BONHAMS COMMENCE EUROPEAN AUCTIONS WITH IMPRESSIVE GRAND PALAIS SALE

 

BONHAMS COMMENCE EUROPEAN AUCTIONS WITH

IMPRESSIVE GRAND PALAIS SALE

 

 

• Bonhams commence European motoring auctions for 2016 with an impressive variety of incredible collectors’ motor cars at Grand Palais
• Leading the charge, the 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB, sold to a Parisien bidder in the room for €2,070,000 (£1,559,331) followed by the 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV, sold for €609,500 (£459,136)
• In 2016 Bonhams will host the newly announced Monaco Sale, taking place 13 May, and will return for the Chantilly sale, taking place 4 September

 

 

Bonhams begin the 2016 season of European motoring sales with an enviable selection of incredible motor cars from across the world’s greatest automotive marques.

 

An impressive lineup of Ferraris led the sale, with the marque accounting for half of the top ten lots, headed by the 1966 275 GTB Berlinetta, achieving €2,070,000 (£1,559,331). The 275 GTB is considered a masterpiece of motor car design. Boasting a V12, 300 bhp engine, it was the successor to the 250 series, spearheaded by the legendary 250 GTO.

 

Claiming further successes for the marque, a 2002 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina sold for €451,667 (£340,240), a 2010 Ferrari 599 GTO sold for €425,500 (£320,529), and a 2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello coupé sold for a world record price of €345,000 (£259,888).

 

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Head of Motoring, said: “Fifty per cent of the top ten lots from today’s sale were from Ferrari, with the remainder coming from Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce. We’re seeing a continued desire for models offered at respectable estimates.

 

“Bonhams motoring department now look to the Mercedes-Benz sale (Stuttgart, Germany, 19 March), and the Goodwood Members’ Meeting sale (Chichester, UK, 20 March) for further exciting auctions.”

 

 

 

Elsewhere, a generous donor offered his 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible for sale, with proceeds to benefit a Parisien charity. The Fondation de l’Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) is dedicated to supporting post-trauma research, and will receive €80,000 (£61,280) from the sale for their cause.

 

Further sale highlights include a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series IV, sold for €609,500 (£459,136), a 1951 Bentley Petersen 6½-Litre ‘Dartmoor’ coupé, sold for €483,000 (£363,843), and a 1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Cabriolet sold for €425,500 (£320,529).

 

Motorcycles saw great results, with 80% of the world renowned MC Collection of 18 motorcycles sold, led by the 1976 Benelli 750 CM3 SEI, sold for €16,675. Further successes include a 1972 Honda CB500R 650CC Racing Motorcycle sold for €88,333 (£66,541), a 1999 MV Agusta 750 CM3 F4 ‘Series Oro’ (£19,058) sold for €25,300, a 1930 Excelsior 750 CM3 Super-X sold for €25,300 (£19,058), a 1996 Honda RVF750 R Type RC45 (£16,026), sold for €21,275 (£19,058), and a 1928 Indian 750 CM3 101 soared above estimate to achieve €25,300 (£19,058).

 

In 2016 Bonhams European motoring sales will include the recently announced Monaco Sale, taking place 13 May, and returning to France for the Chantilly sale, taking place 4 September.

 

 

For further information visit: https://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/

RARE 1955 PORSCHE 550 SPYDER STEALS THE SHOW AT RM SOTHEBY’S PARIS SALE

RARE 1955 PORSCHE 550 SPYDER STEALS THE SHOW AT RM SOTHEBY’S PARIS SALE

• RM Sotheby’s generates over €19 million at its third annual Paris sale during the world-famous Rétromobile week
• Top seller on the night was the stunning 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder for €2.744.000
• Seven lots exceed €1 million each
• World record price achieved for 1992 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo 1 ‘Martini 6’
• Packed auction room with bidders hailing from 24 countries
• Complete RM Paris results available at www.rmsothebys.com
• RM Sotheby’s continues its 2016 European calendar with its biennial Monaco sale, 14 May during the Grand Prix Historique weekend

1955 Porsche 550 Spyder - Courtesy RM Sotheby’s/Rémi Dargegen

PARIS (4 February, 2016) – RM Sotheby’s, the world’s largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles, returned to Place Vauban last night for its third annual Paris sale. A highlight of the world-famous Rétromobile week, the auction achieved €19,035,550* ($20,843,927 US) before a standing-room-only crowd. With active bidding from global collectors representing 24 countries, the result was a successful sell-through of 79 percent. Highlighting the evening sale was the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, which realized a strong €2.744.000 to lead a group of seven automobiles that achieved individual million-euro-plus results.

The top-selling Porsche 550 Spyder was undoubtedly the star of the auction preview, with enthusiasts flocking to Place Vauban to glimpse the rare competition sports racing car. The featured example was significant for being the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show car and one of just 75 factory-built ‘customer’ 550 Spyders, with period U.S. racing history that includes 3rd in class at the 1956 Sebring 12 Hours. Supremely eligible for vintage tours, rallies and racing, it represented a rare and highly coveted prize for collectors, and deserved excellent price it achieved on the night.

Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Sotheby’s Europe said: “We had some great lots on offer in Paris and the Porsche 550 Spyder, in particular, represented everything that we wish to bring to market. It’s a car with great history, rarity and huge desirability; it simply ticks all the boxes.”

Beyo-nd the Porsche 550 Spyder, the German marques did well in Paris, proving that Italian exotics don’t always dominate the market. The second highest seller on the night was the beautiful 1957 BMW 507 Roadster Series II. Only 252 examples of this rakish German V8 powered sports car were made, so it was not a surprise to see it sell for a very strong €2.016.000. The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, presented beautifully in its wonderful white paintwork, is another true German icon of the classic car world. Offered in outstanding restored condition, it sold for a well-deserved €1.176.000 before the packed auction room.  The other star lot of the sale, the beautiful1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB, which came very close to its reserve price during the auction, was sold immediately after the sale for a final €2.950.000.

Additional highlights of the evening included the 2004 Ferrari Enzo, one of the newest cars in the sale and certainly one of the greatest of all the modern hypercars to emerge in recent years, which made €1.568.000, while the 1992 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo 1 ‘Martini 6’, which attracted much pre-sale interest, sold for £134.400—a world-record price for the model at public auction. 

RM Sotheby’s Paris 2016 – Top 10 Sales

1. Lot 152 - 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB     €2.950.000
2. Lot 143 - 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder                      €2.744.000
3. Lot 150 - 1957 BMW 507 Roadster Series II         €2.016.000
4. Lot 138 - 2004 Ferrari Enzo                                   €1.568.000
5. Lot 141 - 1997 Ferrari F50                                     €1.275,000
6. Lot 151 - 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing  €1.176.000
7. Lot 145 - 1989 Ferrari F40                                     €1.036.000
8. Lot 110 - 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Coupé      €   498.400
9. Lot 137 - 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé                    €   459.200
10. Lot 109 - 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB                        €   400.000

Following a busy start to the 2016 season, which has included successful performances at both Arizona and Paris during the past five days, RM Sotheby’s is now looking ahead to its annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance sale, March 12 in Florida.  The company’s next European auction—it’s exclusive, biennial Monaco sale—is scheduled for 14 May during the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco weekend. Quickly becoming one of Europe’s leading collector car auctions, RM’s last Monaco performance (2014) generated more than €41 million. Early highlights for this year’s event include a 1951 Ferrari 340 America Barchetta and the 1984 Peugeot 205 T16, both of which are currently on view at RM’s Retromobilé stand (S037) through 7 February.

For complete results from RM Sotheby’s Paris sale and further information on upcoming events, please visit www.rmsothebys.com or call RM’s London office at +44 (0) 20 7851 7070.

*Results are listed in Euros and include 12 percent buyer’s premium for automobiles and 17 percent on all other lots. Sale totals include post-sale transactions. Exchange rate used: €1 = $1.095 USD, £0.765 GBP

SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS @ RACE RETRO

115 cars over three days in our Race Retro sales The catalogues for this year’s sales at Race Retro have now closed and we have a stunning selection of cars for auction over three days at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. This is certainly our best Race Retro catalogue ever, and we’re pleased to announce that, due to high demand, we are now hosting a two day classic car sale, as well as a separate competition car sale. A total of 115 cars, four historic motorcycles, as well as a host of lifestyle items and automobilia are also offered. See the full lot lists here. The Competition Car Sale will be held on Friday 26th February, and the Classic Road Car Sale over two days on 27th and 28th February. Viewing of all the lots on offer is available all day on the Friday, with the Competition Car Sale beginning at 3pm. Viewing is also available from 9.30am on the Saturday and the Sunday, with automobilia and lifestyle items auctioned at 10.30am, followed by motorcars and motorcycles at 1.30pm on both sale days. Read on for more details of the cars to be offered over the three days at Race Retro. Register to bid   Anyone wishing to bid at the sale is now encouraged to register by visiting our website and filling in our online form.   You can register to bid by clicking here. If you are unable to attend in person, you can also place bids over the phone or by commission. You can bid online, directly through our website, powered by Proxibid. Offered for sale at the Classic Road Car Sale on 27th and 28th February 2010 Lamborghini Murciélago 670-SV     This two-owner, right-hand drive, UK supplied Lamborghini Murciélago 670-SV has covered less than 19,000 miles and is in fabulous condition. ‘KT59XSF’ was ordered on 17th September 2009 and delivered to London Lamborghini in early February 2010, finished in Gloss Black (Nero Aldebaran) with the interior in Black Alcantara/Carbon Fibre with Yellow stitching. Not many boxes on the option list were left unticked with the original specification including a rear-view camera, interior carbon package, floor mats, NavTrak Pro, multimedia system and yellow brake calipers. If you are in the market for the best Murciélago you can find, then you really need to consider this exceptional vehicle. Estimate (£): 300,000 - 340,000 Read more here. 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 MKIII Saloon     This very special Aston Martin has been owned by the same family for nearly six decades. The first owner was a Mr W. Griffith from Somerset, who owned the car until 1960, when it was sold to a Mr Green. In 2003, the car was inherited by Mr Green's son-in-law, himself a skilled mechanical engineer, who set about restoring the Aston to its former glory. The restoration was a complete body-off, nut and bolt rebuild that took place over three years during which the original engine was rebuilt and the interior trimmed to a high specification. The car today is reading a mere 67,000 miles from new and still presents beautifully with dark blue paintwork that retains an excellent shine. Estimate (£): 160,000 - 180,000 Read more here. 1972 Datsun 260Z Super Samuri   This original Super Samurai is one of just two built. The car was raced in the late 1970s and early 1980s before being laid up for 25 years until being re-discovered in 2010, at which point it was found to be in remarkably original and basically untouched condition. Shortly after being unearthed, the car was fully restored from the bare shell up by the well know marque specialist Z-Farm. Today, a genuine Super Samurai is highly sought after, and this is a wonderful opportunity to own a car so perfectly reminiscent of the seventies. Estimate (£): 35,000 - 45,000 Read more here. 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II    Number 262 of just 502 ever made, this example was unusually supplied new to the Channel Islands, where it formed part of a significant collection. Presented in superb order and clearly cherished throughout its life, this example has covered only 1,723 miles. This incredible homologation special would be a welcome contender at any Concours event around the world. Any fan of the legendary ‘Group A' Touring Car era needs to see this car to truly appreciate both its originality and splendid collector status. Estimate (£): 140,000 - 160,000 Read more here. Offered for sale at the Competition Car Sale on 26th February 2000 Tatuus Formula Renault     This Tatuus Formula Renault was driven by a young Kimi Räikkönen who went on to win the 2000 Formula Renault Championship in this very car. Following its success the Tatuus was then campaigned by Leighton Walker before being replaced in 2002. It was then laid up until 2005 when Manor Motorsport rebuilt the monocoque with the original engine and gearbox. This is a great chance to purchase a piece of British motor racing history, with the impeccable provenance of being the car that started the career of a World Champion. Estimate (£): 20,000 - 25,000 Read more here. 1975 FIA Group 2 Ford Escort BDG Zakspeed Replica     Possibly the fastest Group 2 Escort available today. This Escort holds numerous lap records, fastest laps and has been piloted to a number of overall race wins. The car is a Masters Historic Group 2 Championship winner, HSCC Supertourers class winner, and finished a very close third in the Spa 6 Hours last year. This car comes with full MSA and HTP papers. Having just had a 2016 'turn-key' refresh, this proven racer represents a great opportunity, for a realistic budget, to clamber onto the top step of the podium at a number of prestigious Historic Saloon Car events. Estimate (£): 60,000 - 70,000 Read more here. Inviting final entries for the Practical Classics Restoration and Classic Car Show Sale We are now inviting final entries of classic road cars and project cars into our sale at the Practical Classics Restoration and Classic Car Show. The catalogue will close on Wednesday 10th February. If you would like your car to benefit from exposure to thousands of potential buyers attending the event, please get in touch with our team soon.   Those interested in selling should contact the team by telephoning 01926 691 141 or emailenquiries@silverstoneauctions.com.

Final Call for Entries The Donington Park Auction

Final Call for Entries The Donington Park Auction Wednesday 24th February 2016 The catalogue for our 24th February auction at the world famous Donington Park Motor Racing Circuit closes this Friday 5th February at 12 noon. Entries are being added to the website daily so if you would like to join the 100+ vehicles already consigned, please contact one of our specialists on +44 (0) 1925 210035 orinfo@handh.co.uk. Latest Highlights: 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT (Main Image) Supplied new in Catania as a ‘Step Front’ and later updated to 1750 GTV appearance 1965 Triumph TR4A IRS Four owners from new (the last from 1982 to 2014) and subject to much past restoration 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Three owners from new and recent £8,000 expenditure with marque specialist       1975 Volkswagen Beetle 1200 Practical classic complete with iconic ‘Herbie’ livery 1980 Austin Maxi 1750 HLS Only 2,600 recorded miles and just one owner up until 2015       1991 Alfa Romeo Spider 2.0 S4 Automatic LHD, auto, air-con, PAS, 54,000 recorded km and offered at no reserve 2012 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Evocation Highly convincing copy with Alfa Romeo V6 power       Further Motor Cars can be viewed by clicking here. Further Motorcycles can be viewed by clicking here.

MERCEDES-BENZ 540 K SPECIAL ROADSTER HEADLINES RM SOTHEBY’S $62.8 MILLION ARIZONA SALE

MERCEDES-BENZ 540 K SPECIAL ROADSTER HEADLINES RM SOTHEBY’S $62.8 MILLION ARIZONA SALE

·         RM Sotheby’s generates $62.8 million in sales with 85 percent of all lots sold at its 17^th annual Arizona Biltmore sale in Phoenix

·         Top seller: 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster achieves $9.9 million to set new record as the most valuable automobile ever sold in Arizona auction week history

·         17 lots achieve million-dollar-plus results with numerous auction benchmarks set

·         Bidders hail from 20 countries

·         RM Sotheby’s continues its 2016 calendar in Paris, February 3 during the world-famous Retromobile week

·         Complete Arizona sale results and upcoming auction information available at www.rmsothebys.com

PHOENIX, Arizona (January 30, 2016) –  RM Sotheby’s, the world’s largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles, kicked off its 2016 season this week with an impressive $62.8 million* in sales at its 17^th annual Arizona Biltmore auction in Phoenix.  Attracting bidders from 20 countries, the two-day sale presented 149 blue-chip automobiles before a packed sales room, with 85 percent of all lots sold.

The undisputed star of the event—and this year’s Arizona auction week—was a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster, chassis no. 130894, which crossed the stage during Friday’s sale session.  An original U.S.-delivery car with known history from new, the highly desirable “high door”, “longtail”, factory left-hand-drive Special Roadster was offered fresh to the market, following 26 years in single ownership. Bidding on the stunning automobile opened at $5 million before quickly climbing to a final $9,900,000. The impressive price ranks the vehicle as the most valuable automobile sold in Arizona auction week history, breaking the previous record set by RM in 2015. The strong result also ranks the Special Roadster as one of the most valuable pre-war automobiles ever sold at auction.

The 540 K led a string of 17 individual million-dollar-plus sales and various new auction benchmarks at this year’s RM sale. Among notable record-setting lots, a 1962 Maserati 5000 GT Coupe, widely considered the most significant and glamorous road-going Maserati, commanded a strong $1,540,000 during Thursday’s sale session to set a new auction record for the model, while a 1952 Cunningham C3 Coupe, the only Vignale-bodied C3 actively raced in period, sold for an above-estimate $1,210,000 to set a new auction record for the model. Also entering the history books was a1939 Jaguar SS 100 2 ½ -Litre Roadster, offered from long-term ownership, which established a new record for a Jaguar SS 100 sold at auction at $1,402,500.

“We are thrilled with the sales result from this week’s Arizona auction. Though we did not witness significant price increases, we were very encouraged to see the strong sell-through rate, which indicates continued interest in the hobby,” says Ian Kelleher, Managing Director, RM Sotheby’s West Coast Division. “The auction was anchored by several notable world records, with numerous lots attracting highly competitive bidding from an enthused audience. There remains a healthy appetite for high-quality, fresh-to-market consignments, and with this week’s results on par with the strong success of last year’s Arizona sale, we expect continued interest, attendance and participation at our upcoming events.”

Perennial crowd favorites, a trio of Shelbys also thrilled collectors at this week’s RM Arizona event. Leading the charge, a 1965 Shelby 427 Competition Cobra, the only 427 Cobra to win championships in two countries, powered to a final $2,255,000 on Thursday, while an original 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra commanded a final $1,072,500 on Friday. Rounding out the group, a 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra ‘Dragonsnake’—the winningest Dragonsnake—was driven onto stage by Bruce Larson, the driver behind much of its success, before selling for a final $990,000.

Reflecting the diversity of RM’s 2016 Arizona catalogue, additional notable sales included:

·         a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Torpedo Convertible Coupe, one of just six original examples built, for $3,000,000;

·         a 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV, one of five single-sump SVs sold new to the U.S., garnered $2,000,000;

·         a 1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria, offered publicly for the first time, surpassed estimate at a final $660,000;

·         a freshly restored 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air ‘Fuel Injected’ Convertible achieved $176,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $100,000 - $125,000;

·         a superbly restored 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz also exceeded estimate at $390,500;

·         a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC 6.0 AMG ‘Wide Body’ presented in excellent original condition garnered $154,000;

·         an ultra-desirable 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder with less than 1,500 miles, sold for an upper-estimate $1,595,000; and,

·         the 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk 1 “Think Pink”, one of 12 automobiles offered from the esteemed Craig McCaw Collection, and sold to benefit charity, realized $60,500

From the Arizona desert to the City of Light, the RM Sotheby’s team heads directly to Paris for its annual sale during the world-famous Retromobile week, February 3. Held at Place Vauban in the city’s center, the Paris auction will lift the gavel on 61 of the world’s finest motor cars from both pre- and post-war periods. The complete digital Paris catalogue is available here: http://bit.ly/1RcBVSX.

For further information on upcoming RM Sotheby’s events, or to view complete results from RM Sotheby’s Arizona Biltmore sale, please visit www.rmsothebys.com.

*Results are listed in USD and inclusive of 10 percent buyer’s premium for automobiles and 15 percent buyer’s premium for nostalgia. Sale totals include post-sale transactions.

MERCEDES-BENZ 540 K SPECIAL ROADSTER REALIZES $9.9 MILLION TO SET NEW ARIZONA AUCTION RECORD

***NEWSFLASH***NEWSFLASH***NEWSFLASH***

Amy Christie | +1 734 649 9156 | achristie@rmsothebys.com

Dan Abernethy | +1 212 606 7176 | dan.abernethy@sothebys.com

MERCEDES-BENZ 540 K SPECIAL ROADSTER REALIZES $9.9 MILLION
TO SET NEW ARIZONA AUCTION RECORD

PHOENIX, Arizona (January 29, 2016) –  A 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster sold for an outstanding $9,900,000 at RM Sotheby’s Arizona Biltmore sale in Phoenix tonight to enter the history books as the most valuable automobile ever sold during the famed Arizona auction week. The previous record for an automobile sold in Arizona was held by a Ferrari 250 LM, which garnered $9.625 million at RM’s 2015 Arizona Biltmore sale.

One of the most prestigious and beautiful automobiles of the interwar years, the extremely elegant Special Roadster, chassis no. 130894, was one of very few built in the most desirable configuration of high doors, long tail and factory left-hand drive. An original U.S.-delivery car with known history from new, it was offered in Phoenix in wonderful, restored condition with a mere 10,277 miles on its odometer and following 26 years in single ownership.

Bidding on the stunning automobile opened at $5 million before quickly climbing to a final $9,900,000. In addition to setting an auction benchmark for an automobile sold in Arizona, the strong price ranks the vehicle as one of the most valuable pre-war automobiles ever sold at auction.

Other highlights of RM’s Friday sale session at the Arizona Biltmore included a 1952 Cunningham C-3 Coupe, one of just 19 built, which sold for $1,210,000—a new auction record for the marque—and a 1939 SS 100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster that realized $1,402,500 to set a new auction benchmark for a Jaguar SS 100.

Full results from RM Sotheby’s Arizona Biltmore sale will be posted online at www.rmsothebys.com.

BARRETT JACKSON SCOTTSDALE