RM Sotheby’s will return to New York City on December 10, 2015 for the second iteration of its Art of the Automobiles sale. The upcoming auction will shine a spotlight on “cutting-edge automotive design”, lifting the gavel on approximately 30 automobiles and select memorabilia.
The November sale follows in the footsteps of RM’s 2013 NYC event. The first major collector car auction to be held in Manhattan in over a decade, the sale generated $63 million during two hours of bidding.
The 2015 Art of the Automobiles event, held at Sotheby’s global headquarters in Manhattan, will again feature a selection of vehicles handpicked for their rarity, significance to design, engineering and for the outstanding achievement they represent in their respective category; all will be displayed as part of an exhibition in Sotheby’s 10th floor galleries ahead of the sale. In a bid to broaden the event’s appeal, the catalogue will also feature a selection of more traditional artworks, including paintings and sculptures tied to an automotive theme.
“Returning to the global stage of New York City is particularly special this year as we’ve entered into partnership with Sotheby’s. We are looking forward to once again hosting a world-class exhibition and auction with our new colleagues,” said Rob Myers, Chairman and Founder, RM Sotheby’s.
Early entries for the RM Sotheby’s New York City 2015 auction are led by a unique 2006 Lamborghini Concept S, chassis 001. Conceived by the marque’s then head of design, Luc Donckerwolke, the car was introduced as an interpretation of an open-top Lamborghini Gallardo. First presented as a non-running design study at Geneva in 2005, public interest in the Concept S prompted the decision to build a functional version of the vehicle in order to further gauge potential customer demand.
The fully operable version debuted at the Concorso Italiano the following year; a proverbial show-stopper, it remained true to its concept yet seemed even more extreme. The so-called “saute-vent” windscreens, re-designed and lowered for homologation, were even more radical than the original design, serving to visually divide the cabin and creating a “spine” that runs between the passenger and the driver.
While a limited run was originally planned for the Concept S, the high cost and time-consuming production ultimately ended with the first example also being the last, rendering chassis 001 – the vehicle slated for RM’s New York sale – a production-ready, one-off Lamborghini. In single ownership from new, the current owner took delivery of the Concept S soon after its unveiling. It proved so popular that it was routinely invited back by Lamborghini to be shown around the world, including twice at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Fully operable and street-legal, it has been driven only 180 km, with many of those accumulated during initial testing and the remainder on the show field (Estimate: $2,400,000 – $3,000,000).
Ian Kelleher, Managing Director of RM Sotheby’s West Coast division added, “The Gallardo Concept S is downright wild and an absolutely perfect car to be featured within the 10th floor galleries at Sotheby’s. The Lamborghini’s blend of avant-garde style and uniqueness sets the tone for what will be a theme carried throughout the entire catalogue. As we carefully curate the 2015 New York offering, we will continue to place a strong emphasis on significant design contribution throughout automotive history. It will undoubtedly be another watershed event.”
For further information on RM Sotheby’s Art of the Automobiles auction in New York City, or to discuss limited consignment opportunities, visit www.rmsothebys.com or call +1 519 352 4575.
[Source: RM Sotheby’s; photos: Darin Schnabel]
