The RM Auctions Arizona 2014 sale will be held January 16-17 on the grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix. More than 120 classic and significant automobiles will cross the auction podium at this year’s sale, including 15 automobiles with pre-sale estimates exceeding $1 million.
The 15th annual RM Arizona auction places an emphasis on ‘best of category’ examples, headlined by a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider; 1961 Porsche 718 RS 61 Spyder; 1961 Chaparral 1; 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4; 1953 Siata 208S Spyder; 1930 Duesenberg Model J ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible Coupe and 1929 Bentley 4 1/2-Litre Tourer.
The featured 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider is the 11th of 50 long-wheelbase Cal Spiders constructed. This matching numbers and factory covered headlamp example was delivered new through Luigi Chinetti Motors and sold to Fawcett Motors in Lubbock, Texas, where it was purchased by its first private owner, in 1959. In its only competitive outing, the Ferrari placed first in class at the SCCA 1962 Osceola Grand Prix in Geneva, Florida, with Ross Durant at the wheel, and eventually passed through the hands of Ferrari Market Letter founder and publisher Gerald L. Roush in the early 1970s.
Following a full restoration in the early 1990s, 1055 GT placed first in class at the 1994 Cavallino Classic and appeared at numerous other events in that same year. The California Spider has received an engine rebuild, along with a fresh service, and is offered for sale in well-preserved condition in its original color of Rosso Rubino with a black top and black leather interior. 1055 GT is estimated to sell for $7,000,000 to $9,000,000.
“The Cal Spider is amongst the most highly prized of all road-going Ferraris,” says Shelby Myers, Managing Director, RM Auctions – California. “Produced in exceedingly low quantities, the long wheelbase covered headlight model, such as the one we have the pleasure of offering in Arizona, is arguably the most beautifully proportioned of all Ferrari Spiders. It radiates elegance and performance while encapsulating everything that open-air motoring is intended to be.”
In addition to the headline 250 GT LWB California Spider, other notable Ferraris on offer include:
- 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti, chassis 10257, complete with matching-numbers, books, and tools, formerly owned by Nicolas Cage (Est. $2,900,000 – $3,200,000);
- 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB by Scaglietti, chassis 8349, a Ferrari Classiche certified, preserved condition, presented in Briggs Cunningham Blue (Est. $1,750,000 – $2,000,000);
- 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L ‘Lusso’ by Scaglietti, chassis 5215 GT, comprehensively restored example finished in burgundy with beige Connolly leather, matching-numbers example with Ferrari Classiche certification (Est. $1,700,000 – $2,000,000);
- 1995 Ferrari F50, chassis ZFFTG46A9S0104121, with only 230 actual miles, presented in as-new condition (Est. $1,700,000 – $2,000,000); and
- 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS by Pininfarina, chassis 08353, a freshly restored, finished in Grigio Fumo, fifth from last example built and shows less than 12,000 original miles (Est. $1,200,000 – $1,600,000).
The headline 1961 Porsche 718 RS 61 Spyder, chassis 718.066, boasts racing history from 1961 to 1964, including 2nd in class at the 1961 12 Hours of Sebring and numerous podium finishes at SCCA and USRRC events. Formerly owned and raced by Bob Donner and Don Wester, the Porsche is one of just fourteen RS 61s built. Restored to original specifications, 718.066 is offered for the first time in nearly 20 years (est. $2,800,000 and $3,200,000).
In addition to the RS 61 Spyder, RM’s Arizona sale features 11 other motor cars from the German marque:
- 1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 6, chassis 906-116, among the most successful privateer-driven Type 906s, it has documented ownership and racing history from new and is eligible for major vintage events worldwide (Est. $1,200,000 – $1,600,000); and
- 1957 Porsche 356 A Carrera 1500 GS Speedster by Reutter, chassis 83087, one of app
roximately 75 built, benefits from a full restoration by marque experts as well as numerous Concours awards (Est. $1,100,000 – $1,500,000).
Further significant entries at the 2014 RM Auctions Arizona sale include:
- 1930 Duesenberg Model J ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible Coupe by Murphy, J-357, known as “Melvin’s Murphy,” known history as well as its original engine, chassis, and body, and is being offered for public sale for the first time since new (Est. $2,000,000 – $2,400,000);
- 1929 Bentley 4 1/2-Litre Tourer by Vanden Plas, chassis NX3467, complete with original engine, gearbox, bodywork, and Connolly leather interior (Est. $1,800,000 – $2,200,000);
- 1935 Hispano-Suiza J12 Cabriolet deVille by Rippon, chassis 13506, equipped with its original chassis, engine and body, features a restoration with recent extensive sorting (Est. $1,000,000 – $1,300,000);
- 1961 Chaparral 1, chassis 003, one of two Jim Hall team cars, third of five examples and boasts significant race history both in period and in modern historic racing events (Est. $2,250,000 – $2,750,000);
- 1953 Siata 208S Spyder, chassis BS509, the famed “Siata-Ford” that was converted to Ford power by customizer Alan Johnston (Est. $1,300,000 – $1,600,000);
- 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, chassis 198.040.6500052, displayed at the 1956 Turin Automobile Salon and equipped with Rudge wheels from new (Est. $1,100,000 – $1,400,000);
- 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, chassis 198.042.8500244, a matching-numbers example finished in its original color combination of Light Blue over a red leather interior (Est. $900,000 – $1,200,000); and
- a 1938 SS 100 Jaguar 3 1/2-Litre Roadster, chassis 39039, only example painted Snow Shadow Blue and has been restored by marque experts (Est. $775,000 – $1,000,000).
(RM Auctions Arizona 2014 – View Digital Catalog)
In 2013, RM Auctions offered 84 automobiles for sale, with 75 finding a new owner, reflecting a 89.29% sales rate. Total sales volume was $36,415,800, inclusive of buyer’s premiums. The average price per car sold was $485,544. The top result went to the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta ‘Competizione’ at $8,140,000, followed by the 1967 Shelby 427 ‘Semi-Competition’ Cobra that brought $2,007,500 and the 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 that made $1,842,500.
RM Auctions Arizona 2014 – Event Details
Sale dates: January 16 – 17; auction commences at 5:00 p.m. MST each evening
Preview dates: January 15 – 17; from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. MST daily
Location: Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, 2400 East Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Admission: Admission to the auction is open to registered bidders and consignors only. Bidder registration is $200 and includes an official auction catalogue and admission for two to the preview and auction. Admission to the preview is open to the general public.
Full event details are available at rmauctions.com or by calling toll free at 1 800 211 4371 (+1 519 352 4575 outside North America).
[Source: RM Auctions]
