A trio of sports cars presented for sale for the first time in decades are among the headline offerings at the 2014 Gooding and Company Pebble Beach Auction, scheduled for August 16-17 at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center in California. Highlights include one of the last Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider Americas built, a Mercer Series 5 Raceabout owned by the same family since 1945 and a 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra.
David Gooding, President and Founder, said, “At Gooding & Company, we have had the distinguished privilege of presenting some of the world’s greatest automobiles. These important sports cars are no exception and what makes these three examples truly special is they are new discoveries with impeccable histories of long-term ownership.”
The 1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America, one of the last 240 Spider Americas built, is believed to have been sold new in the United States, and was later owned by a Lancia enthusiast in the United Kingdom. In 1986, this B24S returned to North America and is now being offered for the first time at auction after spending over 20 years sequestered in a California garage. This Spider America has never been shown, restored or offered for public sale and would be an ideal candidate to undergo a Concours-level restoration (estimate: $900,000 – $1,100,000).
The 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra on offer is one of only 453 examples of the road-going 289 Cobras built between 1962 and 1965. This late production example features all of the improvements that were introduced throughout the production run, including rack and pinion steering, Stewart Warner gauges and the more reliable Ford electrical system. Finished in silver with black interior, this 289 Cobra was immediately put to use in competition and raced in several Southern California events throughout the 1960s. After its brief vintage racing career, this Cobra was retired from competition and is now being offered for sale for the first time in over 30 years (estimate: $800,000 – $1,000,000).
The iconic American sports car presented at the 2014 Gooding Pebble Beach auction is the final variation of the legendary Mercer Raceabout. This 1920 Mercer Series 5 Raceabout features staggered bucket seats and fold down windscreen that is found in the last of the great Mercer line. This Series 5 has been owned by the same family since 1945 and has passed through three generations of car enthusiasts. Under its current ownership, this automobile participated in the 1949 Glidden Tour and was featured in a famous advertisement for Gulf Oil. Finished in the classic bright yellow Mercer livery, this Raceabout is an outstanding expression of timeless American motoring (estimate: $300,000 – $400,000).
The 2014 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auctions will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17 at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, located at the corner of Portola Road and Stevenson Drive. Preview days will start on Wednesday, August 13, and continue through Sunday, August 17. The auctions will commence at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach Auctions catalogues are available for $100 and admit two to the viewing and the auctions. General admission tickets to the viewing and auctions may be purchased on-site for $40.
For additional information, visit goodingco.com or call (310) 899-1960.
[Source: Gooding & Company]
