Movie icons and memorabilia

Connery’s signature is worth a mint while McQueen’s ‘bikes are up for grabs…

Hard to believe that celebrity endorsement can really make that much difference to an auction price, but if Sean Connery’s signature on an Aston Martin press photograph can conjure mega-bucks for a simple print, imagine what a spread of Indian and Harley-D motorcycles with a proven Steve McQueen connection will go for. But then as bad boys go, the Cooler King tops the Best Bond any time…

1 Porsche memorabilia
Sold by Automobilia Auktion

A range of period Porsche-related race photos went for €380, while an original 904GT brochure reached €360.

2 Aston Martin DB4 S3
Sold by Bonhams for £78,500

At Bonhams’ seventh annual Aston Martin sale at the Works Service Headquarters on June 13 this DB4 sold very well. Tucked away unused for 30 years, the completely original example had been stored in a dairy until the sale. With 10 people bidding in the room, it was a buyer on the phone who nabbed a classic.

3 Aston Martin press photos
Sold by Bonhams for £9100

Further proof that the auction market is buoyant came at the same Aston sale.

An impressive 93 per cent of items sold, but with an estimate of a realistic-looking £350-£450, the final selling price for three DB5 press shots signed by Sean Connery stunned everyone in the room. And us.

4 McQueen memorabilia
Price guide: N/A

A collection of Steve McQueen-related momeorabilia is to be auctioned by Bonhams at the Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, on November 11. Organised on behalf of Barbara McQueen Brunsvold, the sale includes a wealth of Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles, tinplate toys and his truck with the reg number MCQ3188, a reference to his time spent at the Junior Boys Republic Reform School in Chino as a teenager. Also on the list is a collection of props from McQueen movie Tom Horn. No estimates had been released as we close for press. Bonhams: 020 7468 5801

5 Maserati 4CS 1100-1500
Sold by Bonhams for €643,000

Top-selling lot in Bonhams’ May Monaco sale was this road-going version of a monoposto 4CM, once owned by Briggs Cunningham. The ex-Robert Blouin Ferrari 250GT Lusso (see last month) went for €467,000.

Diary
June 24 2006

Coys’ ‘The Jaguar Legend’ sale takes place at Blenheim Palace with a wealth of cars and memorabilia relating to the Coventry marque expected. Call: 020 7584 7444.

July 8 2006

Christies will be selling the ex-Lurani/Scuderia Ambrosia 1937 Maserati 4CM monoposto as featured in the last issue of Motor Sport at its ‘Exceptional Motor Cars and Automobilia’ Le Mans sale. Call +32 (0)2 289 1330

August 18/19 2006

RM Auctions’ Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction is shaping up to be a corker with a 500-miles from new 1987 Ferrai F40 prototype featuring among the headlining lots. Call 001 800 211 4371

November 11 2006

Steve McQueen collection plus assorted motorcycle and movie-related memorabilia at the Peteresen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles. Call 020 7468 5801.