RM Auctions Concorso Villa d’Este 2011 – Auction Report
Report by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
RM Auctions presented its first auction at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in the Spazio Villa Erba at Cernobbio on the shores of Lake Como on May 21, 2011. The effort featured a concentrated consignment of elegant and racy cars suited to the elegance of the concours. There were just 32 in total, but they carried a total low estimate of some $44,698,488 (€31,540,000.) Only one car, the Lancia Stratos-based ‘Sibilo’ concept from the Bertone Collection, carried an estimate below €100,000.
Three-quarters (24) of the 32 cars offered were sold, bringing a total of $33,207,122, an average of $1,383,630. The median transaction was a whopping $888,868 (64.2% of the average.) 13 lots hammered sold under their pre-sale low estimates (54.2%) while 5 brought more than their high estimates (20.8%) and the $29,649,216 total of the successful bids exceeded by ½ of 1% their total low estimates.
RM will hold its next Villa d’Este auction in two years, alternating with Monaco where RM’s auction will coincide with the semi-annual Monaco Grand Prix Historique. The settings are different in character and probably in the makeup of the consignments. Both are important dates on the annual auction calendar and Villa d’Este represents a particularly significant milestone in the development of RM Auctions’ European presence.
Who (except perhaps Rob Myers and Mike Fairbairn) would have thought in 2007 when RM first ventured into the European collector car auction marketplace with its first sale at Ferrari in Maranello that just four years later they would be regularly offering premier consignments in London and Villa d’Este/Monaco? Well, they are, bringing both quality cars from North America and capturing some of the finest cars from European collections.
Established European collector car auction houses are playing catch-up with consignors and bidders. RM Auctions Concorso Villa d’Este 2011 – Auction Report (See Reference – Auctions Explained, A Note on Conditions and Character). Lot # 101 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 9111; Engine # 09111; Red/Cream leather; Estimate $248,010 - $318,870; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $248,010 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $277,771 -- Alloy wheels, blackwall tires, P/W. Cosmetically restored some time ago and thoughtfully maintained since in good driving condition. No Reserve. A post-block sale at Sotheby's Hendon auction November 30, 1992 for $58,823 (GBP 37,950 at the time) and withdrawn from Bonhams Paris auction in February of this year. Based on its condition at Hendon in '92, that's about the time the restoration was (partially) completed. The intervening 18 years have been good to the car, and to its value which here is gratifying to the seller. Lot # 102 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ 'Coda Tronca', Body by Zagato; S/N AR1012600184; Engine # AR131505495; Red/Black, Red piping; Estimate $368,472 - $425,160; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $364,929 -- Alloy wheels, rollbar, Conrero-built engine. Restored in the early 90's for Rudy Pas with a Conrero 135hp 1300cc engine. Infrequently used since with the engine touched up in the U.S. in 2009. Sharp bodywork, even fits and gaps, lightly used interior. Clean and sharp. This would be huge money, if the bidders had reached the consignor's expectations, which must be even more huge. But this is an SZ, not a TZ and the reality is it is a quarter-million dollar car ... the reported bid is a whopping value for a Giulietta, even this fine example. It's time to re-set expectations. Lot # 103 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 5191GT; Engine # 5191GT; Red/Tan leather; Estimate $531,450 - $602,310; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $637,740 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $714,269 -- Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, blackwall tires. Good paint, bodywork and chrome. Thoughtfully maintained and apparently never restored, just maintained as needed. Sound and usable. Beautiful, like all Lussos, but only this beautiful when viewed through the lens of a "buy it now before it costs more" telescope. Lot # 104 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Riviera Town Brougham, Body by Brewster; S/N S390LR; Engine # 21909; Black/Black leather; Beige broadcloth; Estimate $694,428 - $992,040; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $637,740 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $714,269 -- Lefthand drive. Gold-plated brightwork for its first owner, Irene Mamlock (Simon, Schoelkopf) Carman, who had prospered from two lucrative marriages. Wheel discs, bell headlights, faux canework tonneau, luggage trunk, jump seats, footrests, dual sidemounts, Black painted bumpers highlighting the gold-plated R-R medallion, elaborate inlaid rear compartment wood trim. Subsequently owned by several prominent socialites and restored in 2003 for Roger and Sissy Morrison. 2003 Pebble Beach class and Nethercutt Trophy winner, Amelia Island class winner, CCCA judged 100 points in 2004. Still in nearly concours condition. John M. O'Quinn estate. An extraordinary automobile, even by Rolls-Royce standards with a colorful history that adds to its appeal. The restoration, too, is exceptional as is the richly deserved price it brought at Villa d'Este. Lot # 105 1938 Cadillac Sixteen Town Car, Body by Fleetwood; S/N 5270310; Engine # 5270310; Navy Blue; Black padded roof/Black leather, Beige broadcloth; Estimate $141,720 - $240,924; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $170,064 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $190,472 -- Dual enclosed sidemounts, jump seats, rollup division, large hubcaps, whitewalls. Long garaged at the Vatican for Francis Cardinal Spellman of New York, then sold to Nicola Bulgari. Odometer shows 62,472 km and the condition is consistent with them being the total from new. Aged, with some pitted chrome trim. Sound original rear interior, front seats probably re-covered. A sound and imposing example of only ten built. John M. O'Quinn estate. Offered by Brooks at Quail Lodge in 2000 where it was unsold at a reported bid of $75,000, then reported sold by Kruse at Auburn Fall in 2006 for the fairly astounding price of $270,000 to John O'Quinn. The result here is more reasonable for the car's condition, originality and history. Lot # 106 1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Coupe, Body by Franay; S/N BC9LE; Engine # BCE9; Black/Beige leather; Estimate $836,148 - $1,062,900; Older restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $673,170 -- 4.9 liter engine, automatic, fender mirror, whitewall tires, aluminum body, lefthand drive. Delivered in Paris, displayed at the 1955 Paris Salon. Restored in the U.S. in the late 90's to showroom condition and maintained accordingly since. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. While it's difficult to assess the value of this one-off Franay Bentley Continental it's difficult to imagine it bringing much if any more than the amount reportedly bid for it here at Villa d'Este. The low estimate plus commission would be well over $900,000. Lot # 107 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante Coupe; S/N 57551; Engine # 30S (re-stamped); Patrol Cream, Lemon Oxide/Tan leather, Beige carpets; Estimate $4,605,900 - $6,023,100; Older restoration, 1- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $2,976,120 -- RHD. chrome wire wheels, enclosed rear spare, skirts, Marchal lights, supercharger added by Bunny Phillips for Harrah's Collection during restoration in the Sixties. Rear fenders modified prior to that and retained. 1976 Pebble Beach Best in Show. Engine rebuilt by Phil Reilly in the mid-90's, cosmetics redone about five years ago. Shows limited use and age. Offered by RM in Arizona in 2009 where it was a $4,500,000 no-sale. More reasonably estimated here, but no better received. Lot # 108 1978 Lancia Sibilo Concept Car, Body by Bertone; S/N S12201; Brown/Brown leather; Estimate $85,032 - $141,720; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $120,462 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $134,917 -- Very 70's Marcello Gandini concept from the Bertone Collection on a Stratos HF chassis. Boxy shape with steeply sloped windows looks like a cross between a stealth fighter and an armored delivery van. Brown repaint and deep brown leather say "leisure suit" and "bell bottoms." No Reserve. This is an inexpensive Stratos with unique highly individual appearance, but a Stratos looks 1000% better. Lot # 109 1980 Lamborghini Athon Concept Car, Body by Bertone; S/N S155/01; Silver-Grey/Tan leather; Estimate $212,580 - $311,784; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $439,332 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $492,052 -- Open speedster design on Lamborghini Silhouette mechanicals designed by Marc Deschamps from the Bertone collection. Busy exterior with multiple interacting surfaces. Tightly packed, with minimal overhangs. Preserved from new in as-built condition; runs and drives and appears to have working digital gauges and a full array of lights and accessories. Attractive, functional interior shows little use. No Reserve. Extremely distinctive and daring, much of the design looks contemporary and works although some of the interior details are definitely 1980's. It was well received by the bidders and quickly broke through RM's high estimate to achieve an heroic price of nearly a half-million dollars. Lot # 110 1974 Lamborghini Bravo Concept Car, Body by Bertone; S/N NS4601; Pearl White/Black Alcantara, Beige carpets; Estimate $212,580 - $311,784; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $744,030 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $833,314 -- Two-seat proposal as the counterpart of the Lamborghini Urraco from the Bertone Collection. Good repaint from the original yellow and interim green, otherwise original and in clean, fully functional as-built condition. No Reserve. This is an exercise in what might have been, with 200mm shorter wheelbase and 20" shorter overall. Intriguing styling details including a huge windshield with nearly invisible A-pillars and four rows of six rear window slats. It should provide great value on the road and will draw admiring stares wherever it is driven. The new owner paid for all that, and then some. Lot # 111 1963 Chevrolet Testudo Concept Car, Body by Bertone; S/N 20927W207657; Engine # T0213YN; Pearl White/Black leather; Estimate $708,600 - $1,133,760; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $425,160 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $476,179 -- One-off show car on a shortened Chevrolet Corvair chassis by Giorgetto Giugiaro from the Bertone Collection. Popup headlights, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Plexiglas roof panel on forward-hinged canopy without conventional doors. Long nose and short fastback tail belie the rear-engine location. 1963 Geneva Show car. Original except for a repaint long ago and in sound but aged condition. No Reserve. Many of the Testudo's features show up in later designs and share some details with contemporary GM show cars. Its effect and influence are immediate and it occupies an important place in Sixties and subsequent auto design. The Corvair chassis is both its biggest drawback and the greatest strength of its design, factors that are important in the price it brought here. Lot # 112 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Concept Car, Body by Bertone; S/N 10001; White/White leather; Estimate $1,417,200 - $2,550,960; Unrestored original, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,913,220 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $2,142,806 -- Marcello Gandini-designed 4-seat Bertone concept car based on a stretched Miura pan and a mid-mounted transversely mounted inline six-cylinder engine that was half a Miura V-12. Huge glass side windows make up most of the long gullwing doors. Introduced at the Monaco GP in 1967 driven on a parade lap by Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. Distinguished by Gandini's multiple hexagon design elements. Offered as built directly by Bertone and in amazing condition, fresh, sharp and unblemished. Show cars frequently are built in a hurry and with a view to only a limited lifespan. That was obviously not the case with Marzal, which although it's seen limited exposure since it was new has survived like it was in a (very good) time capsule. One of the auction's stars, it brought headline money, but it's still a headline, showstopping, vehicle. Lot # 113 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero Concept Car, Body by Bertone; S/N C/1160; Engine # 8185402126; Metallic Bronze/Black leather; Estimate $1,417,200 - $2,550,960; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $963,696 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $1,079,340 -- The forerunner of Lancia's all-conquering Stratos rally car designed by Marcello Gandini with dramatic wedge-shaped body, mirror image center body panels above and below the beltline, cutaway rear fenders, fully opening nose and passenger compartment and 33 inch height. Fulvia HF coupe engine and transmission. 1970 Turin Motor Show car. Restored by Bertone in 2000 and like new in all respects. Runs and drives. This is a stunning example of Bertone's creativity and craftsmanship. Entirely built in house, yet fully functional, it is as futuristic as any science fiction dreamer's concept. One of the great design exercises of all time, it is still a show-stopper and deserves every penny of the price it made. Lot # 114 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 0352 MM/0239 EU; Engine # 0352 MM/0239 EU; Red, White Stripe "1.2.3"/Tan leather; Estimate $3,543,000 - $4,251,600; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $3,046,980 -- RHD. Silver painted Borrani wire wheels, 1953 Carrera Panamericana livery. Renumbered with Efraim Echeverria's 212's chassis and engine numbers to re-import to Mexico without customs duties. Finished 7th in the sports car class with co-driver Pedro Villegas. Class First and Hans Tanner Award winner at Pebble Beach in 1983. Restored for the third time in 2002 and still in exceptional condition. With an intriguing history and period competition a large portion of the value of this 250 MM is the entre it will bring to just about any event its owner wants to attend. Even that, and a high quality restoration and presentation, don't add up to much, if any more than the amount it was bid to here, though. Lot # 115 1935 Hispano-Suiza J12 Cabriolet deVille, Body by Saoutchik; S/N 13506; Engine # 321099; Black/Oxblood leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $793,632 - $992,040; Older restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $673,170 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $753,950 -- RHD. Polished wheel discs, Marchal lights, dual enclosed sidemounts, skirted rear wheels, cloth driver's tendelet, rollup division, drinks cabinets, trafficators. Excellent paint, chrome, upholstery, top and abundant interior wood trim. Restored to high standards and essentially unused since 2006 but will detail back to concours quality. John M. O'Quinn estate. An unusual close-coupled town Cabriolet with excellent proportions and elegant presence; door pillars remove to create a fully open car for an even more impressive arrival at fair weather events. An unusually rare and distinctive Saoutchik design on one of the finest chassis of the Classic era for which a representative price was paid. Lot # 116 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A; S/N 154081; Engine # 154081; Dark Blue/Cream leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $1,771,500 - $2,550,960; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,771,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $1,984,080 -- RHD. White steering wheel and interior knobs, Bosch headlights, dual spotlights, rear wheel skirts, chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, enclosed rear spares. Built for the Maharajah of Indore, third in class at Pebble Beach in 2002, Best in Show at Meadow Brook in 2003. Concours quality. A beautiful example of Sindelfingen coachwork and design bought for a representative price both for the quality of the car and its restoration.
RM Auctions Concorso Villa d’Este 2011 – Auction Report Continued Lot # 117 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype, Body by ; S/N GT/111; Linden Green/Dark Blue cloth; Estimate $3,401,280 - $4,109,880; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $2,976,120 -- RHD. The eleventh of twelve GT40 prototypes, one of five roadsters, thought lost after accident damage while being raced by Bob Bondurant and Sir John Whitmore for FAV in the Targa Florio until it was discovered in 2006. Restored to original appearance in 2007 with solid lifter 289 V-8 and original type ZF 5-speed. One of three known surviving GT40 Roadsters, successfully raced in the UK since and ready to go. Some "barn find", after being thought lost for 40 years. Handsomely and accurately restored and now developed in historic racing. A little more should have had it a new home, at a handsome price. Lot # 118 1939 Delahaye 135 MS Grand Sport Roadster, Body by Figoni & Falaschi; S/N 60158; Engine # 103349; Andalouse Red/Brick Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $1,133,760 - $1,388,856; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $992,040 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $1,111,085 -- RHD. Marchal headlights and fog lights, chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, wind wings, rear wheel skirts, enclosed rear spare, trafficators. An attractive and, for Figoni & Falaschi, rather sedate and practical design with interesting hood side vent treatment. Owned by Peter Agg and Hugh Taylor, then freshly restored by Tessier in France for John O'Quinn and just completed. John M. O'Quinn estate. Sold by Gooding at Pebble Beach in 2006 for $1,100,000, then by RM at Amelia Island in 2007 for $1,347,500. This is a disappointing result with the fresh restoration and is a good value at the price. Lot # 119 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe, Body by Figoni & Falaschi; S/N 60112; Engine # 103364; Ivory/Red leather; Estimate $1,275,480 - $1,558,920; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,176,276 -- RHD. Cotal gearbox, Ivory wire wheels, trafficators, rear fender skirts, Marchal headlights and fog lights. Unusual teardrop-style execution with the tall Delahaye grille painted red, white and blue as it was displayed at the 1938 Paris Salon. Restored in 1987, then displayed at Rosso et Bianco. Freshly re-restored by Tessier in consultation with Claude Figoni. John M. O'Quinn estate. Sold to John O'Quinn by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2006 for an O'Quinnly generous $1,712,000 in somewhat tired older restored condition. Now concours-ready and as an unusual example of the teardrop style on a Delahaye worth more than the amount bid. It would be a good value at the $900,000 low estimate. Lot # 120 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 0490 AM; Engine # 0490 AM; White, Black roof/Tan leather; Estimate $4,535,040 - $5,952,240; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $4,251,600 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $4,761,792 -- RHD. Borrani wire wheels, sliding side windows, wraparound Plexiglas rear window with molded-in extractor vents, center-mounted rear fuel filler, front fender side vents, covered headlights in front fender tunnels. The last 375 MM built of only ten berlinettas, displayed by Ferrari at Turin in April 1955. Original engine. Excellent paint, chrome, glass, Plexiglas, trim and interior. Restored to high standards, class winner at Pebble Beach in 2004 and Cavallino in 2005. Much more powerful than a 250GT, one-off coachwork. Consistently owned and maintained by enthusiasts since new. Pebble Beach winning restoration. All that is the recipe for an extraordinary Ferrari value, which this most definitely is even though the hammer price is a bit below RM's low estimate. The caliber of the restoration and the bodywork design (which has more than a few elements of the later 250GT Tour de France in it) commanded a superior, but fully deserved, result. Lot # 121 1931 Minerva 8AL Convertible Sedan, Body by Rollston; S/N 80105; Engine # 80116; Green/Beige broadcloth; Green cloth top; Estimate $892,836 - $1,190,448; Older restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $666,084 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $746,014 -- Dual sidemounts with chrome rings, body color wheel discs, blackwall tires, windshield visor, integrated luggage trunk, gold plated instrument panel and bezels. Built for Henry Walker Bagley (son-in-law of R.J. Reynolds), later owned by D. Cameron Peck. Restored by Steve Babinsky in 1998 for Charles Morse. First in class at Pebble Beach in 1999 and a later winner at Meadow Brook, Amelia Island and Louis Vuitton in New York. Well maintained since and still in show quality condition. An elegant and very practical automobile that brought a realistic price considering its restoration's age. Lot # 122 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 1307GT; Engine # 1307GT; Dark Blue, Silver hardtop/Black leather; Estimate $2,267,520 - $2,834,400; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $3,188,700 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $3,571,344 -- Cold air box, chrome spoke Borranis, Blaupunkt multiband radio, electric fan, Marchal fog lights in grille, mesh-backed front fender vents, ignition switch moved to driveshaft tunnel-mounted box, modified BMW 507 hardtop long associated with this chassis. Thankfully not yet modified to covered headlights. Represented to have its original engine. Excellent paint, chrome and interior but no longer fresh. Freshly detailed engine compartment. Ferrari Classiche certified. This car's history is illustrative of the long wheelbase California Spyder's ascent in value from merely expensive to ionospheric. RM offered it in New York in 2002 in Metallic Green where it no-saled at $840,000, repeating that performance at Amelia in 2003 at an $850,000 high bid. It came back to Amelia in 2009 with its current paint job but lacking some details now attended to and was reported bid to $1,975,000. It's a better car today and cracked through even RM's generous high estimate to hammer sold at this price, helped significantly by the strength of the Euro. While it's $1.3 million more than bid at Amelia, the Euro price is not quite 700,000 above its 2009 equivalent. That's still breathtaking, but not quite as much as it is in dollars. Lot # 123 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Competition Spider, Body by Bertone; S/N LML/507; Engine # VB6J89; Red/Red leather; Estimate $992,040 - $1,289,652; Competition car, original as-raced, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $850,320 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $952,358 -- Lefthand drive. Silver painted wire wheels, full width Plexiglas windshield. Coachwork designed by Franco Scaglione, one of three built for Stanley 'Wacky' Arnolt. Displayed at the Chicago Auto Show in 1954. Known history from new including Mercury Outboard's Karl Kiekhaefer. Raced in period in the Midwest, then in vintage events. Original, aged an attractively patinaed despite some paint defects. Reported sold by Gooding at Pebble Beach in 2009 for $1,045,000. Considering its condition can't be appreciably different from 2009, it hard to see why the car should not be worth more, not even the dollar. The price in 2009 was Euros 735,000; today it was Euros 672,000. The new owner should be very satisfied with the Aston and with its price. Lot # 124 1968 Bizzarrini 5300GT Strada, Body by Bertone; S/N 1A30314; Engine # 1298V0423/W; Metallic Green/Tan leather; Estimate $538,536 - $680,256; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Post-block sale at $506,143 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $566,880 -- Borrani wire wheels, aluminum coachwork, later A/C. Restored in the early 00's with excellent paint, chrome, interior and underhood detailing. Better than new and updated in details for drivability. Closed post-block at a price that is fair to both the seller and the buyer. Inherently this is huge value in performance and handling but the pushrod overhead valve V-8 is plebian in Europeans' views. Lot # 125 1930 Cadillac 452 V-16 Convertible Berline, Body by Saoutchik; S/N 700979; Engine # 700979; Silver, Dark Blue fenders/Beige cloth; Estimate $396,816 - $496,020; Older restoration, 1- condition; Post-block sale at $389,097 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $435,789 -- Grebel head lights, fog light and spotlights, chrome spoke wire wheels, full-length sunroof, dual sidemounts, chrome spoke wire wheels, luggage rack, chrome hood side vents. Saoutchik body fitted in Europe to a Cadillac V-16 chassis used for Cadillac's 1931 European Salons with Sport Phaeton coachwork, later mounted on this '31 V-16 chassis. Spectacularly restored by Fran Roxas, updated by Alan Taylor and Mosier Restorations. Brilliant chrome, excellent paint, interior, roof and wood beginning to evidence its age. Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2001 for $124,200, then reported sold by Gooding at Pebble Beach in 2007 for $462,000 although RM's catalog maintains the 'present owner acquired the car in January 2001', i.e., at Barrett-Jackson. Either way, it is a beautiful automobile and an excellent value at this negotiated post-block price. Lot # 126 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N 750006; Red/Black; Estimate $673,170 - $814,890; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $793,632 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $888,868 -- Alloy wheels, roll cage, outside fuel filler. First generation TZ1, originally prepared by Autodelta and raced at the Targa Florio (Bussinello/Todaro, 3rd overall) and LeMans (Biscaldi/Sala, 15th overall, 2nd in class) in 1964. Later owned and raced by Giancarlo Sala in Italy. Restored in 2010 to LeMans configuration with appropriate lights and fittings. Thoroughly researched and authenticated, although no one makes any claims for the engine. Done right, without going overboard. With a LeMans history that includes both finishing and a place on the class podium and factory Targa Florio history with an overall podium finish, this Alfa is capable of running with the big boys, and keeping up. It is expensive, but there aren't likely to be many others out there so meticulously restored and with a comparable race record. This is what it took to own it. Lot # 127 1938 Talbot-Lago T150 C SS Coupe, Body by Figoni & Falaschi; S/N 90112; Silver, Grey fenders/Ruby leather; Estimate $4,393,320 - $5,385,360; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $3,968,160 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $4,444,339 -- RHD. Chrome spoke wire wheels, sliding sunroof, Wilson pre-selector gearbox, recessed headlight behind chrome grilles in the fender catwalks, skirted rear wheels, rear deck spline. Multiple award winning restoration including three awards at Pebble Beach in 2009 and Best in Show at Meadow Brook in 2010. Known history from new including a period with the Belgian Royal family, numbers matching. A gorgeous, fresh, highly detailed concours car. A beautifully, accurately, meticulously restored example of one of the milestone designs of the Thirties and a Figoni & Falaschi masterpiece. The price is representative of the esteem in which these sixteen Figoni & Falaschi Teardrops are held. Lot # 128 1915 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50hp Limousine, Body by R.A. Hamshaw; S/N 2BD; Engine # 11B; Dark Olive Green/Black leather, Beige cloth; Estimate $736,944 - $992,040; Older restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $623,568 -- RHD. Brass trim, jump seats, embroidered window pulls and rear compartment trim, rollup rear compartment shades, sliding divider, ivory knobs, speaking tube, triple Elliott, CAV head and side lights, wicker trunk. Good older restoration that shows age and would benefit from some cosmetic attention. First owned by Captain H. Whitworth, then sold to Mr. Alfred I. duPont for his wife Alicia, later by A. Atwater Kent, Jr. Oral history says the order, during Rolls-Royce's WWI work, was facilitated by King George V in gratitude for the duPont company's supply of powder and munitions. Beautifully restored some years ago by David Hemmings for Richard Solove. The restoration is ageing and hasn't benefited from four years in one of John O'Quinn's warehouses. Sold by Gooding at Pebble Beach in 2007 from the Solove collection for $1,100,000 during the peak of John O'Quinn's acquisition binge but even taking that into account the price of this elegant Silver Ghost is a good value for the owner. Lot # 129 1957 BMW 507 Convertible; S/N 70048; Engine # 40052; Papyrus/Blue leather; Estimate $736,944 - $821,976; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $921,180 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $1,031,722 -- Front disc brakes, Becker Mexico radio, luggage rack, factory hardtop, centerlock wheels. Repainted years ago during accident repairs but otherwise original even to the spare wheel, jack and white rubber floor mats. Odometer shows 89,889 km. Two owners from new and offered from the Panini Collection where it has been displayed since being acquired from the original owners. Well preserved throughout with one small tear in the driver's seat and some peeling interior trim chrome but far too good to be restored, just mechanically and electrically checked and refreshed. This is a huge premium for originality and two owner history, even in Euros, for a 507. While the 3.2 liter V-8 is a gem, its performance never realized the design's promise and with 150 horsepower is anemic compared with its counterparts. The design, however, is brilliant, accounting for most of the 507's appeal. This car would have been adequately valued at RM's low estimate. This result is a 25% premium. Lot # 130 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 09495; Engine # 09495; Red/Tan leather; Estimate $1,027,470 - $1,169,190; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Post-block sale at $835,136 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $935,352 -- Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels (alloy wheels included), A/C added during 2003 cosmetic restoration in the present colors. Done very well and shows essentially no use or age since the restoration was completed. Flush panel fits, even gaps, bright chrome and pristine upholstery. Closed post-block at this price somewhat generous value considering its modifications and the change from its original Rosso Cordoba/Black livery. The A/C, nearly imperceptibly hidden in the recesses of the engine compartment with outlets built in under the dashboard, helps its value to drivers who want to use it if not to the ones who value purity validated by personal discomfort. Lot # 131 1938 SS Jaguar 100 3 1/2 Liter Coupe, Body by Graber; S/N 30182; Dark Blue/Red leather; Estimate $425,160 - $566,880; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $297,612 -- RHD. Chrome wire wheels, Marchal headlights, skirts. Unique and attractive blind quarter closed coachwork by Graber with a few subtle chrome embellishments built for Michel Dionisotti called a "Limousine Coupe." Occasional rear seats and an access door for storing skis. Restored by RM in 1994, won Designer's Choice at Meadow Brook, award winner at Pebble Beach and seven JCNA awards. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and glass. A concours restoration that is still fresh and sharp. Formerly in the Kathy and Jerry Nell Collection. Sold for $385,000 (Euros 301,600 at the time) by RM at Monterey in 2010, a remarkably modest price at the time for the quality of the chassis, coachwork and restoration. A particularly rare and attractive car offered close to the home of its coachwork, it should have sold well here so close to the origin of its Graber coachwork and it's hard to conceive why the bidders were so reluctant. Lot # 132 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC, Body by Scaglietti; S/N 0670 MDTR; Engine # 0670 MDTR; Red, Yellow nose and sills/Red leather; Estimate $3,684,720 - $4,676,760; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $3,543,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $3,968,160 -- RHD. Full width Plexiglas windshield, side exhaust, silver painted Borrani wire wheels, driver's head fairing. Ex-Bernardo Cammarata of Palermo, Sicily and raced in the Targa Florio in 1958, 1959, 1965 and 1966. Acquired by Giulio Dubbini in 1966 followed by Corrado Cupellini and raced in the Shell Ferrari-Maserati Challenge, then Nick Colonna for whom it was restored in 2003. Known history from new, matching engine and chassis, thoroughly restored and now somewhat aged and carefully used and maintained. The Targa Florio history virtually guarantees that this is a ticket to just about any sports car event the new owner wants to attend and a veteran of most. The history is unusually clear and free from mishaps. The result is appropriate and this is a (n original 4-cylinder) Testa Rossa for a reasonable price, less than half the price of a 250 TR.
[Source: Rick Carey]
Better late than never, right? Good write-up Rick – only wish it were a few months ago. Ack!
Rick:
Thanks for the report. It would be interesting to read your opinion on what appears to be a very choppy collectors’ market at the upper end. To me, many auction sales appear to be flat or down, with occasional (and maybe even, unpredictable) price spikes.