Gooding & Company concluded its 2014 Pebble Beach auction with $106,004,800 in sales, concluding 107 of 121 lots, an 88.4% sell-through, in its two-day sale.
The total continued Gooding’s string of $100 million plus sales at Pebble Beach over the past three years. The sell-through was down 2.9 points, 3.2%, from last year’s extraordinary 91.3% sale rate. The average sale of $990,699 was up 2.6%, the median transaction of $319,000 was down 13.4% from 2013.
The numbers reflect Gooding’s failure rate at the high end, unusual for a Gooding auction. Twenty-three lots sold on hammer bids of a million dollars or more, but nine lots in excess of $1 million hammer were unsold. They totaled $56,350,000 in hammer bids that would have added $61,985,000 to Gooding’s total had they been concluded.
The shortfalls included the Ferrari 365 P Tre Posti Pininfarina show car, inexplicably no-saled at a high bid of $22.5 million, McLaren F1 similarly inexplicably failing to sell at a bid of $10,750,00 and Ferrari 250 GT SWB [steel] Berlinetta at $10 million. Others like the Competition Daytona unsold for $4.4 million are more understandable.
But, even taking into account the shortfall at the high end, Gooding’s 2014 Pebble Beach auction brought in hammer bids of $91,522,545 on estimates of $86,745,000 (including one Estimate on Request lot included at the successful bid), so they weren’t excessively ambitious in estimating.
Attendance on Saturday was reportedly sparse. Sunday, a time when Gooding has a lock on auction attendance, was well populated, but not the madhouse it’s been in the past.
Here are the numbers:
[table id=106 /]
[Andrew Newton contributed many of the on-site observations and photographs. As always, the Comments are the Editor’s responsibility.]
Gooding and Company Pebble Beach 2014 – Auction Report
Lot # 004 1964 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 6113; Oro Chiaro metallic/Tan leather; Estimate $250,000 – $350,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $220,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $242,000 – 3967/300hp, triple Weber carbs, overdrive 4-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli tires, wood-rimmed steering wheel, Autovox push button radio, dash clock. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Restoration finished in 2013. One of 625 Series I examples built. The quad headlight 330 GT 2+2s are less pretty and less desirable than the later Series II cars with the more conventional two headlights, but this one is a straight, honest car in a rare and attractive color combination with a competent recent restoration. – Appropriately priced in the current market on the basis of its sound presentation and attractive livery.
Lot # 012 1920 Mercer Series 5 Raceabout; S/N 5111; Yellow/Tan leather; Estimate $300,000 – $400,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $280,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $308,000. – 298/72hp, 6-cylinder, side valve, 4-speed, black painted wire wheels, Lester tires, Depress Beam headlamps, RH Allen Motometer, tool box in the frame rail, two rear-mounted spares, wood-rimmed steering wheel. – Dull older repaint by Earl Scheib with scratches and big cracks around the bottom of the radiator and most edges. Tired paint on wheels. In the same family since 1945, and a regular participant in classic car events like the Glidden Tour during the 1940s and 1950s. Mostly original and with a well-documented history, this is a desirable sporting automobile from the Brass and Nickel eras. – A charming old Mercer from the post-Roebling era that should be a fine ride on yours and appreciated for its originality. 72hp is a lot for 1920, especially from 298 cubic inches. Bought close to the low estimate and a sound value.
Lot # 018 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 2903GT; Red/Yellow-Beige leather; Estimate $13,000,000 – $15,000,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $13,800,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,180,000 – Covered headlights, chrome spoke Borranis, Michelin X tires, Wagner sealed beam headlights, Marchal fog lights in grille, disc brakes, bright fender side vents, unrestored factory steel hardtop. – Once owned by actress Barbara Hershey. Good paint and sound interior in a sickly yellowish leather. Underbody and chassis have been superficially redone and quickly repainted for the auction. Makes a good first impression. Ferrari Classiche certified but the Red Book is still in process. – Sold by RM at Amelia in 2000 for $1,182,500, it will be wonderful when returned to its original black over natural leather, but at this price it really should have an aluminum body.
Lot # 021 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50hp Piccadilly Roadster, Body by Merrimac; S/N S77LK; Green, Turquoise Blue above coachline, Black fenders/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $500,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $550,000. No Reserve – RHD. 7428/85hp, single two-jet carb, 4-speed, black painted wire wheels, Universal tires, dual leather-covered sidemounted spares, Bausch & Lomb headlamps, Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot, rear luggage rack, rumble seat, wood top frame, Waltham dash clock. – Excellent paint other than some light scratches on right rear and left front fenders. Very good chrome and interior. Original instruments. Not restored to be jewelry or over the top. Just right. One of 79 Springfield Silver Ghosts with the Piccadilly Roadster body. Owned by Fred Buess and his family for 50 years. Restored starting in 2009. Shown at Pebble Beach in 2013, where it finished the Tour d’Elegance without issue and received a class award. A very fresh, rare Springfield Rolls that’s both drivable and showable. – It is particularly good to see it in its original color scheme and done so sympathetically to its original appearance. A desirable car, it is impossible to take issue with the price it brought, from either the buyer’s or the seller’s side.
Lot # 023 1932 Lancia Dilambda Torpedo Sport, Body by Viotti; S/N 232140; Red, Burgundy sweep panel/Brown leather; Estimate $450,000 – $550,000; Concours restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $650,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $715,000 – RHD. 3960/100hp V-8, single Zenith carb, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Michelin tires, Carello driving lights, rear-mounted spare wheel, dual cowl, suicide doors, wood dash and door trim, Jaeger dash clock. – Very good paint overall but with one big scratch and another big crack on the right running board. Some chips on the edges around the doors. Very clean undercarriage and engine bay. Excellent interior. 2-door dual cowl phaeton with aero screens for the rear passengers and powered by a 4-liter 24 degree narrow angle V-8 derived from the Lambda’s V-4. A concours restoration that has seen some use since it was last sold at RM Arizona in ’05. Top is unfinished. – Sold by RM at Amelia Island in 2005 for $253,000 in nearly freshly restored and flawless condition. The ensuing years have been relatively good to this Lancia, a marvelously sophisticated and technically advanced chassis with unusual two-door dual cowl Torpedo coachwork. It still looks like a million bucks, just showing some use- and age-related flaws that are easily remedied and fewer than 500km on its odometer since 2005. The bidders got after it in a big way, showing that quality is not always what ‘the market’ decrees. It is a premier car, and it earned a premier price.
Lot # 024 1990 Ferrari F40 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFMN34A2L0085596; Red/Red cloth; Estimate $1,200,000 – $1,400,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,200,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,320,000 – 2936/478hp, 5-speed, Speedline wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, tinted windows, luggage, Tubi exhaust. – Very good original paint, rubber and interior. Very clean engine bay. Comes with matching luggage. Bought new by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and has covered just 2,590 miles since then. This car’s great overall condition is a testament to its light use. Like many F40s, it has been very well taken care of and recently had a belt service at a Ferrari dealer. – Showing a few more miles than RM’s F40 (although almost double in relative terms), this example is less original but probably more usable and hammered sold for only $100K less, endorsing the current value of F40s in the auction marketplace.
Lot # 026 1956 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 0427GT; White, Black roof/Red leather with Grey cloth inserts; Estimate $2,500,000 – $3,000,000; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $2,100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,310,000 – 2953/220hp, triple Weber carbs, 4-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Blockley tires, Marchal headlamps and driving lights, wood-rimmed steering wheel, Clayton heater. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Even gaps. Incredibly clean engine bay and undercarriage. The last 250 GT Europa produced, the 1956 Brussels Motor Show car and a competitor in the 1957 Grand Prix de Spa. Restored to a very high standard in 2010 and showing no discernible flaws, only a little age. Believed to be the original colors. Ferrari Classiche certified. – Not quite the eye-catching presentation of RM’s 250 Europa, and bought for a bit less, this is a thoroughbred Ferrari with a clear history and a first-rate restoration.
Lot # 028 1954 Pegaso Z-102 Roadster, Body by Saoutchik; S/N 1021530136; Light Blue/Dark Blue leather with Light Blue leather inserts and piping; Estimate $900,000 – $1,400,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $900,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $990,000 – RHD. 2814/170hp, single 2-barrel Weber carb, 5-speed, chrome wire wheels, Lester whitewall tires, Becker Europa radio, wood-rimmed steering wheel. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Fantastic car. No real flaws but not overdone. Just restored to like new condition in 2013. Exhibited at the Paris Motor Show in 1954. Original owner had it re-bodied as a coupe in 1958, and it remained a coupe until the 1990s when it was restored for the first time. – The Pegaso was one of the most technically advanced cars in its day with a four-cam alloy V-8 and five-speed gearbox. Its 2.8 liter V-8 breathing through a 2-barrel carb never came close to the 240hp quoted in the Gooding catalog, an output attributed to the supercharged version while the naturally-aspirated 2.8 liter Pegaso produced a more modest 170hp. Tepid performance and vastly strange Saoutchik coachwork do not commend this car, even beautifully restored, and the seller should be extremely happy to see it bring this price.
Lot # 034 1938 BMW 328 Roadster; S/N 85215; Silver/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $600,000 – $800,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $580,000 – 1971/80hp, triple Solex carbs, 4-speed, centerlock disc wheels, Blockley tires, rear-mounted spare wheel. – Really good paint with a couple of dings. Very good interior. Restored during 2009 and 2010 by TT Workshops in the UK for an Argentinean collector and still very fresh. One of 464 genuine 328s built by BMW. Confirmed by BMW Group Archiv as period correct but re-stamped engine and chassis. – This 328 started out as a 1.2-1.4 million estimate, then the BMW Archive weighed in and the estimate dropped. The determination of the Saturday bidders at the PB Equestrian Center lacked interest. This 328 is impressively restored if a little aged and the reported high bid should have seen it sold.
Gooding and Company Pebble Beach 2014 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 040 1966 Maserati Sebring Coupe, Body by Vignale; S/N AM101/10367; Blue/Grey leather; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $210,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $231,000. No Reserve – 3694/245hp, Lucas fuel injection, Ansa exhaust, 5-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Firestone tires, locking filler cap and glove box, wood shift knob, Veglia dash clock, push button radio. – Very good paint overall with a couple of small scratches. Very good chrome. Tidy engine bay and undercarriage. Strong interior. Stands a bit tall on its suspension. Restored some years ago, but kept very well and used carefully since with recent mechanical attention to redress the effects of being little, if any, used recently. – Bought for a generous price even if it is a bit short of Gooding’s pre-sale estimate, a handsome and well-restored car that earned through its presentation a superior result.
Lot # 045 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 15653; Azzurro Hyperion/Black leather; Estimate $275,000 – $350,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $290,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $319,000. No Reserve – 430/320hp, six Weber carbs, 5-speed, Cromodora wheels, Michelin tires, P/W, push button AM/FM radio, leather-wrapped steering wheel. – Decent repaint in the original color that has seen better days. Dings on hood and cracks around gaps. Very good original interior. Tidy original engine bay and undercarriage. The GTC/4 was never the most desirable Ferrari, but this is an honest, consistently maintained, largely original example with 58,913 miles showing on the odometer. – One third of a million dollars for a C/4. Think about that, and the fact that the hammer price is firmly in the middle of Gooding’s estimate range. This isn’t even a paragon of presentation, or a pristine, consistently maintained original car with low miles. It’s just a used, sound and aged old C/4. Mediocre car, big money.
Lot # 046 1948 Delahaye 135MS 3-position Cabriolet, Body by Pourtout; S/N 801210; Black/Green leather; Estimate $650,000 – $850,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $540,000 – 3557/160hp, triple Zenith-Stromberg carbs, Cotal 4-speed pre-selector, painted wire wheels, Firestone wide whitewalls, rear fender skirts, Marchal headlamps and driving lights, dash clock, suicide doors. – Good paint. Several light scratches. Very good interior except for a small rip on top of the back seat. Rubber stripping is also coming out of the chrome spear that runs down the middle of the hood. Desirable ‘Modife Speciale’ (MS) car with three carburetors, and rare ‘Malmaison’ three-position cabriolet coachwork by Pourtout. Lightly cosmetically and mechanically restored a few thousand miles ago although with no idea how long that was in years, and its condition reflects that. A great driver with choice Pourtout coachwork – French coachbuilders like Pourtout ‘got it’ in the early postwar years and created some of the most modern, streamlined styles that make American excess look cheap. This Delahaye, despite having prewar mechanicals, is a desirable piece of automobile history, and should be surprisingly fast with 160hp. A little over a half-million dollars in the present environment is not unreasonable for it.
Lot # 050 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing; S/N 1980404500003; Engine # 1989804500019; Silver/Blue Plaid cloth; Estimate $3,500,000 – $4,500,000; Not evaluated, – condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $2,800,000 – Steel wheels, hubcaps, blackwall tires, hinged steering wheel. – The third production Gullwing sold by Max Hoffman to Briggs Cunningham. Engine replaced by M-B after it failed at the Daytona Speed Week in early 1955 where it was driven by Phil Hill. Later long owned by James Hein from whom it was acquired in 2013 by the consignor, then restored by HK Engineering. Many pre-production details including a 55mm shorter wheelbase. Documented with its original service book and typewritten operating manual. – This is a singularly important Gullwing, different in both detail and significant specification from its successors and first owned by Briggs Cunningham. Its failure to find a new owner here is an anomaly that should not reflect on its value or importance. It wouldn’t be expensive at the low estimate. (photo: Matthew Howell)
Lot # 054 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket, Body by Brewster; S/N S126PR; Dark Blue, Silver coachline and fenders/Blue leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $180,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $198,000. No Reserve – 7668/113hp, single carb, 3-speed, disc wheels, Lincoln tires, dual sidemounts, Depress Beam headlamps, Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot, landau bars, wood running boards, rear luggage rack and trunk, front suicide doors, roll-up glass rear division, robe rail, wood dash and window trim. – Strong paint and wood. Big ding on the trunk. Very good chrome and interior. Decent convertible top that is a bit tired. Tidy but used undercarriage. CCCA Senior Award recipient. Former top concours Springfield Rolls that’s no longer going to be taking top honors. It is in roughly the same condition as it was in its previous auction appearances, and still very much presentable. – Sold by RM at Houston in May 2004 for $140,250, by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in August 2004 for $170,000, by Gooding at Amelia in 2010 for $170,000, by Bonhams at Greenwich in 2013 for $187,000. You get any idea that the Phantom I Newmarket for a consistently presented car is pretty steady?
Lot # 058 2001 Ferrari 333 SP Sports Racer; S/N 041; Rosso Corsa/Black; Estimate $1,750,000 – $2,250,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $2,150,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,365,000 – 3997/650hp, Weber-Marelli fuel injection, 5-speed sequential, Enkei wheels, Pirelli P-Zero tires, bare carbon front splitter and rear wing, Momo steering wheel. – Good paint and interior. Well presented. One of only 25 built by Michelotto. Sold to Ferrari of San Francisco and intended for the 2002 Grand Am season, but never ended up racing and is currently in its as-delivered condition. As of yet, the 333 SP was Ferrari’s last major foray into international sports prototype racing, and this car was the very last of just 40 built. – A brand new, never-raced 333 SP and if the Monterey bidders say this is what it’s worth, then this is what it’s worth. It will take significant work to freshen it for vintage racing and its prospects more clearly lie in sitting quietly in a collection.
Lot # 060 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso Berlinetta, Body by Scaglietti; S/N 5249GT; Black/Red leather; Estimate -; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $2,150,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,365,000 – 2,953cc/240hp, triple Weber carbs, 4-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Semperit tires, wood-rimmed steering wheel. – Cracked, chipped, crazed paint. Pitted chrome. Dirty but complete engine bay. Interior is very tired but not terrible. Recently discovered in a garage after long-term storage. Last registered in 1976. First owned by Angelo J. Sarubbi, the former mayor of North Bergen, New Jersey who was indicted for extortion and fraud. A dirty, tired old car, but showing 20,359 miles and in better shape than the red barn find Lusso at RM. – The values of Lusso barn finds were definitively pegged at Monterey this year with two similar cars, here and at RM, selling around $2 million. This is the better example and it brought a better price. In order for it to make sense, though, it has to put restored Lusso values somewhere around $3 million and the sale of cosmetically restored but presentable and usable Lusso s/n 5791GT here for $2.2 million puts that notion out to pasture. Think about that, a cosmetically restored Lusso is worth less than a ratty barn find. It doesn’t compute.
Lot # 062 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet SII, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 1817GT; Shell Grey, Shell Grey hardtop/Red leather; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,200,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,900,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,090,000 – 2953/240hp, triple Webers, Abarth exhaust, 4-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Michelin tires, Marchal headlamps and driving lights, hardtop, wood-rimmed steering wheel, locking filler cap and glovebox, dash clock, push button radio. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Clean undercarriage and engine bay. Custom ordered with special Superamerica-style side vents and bumper-mounted driving lights. Factory replacement engine stamped by Ferrari Classiche. A beautiful, unique car with gorgeous presentation. FCA Platinum at Cavallino in 2014. – A wonderful color combination and a meticulously restored example that suffers only from its replacement engine. Ready to be driven, toured and shown and bought appropriately for its history and presentation.
Lot # 101 1924 Renault 6CV Delivery; S/N F10429; Dark Blue, Black fenders/Black leather; Grey cloth top; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Unrestored original, 4- condition; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,800. No Reserve – 951/8hp, single Solex carb, 3-speed, Michelin wheels and tires, sidemount spare with Firestone tire on driver’s side. – Paint is so old that it’s hard to tell what color it used to be. Wood is rotted a bit visibly on running boards. Frame is complete. Hand-painted license plates add a lot of charm. The 6CV was Renault’s entry-level model, and this example was fitted with a van delivery body. Otherwise, its history is murky. It’s hard to imagine what you would do with such a car, but it does have plenty of charm. – ‘Cute’ still sells, and this Renault 6CV is far more ‘cute’ than a shiny Jolly. No harm, no foul, a nifty vehicle at a realistic price and one that will keep people coming up to admire (and touch) it wherever it appears.
Gooding and Company Pebble Beach 2014 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 107 1968 Ferrari 206 GT Dino Coupe; S/N 00126; Yellow/Black vinyl, Grey cloth inserts; Estimate $600,000 – $700,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $680,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $748,000 – Cromodora wheels, Michelin XWX tires, open headlights. – Excellent paint and chrome. Good interior except for stretched and wrinkled seat inserts. Underbody is like new. Crisp gauges and clear lenses. An unusually good little Dino. – A much better condition Dino 206 than the Maranello Rosso example sold Thursday by Bonhams for $572,000, although it is debatable if it’s $176,000 better. Maybe it’s the bright yellow paint. This is two-thirds of a million dollars for a Dino 206, though, more than Gooding’s Daytona lot number 33. It’s hard to put that in perspective.
Lot # 108 1963 Maserati 3500GT Coupe, Body by Touring; S/N AM1011580; Red/Black leather; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $154,000. No Reserve – 3485/265hp, triple Weber carbs, 5-speed, steel wheels, Cinturato tires, dash clock, locking filler cap and glovebox, Broadcast push button radio. – Tired, chipping, scratched paint. Dull, pitted chrome. Shabby wheels and engine bay. Corrosion in the floorboards. Newer leather and carpets, and a strong interior overall. Fresh out of 25 years of storage. Its deterioration does not match the 2,655 kilometers showing on the odometer, and the history before its long-term storage is unknown. Should be restored. – With the rusty floorboards it probably won’t be driven very long but it’s a great basis for restoration. The price it brought is reasonable for its condition and the new owner should be satisfied with the car and with the price paid.
Lot # 109 1968 Ferrari 330 GTC Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 11113; Silver/Red leather; Estimate $600,000 – $700,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $620,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $682,000 – 3867/300hp, Ansa exhaust, 5-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Michelin tires, wood-rimmed steering wheel, Becker Europa TR radio, wood dash, dash clock. – Very strong older repaint with a couple of dings. Mellowed, lightly worn interior. Strong, not exquisite chrome. Tidy underneath. High miles, showing 80,561, but lovely and well kept. In the same family for 23 years. – A GTC that has many years of enjoyable driving before it, soundly maintained and treated to what it needed when it needed it. This is a sound value.
Lot # 113 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Berlinetta; S/N 07993; White/Red leather; Estimate $3,750,000 – $4,250,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $4,200,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,620,000 – 3285/300hp, six Weber carbs, SNAP exhaust extractors, 5-speed, alloy body, long nose, Borrani wire wheels, Michelin tires, wood-rimmed steering wheel, Blaupunkt AM/FM radio, red leather covered dashboard, console arm rest, bright fender side vents. – Tired paint with chips in the nose and some small cracks starting on the tail and around the radio antenna. Strong interior. Lightly worn seats. Used but tidy engine bay and undercarriage. Ordered new by Haitian diplomat Albert Silvera in electric blue. Sergio Scaglietti then trimmed the dashboard in red leather and fit a custom armrest, headrests, removable seat cushions and radio console as well as chrome trim on the fender and sail-panel vents. Other than a repaint in white, it has remained unrestored and shows just 21,205 miles. Engine internal number 848/64. Ferrari certificate of authenticity. – By this week’s standards this alloy body, six-Weber, custom feature 275 GTB is something of a good value even within $50K of its upper estimate. Bought new by Haitian diplomat Albert Silvera, it probably took full advantage of his diplomatic plates and immunity on the roads of Florida when new. Its somewhat aged condition affects the value, but commends itself to a buyer wanting to take full advantage of its performance.
Lot # 114 1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50hp Playboy Roadster, Body by Brewster; S/N S400RK; Blue/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $250,000 – $350,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $240,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $264,000. No Reserve – 7428/85hp, 3-speed, polished wheel discs, Firestone wide whitewall tires, Bausch & Lomb headlamps, dual sidemount spares, rumble seat, luggage rack, trunk with black cloth cover, Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot, wood dash and window trim, Seth Thomas dash clock, rear wheel brakes. – Decent paint with some cracks and bubbles. Tired, significantly worn upholstery and top. One of 28 Brewster Playboy Roadsters built, originally a Willoughby ‘Mayfair’ sedan, later retrofitted with this body. Displayed at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance in 2013. Recent mechanical work, but has the presentation of a tired older restoration. – Sold by RM at Amelia in 2013 for $313,500, a not terrifically satisfying result here that cost the consignor (or someone along the line) $70 Large. A quality car for a reasonable price, the new owner should be satisfied with both the car and the price.
Lot # 115 1956 Maserati 250F Grand Prix; S/N 2525; Dark Red/Black leather; Estimate $4,000,000 – $6,000,000; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $4,200,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,620,000 – Silver painted wire wheels, black exhaust pipes, Dunlop Racing tires. – Winner of the 1956 Italian GP at Monza driven by Stirling Moss, sold in November 1956 to Tony Parravano but not raced subsequently, then through several important collections and raced in many top tier historic events. Freshly repainted but otherwise a sound, recently cleaned up race car that looks like the purposeful tool it is. Running a high performance engine built by Shawn Thomas, original engine is being restored and will be supplied to the new owner when it is completed. – Without a doubt one of the most desirable early front-engined GP cars, renowned for its performance, reliability and handling. Only one GP win might diminish the appeal of most GP cars but Stirling Moss’s win at Monza is more than enough to cement the importance of this 250F and make its acquisition for this price a very good value.
Lot # 117 1962 Shelby Cobra 260 Roadster; S/N CSX 2005; Metallic Blue/Black leather; Estimate $2,000,000 – $2,400,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,700,000 – 260/260hp, 2-barrel carb, silver painted wire wheels, Goodyear Blue Streak tires, braced driver’s paperclip rollbar, no bumpers. – Early 260 Cobra with correct 2-barrel carb and many early details, movie used in ‘The Killers’, later used in the Shelby driving school and featured in magazines. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Freshly restored like new in its driving school livery and represented as the original engine. Extensively documented. – An intriguing history and beautiful, accurate restoration, but in the end a footnote in Cobra history for which the reported high bid was entirely reasonable.
Lot # 120 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta; S/N 3113GT; Silver-Grey/Black leather; Estimate -; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $10,000,000 – Chrome spoke Borranis, Pirelli Cinturato tires, fog lights in grille, tall shifter. – First owned by Doris Blackwood for 16 years. Very good older paint, chrome and interior. Precise panel fits and tight, even gaps. Engine compartment and underbody have been done like new and now show some miles with a little oil and road grit. Original driver’s seat covering is lightly stretched. A quality Ferrari represented to have 34,373 miles from new that has never needed restoration. – Doris Blackwood must have been quite a gal, but even the story of her adventures and long term ownership fails to explain why the reported high bid wasn’t enough to see this standard, steel-bodied SWB on its way to a new home, a sign that even the best-informed can succumb to the temptation to consign at an irrational reserve in the hope it will attract frantic bidding and the auction companies to sign on to the hysteria.
Gooding and Company Pebble Beach 2014 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # 121 1912 Packard Model 30 Seven-Passenger Touring; S/N 21099; Blue, Black fenders and hood/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $500,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $550,000. No Reserve – RHD. 4232/30hp, 3-speed, grey artillery wheels, Lincoln wide whitewall tires, two sidemount spares with vinyl covers on driver’s side, Warner speedometer, suicide rear doors, brass headlamps, driving lights, windshield frame, mirrors and door handles, wood dash, rear luggage rack. – Brass Era magnificence. Good, not fresh paint, brass and upholstery. Older restoration reflects its age but also the exceptional standards to which it was done. Restored by Phil Hill (yes, that Phil Hill) after he acquired it from the Roderic Blood collection in the 1960s. Shown at Pebble Beach in 1973 and 1999, where it won Best in Class, then shown in 2013 by the Hill family and again won Best in Class. – With this car’s history and the strength of its older restoration it’s no surprise it brought a premier price. Phil Hill’s affinity for antique Packards was formed at a young age and is no less illustrious after his death. The new owner got full value for money with this Model 30, and significant bragging rights.
Lot # 122 1938 Packard Model 1608 All Weather Cabriolet, Body by Brunn & Co.; S/N 6082022; Maroon/Brown leather in front and Tan cloth in rear; Tan cloth top; Estimate $225,000 – $300,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $400,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $440,000. No Reserve – 473/175hp V-12, Duplex Stromberg carb, 3-speed, wide whitewall tires, amber fog lights, landau bars, rear luggage rack, cormorant radiator mascot, dash clock, roll-up rear division, robe rail, clock under division window. – Tired chrome and brightwork. Decent paint with chips in the front and big scratch on right front. Very good interior. Used older restoration. Seen use but not too tired. First acquired by Phil Hill in 1966, and lightly restored by him just in time for his wedding. Believed to be one of just three All-Weather Cabriolets in 1938. – A mediocre old restoration with a significant Phil Hill history, now aged and use but a rare body style on the 1608 V-12 chassis. A premium price for a car with history that makes it more valuable than most, if not this valuable.
Lot # 123 1966 Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale ‘Tre Posti’, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 8971; Gardenia White/Black leather; Estimate -; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $22,500,000 – Center driving position, outside fuel fillers, 5-spoke alloy wheels, Michelin X tires, reflective glass roof panel, P/W. – An important Ferrari and Pininfarina concept car debuted at Paris in 1966 and displayed throughout Europe and in the U.S. through 1967. Very good older repaint, otherwise clean and original appropriate to the 7,980 km on the odometer. Minor cracks around the engine cover hinge pivots, delaminating roof glass. Excellent panel fits and shut lines. Essentially new, because it is. Part of the Chinetti collection, apart from two short term private owners, since new. – One of the very best Pininfarina/Ferrari concept cars, with design elements that distinguished most of Ferrari’s early mid-engined GTs. The design’s balance is forward, but that suits the middle-positioned driver. It would be tough to be the right seat passenger, with legroom compromised by the tall competition shifter. Widely touted as, ‘potentially the first postwar car to be Best in Show at Pebble Beach’, the wind got taken out of those sails about 3PM on Sunday when Jon Shirley’s Ferrari 375MM forever foreclosed that distinction. It was a letdown when Tre Posti came across the Gooding auction block and, honestly, there didn’t seem to be much if any bidding on it. Had there been money, surely it would have sold.
Lot # 125 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing; S/N 1980405500646; White/Blue plaid cloth; Estimate $1,400,000 – $1,800,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,200,000 – Steel wheels, hubcaps, Becker Mexico radio, original belly pans, jack, service book, parts catalog, owner’s manual. – Owned by Helmut F. Geiger and his family for over 60 years. Original except for an old color-change repaint that is now dull and peeling. Interior is original and sound, but fragile. Engine compartment is grungy. – In this condition its originality is compromised making it difficult to assign any originality value to it. It is, however, a choice, complete car on which to do a magnificent restoration at great cost and could have been passed on to a new owner well below the reported high bid without being inexpensive.
Lot # 127 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta Competizione, Body by Scaglietti; S/N 12467; Red, NART/Black vinyl; Estimate $5,500,000 – $7,000,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $4,400,000 – Gold 5-spoke wheels, Goodyear Blue Streak slicks, braced rollbar, flares, fire system. – Fifth place overall at Le Mans in 1971 for NART driven by Luigi Chinetti, Jr. and Bob Grossman. Restored like new and vintage raced for many years. Series III flared fenders, wheels and aerodynamics. – An illustrious history that will earn this Daytona entry just about anywhere its age and configuration qualifies it to be, and its estimate is no more than reasonable. It should have brought a more generous bid and if it could be bought anywhere close to the reported high bid it would be an enduring value for a competition-oriented owner.
Lot # 129 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan, Body by Murphy; S/N 2194; Black/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $1,350,000 – $1,750,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $900,000 – 420/265hp, 3-speed, wire wheels, Bedford wide whitewall tires, dual sidemount (One is Pennsylvania Rubber, one is Goodyear) spares with mirrors, driving lights, rear luggage trunk, single Duesenberg ‘STOP’ taillight, front suicide doors, toolbox in frame rail. – Missing mascot. Paint is cracking and chipping. Tired chrome. Tired tires. Tired but not terrible interior. Wheels are pretty bad. Top is also pretty bad. Dirty but solid underneath. A distinctive but aged and indifferently maintained Duesenberg but winner of the FIVA and Preservation Class awards at Pebble Beach in 2001, The Way it Was at the Concours d’Elegance of America in 2011 and others subsequently. Owned by the Saladino family in New York from the mid-30’s until 1998, then sold to Bob Bahre to join his collection of unrestored classics. ACD Category One certified. – The ‘preservation’ fanatics put their money in later (and not particularly well-maintained) cars this year, overlooking this long-cherished Duesenberg and its nearly miraculous survival. The bid failed to recognize its preservation, or its gorgeous Murphy coachwork, a missed opportunity.
Lot # 131 1927 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix; S/N 4863; Engine # 111; Grey/Brown leather; Estimate $2,800,000 – $3,500,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $2,700,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,970,000 – RHD. 2.3 liter, supercharged, alloy wheels, radiator stone guard, Marchal lights, no fenders, single aeroscreen. – Ex Helle Nice, the dancer, actress and acrobat who proved herself at the wheel of this Bugatti as an accomplished race driver. Later updated with the supercharger and during a 1974 restoration given a new 100mm roller bearing crankshaft, larger brakes and Targa Florio radiator. Freshly mechanically serviced by Scott Sargent. Original frame and numbered sump. Scratched, peeling old paint over even older paint. Worn but sound old leather, worn hood straps. Delightful patina. – Sold by Christie’s at Tarrytown in 1997 for $486,500 to Oscar Davis, later owned and vintage raced by Brian Brunkhorst, the history of this Bugatti is alone sufficient to warrant the price it brought here. Being freshly mechanically serviced it should need absolutely nothing before being taken to the track and exercised as Helle Nice did. Doing anything to this Bugatti beyond driving and maintaining it would be criminal.
Lot # 133 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet SI; S/N 1475GT; Amaranto Bull Lea/Cream leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $4,500,000 – $6,000,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $5,100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $5,610,000 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli Cinturato tires, Blaupunkt AM-FM, fog lights behind grille, Abarth exhaust, full tool roll, handbook pouch, original Italian registration book, leather key fob, open headlights, vertical taillights, Lucas electrical system. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody is slathered in sound deadener. Even body gaps and flush panel fits. Right door bottom filled along with adjacent sill. Makes a great first impression and represented as all original engine, gearbox and rear axle. Hilary Raab collection. – More conventional Pinin Farina than the early SI Cab sold by Bonhams on Thursday from the Maranello Rosso collection, but the Hil Raab history and record of consistent maintenance, regular road trips and never having been apart for a restoration add significant value to an already valuable automobile and make this result a sound value.
Gooding and Company Pebble Beach 2014 – Auction Report Page Five
Lot # 136 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 07205; Azzuro/Blue leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $1,750,000 – $2,000,000; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,500,000 – Blaupunkt multiband radio, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires. – Paint is old and flawed but sound. Chrome is remarkably good for its age. Borranis have been cleaned up, as has the engine compartment. Original leather is cracked but has only one tear in the driver’s cushion. Described as ‘Wonderfully preserved’, but it isn’t really; but it’s good enough to use until it needs restoration. – The only 275 GTS in the Monterey auctions, the flawed condition of this car was apparent to all, as was the exaggerated claim of preservation. It’s a tired car that needs serious attention, or one that can be used only by acknowledging its cosmetic and mechanical shortcomings. It should have been ‘loose and selling’ well below the reported high bid.
Lot # 141 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso Berlinetta, Body by Scaglietti; S/N 5791GT; Argento/Black leather; Estimate $1,750,000 – $2,500,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $2,000,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,200,000 – 2953/240hp, triple Weber carbs, 4-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Michelin tires, wood-rimmed steering wheel, dash clock. – One of 350. Lightly worn seats. Excellent paint and chrome. Really good, not the best. Freshly completed cosmetic restoration, including highly detailed engine compartment and interior as well as a high quality respray in the original color. Also recently serviced and sorted. Showing 55,095 km. Ferrari Classiche certification pending. – Everything in markets is relative. The price of corn is affected by the price of soybeans; the prices of Chevys are linked to the prices of Fords. But, then, how to understand the price this very good cosmetically restored Lusso in a color that highlights the coachwork’s gorgeous lines brought, $150K hammer under the neglected and long-stored barn find Lusso? Even at this healthy price, at least by the standards prevailing on the Monterey peninsula this week, the buyer of this Lusso did well.
Lot # 143 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Coupe, Body by Touring; S/N 915831; Engine # 926778; Dark Blue/Grey leather; Estimate $550,000 – $750,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $490,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $539,000 – RHD. Silver painted wire wheels, Michelin tires, turn signals, column shift, Bosch fog lights, Carello headlights.. – Replacement engine. Decent paint, chrome and interior. Flawed interior brightwork. No wiring to the headlights. A superficial cosmetic redo that does no credit to the caliber of the car. – Sold by RM in Arizona in 2009 in comparable condition to its now somewhat older and neglected condition. This is the first of three Alfas from a Swiss collection, a desirable and distinctively styled car that deserves much better than it has had. The price is appropriately handicapped, as is the car.
Lot # 144 1939 Alfa Romeo Tipo 256 Cabriolet Sportivo, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 915026; Grey/Blue leather; Estimate $5,000,000 – $7,000,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Post-block sale at $3,636,364 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,000,000 – RHD. 2443/125hp, triple Weber carbs, wheel discs, rear wheel skirts, headlights faired into the front fender catwalks Jaeger timer-clock, blue faced gauges, Bosch headlights, folding vee windshield, fully disappearing top, biplane bumpers. – Represented as one of the Tipo 256 series 6C 2500 SS built by Ferrari in Modena with Spider Siluro coachwork by Touring. Probably raced when new by Mario Tadini at Stelvio in 1939 then rebodied for first owner Gigi Koeilliker by Pinin Farina with unusually aerodynamic coachwork. Next owned by Piero Dusio and later by Karl Weber in Zurich who raced and hill climbed it until 1988. Good older paint, erratic chrome, surface cracked original upholstery. Erratically cosmetically redone. Makes a good first impression and must go like the wind. – This is an important and, more importantly, beautiful Alfa with competition history and milestone coachwork. It is remarkably original but superficially cosmetically presented and maintained. More than good enough to be toured in its present condition, it won’t be long before it feels a restorer’s touch and emerges as a Best in Show contender. It’s that pretty and a sound buy even at this post-block price and taking its shortcomings into account.
Lot # 145 1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 B Mille Miglia Coupe, Body by Touring; S/N 815092; Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $2,000,000 – $3,000,000; Unrestored original, 4- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,500,000 – RHD. 2309/105hp, three carbs, 5-speed, Carello headlights, Bosch fog lights, silver painted wire wheels. – Replacement engine with block MM024047 included. Competed in the 1939 Liege-Rome-Liege rally. Really awful repaint over cracked, peeling old paint, terrible masking. Overspray on dry surface rusted old chassis. Warped sliding Plexiglas door windows, cracked quarter windows. A major restoration project. The paint is so bad it doesn’t even bear consideration in describing the condition. – It’s sad to see this wonderful Alfa so poorly maintained and presented with a paint job Earl Scheib would be ashamed to have bear his name. It would have been better left alone in shabby condition. The reported high bid should have been well more than enough to see it transferred into the hands of someone caring (and rich) enough to give it the treatment it deserves.
Lot # 148 1967 Brabham-Repco BT24 Race Car; S/N BT24-1; BRGreen, Gold stripe/Black leatherette; Estimate $1,200,000 – $1,500,000; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Post-block sale at $954,545 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,050,000 – 2996cc/335hp Repco V-8, slide throttle fuel injection, Hewland DG 300 5-speed transaxle, chromed suspension arms. – Part of Brabham’s 1967 Constructors Championship winning team, driven by Jack Brabham with three wins (French, Canadian GPs and International Gold Cup at Oulton Park) and three further podium finishes. Later raced in South Africa, then displayed for two decades in the Donington Grand Prix Museum. Rebuilt in the late 90’s with new body, suspension, engine and wheels, original parts retained and go with the car, then historic raced. Now fitted with a Repco Type 740 engine and gearbox (as fitted by Brabham is unclear.) Good cosmetics. Engine and chassis show use but are clean and professional. FIA HTP, logbooks, some spares including a new engine. Should be close to race-ready condition. – This Brabham-Repco has a significant, race-winning, history in the hands of a legendary driver. More than that, it is eligible for some very enjoyable events and with 335 hp can be driven by pretty much anyone of moderate skill. Its price here is a good value for its history, condition and potential.
Lot # 150 1965 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster; S/N CSX 2567; Silver/Black leather; Estimate $800,000 – $1,000,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $770,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $847,000 – Driver’s windscreen, braced paperclip rollbar, electric fuel and diff pumps, Stack tach, centerlock Halibrand wheels, dual Talbot outside mirrors, four Webers, flash side exhausts, flared fenders, oil cooler scoop under grille opening, flared fenders, hood scoop – Late production ring & pinion steering Cobra. Fair old paint with some outie stone stars. Torn and tattered original leather. Orderly but aged underhood. An honest old race car prepared for vintage racing in the early 90’s. Comes with some original street equipment including the windshield, grille, bumpers, wire wheels and a 289 engine block stamped 00029 as on the data plate. – This Cobra might be a candidate for a show quality restoration, but its best and highest use is to keep it, and vintage race it, as-is. That can be done at the price it brought here, a price that in present circumstances seems to have nowhere to go but up.
Lot # 152 1992 AAR/Toyota Eagle Mk III IMSA GTP; S/N WFO004; White, ‘Toyota’/Black cloth; Estimate $700,000 – $1,000,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $950,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,045,000 – 2.1 liter turbocharged DOHC four-cylinder, 700-750hp, electronic fuel injection, 4-speed. – 1992 and 1993 IMSA GTP Champion, Driver and Constructor, driven by Juan Manuel Fangio II (and others), winner of 14 of 23 races entered, Sebring winner in 1992 and 1993. Won six straight races in 1993. Given to Fangio by Toyota, displayed many years at the Fangio Museum in Argentina. As raced and not used in decades. Needs comprehensive attention before turning a wheel on track. Offered directly from J.M. Fangio III. – There was no beating the AAR Toyotas in ’91-’92, winning 21 of the 27 races entered including 17 straight. The technology that was so daunting then is perhaps less esoteric today and fortunately AAR is around to help put this historic car back on track. It attracted great interest in the previews, and continued that interest into the bidding on Sunday evening.
[Source: Rick Carey]