The RM Auctions Arizona 2013 sale was held January 18th at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix, resulting in $36.4 million in sales and 89% of all lots sold. The total from the single-day sale was an all-time high for RM Auctions in Arizona, in addition to 42% higher than last year.
Headlined by the record-setting sale of the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione, as many as eight automobiles achieved million-dollar-plus results, with numerous new auction records set. Bidders from 17 countries participated, including European enthusiasts and collectors from Brazil, Argentina and Australia.
“Our fourteenth foray into Arizona this year was as exciting as ever – our clients from around the world were joined by our equally international team of specialists, from California to the UK and it made for a spectacular, history-making event,” said Shelby Myers, Managing Director, RM Auctions – California.
“We are very pleased with the results. We strategically limited our sale this year to a smaller, more exclusive offering than previous years, yet the sales tally for our single-day event was up on our 2012 total by more than 42 percent, a significant increase that reflects not only the exceptional quality of the automobiles presented, but also illustrates the continued strength of the market for ‘best of category’ examples. The Arizona auction week is widely regarded as a barometer for the new collector car season; the results from our Biltmore sale paint a very positive forecast for 2013 and we look forward to continuing the momentum at our upcoming sales in Georgia and Florida,” continued Myers.
The top result at the 2013 RM Auctions Arizona sale went to the alloy-bodied 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione. Chassis 1905 GT spurred a bidding war between multiple collectors in the room and on the phones, eventually selling to its fifth owner for $8,140,000. The sales price represents a new world record for a Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta sold at auction. Additional Ferrari highlights include a Ferrari Classiche-certified 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 that brought $1,842,500 and a restored, 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe that made $1,017,500.
American-built automobiles also attracted strong attention at the RM Arizona sale. Headlining this group was a fully documented 1967 Shelby 427 ‘Semi-Competition’ Cobra, one of just 29 S/C Cobras built, which exceeded its pre-sale estimate to garner a final sales price of $2,007,500. A 1931 Duesenberg Model J Derham Tourster, offered for the first time in more than 40 years, was also hotly contested, realizing $1,320,000.
Other highlights included a 1953 Allard JR Le Mans Roadster, one of just seven built, for $605,000 – a world record for an Allard sold at auction, and a 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S America Spider for $825,000 – a world record for a Lancia Aurelia B24S sold at auction.
RM Auctions offered 84 automobiles for sale, with 75 finding a new owner, reflecting a 89.29% sales rate. Total sales volume was $36,415,800, inclusive of buyer’s premiums. The average price per car sold was $485,544.
RM Auctions Arizona 2013 – Top 10 Auction Results
1. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta ‘Competizione’ – $8,140,000
2. 1967 Shelby 427 ‘Semi-Competition’ Cobra – $2,007,500
3. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 – $1,842,500
4. 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe – $1,540,000
5. 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB – $1,320,000
6. 2003 Ferrari Enzo – $1,320,000
7. 1931 Duesenberg Model J Derham Tourster – $1,320,000
8. 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe – $1,017,500
9. 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Cabriolet – $990,000
10. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing – $847,000
(See RM Auctions Arizona 2013 – Complete Auction Results)
RM Auctions continues its 2013 calendar of events, February 15-16 with the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum sale, the world’s largest collection of the world’s smallest cars, in Madison, Georgia , closely followed by its annual Amelia Island, Florida sale, March 9, held in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.
For additional information, visit www.rmauctions.com.
[Source: RM Auctions; photo: Eugene Robertson]
