Lagondaforum

Subject: Re: LR132 Bonhams 19 May

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Tim hi,

After you have enjoyed your week-end, can you please update with the price the car sold for.

Thank you

Simon

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Subject: Re: LR132 Bonhams 19 May

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Hi all,

132 just sold for a hammer price of GBP 50k. Probably 3 or 4 bidders in the sale room and one or more by telephone. Good news for the lucky ones who own a Rapide already

Lagondover

Subject: Re: LR132 Bonhams 19 May

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Thanks for the info Lagondalover

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Subject: Re: LR132 Bonhams 19 May

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With buyers premium it made 57.5K

No keys and no access to engine.

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Subject: Re: LR132 Bonhams 19 May

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I understand that they had been able to open the bonnet but not the boot.
But I agree, Simon, that this result at auction proves again that the auction drives up inflation considerably

Lagondover

Subject: Re: LR132 Bonhams 19 May

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I don't agree with you about "auction house inflation". Some might say that Bonhams deliberately set low estimates. But there is always a fine line between over-cooking the estimates and using a here to sell guide, the latter always works best.

However, given the real rarity of this car, this was the market price paid on the day, it was evident from before the auction, the car would make more than 22-25k. There would have been at least two interested people and no doubt more of course.

I hope that the new owner of LR132 finds this very valuable and useful forum, where he can find lots of helfpul advice.

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Subject: Re: LR132 Bonhams 19 May

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I agree with Simon's comments. Btw, there were 5 bidders - 3 in the room and 2 on the phone.

David and I gave the car a good 'look' yesterday and agreed that this was a car to renovate and re-commission rather than fully restore from the off. There was no obvious rot or even evidence of damp / mildew. Thus, it is in a different league than most of the cars we have discussed on this forum of late.

Thus, barring hidden mechanical horrors (which are always a distinct possibility) it would not, I think, take much to get this car back on the road to enjoy for a summer or two or three as a true 'rolling restoration' prospect. Therefore, in my estimation the car belongs to that rare 'middle' category of car to buy. My congratulations to the new owner.

Subject: Re: LR132 Bonhams 19 May

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There are apparently some photos of 132 from yesterday on facebook. The catalogue photos in my view were recent because if examined closely show the dents in the bodywork where items have been stored on top of the car in its garage. The mild surface rust on for example chromed components under the bonnet shows just how little air circulation there is, yet interior chrome parts like the cigarette lighter were very good. The car smelt clean and dry, and sounded solid. Sadly we could not open the boot. I agree with TVJL that immediate disassembly and complete restoration did not appear necessary, and there were no obvious signs of why the car had been put away in 1995 (e.g. MOT-failure rot, or mechanical breakage). At 63K miles on the clock, which could be genuine, the engine should be good for another 30+K without much doing to it. Assuming it is free to turn.
I also met one of the in-room underbidders today.
And interestingly some of the telephone bidders were actually in the room

Subject: Re: LR132 Bonhams 19 May

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Tim - "Thus, barring hidden mechanical horrors (which are always a distinct possibility) it would not, I think, take much to get this car back on the road to enjoy for a summer or two or three as a true 'rolling restoration' prospect. Therefore, in my estimation the car belongs to that rare 'middle' category of car to buy. My congratulations to the new owner".

These pearls of wisdom brought a smile to my face...

I believe in faries as well, do they have a special MOT service for a car, last on the road 17 years ago...

But, best of all, well done to to the man who put his hand up for the final bid, a splendid motor-car and welcome to the very select band of owners who own one of these delightful machines !

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Subject: Re: LR132 Bonhams 19 May

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Haha Simon. OK, OK... perhaps I overstated things a tad.

Look, the car might / may have dreadful horrors awaiting the new owner, I quite concede. However, what I can be reasonably certain is that the car is not very rotten. It will have rot, for sure, because they all do - sills, the rear upper platform area etc.. And, the engine could require an immediate rebuild. And, the De Dion could need a complete renovation. But, if the mechanicals can be re-commissioned, at least for limited use for a while, this car can be a 'rolling restoration' (if desired) and would therefore fall into that 'middle' category.