cummins
cummins

Cummins collection pulls big bucks

Riley Riley

A marathon auction in Melbourne saw almost 90 items from the collection of the late Ian Cummins generate $2.5 million in sales.

A large floor crowd, near-record numbers of phone and internet bidders turned out for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bid on the featured vehicles and memorabilia from the lifelong collection of noted Jaguar authority and motoring enthusiast.

The top-selling lot was not a Jaguar, as expected, but a very rare and exceptionally well-documented left-hand-drive 1969 Boss 429 Mustang that went for a whopping $330,000.

It even outsold one Cummins’ other favourites – a low-mileage 1988 Ferrari Testarossa Coupe presented in fabulous condition that went for $275,000.

Two Jaguar E-Types both brought world-class prices.

A desirable, Series 1 1966 Series I Coupe went to a NSW enthusiast for $206,000, while a stunning Australian-delivered, Series II Roadster with factory hardtop, almost matched it at $202,000.

Other notable Jag sales included the $222,000 paid for a hand-made, alloy-bodied Jaguar C-Type recreation and above-estimate $132,000 achieved by a Bryson-delivered 1960 XK 150S 3.8 Fixed Head Coupe.

Three sporting Jaguar Saloons also realised strong prices, with $76,000 paid for a stunning and rare 1958 Jaguar MkI 3.4 SE Manual Saloon; $77,000 for a lovely Australian Personal Export 1962 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 Manual Saloon and $55,000 spent on a restored and beautifully-presented 1948 MkIV 3.5 Saloon.

Other notable Shelby/Mustang sales saw a rare left-hand drive 1966 GT350 Fastback (one of just 2378 built that year), sell to a floor bidder for $200,000; a fully-restored 1969 Boss 302 Mustang Fastback went to a telephone bidder for $150,000 after a lengthy contest and a right-hand-drive 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback made $140,000.

In other significant results:

  • a desirable and well-maintained 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8 sold well above its high estimate for $108,000;
  • a 1964 Austin Mini Cooper S in wonderful, restored condition brought $53,000;
  • a stylish 1954 Sunbeam Alpine roadster in fabulous period condition sold for $49,000;
  • a right-hand-drive 1942 Chrysler Airflow Sedan made $42,000;
  • a lovely right-hand-drive Art Deco 1938 Plymouth two-door coupe brought $27,000.

Some of the most exciting bidding was generated by ‘No reserve’ memorabilia, with a circa-1880 Singer & Co. 48-inch Penny Farthing bicycle the highlight, eventually selling for an amazing $12,000 against its pre-auction estimate of $2000-$3000.

Two circa-early 1950s Austin pedal cars also achieved excellent ‘World’ prices, with a 1.6-metre long Austin J40 bringing $6500 and a 1.9-metre long Austin Pathfinder selling for $5500.

Period accessories were also hot property, with a Ferrari 250/330 Wood-rimmed steering wheel selling for $4900, while a wheel from a Porsche 356 brought $1900 and a wood-rimmed Jaguar E-Type steering wheel sold for $600.

Rare, limited-edition hand-built models also generated strong interest, with a timber-mounted, Scratchbuilt Bugatti Brescia – one of only five made – selling for $3200; a 1:12 scale Fulgurex Mercedes-Benz SSK making $3400 and a 1:8 scale hand-built Vichy Bugatti Type 35 bringing $3600.

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Riley