AMERICAN CLASSICS, CONVERTIBLE CRUISERS AND A MODERN SUPERCAR TAKE FLIGHT AT RM SOTHEBY’S SANTA MONICA SALE

AMERICAN CLASSICS, CONVERTIBLE CRUISERS AND A MODERN SUPERCAR TAKE FLIGHT AT RM SOTHEBY’S SANTA MONICA SALE

·        RM Sotheby’s single-day Santa Monica auction generates $9.3 million in total sales for smaller, boutique offering of cars

·        Top ten results demonstrate diverse Southern California collector car culture, led by Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster at $1,100,000, 1992 Ferrari F40 at $957,000, and a pair of sought-after American Classics

·        RM Sotheby’s continues summer auction calendar with flagship Monterey sale, 18-19 August

·        Full results from the sale now available at www.rmsothebys.com

SANTA MONICA, California (26 June 2017) – RM Sotheby’s celebrated the fifth annual Santa Monica sale this past weekend—held for the first time in partnership with sister company Auctions America—with more than $9.3 million in total sales. The single-day auction, held 24 June at the historic Barker Hangar, featured a more boutique selection of 175 vehicles and an array of automobilia, while, as evidenced by the event’s top ten results, still catering to diverse Southern California tastes at a variety of price points. The eclectic lineup of cars and RM Sotheby’s international reach drew bidders from 19 countries, including from as far as Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

Top billing for the sale went to a fully-restored, matching-numbers 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, chassis no. 198-042-10-02551, whose Light Green Poly finish shone throughout the preview day. A perfect coastline cruiser, the 300 SL narrowly missed its reserve on the auction podium, though was sold immediately following the sale for a well-deserved $1,100,000. Ferrari supercars have proven consistent high performers since the debut of the SoCal sale in 2013, and this year did not disappoint. A recently serviced, U.S.-delivery 1992 Ferrari F40, chassis no. 93065, drew eyes throughout the weekend, achieving a within-estimate $957,000 when it roared onto the block.

At the other end of the enthusiast spectrum, the Saturday sale was highlighted by a private California collection of American Classics, offered entirely without reserve, whose results once again demonstrated the healthy demand for great pre-war cars at auction. The group was led by a correct, pure 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy, J-259. Delivered new to Pasadena, the well-preserved Model J boasts numerous one-off features and was sold to its sixth owner for a strong $880,000. Perhaps the true star of the collection, however, was an authentic 1930 Cadillac V-16 Fleetwood Roadster, body no. 73, wearing its original two-passenger body. One of the most desirable American Classics in today’s collector community, the V-16 smashed its pre-sale estimate ($450,000 - $550,000), to sell for a final $797,500 following a lively bidding contest between bidders in the room and on the phone.

“We’re thrilled with the strong results for our fifth annual Santa Monica sale,” said Alexander Weaver, Car Specialist for RM Sotheby’s following the event. “The new single-day format proved a success, with the busiest auction room we’ve seen yet. Our top ten results also illustrate the appeal of the Southern California venue for the sale of a number of collector car segments, from American Classics to late-model Porsches, icons of 1960s European motoring and modern collectables

.”

The Santa Monica sale has also become known for some of its more unique offerings, which this year included Michelle Phillips’ 1970 Mercedes-Benz 250 C, which brought $28,050 while The Mamas and the Papas singer watched from the crowd, as well as a luxuriously appointed 2004 Maybach 62 Sedan, which achieved a strong $110,000 after incredible interest throughout the weekend.

RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica Top 10 sales:

1.      Lot 213 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster	$1,100,000
2.      Lot 229 1992 Ferrari F40	$957,000
3.      Lot 189 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy	$880,000
4.      Lot 187 1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster by Fleetwood	$797,500
5.      Lot 230 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8	$434,500
6.      Lot 191 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage	$341,000
7.      Lot 214 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren	$264,000
8.      Lot 217 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo S	$220,000
9.      Lot 212 1936 Bentley 3½-Litre Sedanca Coupe by Windovers	$200,750
10.    Lot 224 1960 Porsche 356 B 1600 Roadster by Drauz	$170,500

RM Sotheby’s continues its summer auction calendar with its flagship Monterey sale, 18-19 August during the world-famous Pebble Beach Motoring week. Led by the recently announced 1956 Aston Martin DBR1/1, the two-day auction is set to feature 100 of the world’s finest and most sought-after motor cars. Next up on RM’s European calendar is the company’s eleventh annual London sale, 6 September at Battersea Evolution, closely followed by a historic single-marque sale held in partnership with Ferrari, 9 September in Maranello.

Complete results from RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica sale, along with additional information on upcoming events can be found at www.rmsothebys.com. Further information on upcoming Auctions America sales, including the company’s flagship Auburn Fall collector car weekend, August 31 – September 3, is available at www.auctionsamerica.com.

*Results are listed in USD and include 10 percent buyer’s premium for automobiles and 15 percent for all other lots. Results include select post-sale transactions that occurred immediately following the auction.

ECCA UPDATE With just two weeks to go until out next auction on the 9th July, we thought you might like an update on some of our recent entries. 1970 Mercedes 280SL Pagoda Complete with its original handbooks and MOTs going back to 1988, when it had 50,184 miles recorded on its odometer, this superb right-hand drive 1970 Mercedes 280 SL comes to us from a collection of Mercedes, all of which are of impeccable quality. This really is a rare opportunity to own one of these much sought after cars, especially in this lovely colour combination and condition. Still, with only 64300 recorded miles there really is not more you could do to improve on it, just sit back and enjoy not only the ownership but the pure investment potential of the car itself.

1980 Pontiac Firebird

Fully Restored 1964 VW Beetle

1982 Lotus Esprit Turbo

This 2000 "Tommi Makinen" Edition Mitsubishi EVO 6.5 comes to us in excellent all round condition. The car is equipped with fully adjustable “Tein” suspension units all round, the running gear is in very good order while the gearbox and 4 wheel drive system are also excellent. These specials use a light weight “RS” shell, sitting on 18" alloy wheels. Ferrari’s sublime 308GTB has to be the most recognisable shaped car they produced. Desired by collectors and lovers of the Marque, his particular car is in beautiful condition with a mileage of just over 59,000 miles. According to the records, only 365 right-hand drive carburettor cars were made, of which 154 were the “fibreglass” cars, so this is one of only 211 made.

Part of the “Steve Tandy Collection” is this totally original and unmolested example of Fords 90’s “super saloon”, their RS Cosworth Escort. Found by Steve himself this car has only had one registered keeper from new! This is just one of a number of cars we have from the "Steve Tandy Collection", which includes classic racers and one-off specials.

DBR1: THE MOST IMPORTANT ASTON MARTIN EVER PRODUCED COMES TO RM SOTHEBY’S MONTEREY SALE

DBR1: THE MOST IMPORTANT ASTON MARTIN EVER PRODUCED
COMES TO RM SOTHEBY’S MONTEREY SALE

• RM Sotheby’s secures the most significant group of Aston Martin competition cars to ever come to auction for flagship Monterey sale, 18-19 August
• Group is led by first iteration of the most important Aston Martin ever produced, 1956 DBR1, chassis no. 1
• Latest highlights also include the DB4GT prototype DP199, a 1935 Ulster Competition Sports, and a semi-Works DBR9
• Updated list of entries for Monterey sale available at www.rmsothebys.com

LONDON (23 June, 2017) – RM Sotheby’s is thrilled to announce that it will bring a once-in-a-lifetime group of Aston Martins to its flagship Monterey sale, 18 -19 August during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance motoring week. The group is led by arguably the most important Aston Martin ever produced, the 1956 Aston Martin DBR1, chassis no. 1 (DBR1/1). 

The British marque’s legendary equivalent to the Ferrari 250 GTO and the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, the DBR1 was the result of David Brown’s dream to win Le Mans, a victory achieved by DBR1/1’s sister car in 1959. The first of just five examples built by the factory between 1956 and 1958, DBR1/1 was a purpose-built competition car developed by racing design chief, Ted Cutting. The DBR1 boasted a lighter, faster 3.0-litre engine than its DB3S predecessor, set into a small tube spaceframe chassis with an all-new rear end. The gearbox was replaced by the new semi-dry sump, five-speed transaxle, and the new racer was equipped with cast-iron Girling disc brakes with groundbreaking light alloy callipers.

DBR1, chassis 1, the first iteration of the most important Aston Martin ever produced is headed for RM Sotheby's Monterey podium. Tim Scott Fluid Images (c) 2017 Courtesy RM Sotheby's

DBR1/1 debuted at the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans at the hands of Tony Brooks and Reg Parnell, retiring after more than 22 hours with engine bearing failure. The car’s impressive list of Works entries that followed saw the who’s who of endurance racing behind its wheel, including greats such as Carroll Shelby, Roy Salvadori, Stirling Moss, and Jack Brabham. Entries included two more runs at Le Mans in 1957 and 1958, the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1958 and 1959, as well as three entries at the Nürburgring 1000 KM, in 1957, 1958 and 1959, the latter of which saw an overall victory with Sir Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman at the helm. This marked the third consecutive win for Aston Martin and the DBR1. The win at Nürburgring also played a major role in securing Aston Martin the 1959 World Sportscar Championship victory—the first time a British manufacturer had done so.

DBR1, chassis 1 on the track at the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans with the legendary Roy Salvadori at the helm. Courtesy of LAT Photographic

Nürburgring would mark DBR1/1’s final appearance as a Works entrant, but it would return under privateer Essex Racing Stable in both 1961 and 1962. The Aston was then sold to the Honourable John Dawnay, future Viscount Downe and Aston Martin Owner’s Club president, under whose ownership it saw considerable historic racing success in the early 1980s, piloted by veteran Mike Salmon. The car passed through another major collection, during which time it was awarded the Most Elegant Sports Car Trophy at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, before landing with its current owner.

Click through for a quick glimpse at the DBR1 on the track. Image by Tim Scott Fluid Images (c) 2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

Immaculately presented down to every last detail, and the most correct of all five examples built, DBR1/1 is offered with its final Works fitted engine, and is currently equipped with a bespoke, completely correct reproduction engine manufactured by Aston Martin specialist Richard Stewart Williams. Following recent competition at Goodwood Revival at the hands of Brian Redman, DBR1/1 comes to RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale as the first DBR1 ever offered at public auction. With the potential to break the current record for the most valuable British car ever sold, DBR1/1 is expected to fetch in excess of $20,000,000 when it crosses the Monterey podium this August.

“This is the most significant group of Astons to ever come to auction,” says Barney Ruprecht, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s. “It is a true privilege to be entrusted with the sale of all four remarkable cars. From the Ulster—the pinnacle of pre-war competition—to the founding member of the DB4GT family, the ultimate Aston in the DBR1, all the way through to modern times with the DBR9, the group represents the complete lineage of Aston Martin competition history.”

1959 Aston Martin DB4GT, the father of the GT family, set for RM Sotheby's Monterey sale. Tim Scott Fluid Images (c) 2017 Courtesy RM Sotheby's

DBR1/1 is joined in Monterey by three additional significant competition Aston Martins:

• 1935 Aston Martin Ulster Competition Sports, chassis no. B5/549/U 
  One of the best known and most original of the 21 Ulsters produced, B5/549/U was a Works-supported car, campaigned in the period at motorsport’s finest events. The Ulster ran the 1935 Mille Miglia and secured a fourth in class finish at Le Mans that same year before winning the Targa Abruzzo in 1936. After having spent more than three decades as the personal race car of Derrick Edwards, founder of Ecurie Bertelli, it is presented in Monterey as a highly eligible historic racer, ready for the Le Mans Classic, the Mille Miglia, Goodwood, and the Monaco Historic Grand Prix (Est. $2,500,000 - $3,000,000).
  
  
• 1959 Aston Martin DB4GT, chassis no. DP199
  DP199 (development prototype) is widely considered the most important non-Zagato DB4GT. Significantly, DP199 took overall victory in its first competitive outing at Silverstone in 1959, with none other than Sir Stirling Moss as its driver, and was campaigned at Le Mans later that year. Following its Works career, DP199 passed through a string of privateers, seeing club racing action over the next couple of decades. Restored to its 1959 Le Mans specification, the DB4GT comes to Monterey representative of the beginning of the GT lineage (Est. $6,000,000 - $8,000,000).

• 2006 Aston Martin DBR9, chassis no. DBR9/9
  Fast-forward to the 21st century and Aston Martin continues to dominate the track, having just clinched victory at Le Mans earlier this month. In 2006-2007, DBR9/9 was one of four chassis campaigned by Scuderia Italia BMS, operating under semi-Works status at the time. The car competed at the highest level, including at Le Mans and Spa. Seldom does an opportunity to acquire a factory race car arise, especially one with four FIA GT1 class podium finishes (Est. $275,000 - $375,000).

Led by DBR1/1, RM Sotheby’s 2017 Monterey sale features another superlative group of 100 of the world’s finest and most sought-after automobiles, offered amongst a week of thrilling automotive activities. For further information on RM’s Monterey sale, along with an updated list of entries, please visit www.rmsothebys.com. To discuss limited consignment opportunities with an RM Sotheby’s specialist, please call +1 519 352 4575.

*The current record for the most valuable British automobile ever sold at public auction is held by the 1955 Jaguar D-Type, chassis no. XKD 501, sold for $21,780,000 at RM Sotheby’s 2016 Monterey sale.

'GENTLEMAN JACK’ RACING LEGEND JACK SEARS’ COLLECTION TO BE OFFERED AT BONHAMS GOODWOOD REVIVAL SALE

'GENTLEMAN JACK’

RACING LEGEND JACK SEARS’ COLLECTION TO BE OFFERED AT BONHAMS GOODWOOD REVIVAL SALE

 

'Gentleman Jack' Sears

On 9 September 2017, Bonhams will offer the collection of the late Jack Sears, winner of the inaugural British Touring Car Championship, at the Goodwood Revival Sale.

Erudite and always immaculately turned out, Sears was known as ‘Gentleman Jack,’ by his countless friends in the motoring world, and was one of the most versatile and talented racers of the 1950s and 1960s. He made his racing debut at Goodwood in an MG TC, whilst also regularly competing in Veteran Car Club rallies. Even single-seaters formed part of his extensive racing repertoire, with a third place finish in a Formula 2 Cooper at Crystal Palace in 1960.

Sears then progressed to the international motoring stage with drives at Le Mans 24 Hours in a works Austin Healey 3000, a class win in a Ferrari 330LMB at La Sarthe and a GT class win in a Daytona Coupé while contracted as a Shelby American team driver.

The ex-John Willment Racing Team 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 being put through its paces by Jack Sears at Silvertone in 1964 (£180,000-220,000)

Sears was the first to claim the BTCC title (then known as the British Saloon Car Championship) in 1958, and won again in 1963 after swapping his Riley 1.5s for the mighty seven-litre 1963 Ford Galaxie 500, one of the cars being offered by Bonhams and a firm favourite of Jack’s throughout his racing career. In honour of Jack’s achievements, the BTCC series introduced the Jack Sears Trophy in 2013 which is awarded to the best new driver at the end of each season.

 

1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Limousine by Thrupp & Maberley (£80,000-120,000)

The collection is as diverse as Jack’s motoring exploits, ranging from a 1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Limousine by Thrupp & Maberley to a 1955 Nekaf Army Jeep. The Rolls-Royce has been in the Sears family since new – Stanley Sears (Jack’s father) took his mother to the Olympia Motor Show in 1938 and persuaded her that she needed a new car, and the elegant Phantom was duly selected at his behest. The car was stored, unused, for the duration of the war due to petrol rationing, and when Mrs Sears died in 1952, the car had covered just a little over 6,000 miles – all chauffeur driven, of course.

The 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 will be on display at Bonhams Festival of Speed Sale on Friday 30 June at Goodwood.

Jack Sears putting his 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 through its paces

The Sears Collection in full:

1963 Ford Galaxie 500 (£180,000-220,000)

1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Limousine by Thrupp & Maberley (£80,000-120,000)

1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (£80,000-100,000)

1955 Nekaf Army Jeep M38 A1 (£10,000-15,000)

1948 MG TC (£18,000-22,000)

2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt GT (£15,000-18,000)

1971 BMW 3.0 S (£10,000-15,000)

1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E Cosworth (£12,000-13,000)

H&H Classic Auctions - Inviting Consignments - The Imperial War Museum Duxford Auction

INVITING CONSIGNMENTS

Our upcoming July 26th IWM Duxford auction is already gathering serious momentum with international press coverage surrounding the ex-Peter Ustinov 1953 Lagonda DB 3 Litre Drophead Coupe, the ex-Gilby Engineering 1961 Lotus Elite S2 and a barn-find 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL entered at No Reserve. We encourage potential sellers to consign their Selected Classic as soon as possible in order to benefit from our extensive pre-sale marketing ahead of the catalogue closing on Wednesday 5th July.  Contact one of our Sales Specialists for a complimentary appraisal via info@handh.co.uk or at Head Office on 01925 210035. The H&H Team CONTACT OUR SALES SPECIALISTS LATEST ENTRIES 1929 Bugatti Type 44 Vanvooren Saloon Estimate: £200,000 - 240,000 VIEW LISTING 1972 Porsche 911 S 2.4 Targa Estimate: £100,000 - 130,000 VIEW LISTING 2004 Ferrari 360 Spider F1 Estimate: £62,000 - 68,000 VIEW LISTING 1965 Jaguar E-Type 4.2 Coupe Estimate: £60,000 - 80,000 VIEW LISTING 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 MKIII Estimate: £50,000 - 60,000 VIEW LISTING Join the Catalogue today, by contacting one of our Specialists on +44 (0)1925 210035 or info@handh.co.uk JOIN THE CATALOGUE REGISTRATIONS The Duxford auction this July will also see several Registration Numbers go under the hammer before the Motor Cars are sold. Registration Number: OOO 5 Estimate: £10,000 - 15,000 VIEW LISTING Registration Number: XLL 6 Estimate: NO RESERVE VIEW LISTING LATEST NEWS The Historic 1961 Lotus Elite S2 This lovely example of a racing Lotus Elite was supplied new to Gilby Engineering and raced by Keith Greene, to be sold by at IWM Duxford for an estimated £75,000 to £90,000. FULL ARTICLE Peter Ustinov's 1953 Lagonda  Ustinov’s Lagonda, which he owned for 12 years, comes to the market for the first time in 49 years with H&H Classics. The car is being sold by the family that has owned it since 1968. FULL ARTICLE Barn-find 1960 Mercedes-Benz 160 SL Wonderful time-warp 1960 Mercedes Benz 190SL found in an old garage in Solihull is coming to auction with NO RESERVE and is estimated to sell for £50,000 as a restoration project. FULL ARTICLE LATEST VIDEOS FEATURED: 1938 Bentley 4.25L James Young Sedanca Coupe with an estimate of £180,000 - 220,000 - an early entry at IWM Duxford this July