The RM Auctions and Sotheby’s Art of the Automobile sale was held November 21, 2013 in New York City, resulting in $62,797,500 of sales and a 93 percent sell-through rate.
The top result at the RM Auctions New York City sale went to a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM that sold for $14,300,000, a new world record for the model at auction. Taking the number two spot was the 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Cabriolet by Figoni et Falaschi that sold for $7,150,000, also establishing a new world record for the model at auction.
The 31 hand-picked automobiles, two motorcycles and seven pieces of artwork, offered at the Art of the Automobile sale, the first major collector car auction to take place in Manhattan for over a decade, presented over a century of automotive history and design in a unique gallery setting at Sotheby’s New York headquarters. Bidders hailed from 17 countries, 15 percent of whom represented clients who had never participated in an RM sale.
Rob Myers, CEO and Founder of RM Auctions, said, “Working with Sotheby’s, we set out to create the finest automobile auction that there has ever been. Our aim has been to raise the bar and set a completely new standard for quality and presentation, and I am delighted to say that these amazing results have proven it a great success. What we have established here in New York is a complete demonstration of how to bring some of the world’s rarest and most exceptional automobiles to market, in both an exciting and visually arresting way. Furthermore, the sale has successfully brought many new collectors into the market for the first time, which is fantastic news for our hobby.”
Aside from the Ferrari 250 LM and Talbot-Lago, numerous additional lots sold well during the sale, with several world record prices established. The third highest seller was the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competition Berlinetta Speciale, with bespoke coachwork by Bertone, that made $7,040,000.
Other notable results include the 1954 Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder by Carrozzeria Zagato, the only example with coachwork by Zagato, which sold for $4,455,000 while the 1936 Delahaye Type 135 Competition Court Teardrop Coupe by Carrosserie Figoni et Falaschi and the 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sports Coupe by Freestone and Webb, each achieved $2,420,000.
RM Auctions New York City 2013 – Top Auction Results
1. 1964 Ferrari 250 LM – $14,300,000
2. 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Cabriolet – $7,150,000
3. 1959 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competition Berlinetta Speciale – $7,040,000
4. 1954 Maserati A6G/2000 Zagato Spider – $4,455,000
5. 1955 Ferarri 250 Europa GT Coupe – $2,420,000
6. 1936 Delahaye Type 135 Competition Court Teardrop Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi – $2,420,000
7. 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sports Coupe by Freestone and Webb – $2,420,000
8. 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Bleu Nuit – $2,310,000
9. 1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 MK ll ‘Supersonic’ by Ghia – $2,035,000
10. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Pininfarina Cabriolet – $2,035,000
11. 1933 Duesenberg Model SJ Beverly – $1,760,000
12. 1958 BMW 507 Series ll Roadster – $1,650,000
13. 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster – $1,650,000
14. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing – $1,219,000
(See RM Auctions New York City 2013 – Complete Auction Results)
In total, 11 cars achieved world record prices including:
- 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster $1,650,000 – Record for a 300 SL Roadster at auction
- 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sports Coupe $2,420,000 – Record for a Rolls-Royce Phantom II at auction
- 1933 Auburn Twelve Custom Speedster – $1,210,000 – Record for an Auburn Twelve Speedster at auction
- 1932 Ford V-8 Cabriolet – $319,000 – Record for an unmodified 1932 Ford at auction
- 1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Cabriolet – $7,150,000 – Record for a Talbot-Lago T150-C SS at auction
- 1958 BMW 507 Series II Roadster – $1,650,000 – Record for a BMW 507 at auction
- 1958 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Convertible – $258,500 – Record for a 1958 Oldsmobile Convertible at auction
- 1954 Pegaso Z-102 Series II Berlinetta – $797,500 – Record for the model at auction
- 1955 Maserati A6G/2000 Spider – $4,455,000 – Record for a Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder at auction
- 1966 Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2-Litre Roadster – $467,500 – Record for Jaguar E-type (non-competition model) at auction
- 1964 Ferrari 250 LM – $14,300,000 – Record for a Ferrari 250 LM at auction
The Art of the Automobile auction followed a three-day exhibition in Sotheby’s 10th floor gallery, which also featured a symposium presented to more than 700 guests on Tuesday evening. RM Auctions will kick off its 2014 auction calendar at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix, January 16-17. RM’s 15th annual Arizona sale is closely followed by the company’s debut Paris sale, February 5, during the Retromobile week.
For additional information, visit www.rmauctions.com.
[Source: RM Auctions; photo: Sports Car Digest]
