Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction 2010

Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor

Bonhams and Butterfields held its 2010 Quail Lodge auction on August 12-13 at the Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, California.

Bonhams added a day to its Quail Lodge auction this year but kept the number of cars the same (102 in 2010, 103 in 2009) as last year, ending the musically-interrupted marathon that continued far beyond human endurance in years past and selling many more cars in the process (77.5% against 58.3% last year and 55.8% in 2008 when there were just 77 cars.) It was a very good decision.

The Bonhams Quail Lodge 2010 sale led off on Thursday with Mike Amalfitano’s collection of primarily Porsches highlighted by his 917. Presented in the Interserie Spyder configuration in which Mike had raced it in recent years, and meticulously and carefully race prepared in his Amalfi Racing shop in Jupiter, Florida by Klaus Fischer, it was the star of Thursday night. When the hammer dropped at $3.6 million ($3,967,000 with the commission) a great sigh of relief could be detected not only among the auction-goers in the Quail Lodge tent but throughout the Monterey Peninsula. It set the tone for the rest of the weekend … and the other 42 cars scattered among the five auctions which were estimated at or reasonably expected to bring a million dollars or more.

The Bonhams Quail Lodge 2010 stats are as follows:

[table id=21 /]

It was a great start to the weekend’s auctions, an optimistic and refreshing way to kick off the clamor of commercialism that was to follow, and a welcome relief from the seemingly interminable presentation of prior years.

Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction 2010 – Report

Lot # 629 1937 BMW 328 Roadster; S/N 85079; Engine # 85079; Ivory/Maroon leather; Estimate $550,000 - $650,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $600,000 plus commission of 11.17%; Final Price $667,000 -- Skirts, single driving light, dual rear spares. Good older paint, chrome and interior. FIA sticker, FIVA passport and BMW Group Classic certificate. Rallied and raced in the late 30's by Carl Max von und zu Sandizell with support from Ernst Loof's BMW Racing Department. Sold by Sandizell's family in 1959 and eventually restored for Oscar Davis by Chris Leydon. Brake fluid drip and curdled paint on frame but overall clean and attractive. Long overshadowed by other marques and models, the BMW 328 is coming into its own recently as this and other recent sales demonstrate. Not so long ago they were $200,000 cars. Now they're $600,000 cars, especially with pedigree, provenance and race history like this.

Lot # 658 1932 Buick Model 55 Sport Phaeton; S/N 2627717; Metallic Raspberry, Black fenders and accent/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $100,000 - $120,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $115,000 plus commission of 16.09%; Final Price $133,500 -- Body color wire wheels, whitewalls, dual sidemounts with mirrors, Unity driving lights, windwings, metal luggage trunk. Originally delivered in Australia, converted to lefthand drive probably during restoration. Good older restoration but in a livery that borders on gaudy. Sound and usable paint, chrome, top and upholstery. Engine and chassis are clean and nearly like now. Great tour car. Sold by RM at Hershey in 2006 for $53,350 and cosmetically redone since. Offered by Russo and Steele in Scottsdale in 2009, then at Mecum's Monterey auction last year where it was a no-sale at a bid of $77,000. Obviously it was worth the wait to bring it here, and a real home run for the seller. The buyer might not feel as good about it.

Lot # 644 1957 Dual-Ghia DG Convertible; S/N 128; Engine # 7715; Light Yellow/Camel leather; Estimate $225,000 - $275,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $175,000 plus commission of; Final Price $175,000 -- Good older paint, chrome and interior but showing a few flaws like the radio antenna which has fallen into the fender, wiper scratches on the windshield and fiberglass that makes up a significant portion of the right sill. Not reassuring. Reported sold here in 2007 for $199,500 and not getting any better with the passage of time. The seller would have been prudent to take the money as it's going to take all the difference and more to put it into condition that will recoup the purchase price.

Lot # 247 1973 Ferrari 365 GTC/4, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 15873; Dark Red/Tan leather; Estimate $125,000 - $150,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $100,000 plus commission of; Final Price $100,000 -- Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, 215/70VR15 Michelin X tires, A/C, radio. A very good, masterfully masked, old repaint. Soiled original interior. Good dash covering with water stains in one corner. Aged console covering and shifter boot. Engine and chassis are clean and original. Well preserved and attractive. Another original Marrone Colorado Ferrari, a color so rare today as to make the lucky cars that retain it exceptional finds. It was apparently restored in the early 80's, and looks the part but is still in presentable condition despite a slew of defects and age-related shortcomings. It would have been a good value at $85,000. and deserves to have fallen short of its consignor's exalted expectations.

Lot # 226 1980 Ferrari 512 BB, Body by Pininfarina; S/N F102BB33799; Red/Beige leather; Estimate $80,000 - $90,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $81,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $94,770 -- Alpine CD changer, A/C. Good repaint, chip guarded air dam, lightly soiled and worn original upholstery. Upgraded heat and sound insulation. Manuals included. A tidy and clean driver consistently maintained and impressively presented. Not California smog compliant. Mike Amalfitano Collection. No Reserve. Hammered sold at a reasonable value but edged into pricey territory by Bonhams' generous commission structure this is still a sound value for its exceptional maintenance and care that should give its new owner confidence and enjoyment of its performance and style.

Lot # 228 1990 Ferrari F40; S/N ZFFMN34A7L0085416; Red/Red cloth; Estimate $300,000 - $330,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $345,000 plus commission of 12.03%; Final Price $386,500 -- A/C. U.S. spec, one owner from new with 12,161 miles. Open exhaust, upgraded suspension, larger turbos, reprogrammed ECU, larger Brembo brakes. Replaced parts included. All documentation from new. 15,000 mile serviced in December 2000. Clean and nearly like new. Not California smog compliant. Mike Amalfitano Collection. This is nothing if not a healthy value in one of Ferrari's legendary supercars. The new owner got a one-owner car with continuous, fastidious maintenance for, at best, the price of an infrequently used trailer queen. The distinction is important, if only to drivers who will recognize the value in this ‘used’ but cherished example. It is well bought at this price by a student of automobiles unimpressed by the false allure of low miles.

Lot # 227 1996 Ferrari F512 M Berlinetta; S/N ZFFVA40B000101768; Red/Black leather; Estimate $140,000 - $160,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $112,000 plus commission of 16.25%; Final Price $130,200 -- A/C. DOT bond release letter in file. 3,833 miles. Engine-out serviced in 2008. Tool kit and owner's folder included. No visible wear or age, even on the seat bolsters. Not California smog compliant. Mike Amalfitano Collection. No Reserve. One of 512 of this model, the final and most sophisticated iteration of the flat-12 Testarossa series, this is modest money for this car's history, condition, documentation and low miles.

Lot # 657 1951 FIAT 500C Giardiniera Station Wagon; S/N 500C268428; Engine # 500B-272903; Metallic Green/Brown vinyl; Estimate $55,000 – $60,000; Not evaluated, condition; Hammered Sold at $45,500 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $53,235 — Bought at Bonhams Greenwich sale in June for $35,100, earning a tidy profit in just two months. (Picture Unavailable).

Lot # 222 1959 FIAT 600 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 100553647; Red/Grey vinyl, Red piping; Estimate $12,000 – $15,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $10,500 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $12,285 — Underdash engine gauges, 3-spoke aftermarket steering wheel, Amco shift knob, rubber hood tiedowns, black rubber floor mats. Decent repaint, good interior and tidily cosmetically restored. Michael Amalfitano Collection. No Reserve. Not as cute as an Isetta, but close, as is the price. (Picture Unavailable).

Lot # 246 1967 Fiat Dino Spyder, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 135AS0000689; Engine # 135B0000002655; Red/Tan leather, Red piping; Beige cloth top; Estimate $40,000 - $55,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $46,800 -- Sorry cassette stereo, Prototipo leather rim steering wheel, Cromodora alloy wheels. Good upholstery, fair repaint erratically applied in corners. Old undercoat on chassis. Eugene compartment superficially black bombed. Head bolts painted red for some reason. Engine has been out and neatly done. Fair chrome windshield surround but good trim and bumpers. Sold by RM from Gene Ponder's collection in 2007 for $58,300 and appears to have had some engine work since but still not very impressive. This is a representative result for a usable and presentable Fiat Dino Spyder driver.

Lot # 621 1961 Fiat-Abarth 1000 Bialbero Competition Coupe; S/N 1128948; Engine # 229/235; White, Blue Stripes/Blue leather; Estimate $300,000 - $350,000; Competition restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $300,000 plus commission of 12.33%; Final Price $337,000 -- One of three entered by Briggs Cunningham at Sebring in 1961, driven by Bruce McLaren to win the 3-Hours race. Later driven by Walt Hansgen at Bridgehampton in September, finishing fourth overall, second in class, in the 400km race. Restored by Nino Epifani, class winner at Pebble Beach in 2002 and still presented in essentially excellent freshly restored condition and better than new. This is a choice car that rings all the right bells including an authentic international race-winning history. Many Fiat-Abarths lived out their lives in club racing, making this one of the best in both preparation and history and a sound value at this price.

Lot # 223 1967 Fiat-Abarth 850 TC/R; S/N 100D2366678; Green, Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $40,000 - $50,000; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $52,650 -- Fire roll cage, fire system, two seats. Decent paint, some old details. Clean but not fresh engine and chassis. Michael Amalfitano Collection. No Reserve. This thing has 45DCOE Webers ... two of them. That's enough carburetor for an Alfa GTA 1600. What Abarth's wizards did with little Fiat motors is nothing short of amazing. Considering that its 982cc Fiat-based engine makes power comparable with a Ferrari Mondial or 500 TR of barely a decade before, and puts that power to the ground in a rear-engined sedan that looks like a Road & Track caricature is nothing short of wonderful. The price it brought here is nothing short of realistic for the charm and performance of the Abarth.

Lot # 229 1940 Ford 11A Super Deluxe Convertible Coupe Convertible Coupe; S/N 185646174; Metallic Blue/White, Metallic Blue Naugahyde; Estimate $45,000 - $55,000; Customized restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $43,290 -- Skirts, whitewalls, red steel wheels, hubcaps, trim rings, aluminum heads, dual carb intake, beehive oil filter, fuel pressure gauge, tube shocks, aftermarket bumpers, Mooneyes tach, engine gauges, hand painted eyeball column shift knob, dummy spots, gorgeous pinstriping signed by the artist and dated '94. A choice piece of classic street rodding that has a few cosmetic issues but needs nothing to be driven, toured and shown with confidence it will be appreciated. Michael Amalfitano Collection. No Reserve. This is one very sharp, clean, righteous '40 Ford custom. Endowed with the right stuff, embellished by particularly attractive and artistic pinstriping, and carefully maintained by Mike Amalfitano's staff, it can be swung into use immediately and is a great value at this price.

Lot # 646 1932 Ford Model 18 Deluxe Roadster; S/N; Maroon, Black fenders/Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $75,000 - $85,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $79,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $92,430 -- Offenhauser intake manifold and heads with dual Stromberg carbs, beehive oil filter, red wire wheels with trim rings, whitewalls, rumble seat, rear mounted spare with Tan cloth cover, greyhound, windwings, aftermarket gauges, alternator. Good older paint, chrome, upholstery and top. Restored better than new and used a little but very clean and attractive. This is a choice Ford, entirely original appearing on the outside but with tasteful and appropriate engine modifications for better performance and a bit of bling with the hood is raised. The bidders here appreciated it and paid appropriately.

Lot # 250 1954 Jaguar XK 120SE Drophead Coupe; S/N S678097; Dark Green/Tan leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $70,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $56,160 — Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, Lucas driving lights, 4-spoke woodrim Moto-Lita steering wheel, fender mirrors, aluminum radiator, 5-speed transmission. Good paint, chrome, interior and very nice wood. Chassis like new. No Reserve. Offered by RM in Ft. Lauderdale earlier this year but unsold, it brought a modest price today which should translate into an enjoyable ownership experience for the new owner. Well bought. (Picture Unavailable).

Lot # 251 1957 Jaguar XK 140 Roadster; S/N 812743; Engine # G8701-8; Black/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $80,000 - $100,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $87,750 -- Steel wheels, skirts, whitewalls, windshield washers. Good older paint, chrome and interior. An attractive restoration to nearly like new with some age and use. No Reserve. Reported sold by RM at Amelia Island in 2006 for $99,000 nearly freshly restored and showing age since (but only four more miles on the odometer.) Still an attractive and usable driver that brought an appropriate price in today's market.

Lot # 230 1958 Jaguar XK 150 Roadster; S/N S830812DN; Engine # V3973-8 (original engine: see; Black/Tan leather; Estimate $60,000 - $80,000; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $87,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $101,790 -- Redone during restoration as a Jaguar XK 150 S clone with 15’ chrome wire wheels, Lucas Flamethrower driving lights, prepared engine with triple Weber 45DCOE carbs, overdrive, XJ6 oil pump, straight port head and more. Lovely cosmetics include a 4-spoke Derrington-style woodrim steering wheel. ‘S’ emblems on the doors suggest its archetype but underhood details like the Webers and a meticulously welded aluminum radiator overflow tank and radiator clue any onlooker to its character. Way beyond better than new. Includes original wheels, tires and other parts. Michael Amalfitano Collection. No Reserve. This Jag might actually keep cool on tours, as well as keep up with modern traffic. Its workmanship is above reproach. It's appearance is seductively attractive. The bidders recognized its attractions. A correct 'S' in this condition is worth something like 50% more and is much less enjoyable on the road. I'd say the new owner got a lot of car for the money, and paid no more than it was worth.

Lot # 632 1963 Jaguar XKE SI Lightweight Replica; S/N 879127; Engine # RA1269-9; White, Blue stripes/Dark Blue leather; Estimate $150,000 - $175,000; Modified for competition during restoration 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 15.00%; Final Price $161,000 -- RHD. Webers, widened rear track, pin-drive centerlock wheels, 4.2 litre engine, XJ6 brakes, aluminum monocoque and body. Fresh, sharp and like new except for some dust. Excellent paint and upholstery. Not real but really impressive. This result appropriately reflects the market value of quality Lightweight replicas produced with attention to details.

Lot # 254 1966 Lamborghini 350 GT Berlinetta, Body by Touring; S/N 0358; Engine # 0325; Silver/Black leather; Estimate $135,000 – $155,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $144,000 plus commission of 14.86%; Final Price $165,400 — Chrome spoke Borranis, blackwall XWX tires, Heuer chronometer, pushbutton radio. Lumpy, filled sills, blisters in driver’s door bottom. Poor repaint, fair upholstery. Old undercoat on chassis. Weak chrome. Bad car. Sold by RM at Amelia in 2000 for $48,400, then in Monterey in 2002 for $57,200 and by Barrett-Jackson at the Petersen Museum in 2003 for $48,060. The Lamborghini market has improved a lot since then and in the current environment this is an inexpensive price, but fully values this disappointing car, which has some expensive needs. (Picture Unavailable).

Lot # 626 1910 Locomobile Model 30-L Speedster; S/N 2030; Blank, Gold coachlines/Black leather; Estimate $110,000 - $130,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 16.67%; Final Price $122,500 -- RHD. E&J acetylene headlights, Locomobile kerosene sidelights, Rubes-style bulb horn, monocle windshield, acetylene spotlight, dual rear spares, Warner speedometer and clock. Good older repaint and upholstery. Restored a long while ago and driven but maintained very well. A rarely seen Locomobile Speedster with a long history. The 286 cubic inch T-head four has ample power to impart significant performance to the stripped down Speedster. Its patina is lovely and it will be a welcome participant in all kind of historic events. At this price it is an excellent value, even if its origin is shrouded in the mists of time.

Lot # 640 1930 Mercedes-Benz 38/250 7.1 Liter Supercharged 'SS' Sports Tourer Touring; S/N 36257; Engine # 77636; Red, Black fenders/Maroon leather; Red cloth top; Estimate $2,000,000 - $3,000,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $2,300,000 plus commission of 10.30%; Final Price $2,537,000 -- RHD. Lucas headlights, CAV marker lights, Bosch horns, folding windshield, spotlight, dual rear spares, red wire wheels, blackwall tires. Good older paint, chrome, upholstery, top and glass. Chassis restored like new. Seats lightly creased but nearly like new. Excellent burl wood dash and wooden steering wheel rim. Obsessively documented for years. Engine has some drips and leaks but will detail to be very presentable. A superb tour car that can be shown with pride. In the present family ownership since 1955, five owners from new and other than some modifications to the top it is as-built by M-B and delivered to Sir Alfred Bird of ‘Bird's Custard’ in 1930. Meticulously documented by its most recent owner with every quart of oil and gallon of gas. Rediscovered a year ago and recommissioned it is a jaw-dropping find, carefully preserved, maintained and refurbished as needed but never restored. Idles like a contented baby and needs absolutely nothing. I'm told the supercharger works as intended. It has the build integrity of a Lexus pickup. It's not cheap at this price but may be the best deal of any of the million dollar cars in Monterey this year. Seeing it, Brooks Stevens' objective in building the Excalibur is apparent, but no pickup-based assembled car will ever approach the caliber of this lightning-wagen.

Lot # 643 1927 Mercedes-Benz 630 Model K Short-Chassis Convertible, Body by Thomas Harrington; S/N 32019; Engine # 60434; Black/Burgundy leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $450,000 - $550,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $400,000 plus commission of; Final Price $400,000 -- RHD. Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, luggage trunk, Zeiss headlights, Butler fender markers, Marchal driving lights. Good recent repaint, body covering and upholstery on a much older and largely original chassis and engine. Original coachwork as fitted in 1927, attractive, lightweight and practical. In Thailand for nearly two decades until recently and serviced by M-B Classic Center. Eminently presentable and usable as is. A very attractive automobile, particularly unusual on the short chassis. The reported high bid may not have been enough to pry it from its current owner's hands but it should be close.

Lot # 627 1940 Mercury Series 09A Custom Coupe; S/N 99A121762; Dark Green/Green, White leather; White cloth roof; Estimate $150,000 - $200,000; Recent restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 14.83%; Final Price $166,500 -- Dual remote Appleton spotlights, large hubcaps with trim rings, whitewalls, Weiand dual intake, chromed factory heads, column shift, radio, skirts. Lowered and chopped with a Carson-style roof. Excellent paint, chrome, roof and interior. Freshly restored to show quality. A historically significant pre-WWII LA Custom by Charles Marr and Gerry Huth restored with its original customized body panels. 276 cubic inch flathead, Zephyr gears and 2-speed axle, hydraulic brakes. This is an impressive piece of California Custom history, meticulously restored and presented with a generous complement of the right period parts. The price paid hardly covers the cost of the fresh restoration and is a sound value for a custom-inclined buyer.

Lot # 652 1933 MG K3 Magnette Supercharged Re-creation Roadster; S/N K0326; BRGreen, Black/Tan leather; Tan cloth top and tonneau; Estimate $180,000 - $220,000; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $170,000 plus commission of 14.12%; Final Price $194,000 -- RHD. Black wire wheels, folding windshield, aeroscreens, chrome side exhaust, headlight stoneguards. Excellent cosmetics, shows virtually. No use or age. Meticulously detailed. A made-up car, but a very attractively and professionally made-up one done by Peter Gregory with slab tank bodywork and reportedly a number of original ('up to 60%') K3 components. It's more than reasonable to look past the origins of this K3 to its appearance, specifications and superb presentation and see hours and hours of enjoyable road tours and events. For that, it is a wonderful car, and bought at a reasonable price.

Lot # 653 1917 Mitchell Six-Six 5-Passenger Touring; S/N 75659; Blue, Black/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $29,250 — Red Buffalo centerlock wire wheels, windwings, New Haven clock, whitewalls, dual rear spares, spotlight, footrest. Superficial older restoration to decent but unimpressive touring condition. Sound but unattractive paint, sound upholstery. Reported sold by RM at Hershey last year for $19,250 and not much better now than it was then. Still, it’s quite a bit of car for not much more than a comparable Model T Ford would bring. (Picture Unavailable).

Lot # 224 1961 Porsche 356B Super Coupe, Body by Reutter; S/N 120386; Engine # 700283; Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $60,000 - $70,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $46,800 -- Sliding sunroof, Blaupunkt multi-band radio, chrome wheels, blackwall tires, luggage rack. Excellent paint, surface creased upholstery. Twin grille T-6 body. Chassis done like new with some subsequent use. Michael Amalfitano Collection. No Reserve. A serious driver's car, bought very reasonably for its good restoration and the rare sunroof which makes it much more enjoyable without compromising the rigidity of its body or its handling.

Lot # 234 1967 Porsche 910/6 2-liter Endurance Racing Works Coupe; S/N 910026; Engine # 910023; White, Green nose/Red cloth; Estimate $675,000 - $725,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $720,000 plus commission of 10.97%; Final Price $799,000 -- Originally powered by 2.2 litre 8-cylinder. Led 1967 Nürburgring 1000km race driven by Gerhard Mitter and Lucien Bianchi until the battery died on the final lap. Later converted to spyder configuration and fitted with 2-litre flat six. Restored in coupe configuration after Mike Amalfitano crashed it on the Targa Florio Storica. Very clean and nearly like new. Typical dull white paint. Race ready. Mike Amalfitano Collection. The catalog spends a great deal of words praising the 8-cylinder history of this car, a history it seems to have had for only one ultimately unsuccessful race and while significant it would seem to impart little value to its present form. Impressively prepared and recently tested by Brian Redman, this nevertheless is a potent and charismatic Porsche race car that brought a similarly potent price

Lot # 231 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera GT2; S/N WPOAD29928S796241; Black/Black leather and Alcantara; Estimate $140,000 – $160,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 16.36%; Final Price $128,000 — Porsche’s first 200+mph road car, with just 1,317 miles from new and one owner. Michael Amalfitano Collection. No Reserve. Values plummet as Porsche succeeds its greatest road cars with even greater ones. Still, This is a lot of Porsche … even though it’ll be worth less next month. (Picture Unavailable).

Lot # 225 1969 Porsche 911S Klub Sport Challenge Coupe; S/N 119301377; Black, Red, Yellow/Black cloth; Estimate $40,000 - $80,000; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 17.00%; Final Price $40,950 -- Sparco seats, belts and steering wheel, roll cage, Weber carbs, fire system. Comprehensively reworked for Klub Sport events and only infrequently used. Very tidy and attractive with a particularly sharp paint job by Rick Millay. Michael Amalfitano Collection. No Reserve. Bought for less than the cost of the preparation, much less the gorgeous black/red/yellow paint job, and ready to be driven enthusiastically in all kinds of events.

Lot # 236 1972 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder (1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans); S/N 917026/917031 (after 1970); Engine # 917031; Yellow, Red/Red cloth; Estimate -; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $3,600,000 plus commission of 10.19%; Final Price $3,967,000 -- RHD. Started life as 917026, a Gulf/Wyer LeMans coupe #22, distinguished by its full orange painted roof driven by David Hobbs and Mike Hailwood until it was crashed during Hailwood's first stint on lap 50 in a downpour. Stripped and rebuilt around chassis 917031 but renumbered by Wyer (with Porsche's knowledge) 917026. Eventually the original 917026 chassis (now known as 917031 (confused yet?) was resurrected and raced as an Interserie Spyder by Ernst Kraus with a creditable race history against the turbo 917/10s and 7+ litre McLarens. Eventually acquired by Georg Loos for Gelo Racing and driven by Jurgen Barth in the Interserie. Acquired by Mike Amalfitano from the Chandon family in 1987, restored by Gunnar Racing with 5.4 litre naturally aspirated 917 engine with 630 dyno hp and maintained in Amalfitano's Amalfi Racing shop by Klaus Fischer. Spotless, meticulously maintained and presented and track-ready. Not surprisingly, there is another school of thought on this 917's history that reverses the sequence of the chassis number changes, but doesn't affect the essential quality of the car. Opened at $1 million after an introduction by Alain de Cadenet (the weekend's color man of choice both here and at RM.) Zoomed upwards and closed at this quite astonishing result, a price largely attributable to its breathtaking performance capability, varied (sic) history and outstanding presentation. Bonhams sold a complete 917 coupe body from the Amalfitano Collection earlier for $182,000 against an estimate for $40-60,000 and it won't be a surprise to see the two joined up in the near future. How big is this money? Well the previous record for a 917 was 917022 sold by RM in Monterey in 2000 for $1,320,000. Christie's reached $1,660,281 for 020 at Rétromobile in 2004 but it didn't sell. The price is four times the best ever seen for an Interserie Spyder configured 917. This is more than double the best ever LeMans coupe price, and this is a 917 that never finished LeMans. On the other hand, the new owner does get two histories (i.e., chassis numbers) for the price of one. Sold on Thursday, this transaction set everyone's expectations for Monterey 2010 a lot higher.

Lot # 209 -- Porsche 917K Body; S/N None; Blue, Orange roof/; Estimate $40,000 - $60,000; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $159,091 plus commission of 14.40%; Final Price $182,000 -- Porsche 917K LeMans short tail coupe body and related parts including headlight buckets, brake ducts, taillights, windshield. The results here against a $40,000-60,000 estimate give a hint of what was about to happen with Michael Amalfitano's ex-LeMans Porsche 917. (Calculated commission is incorrect. Automobilia commission is 22% of the first $100K and 20% over $100K.)

Lot # 237 1976 Porsche 934/5 Competition Grand Touring Coupe; S/N 9306700171; Yellow/Black; Estimate $650,000 - $750,000; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $550,000 plus commission of; Final Price $550,000 -- Built as a 934 for the Gelo Racing Team and driven by Tim Schenken, Rolf Stommelen and Toine Hezemans. Sold to Claude Haldi in late '76 with two class wins in 1977 at Nürburgring 1000km and Brands Hatch 6 Hours. Twice raced at Le Mans, finishing 2nd in GT in 1976. Later sold to Enrique Molins ('Jamsal') in El Salvador and updated to 935 specs and later with the current K3 bodywork. Restored in 2006 with fresh 3.2 engine showing 700hp at 1 bar boost but not raced since. Clean and orderly vintage racer. Stone stars behind rear wheels give it some racing authenticity. The age of the preparation may have put the bidders off this car but its history and specifications make it highly desirable if frightening to contemplate exploring its performance envelope. If the seller's expectations are for more than the reported high bid it may be a while before it finds a new home.

Lot # 233 1988 Porsche 962 Group C Endurance Racer; S/N 962138; Engine # FR 001; Orange ‘Jagermeister’/Black; Estimate $425,000 - $475,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $440,000 plus commission of 11.59%; Final Price $491,000 -- RHD. Unimportant racing history driven by Tim Lee-Davey, Tom Dodd-Noble and Colin Crang. Re-tubbed in 1988 with a carbon fiber duplicate of Porsche's aluminum tub built by Advanced Composites, one of 25 built. Porsche may have accepted transferring its 962138 chassis number to this tub. 3-litre engine. Professionally prepared for historic racing and very sharp and clean. Michael Amalfitano Collection. Beautifully prepared, recent engine rebuild, and about as confused a chassis history as anyone could imagine. The 956/962 had a long racing history and many shops built new tubs to replace or repair damaged chassis. This history, with no claimed Porches racing background, is as clear as any. Its appeal is based on the performance of the design. It will never grace any collection's lineup of historic race winners, but is capable of winning today's historic races for which its price is nothing exceptional.

Lot # 232 1992 Porsche 964 Carrera 4 Lightweight; S/N 964015; Black/Black cloth; Estimate $120,000 – $140,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $115,000 plus commission of 16.09%; Final Price $133,500 — One of 20 built by Porsche, a fearsome competition all wheel drive machine based on the 964 chassis and intended for serious competition. Two Recaro seats, six-point belts, full roll cage, power steering, driver-adjustable front-rear and lateral torque split. A loose surface racing special intended for serious racing drivers. Essentially unused since purchased from Porsche in 1991 and now with just 4,400 km on its odometer. Comes with purchase-related paperwork, DOT correspondence (including a letter from NH Governor Judd Gregg), parts manual, post-build paperwork from Helmut Greiner and both chassis and bodywork manuals. Michael Amalfitano Collection. No Reserve. You gotta be a Porsche anorak to appreciate this Porsche … until you spend some time with its specs and realize it is a specialized weapon focused on specific competition conditions and superbly suited to taking advantage of them. There are only 20, so the bidders’ conclusion here has to be considered determinative. (Picture Unavailable).