The Steeple Times

Tag: classic cars

  • Acting & Alternators – Which ‘Famous Faces’ Have Profited Most From Their Motors?

    Acting & Alternators – Which ‘Famous Faces’ Have Profited Most From Their Motors?

    Vintage dealer David Lennox on ‘famous faces’ who’ve made significant profits in the world of classic cars; he also gives some advice about a key feature in a classic car – its alternator

    Whilst actor Rowan Atkinson’s most expensive car – www.slashgear.com was a 1997 McLaren F1 that he managed to crash twice still sold for a staggering £8.9 million ($11.1 million) sum higher than the £697,000 ($880,000) he originally bought it for new, other big and small screen stars and musicians have also profited from the motors they’ve bought.

     

    In a world where your standard punter’s automotive purchase loses value as soon as it is driven off the forecourt and declines on average by 40% in value during its first year, many are dubious about ‘investing’ in cars. Those that dare to take a punt on a ‘classic car’ – interestingly defined in the UK by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as one aged over 15 years old – can, however, actually make significant returns.

     

    Amongst five other examples of other classic cars connected to the world of film and television that have made megabucks are:

     

    1 – The 1968 Ford Mustang GT that Steve McQueen drove in the cop thriller Bullitt was discarded after filming and sold for just £2,800 ($3,500) to Bob Kierman in the 1970s. It sold on for £2.7 million ($3.4 million) at a car show in Detroit – a sum 40 times as much as a ‘normal’ example. In 2020, what was termed a “respectful Bullitt homage,” a 1968 Ford Mustang in Highland green, sold at a Silverstone Auctions sale for £73,000 ($93,000); of it they added: “It should be mandatory to drive this car only in a pair of Persol 714 sunglasses.”

     

    2 – John Lennon’s ‘psychedelic gypsy caravan’ styled 1964 Rolls-Royce Phantom V limousine cost him £6,600 ($8,300) new. He and it were attacked by a woman with an umbrella who yelled: “You swine! How can you do that to a Rolls-Royce?” but was later to sold to a Canadian billionaire named Jim Pattison for £2.4 million ($3 million) in 1985. A more ‘ordinary’ example lacking a ‘famous face’ connection sold for just £90,000 ($114,000) in 2018.

     

    3 – A 1966 Lotus Elan S2 originally owned by actor and comedian Peter Sellers CBE sold at auction for just over £50,000 in 2015 at the NEC Classic Motor Show sale after being featured in The Steeple Times. A similar 1966 example with no connections to a ‘famous face’ is currently on offer for just £17,800 ($22,500).

     

    4 – Another racy run-about, not only also owned by Peter Sellers, but also by Princess Margaret’s husband, Anthony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon and more recently by TV presenter Chris Evans is another example of a ‘star priced car.’

     

    Featured in The Steeple Times in June 2021 prior to being auctioned the following month by Bonhams at their Festival of Speed Sale at Goodwood, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 was offered with an estimate of £1.3 million to £1.7 million ($1.8 million to $2.4 million). It had cost Peter Sellers just £4,490 new ($3,550); the actor and comedian sold it “at a loss” to the then Viscount Linley in 1965 – whose own son sold it in 2002 to pay towards the death duties incurred by his late mother’s estate.

     

    5 – Though a 1953 Lagonda DB drophead coupé originally owned by Sir Peter Ustinov, CBE FRSA failed to sell with an estimate of £90,000 ($114,000) in July 2017, auctioneers H&H Classics hammered down another ‘grander’ example, one owned by Prince Philip, for £340,000 ($432,000) the previous year. At the time, they remarked: “We sold Prince Philip’s Lagonda for a world record price… so the bar was set high.”

     

    Advice on alternators

    When it comes to classic cars, the alternator is a critical component that keeps the battery charged and the electrical system running smoothly.

     

    Unlike modern vehicles, which might have more sophisticated diagnostic tools and electrical systems, classic cars require a more hands-on and attentive approach to identify and resolve issues with their alternators.

     

    This section will guide you through the process of identifying and resolving problems with alternators in classic cars, ensuring that your vintage beauty runs as smoothly as it did in its heyday.

     

    Understanding the alternator

    The alternator is the heart of a car’s electrical system, responsible for charging the battery and powering the electrical system when the engine is running. It converts mechanical energy into electrical energy as alternating current (AC), which is then rectified to direct current (DC) suitable for the car’s electrical system and to charge the battery.

     

    A malfunctioning alternator can lead to a dead battery, dimming lights, and ultimately, the car failing to start.

     

    Symptoms of a faulty alternator

    Identifying alternator problems early can save you from unexpected breakdowns. Here are common signs of a failing alternator:

     

    – Dimming or overly bright lights: This can indicate that the alternator is not providing a consistent voltage.

    – Dead battery: While batteries can fail on their own, a dead battery might also suggest that the alternator is not charging it properly.

    – Warning lights on the dashboard: Many cars have a battery or alternator warning light that indicates when there’s an issue.

    – Strange noises: A failing alternator can produce odd noises due to worn bearings or belts.

    – Electrical issues: Malfunctioning accessories, such as power windows or radio, could point towards alternator problems.

     

    Preventative maintenance

    Preventative maintenance can extend the life of your classic car’s alternator and prevent many of the issues mentioned:

     

    – Regular inspections: Routinely check the alternator belt for wear and ensure it is properly tightened.

    – Clean terminals: Regularly clean the battery terminals and alternator connections to prevent corrosion.

    – Battery maintenance: Keep the battery in good condition, as a failing battery can put extra strain on the alternator.

     

    Conclusion

    Maintaining the alternator in a classic car requires a blend of observation, basic electrical knowledge, and sometimes, a bit of detective work. By understanding how to identify and address issues with your alternator, you can ensure that your classic car remains reliable and ready for the road.

     

    Remember, the key to troubleshooting and maintenance is regular inspection and early detection of potential problems. With these tips and a proactive approach, you can keep your classic car’s electrical system in top condition, preserving its legacy and performance for years to come.

     

    Additional information

    How to know if the alternator needs to be replaced – buycarparts.co.uk

     

    Steve McQueen Bullitt 1968 Ford Mustang GT
    The 1968 Ford Mustang GT used by Steve McQueen in the classic film ‘Bullitt’ (top) and an example made as a homage to it (below).
    John Lennon 1964 Rolls-Royce Phantom V limousine
    John Lennon’s ‘psychedelic gypsy caravan’ styled 1964 Rolls-Royce Phantom V limousine. It certainly set a record price when sold in 1985.
    Peter Sellers 1966 Lotus Elan S2
    The 1966 Lotus Elan S2 originally owned by actor and comedian Peter Sellers CBE (top and centre) and a similar car without any ‘famous face’ connection (below).
    The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 that was owned by Peter Sellers CBE, the 1st Earl of Snowdon and later Chris Evans.
    The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 that was owned by Peter Sellers CBE, the 1st Earl of Snowdon and later Chris Evans.
    Sir Peter Ustinov 1953 Lagonda DB drophead coupe Prince Philip
    The 1953 Lagonda DB drophead coupé originally owned by Sir Peter Ustinov, CBE FRSA and another example – which sold for a lot more – that was owned by the late Prince Philip.
  • Classic Car Heaven 2021

    Classic Car Heaven 2021

    Theodora Ong reports from the 2021 London Classic Car Show and suggests other automotive events for classic car enthusiasts in the coming months

    This weekend, I wallowed in acres of glistening chrome and gushed over the retro appeal of heritage vehicles with their stylish and eccentric owners at the 2021 London Classic Car Show at Syon Park.

     

    Admiring cars of yesteryear is a pleasurable pursuit of reverie; with sunshine bouncing off windscreens and the reality of raindrops causing owners and guardians to be sprightly and attentive around their cars. You get absorbed into their world of devotion. Here, in possibly the nearest meadow to central London, and next to a trout fishery, there’s no sense of sales urgency – not even on the auction stands.

     

    Celebrating anniversaries is the thing amongst car owners’ clubs. It transports us to a distant era, but arguably it’s the cars you’ve seen on the road in your own lifetime which seduce with the greatest allure. The centenaries of the Bugatti Brescia and the Lancia Lambda and, the 60th anniversary of the Jaguar E-Type and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Jensen owners’ club were all being discreetly honoured. There is much to remind you of their design vision and construction innovation over other marques and models which fade forgettably.    

     

    When Enzo Ferrari named the Jaguar E-Type: ‘The most beautiful car in the world’, he made it immortal, and the frenzy continues to this day. When a 1975 Jensen Interceptor III starred in a later series of The Saint in the ’80s, it became synonymous with a more exotic mystery – especially as more overseas locations were used for filming. The Interceptor was upgraded with electric sunroof and phone to capture the ultimate comfort of a modern grand tourer. Regardless that it achieved just 10-14 miles per gallon, it beat Aston Martin and Bristol on the film maker’s shortlist. 

     

    Jensen, this maverick of mystery – manufactured in West Bromwich – is what we chose to track down at the show. Congratulations, Jensen owners! So, the 50th landmark celebrates the collective passion of the club, not just the car. Take three…

     

    Jensen 541 R

    Jensen 541 R

    The 541 was launched in 1954 and was the first time Jensen used a fibreglass shell over a tubular steel chassis, partly due to post-war restrictions over the use of steel. But this liberated the design and enabled more complex styling with curious hollows and linear layering.

     

    The original putty and elastoplast colourway of this 1959 model is in immaculate showroom finish and was chosen by Alan Jensen himself for exhibiting at the Earls Court Motor Show.  It reads just 105,000 miles, and owner Len Boulton claims a top speed of 125 mph.

     

    Oh, and if anyone finds his petrol cap at a service station off the M25, please tell him. Remember those days when that was quite a common loss?

     

    Jensen SP

    Jensen SP

    This top of the range SP model was launched in 1971 to replace the loss-making four-wheel drive Jensen FF. This one has been technically upgraded by current owner Richard Fisher. It has a whopping 7212cc engine to deliver 0 to 60mph in 6.9 seconds and fuel consumption which ‘you don’t want to know’. Design pedants will question its apparent wonky alignment of side windows and its five sections of visible glass – but just relax and love it.

     

    Jensen Interceptor Cabriolet

    Jensen Interceptor Cabriolet

    Between 1950 to 1958 only 88 of these early Interceptors were built. This particular 1954 model was the first British car to be produced with metallic paint and a vinyl roof. You thought vinyl came of age in the ’70s TV The Sweeney era? This car was painstakingly rebuilt from the chassis up over 15 years from 2000. It was rescued back from California where it was on the point of being scrapped. It has an aluminium body but the boot lid was the first panel Jensen produced in fibreglass. A 4-litre engine powers this solid-looking drive. A lighter looking version was later sold at the Austin A40 Sports.

     

    Contrasting Characters

    It’s all about appreciating diversity after all, so here is my pick of two others at the show that couldn’t be any more different.

     

    Maserati Ghibli

    Maserati Ghibli

    It’s a while since the exclusive 96 Club – with some 150 members and 450 on the waiting list – have held a regular rendezvous for breakfast in Belgrave Square. Member Luca Pisetta brought his 1969 Ghibli here to Syon Park. It is family-owned and he is intent on it remaining so for the next generation too.

     

    Meanwhile, despite the absence of breakfast, his fellow 96-er Paolo Callea poured a blushy pinot grigio natural wine from his family’s estate in northern Italy. When under the influence of drink, any admirer would surely enjoy an enhanced vision of the Ghibli’s bold angles and shark-like nose hiding those pop-up head lamps.

     

    At the time, over its six years of production, it was one of the fastest and most expensive cars in the world.  It cost more than and even outsold the Ferrari Daytona.  About 700 Ghiblis survive today from the 1,170 produced.  This particular one had a complete restoration with full engine rebuild over four years, which took some 2,000 hours.

     

    96-ers Luca Pisetta and Paolo Callea
    96-ers Luca Pisetta and Paolo Callea.

    Salveson Wagonette

    Salveson Wagonette

    Can a vehicle dating from 1893 really be a car at all, if it’s proud to be powered like a coal-fired steam train? With its ‘60s yellow submarine-style paint over, this is positively agricultural looking.  It was designed and built at the Salvesen company’s Grangemouth shipyard in 1893, making it the first car to be manufactured in Scotland. A refusal to be influenced by the new generation of oil essence engines led to its distinctive construction with a vertical tube boiler. And yes, it goes, it drives fine – but any guesses for 0 to 60mph?

     

    Classic Dates For Your Summer Diary  

    Silverstone Classic, Northamptonshire, 30th July to 1st August 2021, combines historic motor racing with displays from 130 car clubs and an auction. It expects to feature 10,000 classic cars over the weekend.

     

    The annual Jensen meeting at The Ace Café, Wembley, 14th August 2021, should be teeming with Jensens. Rock up for a full English and a cup of Ace Café own tea.

     

    Salon Privé, Blenheim Palace, 1st to 5th September, is the hub for 500 classics rolling in. The event is considered one of the big three internationals alongside Pebble Beach Concours and Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

     

    Concours D’Elegance, Hampton Court Palace, 3rd to 5th September 2021, serenely gathers a core of 60 of the world’s rarest classics, plus some 300 further astonishing cars.

     

    The Goodwood Revival, 17th to 19th September 2021, is the only historic race meeting to be staged entirely in period outfits, on a classic circuit which remains unchanged since its heyday.

     

    The 2021 London Classic Car Show took place 25th to 27th June.  This year it was at Syon Park, and it is usually an annual event.

     

    The 96 Club Breakfast Rendezvous. We vote to bring them back please.

     

  • A Life in a Sentence

    A Life in a Sentence

    Matthew Steeples finds amusement in Twitter handles; a life in a sentence can be found on some of the best profiles

    Last Friday, in anticipation of the drunken mess that would become ‘Super Saturday’ in premises of J. D. Wetherspoons across the land, I shared a Twitter video embed on the @SteepleTimes handle that did not surprise when it went viral.

     

    In the tweet – which I captioned: “Two J. D. Wetherspoons customers at 3pm tomorrow” in honour of the pub chain where the odious Tim Martin regularly entertains our hapless Prime Minister Boris Johnson – a male and a female are seen staggering up and falling down a staircase whilst, frankly, p***ed out of their skulls.

     

    The original tweet I shared came from one Keptin Quarantino and was accompanied by a description that read: “The pubs officially reopen tomorrow in England. We can class today as P***MASS EVE. I imagine many of you will relate to this video be it in Wetherspoons or somewhere else. Have fun, W**kspangles.” Whilst the 1:24-minute clip itself was indeed hilarious, what amused even more was to be found amongst the legion of replies and likes that came henceforth.

     

    Aside from a witty comment suggesting that “a Remoaner pushed him” of the unfortunate male member of the drunken pair, I actually wholeheartedly enjoyed the Twitter handles of those that responded even more. The very best follow below.

     

    Twitter might be a medium that attracts trolls, but unlike with the vain and the vacuous that pepper spray Instagram with their shameless selves ‘swerving’ for the camera, here is somewhere you’ll find some simple amusement: Take a look through peoples’ profiles and you’ll discover there’s more to an individual than just a life in a sentence.

     

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    A Life in a Sentence – Twitter handles summing up lives – Matthew Steeples finds amusement in Twitter handles; a life in a sentence can be found on some of the best profiles.
    A Life in a Sentence – SophiaS – @whatalovelypair – “As my dear old East End mum says: ‘She’s all fur coat and no knickers…’”
    A Life in a Sentence – Twitter handles summing up lives – Matthew Steeples finds amusement in Twitter handles; a life in a sentence can be found on some of the best profiles.
    A Life in a Sentence – Stephen Johnson – @SteJHindley – “Miserable sod that likes rugby. I drink too much and am lazy. Life coaching available.”
    A Life in a Sentence – Twitter handles summing up lives – Matthew Steeples finds amusement in Twitter handles; a life in a sentence can be found on some of the best profiles.
    A Life in a Sentence – Pat Hetic – @Mr_Pat_Hetic – “Too lazy to achieve my full potential so now working as a village idiot near Chesterfield.”
    A Life in a Sentence – Twitter handles summing up lives – Matthew Steeples finds amusement in Twitter handles; a life in a sentence can be found on some of the best profiles.
    A Life in a Sentence – Ceri Williams – @Cezzawilliams21 – “All my views are my own (and I have quite a few!)”
    A Life in a Sentence – Twitter handles summing up lives – Matthew Steeples finds amusement in Twitter handles; a life in a sentence can be found on some of the best profiles.
    A Life in a Sentence – Graham Greenwood – @graham669 – “Lover of classic cars and a life long nudist.”
    A Life in a Sentence – Twitter handles summing up lives – Matthew Steeples finds amusement in Twitter handles; a life in a sentence can be found on some of the best profiles.
    A Life in a Sentence – Dave Lee – @168dave – “Never been particularly politically motivated, but the shower of sh*t led by Bozo The F**king Clown have managed to change that!!”
  • A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc

    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc

    1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ limousine owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense

    Félix Houphouët-Boigny (whom claimed to be born in 1908, but was more likely born in 1905, and died in 1993) was known variously as ‘Papa Houphouët’ (‘The Old One’), the ‘Sage of Africa,’ the ‘Farmer President’ and the ‘Grand Old Man of Africa.’ Westerners, more simply called him: ‘HB.’

     

    The first President of Ivory Coast and ruler from 1960 to 1963 was considered “politically moderate” and under him the country “prospered economically.” His tenure was referred to as the “Ivorian miracle” and with growth, this larger-than-life leader moved the capital from Abidjan to his hometown, Yamoussoukro, in 1983. There he built not only an international airport, but also, at an extraordinary cost of the equivalent of £629 million ($780 million, €713 million or درهم2.9 billion) today, the largest church in the world, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro.

     

    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc – President Félix Houphouët-Boigny – 1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense – 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman to be sold by RM Sotheby’s at their 24th to 27th June 2020 sale in Essen, Germany on behalf of current owner Dr Urich Speicher. An estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.
    “Well-loved first President of Ivory Coast” Félix Houphouët-Boigny (1905 or 1908 – 1993).
    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc – President Félix Houphouët-Boigny – 1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense – 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman to be sold by RM Sotheby’s at their 24th to 27th June 2020 sale in Essen, Germany on behalf of current owner Dr Urich Speicher. An estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.
    Félix Houphouët-Boigny travelling in one of his Mercedes-Benz ‘Dictator Cars’.

    Aside from the usual ‘perks’ purchased by leaders of his time – including homes in France, Italy and Switzerland – Houphouët-Boigny was known for his love of shiny metals. In 1983, he declared: “People are surprised that I like gold. It’s just that I was born in it.” With his ‘Françafrique-style’ of diplomacy, Houphouët-Boigny liked to travel in style also and now one of his fleet of cars is to be sold at auction in June.

     

    The car to be offered by RM Sotheby’s is a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman with six-doors. It is one of five delivered to Ivory Coast at that time, unusually has no door handles on its middle doors and is fitted with air conditioning and an intercom also. Presented in its original colour combination of black lacquer with a natural coloured leather interior and brown carpets, the car left Africa after the death of Houphouët-Boigny in 1993. It was then exported to Germany and in the time since has been subject to restorative work costing some £88,000 ($109,000, €100,000 or درهم401,000) in 1994 and between 2013 and 2014 also. The auctioneers note that “the car is equipped with a replacement engine of the right type and that a second engine of the right type comes with the purchase.”

     

    Twice married Houphouët-Boigny was said to be worth somewhere between the staggering sums of £5.7 billion and £8.9 billion ($7 billion and $11 billion, €6.4 billion and €10 billion or درهم25.7 billion and درهم40.4 billion) on his death. His funeral was attended by 7,000 people and subsequently Ivory Coast’s economy declined rapidly. A religiously grounded civil war followed and still today, what was previously a prosperous land remains “severely damaged.”

     

    RM Sotheby’s will sell the ex-Félix Houphouët-Boigny Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman at their Essen sale on behalf of its current owner, Dr Urich Speicher. The event runs from 24th to 27th June and an estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.

     

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    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc – President Félix Houphouët-Boigny – 1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense – 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman to be sold by RM Sotheby’s at their 24th to 27th June 2020 sale in Essen, Germany on behalf of current owner Dr Urich Speicher. An estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.
    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc – President Félix Houphouët-Boigny – 1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense – 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman to be sold by RM Sotheby’s at their 24th to 27th June 2020 sale in Essen, Germany on behalf of current owner Dr Urich Speicher. An estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.
    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc – President Félix Houphouët-Boigny – 1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense – 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman to be sold by RM Sotheby’s at their 24th to 27th June 2020 sale in Essen, Germany on behalf of current owner Dr Urich Speicher. An estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.
    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc – President Félix Houphouët-Boigny – 1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense – 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman to be sold by RM Sotheby’s at their 24th to 27th June 2020 sale in Essen, Germany on behalf of current owner Dr Urich Speicher. An estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.
    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc – President Félix Houphouët-Boigny – 1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense – 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman to be sold by RM Sotheby’s at their 24th to 27th June 2020 sale in Essen, Germany on behalf of current owner Dr Urich Speicher. An estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.
    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc – President Félix Houphouët-Boigny – 1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense – 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman to be sold by RM Sotheby’s at their 24th to 27th June 2020 sale in Essen, Germany on behalf of current owner Dr Urich Speicher. An estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.
    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc – President Félix Houphouët-Boigny – 1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense – 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman to be sold by RM Sotheby’s at their 24th to 27th June 2020 sale in Essen, Germany on behalf of current owner Dr Urich Speicher. An estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.
    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc – President Félix Houphouët-Boigny – 1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense – 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman to be sold by RM Sotheby’s at their 24th to 27th June 2020 sale in Essen, Germany on behalf of current owner Dr Urich Speicher. An estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.
    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc – President Félix Houphouët-Boigny – 1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense – 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman to be sold by RM Sotheby’s at their 24th to 27th June 2020 sale in Essen, Germany on behalf of current owner Dr Urich Speicher. An estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.
    A Grand Old Man’s Grand Old Merc – President Félix Houphouët-Boigny – 1967 Mercedes ‘Dictator Car’ owned until 1993 by the first President of Ivory Coast to be auctioned after being restored at vast expense – 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman to be sold by RM Sotheby’s at their 24th to 27th June 2020 sale in Essen, Germany on behalf of current owner Dr Urich Speicher. An estimate of £220,000 to £247,000 ($273,000 to $306,000, €250,000 to €280,000 or درهم1 million to درهم1.1 million) has been set.
  • A Landy or a Thing?

    A Landy or a Thing?

    Nine seat, thirty year old Land Rover for sale for staggering sum; a cheaper alternative at RM Sotheby’s auction (forced online because of coronavirus) is a Volkswagen ‘Thing’

    With coronavirus grinding everything from the Olympics to consuming a sandwich in Pret to a halt, everyone is having to change the way they do things and the automobilia sector is no exception.

     

    Now, with so many concours and sales cancelled, the likes of RM Sotheby’s have been forced to take their auctions online and consequently they are now providing not only more photographs of each and every vehicle they try and sell, but they’re also bombarding their clients with ever more emails. Here is a new way of marketing, but whether it’ll work is yet to be seen.

     

    An annual  auction planned to be held in Palm Beach by the firm is a case in point. It has now been moved to an online affair that is being held between the 20th and 28th March and amongst the highlights (aside from the usual multi-million dollar offerings) is a thirty year old Land Rover Defender 110. The 3.5-litre vehicle, 4×4 is finished in what is described as a “striking shade of blue” and comes with upgraded coil springs, fold down steps and an external roll cage. It has nine seats and though not in the best of condition is listed with an ambitious estimate of £77,000 to £94,000 ($90,000 to $110,000, €84,000 to €102,000 or درهم331,000 to درهم404,000)

     

    For those looking for a cheaper yet equally noticeable option in the same auction, RM Sotheby’s offer a 1974 Volkswagen 181 (commonly known as a ‘Thing’ in America) with a guide of £21,000 to £26,000 ($25,000 to $30,000, €23,000 to €28,000 or درهم92,000 to درهم110,000). The pumpkin orange with black interior vehicle – which is located in Vero Beach, Florida currently – has been “freshly restored” and was one of around 90,000 built between 1968 and 1983. Described as being “reliable” and “cheap to maintain,” this fun 4-speed military cabriolet would most definitely suit Sacha Baron Cohen’s ‘Borat’ but would equally be at home cruising London’s Kings Road.

     

    As of 9.30pm on 24th March, the bid on the Land Rover Defender stands at £41,000 ($48,000, €45,000 or درهم176,000) and closes on 26th March, whilst the current bid on the Volkswagen ‘Thing’ is £11,000 ($13,000, €12,000 or درهم48,000) and closes on 28th March.

     

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    A Landy or a Thing? RM Sotheby’s Palm Beach auction goes online – Nine seat, thirty year old 1990 Land Rover 110 Defender for sale for staggering sum; a cheaper alternative at RM Sotheby’s auction (forced online because of coronavirus) is a 1974 Volkswagen 181 ‘Thing’ – 20th to 28th March 2020 in Florida.
    The pumpkin orange Volkswagen on offer.
    A Landy or a Thing? RM Sotheby’s Palm Beach auction goes online – Nine seat, thirty year old 1990 Land Rover 110 Defender for sale for staggering sum; a cheaper alternative at RM Sotheby’s auction (forced online because of coronavirus) is a 1974 Volkswagen 181 ‘Thing’ – 20th to 28th March 2020 in Florida.
    The front of the Land Rover seats three.
    A Landy or a Thing? RM Sotheby’s Palm Beach auction goes online – Nine seat, thirty year old 1990 Land Rover 110 Defender for sale for staggering sum; a cheaper alternative at RM Sotheby’s auction (forced online because of coronavirus) is a 1974 Volkswagen 181 ‘Thing’ – 20th to 28th March 2020 in Florida.
    The rear takes six.
    A Landy or a Thing? RM Sotheby’s Palm Beach auction goes online – Nine seat, thirty year old 1990 Land Rover 110 Defender for sale for staggering sum; a cheaper alternative at RM Sotheby’s auction (forced online because of coronavirus) is a 1974 Volkswagen 181 ‘Thing’ – 20th to 28th March 2020 in Florida.
    The view of the vehicle from the rear.
  • Change From £100k

    Change From £100k

    New contributor and classic cars enthusiast Theodora Ong covets roadsters with wings, curves and chrome at the London Classic Car Show 2020

    If you dashed over to this year’s London Classic Car Show (LCCS) at Olympia, you may soon be planning to sell-up your everyday new car, to snap up a new-old motor for weekend cruising instead. Those who do so, succumb to full-on sensory satisfaction. Throw caution to the wind about the hazards of our congested London-town, secure garaging, and knowing when your car attains hallowed historic status. Your newly acquired chrome-y classic soon becomes an all-consuming passion.

     

    From the £70 million worth of kaleidoscopic-coloured classic, vintage, prototype and magnificent marques at the LCCS, here’s The Steeple Times’ hotlist of top five pin-ups. They promise retro allure rather than just tarmac-burning brawn, as you glide up alongside your fellow road sharers at the lights. This is just your starters for inspiration.

     

    Change From £100k – London Classic Car Show 2020 – New contributor and classic cars enthusiast Theodora Ong covets roadsters with wings, curves and chrome at the London Classic Car Show 2020.

    No. 1 – 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster

    This Benz oozes a rogue-ish riviera chic. It is a somewhat understated evolution of the futuristic 300 SL gullwing. When launched in 1957 it was one of the most audacious and thrilling sports rides to be seen on the open road. This 1959 model from Hemmels is claimed to be the first ever sold to the UK and has clocked up only 36,000 miles. Expect these examples to be a desirable £1million+ buy.

     

    Change From £100k – London Classic Car Show 2020 – New contributor and classic cars enthusiast Theodora Ong covets roadsters with wings, curves and chrome at the London Classic Car Show 2020.

    No. 2 – 1933 MG J2

    Here is a flawless red pre-World War II MG that assures you are owning a slice of genuine history. Its story is detailed by previous owners, and it is listed in a host of publications and owner’s club articles. Sit inside and you immediately connect with the streamlined design.  It was clearly built to wrap round a gentleman driver (most MG drivers were back then). Dealer Graeme Hunt uses all its cars for sale to keep them running smoothly and offers this MG for £57,500.

     

    Change From £100k – London Classic Car Show 2020 – New contributor and classic cars enthusiast Theodora Ong covets roadsters with wings, curves and chrome at the London Classic Car Show 2020.

    No. 3 – 1954 Jaguar XK120

    This immaculately restored cat belongs to man of style David Gandy.  It’s been subject to 2,700 man-hours of rebuild to deliver a superlative road racer – and its story was a feature of the LCCS. Its 3.4-litre inline six-cylinder XK engine cuts it at 225bhp. Marvel at new interior design finishes commissioned by the owner. The modish patina of warm tobacco leather contrasts with the tough impenetrable black shell.

     

    Recently, a Ferrari 250 GTO gained the status of the highest priced vehicle ever sold at auction for £37.5m.  But if we’re setting our Steeple Times budget at a more modest £100K, then we’d choose to drive away the pair of sleek ’60 two-seaters that follow below in the forthcoming Coys auction sale at the LCCS.

     

    Change From £100k – London Classic Car Show 2020 – New contributor and classic cars enthusiast Theodora Ong covets roadsters with wings, curves and chrome at the London Classic Car Show 2020.

    No. 4 – 1965 Lancia Flaminia 3C GTL, estimate £70K – £90K

    Dramatically sleek yet solid, this Lancia has a 2.8-litre V6 engine fed by triple twin-choke Weber carburettors to deliver over 150bhp.  Drool over its distinctive Superleggera body [a build system which helps enable this innovative aluminium body shape]. Being fashioned slightly longer and 7cm taller than the GT model, means a more commanding ride. Only 300 were built. Consider these Lancias a snip alongside similar Astons and Maseratis.

     

    Change From £100k – London Classic Car Show 2020 – New contributor and classic cars enthusiast Theodora Ong covets roadsters with wings, curves and chrome at the London Classic Car Show 2020.

    No. 5 – 1963 Hillman Superminx Convertible, estimate £10K –£12K

    This friendly-faced retro-mobile claims just one owner from 1963 until 2017, as a company car for the HR manager at Harrods – there’s a clue in the Harrodian Car Club badge it bears. Today it’s all style and restraint. Back then, this more pumped out Superminx convertible was ritzy one-upmanship over the standard Minx on the neighbour’s drive.

     

    Change From £100k – London Classic Car Show 2020 – New contributor and classic cars enthusiast Theodora Ong covets roadsters with wings, curves and chrome at the London Classic Car Show 2020.

    And what would we do with our change from £100K? 

    Splash out on luxe accessories. We’re eyeing up some British ’20s silver hip flasks across town at the Pullman Gallery. One is crafted in the shape of a car radiator; another like a mini petrol can. That’s for your destination drinking of course.

     

    The London Classic Car Show at Olympia 20th to 23rd February 2020.

     

    Missed it?  Then diary these, coming up:

     

    Historics Auctioneers sale – 7th March 2020 at Ascot Racecourse.

     

    Coys auction sale – 25th April 2020 at Chiswick House.

     

    Duke of London –  Once a month on Sundays, its Classics & Cakes meetings are an ever-dynamic line of surprise classics rolling in.

     

    Theodora Ong is an alcohol and bars consultant. At weekends, she’s often dry so she can retro-cruise around West London.

     

    Photo credits: London Classic Car Show, Coys, Pullman Gallery.

     

    Facebook: @TheSteepleTimes

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  • A Cut-Price Gulbenkian

    A Cut-Price Gulbenkian

    Rolls-Royce owned by eccentric tycoon Nubar Gulbenkian expected to sell for just £30,000 in spite of £200,000 spent on restoration to date

    Last August, we reported on a Mercedes-Benz 600 sedan complete with a “Jimmy Savile-esque” double bed that was sold in Paris by RM Sotheby’s. It was originally adapted for the bon viveur Nubar Gulbenkian (1896 – 1972) and now yet another of this truly mega-rich oddity’s four-wheeled creations is due to be auctioned in March.

     

    Offered at no reserve but expected to sell for around £30,000 ($39,000, €35,000 or درهم143,000) in spite of some £200,000 ($260,000, €236,000 or درهم955,000) having already been spent on its renovation, a 1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith built to Gulbenkian’s designs by coachbuilders Hoopers is to be offered with no reserve.

     

    Described by Historics Auctioneers as “unique” with styling that is a “little unorthodox, as with most things designed by Nubar Gulbenkian” the partly restored car has a new ash fame and has been subject to comprehensive fabrication work. Its current owner is mentioned as being “sadly not in the position to complete the work,” but much of what is required to complete the vehicle is thankfully included.

     

    Of the Roller, speaking to the Mail Online, auctioneer Stewart Banks commented:

     

    “Serene and stately are words that are rightly used to describe a Rolls-Royce motorcar of yesteryear.”

     

    “The eccentric Nubar Gulbenkian, however, brought a whole new vocabulary and perspective when he penned this sensational one-off for Hoopers to create for him.”

     

    “We are honoured to be offering this hugely important car for sale so the restoration can be completed and it can be seen and driven in all its original glory.”

     

    Historics Auctioneers will sell the late Mr Gulbenkian’s creation on 7th March 2020 at Ascot Racecourse.

     

    Some quotes from and about Nubar Gulbenkian:

     

    Of his fortune:

    “I’ve been retired all my life, but I’ve also been working hard all my life. A fortune does not look after itself, after all.”

     

    Of his schooling:

    “At Harrow, I played no games and had an unpronounceable name and quite soon I was recognised as something of an oddity, but I was accepted on my own terms.”

     

    Of his religious beliefs (and his somewhat whacky eyebrows):

    “During Lent I brush my eyebrows down. It’s an oriental religious custom that you must show outward signs of your sorrow.”

     

    Of taking England as his home:

    “I get along very well with all honest people. England’s a very fine country, but it takes a long time to learn to take the English. I tell all my foreign friends the first forty years are the hardest.”

     

    When asked to state his “position in life” on a market research form, his answer was:

    “Enviable.”

     

    Of his view of his own lifestyle:

    “I believe in comfort. I enjoy myself. I enjoy life. I enjoy everything I do.”

     

    “If something is too much of a bore to do thoroughly and with zest, then don’t bother to do it at all.”

     

    When asked whether he preferred old brandy or young women, horses or Rolls‐Royces and city life over country life, he answered:

    “I prefer everything.”

     

    On money:

    “I have all of it I could possibly desire.”

     

    On business:

    “My father always said oilmen are like cats. You can never tell whether they are fighting or making love.”

     

    Asked about his hobbies, he invented a word (coined from Greek):

    “Pan taraxia… Keeping people on their toes.”

     

    The well-known gourmet on dinner parties:

    “The best number for a dinner party is two – myself and a damn good head waiter.”

     

    On food in general:

    “Gastronomy is an art as difficult to master as music or painting, and, for me, much more rewarding. I certainly get more pleasure from working out a menu, discussing the pros and cons of each dish with a chef who knows his business than I do from listening to the best of Beethoven’s symphonies.”

     

    “I never eat bad food. If you wander into any restaurant and want something quick, quick in ten minutes, you’ll get a bad meal and bloody well deserve it.”

     

    Of his sartorial style:

    “In England a man cannot be seen around horses without his gloves and hat. One never wears a gray bowler unless he is with horses. It wouldn’t do. It would shock people’s feelings.”

     

    Of the only occasions he would not wear the trademark dark blue orchid that he sported daily:

    “When I am in France, on board a French ship or airplane, or at a French Embassy. It is the French custom, in France, for those who have been granted the Legion of Honor to wear the insignia of the order in their buttonhole. I feel it only courteous, to show the respect for the country which granted me the honor, to wear mine instead of an orchid.”

     

    Of how he made his orchid dark blue:

    “I dip a white orchid into a mixture of Stephen’s Ink and water – I have got the mixture virtually right by now – let it dry, then shake it out gently – and I achieve a very adequate dark blue orchid.”

     

    On suing his father in 1938 after the elder Gulbenkian upbraided him for having charged a meal of chicken in tarragon jelly with asparagus tips costing £1.80 to petty cash:

    “That was surely the most expensive chicken in history.”

     

    (The case was subsequently settled out of court, but the father had to pay £70,700 or the equivalent of £4.7 million today in court costs and lawyers’ fees).

     

    Of his friendship with John Paul Getty:

    “Have I got only one Rolls-Royce? Oh come now. I’m not so rich as Mr. Getty, but I not so poor as all that! Mr. Getty asks my wife and me down for a meal at his house, Sutton Place, from time to time. There is always plenty to eat and drink, it is all of good quality, but he does not take such an interest in gastronomy as I do. But then, few people do.”

     

    On taking up hunting shortly after turning 65:

    “I’m a huntin’ man,” he said. “Say ‘huntin’ man,’ not ‘hunter.’ A hunter is a horse, not a gentleman. ‘Fancy Nubar Gulbenkian dressing that way,’ they’d say. ‘He should know better.”

     

    On golf:

    “It is more satisfying to be a bad player at golf. The worse you play, the better you remember the occasional good shot.”

     

    On owning two remodeled Austin FX4 taxi cabs merged with the rear parts of horse-drawn Hackney carriages:

    “I like to travel in a gold‐plated taxi that can turn on a sixpence – whatever that is!”

     

    “I wanted my taxi dolled-up, more comfortable inside and more distinguished outside, without losing its mobility. People recognise it. After a party or an opening they come and tell me where it is and I don’t have to wait.”

     

    On marriage in general:

    “I’ve had good wives, as wives go, and as wives go, two of them went.”

     

    Of his second wife, Dora Freeland (married 1928), he stated:

    “I certainly cannot blame Doré for our marriage breaking down. It was entirely my fault that it failed. Being younger and more virile than I am now, I succumbed to other charms.”

     

    His third wife, Marie Berthe Edmée de Ayala (married 1948), on their union:

    “Of course, he’s a very difficult man to live with, but it’s worthwhile. Don’t you think that all the most amusing, intelligent men would be difficult to live with? Heaven forbid that I should have married a mollusk.”

     

    When a friend from his Cambridge University days, George Ansley, was asked about Gulbenkian, he answered:

    “Nubar is so tough that every day he tires out three stockbrokers, three horses and three women.”

     

    Facebook: @TheSteepleTimes

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    A Cut-Price Gulbenkian – Ex-Nubar Gulbenkian Rolls-Royce for sale – Rolls-Royce owned by eccentric tycoon Nubar Gulbenkian expected to sell for just £30,000 in spite of £200,000 spent on restoration to date – Offered by Historics Auctioneers at Ascot Racecourse on 7th March 2020 with no reserve.
    A view of the car from the rear.
    A Cut-Price Gulbenkian – Ex-Nubar Gulbenkian Rolls-Royce for sale – Rolls-Royce owned by eccentric tycoon Nubar Gulbenkian expected to sell for just £30,000 in spite of £200,000 spent on restoration to date – Offered by Historics Auctioneers at Ascot Racecourse on 7th March 2020 with no reserve.
    The driver’s compartment.
    A Cut-Price Gulbenkian – Ex-Nubar Gulbenkian Rolls-Royce for sale – Rolls-Royce owned by eccentric tycoon Nubar Gulbenkian expected to sell for just £30,000 in spite of £200,000 spent on restoration to date – Offered by Historics Auctioneers at Ascot Racecourse on 7th March 2020 with no reserve.
    The passenger compartment (complete with much of what is required to finish the vehicle).
    A Cut-Price Gulbenkian – Ex-Nubar Gulbenkian Rolls-Royce for sale – Rolls-Royce owned by eccentric tycoon Nubar Gulbenkian expected to sell for just £30,000 in spite of £200,000 spent on restoration to date – Offered by Historics Auctioneers at Ascot Racecourse on 7th March 2020 with no reserve.
    Another interior shot.
    A Cut-Price Gulbenkian – Ex-Nubar Gulbenkian Rolls-Royce for sale – Rolls-Royce owned by eccentric tycoon Nubar Gulbenkian expected to sell for just £30,000 in spite of £200,000 spent on restoration to date – Offered by Historics Auctioneers at Ascot Racecourse on 7th March 2020 with no reserve.
    The car in better days (side).
    A Cut-Price Gulbenkian – Ex-Nubar Gulbenkian Rolls-Royce for sale – Rolls-Royce owned by eccentric tycoon Nubar Gulbenkian expected to sell for just £30,000 in spite of £200,000 spent on restoration to date – Offered by Historics Auctioneers at Ascot Racecourse on 7th March 2020 with no reserve.
    And from the front.
    A Cut-Price Gulbenkian – Ex-Nubar Gulbenkian Rolls-Royce for sale – Rolls-Royce owned by eccentric tycoon Nubar Gulbenkian expected to sell for just £30,000 in spite of £200,000 spent on restoration to date – Offered by Historics Auctioneers at Ascot Racecourse on 7th March 2020 with no reserve.
    A scale model of the vehicle.
  • A Performing Peugeot

    A Performing Peugeot

    Best performing classic car in terms of value gain revealed; you’ll be surprised at the result

     

    We’ve featured several Peugeot 205s that have sold at auctions at prices as high as £156,800 and now the latest Haggerty Classic Index has revealed that the greatest classic car value gain this year has been on the 205 GTi.

     

    This year, Peugeot 205s have risen 28.5% to an average value of £11,275 and with an immaculate yet ordinary one we featured in July having gone for £30,938 at auction, this ‘hot hatch’ is becoming a ‘must have’ for car collectors.

     

    As examples, we select first a red 1993 1.9-litre CTi convertible. It is for sale for £7,250 ($9,100 or €8,600 or درهم‎‎33,500) through MSP Motors in Runcorn, Cheshire and has 69,000 miles on the clock. They term it “a great example of a future classic, a great investment”.

     

    Our second choice is also presented in red and is a 1989 1.6-litre GTi. It has 69,119 miles on the clock, has an electric glass sunroof and is for sale through AMS Vehicles of Stokesley, North Yorkshire. They describe it as “a desirable vehicle at a sensible price” and offer it for £11,000 ($13,800 or €13,100 or درهم‎‎50,800).

     

    Of the survey itself, Angus Forsyth, managing director of Hagerty remarked:

     

    “We’ve seen confidence return to the classic car market in the last few months of 2016 after a summer of uncertainty, and we believe the Q3 results were a reflection on people holding back following the initial uncertainty of the Brexit vote in June”.

     

    “However, now the financial markets have settled, people have bought into the car market albeit a few months later than they might have planned. Whether people still feel classics make good investments, or they just want to put their money into something fun, they are still definitely buying, and the values of the best classics are still on the rise”.

     

    A Performing Peugeot – Best performing classic car in terms of value gain revealed; you’ll be surprised at the result – Peugeot 205 GTi CTiA Performing Peugeot – Best performing classic car in terms of value gain revealed; you’ll be surprised at the result – Peugeot 205 GTi CTiA Performing Peugeot – Best performing classic car in terms of value gain revealed; you’ll be surprised at the result – Peugeot 205 GTi CTi

  • Chitty Chitty Crash Crash

    Chitty Chitty Crash Crash

    As a number of ‘star cars’ fail to sell at Bonhams’ Goodwood Revival sale, Matthew Steeples suggests that bidders are now more cautious and prices have peaked (more…)

  • Adolfo Orsi, Jr.

    Adolfo Orsi, Jr.

    Adolfo Orsi, Jr.“One of the biggest important players on the classic car scene”, Adolfo Orsi, Jr. is always clad in a blazer and generally sports a Panama hat. (more…)