Million-dollar babies: 10 automotive rarities go under the hammer at Bonhams auction

6 August, 2015

A 1954 Bugatti 101C coupé, a 1972 Maserati Boomerang, and a 1951 Lancia Aurelia B52 coupé are among 10 incredibly rare vehicles headlining the inaugural Chantilly Sale on September 5 at the famed Bonhams auction house in England. The 10 cars are estimated to sell for a mind-bending total of €7,990,000, or NZ$13,339,273.

The 1972 Maserati Boomerang, a one-off fully functional concept car, tops the estimated valuations, weighing in at up to €4 million (NZ$6.6 million). Penned by renowned Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, who only retired from design in 2015, the Boomerang made its debut at the 1971 Turin Motor Show. With the 4.7-litre V8 engine from the Maserati Bora under the bonnet, the Boomerang produced 310bhp, which could propel it to a reported top speed of 300kph. But the Boomerang’s crowning feature was always its distinct looks, with many of its triangular and straight-edge–laden elements, inside and out, remaining constant in Giugiaro’s automotive work for decades to come.

One of the other more generously priced cars present will be the Bugatti 101C coupé, with an estimated value of up to €1.8 million (NZ$3 million). Initially slated for a production run of just 50 cars, only six 101s were ever produced. This range-topping C-model version comes with a supercharger, and a body built by well-known coachbuilder Jean Antem. The car is currently owned by actor Nicolas Cage (of Face Off and Gone in 60 Seconds fame), but expect that to change at auction …

A 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet, a 1968 Maserati Mexico 4.7-litre coupé, a 1951 Lancia Aurelia B52 coupé, 1961 OSCA 1600 GT coupé, a 1937 Bentley 4¼-litre ‘Aerofoil’ Sports Saloon, a 1937 Bentley 4¼-litre Drophead Coupé, a 1959 Alfa Romeo 1900C Super Sprint Coupé, and a 1996 Aston Martin Sportsman Shooting Brake complete the list of ten unique standout cars to appear at the auction.

This is the second time in 2015 that the Bonhams auction house has made headlines, after selling off one of the world’s most desirable Jaguars — a quarter-million–pound XK 120 — back in June. For more images of some of the stars, check out the gallery below:

NZ Classic Car magazine, November/December 2026 issue 408, on sale now

18 October, 2026

Star status for classic Porsche
A long search ends: finding the right car
Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963, the Porsche 911 heralded an iconic lineage of sports cars, known for their exceptional performance, remarkable racing reliability, and adaptability, second to none.
New Zealand Classic Car, in conjunction with Star Insure, recently conducted a photo competition to find 13 suitably impressive classics to grace the pages of the magazine’s 2027 calendar. A flood of entries showed that Kiwis recognise eye-catching designs and restorations. Many are handy with a camera, too, and have entered some outstanding results.
The choice was not straightforward, with multiple stunning entries, and Geoff Long’s immaculate 1990 Porsche 911 (964 Factory designation) took top honours. Fortunately, Geoff had Ethan Hanlon handy to take the accompanying photos while working in his office.
“I’ve got a young employee who is doing work experience in my office at the moment, and he’s a very avid photographer. So, I said, I’ll buy you breakfast and then why don’t we go and take some photos. He found the right spot, and he spent over an hour photographing.”
Originally sold new in Japan, hence the right-hand drive, the Porsche was resident there for four years before being exported to New Zealand, as Geoff recalls.
“I bought it two-and-a-half years ago, but I looked for it for over two years, because it’s just the colour scheme, interior and exterior I was after. The service file that came with it is extensive; I mean, it’s been beautifully looked after, which is what I wanted to continue, as it does get driven. It doesn’t sit in the garage.”

Classics on the green

16 October, 2026

Many pretenders vie for the title, but the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance gets my vote as the biggest thing since sliced bread.
The 71st edition of the world’s pre-eminent and best-known concours event featured 28 classes, judged by a 180-strong jury, which also chose the recipients of 26 special awards.
The size of the event, the number of visitors, and, most mind-numbingly, the sheer number of amazing cars, is almost overwhelming. There are so many quality cars to gaze upon, and so many people gazing at those cars, that it is almost impossible to cover everything.
Notable among the many attractions were the centenary celebrations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an elegant Talbot-Lago Grand Sport, Hermann Graber’s Swiss-bodied cabriolets and coupés, the jewels of Otto Vu Italian V8s, early Alfa Romeos, Lincoln and its centenary, and cars with unorthodox propulsion systems.

Million-dollar babies: 10 automotive rarities go under the hammer at Bonhams auction

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