Bonhams to auction ‘Batmobile’ in $6m Dubai sale

An immensely collectible BMW car dubbed the ‘Batmobile’ leads a series of vehicles motoring over to Dubai for an auction of classic cars.

The white BMW 3.0 CSL, whose motorsport stripes and aerodynamic spoilers earned it the nickname, is part of an inaugural Middle East auction of classic collectors’ cars, conducted by British firm Bonhams on October 11.

The car is estimated to fetch $ 160,000-$220,000 (Dh587,712-Dh808,104), only a fraction of the $6.2-$8.3 million the entire sale is expected to raise.

The event, at the One & Only Royal Mirage, also features vintage and limited-edition watches, as well as modern and contemporary art from the Middle East, Iran and South East Asia.

“Following the phenomenal success of our earlier auctions in the Middle East, it has become apparent that the region is ready for greater exposure to world-class art and collectables,” Matthew Girling, Bonhams Chief Executive Europe & Middle East, said in a statement, “and the addition of motorcars and watches demonstrates our commitment to the region and our belief in the long term prospects for a thriving art market in Dubai.” 
 
Cars

Also part of the sale is a 1979 white BMW M1, also estimate to fetch $160,000-220,000.

Both BMW cars are part of the official factory collection and the auction is the first time BMW has auctioned off cars, Bonhams said.

Other cars also consigned for the sale include a 1993 Italdesign Aztec Barchetta ($100,000-160,000) and the extraordinary one-of-a-kind 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Shooting Break ($250,000-390,000).

James Knight, Group Head of Bonhams’ Motoring Department says the appetite for collectors’ cars is growing across the Middle East. “With the emergence of events such as the Dubai Classic Car Show and other motoring events now going from strength to strength, it’s a natural progression for us to explore this idea and offer a motor car auction in the region,” he said.
 
Watches

Some 50 vintage and limited-edition chronographs and timepieces will also go under the hammer next month, including a Breitling Bentley in steel, estimated at $3500- 4500, a Richard Mille Felipe Massa edition titanium chronograph at $20,000-40,000 and a rare Patek Philippe chronograph 3970 at $69,000-92,000.

For the collector with a desire for complications, there is a rare Minute repeater wristwatch with retrograde hours, minutes and moon phase indication by Pierre Kunz for an estimate of $100,000-140,000.  
 
Art

A fair amount of art is being sold off, too, and is expected to fetch between $2.9m and $4.1m.

One notable work by Egyptian artist Ahmed Moustafa, ‘Man in a rocking chair’, is estimated to sell for  $180,000 -$240,000, while an untitled painting by popular Iranian artist Charles Hossein Zenderoudi is estimated at between $80,000-120,000.

Meanwhile, a fruitwood and mixed media sculpture by Iraqi artist Jewad Selim titled ‘Mother & Child’ is expected to draw tremendous interest and is estimated at $60,000-80,000.  

Mehreen Rizvi, Head of Middle East & South Asian Art at Bonhams said offering works from the region’s artists would bring the genre wider attention from markets such as London and New York.

Among other highlights is a museum quality work by Pakistani artist, Ustad Allah Bux (1895-1978), of a scene from Punjabi folklore, oil on canvas, signed and dated 1960, estimated at $100,000-150,000. 

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of art and antiques. It currently operates in 27 countries and regularly features a sales calendar that runs simultaneously over five continents. 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.