While long known for record sales of muscle cars and hot rods, this past January’s annual Scottsdale, Arizona auctions also saw strong hammer prices for historic racecars. At the Russo and Steele Sports and Muscle in Scottsdale Collector Car Auction, a wild bidding frenzy arose for a 1963 Shelby Factory 289 Cobra racecar, which eventually sold for $2,133,000. This figure was more than double the previous high-mark for a factory 289 Cobra, set last year. The car, chassis CSX2128, was reportedly purchased by an anonymous individual who has vowed to display the car in the Shelby Museum. Other racecars bringing strong numbers at the Russo and Steele auction were a McLaren M6B Coupe ($195,480) and a Shelby “King Cobra” drag racer ($576,000).
Elsewhere, RM’s Scottsdale auction saw a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT “Zagato” Coupe sell for nearly $2.7 million, while a 1953 Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia Competition Berlinetta sold for $1.4 million.
Historically, the January Scottsdale sales have not been a big draw for significant historic racing cars. However, this year’s strong prices suggest that this stereotype may be changing.
