RM Sotheby’s 18th annual Arizona Biltmore sale will take place in Phoenix on January 19-20, its offerings headlined by a unique 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial Dual-Windshield Phaeton (above, Erik Fuller photo courtesy of RM Sotheby’s). Believed to be the last example completed, chassis no. 7803657 was the personal car of LeBaron’s renowned automotive designer Ralph Roberts, and was the only CL Imperial Dual-Windshield Phaeton to have its radiator shell painted rather than chromed, as well as its headlights and horns, a very unorthodox idea in 1933. More than just a custom creation, it is an important design statement—a reflection of Roberts’ ideas and philosophies about what a modern automobile should be, an influence that can be clearly seen on Chrysler’s Airflow and Airstream models that followed.
Beyond its magnificent styling, 7803657’s provenance includes the renowned Milhous and Otis Chandler Collections, along with various successes on the show field, including Best of Show at the Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s, and Best in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Two more recent cars that will also be crossing the block are modern Ferrari supercars, a 1995 F50 and a 2003 Enzo. Essentially an F1 car for the road, the F50 combines cutting-edge, Formula One-inspired innovation and technology with a road car platform. A U.S.-spec example, the F50 set for RM Arizona is one of only a few black ones, and its odometer shows just 2,000 miles from new. The Enzo comes to the sale from the collection of fashion mogul Tommy Hilfiger, its original owner. Exceptionally well maintained, it is also low mileage, showing just over 3,600 miles.
Additional early highlights for the two-evening Arizona sale include: a 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet with rare coachwork by Letourneur et Marchand; a 7,986-original-mile “flying mirror” 1985 Ferrari Testarossa, complete with Ferrari Classiche certification; a 1990 Mercedes-Benz Cosworth 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II, the first EVO II offered publicly in North America; and, a 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo S, striking in original Yellow over Black and showing 12,150 original miles.
For further information please visit www.rmsothebys.com
