Gene Ponder Collection - Session 3 2022-09-24 Auction - 219 Price Results - RM | Sotheby's in Texas - Page 5
1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Recreation by Erik Koux1960 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale
Done
Marshall, TX, United States
Auction Details

Gene Ponder Collection - Session 3

Motorcar lots (Lot #3101, 3126-3128, 3131-3194, 3195-3219, 3221-3230) are subject to a 16% Buyer's Premium. All other lots are subject to an 22% Buyer's Premium. Tucked away on the outskirts of the East Texas city of Marshall is a gearhead's oasis: A series of state-of-the-art shop and garage buildings dotted across a manicured estate. Housed within is the Gene Ponder Collection, an eclectic assemblage of over 120 cars, motorcycles, and boats, as well an enviable and expansive selection of automobilia. Ponder—a serial entrepreneur—built and sold not one, but two highly successful Marshall-based commercial cabinetry manufacturers, allowing him to indulge in his lifelong passion for exciting automobiles. Blue-chip purebreds highlight the collection, including a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, 1960 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder, 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC, and 1956 Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster; a pair of dazzling Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupes features a notable one-off example by Graber. Also on offer is an impressive survey of MGs spanning 1927 to 1971 - with rarities such as a 1935 MG PB Airline Coupe taking center stage. The collection is also notable for its hand-crafted recreations, many of which are of all-but unobtainable European sports cars seldom seen outside of museums or prestigious private collections. Mr. Ponder's love of these rare cars led him to commission his own recreations with the help of a respected Texas coachbuilder. The age-old English wheel method was used to form aluminum bodywork that hews as closely as possible to the originals. While some cars have chassis and running gear from the marque in which they are recreating, albeit a few years newer, most feature the underpinnings of a 1950s Jaguar chassis and running gear, a personal favorite of Mr. Ponder.
Auction Curators:
Jera Presley
Director of Client Service, North America
Tanya Pawlak
Director of Title Services
1955 Maserati Tipo 160/T4: Coveted and rare small-engine Maserati motorcyclePowered by a single-cylinder 125-cc engine Finished mostly in red, with some black detailsCustom accessories include red handlebar grips and single
3105: 1955 Maserati Tipo 160/T4Est. $10,000-$15,000Lot Passed
1958 Motobi Imperiale: A rare example of a motorcycle from a now-defunct Italian manufacturerMotobi was founded by Giuseppe Benelli, one of the brothers involved in the creation of the famous eponymous companyFeatures a
3106: 1958 Motobi ImperialeEst. $5,000-$10,000Lot Passed
1968 Benelli Cobra: A charming 1960s Italian small-engine motorcyclePowered by a single-cylinder, two-stroke 125-cc engineFeatures a four-speed gearbox operated with a right-mounted gear shifterFinished in red and
3107: 1968 Benelli CobraEst. $4,000-$8,000Lot Passed
1951 Triumph Thunderbird 6T: Powered by a 650-cc parallel-twin engine, an uprated version of the Speed Twin powertrainFeatures Triumph’s signature sprung-hub rear suspensionDesigned by innovative English engineer, Edward
3108: 1951 Triumph Thunderbird 6TEst. $15,000-$25,000Lot Passed
1966 BMW R50: BMW’s popular 500-cc model, first introduced in 1960, that became renowned for its comfort over long-distance ridesStays true to the original single-seater designFitted with protective chrome
3109: 1966 BMW R50Est. $15,000-$25,000Lot Passed
1957 Indian Trailblazer: The Indian-badged motorcycle made by Royal Enfield in the United KingdomLoosely based on the Royal Enfield Super Meteor of the same era; adapted for sale in the USAFinished in the shade of dark red
3110: 1957 Indian TrailblazerEst. $5,000-$10,000Lot Passed
1954 Matchless G3: A later progression of the Matchless G3/L that was supplied in high volume to active services in World War IIPropelled by a single cylinder, air-cooled 350-cc engineAcquired by Mr. Ponder in May
3111: 1954 Matchless G3Est. $5,000-$10,000Lot Passed
1953 Harley-Davidson Model K: Introduced by Harley-Davidson as a bold new “Sportster” model intended to rival contemporary British bikes Fitted with a 750-cc side-valve “flathead” engine, mated to a
3112: 1953 Harley-Davidson Model KEst. $20,000-$25,000Lot Passed
1950 Moto Guzzi Astore: Moto Guzzi’s popular Astore model, made from 1949 to 1953Powered by a single-cylinder 500-cc engineCharacterized by the “outside flywheel”, a common feature of earlier Moto Guzzi
3113: 1950 Moto Guzzi AstoreEst. $15,000-$20,000Lot Passed
1929 Scott Flying Squirrel TT Replica: A factory-built replica of the Flying Squirrel that featured in the Isle of Man TTPowered by a twin-cylinder, two-stroke, water-cooled 600-cc engine—very progressive engineering features for
3114: 1929 Scott Flying Squirrel TT ReplicaEst. $20,000-$30,000Lot Passed
1953 Triumph Blackbird 6T: A Triumph heavily based on its Thunderbird sister model, but made exclusively for the US market for customers wanting for black paintworkPowered by a twin-cylinder 650-cc engineComplete with
3115: 1953 Triumph Blackbird 6TEst. $20,000-$30,000Lot Passed
1945 Simplex DeLuxe Super: A fascinating relic of a sadly defunct New Orleans-based motorcycle manufacturerAn example of the Servi-Cycle model, made from 1935 to 1960Powered by a single-cylinder, two-stroke 130-cc engine,
3116: 1945 Simplex DeLuxe SuperEst. $5,000-$10,000Lot Passed
Cushman 50 Series: A US-made two-wheel scooterFinished in red with black leather seat and whitewall tiresPowered by a Cushman “Husky” engine rated at four horsepowerOperated with an automatic clutch,
3117: Cushman 50 SeriesEst. $2,500-$5,000Lot Passed
1956 Maserati Tipo 125 Turismo Lusso: A delightful and rare example of Maserati’s highly collectable Tipo 125 Turismo LussoFinished in the unusual color of white, with deep blue detail on fuel tank and seatPowered by a
3118: 1956 Maserati Tipo 125 Turismo LussoEst. $15,000-$25,000Lot Passed
1954 Maserati Tipo 160: A stunning restored example of a highly desirable and rare Maserati motorcyclePowered by a single-cylinder 160-cc engineAcquired by Mr. Ponder in January 2020Stripped to chassis, repainted, and
3119: 1954 Maserati Tipo 160Est. $15,000-$20,000Lot Passed
1952 Triumph Speed Twin 5T: A popular Triumph model designed by the acclaimed English engineer, Edward TurnerCredited as a sales success that saved Triumph in its post-war economic recoveryMade with a lightweight frame and
3120: 1952 Triumph Speed Twin 5TEst. $15,000-$25,000Lot Passed
1955 Maserati Tipo 160/T4: A charming example of Maserati’s history of motorcycle productionPowered by a single-cylinder 125-cc engine Fenders, frame, fuel tank, and panels all finished in red with black and gold
3121: 1955 Maserati Tipo 160/T4Est. $15,000-$20,000Lot Passed
1954 Maserati Turismo Veloce: Among the earliest of models from Maserati’s short spell of motorcycle manufacture that lasted from 1953 to 1960Powered by a single-cylinder 125-cc engine Differences between this and its
3122: 1954 Maserati Turismo VeloceEst. $10,000-$15,000Lot Passed
1954 Fratelli Ferrari 150: Powered by a single-cylinder, two-stroke 150-cc engine Bearing “Ferrari” badges and finished in red—but fascinatingly, not a product of the iconic Maranello marque, rather a
3123: 1954 Fratelli Ferrari 150Est. $40,000-$60,000Lot Passed
1954 Maserati 175: Rare and desirable example of Maserati’s attractive 175 modelFitted with a single-cylinder, four-stroke 175-cc engineFinished in silver with black lining complemented by a glossy black finish
3124: 1954 Maserati 175Est. $20,000-$30,000Lot Passed
1950 Indian Warrior: A twin-cylinder 500-cc American machine built as an evolution of the earlier popular Scout modelTwo-tone yellow and red paintworkChrome front engine guard is complemented by twin exhausts and other
3125: 1950 Indian WarriorEst. $10,000-$20,000Lot Passed
1973 Fiat 850 Spider by Bertone: Quintessential 1970s Fiat convertibleStylish body designed by Bertone for Fiat47-hp, 903-cc, inline, four-cylinder engineFour-speed manual transmissionNicely detailed engine bayBlack bucket seats
3126: 1973 Fiat 850 Spider by BertoneEst. $10,000-$20,000Lot Passed
1948 MG TC: One of 10,000 MG TC examples produced; built 15 July 19481,250-cc inline four-cylinder engine with Judson supercharger and Marvel Mystery Oiler kitUpgraded five-speed manual
3127: 1948 MG TCEst. $50,000-$70,000Lot Passed
1996 Formula Mazda: Ex-SCCA race car campaigned by Juan “J.R.” MarchandRaced through the 2019 seasonMazda 1.3-Liter 13B four-plug rotary engineWeber Tipo 8D CarburetorHewland MK9 5-speed transaxleAdjustable
3128: 1996 Formula MazdaEst. $45,000-$65,000Lot Passed