Surging Success of Single-Owner Collections

From The Roy Savage Collection:

1965 Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8 Mk III 2+2 Convertible with hard top price realised incl. bp $109,250 est $70,000 – $85,000

1955 Jaguar XK140 Fixed-Head Coupe price realised incl. bp $258,750 est $120,000 – $140,000

1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II 4.2 Fixed Head Coupe price realised incl. bp $143,750 est $85,000 – $105,000 Webb’s has seen incredible sales success when bringing single-owner car, motorcycle and automobilia collections to market in recent years.

Most notable was the privilege to present The Roy Savage Collection of Classic Cars at auction in two parts, one in 2016 and the other in 2019. The first sale was focused on British Post-War Classics of Wellington businessman Roy Savage. Multiple auction records were achieved, such as those for the 1955 Jaguar XK140, which realised the price of $258,750, the 1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II 4.2 Fixed Head Coupe selling for $143,750, and the 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL reaching $149,500. This auction was an overwhelming success, resulting in a white glove sale with all 30 vehicles snapped up, many in excess of their upper estimate.

Following these outstanding results and Savage’s passing in 2017, the family entrusted Webb’s to bring the balance of the collection to market. More than four hundred spectators and bidders were in the room. Telephone bidders called in from abroad and enthusiasts followed online to witness and claim their piece of the collection. Part II of The Roy Savage Collection of Classic Cars fetched over $1 million in sales and set four new Australasian auction records with 17 out of 18 lots sold, again, most of which fetched prices well over their estimates. All 17 lots were purchased by New Zealand owners, demonstrating our country’s enduring demand for collector’s cars. Together, the sales achieved a hammer price of over $2.67m.

Achieving high sales results for our clients with collections continued into 2020, regardless of the pandemic. This was evidenced by the sale of The Len Pearce Motorcycle Collection. 11 motorbikes were brought to auction after Pearce’s lifelong enthusiasm for collecting the vehicles. His career in aircraft engineering, a brief stint working as the pit crew for Rod Coleman at the 1952 Isle of Man, and early purchase of a 1935 James 197cc fuelled his fascination with all things mechanical. Indian Motorcycles were the focal point of the collection, eliciting strong sale results across the board. A standout was the sale of Pearce’s beloved 1927 Indian Prince, which realised $43,125, exceeding the high estimate of $40,000.

On average, single-owner collections achieve 30% higher results than consign-ments of individual pieces. At Webb’s, your collection will be marketed across multiple platforms to ensure broad reach, and the best possible sale result will be achieved. If you are interested in bringing your collectors’ cars, motorcycles or automobilia collections to auction, please contact our specialist team for an obligation-free appraisal. We would love to hear from you.

1 1998 Aston Martin Vantage V600 price realised. $451,500 est. $500,000 – $600,000 sale. July 2021

Registered new in the United Kingdom in April 1998, this Aston Martin Vantage V600 was imported into New Zealand in 2011. In 1993 it was the most powerful car on the market, with a top speed of 322 km/h. With only one local owner, it presented in what can only be described as a near concours condition being truly the last of the coach-built cars from this marque. This is undoubtedly one of the finest vehicles that Webb’s has been privileged to offer.

2 2002 Ferrari 550 Barchetta price realised. $430,500 est. $450,000 – $550,000 sale. December 2021 3 1957 Aston Martin DB2/4 MKII price realised. $418,000 est. $375,000 – $400,000 sale. March 2021

The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was designed to recall the glories of successful road racers of the past, such as the 166MM, and similar thoroughbred front-engined 12-cylinder Ferrari roadsters such as the 250GT California and 365GTS/4 Daytona. Ferrari has always created very special runs of cars, and the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina was developed with the aim of being a unique Ferrari - one that deliberately seeks to be more provocative and less rational than the rest of the range.

1970 Ford XW Falcon GT-HO Phase II price realised. $414,000 est. $375,000 – $400,000 sale. August 2022

1970 Jaguar XK150 3.8S price realised. $275,000 est. $280,000 – $320,000 sale. April 2022

1969 Jaguar E-Type by Beacham price realised. $242,000 est. $230,000 – $260,000 sale. August 2022

1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL Manual price realised. $241,500 est. $100,000 – $130,000 sale. March 2019

Aston Martin unveiled their Mark II upgrade of the DB2/4 at the London Motor Show in 1955. The most observable changes were the raised roofline with a chrome strip and the addition of tailfins. Worldwide the Aston Martin DB2/4 Mklls are now blue-chip collectibles. They are an even rarer sight on the New Zealand market and our client took note, with a fabulous result.

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9 1973 Porsche Targa 2.4 price realised. $324,500 est. $320,000 – $350,000 sale. April 2022

1955 Jaguar XK140 Fixed-Head Coupe price realised. $258,750 est. $120,000 – $140,000 sale. December 2016

1991 Porsche 911 Backdate price realised. $242,000 est. $220,000 – $240,000 sale. April 2022

Entries Invited

Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia 2023

1963 Mercedes Benz 190SL price realised. $218,500 est. $180,000 – $220,000 Caolán McAleer Head of Collectors’ Cars caolan@webbs.co.nz +64 27 929 5603

Ian Nott Consultant, Collectors’ Cars ian@webbs.co.nz +64 21 610 911

Webb’s is seeking entries for our forthcoming live auction in 2023. Invited entries of interest include Jaguar, Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes, Maserati, and Rolls-Royce. We are also seeking American, Australian and British classics including Mustang, Cadillac, Ford, MG, and Land Rover. Get in touch today for a complimentary auction appraisal for your classic, collectible, or vintage motor.