More than $1.85 million was raised from the auction of vehicles and motoring accessories that belonged to the late David Jones, a former MCC president and Mobil Oil executive.
According to Donington Auctions, more than 1000 items went under the hammer, with a 100% sale rate, at a Cremorne warehouse garage.
A Victorian plate, ‘6.6666’, first issued in 1913 was sold for $425,000, second in price only to a red 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT that went for $760,000.
The auctioneer’s only notes for the Dino says the vehicle was an example of Ferrari’s first mid-engine production car and had been extensively refurbished and well maintained.
AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
> $52,000 for a circa 1923-24 Wayne Model 492 ‘Corinthain’ five-gallon
(19-litre) pump (Australian record for historic petrol pumps).
> $18,000 for a 1920-30s Stockman five-gallon petrol pump.
> $10,200 for an 85cm tall Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost child’s pedal car.
> $3800 for a large Rolls-Royce ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ flying lady statue.
> $24,000 for a 1930s vertical Dunlop embossed advertising sign.
> $8600 for an early Michelin poster.
> $46,000 for a 1955 MG TF 1500 roadster.
“A collection of such quality and diversity is unlikely to ever be replicated so we were delighted to have been chosen by Mr Jones’s family to handle this important sale,” Donington spokesman Robert Richards says.
“Interest in this amazing collection came both internationally and from across the country, and the strong prices achieved reflected the items’ rarity and provenance,” he adds.
“For many collectors, this was their only chance to buy items with such heritage that are so rarely found.”
The auction company says that Jones spent more than 40 years building his motoring collection which included vehicles, rare petrol pumps, historic number plates, children’s pedal cars, advertising signs, promotional materials, and models.
