Its eyes set on the U.S. marketplace, Brooks Auctioneers Ltd. of England has opened an office in San Francisco. The firm was originally established in 1989 by Robert Brooks, the former Director of Christie's (London) Collector Car Department. "Brooks plans to have four to five American auctions annually," says Hans Shede, the company's German representative who is helping organize the U.S. operation. "The U.S. collector car market is the world's strongest, and we feel there is room at the top end for our company." First up will be an auction at the beginning of the Monterey-Pe ble Beach weekend. To be held on Thursd August 13 at Quail Lodge in Carmel ey, the sale will be composed of 60-70 lots of ,sporty-type cars." This will be preceded by an auction of motoring memorabilia. Brooks USA may be reached at 415-391-4000; fax is 415-391-4040.
Following the success of 1997's venue, 1 998's Barrett-Jackson sale in Scottsdale was another resounding success. Held January 15-18, more than 1700 bidders from 14 different countries attended. With $17 million in sales volume, the overall sales rate was 65%. Auction head Craig Jackson felt the key to success was the continued interest of new buyers, plus established collectors purchasing something out of their normal market niche. To illustrate the latter, he points to a well-known collector of prewar custom French coachwork buying a 1970s Ferrari 246 Dino. Sports cars were strong, accounting for nine of the top 20 sales; the high-dollar sports cars were two Daytona Spyders, bringing $349,650 and $322,875. Almost 65 percent of the Corvettes offered found new homes, the high being $95,550 for a '68 L-88 roadster. Jaguar E-Types seem to be active again, with 65 percent of the 17 offered finding new homes. Shelbys weren't quite as hot, with 8 of the 14 offered being sold. "if the economy holds out and we don't go to war with Saddam, Jackson commented after the sale, "1998 looks like a good car year."
In the private market, significant Ferraris remain one of the market's hottest items, as a 1959 Testa Rossa exemplifies. Originally built at the beginning of the year, s/n 0768 has a marvelous history, including a second and third at Sebring (1959 and '60), third at the Nurburgring ('59), a second at Nassau ('59), and a first and third at the Riverside GP. Having been with the same owner for some 30 years, it recently sold for approximately $5 million to a prominent American collector. Other interesting sales were a 1954 375 America by Vignale. One of only three Ferraris built with an ornate fastback style, s/n 0337 AL was originally shown at the 1954 Turin Motor Show. It eventually found its way to a New Jersey barn in the mid-'70s, where it remained until it was bought in the $175,000 range. This unique 375 needs a total restoration, not unlike a 1950 195 Inter with Ghia coachwork that also found a new owner. Rumored to have been bought in the $50,000 region, in all likelihood the first two cars had more exclusive transporters than the Inter's $500 special (pictured).
The 1998 Meguiar's Award has been given to Lorin Tryon and Jules Heumann, the cochairmen of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Mr. Tryon and Mr Heumann took over the ailing car show in 1972, and immediately returned it to glory. Under their stewardship, the Concours scope, size and prestige expanded tremendously. Historic firsts included having all six Bugatti Royales together at once (1986), as well as the same for the three Alfa Romeo BATs (1989). "They resurrected Pebble when it was going under and turned it into the standard by which all other concours are judged," notes SO editor D. Randy Riggs, one of Meguiars' panelists. "Their unwavering dedication to the concours and the collector car hobby is most commendable, and we felt that should be honored."
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