Sporting Classics of Monaco Auction Report – RM Auctions
Report by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
RM Auctions held its inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco event on 1st May, 2010 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. RM’s beachhead in Monte Carlo was, like all good military campaigns, conducted with overwhelming force and superiority of numbers and logistics.
Taking a year off from Maranello where RM had demonstrated its ability to put on a show, assemble a crowd and the cars that made them get excited in the last three years, the transition to Monaco was more than seamless, it was extensive. The sale, at $50.25 million (assuming a modest undisclosed post-block result for the BMW 328 MM “Bügelfalte”) was 10% more than the previous best one-day sale, RM’s 2007 Maranello auction at $45.1 million.
I have a little inside experience with RM from writing a few catalog descriptions for them and watching most of their auctions firsthand. Their secret isn’t secret. It’s preparation, accuracy and assiduous cultivation of sellers and bidders. RM has a competent, intelligent, caring, involved organization that goes deep into the depths behind the scenes and involves every single person in the organization to listen, respond and facilitate. Problems never provoke anger, just solutions. Responsibility is delegated, but so is authority to deal with it.
It’s a model for efficient, intelligent management. From Rob Myers, Mike Fairbairn and Dan Warrener through Ian Kelleher there are dozens of others I could – and should – name … but it would make this intro too long.
Read the list of contacts in the RM Monaco catalog, then multiply it by three and apply it equally to everyone you encounter at an RM auction. It is a competent, dedicated, proud, efficient, effective group of bright, smart, hard working individuals.
Monaco 2010 won’t be RM’s last one-day record sale, but for the moment it’s a pretty important accomplishment.
RM has one last bogey to beat, the highest average transaction.
Monaco’s $558,654 was a big number. RM’s Maranello sales in 2007, 2008 and 2008 came perilously close to the record at $1.4, 1.3 and 1.0 million respectively, but it was set by Christies’ (under Robert Brooks’ hammer) at Royal Albert Hall in 1987 where the Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe (s/n 41141) at $9.8 million among just six sold cars among ten offered totaling $10.8 million drove the average to $1,802,957.
Whether that record is beaten or not, it’s something special to watch RM’s success.
Sporting Classics of Monaco Detailed Auction Report – RM Auctions
Lot # 202 1928 Amilcar CG SS; S/N C455; Blue/Black; Estimate $39,906 - $53,208; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $56,534 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $63,318 – RHD. Dual sidemounts, chrome wire wheels, Marchal headlights, wide bodywork, cycle fenders. Good paint, brightwork and upholstery. Attractively restored and maintained. No Reserve. A legitimate contender in voiturette class racing with a high cute quotient and a restoration that is reassuring, this Amilcar brought a healthy price well over its high estimate. Lot # 210 1956 Austin-Healey 100/M Le Mans Roadster; S/N BN2L231785; Engine # IB231785M; Healey Blue/Black; Estimate $126,370 - $152,974; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $126,370 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $141,535 – Silver wire wheels. A factory-built Le Mans spec car, freshly restored and complete with 200kph speedometer, side curtains, tonneau cover, tool roll, jack, BMIHT Certificate, owner's manual and service manual. Spotless and way better than it was when new. No Reserve. The real deal, the genuine article, and thrilling to drive or show, this is the price of excellence. Lot # 212 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster; S/N 84473; Engine # 80342; Aquamarine Blue/Beige leather; White top; Estimate $159,625 - $212,834; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $139,672 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $156,433 – This must be 1958 Aquamarine Blue. It is a distinctly different color from earlier Porsche hues with the same name. I'd call it 'Blue' and leave the adjective off. Nardi-style woodrim steering wheel, chrome wheels, replacement engine. Puffy doors and fenders suggest plentiful filler and a mediocre body shop in the restoration. As recent sales have shown, this many US$ are more than sufficient to buy a 356A Speedster with a quality restoration, flat panels and an original Super engine. The Euro price would be right in dollars. This result is like Greece's GDP: vastly overstated. Lot # 216 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 0349EU; Engine # 0349EU; Silver, Amaranth Purple roof/Red leather, Grey inserts; Estimate $598,595 - $931,148; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Post-block sale at $534,460 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $598,595 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, blackwall tires, Marchal headlights and fog lights, radio, heater, woodrim steering wheel. Good repaint, very nice original leather. Known history from new, never restored and attractively maintained by a succession of owners who sympathetically preserved its originality while keeping it attractively presentable and usable. Said to be just 43,000 km from new. One of 21 built in this first series. Offered by Paul Forbes at Barrett-Jackson in 1999 where it no-saled at $200,000 (back in the days when cars no-saled at B-J) and sold by RM in Arizona in 2002 for $330,000. A genuinely attractive and well-preserved Ferrari that has always been recognized as something special. Its price here is a reasonable expression of its value and quality. Lot # 219 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Cabriolet, Body by Castagna; S/N 121215033; Engine # 121215033; Black, Blue accent/Dark Red leather, Beige cloth top; Estimate $731,616 - $864,638; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $665,106 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $744,919 – RHD. Black wire wheels, dual rear-mounted spares partially recessed into rear deck, 85hp supercharged GS. Attractive and practical coachwork representative of Castagna but not as attractive as contemporaries from Zagato or Touring. Believed to have spent WWII in Berlin where it was bought by industrial designer Ken Koupal who owned it until the 1990's as an unfinished and disassembled but largely compete personal restoration project. Completed by the next owner to like new condition with very attractive cosmetics. No Reserve. Considering this car has no interesting history and somewhat pedestrian coachwork by Castagna the seller should be very satisfied with this result even if it is somewhat under the low estimate. Lot # 221 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 3309 SA; Engine # 3309; Black/Red leather; Estimate $2,593,913 - $3,259,019; Recent restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $3,325,529 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $3,724,593 – Covered headlights, chrome rocker panels, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, blackwall tires, factory hardtop and soft top. One of six bodied by Pininfarina, the only one with covered headlights from new. Displayed at Geneva and New York shows, then taken to Bonneville by J.A. Stallings and clocked at 145 mph (photos and original time sheets included). Later owned by Bob Grossman, restored by Fantuzzi for Charles Robert, then re-restored by Patrick Ottis in the U.S. in the current colors. Winner of Platinum at Cavallino and featured in Cavallino magazine in 2009, then displayed at Pebble Beach (3rd in class). Full tool roll. Beyond perfect (including a deduction at Pebble Beach for 'too shiny paint'.) Apparently the shine worked to this Ferrari's advantage in Monaco, bringing an exceptional price 20-25% above expectations. Still, compared to a 250 GT California Spider it is a lot of car and more unusual, to say nothing of being exquisitely presented and beyond perfect ... but still accurate. Lot # 250 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II All Weather Cabriolet, Body by Thrupp & Maberly; S/N 188PY; Engine # ZN15; Saffron Ochre, Polished Aluminum/Ochre leather; Estimate $598,595 - $798,127; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $764,872 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $856,656 – RHD. Dual enclosed sidemounts, Pilot-Rays, windshield post spotlights, polished wheel discs. 'The Star of India' built for Thakore Shri Dharmendrasinhji Lakhajiraj, ruler of Rajkot. Lavishly decorated and restored in 2001 to show ready condition with many subsequent displays. A wonderful history, but not particularly attractive, just imposing. Hans-Gunter Zachs collection. The star (no pun intended) of the 25 Rolls-Royces from the collection of Hans-Gunter Zachs offered at RM's first Monaco auction and far and away the most desirable of them. Even at nearly $900K it will grace any collection or concours lawn with its imposing presence, exactly as the Thakore Sahib intended when he ordered it in 1934. Lot # 251 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Competition Gr IV Berlinetta; S/N 13715; Engine # B590; Black/Black cloth; Estimate $558,689 - $638,502; Competition car, original as-raced, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $638,502 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $715,122 – Wide gold 5-spoke alloy wheels, outside fuel filler, air dam, fixed covered headlights, fixed Plexi side windows with sliding panel, side outlet exhaust, full street car instrumentation, number roundel lights and heaven knows what other tricks under its skin. Converted to Group IV in 1974 and raced in Italy throughout its life. Restored in 2008 to historic racing car standards with some events since. Perhaps best described with the hot rodder's term, 'sanitary.' While this is twice the price of a street Daytona it is right in line with competition cars and will surely be an instrument of excitement and diversion to its new owner.
RM Auctions Monaco 2010 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 251A 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 3401GT; Engine # 3401GT; White/Blue-Grey leather; Estimate $3,325,529 - $3,924,125; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $3,125,998 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $3,501,117 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, driving lights, outside filler (added.) Restored in 2008 in the present (not original) colors, with impressively flat, flush fitting panels, excellent paint, chrome and interior. Spotless underhood. Ferrari Classiche certified. Sold by RM at Maranello in 2007 to Chris Evans for $2,523,378 (Euros 1,870,000 against Euros 2,632,000 today) and restored since then (its fourth restoration) with 3,942 more km on the odometer since 2007. The left side window frame has received needed attention since last seen, but is still a bit wavy. SWBs continue to climb into the stratosphere but, compared with a GTO they're something of a value. Lot # 256 1957 Ferrari 250 GT TdF Berlinetta, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 0925GT; Engine # 0925GT; Rosso Corsa/Tan leather; Estimate $2,660,424 - $3,192,508; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $2,793,445 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $3,128,658 – Chrome spoke Borranis, blackwall tires, outside fuel filler, covered headlights, driving lights. Owned by Bill Harrah until 1988 and by Harald and Ingeborg Mergard since 1993 with maintenance by DK Engineering and many historic events including three times in the MM Retro. Meticulously maintained and in better than new condition. Ferrari Classiche certified. Gorgeous. Eligible for nearly any prestigious event, tour or historic race the new owner might want to attend, the appearance and maintenance of this Tour de France is above reproach in all respects. It may have only 17,000 miles from new, reflecting its long history with Bill Harrah. It's worth every cent of the not inconsiderable price paid. Lot # 258 1987 Porsche 959 Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ95ZHS900135; Engine # C05139340383387; Champagne/Brown, Silver leather; Estimate $212,834 - $252,740; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $249,415 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $279,344 – Two owners from new, the first being TAG Group chairman Mansour Ojjeh with 25,838 km from new between them. Cassette stereo, power seats and all the other accoutrements of luxury high speed driving. Not like new but pretty darn close. No Reserve. This is a representative result for a clean, well-maintained, low miles street 959. The Mansour Ojjeh history is thrown in for free, whatever value it might add. If there were a Tag timer screwed to the dash it might ring the bell. Lot # 260 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Cabriolet Competition, Body by Figoni & Falaschi; S/N 49197; Engine # 49197; Black/Ruby Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $2,261,360 - $2,660,424; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $2,128,339 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $2,383,739 – RHD. Black wire wheels, whitewalls, Marchal headlights fog light and driving light. Originally upholstered by Hermes, who re-created the upholstery, trim and leather steering wheel rim for the restoration then complemented it with matching fitted luggage with crocodile corners and period hardware. Known history since WWII and before, probably since new. Restored to better than new condition in 2006, class award earned at Pebble Beach that year. Some old parts (post WWII nose, original Hermes trimmed racing seats and a spare engine) included. A gorgeous car on so many levels, including the Figoni & Falaschi coachwork which is flamboyant, but not extreme. It is what it is, and it is spectacular. This is what it took to own it, which by any standard is what it's worth, if not something of a great value. Lot # 263 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Berlinetta Alloy, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 07933; Engine # 07933; Silver-Grey/Blue leather; Estimate $931,148 - $1,197,191; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $931,148 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $1,042,886 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, blackwall tires. Excellent recent paint, chrome and interior. Crisp, fresh like new underhood presentation. Needs nothing. Factory alloy body, long nose, interim driveshaft configuration. Sold by RM in Monterey in 2001 for $204,955 in mostly original condition with add-on A/C, alloy wheels, Grey cloth upholstery and a barely Earl Scheib quality repaint that showed a few parking lot scars. It sure isn't like that today, and its price reflects both the accelerating values of 275 GTB/6Cs and its improved presentation. It might even be considered something of a good value, if on the leading edge of the price progression. Lot # 264 1970 McLaren M14A Formula 1; S/N M14A2; Yellow /; Estimate $332,553 - $399,064; Competition restoration, 1+ condition; Hammered Sold at $365,808 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $409,705 – Cosworth-Ford DFV, Hewland DG300, Lucas injection. Factory team car raced by Denny Hulme, Peter Gethin and Jackie Oliver with several podium finishes. Retired in 1972, sold in 1974 and re-engined for F5000. Returned to DFV power in 1977 by Phil Riley. Known ownership history since. Stripped and rebuilt in 2007, engine by Richardson, gearbox by BPA with one race since. Stack display. Includes original parts, 20 wheels and documents. Race ready, sharp and very orderly. One of the high points of the Cosworth DFV era in historic racing and a competitive car in one of the most popular historic racing series. Its factory team car history makes it particularly desirable and it should be consider full value for money at this price. Lot # 265A 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 1253GT; Engine # 1253GT; Metallic Green/Cream leather; Estimate $2,394,381 - $2,926,466; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $2,460,892 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $2,756,199 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, velocity stacks, fog lights in grille, covered headlights as new, bright front fender vents. Original engine, Ferrari Classiche certified, featured in several magazines. Restored in 1995 and still with great cosmetics and sharp presentation. Known history from new. It is impossible to say anything else but 'on the money' for this transaction. Lot # 269 1952 Ferrari 212/225 Coupe, Body by Vignale; S/N 0170 ET; Red, Black roof/Cognac leather; Estimate $798,127 - $1,064,169; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $764,872 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $856,656 – RHD. Silver painted wire wheels, blackwall tires, 4-point belts. 1952 Mille Miglia entrant driven Dr. Augusto Carceni and Franco Meloni. Later 1952 Italian hillclimb champion. Upgraded to 225 specs in 1953. Later historic events include three MM Storicas, Monterey Historics and three Enstall Classics. Now powered by a 128B type 250GT engine (internal number 508). Last recorded restoration was in 1974, but its paint, chrome and upholstery are of more recent vintage and it is in excellent condition, very attractively detailed if not freshly restored.. This Ferrari will get its new owner pretty much anywhere he wants to appear with it, despite the later engine. The price is strong for the car's configuration and history, but a realistic accommodation between pristine and potent. Call it fair to both the buyer and the seller.
RM Auctions Monaco 2010 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 275 1965 Lola T70 Sports Racer; S/N T70/SL70/1; Red /; Estimate $598,595 - $731,616; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $478,876 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $536,341 – RHD. 366 Chevy small block, four Webers, Hewland LG500 transaxle, modular wheels, full-width roll bar. The first T70 built. Raced by John Surtees, Jackie Stewart and Mario Andretti. Restored in 2005 and historic raced in the U.S. Appears to be essentially race-ready with a reasonable amount of freshening and safety checks. Clean, tidy, orderly and reassuring. If it weren't enough that it's fast and has attractive race history, it's also uncommonly beautiful, a trait shared with most of Eric Broadley's Lolas. The new owner will delight in its performance and appearance no less than in the good value which its price represents. Lot # 278 1965 McLaren-Elva M1A Sports Racer; S/N 20/10; Engine # GM3970011; White /; Estimate $186,230 - $239,438; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $199,532 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $223,476 – RHD. First owned by George Wintersteen, then to John Cordts 1966-67. Restored in the early 80's, then sold to Peter Kaus in late 1985. Restored for historic racing in 2007 with 350 Chevy small block, four Weber 48 IDA carbs, Hewland LG600 transaxle and looks as it did when raced by Wintersteen. Last vintage raced at Goodwood in September 2009 and essentially ready for the new season. FIA papers. Sold by Bonhams at the Goodwood Revival sale in 2006 right out of Peter Kaus' Rosso et Bianco collection, aged, neglected and needing pretty much everything, for $243,842 (GBP 128,000 and Euros 190,000, against today's GBP 146,000 and Euros 168,000). That's not the sign of a good deal in any currency, but the price is a sound reflection of the values of early USRRC Elva-McLarens. The buyer got a nearly race-ready ground-pounder for less than the cost of a restoration. Lot # 284 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster; S/N CSX 2136; Black/Black leather; Estimate $931,148 - $1,197,191; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $884,591 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $990,742 – 5-spoke alloy knockoffs, black braced paperclip rollbar, black side exhausts, 4 Webers. Excellent paint, good interior. A very presentable old racecar built in Le Mans configuration. '63 Shelby team car driven by Dave MacDonald, Bob Bondurant, Lew Spencer and Frank Gardner. Ed Leslie's 1964 SCCA A/Production national champion GT competitor in several USRRC races. Sympathetically restored by Bill Murray in 1992 after being damaged in an accident and subsequent garage fire. and a fine combination of excellent workmanship, patina and history. RM sold this car at Amelia Island in essentially the same condition in 2006 for $1,650,000. Don't ask me what happened in the intervening four years to carve six hundred Large off its value. I don't understand ... except maybe that $1.7 million was a lot too much to pay for it. The Shelby market sure hasn't died in the past 1200 days. Lot # 289 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Spider, Body by Zagato; S/N 8513064; Engine # 8513064; Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $1,130,680 - $1,330,212; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,044,216 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $1,169,522 – RHD. Radiator stone shield, Black wire wheels, dual rear-mounted spares, modern competition belts. Engine enlarged to 1,861cc. Reportedly 80% or so original bodywork. Three-time MM Retro participant. Restored in the early 80's and still exceptionally well maintained and presented in nearly like new condition without being overdone. A very choice piece. Sold by Gooding at Pebble Beach in 2008 for $1,265,000, 851,500 in Euros compared with Euros 879,200 today. Reach your own conclusions. Lot # 292 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 Sports Racer; S/N 2470; Engine # 2470; Black/Black cloth; Estimate $3,192,508 - $3,458,551; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $2,926,466 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $3,277,642 – RHD. Borrani wire wheels. The amalgamation of 2471's nose with 2470's tail and identity after a fire in Tracy Bird's garage in 1964 toasted the original nose. Fitted with a new engine but supplied with the original. Head fairing noted by Oosthoek and Bollee as not original has been removed. Known history from new, restored in the 70's for Lord Alexander Hesketh, historic raced recently and successfully. Nicely presented with good cosmetics in Jack Hinkle's original black livery, a clean, well maintained historic race car with its FIA papers. Not worth what a Camoradi car would bring, or one of the few surviving completely pure Tipo 60/61s, but a stunning, aggressive, correct and known history historic racer of unquestioned provenance and history that needs nothing at all to be competitive on the track and only an exhaustive detailing to make onlookers swoon at concours. This is what it took to own it, this is what it's worth. Lot # 295 1949 Fiat 1100S MM Berlinetta; S/N 500065; Engine # 500331; Red/Tan leather; Estimate $146,323 - $186,230; Rebodied or re-created, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $126,370 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $141,535 – Steel wheels, skirted rear wheels. A bit bitched up with an 8V body originally on a 1400 chassis. That seems to matter little to Italian organizers who have welcomed it many times in the MM Retro. That's not surprising, because it is a bitchin' car. Decent paint, interior and chrome, a driver's car. I like this car a lot better under a Hundred Grand, but that minimizes its amalgamated history. Give this one to Italian enthusiasm ... and a really sexy little shape. If it had big engines it would be Sophia Loren or Gina Lollabrigida on wheels. With 1,089 cc it's just a hot little Italian. Lot # 297 1937 BMW 328 Mille Miglia Roadster 'Bügelfalte', Body by BMW Milbertshofen; S/N 85032; Silver-Grey/Black leather; Estimate -; Visually maintained, largely original, 2 condition; Post-block sale at $5,719,911 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $6,406,300 – Disc wheels, skirted rear wheels, dual aeroscreens, yellow headlights. 1938 Mille Miglia 2-litre class winner driven by Anthony F.P. Fane and William James (8th overall). 1937 Alpenfahrt winner. Raced at LeMans and the Donington Tourist Trophy earlier in 1937. Rebodied with many modifications at BMW in Milbertshofen in late 1939 (after an accident) with this aerodynamic body developed in concert with Dr. Wunibald Kamm and magnesium bodywork with creased fenders that give it its name 'Bügelfalte', ironing crease or trouser crease, then finished sixth in the 1940 Brescia-Mantua-Cremona Mille Miglia during the 'Phony War'. Used by Albert Speer during WWII, then seized by Russia as reparation and given to Artiom Mikoyan, the 'M' in the MiG fighter design bureau. Eventually traded for a Lada to Guido Adamson in Riga, Latvia and eventually driven (!) to Munich where it was entrusted to BMW and used to create a replica for its museum. Meticulously preserved, maintained and cared for, its age is evident, but irrelevant. This is the hammer bid on the block, not the final price which is unreported. It is said the consignor wanted Euros 4.5 million net of commissions. A post-block deal at 4.3 million hammer with the regular commission would put a little in RM's pocket and 4.5 million in the seller's.
Six and a half million bucks is a unprecedented for a BMW, but so is this car. It has great racing history with a MM class win and second appearance in 1940. It has great social history with Albert Speer and Artiom Mikoyan. Its streamlined coachwork is unique, attractive and effective. It can go anywhere its new owner wants to take it and be welcomed by competitors, spectators and organizers. The price (whatever it was) is a whole lot of money, but cars of similar history, achievements, success and history are few, far between, and command similar seven-figure numbers. In fact, the buyer could spend more and get less. I think it's well bought. Lot # 255 1955 Fiat 8V Berlinetta, Body by Zagato; S/N 106000076; Engine # 104000000115; Metallic Green/Beige leather; Estimate $518,783 - $598,595; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $458,923 plus commission of; Final Price $458,923 – Silver painted wire wheels, blackwall tires. Same owner since the early 80's, replacement engine, eight times in the MM Storica and other historic events. Mediocre repaint, sound original interior. Not sparkly, but very desirable. I think this would be enough to own this car, but then again I wouldn't think that a little bit more was too much for it, either.
RM Auctions held its inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco event on 1st May, 2010 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. RM’s beachhead in Monte Carlo was, like all good military campaigns, conducted with overwhelming force and superiority of numbers and logistics. 
Solid report on Monaco. Love the reference to previous sales and the condition of the various cars. All adds much to the depth and quality of the reporting. Nicely done.