A Texas collector that sells everything twice

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Collections of classic cars are generally based on personal ideas and enthusiasm. Often collections come up for sale after the owner and driving force behind the collection is no longer able to maintain his passion. Gene Ponder from Texas, however, is different. It is the second time in 15 years that he has sold his complete collection at RM Sotheby's. In 2007, he sold 60 cars and now he is selling his second collection of no less than 120 cars. But don't think it's just money on wheels to him and that he keeps them in a boring warehouse; these cars were beautifully displayed in his private museum, together with motorbikes, toy cars and automobilia.

MGs, MGs and more MGs

One of the things that struck us is that there is a wide variety of MG cars. Not the first brand you would expect to find in a Texas collection. Our favourite is the beautifully restored 1935 Type NA Magnette Allingham 2/4-Seater with an estimated price of between 150,000 and 170,000 USD. The car spent most of its life in Europe and has been in Gene Ponder's collection since 2013. The NA carries Allingham drophead coupé bodywork by Whittingham & Mitchel. 

Again from designer Allingham, comes the streamlined Airline in the same sale. This car is a 1935 PB Airline Coupé, with Carbodies bodywork that, in combination with the Borrani wheels, looks stunning.

There are many other MGs in the collection, for example a 1938 TA Tickford Drophead Coupé from Salmons & Sons, a couple of K1/K3 Magnette conversions and an early 14/28 Super Sports four-seater.

Reproduction cars

Alongside the many original cars, the collection also has a wide variety of reproduction cars such as Pur Sang's Type 35B, Type 55 and an Alfa Romeo 8C Corto Spider. They may not be the real thing but they always provide fodder for discussion. However, a car that does have its own place in the reproduction world is the Erik Koux-built Bugatti 57SC Atlantic. 
As most people know, only a few Atlantic cars were built originally and there are only a few well-built rereations. This example was built by Erik Koux between 1991 and 1996 with an original T57 chassis, engine and many other original Molsheim parts. The bodywork was hand-built from aluminium and finished in the finest detail. The estimate for this Atlantic recreation is between 1,400,000 and 1,800,000 USD.

More information about the auction can be found here.

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