Sales Top $1 million in Classic Car Auction

On Sunday the 17 March, Auckland based auction house Webb’s offered one of the most distinguished personal collections of Classic Cars to be auctioned in New Zealand. With more than four hundred spectators and bidders in the room, telephone bidders from abroad and enthusiasts following online, The Roy Savage Collection of Classic Cars Part II fetched over $1 million in sales and set four new Australasian auction records with 17 out of 18 lots sold most of which fetched well over their estimated amounts. All 17 lots were purchased by New Zealand owners and will remain in the country showing demand for Classic Cars with results over and above international prices.

Part II of The Roy Savage Collection saw some of the most prestige marques ever to come on to the market in New Zealand including seven Rolls-Royces, of which six sold over the high estimate amounts including a 1951 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn which achieved $101,200 against an estimate of $80,000 - $100,000, a result that set a new Australasian auction record. Multiple bidders also raised their paddles for a 1978 Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible 1 Drophead which achieved $161,00 against an estimate of between $110,000 - $125,000.

Furious bidding for a 2000 Mini Cooper Classic Sports Mark VII, saw a further Australasian auction record set with an final price of $59,225 against an estimate of $30,000 - $35,000.

There was huge interest in much desired, 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL. This lot saw a bidding war between a local enthusiast and a telephone bidder with the convertible realising $241,500 against an estimate of $100,000 - $130,000 setting yet another new Australasian auction record.

Records were also set for British marques with a 1973 Rover 3500 Automatic with low mileage achieving $15,525 against an estimate of $6,000 - $9,000 and a 1964 Land Rover Series IIA fetching $36,800 against an estimate of $20,000 - $25,000.

Webb’s Single Owner Special Caolan McAleer said “It was my pleasure to work with the Savage family on this collection and we’re all tremendously pleased with the fantastic results achieved, once again setting multiple auction records with the Savage collection. It demonstrates a buoyant Collectors Car market and great demand for quality classics.”

Roy Savage’s interest in machines and automobilia started when he was a young boy spending many of his holidays with his cousins on their family farm. He helped with the daily farming routine and thrived on handling the various implements and driving the farm’s vehicles. Receiving his driver’s licence at the age of 15 enabled him to ‘adopt’ his mother’s Morris Minor and, soon, the proceeds from various after school jobs allowed the purchase of his first vehicle, a James 125cc motorbike, which was later upgraded to a BSA B31 350cc. Later amassing a collection of over 50 vehciles.

This is the second time the renowned Wellington businessman’s collection has gone under the hammer. In December 2016, Webb’s offered the first part of the collection with all 30 vehicles also selling. Following on from these outstanding results and Roy’s passing in 2017, the Savage Family again entrusted Webb’s to market the balance of their father’s passion. The successful auction of The Roy Savage Collection Part II continues to illustrate and augment Roy’s triumph in compiling such a fine selection of motor vehicles he began so many years ago and which Webb’s was honoured to present on behalf of the Savage Family.

To view the full catalogue of 18 cars and the results achieved, visit www.webbs.co.nz.

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