The “most significant and valuable private automobile collection ever presented at auction” will headline the RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2015 sale, scheduled for August 13-15 at the Portola Hotel and Monterey Conference Center in California during the Pebble Beach Classic Car Week.
Called ‘The Pinnacle Portfolio: A rare collective of automotive distinction’, the consignment of post-war sports cars comprises approximately 30 automobiles. From sports and racing automobiles of the 1950s and ’60s, to a selection of contemporary supercars, RM Sotheby’s said the value of the offering comfortably exceeds all other private automobile collections sold at auction.
The addition of The Pinnacle Portfolio to RM Sotheby’s 2015 Monterey auction has seen the sale extended to three sessions, with the event now scheduled to take place, August 13 – 15. The Pinnacle Portfolio will be offered during an exclusive, standalone auction on Thursday, August 13.
“While many of the world’s most impressive collections were established in the public eye of the car-collecting world, The Pinnacle Portfolio was assembled with a clandestine, surgical precision unlike any other that has come to market. Its almost obsessive focus on perfection, rarity, and the superlative, irrespective of price, makes it the most significant and valuable private collection of motor cars ever presented at auction,” said Shelby Myers, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s.
Myers added, “From Ferraris and Lamborghinis, to Bugattis and Porsches, an offering of this importance and rarity is absolutely unprecedented. A sure focal point of this year’s Monterey week, it provides the most serious car collectors an exclusive opportunity to own the pinnacle model of each of the world’s most celebrated marques. We’re delighted to announce early highlights from the collection, and look forward to sharing additional entries as we count down to the August sale.”
The Pinnacle Portfolio spans 57 years of automotive history and design, from a matching-numbers 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Alloy, one of just 29 aluminum-bodied examples, to a 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport. Additional features include:
1964 Ferrari 250 LM, chassis number 6105 – The 23rd 250 LM built, chassis 6105 was shown at the 1964 Earl’s Court Motor Show shortly before it was purchased by Ron Fry, who campaigned the car at a number of hill climbs in the U.K. It continued to be frequently raced throughout England with success in its early years, and has recently competed at vintage events such as the Goodwood Revival, Tour Auto and twice at Le Mans Classic. 250 LMs are known for being raced hard, with many having incurred incident along the way. Chassis 6105 has been certified by Ferrari Classiche as retaining all of its original mechanical components.
1998 McLaren F1, chassis number 073 – This road-race hybrid McLaren F1 is the 63rd and second-to-last road-specification example built. One of two examples upgraded by McLaren Special Operations to feature an LM-spec engine and the ‘Extra High Downforce Package’, it retains its road-specification interior and features numerous upgrades, including satellite navigation. Fully serviced by the McLaren factory in New Jersey, it represents the best of both worlds: a fully streetable F1, with LM-performance, making it a perfect candidate for the casual drive or track duty.
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider, chassis number 1307 GT – This matching-numbers, Classiche certified California Spider is the 23rd of 50 long wheelbase examples. 1307 GT is equipped with various rare factory-installed features, including unique Superamerica-style front fender vents, an inset air intake on the hood, velocity stacks, and a factory hardtop. Delivered new to Prince Alvise Hercolani of Bologna, it was later owned by racing driver Wolfgang Seidel and Ferrari historian Ed Niles. The recipient of a no-expense-spared restoration, it was displayed at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
2005 Ferrari Enzo, chassis number 141920 – This vehicle is the 400th and last example built by Ferrari. Boasting an unmatched provenance, it was gifted by former Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo to the late Pope John Paul II, and later auctioned on his behalf with proceeds supporting the relief of tsunami victims. Its significance is further elevated by numerous unique factory delivered options, including a carbon fiber rear spoiler, Daytona seats, and an inscription by Montezemolo under the hood, which highlights the vehicle’s papal connection. An incredibly low mileage example — showing 180km from new — it headlines a complete run of modern Ferrari supercars in The Pinnacle Portfolio, including a 288 GTO, the final F40 LM built, and an F50.
Pair of Bugatti Veyrons, chassis number 001 and chassis number 300 – The upcoming sale of The Pinnacle Portfolio presents an opportunity to acquire a pair of important Bugatti Veyrons, chassis 001 and chassis 300. Both freshly serviced, they were recently displayed at the Bugatti factory in Molsheim, as well as at the 2015 Geneva Auto Show.
- 2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4, chassis number 001, the first Bugatti Veyron 16.4 sold to the public. Chassis 001 has less than 800 miles on its odometer
- 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, chassis number 300, delivered new to The Pinnacle Portfolio, this example is presented in virtually new condition, showing fewer than 350 miles, the majority of which were accumulated by Bugatti at Molsheim during pre-delivery testing. The Super Sport produces 1,200 bhp and is capable of 258 mph. One of eight examples that made it to the U.S.
2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport
2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
A list of early highlights to be offered from The Pinnacle Portfolio is available for viewing here, with later announcements to follow.
RM Sotheby’s flagship Monterey auction, held during the Monterey Classic Car Week, returns to downtown Monterey, California, August 13-15. In 2014, the RM event generated $143.4 million in sales to become the highest grossing collector car auction of all time. This year’s event, headlined by The Pinnacle Portfolio, is set to continue the company’s strong track record in California, lifting the gavel on a roster of 150 automobiles. For further information, visit www.rmsothebys.com or call +1 519 352 4575.
[Source: RM Sotheby’s; photos: Patrick Ernzen]
