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RKMCCA Charlotte 2013 – Auction Preview

Jakob Ebrey

The inaugural RK Motors Collector Car Auctions (RKMCCA) will be held October 31st to November 3rd, 2013 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 2013 RK Motors Collector Car Auctions Charlotte sale will see 250 automobiles cross the block, headlined by the McLaren M26 that James Hunt piloted to his final Formula 1 victory at the 1977 Japanese Grand Prix. The preserved M26 is race-ready, capable of 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 195 mph. It has never been offered at public auction.

In addition to the famed McLaren F1, additional race cars on offer include Mario Andretti’s 1974 Viceroy Gurney Eagle, Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s 1977 Chevy Nova, a 1978 Chevy Camaro driven by A.J. Foyt, Ivan “Ironman” Stewart’s 1994 Toyota PPI Trophy truck and a 1978 Porsche 935 that competed in period at Sebring, Daytona and Watkins Glen.

“This ‘Legends of Motorsports’ collection will be a dream-come-true for racing fans, collectors and motorsports aficionados,” said Bill Mathews, executive vice president of RK Motors Collector Car Auctions. “In many cases, this will be the very first time that these historic vehicles will be available for public purchase.”

Marking its first time on the auction block, Andretti’s Viceroy Gurney Eagle (Chassis # 74-06) that competed in the Indianapolis 500 as well as numerous stops along the entire 1974 season, earning a third-place finish at the USAC National Championships in Phoenix. The race car underwent a complete restoration to Indy 500 specs, and features an original aluminum monocoque chassis, 1000-plus hp turbo Offenhauser engine and Eagle-cast Magnesium wheels.

NASCAR followers will recognize Earnhardt Sr.’s 1977 Chevrolet Nova, which took the checkered flag at Caraway, Daytona, Rockingham and Charlotte during the in ‘82 and ’83 seasons. More recently, the Nova has participated three times at the Goodwood Festival of Speed including the 2009 celebration of NASCAR-Daytona’s 50th anniversary. Last year, the race car underwent a complete mechanical and paint restoration, in preparation for competition at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca.

RKMCCA will also offer bidders a chance to own the 1978 Chevy Camaro that provided the last victory and championship for A.J. Foyt, the only man to win the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 hours of Le Mans. Winning five USAC Stock Car Series races in this Camaro and a Buick in 1978, Foyt returned in 1979, competing exclusively in the Camaro against the likes of Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Joe Ruttman and Dick Trickle. The season was topped off in August, as Foyt and his Camaro won on back-to-back nights at the Fair Stock 200 at the Milwaukee Mile. The following night, Foyt and the Camaro claimed Foyt’s last victory on a dirt surface at the Springfield Mile.

Moving off-road, RKMCCA will auction the 1994 Toyota PPI Trophy Truck 015, which earned four Baja 500 and one Baja 1000 wins with Hall of Fame driver Ivan “Ironman” Stewart behind the wheel. The product of a 1983 alliance between Toyota and Precision Preparation Inc. (PPI), Trophy Truck 015 is powered by aluminum 302 cubic inch V8, capable of achieving speeds exceeding 135 mph across the dunes. More recently, Trophy Truck 015 was restored to race-ready condition at TM1 Motorsports, at the hands of many of the craftsmen and technicians that originally built the truck at PPI.

The 1978 Porsche 935 on offer finished 3rd overall at the 1981 Sebring 12 Hours at the hands of Marty Hinze, Milt Minter and Bill Whittington. Currently wearing the Preston Henn’s famous T-Bird Swap Shop colors, the 935 has been fully restored and currently has less than an hour of track time, at the 2007 Rennsport Reunion, since the completion of all work. Car is both show and race ready.

RKMCCA will also offer a 1995 Mercedes-Benz Lotec C1000, which was commissioned by a United Arab Emirates-based businessman who had envisioned owning the world’s fastest street-legal car. To accommodate that request, the vehicle was equipped with a 5.6-liter twin-turbocharged Mercedes-Benz V8 engine with twin Garrett turbos generating 1000hp, achieving zero-to-60mph in 2.8 seconds, and an astonishing top-speed of 268mph. A Hewland 6-speed transmission is responsible for transferring all that power to the ground.

The debut Charlotte sale will also auction a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, which traces its roots to the purpose-built, FIA GT-champion racing machine of the late 1990s. Required to build an FIA-mandated 25 road versions of their CLK GTR racecar, Mercedes-Benz and AMG specialist group H.W.A made a total of 26 CLK GTRs. One of only six roadsters, the CLK GTR (chassis #3) has just 71 original miles, and has remained in pristine condition. Recently, the current owner flew two team members from the original build to fully service the car. Powered by a 6.9L V-12 that pumps out 604 hp and 572 lb-ft of torque, the CLK GTR is capable of zero-to-60mph in just 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 199mph.

“Since its inception, Mercedes-Benz has represented the very finest in European elegance, styling and performance,” said Bill Mathews, executive vice president of RK Motors Collector Car Auctions. “Bidding on these cars will be especially enticing not only for Mercedes enthusiasts, but for any collector looking for extremely rare, noteworthy vehicles.”

RKMCCA will host a real-time, simulcast-linked four-hour auction event in the U.S. and United Arab Emirates on Saturday, November 2nd, as part of its Charlotte sale. Collectors not present at the main auction facility will have full bidding access to automobiles through the use of the latest simulcasting technologies. This debut event will take place at the 7-star Emirates Palace Hotel, adjacent to the Abu Dhabi Formula One track, on the evening preceding the 2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

For more information and to view the digital catalog, visit www.rkmcca.com.

RK Motors Collector Car Auctions Charlotte 2013 – Auction Preview

1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing – Estimate $1,600,000 to $2,000,000. One-owner with 45,687 actual miles; Restored by Rudi and Company; Matching-numbers with original engine, belly pans, tools, books, and optional Nardi steering wheel.
1978 Porsche 935
1978 Porsche 935 – Estimate Unavailable. Upgraded to full K3 935 specifications; Complete restoration with only 1 hour of track-time; 3rd overall at the 1981 Sebring 12 Hours.
1977 Chevrolet Nova
1977 Chevrolet Nova – Estimate $175,000 to $250,000. Raced in period by Dale Earnhardt Sr.; Multiple race winner; Driven twice at Goodwood Festival of Speed.
1994 Toyota PPI Trophy Truck 015
1994 Toyota PPI Trophy Truck 015 – Estimate $250,000 to $375,000. 4-time Baja 500 winner driven by Ivan Stewart; Restored by original builders.
1977 McLaren M26 Formula 1
1977 McLaren M26 – Estimate Unavailable. Driven by James Hunt to victory at the 1977 Japanese Grand Prix, his final F1 win; recent participant in Monaco Historics; offered in race-ready condition.
1974 Gurney Eagle Indy
1974 Gurney Eagle – Estimate Unavailable. Driven by Mario Andretti at the 1974 Indianapolis 500; Complete restoration to original Indy 500 specs.
1978 Chevrolet Camaro
1978 Chevrolet Camaro – Estimate $250,000 to $375,000. Captured A.J. Foyt’s last ever stock car victory, last victory on dirt, and last championship; Comes with certificate of authenticity signed by Foyt and driving suit.
1971 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible
1971 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible – Estimate $240,000 to $275,000. 1 of 17 GTO Judge convertibles; Full PHS documentation; won Best of Show at the GTOAA Nationals.
1971 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda
1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda – Estimate Unavailable. All original with 2,010 miles; Highest optioned Hemi Cuda known to exist; untouched 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 still complete with factory fluids; Original, untouched Dana 60 rear end with Sure Grip differential and factory 4.10 gears; Original body, Rallye Red paint, billboards and black vinyl top.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car
1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Pace Car – Estimate $135,000 to $165,000. 1 of 1 Pace Car used for the 1969 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen; 44,277 original miles.
1995 Lotec Mercedes-Benz C1000
1995 Lotec Mercedes-Benz C1000 – Estimate $1,000,000 to $1,300,000. Built to be the fastest vehicle in the world for United Arab Emirates citizen in 1995; $3.4 million build; powered by 1000 hp 5.6L Twin-Turbo Mercedes-Benz V8.
2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR
2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR – Estimate Unavailable. 1 of 6 CLK GTR Roadsters; 71 original miles; Recently serviced by two members of the original build team.
1967 Chevrolet Nova
1967 Chevrolet Nova – Estimate Unavailable. Goodguys 2011 Street Machine of the Year award winner; 700hp GM LSX454 built by Mast Motorsports.
1984 Lamborghini Countach LP 5000S
1984 Lamborghini Countach LP 5000 S – Estimate $325,000 to $400,000. 8,305 original miles; First in Lamborghini Class at 2013 Marin-Sonoma Concours.

[Source: RKMCCA]