BRITANNIA RULES IN CONNECTICUT

Much of the pre-auction attention centred on the "Gatsby" Rolls, a 1928 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom I that featured in the 1974 film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. Resplendent in Saffron Yellow 'Ascot' dual cowl sport phaeton coachwork by Brewster, this example was also one of the 'Springfield' Rolls-Royces assembled in Rolls' American operation in Springfield, Massachusetts during the 1920s. When selected for inclusion in the movie, the Brewster-bodied Phantom I was in the possession of noted US collector, Ted Leonard, and wore different colours. Despite being a later example than described in the original novel, Leonard's vehicle perfectly suited the look that Paramount (the production company) had in mind. For the movie, it was repainted, and the leather upholstery dyed to better match the novel's description of Gatsby's car, and it has remained in this configuration since. Paramount also commissioned a set of fibreglass duplicate front guards to depict the accident damage the vehicle suffers in the film without damaging the originals. Interestingly, the vehicle's known history indicates the Ascot dual cowl body, speculated to be the only one of its type manufactured by Brewster, was not fitted to the car when new. After its supporting role in The Great Gatsby, the car was a regular attendee at local shows and concours events, and remained in the collection of Leonard until his passing. When last auctioned (at Greenwich in 2009), the Gatsby Rolls went for US$238,000. This time around, the vehicle sold for US$185,200.

Another Springfield Rolls-Royce was Lot 374, a 1927 Phantom I towncar, resplendent in deep maroon with black guards. This one was also bodied by Brewster, but in a 'St. Alban' town car style, with black leather chauffeur's compartment, and tan mohair passenger area. Known history shows the vehicle spent some time with a 'Lonsdale' limousine body before it was converted to its current configuration. Restored some years ago after passing through the hands of a number of enthusiasts, the 1927 Phantom I sold for US$172,000. A 1936 English 25/20hp Drophead Coupe, one of three built, was another Rolls-Royce of note. This example featured a Park Ward open body, finished in Ascot Grey with Oxford Blue guards and folding top. A full restoration in the 1990s included a complete mechanical overhaul and the fitment of a modern Payne overdrive system to make the right hand drive 25/20 as practical as it was beautiful. A multiple concours trophy winner, this Rolls sold for US$117,000. Lot 382 was noted as the first LHD 1969 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Limousine sold in Holland, which probably counted for less than the fact it's had only two owners from new. Originally in Tudor Grey, the Mulliner Park Ward-bodied Phantom VI was repainted in Garnet over black with cream coachlines by the second owner, who also shipped it to the US. In very good condition and boasting an original, but well appointed passenger area, the Phantom VI sold for US$174,200. The final Rolls-Royce of note was Lot 371, a 1960 Silver Cloud II saloon, originally owned by HRH Prince Chula of Thailand, which sold for US$64,350.

While the Rolls-Royces were impressive, they didn't achieve the top sale position at Greenwich. That honour went to a 1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkII 2+2, which sold for an impressive US$249,000. Early Astons have been attracting big money of late, and this Tickford-bodied example continued the trend. One of only 199 MkIIs built, and only 150 with the 2+2 hatch body, this example was finished in two-tone grey with red leather interior. Restored in 1996, it was still in superb condition, with a very clean engine bay and chrome knock-off wire wheels. Runner up was another Aston, a 1958 DB MkII Sports Saloon. Recorded as having only three owners from new, and originally delivered LHD, this example was striking in its Fiesta Red paint and black leather interior. It attracted a final price of US$191,800.
Other British offerings of note from Bonhams' Greenwich auction included: a numbers-matching 1958 AC Ace roadster, which sold for US$188,500; a rare 1963 Lagonda Rapide Sports Sedan which went for US$105,300; and a 1967 US-spec E-Type Jaguar FHC which sold for US$104,130.

Away from the British offerings, one of the more intriguing lots Bonhams presented was #361, a 1952 'Lazzarino' sports racer. If you've never heard of Lazzarino, you're not alone, as this marque is virtually unheard of outside its native Argentina. The name comes from the Italian immigrant family who built cars for wealthy Argentines, and worked in Argentina's booming racing scene of the 'Fangio' era and beyond. Lazzarino also experimented with small run manufacturing of microcars and their own 'Hispano Argentine' modern classic in a similar vein to the Pur Sang Bugattis. The lot on offer was one of Lazzarino's earlier creations, originally built for the president of Ford of Argentina, who wanted a roadster in the style of a Ferrari 212. Carroceria Lazzarino hand made most of the car, including the lightweight chassis, steel & aluminium bodywork, and interior. Power came from an Argentine-built Ford flathead V8, which was later replaced with a Chrysler slant six, topped with a unique pair of Offenhauser intakes and Holley 'Argelite' carburettors. The vehicle bore a '#004' on the chassis, suggesting at least three others were built, but no evidence of any other vehicle like this exists. Purchased by the vendor in 2004, the sports racer was refurbished in the USA and campaigned in long distance competition events like the Great Race. Maintained to competitive standard, the Lazzarino was billed as being capable of 0-100kph sprint times under eight seconds and a top speed close to 200kph. This one-off machine attracted a final price of US$130,200.

Turning to European marques, lots of interest included a 1968 Maserati Ghibli Berlinetta owned by Sammy Davis Jnr, which sold for US$78,390. A 1965 Mercedes-Benz 220 SEb convertible continued the movie connection set by the Gatsby Rolls. Originally owned by Ismail Merchant (of Merchant-Ivory fame - Howard's End, Remains of the Day, etc.), upon his death in 2005, the Benz was passed to his filmmaking partner, James Ivory. Restored prior to Merchant's purchase, the 220Seb was still in good condition, and sold for US$53,820. While these lots were interesting, the most impressive amongst the Euro offerings was #333, a US-delivered 1960 Porsche 356B. Fully restored in 2009, the 356B was topped off with a number of period correct accessories, like the Lutz luggage rack and Les Lester woodrim steering wheel. It attracted a final price of US$90,090.

For an American auction, big dollar US-built cars were pretty thin on the ground at Greenwich, but there were still a few interesting lots on offer. Best amongst the domestic cars was a 1957 Chrysler 300C Coupe. Powered by Chrysler's 375hp 392ci Hemi V8, this low mileage example was billed as being completely original bar a repaint. In exceptional condition, the 300C sold for US$111,150. Next best was a 1951 Cadillac Series 62 convertible, which had covered only 9,952 miles from new. In storage from 1953 to 1979, the Caddy was fully restored in 2005, including a respray in distinctive 'Chester Green' paint. The low mileage and flawless condition was no doubt a factor in this vehicle's final sale price of US$87,750. Mercury's 'Sun Valley' hardtops, with their Perspex roof sections, are a rare sight nowadays, and certainly more so than the equivalent Ford Sky Liner, so it was pleasing to see a fully restored example at Greenwich. Built on a 1955 Montclair hardtop, the Sun Valley also featured optional extras like a Continental kit, air conditioning, radio and spotlights. It sold for US$45,045. Other lots of interest included a stunning 1950 Chrysler Town & Country hardtop coupe. 'Woodys', especially the rare coupes and convertibles, were all the rage a couple of years back, but it seems the heat has gone out of this segment of the market, as this beautifully-presented example failed to make its reserve. Despite the T&C no-sale, a 1937 Ford Model 78 wood-bodied station wagon sold for a more than respectable US$63,180. Surprisingly, this three-owner wagon was billed as having all its original wood, but had been mechanically restored to reliable condition in the 1990s.

Finally, a Rick Dore-built 1957 Continental Mark II roadster was another standout lot. Originally commissioned by car collector, the late John O'Quinn for the 2008 SEMA Show, and based on a concept by Jimmy Smith, the Continental featured similar styling touches to the '57 Cadillac also built by Dore. Aside from the custom body, the Continental also featured full airbag suspension, Lux Interiors AZ full custom seats, Kicker Audio system fitted by Definitive Audio, Motorspot wire wheels and more. The standout feature on this vehicle, though, was the deep crimson House of Kolor paint. Offered for sale with no reserve, the custom Continental sold for US$52,650.

NOTE: All sale prices inclusive of buyer's premium