Real D-types don’t sell (except that one)

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Earlier this month, we reported about a stunning original D-type that had made it to the market (full story here). And it wasn’t on its own. Another real ‘XKD’ was offered for sale just months earlier (story here). But looking back at both auctions we can now say both cars failed to sell. Estimated to make 12- to 15 million dollars, the Scottsdale car reportedly had its final bid coming in at $9.8 million, while the Australian car (estimated at $7- to 8 million) didn’t sell either.

Meanwhile, a third car was offered for sale with Gooding & Co., and also in Scottsdale. Yep, another real deal D-type and a car with some great provenance, too. When did it last happen that three of the 71 or so cars were offered for sale almost at the same time?

Anyhow. Again the seller was unlucky. Once more the desirable Jaguar didn’t make its reserve price, with the final bid coming in now at $8.8 million, while the estimate had been $10- 12 million. It was not the first time the car proved hard to sell. Back in 1955 car dealership Henly’s of Manchester had trouble finding a buyer, too, which led them to let it go to a tradesman: Bernie Ecclestone. Various owners followed, among them racer Peter Blond who campaigned it in twelve races, Peter Grant, who was the manager of rock band Led Zeppelin and John Houghton, who founded Biota cars and who owned it twice. The car is still on Gooding & Co.’s listing, where you’re still able to make an offer they might not refuse – go for it here.

Oh - then you may also want to know that it wasn’t even that long ago that one D-Type did sell for a staggering $21.8 million…

(Words Jeroen Booij, pictures RM Sotheby’s, Gooding & Co., Mossgreen)

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