Bonham’s Quail Lodge Auction 2019
Bonham’s Quail Lodge Auction is the first auction to take place during car week on the Monterey Peninsula. This year the sale will be held Thursday and Friday mornings, Wednesday day is preview day. We counted 224 cars in the catalog covering a very wide range of the enthusiast and collector car market. From modern super cars to vintage racers to pre-war classics and ‘next gen’ collector cars, there is really something for everyone. There are just seven Mercedes cars being offered, but the Mercedes selection covers a wide range of the market and several very nice cars are being offered.
There is just one 300 SL available, a very nice coupe, two 560 SLs, one Pagoda SL, a very nice 220 Cabriolet A, a nicely restored 600 Pullman limousine and a 300 D ‘Adenauer’ convertible. Basic info on each car is below, along with pre-sale auction estimates and our ‘price predictions’ for each car (price predictions INCLUDE buyer’s premium).
Click here to visit Bonham’s online auction catalog. Scroll all the way down for complete auction information, times, locations, etc. All photos courtesy of the auction company.
Lot 4 – 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
Estimate: $45,000 – $55,000
No Reserve
VIN. WDBBA48D3JA087276
Midnight blue w/ grey leather, red pin stripe
Auction catalog describes the car as an original paint, two owner car with just under 40,000 miles with only minor imperfections.
Midnight blue is, arguably, one of the ‘best’ colors for a 560 SL, however a Palomino interior is more complimentary to my eye than grey. There is no shortage of ‘low mile’ 560SLs on the market and this car isn’t even an especially low mile example. I’m puzzled as to why someone would choose to consign a rather unremarkable example such as this to a big auction considering the costs involved. This is a well known market and I can’t imagine the car reaching its low estimate. Price prediction: $38,000.
Lot 7 – 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
Estimate: $120,000 – $160,000No Reserve
Chassis no. 113044-12-009475
White (050) w/ Dark Olive (291) hard top and hub caps
Green leather and soft top
Green leather and soft top
Automatic transmission
Acquired by current owner as a disassembled project in 2007, received a factory replacement engine (no numbers) prior to 2nd owner’s acquisition. Auction catalog describes a “thorough restoration by W113 specialists Beverly Hills Motors in Houston, Texas, the car was completed in 2018 with receipts totaling over $92,000.”
The catalog goes on to say “The drivetrain, suspension, brakes, and transmission were all rebuilt.”
New interior, cushions, leather, etc. Fridgiking A/C, Becker radio, etc. all said to function properly.
Shows just under 80,000 miles, seller believes those miles to be correct.
The Pagoda market is a tough one these days and there are over 100 280 SLs on the market today. Prices vary as much as the condition of the specific cars. I like this color combination, and I’ve only ever seen it on one other 280 SL… right before it was restored and color changed to Moss Green Metallic w/ Bamboo leather, a shame. It’s really tough to analyze a 280 SL and figure out what it might sell for without standing next to it to scrutinize the details. The fact that there are $92,000 worth of receipts should make potential bidders happy, but how far will they bid for a car with a replacement engine? You’d think a newer, factory engine block would be something that would help the car’s value, but with Pagodas, it doesn’t. A no reserve 280 SL is a scary thing in today’s market, even with a huge folder full of receipts. Price prediction: $92,000 (pay for the restoration, get a free car).
Lot 42 – 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 SL
Estimate: $70,000 – $90,000No Reserve
VIN. WDBBA48D9GA051956
Black (040)
Black leather and soft top
Black leather and soft top
Described as an “Exceedingly original example, with just two owners and less than 9,950 miles”
Said to have a well documented service history, complete with hard top, books, tools, etc. 2 owner California car, 9,912 miles.
Again, there is no shortage of low mile 560 SLs out there, so ownership history, level of originality, the odometer reading and color combination are the things that count. Color is so subjective, what some people love, others hate, but there are some combinations that seem to pull more money than others.
I was a little surprised at the catalog photos for this one, no thte usual, professional level shots (notice the photo I’m using here, the hood is popped open) and the photos were taken at what looks like mid-day, sun directly overhead, not a good time for ‘beauty shots’ of a car. Anyway… what should a sub 10k mile 560 SL from California bring? Price Prediction: $67,000.
Lot 74 – 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman 4-Door Limousine
Estimate: $225,000 – $275,000Chassis no. 100.014-12-001655
Black (040)
Brown leather in driver’s compartment, beige leather in rear
Brown leather in driver’s compartment, beige leather in rear
Air conditioning
Intercom system
Insulated glass
Becker Grand Prix
Rear T.V.
Rear cooler
Intercom system
Insulated glass
Becker Grand Prix
Rear T.V.
Rear cooler
Fender mounted flag stanchions
According to the auction catalog, this is “One of only 304 4-door limousines built in the 17-year production run.”
Delivered new to the US, eventually made its way to Japan. Re-imported from Japan. Extensive restoration undertaken by Star Motors of Endicott, NY between 2004 and 2014, receipts totaling over $100,000.
Delivered new to the US, eventually made its way to Japan. Re-imported from Japan. Extensive restoration undertaken by Star Motors of Endicott, NY between 2004 and 2014, receipts totaling over $100,000.
The auction catalogs states, “Pages of receipts on file detail extensive grill-to-trunk mechanical work that includes expansive work to the complicated air suspension and hydraulic systems, an engine rebuild, brake work, and so much more.” Odometer reads 10,521 miles, no mention of actual mileage appears in the auction catalog.
“$100,000+ in receipts” is so often how descriptions for 600s start. I worked with a client to sell a short wheel base 600 a few years ago, when I added up the receipts he had racked up in his ten years of ownership they totaled a little over $99,000… it’s very easy to do. Well sorted, well restored 600s are gorgeous cars and when they’re working properly a lot of fun to drive, the whole experience is just so ‘huge’ in every way. I’m not sure if it’s that they’re fun to drive or if it’s fun to be seen driving them. I don’t think the estimate here is overly aggressive, and I feel that whatever the high bid is it will be ‘well bought’. “Pay up for someone else’s completed project” has never been better advice than when you’re considering a 600. Price Prediction: $255,000.
Lot 124 -1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe
Estimate: $1,350,000 – $1,550,000Chassis no. 198.040.5500668
White (050)
Red leather and luggage
Red leather and luggage
Owned by the same family from new until 2012
Numbers matching
Known ownership history from new
Known ownership history from new
Purchased new by Hubert Martin Cook of Dallas, Texas in 1955. Cook was a regional director of the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) and an early Gullwing Group member.
The second owner (a private Texas based collector), purchased the Gullwing from William Cook (the original owner’s son) in December 2012 with 66,000 original miles. At that time the car was Graphite Grey (190) over Red Leather after a 1970s era retoration by the original owner.
The new owner took his new Gullwing to Sports Leicht Restorations in West End, North Carolina where it was restored between 2013 and 2016 and brought back to its original colors as per the factory build card. The restoration is documented by over 1000 photos and 43 pages of detailed work receipts. Less than 300 hundred miles have been put on the car since being restored.
When looking for an investment grade 300 SL you look for a number of things… known ownership history, complete and documented, ideally, with as few owners as possible, CHECK. It’s even better when the owner is a well known car guy, collector and active in marque clubs / events (CCCA, GWG), CHECK. Original engine, transmission, etc. ‘numbers matching’, CHECK. Original, correct color combination as per factory build card, CHECK. If the car is restored, was is completed and documented by a known marque expert, in this case, Sport Leicht, CHECK.
There are always a number of 300 SLs available on the market, but they don’t usually check all the boxes like this one does. I’m a fan of German cars in white… I find they look ‘pure’ in design, white allows shadows to show off the car’s lines (my 1982 Volkwagen Vanagon Westfalia looked great in white!). Red is a classic Mercedes interior color. The auction catalog says this car has only been shown at one concours event since the restoration was completed in 2016, at the Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance where it received the Mercedes-Benz Club of America Award of Excellence. This car would be welcome at just about any concours event in the country if the new owner felt like taking it out on the circuit. If it ended up in my garage, I’d probably opt for open road touring events… even if it gets a little warm in a Gullwing, I’d be ‘so cool’ it wouldn’t matter. If the right people are paying attention, this fabulous example should sell well within its estimate range. Price Prediction: $1,500,000.
Lot 166 – 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 Cabriolet D
Estimate: $225,000 – $275,000Chassis no. 189033.12.9500367
Dark Green
Black leather and soft top
Black leather and soft top
One of only 65 built, U.S. market car.
Fuel injection
Automatic transmission
Power steering
Automatic transmission
Power steering
Air conditioning
There is little to no mention of ownership or maintenance / restoration history for this car in the auction catalog, other than that it “comes recently from an extensive private collection” I’m not even really sure what that means. It is described as retaining its original engine as per the MB build card, but there is no mention of whether or not this is the original color combination or anything. In fact, few real, helpful details re included at all. An on-site inspection and careful consideration of this one will be necessary before making an informed buying decision.
These are imposing cars, rare and rewarding to owners when enjoyed properly. Isn’t it amazing to think they took so many parts from a behemoth like this to start creating the underpinnings of the 300 SL? Price prediction $235,000.
Lot 204 – 1953 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A
Estimate: $200,000 – $250,000Chassis no. 187012.03483/53
4 speed Manual transmission
Documented history since new
Documented history since new
Restoration receipts totaling over $400,000
Original Karl Baisch luggage
Becker Monaco Radio
Original Karl Baisch luggage
Becker Monaco Radio
Originally delivered to Switzerland, brought to U.S. in early 70s. Purchased by consignor from that long term owner’s family in 2005. Magno Restorations of Ward Hill, Massachusetts to be restored in 2015.
Restored in its original color of Grey Beige (157) w/ green (653) leather.
I love the 220 Cabriolet A. A good friend of mine owns one and I’ve been lucky enough to put some miles on it behind the wheel and as a passenger. I’m not sure the actual driving experience is that exciting, but it’s a fun car with fabulous lines. They are relatively rare with just over 1,000 examples built. They have some of the good looks of the big Pre-War Mercedes in a smaller package that’s much easier on the pocketbook. It seems no expense was spared with this example, it should bring over $200k. Price Prediction: $223,000.
Carmel Quail Lodge and Golf Club
7000 Valley Greens Dr. (at rancho San Carlos Rd.)
Carmel, CA 93923
7000 Valley Greens Dr. (at rancho San Carlos Rd.)
Carmel, CA 93923
Click here to visit Bonham’s online auction catalog. All photos courtesy of the auction company.
2 comments
HI Dave the site looks great, Some beautiful cars on it. Your Bldg look wonderful too. Take care see you later. Jim
Absolutely brilliant analysis, and spot-on IMHO. Thanks for the insight. I only wish there was a way to watch this auction live in TV, instead of the muscle-car centric Mecum and BJ pablum on offer.