18th Mar, 2020 13:00

Imperial War Museum Duxford

 
  Lot 32
 

1938 AC 16/70 Drophead Coupe

Sold for £56,250

(including buyers premium)


Lot details

Registration No: YXG 209
Chassis No: L604
MOT: Exempt

  • Elegant drophead coupe with advanced specification
  • Ex-John Moir Collection in USA
  • Restored in the 1990s by David Steinman of Vermont

Buoyed up by the 1st, 4th and 6th places it had achieved on the 1933 RAC Rally, AC chose that year's London Motor Show to unveil a revised 16hp model. Based around a 9ft 7in wheelbase chassis, the newcomer was equipped with semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension, four-wheel drum brakes and an underslung rear axle. Featuring unusually high alloy content, its 1991cc SOHC straight-six gave class-leading performance. Introduced as part of the rakishly restyled 1936 line-up, the 16/70 boasted triple SU carburettors and an 84mph top speed. Available with a choice of open and closed factory coachwork, it cost a third more than the equivalent SS Jaguar.

This elegant AC was sold new via Cook & Palmer Ltd to a Mrs E Thorne of ‘Greenacres’ in Middlesex. At some point the car was imported into America where it subsequently entered the collection of John Moir after he purchased it from a collector in Kansas City, Case Bonebrake. During Mr Bonebrake’s tenure the car had been displayed at the 1966 Texas Grand Classic in Dallas. Once in the Moir Collection it was entrusted to David Steinman of Vermont for a thorough restoration in the early 1990s. This included a repaint in light blue matched with dark blue leather upholstery. Seldom driven following its completion, it was, however, occasionally exhibited at various car shows during this period. Subsequently sold at a Hershey auction in October 2014, the car passed through dealers Hyman Ltd from whom the vendor purchased it in 2015 (sales invoice on file). It was imported to the UK and added to his collection where it has been gently exercised and maintained ever since. Only now being offered for sale due to a rationalisation of his extensive classic stable, the restoration has lasted extremely well, true testament to its quality after some twenty-five years.

 

Auction: Imperial War Museum Duxford, 18th Mar, 2020

AUCTION VENUE
Imperial War Museum
Duxford
Cambridgeshire
CB22 4QR 

AUCTION VIEWING
Tuesday 17th March 2020 from 12pm to 6pm
Wednesday 18th March 2020 - Due to the closure of Imperial War Museum, we are unable to offer viewing of the vehicles today. All documents and paperwork are available to view at The Red Lion Hotel, Whittlesford CB22 4NL.

BUYERS PREMIUM
12.5% (plus VAT @ 20%)

View all lots in this sale

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Brough Superior’s among star lots heading to H&H Classics motorcycle and scooter auction
‘Unique’ Ferrari ‘Wide Body’ prances to Cambridgeshire auction
Rocket Man’s ride rocks up for auction
Rare opportunity to own popular TV presenter’s scooter
H&H Classics ‘Season Opener’ enjoys noteworthy results
Last bike ridden by Hairy Biker Dave Myers to be auctioned
Over 90 eye-catching lots head to auction in H&H’s ‘Season Opener’
New venue among H&H Classics’ 2025 auction dates
Over 1,100 classics worth more than £14 million sold by H&H Classics in 2024
H&H Classics rounds off 2024 with strong performance
Relive blockbuster TV show Rivals by owning a ‘racy’ classic
Buxton auction has single ownership, rare and desirable classics going under the hammer
Quality and quantity represented at mammoth classic motorcycle auction
Quadrophenia album scooter with links to Pete Townsend and Liam Gallagher up for auction
H&H Classics last Cambridgeshire auction in 2024 sees ‘star’ results
Ducati delight as six superb examples from one collection go under the hammer
German engineering and style showcased at classic car auction
Norton’s first F1R ever produced up for auction
Best of British heads impressive collection of 160 classics for auction
Exciting new premises are close to hand for H&H Classics
X-press yourself…Jaguar purchased by Madonna could be yours to cherish
Oldest known surviving Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) car heads to auction
James Bond’s Vanquish available to ‘Drive Another Day’
Chalky’s actual Lambretta which featured in Quadrophenia heads for auction
Automobilia auction raises more than £194,000 with all 329 lots sold
Entire catalogue offered without reserve in one-off automobilia auction
Impressive results at latest H&H Classics auction
Dozens of ‘no-reserve’ classics head to auction
Recently restored Audi Quattro press car heads to auction
Classic motorcycle auction highlights buoyant market
Rare barn find stars in classic motorcycle auction
Highly original Jaguar SS100 flies away at Duxford sale
Modified classics add a twist to H&H’s next motorcycle sale
Century of motoring history represented at H&H auction
World’s biggest production pick-up truck roars to auction
Mercedes-Benz 500SL delivered new to Sir Stirling Moss heads to auction
Cars from the 1910s to the 2010s head to auction for Buxton sale
H&H’s motorcycle sales off to a flying start in 2024 with market-leading 88 percent sales rate
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction
Racing legend Patsy Burt's Jaguar XK120 speeds to Buxton auction
22-strong single owner classic motorcycle collection heads to auction
Norton's racing heritage set to ignite the auction stage
Rare Frazer-Nash BMW with rich racing history to be auctioned