ignore the cost of filling it with petrol. Climb into the snug fitting red-leather driver’s seat , sieze that extraordinary steering wheel and head for the open road and have a blast ! Estimate $250,000, so we still have some money to spend.
Once our minds were dallying with such early machinery, we were tempted by two even earlier vehicles – a 1904 Oldsmobile Model N "French Front" Touring Runabout and a 1903 E.R. Thomas Model 18 Tonneau. Both cars eligible for the London to Brighton run held every November . If you can ignore the cold and wet, it is a wonderful tradition and because the more friends you take the more fun you have, it is the 5 seater Thomas we shall be bidding on, also estimated to fetch about $250,000. Still got half a million to play with !
The 1930 Cord Model L-29 Town Car offers open air motoring for the driver but sumptuous closed comfort for the passengers. Powered by a straight eight flat-head Lycoming engine through Miller-designed front wheel drive, this car’s previous owners have always protected its original condition. It has nearly all of its original paint, all of its original upholstery and its nickname ‘Pumpkin car’ was coined after its yellowing delaminating safety glass.
However, the 1932 Lincoln KA Five passenger Sedan is surely the most original car we are likely to find from pre-war days. It has covered just 10,000 miles from new and survives today with near flawless original paintwork, original interior with barely a moth hole and close to perfect original rugs. The side-mount spares are still wrapped in the original oilcloth covers that appear to have never been removed and is shod with the original factory tires . Under the bonnet reveals the original V-8 with the original radiator hoses and clamps. Literally nothing seems to be out of place or non-factory, save for a new fan belt. This is the closed car we want in our garage and promise to look after it just as passionately for future generations. It’s the sort of car that makes you put on your best clothes and treat the car , and the whole occasion, with proper respect. A mere $70,000.
That leaves just enough to bid on the 1925 Hispano-Suiza H6B Transformable Cabriolet. The catalogue reads..."The choice of European royalty, Indian Maharajahs, Hollywood film stars and industrial tycoons, the legendary Hispano-Suiza was superbly engineered and imitated unashamedly by some of the world's leading car manufacturers." This model was renowned for its ease of handling, the flexibility of its 6.6 litre engine – which necessitated only a three speed gearbox – and its efficient servo-assisted brakes. Yes, the estimate of $350,000 - $450,000 means we may just stay inside our million dollar limit.
Please do drive carefully as you head home in whichever car you buy from Bonhams, and we hope you also manage to stay within your limit.
(Text Robin Batchelor, pictures courtesy Bonhams)