Bonhams

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Big Ry

Original Poster:

1,678 posts

118 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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Does anyone know what the process is for registering to bid at the AM Bonhams auction in May ?

I've never been to one before so I don't know what the process is or how to go about it. Can I just roll up on the day and register there and then, or do I need to do so beforehand and get the catalogue etc ?

I'm more interested in just going and having a look to be honest as it's so close to me, however I might end up bidding on something, you never know.

Just for the record, I'll be bidding in odds and sods (if anything).......not on any barn finds biglaugh

dbs2000

2,681 posts

191 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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From Works' email:

Works said:
For further information, or to make a reservation, please contact Aston Martin Works on 01908 610620 or email: experience@astonmartinworks.com
Not sure if that is what you want though?

Edited by dbs2000 on Wednesday 26th April 09:22

Big Ry

Original Poster:

1,678 posts

118 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
quotequote all
dbs2000 said:
Not sure if that is what you want though?

Edited by dbs2000 on Wednesday 26th April 09:22
Thanks, but I think this is if you want the VIP lunch and all that......which I don't. There's a pub right next door, that'll work for my lunch smile

williamp

19,213 posts

272 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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I go every year, so PM me if you want to meet up.

You can just turn up. Take time to check out the car parks (park and ride and opposite the sservice department) as they are usually full of Astons and, occassionally lesser cars (There was a Veyron one year...) and even walk the roads around the venue to see Astons parked on the street. Bring your camera!

Outside the auction itself they have food and drink/toilets but you are minites away from the trown centre, pubs etc and you could always bring your own packed lunch.

They say entry is via the catalogue (I think its £25), and that admits two. You might be able to walk in without being asked. Sometimes you can, other times not. Security isnt tight...But to be fair, the catalogue is a lovely thing and useful reading.

Inside Aston always put on a nice display of the works department, there are stalls selling vaious things (red trousers, etc...) and the auction room itself is great to walk around. If you want to bid, then register here and you'll be given a number.

The car auction part doesnt start until after lunch, so if you wait until its all over you'll be there till about 7pm.

I always attend but have never bid on anything. Hope this helps!

AdamV12V

4,987 posts

176 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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There is a listing of all the lots on the Bonhams website: The Aston Martin Sale, 13 May 2017, AM Newport Pagnell or there is an e-catalogue here or you can download the PDF catalogue here

I quite fancy Lot 243, the unregistered GT12 in Viridian Green, although not too sure orange stitching goes with Viridian.



Edited by AdamV12V on Wednesday 26th April 10:50

HBradley

1,037 posts

180 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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williamp said:
They say entry is via the catalogue (I think its £25), and that admits two. You might be able to walk in without being asked. Sometimes you can, other times not. Security isnt tight...But to be fair, the catalogue is a lovely thing and useful reading.
Love the catalogue! There's some serious metal in there; I particularly like the Lagonda Shooting Brake (pgs 120 - 123) - it looks like the most stylish hearse on the planet! Utterly bonkers!!!

RobDown

3,803 posts

127 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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Is it just me or are there a lot more cars for sale in this auction than prior years?

DB4DM

928 posts

122 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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In actuality, this year at 43 cars is 8 to 10 fewer than the last 5 years according to the catalogues. As before quite a few non-UK cars. It'll be interesting to see the sale rate and accuracy of the estimates

To the OP, the catalogue costs £34 including postage, and is being sent out from tomorrow. Really easy to buy over the phone. Admits 2 and if you're not planning to bid you don't have to register

If you do want to bid on the day, registration is at a separate line of desks. If you aren't previously known to Bonhams and hence in their system, you might be advised to take photo ID and clearly the means to pay for any lot bought on the day. If your lot is portable they will expect you to remove it on the day as soon as paid for

It's a good social occasion too

Big Ry

Original Poster:

1,678 posts

118 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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Perfect chaps......catalogue ordered beer

V8LM

5,166 posts

208 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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It's usually a great day. Catalogues can be bought on the day too.

ETA: There may not be as much interesting metal parked around on the day as normally the Auction is the start to the AMOC International Weekend (Dinner and Concours), but this year this was at St Athan.


Edited by V8LM on Wednesday 26th April 16:44

M5MarkM

1,532 posts

170 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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Loving the DB6 Volante!

GPH

647 posts

116 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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DB4DM said:
In actuality, this year at 43 cars is 8 to 10 fewer than the last 5 years according to the catalogues. As before quite a few non-UK cars. It'll be interesting to see the sale rate and accuracy of the estimates

It's a good social occasion too
Indeed.. they had 51 cars last year and it was pretty close to a disaster with 27 not selling compared to previous years when it was a handful so it will be interesting to see if the reserves are more reflective of the cooling market this year.
But well worth a visit though if you just want to see the cars with just a handful of other people there then go to the viewing on Friday evening instead which I have done several times.

V8LM

5,166 posts

208 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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2014 (I think) everything was sold (eventually).

RobDown

3,803 posts

127 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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Must just be me then smile

Maybe it was the wading through all of the multi-page spreads that did it

I thought the reserves (at a casual glance) looked generally reasonable this year - by which I mean I caught myself contemplating putting a bid in for one or two (before I then thought of my wife's reaction and quickly came to my senses!).

Always loved the original DBS. And if I had a garage the Lagonda project would be tempting to put away for a retirement project

GPH

647 posts

116 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
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GPH said:
DB4DM said:
In actuality, this year at 43 cars is 8 to 10 fewer than the last 5 years according to the catalogues. As before quite a few non-UK cars. It'll be interesting to see the sale rate and accuracy of the estimates

It's a good social occasion too
Indeed.. they had 51 cars last year and it was pretty close to a disaster with 27 not selling compared to previous years when it was a handful so it will be interesting to see if the reserves are more reflective of the cooling market this year.
But well worth a visit though if you just want to see the cars with just a handful of other people there then go to the viewing on Friday evening instead which I have done several times.
Yet again not a great result this year with 42 lots offered on the day and 23 live sales under the hammer and 19 not sold. It looks like the high end speculators are continuing to leave as it was mainly the higher priced DB5/6 stuff and star lots like 2 x DB6 Volantes that didn't sell though optimistic reserves on the lowest price cars like 90's Virages also meant no sale. The new Vantage GT12 bidding stalled at £300k, not much more than the factory price . A lot of bidding stalled just under the lowest estimate so might be sold afterwards.

HBradley

1,037 posts

180 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
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GPH said:
Yet again not a great result this year with 42 lots offered on the day and 23 live sales under the hammer and 19 not sold. It looks like the high end speculators are continuing to leave as it was mainly the higher priced DB5/6 stuff and star lots like 2 x DB6 Volantes that didn't sell though optimistic reserves on the lowest price cars like 90's Virages also meant no sale. The new Vantage GT12 bidding stalled at £300k, not much more than the factory price . A lot of bidding stalled just under the lowest estimate so might be sold afterwards.
I have no frame of reference from last year's auction & not wishing to overstate recent comments about the general economic picture, but perhaps confidence has taken a knock & put the brakes on investment in classic cars....... or perhaps they were just 'kin overpriced!!!

V8LM

5,166 posts

208 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
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No star car. No one with the cars needing to sell. No one knows what will happen in the near future. No one selling. No one buying. No AMOC International Dinner this evening. No AMOC Concours tomorrow.

Cars were on the whole st. Anyone wanting to buy at the moment knows not to buy at auction.

Great to meet up with friends though, and buy (and drink) lots of beer.

AMDBSVNick

6,990 posts

161 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
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GPH said:
The new Vantage GT12 bidding stalled at £300k, not much more than the factory price .
I appreciate this car is LHD but it does make the prices being asked for UK GT12 & 8's look rather optimistic scratchchin

RobDown

3,803 posts

127 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
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AMDBSVNick said:
GPH said:
The new Vantage GT12 bidding stalled at £300k, not much more than the factory price .
I appreciate this car is LHD but it does make the prices being asked for UK GT12 & 8's look rather optimistic scratchchin
I think it's not quite so straightforward Nick (albeit I do agree the GT12 prices are overly optimistic).

This particular car was unregistered. So as the catalogue highlighted 20% VAT would have been payable by an EU buyer in addition to Bonhams premium (and of course it's LHD). So a £300k bid in reality would be more like a £400k OTR price (again for a LHD car). The low estimate of £350k would have made it considerably more expensive than any of the RHD cars on the market already

I can only think Bonhams were hoping for a wealthy Middle-Eastern purchaser to bid for it

Edited by RobDown on Saturday 13th May 17:37

AMDBSVNick

6,990 posts

161 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
quotequote all
RobDown said:
I think it's not quite so straightforward Nick (albeit I do agree the GT12 prices are overly optimistic).

This particular car was unregistered. So as the catalogue highlighted 20% VAT would have been payable by an EU buyer in addition to Bonhams premium (and of course it's LHD). So a £300k bid in reality would be more like a £400k OTR price (again for a LHD car). The low estimate of £350k would have made it considerably more expensive than any of the RHD cars on the market already

I can only think Bonhams were hoping for a wealthy Middle-Eastern purchaser to bid for it
Ah I see. Thanks for the clarification, Rob.

Teach me to shoot from the hip whilst sat on a beach rolleyes