Gooding & Company, Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, Florida, March 9, 2012
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
Gooding & Company kicked off the Amelia Island auctions with their famed healthy breakfast (if you like bacon and sausage and omelets and really strong coffee) and a sterling lineup of Porsche products, not only from the featured collection of Matt Drendel but also a number of others calculated to get the juices flowing within anyone who appreciates high performance from tiny engines.
26 of the 77 lots offered were Porsches, or Porsche-powered, 33.8% of the total. When the final hammer fell after a long day in the hot and stuffy auction tent they totaled $ $23,855,700 with commission, 66.2% of the sale’s total dollars.
It was decidedly Porsche-centric.
The sale started just after 11AM and the final hammer fell after 5PM. That’s six hours to auction 77 lots, not quite 13 cars/hour. While it’s hard to argue with the 90.9% sale rate (including one post-block sale) that Charlie Ross and David Gooding achieved from the block, the pace was often glacial. But the bidders stayed, even concluding the sale with a healthy price for the final car, which wasn’t a Porsche.
The stage was set with the early sale of lot # 15, the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder which sucked the air out of the already sweltering tent with a price of $3,350,000 hammer, $3,685,000 with commission. Pre-sale the $2.2-2.6 million estimate for a customer 550 Spyder with no significant race history seemed optimistic by 50% or so. The bidders quickly proved both the estimate and its evaluation wrong, streaking to $2 million and going on from there with five or six active bidders even at $3 million.
Gooding claimed eleven auction record prices. No surprise, all of them were for Porsches, although several were for unique cars from the Drendel collection for which any sale would be an auction record.
The sale’s $36 million total was the best Amelia Island has ever seen, again demonstrating the allure of a once-in-a-lifetime consignment of highly specific cars from a recognized collection that adds provenance to quality and presentation.
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Ed Lenahan was essential to preparing this auction report.
Gooding and Company Amelia Island 2012 – Auction Report
Lot # 4 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7; S/N 9113601317; Engine # 6631284; Light Yellow, Green 'Carrera'/Black leather; Estimate $300,000 - $375,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2+ condition; Post-block sale at $250,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $275,000 -- 2.7 liter/210hp, 5-speed, Fuchs alloy wheels, duckbill spoiler. Excellent paint over a largely original car. Dashboard worn and dull in places. Originally an M472 touring option RS, the car was converted to full lightweight spec at some point and then recently converted back to Touring save the missing rear seat and the lightweight door panels. A great car possessing a unique color combination, the RS nevertheless suffers from the juxtaposition of a perfect repaint on an otherwise original car. This RS is perfect on paper but did not generate the excitement its consignor expected. Bidding stalled at $260,000 and it left the block a no sale. Its later sale was at a hammer bid $50,000 below the low estimate, a price that recognizes the compromises in its presentation.
Lot # 7 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR Convertible; S/N 8T03R213224-03949; Lime Gold metallic/Black vinyl, Black vinyl top; Estimate $160,000 - $200,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $127,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $140,250 -- 428ci, 400bhp, automatic, P/S, P/B, 5-spoke Shelby wheel covers, roll bar, Marchal fog lights. All original exterior, interior and chassis. Paint flat in small spots -- particularly on the nose -- but in solid condition otherwise. Wood veneer and chrome trim in interior aging with some small chips and fading in both. Underside is well-detailed and clean as is the engine compartment. No Reserve. This car appeals with its well-maintained original appearance, significant option list and fantastic color combination. The automatic doesn't drastically affect the desirability of GT 500KRs as they were built for high speed cruising. This price is spot-on correct for an original KR convertible in this condition, though both Gooding and the consignor clearly expected more even though it was a no-sale at RM's Ft. Lauderdale auction last year at a paltry bid of $97,500.
Lot # 12 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback; S/N SFM5S430; Wimbledon white, blue/Black leather; Estimate $220,000 - $260,000; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $175,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $192,500 -- 289/306hp, T-10 4-speed, hood scoop, 5-spoke Cragar wheels, Goodyear blue dot tires, hood pins, wood-rimmed steering wheel, dash gauges, parcel shelf with spare tire. Unoriginal engine, decent paint and chrome, clean and moderately well detailed chassis and engine compartment, fiberglass hood cracking and checking around scoop. Panel gaps between hood, front fenders and front valence are inconsistent. History includes a stint as a drag car called "Snakebite" in the late '60s. Judging by cracking hood and the inconsistent panel gaps this first year Shelby Mustang's restoration wasn't in keeping with the car's significance. Though well below Gooding's estimate, this is a fair price.
Lot # 15 1955 Porsche 550/1500 RS Spyder; S/N 550-0062; Engine # 90546; Silver/Tan leather; Estimate $2,200,000 - $2,600,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $3,350,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $3,685,000 -- 4-speed, 4-wheel drum brakes, small acrylic windscreen, through-the-hood fuel filler, leather engine cover straps, center exit exhaust, gold Spyder scripts on front fenders. Minor stone chips on front end, chassis and engine well detailed. Used as a street car for a majority of its early life and still retains its original engine and bodywork. Totally restored in the late '90s and used in the Colorado Grand and the California Mille. This number raised many an eyebrow in the Gooding tent. While 550s are beautiful and historic cars that rarely retain their important original components as this one does, the nearly one million dollars paid over the high estimate is hard to justify. Other significant Porsches with important factory and track history sold for less money later in the day and other 550s are available for less money. This is, simply put, an astronomical price for a customer 550 with no racing history. That there were four or five bidders still involved at $3 million suggests, however, that the mania was contagious.
Lot # 16 1956 Porsche 3656A Super Speedster; S/N 82106; Engine # 80191; Black/Red leatherette, Black cloth top; Estimate $200,000 - $250,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $240,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $264,000 -- 4-speed, 4-wheel drum brakes, bumper overriders front and rear, gold Speedster scripts on front fenders, gold Porsche scripts on engine cover, beehive taillights. Solid interior and paint, chassis is dirty and oil drips from the valve covers. Current color combination is a change from the original Aquamarine over black leatherette. Engine is a replacement stamped with the correct numbers. A car that looks great on the surface. While it's not uncommon to see Speedsters that are well-used or without their original engine, this car's missing history, color change and restamped engine leave too many unanswered questions. It was last sold at Christie's Pebble Beach auction in 2002 for $82,250. That was appropriate: this is too much money.
Lot # 17 1957 Lancia Aurelia B24S Convertible; S/N B24S-1317; Engine # B241435; Blue/Beige leather; Estimate $275,000 - $350,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $255,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $280,500 -- 2.5 liter, 110hp V-6, steel wheels, polished hubcaps, Michelin X tires, stainless steel exhaust, wood-rimmed steering wheel, chrome-rimmed hood scoop, rear bumper guards. Excellent older restoration aging nicely, paint shows very light patina, interior as new. Chassis shows signs of use with light dirt everywhere. Tires have been Armor Alled over dirt and grime. This is a great Lancia with lovely colors and Pinin Farina bodywork, but no one took the time to detail it properly before its sale. A desirable fifth series B24 with the best brakes and clutch of the production run, the Lancia would have surprised no one had it sold at a much higher price.
Lot # 18 1970 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2; S/N 12743; Engine # 12743; Ruby Red/Black leather; Estimate $110,000 - $130,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $137,500 -- Blaupunkt multiband radio, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin Harmony blackwall tires, P/W, A/C. Good paint, chrome and interior. Engine and chassis are clean and tidy but not restored. Continuous owner history since new and one family owned since the mid-70's. No Reserve. Some cars just feel right and this is one of them. Carefully and consistently maintained by an enthusiast owner and used frequently enough to keep it in tip-top shape, the bidders responded with a superior price.
Lot # 26 1969 Maserati Ghibli SS Spider, Body by Ghia; S/N AM115S1007; Engine # 1007; Dark Red/Black leather, Black cloth top; Estimate $550,000 - $700,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $440,000 -- Becker Grand Prix multiband radio, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Hellebore woodrim steering wheel with wood horn buttons and hub, Pirelli P4000 blackwall tires. Decent older repaint, chrome and interior, otherwise a sound and well-maintained car. Built with the 4.9 liter engine with factory documents supporting that configuration even though the chassis number is for the earlier 4.7 liter. Accompanied by factory paperwork and a January 2012 certificate from Maserati confirming the correctness of its 4.9 liter engine. Both the estimate and the seller's expectations are exceptional for any Ghibli SS Spider and the odd history does not add to its appeal. It brought $76,719 when bought at RM Monterey in 1998, and the reported high bid here should have been enough to see it change hands. Gooding's sale of AM115S491259 in Scottsdale two months ago for $880,000 may have distorted the seller's perspective, but this was not in close to the same condition, and that transaction was the very definition of an 'outlier.'
Lot # 33 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider; S/N 14395; Engine # B1176; Red/Tan leather, Black stripes; Estimate $1,000,000 - $1,400,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $910,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,001,000 -- Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, 215/70VR15 Michelin XWX blackwalls, Becker Europa II stereo, A/C, painted nose panel, popup lights. Good paint, chrome and interior, originally Marrone Colorado (brown). Old undercoat on chassis and underbody. Comes with tool roll and books and an old FCA Platinum award. Not restored, but a very nice driver. Think how distinctive this car would be in its original Marrone Colorado rather than the ubiquitous Rosso-something. It sold at Gooding's Pebble Beach sale in 2008 for $1,023,000 and now shows just 53 more miles on the odometer. The lack of appreciation is generally attributable to the aging cosmetics, not offset by the new interior, and represents a sound purchase in this transaction.
Lot # 35 1941 Chrysler Town & Country Barrel Back; S/N 7703147; Engine # C28-79747; Royal Maroon/Burgundy leather; Estimate $200,000 - $300,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $260,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $286,000 -- Dual remote spotlights, windshield visor, Fluid Drive, roof rack, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, pushbutton radio, fog lights, skirts, dual outside minors. Good older restoration by Lloyd Mayes with subsequent use. Oily chassis, some exterior wood joint cracks. Sound older paint and chrome. Good interior. No longer a show car but very well done and sound. Lloyd Mayes was renowned for the quality and accuracy of his Town & Country restorations, qualities that are abundantly present in this rare Barrel Back sedan from Mayes' workshop in the early 90's. It is holding up well, and should be considered a reasonably buy at this mid-estimate price.
Lot # 36 1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Liter British Flexible Coupe, Body by Harrison; S/N XR3347; Engine # XR3347; Midnight Red; Beige cloth roof/Saddle leather; Estimate $600,000 - $800,000; Recent restoration, 1 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $500,000 -- RHD. Black wire wheels, dual sidemounts, blackwall tires. Helmet fenders, glass side window visors. Three owners from new. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Very attractive interior wood, dashboard and instruments. Restored to better than new condition for John Webb de Campi with excellent cosmetics and little subsequent age or use. 2009 Fairfield Concours class winner. An unusual car made even more unusual by many unique design and specification elements and a superb restoration for marque expert John Webb de Campi. It needs nothing except a new owner and when it finds one it'll be a particularly special addition. A Bentley coupe, even a 4 1/2 Liter as attractive and well restored as this, worth over a half million dollars is in very rich company, but if any one is, it's this one.
Lot # 39 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Coupe; S/N 16447; Silver/Black leather; Estimate $310,000 - $350,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $300,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $330,000 -- Centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin XWX blackwall tires, Becker Mexico cassette stereo, A/C. Good older paint, chrome and original interior. Flat panels, even gaps, flush fits. Odometer shows 39,854 believed original miles. Underbody is restored with some shiny goop over old undercoat. Engine and chassis are aged and a bit grubby. A presentable but not exciting driver. Realistically priced by the bidders in Amelia and realistically sold by the consignor, this is a good, sound, attractive Daytona that can be driven without detracting appreciably from its condition or value.
Lot # 41 1953 Fiat 8V Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N 106000065; Engine # 104000000116; Red/Black leather; Estimate $750,000 - $900,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Post-block sale at $681,818 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $750,000 -- RHD. Silver painted wire wheels, Michelin X 165R400 tires, Leston "Stirling Moss" woodrim steering wood. The only factory-built righthand drive Fiat 8V, still has its original engine. Raced when new by Ottavio Guarducci with an outright win in the 1955 Coppa Intereuropa at Monza. Restored by Zagato for Andrea Zagato's personal use to very good driving condition and competed in the 1991 and '92 Mille Miglia Storica, then in 2011 for a later owner. Good paint, interior and aluminum trim. Chassis and underbody were done like new and now show plenty of touring miles. Paint cracked in front of hood scoop. Redundant electrical system with alternator with extra switches and indicator lights. Owner says it runs and drives extremely well. FIVA identity card. Reported bid to $700,000 on the block and sold later at this price. Beautiful, technically intriguing and eligible to participate in lots of places, this is a sound value in a rare car with high utility.
Lot # 42 1986 Aston Martin V8 Volante; S/N SCFCV81CXGTL15422; Engine # V/580/5422/LFA; Dark Blue/Beige leather, Blue piping; Blue cloth top; Estimate $150,000 - $180,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Post-block sale at $117,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $129,250 -- Automatic, Kenwood CD stereo, Cibie Oscar driving lights, alloy wheels. Good paint, chrome and interior. Very clean and nearly like new. Reported sold in Scottsdale in January at Gooding's auction there for $140,250, its appearance here and sale substantially under its result of less than two months ago is curious, but perhaps a good deal for today's buyer?
Lot # 44 1960 Chevrolet Corvette FI "Race Rat"; S/N 00867S104420; Engine # 104420; White, White hardtop/Black vinyl; Estimate $450,000 - $550,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $400,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $440,000 -- Wide wheels, radio delete. 16th overall and class winner at Sebring in 1960 driven by Chuck Hall and Bill Fritts for George Reed. Later street driven. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Freshly restored like it never was when it was raced and loaded with period racing bits from Chevrolet, but not yet given the seal of approval by Bloomington Gold, NCRS or the FIA. The new owner undertakes a project with some potential pitfalls but great potential rewards in taking on this Corvette with the Sebring class win. It is appropriately valued in this transaction, unlike its last appearance at auction at Gooding's Pebble Beach sale in 2009 where it had a wide-eyed estimate of $700-825,000 that scared the bidders into the weeds.
Lot # 45 1960 Porsche 356B Roadster, Body by Reutter; S/N 87383; Engine # 800105; Silver-Grey/Blue leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $135,000 - $160,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $135,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $148,500 -- Chrome wheels, Talbot mirror, CD stereo underdash with four very nicely integrated speakers. Super 90 spec 1582cc engine (later than this chassis number) and 4-wheel disc brakes. Excellent paint, chrome, interior arid top. Small delamination in lower right windshield corner. Underbody undercoated and nearly like new. Not fresh but very attractive and clean. Color changed from Light Ivory over red with a bogus body tag. No Reserve. This is a very good looking Porsche with desirable updates to improve its enjoyment and safety on the road, but the fake trim tag is an affront. It may be honestly disclosed this time but a few years in the future with less scrupulous parties involved the color change is going to be conveniently overlooked. Gooding Amelia was a Porsche-mad auction and this mixed up Roadster was dragged along by the mania to an expensive price the new owner is going to regret.
Gooding and Company Amelia Island 2012 – Auction Report Continued
Gooding and Company Amelia Island 2012 Auction Report – Page Two
Lot # 46 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S; S/N WPOAA2957JN151272; Silver Rose/Burgundy plaid fabric; Estimate $50,000 - $65,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500 -- 2.5 liter, 250bhp SOHC turbocharged inline four cylinder, 5 speed, power brakes, alloy wheels, impeccable paint and interior. Some corrosion on brake rotors from lack of use, but otherwise as new, because it is, with 719 miles. No Reserve. Drendel Family Collection. This is huge money, even after factoring in the smile inducing plaid interior and impeccable original condition. Driving it will ruin its valuable condition and preserving it will be both time consuming and expensive. The first car from the featured Drendel Family Collection of turbo Porsches, it set the stage for what was to come.
Lot # 47 1976 Porsche 935/76; S/N 930670002(R15); White, Red, Blue ‘Martini’/Black; Estimate $1,700,000 - $2,000,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $2,300,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,530,000 -- 2.9 liter, 590bhp SOHC turbocharged flat six cylinder, 4-speed, four wheel disc brakes, fully independent and adjustable suspension, massive front splitter and rear wing, large fender flares front and rear, 3-piece center lock BBS wheels, Martini and Rossi livery, stripped interior, aluminum roll cage. Heavy race-earned patina on every surface, many rock chips on leading edge of rear fenders and along entire nose. The first Porsche to wear a 930 chassis prefix and the first 935 constructed. Used to develop the 935 bodywork, engine and chassis modifications. Switched from testing to racing duties to successfully secure the 1976 Group 5 Manufacturer's Championship for Porsche with a win at the Six Hours of Watkins Glen driven by Rolf Stommelen and Manfred Schurti. At the end of the '76 season 935-001 was sold to Vasek Polak where it sat undisturbed and unrestored before passing to John Kotts and then to Matthew Drendel. Drendel Family Collection. Race histories don't come much better than this and cars that see this kind of duty rarely survive in this condition. This is real money, but 935-001 is a hallmark Porsche and blue chip investment. Its successful hammer bid was only 15% over the high estimate, by the standards of some of the other Drendel cars sold today something of a bargain in a Porsche-crazed room.
Lot # 48 1980 Porsche 924 GTP; S/N 924-003; White/Black cloth; Estimate $450,000 - $600,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $350,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $385,000 -- Two liter, 320hp SOHC inline four cylinder, 5-speed, four wheel disc brakes, four wheel independent and adjustable suspension, center lock wheels, aluminum roll cage, one piece race seat with six point harness, acrylic side windows, passenger side exhaust. In excellent restored condition with clean and straight bodywork and immaculate cockpit and engine compartment. Driven by Al Holbert and Derek Bell at the 1980 24 Hours of Le Mans to 13th overall. Later raced in the US by Holbert and Bruce Leven (Bayside Disposal). Restored to Le Mans configuration in the late eighties and remains the only 924 GTP with Le Mans history in private hands. No Reserve. Drendel Family Collection. While the estimate called for a much higher price, this ex-Le Mans 924 GTP is still a 924 and lacks the cache of its 911-based stable mates. This is a fair price for both buyer and seller, and unlike many of the competition Drendel Porsches on offer, it doesn't require superhuman talent to drive at its limit. Porsche owns the other two ex-Le Mans 924 GTPs leaving the field wide open for display and historic racing by the new owner.
Lot # 49 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution; S/N 993-GT1-004; White/Black; Estimate $900,000 - $1,200,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,150,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,265,000 -- 3.2 liter, 600bhp twin-turbocharged DOHC flat six cylinder, 6-speed, four wheel disc brakes, fully independent and adjustable suspension, carbon fiber front splitter and winglets, large rear wing, 3 piece center lock BBS wheels, Mobil 1 livery, on board air jacks. Fastidiously clean and perfect throughout. Formerly a works entry at events throughout the 1997 season including Le Mans, later raced by the Bytzek brothers in North America with consistent success. Used by Porsche for their 2009 New York Auto Show display and the recent "Family Tree" television ad. Drendel Family Collection. More than defying the laws of physics with their rear engined cars, Porsche's true specialty is finding loopholes in racing rulebooks and then driving ferocious little sports cars through them. Such is the case with this homologation special that shares just enough with its distant 997 cousin to be considered a street legal race car. Rare, fast, beautiful and possessing a great history, this GT1 is an excellent race car and investment. The new owner paid fully for the experience.
Lot # 50 1991 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet; S/N WPOCB2949MN440106; Red/Black leather, Black cloth top; Estimate $25,000 - $30,000; Unrestored original, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $39,600 -- 3 liter, 211bhp DOHC inline four cylinder, 5-speed, alloy wheels, Blaupunkt AM-FM. As new with 18,689 miles, save a cracked rubber seal surrounding the trunk lock. No Reserve. Drendel Family Collection. A good car benefiting from careful maintenance while in the Drendel collection, but still a member of Porsche's under appreciated front-engined family. This is a strong price even for the low miles and careful preservation.
Lot # 51 1976 Porsche 934; S/N 9306700155; Orange/Black; Estimate $800,000 - $1,000,000; Competition restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $810,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $891,000 -- Three liter, 530bhp SOHC turbocharged flat six cylinder, 4-speed, four wheel disc brakes, fully independent and adjustable suspension, massive riveted flares front and rear, 3-piece BBS wheels, aluminum roll cage, large rear wing. Current state of restoration is beyond perfect. Originally a customer car, this 934 gained factory support at the end of 1976 racing season when Porsche needed more cars on track to win the manufacturers championship. Again in private hands the 934 won its class at Le Mans in 1982 driven by Richard Cleare and Tony Dron, six years after it was built. Drendel Family Collection. This 934 is absolutely impeccable and most auction goers expected fierce bidding when it drove onto the block. That didn't happen. Though the sales price is within the estimate range, it took a very long time -- and the substantial efforts of the auctioneer -- to get it there. In any other group of Porsches this 934 would be a headline car and considering the sometimes breathtaking values achieved by other of the Drendel collection this result seems almost modest for a correctly restored Porsche with a long and illustrious racing history.
Lot # 52 1987 McLaren MP4/3 Formula 1; S/N MP4/3/1; White, fluorescent red/Carbon fiber; Estimate $450,000 - $600,000; Competition restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $780,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $858,000 -- 1498cc/1,000+hp DOHC TAG-Porsche twin-turbo V6, carbon fiber monocoque and bodywork, Marlboro livery, huge front and rear wings, center lock wheels, racing slicks, carbon fiber seat, spare TAG-Porsche V6 (#50) on display stand. One of five built, three remaining and the only one in private hands. Immaculate. Raced only once, in Austria by Stefan Johansson (7th, two laps down.) Owned by McLaren until 2007 when race prepared by Lanzante Limited, tested briefly, bought by Matthew Drendel and prepared for static storage. Appears race ready and as new from every standpoint. No Reserve. Drendel Family Collection. It says something that Drendel didn't hesitate to drive his 1200+ horsepower Porsche 917-30 but used the McLaren only for display. These cars are monsters and regularly scared the F1 pilots who drove them in anger. This is a fair price for a historic car that will remain static for all but the most talented, brave or foolhardy and the estimate seems to be unduly conservative, not only for its history but also for its rarity and performance.
Lot # 53 1984 Porsche 962; S/N 962-103; White, Blue 'Lowenbrau'/Black; Estimate $1,750,000 - $2,250,000; Competition restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,750,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,925,000 -- 3160cc/720hp SOHC turbocharged flat six cylinder, 5-speed, four wheel disc brakes, fully independent and adjustable suspension, Lowenbrau livery, 3-piece center lock BBS wheels, Goodyear racing slicks, race-win medals displayed on dashboard, I piece race seat, five-point restraints. The third customer 962 built. Without any visible flaw. Sold to Al Holbert who scored myriad wins including back-to-back Daytona 24 hour victories in '86 and '87 with it. Displayed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame and retained by the Holbert family until sold to Matthew Drendel in 2008. Drendel Family Collection. An epic car with an equally epic value, the 962's final price was within the expected range considering the rarity of the 962s in general, and the condition and history of this car in particular.
Lot # 54 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup Coupe; S/N WPOZZZ95ZGN154076; Guards Red/Black cloth, vinyl; Estimate $65,000 - $85,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $72,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $79,200 -- 2.5 liter, 250bhp SOHC turbocharged inline four cylinder, 5-speed, Fuchs alloy wheels with polished lips and black centers, Turbo fender graphic, recessed hood pins, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, eight point roll cage, Recaro race seat, 4-point race harness. US raced in Firehawk and SCCA series. Restored to as new condition with impeccable paint, bodywork and engine compartment. Only signs of use are several rock chips across front end. No Reserve. Drendel Family Collection. A great car for track days, autocrosses, spirited open-road drives, and any Porsche show, this 944 Turbo Cup also carries the Drendel family provenance. A lot of car and history for the money.
Lot # 55 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Turbo 2.14; S/N 9114609016(R9); Silver, Red, Blue 'Martini'/Black; Estimate $1,750,000 - $2,250,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $2,950,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $3,245,000 -- 2142cc/450hp turbocharged SOHC flat six cylinder, 5-speed, fully independent and adjustable suspension with titanium coil springs, front splitter, huge rear wing, large fiberglass flares front and rear, 1-piece 5-spoke center lock wheels, Martini livery, aluminum roll cage. The second of four Carrera RSR Turbo 2.14s built. Used a works race and development car with several races including 6th overall at the Osterreichring 1000km in 1974 and then sold to Dr. William Jackson in Denver. Unrestored and as raced. Fiberglass is wavy, paint is chipped, interior and engine well patinated. Raw fiberglass cooling ducts yellowed and dirty in the best possible way. Drendel Family Collection. While an incredibly significant car, the RSR Turbo's final price is huge considering other, equally potent and more successful Porsches were on offer for far less. The $700,000 premium this car commanded over the 76/935, for example, doesn't add up.
Lot # 56 1994 Porsche 968 Turbo S Clone Coupe; S/N WPOAA2961RS820772; White/Black leather; Estimate $45,000 - $55,000; Original, modified for competition or performance, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $66,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $72,600 -- 2990cc/305hp SOHC turbocharged inline four cylinder, 6-speed, 3-piece wheels, hood pins, NACA ducts and hot air vent in hood, adjustable rear wing. As new with no visible indication the car was driven save the few miles shown on the odometer. No Reserve. Drendel Family Collection. Though this is the perfect car for spirited driving or track days, at this price it's becoming too precious to race and, as a clone, it's not collectible enough to store away for originality's sake. This was an eye-watering price for a made-up car.
Lot # 57 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder; S/N 917/30-004; Blue, yellow, red/Blue; Estimate $3,250,000 - $4,000,000; Competition restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $4,000,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,400,000 -- RHD. 5374cc/983hp (at 1.2 bar) twin turbocharged flat 12, 4-speed,center lock wheels, front splitter, huge rear wing, racing slicks, Sunoco Porsche Audi livery, 1 of 6 built. Paint, bodywork and preparation are over-the-top perfect. No flaws or signs of use anywhere. No race history at all. Sold to the Australian Porsche importer at the end of the 1973 season and displayed in his showroom. Later reacquired by Porsche and completely restored and painted in the Penske/Donohue colors from the 1973 season and given FIA papers before being demonstrated at the Nürburgring. Subsequently re-restored in the U.S. and impeccable. Drendel Family Collection. The audience erupted into applause when this car drove like a thunderstorm into the Gooding tent. With just six built, it's rare to see a 917-30 in person and rarer still to witness its public sale. The price was no small sum, but lot 57 was a special opportunity to purchase a car of incredible stature and condition. What this price means for the raced Can-Am cars is yet to be seen.
Lot # 58 1981 Porsche 944 GTP; S/N 924-005; White 'Boss'/Black; Estimate $375,000 - $450,000; Competition restoration, 1+ condition; Hammered Sold at $280,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $308,000 -- 2478cc/410hp DOHC turbocharged inline four cylinder, 4-speed, acrylic headlamp covers, center-lock wheels, Dunlop race slicks, Boss livery, aluminum roll cage, one-piece race seat, 5-point Sabelt restraints, large on board fire suppression system, quick fill fuel door, on board air jacks, side exhaust at driver's side front fender. Perfect condition. Used as a test bed by Porsche but never raced by the factory. GTP bits used on Alan Hamilton's 924 GTR, then reunited with the tub of 924-005 in California where it was restored in the Hugo Boss livery of 924-006 that competed at the 1981 24 hours of Le Mans. No Reserve. Drendel Family Collection. Though this car displays mind boggling condition and possesses an interesting history, it was never a factory race car and its current livery is inaccurate. This is a generous price for an unraced, front-engined Porsche with no appreciable history, despite the even more generous pre-sale estimate..
Lot # 59 1985 Porsche 962; S/N 962-HR1; White, Blue 'Lowenbrau'/Black; Estimate $900,000 - $1,200,000; Competition restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $850,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $935,000 -- 3164cc/720hp SOHC turbocharged flat six cylinder, 5-speed, Lowenbrau livery, 3-piece center lock BBS wheels, Goodyear racing slicks, race-win medals displayed on dashboard, one-piece race seat, five-point restraints. Visibly perfect with no flaws. Built by Al Holbert with Porsche's blessing for the 1985 IMSA season. Driven to IMSA Championships by Holbert in '85 and Chip Robinson in '86. 9 outright wins and 17 podiums from 1985-88. Drendel Family Collection. Visibly and performance-wise there's little to differentiate the two Lowenbrau 962s. The million dollar difference in their values has everything to do with 962-103 being built in Germany and this car, 962-HR1, being built in Holbert's race shop. It also doesn't have -003's consecutive Daytona 24 wins. They're both eligible for the same events, though, making this by far the better value in dollar/endorphin terms.
Lot # 60 1992 Porsche 968 Turbo RS; S/N WPOZZZ96ZNS820065; Red/Black; Estimate $250,000 - $325,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $315,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $346,500 -- 2990cc/350hp SOHC turbocharged inline four cylinder, 6-speed, 3-piece wheels, carbon fiber front splitter, acrylic passenger and rear windows, driver's side window net, quick-fill refueling door, adjustable rear wing, stripped interior, full roll cage, carbon fiber dashboard, Recaro driver's seat, 6-point restraints. Impeccably restored. 1 of 4 built. Used by the factory for testing and press duties then raced by Joest and Seikel Motorsport in numerous events including Le Mans (dnf, accident, in 1994.) No Reserve. Drendel Family Collection. Front engined Porsche just don't resonate with audiences like the rear and mid engined cars. So while this car has an interesting history, most attendees had to read its auction card to figure out what it was. A good value? Porsche built only four, but at this price there are many cars with greater appeal and far larger audiences. Only two Drendel cars followed this one, however, and the buyers may have been getting desperate. In any event, it is an expensive car.
Lot # 61 1980 Parnelli-Porsche Indy Car; S/N USACNo0031; White/Black leather; Estimate $350,000 - $550,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $200,000 -- 2650cc/630hp turbocharged flat six, 4-speed, center lock wheels, A-arm front suspension with pushrod-activated shocks, trailing link rear suspension, riveted aluminum tub, fiberglass bodywork, hand-painted sponsor lettering. Visually maintained in original condition, mechanically as new. Developed by Porsche and Parnelli Jones to contest the 1980 USAC series, shelved by Porsche after USAC reduced the Porsche's turbo boost -- just one month before the start of the season -- at the urging of A.J. Foyt. Restored in the 1990's by Gunnar Racing, comes with spare wheels, radiators and a disassembled spare engine. Drendel Family Collection This is an interesting car from a technical standpoint but it possesses no race history and would be difficult to prepare for road course vintage races. It's still a factory Porsche race car and therefore important, but retired Indy cars still lag far behind their Formula 1 contemporaries in terms of value. Finding more money will be challenging.
Gooding and Company Amelia Island 2012 – Auction Report Continued
Gooding and Company Amelia Island 2012 Auction Report – Page Three
Lot # 62 1995 Porsche 911 GT2; S/N WPOZZZ99ZTS393062; White/Black; Estimate $375,000 - $425,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $235,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $258,500 -- 3.6 liter/450hp SOHC twin-turbocharged flat six cylinder, 6-speed, 3-piece center lock BBS wheels, front splitter, large rear wing, large fender flares, multi-colored reflective decals, Dzus-fastened acrylic windows, Momo steering wheel, carbon-Kevlar driver's seat, fiberglass passenger seat, six-point restraints, stripped interior with roll cage, on board air jack system. Totally restored and in perfect condition. Campaigned by Champion Porsche and driven by Hans Stuck and Bill Adam to a class win and 6th overall in the 1996 12 Hours of Sebring. 2nd in class and 11th overall at Daytona in 1997, then retired and restored at Champion Porsche. No Reserve. Drendel Family Collection. This GT2 is a great car with an eye-catching livery and good history, but its sale resembled the 934's with slow bidding and a final price that was lower than expected. It might be a little too recent to appeal to the Porsche purists in the tent and on the phones at Gooding's Amelia auction but it is nothing if not a significant and fast competition Porsche with a creditable race history.
Lot # 63 1970 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia Cabriolet, Body by Karmann; S/N 1402956336; Engine # H5474075; Blue/Dark Blue vinyl; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $25,000 - $35,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $23,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $25,300 -- Chrome wheels, blackwall radial tires, Sapphire pushbutton AM radio, bumper overriders. Good paint, chrome, interior and top. Thin chrome on rear overriders. Engine is nearly like new. No Reserve. Auction relief from the pressures of the Drendel Family turbo Porsches, but that didn't prevent the bidders from paying a reasonable price for this attractively restored Karmann-Ghia.
Lot # 64 1957 Porsche 356A Speedster, Body by Reutter; S/N 82626; Engine # 63001; Red/Biscuit leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $180,000 - $220,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $170,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $187,000 -- Silver steel wheels, 165SR15 Vredestein blackwall tires, headlight stoneguards, bumper overriders. Very good paint, chrome, interior and top. Underbody repainted over old undercoat. Tidy and clean engine represented to be matching numbers. A sound and presentable cosmetically restored driver-quality Porsche Speedster. This is not the time to be buying a Porsche Speedster, that's for sure, as the prices continue to escalate to the bursting point. This result is appropriate in today's market, though, for someone willing to feed the current fashion.
Lot # 66 1988 Porsche 959; S/N WPOZZZ95ZJS900153; Silver/Grey leather; Estimate $400,000 - $500,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $450,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $495,000 -- 2850cc/600hp DOHC twin turbocharged flat six cylinder, 6-speed, AWD, leather package, federalized with Canepa Design Phase I engine upgrade, titanium coil springs. Completely original with 6,500 km plus 1,268 miles (about 5,300 miles) and as new with no visible marks anywhere. The 959 is undoubtedly a fierce car and this is one of the few that can legally be driven on US streets, but its mileage, condition and price mean it is best suited for continued careful storage. It brought a realistic price that probably approximates what was spend at Canepa to federalize it.
Lot # 67 1911 Rambler Model 65 7-Passenger Touring; S/N 26689; Engine # 930; Olive, Red coachline/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $290,000 - $340,000; Recent restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $250,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $275,000 -- RHD. Solar acetylene headlights, kerosene sidelights and taillight rewired for electricity, Jones speedometer and dock, Solar acetylene generator, bulb horn, single sidemount, CAV spring shackles, friction shocks, full weather equipment. Handsomely restored to concours condition with little subsequent age or use. 2008 Pebble Beach class award winner and Best in Show at the 2011 Saratoga Springs concours. Some brass needs attention, but that's about all. A big, imposing car with 431 imposing cubic inches under the hood. Offered by Worldwide at Auburn in 2009 where it brought a reported high bid of $350,000 but was unsold, this is believed to be the sole surviving example of its type and it is a spectacular one. At this price it is a sound value especially when compared with similar high horsepower brass cars of comparable performance and restoration.
Lot # 68 1950 Jaguar Mark V 3 1/2 Liter Drop Head Coupe; S/N 647008; Engine # T8431; Black/Saddle leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $100,000 - $125,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000 -- Skirts, three-position top, skirts, fender mirrors, wide whitewalls, badge bar, Lucas fog lights, full tool tray. First owned by actor Robert Mitchum. Scuffed old repaint, decent chrome and creased but sound redone interior. Uneven door fit, weak side trim chrome, dirty underbody and chassis. Body is sound but not attractively fit or finished. A tired, used and rather neglected old cosmetic restoration. No Reserve. Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2011 for $83,070 in essentially the same neglected condition in which it was offered here with just 46 more miles on its odometer. The seller should be grateful to get this much for it.
Lot # 69 1967 Porsche 906E; S/N 906-159; Engine # 910-032; Dark Blue/Dark Blue cloth; Estimate $1,000,000 - $1,250,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $910,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,001,000 -- Leather rim Prototipo steering wheel, halogen headlights, roof-mounted rear view mirror. Very good paint and interior. Fresh, sharp cosmetics and restored like new. 7th overall at Sebring in 1967 driven by Joe Buzzetta and Peter Gregg for Porsche System Engineering. Otto Zipper's 1967 USRRC Under-2 liter co-championship driven by Scooter Patrick. Restored for Warren Eads by Robert Hatchman with a new body. Paint cracked by tail latch brackets and silver stripe paint badly alligatored but otherwise meticulously and accurately restored and presented. This was the place to sell Porsches, no doubt about it. This championship winning 906E was offered by Bonhams in Scottsdale just two months ago at a reported high bid of $980,000. An expectation readjustment by the consignor and a Porsche-centric consignment and audience resulted in it finding a new home at an appropriate price.
Lot # 70 1959 Fiat-Abarth 750 Spider, Body by Allemano; S/N 635135; Dark Blue/Black vinyl; Blue cloth top; Estimate $85,000 - $105,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,200 -- 747cc/43hp, Campagnolo alloy wheels, 135x13 Michelin X blackwall tires. Good paint, chrome and interior. Fresh undercoat. Catalog says the interior is leather but it feels and looks like vinyl. Engine is nearly like new. Shows a little age but not much use. No Reserve. Sold at Bonhams Greenwich, Connecticut sale in September of 2010 for $67,860, this little Fiat-Abarth offers startling performance from a very small engine, but little in the way of the charisma of its Zagato bodied double bubble coupe contemporaries. It brought a reasonable price here even though it's far less than the estimate.
Lot # 71 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe, Body by Touring; S/N 0143E; Engine # 0143E; Blue/Dark Blue leather; Estimate $1,300,000 - $1,600,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,250,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,375,000 -- RHD. Silver painted Borranis, Dunlop 6.40x15 tires. Restored by Greg Jones to better than new without going crazy. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Engine is almost spotless except for some spilled brake fluid attacking the paint on the reservoir. Factory installed triple carbs done in 1952. Given by Ferrari to Mike Hawthorn in 1953-4 and used by Hawthorn to pre-run the 1953 Mille Miglia. Displayed at Pebble Beach in 2003, Cavallino Gold in 2004, written up in Cavallino (#144). Ferrari Classiche certified. For a Ferrari with this history, Touring coachwork, a meticulous restoration and eligibility for pretty much any event its new owner wants to take it to, this is a modest result and a good value.
Lot # 72 1949 MG TC Roadster; S/N TC9064EXU; Engine # XPAG9767; Red/Dark Red leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $75,000 - $90,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $44,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $48,400 -- RHD. 5-speed gearbox, chrome wire wheels, Arnott supercharger with supplemental oiler, Lucas fog and driving lights, polished brake drums. 'EXU' coded export car for the US market. Restored like new and used a little since then, it will respond to some attention and elbow grease to look even better under the hood. No Reserve. Superchargers were popular add-ons to early MGs and boosted performance substantially, in this case from 54 to approximately 70, which is a 30% jump. They also severely tested the rather spindly MG engine and were best used with discretion. That adds substantially to the appeal of this TC, which brought $66,000 at RM's Monterey auction in 2011. It is a very good value here.
Lot # 75 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing; S/N 1980406500044; Engine # 1989806500054; Red/Black leather; Estimate $700,000 - $900,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $650,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $715,000 -- Chrome Rudge wheels, narrow whitewalls, AM-FM with separate amp, belly pans, hinged steering wheel. Cosmetically restored with bad paint flaws on three of the four wheelwell eyebrows. Color changed from Silver-Grey. Good older interior. Lightly cracked body and window seals. Makes a good first impression that doesn't hold up. Engine has polished intake and has been done to mediocre standards. A sound but uninspiring Gullwing. There's nothing uninspiring about the price it brought, however, which is all the money its thoroughly mediocre condition warranted. Cars this erratically maintained and presented rarely deliver happy surprises to new owners, an uncertainty that is not reflected in this price.
Lot # 76 1962 Porsche 356 B Super Coupe, Body by Karmann; S/N 211142; Engine # 703213; Smyrna Green/Cognac leather, Beige cloth; Estimate $95,000 - $120,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $93,500 -- Leston woodrim steering wheel, radio opening covered with aluminum plate, grey steel wheels without hubcaps but with polished brake drums, Marchal driving lights, Heuer rally timers. Represented as matching numbers original engine. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Color changed. Restored like new with a little use since it was done. Comes with a full tool roll. No Reserve. This would be expensive even with the Super 90 engine. For a color changed 75hp Super it is close to astonishing, even with the Heuer timers.
Lot # 77 1972 Ferrari 246 GT Dino; S/N 03496; Dark Blue/Tobacco leather, Black stripes; Estimate $185,000 - $210,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $195,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $214,500 -- Blaupunkt cassette, Fiat Cromodora wheels, Michelin XWX tires, P/W. Excellent paint, chrome and interior in very attractive colors, particularly the interior. Underbody done like new with finely grained undercoat sprayed copiously. Freshly restored and in better than showroom condition. Dino prices have gotten out of control, jumping 15-20% just in the last few months. This is a wonderful example, but it's not a GTS, it's a GT, and this is a lot of money for it.
Lot # 78 1948 Tucker Torpedo 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1034; Engine # 33541; Waltz Blue/Grey broadcloth; Estimate $950,000 - $1,300,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,200,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,320,000 -- Mostly original with a mediocre repaint. Good original interior, trim and plastic. Bought from the Tucker bankruptcy estate and driven only sparingly since, now showing just 5,228 miles from new. Used in the Tucker movie. Repainted in 2009. Includes one piece of fitted luggage, original spare keys and original seat covers as well as complete ownership history documentation. Cofer Family collection. Advanced cars for their time, Tuckers suffered from insufficient development and an over-confident promoter/principal. Their mystique has remained powerful however and this largely original (it deserved a better repaint) low miles example brought a premium price.
Lot # 80 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N D7FH123145; Willow Green/Two-tone Green vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $55,000 - $75,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $50,600 -- 312/245hp, automatic, Town and Country radio, wheelcovers, whitewalls, porthole hardtop and soft top, P/S, no P/B, no engine dressup. Flawed repaint over poorly finished filler. Good interior. Erratic rechrome on front bumper. Uneven hood gaps. Old undercoat and road dirt on chassis and underbody. A very unsatisfying T-bird done to mediocre standards where it's done at all. No Reserve. Sold at Mecum's Indianapolis auction in May 2011 for $49,820, it deserves to be marked down even more than this.
Lot # 81 1965 Jaguar XKE SI 4.2 Roadster; S/N 1E11193; Engine # 7E4641-9; Carmen Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $130,000 - $160,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $112,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $123,750 -- Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tries, pullout radio. 2011 JCNA Southeast champion. Beyond perfect. Polished underhood, even a Lucas battery. Comes with a complete tool kit, custom luggage and a JDHT certificate. Restoration completed in 2011 with subsequent JCNA Champion awards, Best in Show and Best in Class awards. Fabulously, meticulously and correctly done in all respects. No Reserve. This has been judged among the best of the best by Jaguar XKE experts and deserves every penny of the price it brought here.
[Source: Rick Carey]