Automobiles of Arizona Auction Preview 2009 – RM Auctions

RM Auctions will hold its Automobiles of Arizona auction event on January 16th at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.

RM has assembled approximately 125 cars for their tenth annual Automobiles of Arizona auction, headlined by the ultra-rare and desirable 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, an ex-Bill Harrah 1937 Bugatti 57SC Atalante Coupe, 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France, 1914 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Shapiro-Schebera Skiff and 1954 Dodge Firearrow III Sport Coupe by Ghia.

The 2008 Arizona auction was very successful with a 95% sales rate and nearly $30 million in total sales, and, given the current state of the economy, RM will be very fortunate to replicate those results. However, if the Corvette Grand Sport and Bugatti Type 57SC and a couple other big ticket cars go home with new owners, RM will find themselves well on their way.

RM Auctions’ Automobiles of Arizona event will be held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix on Friday, January 16th, 2009. A full day preview will be held on Thursday, January 15th from 9am to 5pm. Doors open on January 16th at 9am, with the auction starting at 11am. Admission to this sale requires the purchase of the official auction catalog for $100, which will admit two.

For more information, contact RM Auctions at (800) 211-4371 or visit www.rmauctions.com.

Noteworthy Consignments:

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport – Estimate Available Upon Request. Chassis number 002 is one of just two roadster-bodied examples, and its offering at auction marks a seminal event in Corvette history. Its availability is a unique opportunity to acquire one of the most significant American racing cars of all time.

1937 Bugatti 57SC Atalante Coupe – Estimate Available Upon Request. Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante coupe is the first of only four built in the summer of 1937 with streamlined headlights. It has a well-documented history from new, including ownership by Bill Harrah. Won Best of Show at 1976 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta – Estimate $2,000,000 – $2,500,000. Chassis 0787 GT is the 12th of 18 Series II cars built and as such is a three-louver example with covered headlights. Well documented TDF, complete with period and modern race history. Recipient of recent $100,000+ engine rebuild.

1914 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Shapiro-Schebera Skiff – Estimate $1,500,000 – $2,000,000. Chassis number 54PB is one of the most unique examples of the Edwardian Silver Ghost. Unusually light and sporty, it is a well-known car within the Rolls-Royce community, and carries fabulous wooden Schebera coachwork.

1954 Dodge Firearrow III Sport Coupe by Ghia – Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,500,000. The third in a series of four unique Firearrow concept cars made, it has been said that this concept car had the skillful blending of the best ideas from Europe and the American design studios of Virgil Exner, and brought an entirely new kind of beauty with a look of poised power.

1937 Delage D8-120 Aerosport Coupe – Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,500,000. Chassis number 50789 is regarded as the only example extant of the original 10 Notchback Coupes built by the noted firm of Letourner et Marchand. It is exceptionally restored, and is a former Pebble Beach Award Winner.

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta – Estimate $950,000 – $1,275,000.

1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood – Estimate $800,000 – $1,000,000.

1909 Thomas Model L 6-40 Flyabout – Estimate $600,000 – $800,000.

1965 Shelby 289 Cobra MKII – Estimate $525,000 – $625,000.

1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S – Estimate $400,000 – $450,000.

1932 Stutz DV-32 Super Bearcat by Weymann – Estimate $300,000 – $400,000.

1950 Mercury Custom “Bob Hope Special” – Estimate $250,000 – $300,000.

1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton Sedan – Estimate $225,000 – $300,000.

[Source: RM Auctions]