Bonhams

1952 Ferrari 212 Europa (Lot 56)

1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Cabriolet Décapotable (Lot 49) 1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180-S-Type Supercharged Sports Tourer (Lot 34)

Bonhams 2021 Quail Lodge Auction is August 13

written by David M. Brown

A 1928 Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 S-Type Supercharged Sports Tourer is one of the stars of the 24th-annual Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction, 11 a.m., Friday, August 13, at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel. The event is held annually in conjunction with The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering.

The S-Type joins other fine collector motor cars, including a 1930 Bucciali Tav 30 Torpédo Sport Type Cannes ‘La Marie’, a one-off chassis showcasing the Bucciali brothers’ technical innovations, including Paul-Albert’s front-wheel drive patent. And, a restored 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Sport Cabriolet Décapotable, is one of only two surviving bespoke T26 Record Cabriolets designed by the celebrated carrossier, Figoni et Falaschi.

Two Italian classics from the ’50s are a 1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Cabriolet and a 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America. Featuring coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia, the 1952 Geneva and Torino Auto Show car is Ferrari-Classiche Red Book certified and retains matching numbers. With coachwork by Pinin Farina, the Lancia is one of only 181 left-hand-drive examples of the sports car. And, from an actor who has given us many classics is Tom Hanks’ “silver bullet” 1992 33-foot Airstream Trailer.

Sports and race cars include a 1967 Ford GT40, one of only 10 fully evolved Mark IV 7-liter “J-car” variants, and three Shelby Cobras: a 1964 AC Cobra 289 and two 427 Cobras, one previously owned by Didier Pironi, winner of the 1978 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the second from a collection of the late Judge DiLoreto, a friend of Carroll Shelby. Described as the “acme of motor car perfection,” the supercharged 1928 Mercedes-Benz is just one of 146 examples of the firm’s flagship automobile that was acquired by Al Jolson, the Marx brothers, and land-speed record holder, Sir Malcolm Campbell, between 1927 and 1930, explains Rupert Banner, Bonhams Group Motoring director.

Ferdinand Porsche engineered the versatile car, which could perform superbly on the racetrack, at hill climbs or for inspiring road driving. In fact, the car won its class when it debuted at the Nürburgring. The Roots Supercharger could boost power from the 6.8-litre engine from 120 bhp to 180 bhp in seconds.

“The supercharged S-Type is one of the legendary models of the Mercedes-Benz brand. This distinctive sports tourer has been part of the classic car community in America for more than five decades, always being awarded, prized and coveted,” Banner says. “Freshly repainted in the strikingly beautiful black guise, its sale provides a ‘baton-passing’ generational opportunity for a new collector to continue to show or tour this wonderful Mercedes.”

Potential buyers can view the lots Wednesday, August 11, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Thursday, August 12, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., and Friday morning, 8.30 a.m.–11 a.m.

To consign a motorcar for the sale, please write motors.us@bonhams.com or call 415.480 9028 (West Coast) or 917.340.9652 (East Coast). For more information on The Quail and upcoming auctions, see bonhams.com.