RM Sotheby’s Online Only: Open Roads, February auction was held from February 19-28 achieving a 76 percent sell-through rate.
Day one of the online auction was devoted to consignments based in the UK and Europe, which saw €3,328,600 in sales. Cars based in North America were the focus of day two and resulted in $3,236,075 in sales. Finally a stand-alone Swiss single-owner collection of seven rare, limited Porsche cars were auctioned on day 3 and resulted in sales of CHF3,619,000.
The top 10 results of RM Sotheby’s Open Roads Auction, February were as follows:
| 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder | CHF1,001,000 |
| 2005 Porsche Carrera GT | CHF781,000 |
| 1995 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet | CHF704,000 |
| 1962 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series II ‘Hot Rod’ | $682,000 |
| 1963 Aston Martin DB5 | €627,000 |
| 2016 Porsche 911 R | CHF412,500 |
| 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS ‘Weissach’ | CHF385,000 |
| 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Volante | €379,500 |
| 1968 Ferrari 330 GTC by Pininfarina | €379,500 |
| 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic | CHF335,500 |
Here’s a look at the top 10 Sales for RM Sotheby’s Open Roads Auction, February.
1. 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder
Sold for CHF1,001,000
The example sold, being the 389th Porsche 918 Spyder produced, is fitted with many desirable options and is finished with the Porsche 918s unique Liquid Chrome Blue Metallic finish.
The interior is trimmed in Mocha Brown leather with silver accents, one of only three 918 Spyders made to this specific configuration.
Other options included with the example include glare-reducing interior trim, front-end lift, passenger seat electric height adjustment, black seatbelts, and a Burmester stereo.
The standard wheels that came with the car were replaced with magnesium-alloy wheels that came with the Weissach package.
The example was fitted for grand touring instead of all-out performance. Compared to its primary competitors, Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1, the 918 Spyder sits slightly different in the hybrid-hypercar market.
Porsche designed the hybrid powertrain of the 918 Spyder for daily usability instead of utilizing its electric power to increase performance. Compared to its competitors, the 918 Spyder has the lowest carbon dioxide emissions, the furthest electric-only range, and the lowest fuel consumption.
2. 2005 Porsche Carrera GT
Sold for CHF781,000
The Carrera GT utilized a 9R3-derived carbon fiber reinforced polymer monocoque chassis with steel bracing around the passenger compartment and the windshield.
Powering the vehicle is a longitudinally mid-mounted, 5.7-liter 68° naturally aspirated V10 engine which produces an impressive 650bhp at 8,000 rpm. It can also produce 435 foot-pounds of torque at 5,750 rpm.
The Carrera GT was born as a U.S. specification example and is finished in Fayence Yellow matched with Dark Grey leather interior.
In October 2004, it was shipped to its first owner in Utah, United States, before heading to Florida in 2006, where it remained until 2009.
Until 2009, the example stayed in Florida and the CARFAX report showed the last registered mileage of the car to have 6,952 miles (11,188km) on July 28, 2008.
Thereafter the example was shipped to Switzerland, with the most recent service performed in March 2020 at Porsche Service Zentrum Schinznach-Bad where it had a recorded mileage of 16,327km.
3. 1995 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet
Sold for CHF704,000
This Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet is believed to have been commissioned by Michael Schumacher’s long-time manager, Willi Weber. It’s finished in sports black paintwork matched with black wheels, a black interior, and a maroon convertible top.
The example features many carbon fiber options in the interior, including the steering wheel, gearstick, instrument binnacle, and door cards. It is also interesting to note that the car was installed with a special gearbox with no clutch pedal, being sourced from RUF.
The car was delivered new in February 1995 through Porsche in Stuttgart, with a second owner acquiring the vehicle in February 1997.
In 2018, the third and current custodian acquired the example, where it was then shipped to Switzerland and has been kept in its original, well-preserved condition.
4. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series II ‘Hot Rod’
Sold for $682,000
The example sold, a 1962 250 GTE 2+2 Series II (chassis number 3723 GT) was completed in August 1962 with a Nero over Pelle Beige finish.
The example was delivered new to Ferrari’s official Paris distributor, Franco-Britannic Autos Ltd. On August 8, 1962 it was delivered to its first owner, pharmaceutical executive Henry Roussel where after only seven months, Roussel sold it to a fellow executive, Pierre Fabre.
Its third owner acquired the vehicle in 1974, where it was kept until 2006. In 2008, the example had a complete engine rebuild where it was returned to its original factory color combination.
In 2011, Jamiroquai founder Jay Kay purchased the Ferrari, and in April of the same year, he submitted the example for Ferrari Classiche certification. The consignor acquired the example in May 2019. Like its previous owner, he entrusted the example to the care of Macari Classics experts to produce the 3723 GT as the ultimate grand tourer.
The example has kept its original matching-numbers differential and gearbox, although the original engine was removed to introduce a heavily modified “outside-plug” Columbo V-12 engine.
The engine was created around a new, unnumbered block being based on the Ferrari Tipo 128 design, but modified to Macari’s specifications.
The engine produces an impressive 320 horsepower and 370lb-ft of torque.
5. 1963 Aston Martin DB5
Sold for €627,000
This 1963 Aston Martin (chassis 1330/R) was delivered new on December 1, 1963, to its first owner Walter Lewis of Denmark Hill, South London. According to the build sheet, the car was finished in Midnight Blue, matched with a red Connolly leather interior. It was equipped with a David Brown four-speed overdrive gearbox which it has kept.
Lewis only kept the car for a few months before selling it to Mr. Bond, who, at the time, was only 21 years old. Through the 1960s, the car was used frequently for Continental tours and holidays, and when it was brought to Newport Pagnell in November 1969 for a major overhaul, the example had an impressive 56,451 miles on it.
By the turn of the millennium, with the car accumulating 75,000 miles, the vendor decided to give the car a second overhaul. Obtaining the expertise of Aston Engineering of Derby, the work included a full engine rebuild that included upgrading it to have a lead-free fuel conversion, a full dyno test and set up, and electronic ignition conversion.
The car was additionally given a bare metal re-spray to the original Midnight Blue color. The correct original shade of Connolly leather was also given a complete re-trim.
6. 2016 Porsche 911 R
Sold for CHF412,500
A majority of the 911 R were painted white or silver, matched with either red or green stripes. A few fortunate owners picked Paint to Sample colors and were given further customization options through the Porsche Exclusive.
The first and only owner of the example, bearing serial number 401, selected the most popular and celebrated Paint to Sample color, being Gulf Blue. The example is fitted with Porsche’s adaptive sport seats and trimmed in brown leather with pepita inserts, reminiscent of the 911s from the 1960s and 1970s.
The 911 R was given optional extras, including a 90-liter petrol tank, single-mass flywheel, Bose sound system, aluminum-look fuel filler cap, additional dashboard trim in leather, side skirts, and headlight washers that was painted the exterior color.
Since it was delivered, the 911 R has been serviced only once, being by Porsche Center Lausanne in January 2019. At the time, it had 2,677km on its odometer. Since then, it has been driven less than 200 kms.
7. 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS ‘Weissach’
Sold for CHF385,000
Going to the next level, the initial 911 GT2 RS arrived in May of 2010 alongside the 997-generation 911 GT2 . Prized by fans for its powerful performance and menacing looks, the 911 GT2 RS waslLighter and more powerful than the 997 GT2.
In 2018 the car was delivered new to its first and only owner and has remained in a virtually as-new state throughout, with less than 450 km on the odometer.
The exterior is painted in Azzuro California Metallic, a color initially used by Porsche for the 911 Club Coupe in 2006.
The inside of the 911 GT2 RS ‘Weissach’ is fitted with two-tone adaptive sport seats that have been trimmed in matching, two-tone dark blue and light blue leather.
Externally the car was fitted with gold-colored center lock wheels and it can be seen that the rear spoiler has been removed.
8. 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Volante
Sold for €379,500
This rare Mark I DB6 Volante that sold for €379,500 is almost identical to the coupé version, except for the open roof.
It is in need of a full mechanical and cosmetic restoration, but the many design elements that made the DB6 Volante a success can easily still be seen in the example.
The rear of the DB6 is equipped with an aerodynamic Kamm tail spoiler that improved the vehicle’s handling and stability at fast speeds, which is an issue on the DB5.
This Mark I DB6 Volante was fitted with the optional 3-speed automatic transmission. The engine fitted into the example is not original, but based on the block and head numbers, it is highly probable that the engine installed in the car today was fitted early in the car’s life and is a factory replacement.
9. 1968 Ferrari 330 GTC by Pininfarina
Sold for €379,500
At the heart of the 330 GTC is the huge 4-liter Colombo V-12 engine, first seen in the 330 GT 2+2. It is equipped with a rear transaxle gearbox, giving it a slightly sportier character. Having a 275 GTB Berlinetta chassis, the example has a luxurious interior with standard power windows and leather upholstery.
The bodywork and design of the 330 GTC were done by Pininfarina, featuring a front end that is reminiscent of the 400 Superamerica matched with the tapered tail of the 275 GTS.
According to marque historian Marcel Massini, the example was completed by Ferrari in May 1968, where chassis number 11395 was finished in an Argento Metallizzato exterior matched with a Nero Franzi leather interior.
The car was exported to the Middle East during its life and still displays its red paintwork matched with Nero leather interior. Despite the example retaining its original engine, the gearbox is thought to be from a 365 GTC.
10. 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic
Sold for CHF335,500
This example that sold for CHF335,500 was the twelfth Sport Classic built. It was shipped to Switzerland and through Porsche Lausanne, it was delivered new to its first and only owner on February 12,2010.
The odometer of the example shows that it has just below 25,600km from new.
As is typical of a Sport Classics, the example has a Sport classic Grey finish with a couple of subtle grey stripes. The interior has an Espresso brown leather trim, matched with woven leather, and fabric seat, and door inserts.
The 911 Sport Classic is powered by a 3.8-liter flat six-cylinder engine equipped with a ‘Power Kit,’ giving it a 408bhp output – a full 23bhp more than the standard 997-generation Carrera S.
[Source: RM Sotheby’s]
