1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series 2 successfully crossing the block at Bonhams Amelia Island Auction, nearly doubling its estimate to sell for $1,930,000

A collection of important collectible and racing Jaguars, including a Works XK120 raced to victory by US Formula 1 Champion Phil Hill, which had been hidden away for 20 years, took the spotlight at Bonhams Amelia Island Auction on March 2, with all cars sold, realising more than $1.8 million for the group.

Collected by known Jaguar connoisseur, the late Thomas C. Hendricks, the cache was introduced to the busy Florida saleroom with a 'barn-find' 1961 Jaguar E-Type 'Flat Floor' Roadster with hardtop, which set the tone for the collection by achieving three times its estimate, selling for $117,600.

L-R, Costin-bodied 1959 Lister Sports Racing Car, 'LT3' 1951 Jaguar Works-built lightweight aluminum racing XK120, both selling for $775,000

The collection was headlined by two important examples with in-period racing history, the first was 'LT3' one of only three 1951 Jaguar Works-built lightweight aluminum racing XK120s, which was driven by Florida-born Phil Hill in North America, placing third and first in class on their debut at Elkhart Lake. At Amelia, more than 13 bidders from around the world vied for this historic automobile before it the crossed the block for $775,0000, earning applause and cheers from the auction audience.

A Costin-bodied 1959 Lister Sports Racing Car achieved the same price. The Jaguar-powered Lister had enjoyed a racing career with Ron Brightman in the UK, where it was later acquired by Mr Hendricks on a tour of the country.

Another strong performer was a 1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast Series 2, which nearly doubled its estimate, selling for $1,930,000 to a telephone bidder following a keen bidding battle between 14 combatants. This highly original Series 2 example, one of just 48 Superfast models, was formerly kept in the collections of James Leake and John Mozart and had covered fewer than 14,300 miles from new.

Further highlights from the 9th Bonhams sale at Amelia Island, which had participants from 27 countries across the globe, included:

1992 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R Group A 'BP Trampio' Racecar sold for $379,000.
The very last winning 'Godzilla' GT-R in Group A Racing, driven to victory at the final Group A race of the 1993 Japanese Touring Car Championship at Fuji Speedway, by Tom Kristensen, later Le Mans driver and record-holder for the most Le Mans victories.

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Coupé made $340,500.
Delivered new in the USA, this SLR supercar had covered fewer than 5,000 miles, and was offered from the private collection of its vendor.

1923 Duesenberg Model A Tourer, sold for $335,000.
A beautifully restored, matching numbers example of Duesenberg's first road-going car, its design heavily influenced by the company's racing heritage.

In addition, the sum of $4,520 was raised in the auction for local charity Micah's Place.

The Bonhams Collector Car team is now looking ahead to a busy April with the Goodwood Members Meeting Sale on the 16th and a new Bonhams stand-alone sale on the 29th. The Two Generations Collection of predominantly Brass era cars amassed by an enthusiast father and son will be staged in Newport, Rhode Island, as a prelude to the Audrain Veteran Car Tour.

Consignments of important collector cars are also currently being invited for the Greenwich Auction online on June 5, the West Coast Quail Auction on August 18 and an exciting new sale which will be staged on the start line at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 24 in the United Arab Emirates, as part of Bonhams partnership with the Formula 1 Paddock Club.

Contact [email protected] for more details.