RM Auctions will hold its 2011 Sports and Classics of Monterey auction on August 19th and 20th at the Portola Hotel and Spa and Monterey Convention Center in Monterey, California.
The 26th annual RM Monterey auction will feature approximately 150 cars, with a multitude estimated to garner over $1 million. Headlining the 2011 Monterey sale is the 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinetta; 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster; 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A; 1970 Porsche 911S Steve McQueen Le Mans movie car; 1952 Chrysler D’Elegance and 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Grand Raid Roadster.
In addition to the headline Ferrari 340 Mexico, RM Auctions will offer 18 Ferraris at the 2011 Monterey auction, including a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione; 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spyder; 1953 Ferrari 375 America Coupe; 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupe and 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder.
In 2010, RM Auctions offered 221 automobiles for sale, with 209 finding a new owner, reflecting a 95% sales rate. Total sales volume was $67,004,800, inclusive of buyer’s premiums. The average price per car sold was $329,597. Top sale went to the 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C Lago Speciale Teardrop Coupe and 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta, both at $4,620,000, followed by the 1949 Delahaye Type 175 S Roadster by Saoutchik that sold for $3,300,000. (See 2010 RM Auctions Monterey – Sale Report).
RM Auctions Monterey 2011, Auction Details – The RM Auctions Sports and Classics of Monterey event returns to the Portola Hotel and Monterey Convention Center, August 19-20, 2011. The auction preview will be held August 17th through 20th, with the auction taking place the evening of Friday, August 19th and Saturday, August 20th. General admission is available for $40 per person for an event pass, which grants one person access to the preview days. An official auction catalog is available for an additional $120 US although it does not constitute admission to the auctions. Bidder registration is $200 and includes an official auction catalog and admission for two to the preview, reception and auction.
For more information, contact RM Auctions at (800) 211-4371 or visit www.rmauctions.com.
RM Auctions Monterey 2011 – Auction Preview
1953 Ferrari 375 America Coupe – Estimate $1,750,000 – $2,100,000. Chassis 0327 AL is one of 12 original 375 Americas and one of two Vignale-bodied coupes; 1954 Geneva Salon show car; matching-numbers engine; presented as it was at Geneva in 1954.1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Scaglietti Spider – Estimate $2,500,000 – $3,250,000. Chassis 0492M is one of only 35 built; race-winning history, including John Von Neumann, Phil Hill, Harrison Evans; 1955 Brussels Motor Show car; starring role in movie On the Beach, featuring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner; recipient of two-year, fully documented restoration.1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupe – Estimate $1,500,000 – $1,900,000. Chassis 3359 SA is one 36 400 Superamerica coupes built by Pinin Farina; matching-numbers example; documented by Ferrari expert Marcel Massini.1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione – Estimate $3,800,000 – $4,500,000. Offered from the Skip Barber Collection. Only 42 alloy competition Berlinettas were built in 1960, with chassis no. 2209 GT being the 4th from last of these; Jo Schlesser and André Simon finished third overall in its first race – the 1000 kms of Montlhéry on October 23, 1960; chassis 2209 GT went through a total restoration to its original configuration by Ferrari Classiche in 2007 – 2008.1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinetta – Estimate Unavailable. Chassis 0226 AT was third of three built, purpose built to contest 1952 Carrera Panamericana; Original, matching-numbers drivetrain; Ex-Alberto Ascari, Carroll Shelby, Jack McAfee; 1988 Ferrari Club of America Best in Show and Best Competition Ferrari; 1989 Best in Class at Pebble Beach Concours.
1958 BMW 507 Roadster – Estimate $800,000 – $1,200,000. Offered from the Lyon Family Collection; formerly owned by “Bond Girl” Ursula Andress; believed to have been gifted to Andress by Elvis Presley.1952 Chrysler D’Elegance – Estimate $1,000,000-$1,300,000. Bodied by Ghia and designed by Virgil Exner, the design debuted at the 1952 Paris Motor Show; powered by a Hemi engine on a shortened New Yorker chassis.
1952 Cunningham C-3 West Palm Beach Coupe – Estimate $675,000 – $875,000. Only C-3 coupe constructed entirely in Cunningham’s West Palm Beach workshop before body production was shifted to Vignale in Turin. Powered by Chrysler Hemi and Cadillac three-speed transmission; documented with ownership history from new.1969 Chevrolet BFG Factory L88 ZL-1 Greenwood Racing Corvette – Estimate $750,000 – $950,000. Delivered new as a factory L88 Corvette before becoming one of three ‘Stars & Stripes’ team cars sponsored by BF Goodrich (BFG) during the 1971-1973 seasons. Numbered #49, it was initially slated for promotional use by BFG, although quickly converted to racing specification and powered by one of the last Traco-built ZL-1 motors. Initial major win was a first place in the GT class in 1972 at the Watkins Glen six-hour race. In 1973, it raced at the 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Daytona and 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it set the GT speed record of 215 mph on the Mulsanne straight in qualifying. Recipient of restoration in 2008; won ‘Best in Class’ at The Quail in 2008, Amelia Award at the 2009 Amelia Island Concours, as well Bloomington Gold and NCRS.1970 Porsche 911S – Estimate Unavailable. Delivered new to Steve McQueen on the set of the movie Le Mans; invoiced and assigned by the Property Master for use during filming and for McQueen’s personal use; four owners from new, including McQueen’s personal collection in California; well documented with invoices and correspondence corroborating authenticity; excellent in original preserved condition.1953 Siata 208S Spyder – Estimate $875,000 – $1,175,000. Chassis BS523 reportedly owned by Steve McQueen; multiple concours awards; shown at The Quail, twice at Pebble Beach and part of an extended exhibit at Petersen Museum.
RM Auctions Monterey 2011 – Auction Preview Page Two
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A – Estimate unvailable. Chassis 130945 is one of a limited few transitional 500 K – 540 K Sport Cabriolet A models. Featuring the then-newly introduced 540 K motor, it was delivered to its first owner, Maria Leyder of Stuttgart in 1936, eventually making its way to the United States following the war. Today, the subject of a 100-point restoration, it has received numerous awards on the show field, including at Pebble Beach and Forest Grove. In addition, it has successfully competed twice in the Monte Carlo Historic Rally, finishing first place in both 1991 and 1994.1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Roadster – Estimate $4,000,000 – $5,000,000. Chassis 105380 represents an example from the top of Mercedes’ product offering in the mid-30s. Completed in February 1935, 105380 was immediately shipped to Berlin where it was displayed as the centerpiece of the Mercedes-Benz stand at the Berlin Motor Show. Soon after, it was sold to its first owner, Hans Friedrich Prym, eventually passing through a succession of respected and well-known collectors. Offered in its red paint and tan leather interior, it is offered from the Lyon Family Collection, where it has been assiduously maintained for many years.1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Coupe – Estimate $3,250,000 – $4,500,000. Displayed at the Paris Salon in 1936, chassis 130944 is another example of Sindelfingen’s creativity and style. One of a limited few coupes built on the Mercedes-Benz 540 K chassis, its dramatic coachwork and styling features saw it shine as one of the standout features at the Paris Salon that year. Following the display, 130944 was sold to its first owner, Jean-Claude Solvay of the Belgian chemical company dynasty, eventually making its way to the United States in the 1960s. Today, just four owners from new, its upcoming sale, complete with a copy of its original build sheet, represents a rare ownership opportunity for discerning collectors.1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster – Estimate $3,500,000 – $4,500,000. Featuring one-off ‘Spezial’ coachwork, chassis 408383 is an illustration of Mercedes-Benz’s most desirable eight-cylinder model. Specially commissioned by the Horn Brothers, proprietors of an exclusive boutique in Berlin, it differs from other 540 Ks through its range of unique styling cues, including teardrop fenders and tapered rear deck. As a late example of the 540 K, it also features a five-speed transmission with overdrive fifth speed, as introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 1939. Beyond its unusual attributes, 408383 boasts a fascinating history. After going into hibernation during World War II, it eventually resurfaced in the Soviet Union during the late 1960s where it had been stored at a Soviet Generals’ summer house. A numbers-matching example, it is presented in its correct shade of black and is considered a bridge between the classic Mercedes-Benz 540 K and the company’s more modern, streamlined concepts of the fifties.1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster – Estimate unavailable. Chassis 154140 from the private collection of Sam and Emily Mann. One of just a select few built with the most desirable configuration of high door, long tail and covered rear spare, of which it is believed just three examples survive, the 540 K is expected to establish a new world record for a Mercedes-Benz sold at auction.
1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport – Estimate $850,000 – $950,000. Original 5th Series Zagato aluminum coachwork; rare body-style produced with a fully-disappearing top and larger tail compartment.1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback – Estimate $850,000 – $1,000,000. One of 193 Fastback Continentals; one of only 43 delivered with left-hand drive; bought new by Laurence Rockefeller as a gift to his wife Mary French Rockefeller; fastest production car of its time.
1935 Bugatti Type 57 Grand Raid Roadster – Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,200,000. Specially commissioned by flamboyant Swiss collector, Mr. Jules Aellen, chassis number 57260 was completed just in time for Aellen and his wife to show the car at the second Concours d’Elegance at Montreux on Lake Geneva in Spring 1935, where it won the Grand Prix d’Honneur. In 2005, 57260 was invited to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it secured 2nd in Class.1932 Packard 904 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton – Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,400,000. From the Lyon Family Collection; custom body by Dietrich; one of only two examples known on the 904 chassis; formerly Otis Chandler Collection.1911 Simplex Model 50 Four-Passenger Tourabout – Estimate $650,000 – $850,000. From the Lyon Family Collection; one of about 250 50-hp examples built; ex-Harrah Collection; known ownership since 1930.1965 Mercer-Cobra Roadster – Estimate $800,000 – $1,200,000. Interpretation of a Mercer Raceabout, built by Carrozzeria Sibona-Basano on Cobra chassis CSX2451; part of Lyon Family Collection since 1989; commissioned by the Copper Development Association from Virgil Exner’s designs in Esquire; documented in Shelby American World Registry with chassis sold new through Shelby American; profiled in Automobile Quarterly (1964).
Good choice for the cover car.
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