Russo and Steele, Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, California, August 18-20, 2016
2016 is only the second time Russo and Steele’s Monterey auction has passed $10 million in total sales [since they abandoned their “all no reserve (with 5% buyback commission)” sale format. They did it with a modest sell-through rate of 51.1% and a $48,900 median transaction.
Their success is a tribute to persistence and tenacity in pursuit of buyers and sellers as well as a diverse consignment that has plentiful opportunities to bid on unusual, intriguing and affordable cars.
And, as usual, it is presented in Russo and Steele’s unique “auction in the round” format with flashing lights, energetic ringmen, blaring sound system, milling crowds and incessant cacophony that recreates the open outcry of early stock markets and the fervid pits of the mercantile exchanges. This year even white suited, white haired ringmaster, Drew Alcazar, added his own theatrical encounter with a car departing the pit. How could the driver miss seeing him?
Russo and Steele’s auctions may be the 21st century incarnation of P.T. Barnum, Ringling Brothers and the Chicago grain pits rolled into one extravagance, but it is also a beguiling production that fascinates and mesmerizes bidders and consignors.
Drew’s “THE RESERVE IS … OFFFFFFF!” is a refrain that defines the Monterey car week. It can be heard all over downtown Monterey. It is as much a part of the Monterey experience as the quiet elegance of RM’s million dollar cars in the lobby of the Portola Plaza or the breathtakingly expensive cocktails on the Lawn at Pebble Beach. This year it was, just across the viaduct from Portola Plaza, the antithesis of the pedestrian, restrained, emotionless presentation in RM Sotheby’s tent, a contrast that must have been like walking through the Brandenburg Gate when West and East Berlin were still separate.
Russo and Steele’s 2016 results were solid, and solid is something sorely missed in the collector car auction business recently. Coming here to buy a car – and there were plenty of good ones on offer – has many advantages for those who are not excitable and can resist the nearly irresistible effusiveness that swirls through the “auction in the round”.
[table id=165 /]
Greg Ingold contributed the on-site observations; the editor is responsible for their final presentation.
Russo and Steele Monterey 2016 – Auction Report
Lot # TH210 ; S/N WBAEC8401H3266091; Silver/Beige leather; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $10,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $11,550. With Reserve. – 3430cc/182hp six, automatic, alloy wheels, sunroof, power windows, air conditioning, leather headliner, tool kit. – Decent original paint with door dings on both rear quarter panels and 4-5 pinhead sized chips around the nose. Rubber trim, wheels and tires are excellent. The center console has dulled and the color has worn the off buttons and gear selector. Showing 13,195 miles, but looks a little more used than that. The L6 was a one-year-only, more luxurious version of the 635 CSi for the North American market. – It may be a rare model and a lot of luxury, but there is no service history represented with this car and the bidders were wise to proceed carefully. At this price, it’s a lot of car for the money, but owning an ’80s 6-Series isn’t exactly economical and it likely won’t take long before this is no longer a cheap car for the new owner as well as being less than exciting with just 182hp and an automatic.Lot # F414 1996 Chevrolet Corvette GS Convertible; S/N 1G1YY3251T5600709; Blue, White Stripe/Red leather; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $32,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $35,750. With Reserve. – 350/330hp, 6-speed, air conditioning, Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, ride control, CD/cassette player. – Very good paint. The engine compartment appears hardly aged. The underbody has light road grime on it and the seats are wrinkled and stretched. Great overall presentation, although the seat wear suggests more use than the body shows. – This Corvette has been around a lot. It was (reported) sold at the RK Motors auction in Charlotte in 2013 for $32,635 and sold again at Russo and Steele’s Scottsdale auction in 2014 for $41,745. At Mecum Anaheim last November it was a $37,500 no sale, then sold for $35,750 at Russo and Steele Scottsdale earlier this year, the same price it brought here. This is an appropriate result for one of the more desirable C4 variants.Lot # F426 1967 Chevrolet Impala SS 427 Convertible; S/N 168677L111860; Bolero Red/White Pearl; White top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $50,000. With Reserve. – 427/385hp, automatic, air conditioning, power brakes and steering, Rally wheels with red line tires, bucket seats, console, AM/FM radio with 8-track player, woodrim steering wheel, power windows. – Shiny paint but with a run on the hood. The driver’s door needs alignment, the brightwork is all in excellent condition. The engine compartment and underbody have all been restored and have slight grime from minimal use. Most of the interior has been redone with the exception of the radio and heater controls, which have some distress. A generally well presented SS 427 Impala convertible that would make a fantastic cruiser. – Sold here in 2009 for $81,950. The big 427 belongs under the hood of a big Impala SS, the two go together like bacon and eggs. It is uncharacteristic for this otherwise very good car in attractive colors and with big block power to have drawn a bid of only this much, although it will be a long, long time before it recoups what it brought in 2009.Lot # F433 1956 Volvo P1900 Roadster; S/N 190042; Sky Blue/Red; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $54,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $59,400. With Reserve. – Dual SU carbs, body color wheels with hub caps and trim rings, heater, cloth top. – Good paint. The door handles and trunk hinges are quite dull, while the chrome is very shiny. The top fits very well and is like new. Engine and underbody are all clean but not restored. The interior shows its age. The carpet is heavily worn in all areas, and chrome pieces are dull. The seats appear to have been recently redone. Pretty on the outside and worn on the inside. That still doesn’t detract from this Volvo’s endearingly funky looks. Once in a Swiss museum, and presents more or less like a museum car. – This was Volvo’s first take at a sports car, a convertible made out of mostly PV444 parts and clothed in a fiberglass body by Glasspar. Hardly the Swedish Corvette, the model was quickly killed after it was deemed not to be up to Volvo’s standards of quality. Just 67 were built, and 38 of them stayed in Sweden. Not a lot of car for the money, but given its rarity and significance, it could have brought a lot more. Apparently, the new owner took it to the Concours d’Lemons the very next day, where it was surely a big hit.Lot # F440 1974 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Coupe; S/N 2V87X4N138509; White/Blue; Enthusiast restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $70,000. With Reserve. – 455/290hp, automatic, power brakes and steering, air conditioning, Rally II wheels with trim rings, Dunlop G/T Qualifier tires, power windows, AM radio with 8-track player, comes with PHS documentation, build sheet and owner’s manual. – Attractive recent repaint. Doors are out of alignment. The Rally II wheels were hastily prepped as rust is poking through at the seams. The engine compartment is like new and underneath has been partially redone. The seats have been reupholstered while much of the other interior components appear original. The remote mirror control on the driver’s door is damaged and has been pushed into the depths of the door cavity. Represented as a nut and bolt restoration, but that’s a generous use of the term. – Hammered sold at Mecum Indy this year for $82,500 all-in. While the consignor isn’t totally unreasonable to expect a little more than the reported high bid here even out of this flawed Super Duty Trans Am, it’s only costing money to own at this point. Sometimes it’s best to be resigned to the judgment of the bidders.Lot # F449 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194376S127189; Mosport Green/Green vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $70,000. With Reserve. – 427/425hp, 4-speed, centerlock alloy wheels, gold line tires. – An older restoration, showing signs of wear. Numerous scratches at the top of the hood near the latch and front of the nose. That said, the paint remains bright and vibrant. The brightwork and trim are in good condition and would only need attention if the owner were trying to show the car. The engine compartment is well detailed. The passenger’s door window glass is significantly scratched across the top. The interior looks fresh and new. A high quality restoration but with notable flaws from use over the years. – The reported high bid should have been sufficient to tempt the consignor seriously. Standing pat on the reserve may cause seller’s remorse in the morning for not taking it.Lot # F456 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 11102412002822; Blue/Blue leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $29,700. No Reserve. – Automatic, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, wood dash and window trim, dash clock. – Repainted during the past few years with the old color evident along the seam of the driver’s side door and over-spray visible in the wheel wells. Brightwork is cloudy and lightly pitted throughout. The seats and carpet are in good condition. The leather pad is pulling up from the rear window ledge. It appears to have shrunk. Dash and steering wheel are worn and cracked. The Interior wood trim is in excellent condition. Newly rebuilt transmission and fuel injection system, and represented as a one-owner car. Well maintained and a usable driver, but not one to be especially proud to own. – Along with the car the new owner received a long list of projects to undertake between now and the 2017 driving season, a satisfying to do list to contemplate and plenty of reason to stay off the streets and out of bars in the coming months. It’s not a bad price for it, either, although the hasty repaint is and will remain troubling.Lot # F461 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 4290233; White, M graphics/Black leather; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $115,500. With Reserve. – 1,990/170hp, fuel injected, turbocharged, 4-speed, fender flares, Kumho tires, heater. – Excellent paint and panel fit. All the brightwork and body screws for the fender flares shine like new. The engine and underbody are both immaculately restored and clean. The interior appears unused since restoration. Italian delivery car and fully restored by BMW specialists in 2014. No stone was left unturned, and the car is nothing short of fantastic. – A very rare, high performance model from BMW that had only a limited production span before its peaky turbocharged engine was rendered unsalable by the OPEC oil crisis. This is an exceptional car that lacks only the optional 5-speed and it would have been worthy of note at any of the Monterey auctions and any of them would have been proud to get this much for it.Lot # F476 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe; S/N WP0AA2965NS480133; Black/Gray leather; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $135,000. With Reserve. – Whale tail, red calipers, power windows, air conditioning, sunroof. – Good paint with light scratches around the front bumper and headlights. Black trim looks dry and faded around the front bumper, but no other issues are evident. The seats and carpet show light wear that would be expected with use. A well kept but not perfect 964 Turbo. – While 964 prices have softened after an unsustainable surge last year, they remain high and this car deserved another handful of bids. The consignor may very well have better luck where there isn’t a boatload of other 911s to choose from; they were everywhere at the Monterey auctions and that does not bode well for their prices.
Russo and Steele Monterey 2016 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # F481 2005 Porsche Carrera GT Coupe; S/N WP0CA29885L001109; Guards Red/Black leather; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $545,000. With Reserve. – Carbon ceramic brakes, wood shift knob, power windows, air conditioning. – Excellent condition inside and out. Nothing to pick on. – Bid to even less than the silver Carrera GT in the sale (S676), and one of half a dozen Carrera GTs in Monterey. The market was saturated, and the cars at the higher profile sales got more attention. There was a time when a Carrera GT brought ‘buy it now before the price goes up’ reactions; today it’s the sellers who might be feeling ‘sell it now before the price goes down.’Lot # S612 1956 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E56S003531; Orange, White coves/Red vinyl; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500. With Reserve. – 265/225hp dual quads, Powerglide transmission, spinner wheel covers with wide whitewall tires, WonderBar radio. – Good paint with a crack in the passenger’s side cove and scraping on the edge of the driver’s side door from poor alignment. The brightwork around the coves is older and has a few minor scratches. The engine compartment has been kept generally clean and the redone underbody has a few chips. The seats have been reupholstered quite well, but the gauge lenses are a tad cloudy and the bezels are dull. A reasonable restoration that shows well from five feet, but doesn’t try too hard to be anything better than a clean driver. – There is no quarrel with the price this slushbox Corvette, even with dual quads, brought in this condition.Lot # S616 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Convertible; S/N 136670B120539; Fathom Blue, White stripes/Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $86,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $94,600. With Reserve. – L78 396/375hp, 4-speed, power brakes and steering, 3.55 Positraction, SS wheels with Firehawk Indy 500 tires, bucket seats with center console, AM radio, includes two build sheets, replacement Protect-O-Plate, and warranty book. – Excellent Fathom Blue paint. Straight body panels, even panel gaps and shiny brightwork. The convertible top fits very well. The engine compartment has been completely restored to mostly correct. The underbody is very clean with little use shown. The interior is completely restored, although the dash is dyed darker than the rest of the interior. A beautifully restored SS 396 that only misses on some technicalities and was done in the early 00’s. – Sold at Russo and Steele in Scottsdale in 2011 for a bargain basement $53,900, then at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2013 for $132,000, a generous price at the time. It hasn’t accumulated anywhere near enough wear in the intervening three years to justify this kind of discount, so this result is an excellent value for a well presented L78 convertible.Lot # S618 1967 Ford Mustang GT Fastback; S/N 7R02S152288; Maroon/White vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000. With Reserve. – Original S-code 390/320hp engine, automatic, 3.50 axle, power steering and brakes, AM radio, dealer added wood steering wheel, disc brakes, GT package, ‘blinker’ hood, tail panel. Includes Marti report. – Excellent paint and body lines. All new trim. The engine and underbody are both immaculate and the interior is virtually unused. A recently completed restoration done to high standards. – Let down in the bidders’ view by the automatic, perhaps, but even with that this is a lot of Mustang in exceptionally good and freshly restored condition for a highly advantageous price. Calling it anything other than a bargain would be unreasonable.Lot # S638 1967 Porsche 911S Targa; S/N 500714S; Bahama Yellow/Black with Houndstooth cloth inserts; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $140,000. With Reserve. – 1991/180hp, 5-speed, Fuchs wheels, plastic rear window. – Paint is chipped around passenger’s side headlight and a hairline crack extends from the bottom front passenger wheel well to the top. Rubber molding under the driver’s side headlight is protruding out from the seam. The interior floor and seats show no wear. The dash is scratched under the gauges. Freshly restored Fuchs wheels look great. A well done restoration showing age. – The plastic rear window on the Targa was the only one available in 1967, and a glass one became available for ’68. Soft Window Targas command a significant premium, but even if this car had a glass window, it would still deserve more than the reported high bid, which wasn’t a whole lot more than project car money. It was offered at Auctions America’s Ft. Lauderdale auction four months ago and brought a bid of $160,000.Lot # S640 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe; S/N WP0AC2993TS375849; Speed Yellow/Black leather; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $140,000. With Reserve. – Air conditioning, Bridgestone S-02 tires, sunroof, Sony stereo, includes Car Fax and Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. – Service performed five months prior. Very well maintained paint with only a few scrapes on the bottom of the nose, the engine compartment has been maintained well and detailed. The interior has been kept in excellent condition as well with only minor creasing to the driver’s seat from use. Showing 40,645 believable miles, but like most of these cars it looks like it has covered fewer. – Hammered not sold at Mecum Houston this year at a high bid of $130,000. The bids are still quite a way off for this car, which is close enough to new condition but has enough miles on it that you can enjoy it without thinking about the value dropping with every tick of the odometer. Another 20 or 30 grand would have been more like it.Lot # S644 1963 Apollo 3500GT Coupe; S/N 1027104A; Red/Gray; Enthusiast restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $102,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $112,750. With Reserve. – 215/200hp Buick engine, added Offenhauser intake and Edelbrock carburetor, automatic, Borrani wheels, added radio. – Subject to a thick repaint in the past which is now cracking around the A pillars. The finish work was only performed on easily seen areas as the lowest part of the rocker panels are heavily orange peeled. Old paint chips have been painted over around the door edges. The bumpers are in excellent condition while the remainder of the bright work is tarnished and the door handles are pitted. The engine compartment is orderly with minor grime and the underbody has been undercoated. The seats are worn, and the gauge bezels are severely tarnished and according to the hand written notes inside, not all the gauges work. One of 44 Apollo coupes, and apparently one of three with an automatic transmission. A rare, gorgeous and interesting car let down by haphazard presentation and, for some, the automatic. – The slushbox makes it more rare, but there’s a reason: it’s not now nor ever has been fun to drive. It is fun to look at, though, and that alone is sufficient reason to accept the bidders’ willingness to push it to this result.Lot # S647 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194670S404021; Classic White/Blue vinyl; White top; Recent restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $159,500. With Reserve. – ZR1 performance package, 350/370hp, M-22 transmission, 4.11 axle, J56 heavy duty power brakes, rally wheels with Goodyear Wide Tread tires, radio delete, tilt and telescoping column. – 2015 NCRS Top Flight award scoring 98.3, documented four wonder car with build sheet and Protect-O-Plate, raced and sponsored by Dick Guldstrand for SCCA solo. Very good paint and brightwork. The top fits very well and tightly, the engine and underbody have been restored to like new and the interior is virtually unused. A well restored example of a very rare ZR1 Corvette done last year. Between history, equipment and condition, this car has a lot going for it. – Sold by Mecum in Kissimmee in 2014 for $140,400 and offered by them here last year with no result reported. Chevrolet built only 25 ZR1s in 1970 and they could go straight from the showroom to the track. With its thorough documentation, NCRS Top Flight judging and ex-Guldstrand history it is a winner among its counterparts and it brought a curve-bending but fully deserved price.Lot # S657 1967 Ghia 450SS Convertible, Body by Ghia; S/N 4016; Yellow/Black; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $140,000. With Reserve. – 273/235hp Mopar V8, automatic, power brakes and steering, Borrani wheels, console with floor shift. – Very good paint and body. Shiny chrome and fully restored engine compartment with little use. The underbody has been undercoated with some bits flaking off and oxidized metal underneath. The interior has been redone with the seats creased from use. A 10-year-old restoration that has held up quite well on this unusual Ghia, which is essentially a Plymouth Barracuda in an Italian suit. – While this Ghia 450SS might be worth more it is selling into an increasingly conservative marketplace and this might just be all the money it can expect to get.
Russo and Steele Monterey 2016 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # S663 1970 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 13109; Argento Metallizzato/Nero leather; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $315,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $346,500. With Reserve. – Borrani wheels, Blaupunkt radio, includes tool kit and jack. Documented by Marcel Massini. – Bought new by by film producer Albert Broccoli of James Bond fame. Excellent paint and body lines. The bumpers are in very good condition, but the door handles are tarnished, the window frames are scratched and the Borrani wheels are pitted all around the centers. The engine compartment is very clean while the underbody is aged. Inside, the carpet and wood is in good condition, while the driver’s seat is mildly distressed. Never fully restored, but consistently maintained and got major cosmetic attention when necessary. – No Aston Martin for Cubby Broccoli. This car was sold by Gooding at Scottsdale in 2015 for $374,000, then again in 2016 for $310,000. The seller here did well to come out at breakeven (before commissions and costs.)Lot # S664 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback; S/N SFM5S199; Wimbeldon White, Blue stripes/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $350,000. With Reserve. – 289/306hp, T-10 4-speed, Shelby wheels with blue dot tires, trunk-mounted battery, AM radio, long sweep speedometer, delivery documents included. – Excellent paint. Door gaps are inconsistent. Deck lid fits poorly. Vent window trim is pitted and old. The engine compartment is very clean and orderly. The underbody is also extremely clean. The interior is well sorted and has minimal use. Fully restored, just not quite to the caliber you’d expect of an early Shelby. – Sold here in 2006 for $308,000, then at Mecum Indy 2010 for a then-huge $238,500. Not sold at Mecum Monterey last year at a high bid of $310,000. While not perfect, this car deserved closer to 400 grand. The purest and most rewarding classic Shelby Mustangs to drive, the first GT350s are increasingly recognized as highly desirable collector cars.Lot # S667 2005 Ford GT Coupe; S/N 1FAFP90S05Y401512; Red, White stripes/Black leather; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $325,000. With Reserve. – Lightweight wheels, red painted calipers, comes with promo material. – An original 19-mile car. Still has the majority of the shipping label over the passenger door and rear clamshell saying “do not open”. The seats are still covered in plastic. A new car. – People are starting to realize that still-in-the-wrapping Ford GTs aren’t all that special, and it’s almost more interesting to see one that’s at least covered a little bit of ground. Prices for these cars also aren’t climbing anymore, partly because of this realization. This car was lucky to have this much offered with the 2004 prototype hogging most of the attention, and it probably should have seen the car go to a new home. It’s been peddled since Mecum’s Dallas auction last September (bid to $335,000) and at Kissimmee in January (bid to $350,000.) It’s not getting any better and it’s time to recognized collectors’ collective judgment of its worth.Lot # S674 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 Coupe; S/N SAJJEAEX8AX220667; Maroon/Tan leather; Unrestored original, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $420,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $462,000. With Reserve. – Bridgestone Expedia tires, Alpine radio and cassette player, power windows, air conditioning, fire extinguisher. – Canadian delivery car. An 871-km example with unblemished original paint, immaculate mechanicals and unused interior. A wonderfully preserved example in a striking color combination. – Yes, it’s 871 km from new and impeccably maintained. This is still the most expensive XJ 220 in history and not by a small margin, either. It is $77,000 more than RM got for s/n 0619 (albeit with 6,880 km) in Arizona in January. That’s a lot to pay for low miles bragging rights.Lot # S676 2005 Porsche Carrera GT Coupe; S/N WP0CA29845L001172; Silver/Brown leather; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $575,000. With Reserve. – Carbon ceramic brakes, wood shift knob, power windows, air conditioning. – 2,486 miles and virtually new. No noticeable flaws inside or out. – Half a dozen Carrera GTs were up for grabs on the peninsula this year, and the buying audience for such cars is relatively small to begin with, so this car was simply overlooked in favor of the others.Lot # S677 2004 Ford GT Coupe; S/N 1FAFP90SX5Y400045; Midnight Blue, White stripes/Black leather; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $760,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $836,000. With Reserve. – Red calipers, special chin splitter and rear diffuser. Signed by Carroll Shelby. Pre-production model, full purchase history included. Not street legal. – Very good paint with only a few small chips on the quarter panel behind the rear wheels. The passenger’s side rocker panel has a scrape near the rear wheel. The engine compartment and underbody are immaculate as well as the interior. A well kept pre production test mule for the GT program that has racked up over 48,000 miles. Transferred to SVT as they considered the possibility of creating a Mk II version of the GT. Supposedly repainted previously. – This is a bit of history, although why Carroll Shelby’s signature was appended is uncertain. This is double the price of a regular Ford GT (let alone one with 48,000 miles) but it is significant and its condition is surprisingly good for a factory test mule. Only time will tell if its prototype significance has long term staying power.Lot # S678 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing; S/N 1980405500548; Silver/Red leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,050,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,155,000. With Reserve. – Steel wheels with hub caps, VDO dash clock. – Originally ivory but now finished in silver. Very good paint and brightwork. The engine compartment has aged well and has little oil or grime. The underbody is the same story. The interior, is also original. The seats are very worn and stained, and the driver’s seat even has a rip on the top. Sills are very worn and the steering wheel is cracking. Very well redone on the exterior and worn well for the age inside. Repainted, but mostly original and represented with a recent service. – Cataloged here with an incorrect chassis number, 19804035500548, this Gullwing actually was sold by RM in Arizona in January of this year in the same tired condition for $1,155,000, exactly the same price it brought here.Lot # S679 2014 McLaren P1 Coupe; S/N SBM12ABA8EW000091; Volcanic Orange Corsa, Black/Black; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,300,000. With Reserve. – 903hp hybrid drivetrain based on a 3,799cc twin turbo V-8, 7-speed transaxle, carbon-ceramic disc brakes, active suspension, aerodynamics and braking. Includes purchase documents and Car Fax – 1,483 miles and still in showroom condition. Recent service at dealership. – Ultra-exclusive hypercars like the P1 tend to sell for more than the original base price (which was about $1.3 million) when new and continue to command a premium from then on. It’s a trend we’ve seen from other P1s at auction already, including the orange car at Bonhams that sold for $2,090,000 including commission. With a going rate that high, it’s easy to see why the reported high bid was refused. It’s currently listed at a California dealership with an asking price of $2.3 million.Lot # S680 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Coupe; S/N WP0CA2A1XFS800489; Viper Green/Black; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,550,000. With Reserve. – Special order Viper Green, includes Car Fax. – 1,136 miles, and still in showroom condition. – Each of the current crop of hybrid hypercars is both rare and expensive, but the Porsche is the most common and the least valuable. The reported high bid here was on the low end of what 918s have brought at auction so far, but it could have been accepted without much regret. The consignor likely expected a premium for the special order paint, but maybe the color wasn’t to everyone’s taste.
