Okay, so I like alliteration, but that headline is no stretch at all in the case of the 2010 Monterey auctions. RM Auctions, Gooding & Company, Bonhams & Butterfields and Mecum Auctions reported a combined $164,231,617 in sales in nine selling sessions held over a span of just four days, a frantic Thursday-Sunday that set new records in almost every sense.
The record total is largely attributable to one simple fact: thirty-two cars brought successful hammer bids of a million dollars or more, total successful bids of $72,400,000, $83,417,000 with commission, just over half the week’s record total sale.
It’s probably best to get all the facts on the table, in this table.
[table id=15 /]
While RM’s heavily promoted Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa failed to sell after reaching a bid of $10.6 million, the top sale still sent to a Ferrari, Gooding & Company’s 250 GT Long Wheelbase California Spider at $7.6 million. The cars that followed it in the list of million-dollar transactions were nothing if not eclectic, a directory of great marques and models from Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin to Talbot-Lago and Tucker.
Conclusions from this cacophony of collecting commercialism are many, not least that the market for high end cars is strong, even stronger than the market for the less expensive, broad base of the car collecting hobby. Monterey soundly topped this year’s Arizona auctions’ total sale of $120.8 million and posted more dollars in the sale column than any previous Arizona auctions total while doing so with less than half as many cars.
Monterey has become the battleground for the big guns in collector car auctions. They leave no lead uncovered in their attempts to marshal the best, most exotic, rare, beautiful and valuable collector cars onto the auction dockets at Monterey. It is a duel of giants, particularly between RM and Gooding where in 2010 RM recaptured its place as the most successful Monterey auction, doing so by the slim – by Monterey standards – margin of just $1.4 million, 2.2%.
In their move to the top of the market the big guns have left much of the collector car hobby out of their field of fire. Mecum Auctions has seized that opportunity with its consignment sale at the Hyatt. They made their mark last year with the sale of the Cobra Daytona Coupe for $7,685,000, and chose not to try to duplicate it this year. Instead Mecum made several more modest consignments closer to the core it its client base (Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France coupe, Daytona Spider, ’67 L88 Corvette) and achieved surprising success with a sparkling array of antique wood-hull speedboats. Its opportunistic positioning adds a needed element to the Monterey auction scene, provides an outlet for consignors unwilling to deal with the major catalog auction houses (or unable to meet their demanding criteria) and will over time, Dana Mecum says, bring a new segment of customers, Mecum’s established core of buyers and sellers, to join the Monterey experience. Was it a success? They more than doubled the total sale, deducting the Cobra Daytona Coupe from last year’s total.
For starters we’ll cover some of the million dollar cars and get to the individual auctions in later reports. That’s more than enough information and intrigue for one month (and we have over 200 cars to write up, which takes a while to do right.)
[Russo and Steele is yet to issue detailed numbers for its sale at the Marriott downtown, but claimed in a post-sale release to have $7 million in sales, a number that is consistent with its 2007 and 2008 Monterey sales of $9 million plus each year. Their data will be reported later, after receiving a full, detailed results list.]
Monterey Auctions 2010 Report – Million Dollar Sales
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 1603GT; Engine # 1603GT; Silver/Black leather; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $6,600,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,260,000 – Chrome spoke Borranis, central rear outside filler cap, right door number light, no bumpers, alloy body, covered headlights. The first disc brake California Spider, raced at Nassau and at Sebring 1960 finishing 5th overall. Motion Products restoration in the late 80’s. Still excellent paint, chrome and interior. Chassis restored like new. Vinyl graphics. Ferrari Classiche certified. This was, as it turned out, the star of the weekend, the top sale among nearly three dozen million dollar cars that changed hands. It is impossible to fault the bidders’ enthusiasm for its beauty, light weight body and racing history, but it is a high water mark for LWB Cal Spiders, by some margin, signifying the market\’s high regard for the very best cars. – Lot # 046, Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza , Body by Brianza; S/N 2311218; Engine # 2311218; Dark Red/Black leather; Estimate $6,500,000 – $8,500,000; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $6,100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,710,000 – RHD. First owned by Cesare Sanguinetti in Genoa, later Luigi Beccaria, eventually ending up with Renato Balestrero in 1947 which used it in winning the 1947 Italian Sports Car Championship. Restored for Peter Giddings in the early 80\’s after nearly three decades with Robert Ford who had acquired it in Venezuela in 1952. Extensively vintage raced since being acquired by the seller in 1996 including two trips to the Mille Miglia. Engine and supercharger rebuilt in 2006 by Rick Bunkfeldt and dynoed at 192 bhp from 2,866cc. Dull paint, a few scrapes and scuffs from a busy life, exactly the way a Monza should look. The second highest sale of the Monterey week, and – in my mind at least – far and away the most desirable car. A great history and unusually pure in its constituent parts, something that is hard to find in a competition car of this caliber and long competition history. This is the price of greatness. – Lot # 117, Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Comp/61 Berlinetta, Body by Scaglietti; S/N 2845GT; Engine # 2845GT; Dark Red/Black leather; Estimate $6,000,000 – $8,000,000; Competition restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $5,550,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,105,000 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, black wrinkle dash and interior panels, 215/70VR15 Michelin X tires, cold air box, fender vents, SNAP exhaust extractors, Marchal headlights. Originally raced by Scuderia Serenissima finishing 3rd in the 1961 Tour de France Automobile (Trintignant/Cavrois) and 12th at the Montlhèry 1000km (Graham Hill/Jo Bonnier). 16th overall and 3rd in class at Daytona Continental in 1962 (Gendebien). Ferrari Classiche restoration with its original body and engine completed in 2008 with Classiche certificate. Excellent, fresh paint, chrome and very attractive interior. A choice piece, by any standards. Exactly why is a 250 GTO worth five times this Comp/61 SWB? The visual distinction is clear, but the value equation attributes some remarkable value factors that have little to do with beauty, performance or even rarity. This is real SWB money, but a solid intrinsic value in one of Ferrari’s, Pininfarina’s and Scaglieti’s best ever. It is, if anything, well bought at this price and the new owner got real value for a paltry(?) $6.1 million. – Lot # 133, Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach1954 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 0416AM; Engine # 0416AM; Cream/Brown leather; Estimate $5,000,000 – $6,000,000; Not evaluated; Hammered Sold at $4,200,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,620,000 – Once in a while a gorgeous, important car slips past me. This is one. RM must have had it hidden somewhere, or off on demonstration runs. No racing history. Offered by Bonhams at Gstaad in 2001 but no-saled at CHF 3.2 million ($1,948,250 at the time.) Sold here well under estimate, a result appropriate to this car’s uneventful history but stunning style and exceptional performance. – Lot # 351, RM Auctions, Monterey1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C Lago Special Coupe, Body by Figoni & Falaschi; S/N 90034; Black/Cognac pigskin; Estimate $3,500,000 – $4,500,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $4,200,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,620,000 – RHD. Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, sliding sunroof, Marchal headlights, fog light, driving light. One of 16 teardrops believed built, the only one on the long wheelbase chassis and the first of the series. First owner Antoine Schumann who raced as \’Nime\’ at Le Mans with Pierre-Louis Dreyfus (\’Ano\’). Bought by Freddy Damman in 1947, class winner at 1948 Spa 24 Hours with Constant Debelder. With Damman until 1979. Sold to the immediate prior owner in 1981 who kept it until 2004. Spectacular coachwork with sunroof, chrome flashes, small rear deck spline and split rear window. Freshly restored to concours condition by RM Restorations for the late John O\’Quinn on the basis of the very complete, well-preserved 3+ condition car sold here in 2005. Never shown or displayed. John O\’Quinn Collection. Acquired here in 2005 for $3,685,000 with a fortune lavished on it since in a complete, sympathetic restoration. It is above reproach in all respects, not the least in its history and preservation, and is ready to head straight to Amelia Island or Pebble Beach where it will be a Best of Show contender. The bidders received it enthusiastically and generously. Their judgment on value is definitive: this is \’market,\’ and a lot of car for the money. – Lot # 359, RM Auctions, Monterey1972 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder (1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans); S/N 917026/917031 (after 1970); Engine # 917031; Yellow, Red/Red cloth; 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. 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 for 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 # 236, Bonhams & Butterfields, Quail Lodge, Carmel Valley, 8/13/20101928 Mercedes-Benz S 26-180hp Boattail Speedster, Body by Murphy; S/N 35313; Engine # 66513; White/Blue, White vinyl; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $3,400,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $3,740,000 – Outside exhaust head pipes, black wire wheels with (rusty) chrome lock rings, folding windshield. One-off built for Albert Isham, later owned by Chico and Zeppo Marx and raced on Muroc against Phil Berg\’s Duesenberg Model J in 1932 in one of the most famous and widely photographed events in auto history. Won by the Duesie when the Mercedes had engine troubles attributed to Zeppo\’s parsimony: he declined to buy a new set of spark plugs. Scrofulous old paint job with overspray everywhere, no fenders or top. Aged but complete and largely original and runs great. Tacky Naugahyde upholstery. Needs nothing, or needs everything. This is a wonderful, historical, intriguing celebrity of a car, not only because of its Marx Brothers history or the famed Muroc race, but through its survival largely intact and only molested to the extent any old performance car would have been in the Fifties. It will initiate a thousand stories wherever it appears and is a sound value at this price. – Lot # 127, Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach1995 McLaren F1 ; S/N 062; Magnesium Silver/Black; Estimate $2,500,000 – $3,500,000; Unrestored original, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $3,250,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $3,575,000 – Factory luggage, tools and service records. U.S. and California legal with updated cats to pass current California smog tests. First owned by Larry Ellison of Oracle, 3,242 miles only and, if anything, better than new. Stalled at $2.6 MM, then quickly by $100k increments to $3 MM. To hammer’s fall by $50K increments. This is a serious price reflecting this car’s unusual ability to be owned and driven in California. It nearly matches RM’s sale of 065 in London in 2008 for $3,944,558, itself a market-altering transaction. McLaren has worked hard to maintain the secondary market values of their F1s and they must be very satisfied at how successful they have been. – Lot # 146, Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach1949 Delahaye 175 S Roadster, Body by Saoutchik; S/N 815023; Engine # 815023; Light Blue/Blue, White leather; White top; Estimate $4,000,000 – $6,000,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $3,000,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $3,300,000 – Chrome wire wheels, Marchal headlights and fog lights, skirted fenders, clear steering wheel rim and dash knobs. Allegedly built for British Blonde Bombshell Diana Dors who was already a sensation at 18. Its voluptuous curves and fecund flanks mirror Diana\’s although the proboscis over the grille resembles nothing of Diana\’s, or anything else for that matter. Fresh concours restoration by Fran Roxas which reunited the original components and a similar engine after a number of years with an Olds Toronado drivetrain. Displayed at Pebble Beach in 2007 and People\’s Choice at Amelia Island. Comes with its recently located unrestored original engine. \’Extravagant\’ doesn\’t do this car justice. Its presentation is more than flawless. A fabulous confection and one of the last flings of the coachbuilt and concours era, the price of this Delahaye is for the most part immaterial and Saoutchik\’s extravagance is legendary. Restored by one of the masters, this will be a gratifying centerpiece of any collection for years. It\’s worth what the Monterey bidders paid for it. – Lot # 353, RM Auctions, Monterey1956 Maserati Tipo 52 200SI Sports Racer; S/N 2401; Engine # 2401; Aluminum/Dark Red leather; Estimate $2,400,000 – $2,700,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $2,400,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,640,000 – RHD. Side exhaust, outside laced wire wheels, wraparound full-width windscreen, driver\’s head fairing. The first Maserati 200S, raced by Maserati and used in development of the 200SI. Long racing history that includes the Mille Miglia in 1956. Drivers include Moss, Behra, Farina, Taruffi and Musso and Wolfi Zweifler in historic events. Stripped of its paint to reveal the erratic construction techniques of the period (or contemporary race repairs). A winner at Amelia Island in 2010 in the class for Cuban GP cars. Full documentation file, Maserati Classiche certification, photos and race history. On sale at $2 MM, this Maserati was bought at RM Monterey in 2001 for just $550,000 but subsequent research by its immediately prior owner has enhanced its history and stature within Maserati\’s postwar sports racing record. If, however, a 200SI is worth this much what of a 300S or a 450S? Is the latter ready to bring Testa Rossa money? Ferrari owners quake at the thought, but as V-8 Maserati sports racers are thin on the ground (and their owners aren\’t about to let go of them) that question isn\’t about to be resolved any time soon. – Lot # 138, Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 1489GT; Engine # 1489GT; Black, Red stripe/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $2,500,000 – $3,250,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $2,375,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,612,500 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Marchal headlights, Marchal fog lights in grille. First owned by Prince Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia, pretender to the throne of Italy. Restored by Bob Smith in 1982 and converted to its present covered headlight configuration and livery. Good repaint except for lifting in rear fender creases. Excellent fresh upholstery. Chassis repainted over old undercoat. Offered by RM here in 1998, a no-sale at a reported bid of $510,000, then sold here in 2008 for $3,630,000. No longer fresh and with some minor defects showing up, the price here is much more realistic than the \’08 result. – Lot # 360, RM Auctions, Monterey1930 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 # 640, Bonhams & Butterfields, Quail Lodge, Carmel Valley, 8/13/20101951 Ferrari 340 America Spider, Body by Vignale; S/N 0140A; Engine # 0140A; Yellow/Brown leather; Estimate $2,000,000 – $2,600,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $2,300,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,530,000 – RHD. Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, full width Plexi windscreen. Reportedly original chassis, engine and body. NY Salon display, eventually established a long but unimportant West Coast history. Acquired by Gil Nickel in 1980 and restored by Griswold, winning the Hans Tanner Award at Pebble Beach in 1982. Later re-restored by Phil Reilly & Co. with subsequent awards. Mille Miglia Retro and Colorado Grand participant. Paint crack by right rear hood corner, bubble on left front fender but otherwise in remarkable condition reflecting the quality of its restoration(s) and care. This is a car that is much more famous and accomplished in the hands of its recent (and particularly most recent) stewards than in its early history. The Pebble Beach bidders accorded its specifications, beautiful Vignale coachwork and provenance appropriate deference with this result. – Lot # 019, Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 154084; Engine # 154084; Black/Black leather; Recent restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,950,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,145,000 – Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual horns, Bosch lights, single driving light, dual spotlights, radiator stoneguard, rear-mounted spare under a splined metal cover, outside exhaust head pipes. First owned by Dr. William Walter Birge, a U.S. diplomat, later for many years by Dr. Ernst Beeh, M-B Kompressor Club President for whom it was restored in Cream with Tan leather in 1999. In 2007 Scott Grundfor repainted and reupholstered it while recessing the into the rear deck spares and devising the cover and earning it the Road & Track Award at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours. Sold by Christie\’s at Pebble Beach in 2001 for $1,051,000, then by RM in Monterey a year later for $946,000 in its \’Cream over Tan\’ phase. After much effort and money, and a few years, it has shot to this value, an expensive but beautifully designed, constructed, restored and maintained car. – Lot # 122, Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach1955 Jaguar D-type ; S/N XKD 558; Engine # E2064-9; Dark Green/Green leather; Estimate $2,000,000 – $2,750,000; Competition restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,900,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,090,000 – RHD. Dunlop centerlock alloy wheels, driver\’s head fairing and fin, driver\’s wraparound windscreen, hard passenger\’s tonneau, short nose body. Frequently raced in western Canada and the U.S. Northwest, modified many times, eventually Chevy-powered. Wrecked in a 1964 accident at Westwood, B.C., resurrected at Lynx in the 90\’s and later restored with its original short nose body panels. Original engine (on a stand as acquired from Walter Hill) and data plate included. Now again well used and with engaging patina. Its old paint was only fair when it was fresh. Historic race car used. There are a few more revisions to 558\’s history of use, damage and survival than are comfortable, but there are apparently no pretenders to its history. The price it brought appropriately handicaps its value relative to other car with more illustrious and less fraught histories. It brought just $654,500 here in 1999 which makes its ownership experience rewarding both in terms of enjoyment and in the seller\’s bank account. That, however, does nothing to lessen the buyer\’s value, which is full. – Lot # 347, RM Auctions, Monterey2007 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione ; S/N ZFFHX62X000142163; Red, White/Black; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,400,000; Unrestored original, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,750,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,925,000 – Assembly # 66267. Like new. Based on Ferrari\’s F1 technology but with 6,262cc 860hp V-12 power, Ferrari built just 30 FXX Evoluziones employing advanced aerodynamics. Never intended to be driven on the street, aerodynamics and performance were barely compromised with full bodywork and two-place accommodations. Never before seen at auction, the price is, if anything, surprisingly modest for one of the world\’s all-time great show off automobiles. – Lot # 365, RM Auctions, Monterey1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Targa Speciale, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 12925; Engine # B200 Internal #; Metallic Blue; White vinyl roof/Cream leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,700,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,870,000 – A/C, Radiomobile cassette stereo, A/C, 5-spoke alloy wheels, P/W, Plexiglas nose panel, fixed lights, brushed stainless steel roof hoop. Mediocre old repaint but otherwise original. Dirty and aged underhood, chassis is original and appropriate to its age and the 30,255 kilometers on the odometer. Needs nothing to be owned and shown with pride consistent with its originality, history, patina and unique design. Displayed by Pininfarina at Paris in 1969, later owned long term by Yoshiho Matsuda, then shown at the Ferrari 60th Anniversary at Fiorano. Largely original and well documented, but not particularly well preserved. This is a 60\’s-70\’s artifact that should be supplied complete with flowered shirt, blue bellbottoms and a white belt and loafers to complete the Carnaby Street ensemble. It is, well, strange, but also a significant example of the times and coachbuilders\’ attempts to create new and different effects from standard designs. Is it worth twice the price of a real Daytona Spider? The buyer thought so and who\’s to argue with real money except to say it\’s expensive. – Lot # 057, Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series III Coupe, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 1323SA; Engine # 1323SA; Metallic Red/Beige leather; Estimate $1,600,000 – $2,200,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,600,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,760,000 – Chrome spoke Borranis, blackwall 6.00×16 Michelin Pilote X tires. Established history from new including Lime Rock Park\’s Jim Haynes and Hil Raab. Restored in 2007. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Freshly restored to better than new condition without going overboard. Choice design, superb performance and an outstanding restoration. A million dollar car if there ever was one. – Lot # 335, RM Auctions, Monterey1966 Ford GT40 Mk I ; S/N GT40P/1065; Engine # SGT/27; Ice Blue/Black leather; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,500,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,650,000 – RHD. Webers, 5-spoke alloy centerlock wheels, Goodyear Blue Streak tires, 6.00-15 front, 7.00-15 rear, four Weber intake. Excellent paint and interior. Freshly restored and better looking than new. It\’s sacrilegious, but this car has been customized several times in its early history to suit various owners\’ preferences. Its current livery dates from an unknown restoration but thoughtfully returned it to something close to its original configuration and better than new condition. The 3,183 miles on the odometer may well be real, which is also sacrilegious. It deserves to be driven, if only a little. At this price it can be and is a sound value. – Lot # 054, Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach1933 Packard 1006 Twelve Coupe 2/4 Place, Body by Dietrich; S/N 100605; Black/Tan leather; Estimate $1,200,000 – $1,400,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,475,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,622,500 – Chrome spoke wire wheels, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, whitewalls, Pilot-Rays, vee radiator, headlights and windshield, rumble seat, luggage rack. First owner John Mecom, retained by him and his family until 1981 with only two owners since. Treated to a comprehensive mechanical refresh and cosmetic detailing by Fran Roxas taking advantage of its originality. A class winner at Pebble Beach in 1997 with 2009 paint, interior and coachlining to match. Magnificent hardly describes it. Believed to be the only surviving example of its body style from 1933 and a prime example of all the reasons Packard is revered by owners and collectors. Its history of informed ownership and consistent care to keep it in superb condition is another important attribute of its value and desirability and a contributor to the exceptional price it brought, huge money for a closed car. – Lot # 345, RM Auctions, Monterey1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 0979GT; Engine # 1369GT (0390D internal #); Silver-Grey/Crimson leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $1,500,000 – $1,800,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,475,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,622,500 – Grey painted wire wheels, covered headlights, bright trimmed front fender vents, Engelbert 6.00/16 blackwall tires. Fog lights behind grille. Upgraded with disc brakes in 1967. Console panel with ignition key and four switches. Restamped engine. Cracked, discolored taillight lenses, dented rear bumper with shadowed chrome. Good paint and very good new upholstery. No rear license plate bracket. Windshield corner delaminating. Grubby engine compartment. Weak chrome. A decidedly mediocre driver. Bought right for its mixed history and sloppy condition, a discount of about 1/3 from the price of a correct, well restored Series I Cab. Sold by Orion in Monaco in 1991 for $434,210, then by Christie\’s in Geneva in 1996 for $265,619, both time in Red before it got its present very attractive Silver-Grey over Crimson leather livery. – Lot # 346, RM Auctions, Monterey1964 Shelby Cobra 289 USRRC Roadster; S/N CSX 2557; Guardsman Blue, White stripes/Black leather; Estimate $1,200,000 – $1,500,000; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,450,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,595,000 – Halibrand alloy knock off wheels, chrome paperclip roll bar, white side exhausts, four Webers, quick fill fuel cap. One of six USRRC Cobras. One race as a Shelby team car, dnf at Bridgehampton driven by Charlie Hayes. SCCA raced later without distinction. Restored some time ago and consistently maintained since; vintage race prepared. Showing use but still a handsome and very usable Cobra. Offered by RM at Amelia Island earlier this year with a $1.5-1.9 million estimate and reprised here in Monterey to a perhaps more receptive audience at a much more realistic estimate, this is an outstanding and very user-friendly Cobra in the most desirable configuration of all. I know because I got to drive it earlier this year. The result here is fair to both buyer and seller. – Lot # 255, RM Auctions, Monterey1955 Maserati A6G/54 Berlinetta, Body by Zagato; S/N 2105; Engine # 2105; Black, White mouth and roof stripe/Black vinyl; Estimate $1,400,000 – $1,800,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,450,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,595,000 – Chrome spoke Borranis, Condor radio, Marchal headlights. 1955 Turin Motor Show display car. Freshly restored in Italy in its original livery with the engine rebuilt by Pail Grist. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Restored like new and impeccable. Sold by Bonhams in London in 2001 for $392,627 as an incomplete restoration, then completed under Adolfo Orsi\’s supervision. It was exceptionally expensive in 2001 and today is more than three times the $467,500 that RM got for another A6G 2000 Zagato, s/n 2189, here in 2003. It is a beautiful automobile and a high quality restoration, but it is nothing if not expensive. – Lot # 039, Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Berlinetta, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 0452MD; Engine # 0452MD; Light Blue/Beige leather; Estimate $1,500,000 – $1,800,000; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,425,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,567,500 – RHD. Old paint crazing badly on nose, left rear fender and deck. Repair visible above fuel filler. Grey painted Borrani wire wheels with 5.50×16 Dunlop Racing tires. Raced in the Mille Miglia in 1956 and 1957 by Roberto Montali and Tour de France Automobile in 1954 by Leon Coulibeuf and Robert Aumaitre. Chassis and interior very nicely done to like new condition, a Best in Show FCA National Meet winner and Ferrari Classiche certified. Retains its original engine, gearbox and body. This is a lot of car for the money and is guaranteed a place in the MM Retro and just about any other event its owner wants to attend. It is also going to be unusual among the sea of V-12 Ferraris painted various shades of red on any show field or on tours. A solid value for the money spent. – Lot # 342, RM Auctions, Monterey1933 Duesenberg SJ Riviera Phaeton, Body by Brunn; S/N 2551 (2577); Engine # SJ-528; Black/Brown leather; Estimate $1,100,000 – $1,400,000; Older restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,300,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,430,000 – Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual sidemounts, single Pilot-Ray, mesh grille sides, dual carbs. Quality older concours restoration showing a little age but excellent care and little use. Delivered new as a supercharged SJ for Col. Schick (\’Look sharp, feel sharp, be sharp\’). Frame replaced long ago with 2577 but otherwise as-built by Duesenberg and Brunn. A handsome and practical automobile. Restored by Fran Roxas a few years ago. John O\’Quinn Collection. Bought by O\’Quinn at RM\’s Amelia Island auction in 2005 for $1,320,000 freshly restored. A few years, a few miles (23, according to the odometer), less than magnificent attention and this is a reasonable value for the car. – Lot # 341, RM Auctions, Monterey1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta; S/N 09721; Engine # 09721; Red/Tan leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,250,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $1,325,000 – Chrome spoke Borranis, P/W. 25,360 miles. Good older repaint and interior, otherwise original and very clean. Bought for an impressive price not related to anything Mecum had to say about it, which wasn\\\’t much. – Lot # S111.1, Mecum Auctions, Monterey1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Roadster; S/N 194677S109097; Engine # T0113IT; Black, Blue stinger/Black leatherette; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,250,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $1,325,000 – 427/600hp, M-22 4-speed, F41 suspension, Positraction, J56 brakes, Protect-o-Plate, side exhausts, alloy wheels, blue line tires, radio and heater delete, hardtop only. Tony DeLorenzo\’s 1967-68 SCCA race car, second to Dick Smith\’s Cobra 427 in the 1967 Runoffs. Numbers-matching throughout, Bloomington Gold and NCRS Top Flight after an earlier restoration. Twice restored since 2002, once to as-raced condition for the 2003 Monterey Historics where it was driven by DeLorenzo and again in 2006 to its current as-delivered street configuration. Beyond perfect in all respects, one of 14 \’67 L88s believed to survive. Offered by RM in Arizona in 2007 where it no-saled at a reported bid of $1,550,000 and a $1.75-2.0 million estimate. By that standard this is a real value, which it is, for the most desirable of all production Corvettes. – Lot # S125, Mecum Auctions, Monterey1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Alloy Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 08233; Engine # 08233; Red/Black leather; Estimate $1,100,000 – $1,300,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,050,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,155,000 – Chrome spoke Borranis, outside fuel filler. Good older paint, chrome and interior. Restored like new a while ago and still very nearly fresh. Reggie Jackson Collection. It had alloy wheels when it was offered at The Auction in Las Vegas in 1991 with a high bid of $210,000 against a reserve of $260,000. It was offered at Barrett-Jackson in 2003 but was again unsold at a high bid of $335,000. How times have changed. This is an appropriate price for its specification, with maybe just a little extra on account of \’Mr. October\’s\’ ownership. – Lot # 349, RM Auctions, Monterey1960 Aston Martin DB4GT ; S/N DB4GT/0107/R; Engine # 370/0205/GT; Metallic Aston Green/Green leather; Estimate $850,000 – $1,100,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,050,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,155,000 – RHD. Original engine 370/0107/GT. Dual outside fillers, chrome spoke Borranis. Good paint, chrome and interior. Very nice older restoration with attractive cosmetics and a few miles since it was done. Vintage raced in the UK in the 70\’s by Stuart Bond. Restored in 2001. Comes with a full tool kit, workshop and owner\’s manuals and four extra wheels with Avon bias-ply tires. Freshly serviced and regularly maintained over the years which should be particularly reassuring to the new owner. This car has real appeal as a very well presented but fully sorted and maintained car equally appropriate to being shown or driven. Its history of restoration (John Mayston-Taylor) and maintenance (Steel Wings, Paul Russell, Independent Ferrari Service) by the most skilled specialists contribute to the strong but not unreasonable price it achieved. – Lot # 121, Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach1948 Tucker 48 Torpedo 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1045; Engine # 33551; Dark Blue/Dark Blue cloth; Estimate $550,000 – $750,000; Not Evaluated; Hammered Sold at $1,025,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,127,500 – John O\’Quinn Collection. Sold at Barrett-Jackson in 2000 for $333,900 in about the same condition it is in today. This transaction was a revelation to everyone, a startling price that challenges logic but will make the executors of the O\’Quinn estate very happy. – Lot # 246, RM Auctions, Monterey1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast , Body by Pininfarina; S/N 8565SF; Engine # 8565; Dark Blue/Cognac leather; Estimate $850,000 – $1,000,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,025,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,127,500 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Becker Grand Prix AM-FM, A/C, P/W, P/S. First owned by John von Neumann and later by Charlie Hayes, Charles Borin, Charlie Morse and Bud Lyon among others. Sound older repaint, interior and chrome. Nearly like new underhood and chassis. A very attractive and sympathetically restored and maintained car. A great car with an outstanding history of ownership, caretakers and concours awards. The color scheme is particularly attractive and may help account for its healthy performance on the block, demonstrating that \’Resale Red\’ is not always the way to attract the eye of discriminating collectors. – Lot # 339, RM Auctions, Monterey1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 14857; Red/Black leather; Not evaluated; Hammered Sold at $1,050,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $1,113,000 – Another one that slipped by while my head was turned. Offered by Christie\’s at Pebble Beach in 1992 where it was a no-sale at $480,000 with under 20,000 miles from new. Now reported to have 21,185 miles. – Lot # S122, Mecum Auctions, Monterey
Interesting to note how accurate the Auction Houses’s estimates were, especially at such high numbers. Most of the prices realised fell neatly between the high and low figures, and those that didn’t were still pretty close, the Tucker being the only real surprise. Amazing how smart they are.
Nice selection of automobiles Rick. Did you write the comments for each?
This is my youth here, growing up in the fifties and sixties in a Gear Head family with Packards, Austins, Sunbeam Rapiers, Alfa’s, Tr’s, and a 300SL, along with thirties classics and Hot Rods.
With ‘Road & Track’ and ‘Sports Car Graphic’ magazines bringing the exotic sports and GT cars to my mailbox monthly in rural North Central Washington.
With nearly all of these cars and magazines being younger then I am, I saw most of them come to market, the showrooms, the tracks, and to local owners.
I still remember the palatable shock and disbelief of my Dad, uncles, and their friends to James Deans unfortunate loss. This was followed less then two years later by my Dads fatal accident in a brand new TR-3A driven by my uncle. The first TR-3A to come to the NW(Seattle), they had the car less then one day.
Thanks for the nostalgic trip Rick.