More than $1.85 million was realised in the weekend auction of an extraordinary personal collection belonging to the late Melbourne businessman, philanthropist and car enthusiast, David Jones AO OBE KstJ.
Collected over 40 years, Mr Jones' amazing array of rare and many unique automotive collectibles included several vehicles, rare petrol pumps, historic number plates, children's pedal cars, advertising signs and promotional materials, garagenalia, models and all manner of related ephemera.
Over 1000 items went under the Donington Auctions' hammer at Mr Jones' Cremorne (Melbourne) warehouse garage, with an extraordinary 100 per cent sales rate achieved.
"A collection of such quality and diversity is unlikely to ever be replicated, so we were delighted to have been chosen by Mr Jones' family to handle this important sale," Donington Auctions' Robert Richards said.
"Interest in this amazing collection came both internationally and from across the country, and the strong prices achieved reflected the items' rarity and provenance.
"For many collectors, this was their only chance to buy items with such heritage that are so rarely found."
Among the auction highlights from this life-long car enthusiast's collection was the sale of Mr Jones' pride and joy, owned for almost 40 years, a beautiful 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT, which sold for $760,000.
Reflecting the increasing interest in heritage number plates, the Victorian plate '6.6666', first issued in 1913, was sold for $425,000.
Doningtons also set a new Australian record for the highest price paid at auction for an historic petrol pump, when the hammer fell at $52,000 for a circa 1923-1924 Wayne Model 492 'Corinthain' five gallon petrol pump.
That was followed by a circa 1920-1930s Stockman five gallon petrol pump, which found a new owner for $18,000.
Rolls-Royce was another of Mr Jones' great interests, and the auction saw his gorgeous Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost child's pedal car reach $10,200, while a large scale Rolls-Royce 'Spirit of Ecstasy' flying lady statue brought $3,800.
Among an extensive collection of automotive advertising and marketing materials offered was a circa 1930s vertical Dunlop embossed advertising sign which achieved $24,000, while, reflecting the collecting popularity of everything related to the famous French tyre brand, an early Michelin poster reached $8,600.
Mr Jones' triple concours-winning 1955 MG TF 1500 roadster was also sold, for $46,000.
A premium European-style auction house, Donington Auctions is Australia's largest auctioneer of classic automotive items.
It boasts more than 100 years' combined market expertise in vintage and veteran, classic and collectible cars and motorcycles, single-owner collections, and automotive memorabilia and ephemera.
Donington Auctions' team of principal and consultant specialists have extensive experience across all collecting categories, working with top tier dealers and global auction houses such as Christie's, Bonhams and Sotheby's.
