Sporting Classics of Monaco Auction Preview – RM Auctions
RM Auctions will host its inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco event on 1st May, 2010 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, held during the same weekend as the 7th Grand Prix Historique de Monaco.
“RM’s Monaco debut is setting the bar with its unparalleled selection of motor cars. Collectors’ enthusiasm and interest continues to build, with advance bidder registrations now representing 20 different countries. We’re especially pleased that air travel has resumed, and we look forward to welcoming our esteemed clients to the French Riviera,” said Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe.
RM Auctions assembled 44 lots of memorabilia and 105 cars for the single-day auction, including 25 motor cars offered without reserve. Highlights of the new sale are multiple consignments from the collection of the late John O’Quinn, more than two dozen Rolls-Royce and Bentleys from the collection of German entrepreneur Hans-Günter Zach, as well as 16 Ferraris, spanning 50 years of production.
More than 15 consignments carry estimates that reach the million dollar mark, highlighted by the 1937 BMW 328 MM ‘Buegelfalte’; 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II “Special Town Car”; 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet Pininfarina SWB; 1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Tour de France; 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta; 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 ‘Birdcage’ and 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Competition Cabriolet.
Also notable is the offering of the world’s largest single-owner collection of Shell Petroliana, the result of some 35 years of collecting by Dutch collector and long-term Shell employee, Mr. Gilles Warning. The collection runs the gamut from porcelain and enamel signs to oil cans and tins, glass pump globes and oil bottles, spanning Shell’s history and global presence with many items displayed in English, Dutch, French and Arabic languages. The offering comprises more than 1,000 different items, which will be sold as a single lot.
A preview of the Sporting Classics of Monaco consignments will be held from 10am – 5pm on Friday, April 30th, followed by the auction on Saturday, May 1st from 1:00pm. Admission to this event requires the purchase of an official auction catalog, available for €70. The catalog admits two and must be presented at the entrance to be granted entry.
For more information, visit www.rmauctions.com/monaco or call RM’s London office on +44 (0) 20 7851 7070. For those unable to attend the event in person, Internet, absentee and telephone bidding options are available, and the auction action will stream live at www.rmauctions.com.
Sporting Classics of Monaco Auction Preview – RM Auctions
1937 BMW 328 MM ‘Buegelfalte’ – Estimate Unavailable. Chassis number 85032 was manufactured in May 1937 for the BMW racing division; participated in the 1938 Mille Miglia, winning the 2.0 litre class with well-known British driver A.F.P. Fane and co-driver William James behind the wheel; dismantled by the racing division in 1939 and modified into an all-new open streamliner destined for use as a factory entry in the 1940 Mille Miglia; only special roadster ever built at the BMW factory (the two other second series streamline roadsters having been built by independent coachbuilders, Touring); Monaco sale represents the first time it has been offered at auction. (For any interested collectors, the ‘Buegelfalte’ will be displayed at Villa d’Este this weekend).1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II \’Special Town Car\’ – Estimate Unavailable. Chassis number 218 AMS is considered by most historians to be one of the greatest Rolls-Royces ever built and quite possibly the most significant post-WWI Rolls Royce in existence; one-off design and the first and only one of three special town cars built that still retains its original coachwork; with just four owners from new, it has been shown at exclusive Concours events throughout the world, where it has won numerous Best of Show and Elegance awards, and has also been a part of numerous special displays at the foremost museums.1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet Pininfarina SWB – Estimate: $2,750,000 – $3,300,000. Chassis number 3309 SA is one of only six short wheelbase examples bodied by Pininfarina and the only car fitted with covered headlights; 3309 SA was the last example built and displayed as a factory show car at the Geneva and New York Auto Shows in 1962; recipient of a recent Concours-winning restoration, it is fitted with various special features and a factory hardtop, and boasts a fully documented history from new; Ferrari Classiche Certified.1938 Delahaye 135 MS Competition Cabriolet – Estimate $2,312,000 – $2,720,000. Chassis number 49197 features one-off coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi and an Hermès interior; previously owned by French racing driver Marcel Contet, and later, a former President of the Delahaye Owner’s Club for over 42 years; restored in recent years to Pebble Beach standards.1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Tour de France – Estimate $2,700,000 – $3,200,000. Chassis number 0925 GT was supplied new to noted collector William Harrah; the long wheelbase 0925 GT features alloy Scaglietti coachwork with covered headlights; considered one of the most original examples in existence, 0925 GT participated in the Mille Miglia Storica and Tour de France on numerous occasions; less than 17,600 miles from new; Ferrari Classiche certified.1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta – Estimate $3,500,000 – $4,000,000. Chassis number 3401 GT was 135 of 165 built; fully restored by marque specialists, this example is finished in white with a light blue leather interior; Ferrari Classiche certified.1960 Maserati Tipo 61 ‘Birdcage’ – Estimate $3,200,000 – $3,600,000. Chassis number 2470 was sold new to Jack Hinkle, then-president of the SCCA, who successfully raced it in 1961 and 1962; other former owners include Tracy Bird, one of the founders of the Can-Am series, and F1 team owner Lord Alexander Hesketh, among others; the current owner acquired 2470 in 2004 and has used it in several Ferrari Historic Challenge Series events; the last race entered was the 2009 Nürburgring Oldtimer Grand Prix, which the car won.1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Cabriolet – Estimate: $610,000 – $815,000. Headlining the Zach Collection and dubbed the ‘Star of India,’ chassis number 188PY was custom built and delivered to the Maharaja of Rajkot in 1934 for use in state ceremonies; equipped with a range of unique features including an extra set of headlights designed to follow the path of steering; over the years it has been a welcome attraction at numerous events, including at the Silver and Golden Jubilee celebrations for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster Le Mans Racing Car – Estimate $950,000 – $1,200,000. Chassis number CSX 2136 won the 1964 SCCA A/Production Championship at the hands of Ed Leslie; restored by Shelby experts, it is presented as it was raced in 1963 by the Shelby American team in its #98 team livery.1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS – Estimate $1,200,000 – $1,400,000. Coachwork by Zagato; matching numbers Series IV; driven by Phil Hill at Monterey Historics.1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS by Castagna – Estimate $740,000 – $880,000. Fitted with Castagna bodywork, chassis 121215033 is one of the original supercharged cars; in its current ownership, the restoration of this correct and matching numbers was completed.1952 Ferrari 212/225 Sport Coupé by Vignale – Estimate $810,000 – $1,100,000. Featuring Vignale coachwork, chassis number 0170 ET boasts a strong period and contemporary competition history, having participated in the Mille Miglia and numerous hillclimbs, along with various appearances at Concours events; upgraded to 225 specification by factory in 1953.1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder – Estimate: $2,500,000 – 3,000,000. Chassis number 1253 GT is the 21st car built and was delivered new with a high compression engine and velocity stacks; also delivered new with the desirable covered headlights and was the only LWB California Spyder to be equipped from new with side vents similar to the SWB California Spyder; Ferrari Classiche certified.1954 Connaught B-Type Racing Car – Estimate $355,000 – $395,000. Ex-Rob Walker Team competed in three Grands Prix; recent Goodwood and Monaco Historic Grand Prix entrant; complete with HTP papers.1953 Moretti 750 Gran Sport Berlinetta – Estimate $150,000 – $180,000. Coachwork by Michelotti; Chassis number 1290 was first of ten examples imported by Ernie McAfee.1971 Porsche 911 S/T – Estimate $394,000 – $435,000. Raced by Bjorn Waldegard; one of the five cars built for the 1971 East African Safari Rally; participated at 2007 Porsche Rennsport Reunion and 2009 Amelia Island Concours d\’Elegance.1973 Porsche 911 RSR 2.8 – Estimate $440,000 – $510,000. Second 2.8 RSR imported into States; ex-Hector Rebaque, Manfredo Lippmann; currently fitted with correct-type, but non-original engine.1987 Porsche 959 – Estimate $217,000 – $258,000. Ordered new from leader of TAG Group; two owners from new and fully documented.1965 Ferrari 275 GTB 6C Alloy Berlinetta – Estimate $950,000 – $1,200,000. Ferrari Classiche certified, long nose, alloy-bodied, six-car example.1974 BMW 3.0 CSL Batmobile – Estimate $176,000 – $258,000. Ex-M Division Test Car was first allocated to Hans Stuck; one of 57 second-series cars; competed in 2006 Concorso Villa d\’Este.1953 Chrysler Special Coupe – Estimate $325,000 – $375,000. Coachwork by Ghia; one of 18 built; unrestored and very original.1956 Austin-Healey 100M Le Mans Roadster – Estimate $125,000 – $150,000. Freshly restored; documented in 100M Registry and British Motor Industry Heritage Trust.1950 Aston Martin DB2 Vantage Saloon – Estimate $183,000 – $224,000. Finished second in class and 15th overall at 1950 Sebring Sam Collier Memorial Trophy Grand Prix; LML/50/19 is the first Vantage-engined Aston ever built; formerly owned by Bill Spear.1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage – Estimate $450,000 – $540,000. Left-hand drive Vantage restored in late \’80s.1965 Lola T70 Sports Racing Car – Estimate $625,000 – $725,000. Chassis No. SL 70/01 is the first example of only 15 Mk I cars built in 1965 and the first Lola T70 to win an international race; raced in period by John Surtees, Jackie Stewart and Mario Andretti, winning at Mosport and St. Jovite in 1965 at the hands of Surtees.1970 McLaren M14A Formula One Racing Car – Estimate $340,000 – $400,000. Chassis M14A2 was driven by Denny Hulme to seven podium finishes.1970 Ferrari 365 GTB4 Daytona Group IV – Estimate $570,000 – $650,000. Chassis 13715 was modified to Group IV specifications in period with successful racing history.1937 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio – Estimate $570,000 – $650,000. Features Gangloff Coachwork, known history and excellent condition.1950 Bugatti Type 101 Coupe – Estimate $680,000 – $1,100,000. From the O’Quinn Collection, one of the last six Bugattis built, one-off Van Antem coachwork, ex-Harrah, Harguindeguy, Cage.1947 Cisitalia 202 Cabriolet – Estimate $340,000 – $435,000. Only 202 Cabriolet built and designed by Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina; gifted by Piero Dusio to Argentinean President Juan Perón and his famous wife Evita.1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide Sports Tourer – Estimate $600,000 – $880,000. Chassis number 12172, one of just 25 examples built; from the estate of John M. O’Quinn.1952 Lancia B20 GT Works Racing Car – Estimate $135,000 – $190,000. Chassis 1824 was originally built by Lancia as a \’works\’ factory racing car for drivers Anselmi and Bonetti; In 1952, it finished sixth overall at Mugello, followed by a DNF at Silverstone; repainted approximately 20 years ago and appears to have never been completely restored; the engine, which is not original to the car but of the correct type, was rebuilt for approximately £16,000; comes with FIA paperwork from the 1980s.1955 Fiat 8V Berlinetta – Estimate $530,000 – $612,000. One of less than 30 Zagato-bodies examples; single ownership since 1980.1968 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet – Estimate $740,000 – $1,100,000. Delivered by Daimler-Benz AG in 1968 to the African country of Gabon, for use by its president Omar Bongo, who had assumed this position just one year earlier.
My, what an auction lineup RM has put together. From these cars alone, you could put together a world-class collection.
Personally, I would choose the following:
Race cars –
BMW 328 Mille Miglia
Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage
Porsche 911 S/T
McLaren M14A
Lola T70 Sports Racer
Ferrari 212/225 Sport Coupé
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS
Style/Elegance –
Delahaye 135 MS Competition Cabriolet
Fiat 8V Berlinetta
Bugatti Type 101 Coupe
Aston Martin DB2 Vantage Saloon
Rolls-Royce Phantom II ‘Special Town Car’
Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder
I must add – this was very difficult to not choose the others, but a man must have limitations!