RM Sotheby’s held its fifth annual Santa Monica sale on June 24, registering more than $9.3 million in total sales. The single-day auction, at the historic Barker Hangar, featured some 175 vehicles and an array of automobilia, while still catering to the diversity of Southern California tastes. The auction drew bidders from 19 countries, including some from as far away as Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
The day’s top sale was a fully restored, matching-numbers 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, chassis no. 198-042-10-02551. The 300 SL (above, photo courtesy of RM Sotheby’s) narrowly missed meeting its reserve on the auction block, but was sold immediately following the sale for $1,100,000.
Ferrari supercars have proven popular since the first SoCal sale in 2013, and this year was no exception, as the day’s second-highest sale price was the $957,000 paid for a U.S.-delivery 1992 F40, chassis no. 93065.
Another highlight of the sale was a private California collection of American Classics, offered entirely without reserve, that demonstrated the continuing demand for great pre-war cars. The group was led by a 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 V16 Fleetwood Roadster, body no. 73, wearing its original two-passenger body. One of the most desirable American Classics in today’s collector community, the V16 smashed its pre-sale estimate to sell for a final $797,500 following a lively exchange of bids 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 collectibles.”
RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica Top 10 sales:
- 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster – $1,100,000
- 1992 Ferrari F40 – $957,000
- 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy – $880,000
- 1930 Cadillac V16 Roadster by Fleetwood – $797,500
- 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 – $434,500
- 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage – $341,000
- 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren – $264,000
- 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo S – $220,000
- 1936 Bentley 3½-Litre Sedanca Coupe by Windovers – $200,750
- 1960 Porsche 356 B 1600 Roadster by Drauz – $170,500
Complete results from RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica sale, along with additional information on upcoming events can be found by visiting www.rmsothebys.com.
