The RM Auctions Don Davis Collection sale was held Saturday, April 27, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas, resulting in $21.2 million in total sales and 100% of all lots sold.
Held at the Don Davis estate, a packed house saw 64 automobiles cross the block, with five lots achieving million-dollar results and eight setting new world records. Bidders hailed from 14 countries, including from as far away as Brazil, Australia and Kuwait.
The top result went to the matching-numbers 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS that sold for a staggering $1,936,000, well above the pre-sale estimate and a new world record for a 330 GTS sold at auction. Another Ferrari took the number two spot, a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider that sold for $1,650,000.
Another record result was the 1967 Toyota 2000GT, which sold for a very strong $1,155,000, far-exceeding the previous record for a Toyota 2000GT sold at auction. Also setting new auction records for their class were the 1988 Porsche 959 ‘Komfort’, which sold for $770,000; the 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Mulliner Park Ward Drophead Coupe at $577,500; and the 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT Coupe that made $550,000.
“We were honored to have been entrusted to offer Don Davis’s incredible collection,” says Ian Kelleher, Car Specialist, RM Auctions. “The fantastic results reflect not only the truly exceptional quality of the cars, but also the continued health of the collector car market and Mr. Davis’s reputation for collecting the best of the best. From the Toyota 2000GT to the Ferrari 330 GTS, this was certainly a record-setting sale that we’re very proud to add to our portfolio of private collection auctions and to our strong track record in the Lone Star State.”
RM Auctions Don Davis Collection – Top 10 Auction Results (Includes 10% buyer’s premium)
1. 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS – $1,936,000
2. 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider – $1,650,000
3. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing – $1,237,500
4. 1967 Toyota 2000GT – $1,155,000
5. 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra – $1,001,000
6. 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra – $935,000
6. 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster – $935,000
8. 1941 Chrysler Newport Indianapolis 500 Pacemaker – $880,000
9. 1988 Porsche 959 ‘Komfort’ – $770,000
9. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster – $770,000
(See RM Auctions Don Davis Collection 2013 – Complete Results)
“The entire RM Auctions group was outstanding in handling my auction,” said Don Davis following the sale. “From start to finish, every person handled each step of the process in an extremely professional and friendly manner. The enhancements made to my warehouse by the team completely transformed it to showcase the cars in the best possible way. From the outset, I was told all I needed to worry about was showing up on sale day. Because of the confidence I had in RM, that’s exactly what I did! My experience with the entire RM team was absolutely stellar!”
RM Auctions continues its 2013 auction season with the return of its biennial sale held during the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este weekend, May 25, on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. This will be closely followed by RM’s U.S. summer sales, including its annual sale in Plymouth, Michigan, held in conjunction with the Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s, July 27, as well as RM’s Monterey, California, sale, held during the same weekend as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, August 16–17.
For additional information, visit rmauctions.com.
[Source: RM Auctions; photo: Eugene Robertson]
