RM Auctions, Portola Plaza, Monterey, California, August 19-20, 2011
Report and photos (unless noted) by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
RM Auctions pulled off an unprecedented feat at Monterey in 2011, selling five eight-cylinder supercharged Mercedes-Benzes in a single night.
They weren’t mundane cars, either – if the term “mundane” can be applied to any 500K or 540K. There were two Special Roadsters, a Special Coupe, a Sport Cabriolet A and a Roadster.
When the curtain descended late Saturday evening these five cars had all sold on the block for a total of $26,529,250, a mean value of $5,305,850.
RM’s overall Monterey performance paralleled its success with the featured Mercedes-Benzes, as the table below shows.
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Before Monterey a question hung in the air, like the cloud over Al Capp’s Joe Btfsplk (if you’ve never heard of him you’re not old enough to have read Li’l Abner in the Sunday comics).
The question? Are there buyers for five 500K/540K Mercedes-Benzes at a single sale, let alone a single weekend?
Rob Myers and his RM Auctions crew no doubt debated that question into wee hours, then marshaled their resources, contacts and persuasive powers to resolve it positively.
Joe Btfsplk never got under from his cloud, but RM sure did.
My bet is that they knew, between two or three potential buyers, weeks before Monterey who’d end up with each of the prizes they offered. It’s the reason consignors choose to deal with RM (and its premier competitors). They know the market, the buyers, the sellers, the agents and the dealers who’ll step up to seize an opportunity or bring liquidity to the market. It’s like the role of specialists on the stock and commodity exchanges before computer-generated algorithms and computer-driven high speed trading supplanted individual vision, risk-taking, experience and intuition.
RM Monterey also saw the appearance of another old-school, pre-computer trader, Frank Gallogly, who brought the Steve McQueen Porsche 911S and two other gems (well, maybe one gem and another nice car). No computer-generated trend line could have predicted the price of the McQueen 911S. Intuition still triumphs and it was gratifying to see Frank benefit from his prescience.
The core of RM’s Monterey auction is simple: really cool, interesting cars with some great histories and a few intriguing stories, presented with plenty of time to evaluate their condition, documentation and histories in a fast-paced, engaging environment.
That means among other things full credit to auctioneer Max Girardo who has refined his multi-lingual style to the U.S. audience and now is the sale’s ringmaster, in command and in direct, personal communication with his bidders in the room, on the phones and even on the internet.
Lot # 107 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 17511; Red, Black rockers/Black leather; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Post-block sale at $130,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $143,000 — Clarion CD, A/C, P/W. Quick repaint over old paint. Small cracks at corners, Dash top water stained. No DOT stickers but represented as federalized in the late 70’s. Scuffed original upholstery, worn carpets. Restored in the late 80’s, but not so well that it didn’t need a repaint in 2008. Engine belts replaced and full service done by Falconer in 2009. Sold well under RM’s optimistic estimate, a value appropriate for this car’s history and presentation.Lot # 111 1934 Brisko-Dreyer Sprint Car; S/N None; Red #8/Beige; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $36,300 — 268 cubic inch Brisko dohc four-cylinder, dual Winfield carbs. An assembled car using a 92″ wheelbase Dreyer chassis and body and a Brisko four which Brisko himself claimed he had built for Wild Bill Cummings in 1934. Restored for David Uihlein many years ago, in sound and usable condition in need of recommissioning, a rough but cool old workhorse. Sold here in 2007 for $55,000 from the Uihlein collection and in comparable condition showing no use or preparation since then. This is a great value for the new owner.Lot # 125 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 52443; Red/Beige leather; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $143,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $157,300 — A/C, P/W. Mediocre repaint with sander scrapes on black window moldings. Lightly stretched seats, good dash and glass. Chin spoiler curb rashed. With its original owner until 2010, with 5,399 miles from new. Comes with books, tools and documentation presumably, but not explicitly, including evidence of its 1985 federalization. A reassuringly well-presented car with solid history and good presentation that earned it an exceptional price.Lot # 126 1987 Buick Regal GNX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 1G4GJ1178HP448983; Black/Black, Grey velour; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $79,750 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $87,725 — 278 miles from new, museum displayed. Mechanically freshened by RM. No Reserve. Sold by RM in London in October of last year for $70,703. Monterey is a much better place for a GNX than London, but still apparently, not as good as the consignor thought. (photo credit: RM)Lot # 136 1934 Bentley 3 1/2 Liter Drophead Coupe, Body by Park Ward; S/N B203AE; Tow tone Red, Maroon accent/Tan leather; Maroon leatherette top; Estimate $250,000 – $350,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $155,000 — RHD. Polished wheel discs, Lucas tribar headlights, single drawing light, barometer, enclosed rear spare, Lejeune “Flying Bee” radiator mascot, badge bar, fender mirrors no bumpers. Excellent paint, chrome, top, interior and glass. Body from Bentley chassis B23EJ. Restored like new and better by Gary Wales with intricately detailed interior trim and lined Blackwood top. Comes with correspondence from a neighbor of the longtime second owner, Captain Percival Kent, an original owner’s manual and restoration file. Sold by Worldwide in Houston in April for $143,000 and it is hard to see any years why it didn’t fetch more interest here in Monterey. The restoration is exquisite without being overdone and the coachwork is very attractive. (photo credit: RM)Lot # 141 1959 Fiat Abarth 750 Coupe Double Bubble, Body by Zagato; S/N 558327; Red/Biscuit leather, Black piping; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Competition restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $93,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $102,850 — Quick repaint over layers of old paint. Single Weber, roll bar, Nardi steering wheel. Paint cracked at windshield posts, gouged side window trim. Old undercoat on chassis. No history given at all. No Reserve. Not very attractive in its presentation, preparation or equipment. No snarling twin cam Abarth head and oversized Webers under the engine cover. No history, not even of prior owners. Those are not desirable attributes in an Abarth, a marque and model which suffers from a proliferation of very artful fakes, and make this price extremely generous. $55-60,000 would have been a reasonable price to pay.Lot # 145 1910 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50hp Balloon Car, Body by after H.J. Mulliner; S/N 1513; Engine # 1513; Red, Black fenders/Cream leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $450,000 – $600,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $484,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $532,400 — RHD. Brass trim. Rotax Roadlight 265 headlights, Lucas King of the Road sidelights, Rudge-Whitworth wire wheels. Double Elliott speedometer. Good older paint, interior and brass now showing age and use and becoming tired and shaky. One of two replica bodies built together for Millard Newman, later owned by S. Prestley Blake. AACA National First Prize restoration, 1991 RROC Annual Meet Early Ghost class winner. No Reserve. Formerly in the Richard Solove collection and sold by Gooding at Pebble Beach in 2007 as part of that collection’s well-publicized dispersion for charity. That combined to bring an exceptional result of $1,430,000, to all intents and purposes a million dollars more than it brought here in a transaction that more accurately reflects the car’s qualities and origins.Lot # 148 1970 Porsche 911S Coupe McQueen Le Mans; S/N 9110301502; Engine # 6302094; Dark Green/Black; Estimate $1,250,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,375,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,512,500 — Fuchs wheels, Michelin X blackwalls, A/C, Blaupunkt AM-FM, Prototipo leather rim steering wheel, sliding sunroof. Good repaint, dirty chassis with old undercoat. Aged original back seats, good new front seat upholstery. Sound chrome and window trim. The Steve McQueen 911S with four owners from new. Skillfully presented by RM with a video of the opening credits from “Le Mans” featuring the 911S, the marketing exceeded all expectations of bidding, bringing a price a million dollars plus over the value of the underlying 911S. Itself a fine car, the hype was intoxicating and the bidding kept going between a lady in the room and a phone bidder. The result is all about Steve McQueen, and his bum prints have been erased by the new front seat upholstery (unless there was some evidence of extracurricular messing around on the original back seats.) This is huge money, all about the McQueen legend.Lot # 152 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 10051; Engine # 10051; Dark Blue/Dark Blue leather; Estimate $1,100,000 – $1,400,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,485,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,633,500 — Chrome spoke Borranis, 205VR14 Michelin XWX blackwall tires. Super, fresh cosmetic redo of an early 00’s restoration to showroom condition in a very attractive color combination. Offered last year at Gooding’s Pebble Beach auction in Fly Yellow over Black, the seller declined a reported high bid of $850,000. The owner apparently agreed with the FML Monterey auction report that it would have been ‘beautiful (and unusual) … in the original Blue over Blue livery.’ It is, and it more than earned back the cost of its repaint, upholstery and preparation.Lot # 154 1932 Ford Edelbrock High Boy Roadster; S/N ; Black/Black; Estimate $350,000 – $450,000; Competition restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $210,000 — Steel wheels, hubcaps, channeled body, no fenders, no top or windshield. Flathead V-8, triple carburetor intake, Harman and Collins cam, juice brakes. Built by Edelbrock employee Bill Likes for SCTA and Bonneville speed trials. Restored better than new. A marvelous piece of dry lakes history, this meticulously restored and presented High Boy came with a cabinet full of trophies, a spare C class flathead, tow bar, tank, receipts and more. All that and a sharp display in the preview area failed to get bidders excited enough to meet the consignors’ expectations. On the Salt in September or next summer this car will be one of a kind and get plenty of attention. Is that worth more than $210,000? Only time will tell.Lot # 159 1961 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible Race Car; S/N 10867S107377; Engine # 107377F0411CS; White, Blue stripes/Black; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Competition restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $57,750 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $63,525 — 283/315hp, 4-speed, steel wheels, Goodyear Blue Streak times, 5.50-15 front and rear, hardtop, leather rim sprint car style steering wheel, stock tach plus VDO tach on dash, carbon fiber valve covers, Aeroquip fuel lines, 3.70 Positraction, RPO 687 brakes, long primary tube headers, electric wipers, headlights, fan shroud, Harrison radiator. Fair old repaint with racing chips and nicks. Pitted, dull chrome, sound original style interior. Single tube full width rollbar, no fire system. SVRA and HSR logbooks. A quality old race car that shows use but also care and attention. No Reserve Sold at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in January for $58,300 and appearing here in essentially the same competently prepared but not very sparkling condition, the seller came out nearly whole even if the cost of the car ratcheted up by about the amount of the commission. It should prove to be a good investment in historic racing pleasure at this price.Lot # 161 1932 Stutz DV-32 Super Bearcat; S/N DV33068; Green/Brown leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $500,000 – $600,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $539,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $592,900 — Body color wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual sidemounts. An excellent older restoration showing some age but little use. Very attractive interior wood and tight fabric Weymann style body. Formerly in the Harrah’s and Barbara Atwood collections. Restored in the late 80’s, AACA Senior, President’s Cup, Grand National and class third at Pebble Beach in 1989. Engine rebuilt and much more in the past two years. Sold at RM’s dispersal of Dr. Atwood’s collection in Arizona in 2009 for $594,000 with no small amount spent on it since to address its mechanical needs, the price here is very reasonable and a sound value for the new owner.Lot # 165 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Sport Phaeton Ascot, Body by Brewster; S/N S364LR; Engine # 21649; Black/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $350,000 – $450,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $363,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $399,300 — Lefthand drive. Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts with chrome bands and mirrors, luggage trunk, Pilot-Rays, wind wings, dual windshields. Good recent repaint, interior wood redone, chrome refreshed. Sound but aged upholstery, dull aluminum side accent, oily chassis with road grime. Air attractive driver. Sold by RM at Meadow Brook in 2000 for $150,700, in Arizona in 2009 for $330,000 and by Gooding in Scottsdale in January of 2010 for $385,000, a history which with this sale pretty thoroughly defines this car’s value. (photo credit: RM)Lot # 174 1921 Renault Type JP Model 45 Town Car, Body by Kellner; S/N 101100; Maroon, Black/Black leather, Brown cloth; Estimate $225,000 – $350,000; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $220,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $242,000 — RHD. Dual sidemounts, wood spoke 820×120 blackwall tires, jump seats. Missing one gauge. Old repaint over old paint, original rear compartment trim with elaborate inlaid wood trim, hat net, rollup divider, pulldown shades, roof fence luggage rack and more. Aged and used but thoroughly charming. Runs and drives but is in largely as-found condition needing extensive attention. Offered at Worldwide’s Auburn Auction in 2010 where it brought a reported high bid of $240,000, the seller got real and accepted the market’s judgment. This is a rare (one of five known) and meticulously built automobile, its 9.1 liter six-cylinder engine assembled almost completely without gaskets. Limited experience and rarity, however, in some respects limits collectors’ appreciation of cars that aren’t validated by others’ ownership. When there are only five known, and they are so exceptional as this Renault, it’s difficult to break through the clutter, which may be the only reason it was bought so reasonably.Lot # 178 1957 Porsche 356A 1600S Speedster; S/N 82622; Engine # P80595; Blue/Red leatherette; Black cloth top; Estimate $160,000 – $200,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $220,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $242,000 — Chrome wheels, blackwall tires, bumper overriders, headlight stoneguards, bumper overriders. Excellent paint, chrome and good interior. Restored like new with some subsequent age and miles. Color changed from Ruby Red to Aquamarine Metallic, which is a much more attractive color. Numbers are appropriate for a 1957 1600 Super and are correct for its Kardex. Sold by Worldwide at Houston in 2010 for $159,500. The result here in Monterey is eye-popping even for the eye-candy color. (photo credit: RM)Lot # 181 1957 BMW Isetta 300 Cabriolet; S/N 501957; Sea Foam Green/Light Green; Beige fabric top; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $36,300 — Luggage rack, wicker trunk. Excellent paint, chrome, upholstery and top. Restored better than new. No Reserve. The Isetta buyers must have left the building when this exceptionally well restored 300 crossed the block, the last car on Saturday night. The bidder who stayed got a serious value in reward for persistence and diligence. This Isetta is nothing if not inexpensive.Lot # 204 1962 Triumph TR4 Roadster; S/N CT10529L; Black/Red vinyl; Estimate $25,000 – $35,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $44,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $48,400 — Chrome wire wheels, Michelin X blackwall tires, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, hardtop only, badge bar, Lucas fog lights. Excellent paint and chrome, fair interior. Old undercoat on chassis. An attractive cosmetic redo. No Reserve. Offered by Christie’s at Greenwich in 2007 with a $35,000 high bid, then sold by Gooding in 2008 at Scottsdale for $44,000, the same price as today and in essentially the same condition with just 157 more miles on the odometer than it had in Greenwich four years ago. No appreciation here.Lot # 209 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet; S/N 11102712001432; Red/Saddle leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $140,000 – $180,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $154,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $169,400 — Automatic, P/W, Behr A/C, Becker Europa AM-FM, P/S, P/B, fog lights. Good paint, chrome and interior. Otherwise the same tired but orderly car it was at Amelia four years ago with some recent attention to the fuel injection system and 780 more miles on the odometer. No Reserve This is a very red Mercedes with very inviting upholstery that will be a sharp cruiser on Rodeo Drive or in the Hamptons. RM sold it for $121,000 at Amelia Island in 2007 and the Monterey bidders paid a full price for its dramatic presence.
RM Auctions Monterey 2011 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 211 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster; S/N 19804210003019; Engine # 19898010003072; Red/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $650,000 – $800,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $687,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $756,250 — Polished alloy rims on chrome centers, hubcaps, blackwall tires, Becker Mexico AM-FM. Good paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment like new. Represented as matching numbers, U.S.-delivered and 4-wheel disc brakes. A quality restoration that once was like new again and now has a bit of patina, freshly serviced by RM and ready for the road. Just a short time ago this was Gullwing money. The 300SL market is in full charge, with no end in sight.Lot # 212 1937 Bugatti Type 57C Ventoux Coupe; S/N 57664; Midnight Blue, Crimson sweep/Saddle leather; Estimate $600,000 – $750,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $797,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $877,250 — RHD. Chrome wire wheels. Show quality presentation with just a little age and use evident in the lightly stretched driver’s seat cushion. Winner of the Elegance in Motion Trophy in the first Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance in 1998 and fastidiously maintained since. RM sold this car here in 2006 for $467,500, then at Hershey in 2007 for $528,000. Why the bidders ran it up to this extraordinary price is a mystery. It is a beautifully restored, maintained and presented example, and it is supercharged but almost $900K for it, and a coupe to boot, that is more than generous. (photo credit: RM)Lot # 214 1984 Ferrari 126 C4 Formula 1; S/N 126CR074; Engine # N18; Red/Beige suede; Estimate $400,000 – $480,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $350,000 — Winner at Zolder in 1984 driven by Michele Alboreto followed by three dnfs, 6th at Hockenheim and 7th at Zeltweg driven by Rene Arnoux, then 2nd at Nurburgring in the European GP and 4th at Estoril driven by Alboreto. Restored by Bob Houghton in the UK in the early 00’s, later owned by Abba Kogan. Complete in as-raced and aged condition. One of the best of the tiny twin turbocharged F1 cars of the mid-Eighties even though Ferrari was a very distant second in the Constructors’ Championship in ’84 to the overwhelming TAG McLarens. At the time these were marvels of technology; today they look quite simple and straightforward. Freshly prepared and historic race-ready this 126 C4 might justify the estimate, or even the reported high bid, but its old restoration requires extensive re-commissioning to be successfully campaigned, costs that are not contemplated in the amounts shown here.Lot # 219 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe; S/N 1980406500214; Engine # 1989806500178; Black/Red leather; Estimate $850,000 – $1,100,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $836,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $919,600 — Body color steel wheels, blackwall Dunlop Road Speed tires, hinged steering wheel, belly pans. Restored like new by RM in 2007 with excellent cosmetics. Just a little dust and oily mist in hard to reach places. Sold at Barrett-Jackson in 2006 as a 56,037 mile car in original condition in red with red plaid interior for $372,600. Its character has subtly changed with the changes to the color and interior material but it is prettier in black. This is Gullwing money today, a recognition of their quality, performance and the milestones they were in postwar sports car development.Lot # 220 1935 Bugatti Type 57 ‘Grand Raid’ Roadster, Body by Worblaufen; S/N 57260; Light Yellow, Brown accent/Moss Green leather; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,300,000; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $990,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,089,000 — RHD. Skirted rear wheels, polished wheel discs, inset enclosed rear spare, raked vee windshield. Built for Jules Aellen, proprietor of the Golden Pheasant provisioners in Fribourg, Switzerland. Winner of the Montreaux Concours d’Elegance Grand Prize upon being finished. Restored in 2005 in its original colors but with Moss Green (brown) leather and body side accent instead of the original red and the engine from 57111. Second in class at Pebble Beach in 2005. Handsome sporting coachwork with teardrop fenders and enclosed rear wheels, restored to concours condition. An exceptional concept, one of just ten Grand Raid roadsters built prior to the introduction of the Aerolithe and Type 57S. The restoration is, aside from some small evidence of age, also exceptional. The car has extraordinary presence as well as an intriguing, documented history which further enhances its value. There’s no argument with the price it brought here.Lot # 221 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 16857; Red/Tan leather, Black stripes;; Estimate $1,100,000 – $1,300,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,020,000 — Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, 215/70VR15 Michelin XWX tires, A/C, P/W. Excellent paint, chrome and upholstery. Driver’s seat lightly stretched and creased. Underbody done like new and attractively detailed. Windshield header dented from top latches. Originally Dino Blue but repainted Red by the first owner. Comes with books in the original leather pouch, warranty card, service book, delivery card, original tool roll with tools, jack and jack bag. Ferrari Classiche certified Both the estimate and the high bid reflect the Daytona Spider’s continuing popularity. The bid, though, was less attractive to the seller than the car. Understandably.Lot # 222 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 15211; Rosso Corsa/Black Leather; Estimate $130,000 – $180,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $170,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $187,550 — Chrome Borrani wire wheels, Blaupunkt cassette stereo. The bodywork is wavy but with excellent paint. The leather interior is mildly worn. Underhood is pristine and like new. This car looks sharp and is better than just about any other C/4 out there. No Reserve. Sold for $55,000 here in 2001, then at Worldwide Auburn in 2008 where it sold for $159,500. The restoration was said to have cost $256,000, an amazing sum to spend on a C/4. This result, like its price in Auburn three years ago, is what it’s worth today.Lot # 226 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 4627GT; Blue Metallic/Tan leather; Estimate $650,000 – $750,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $907,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $998,250 — Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels. The bodywork is excellent with equally good paint application and gaps. The brightwork is good with light polishing marks on the front bumper. The interior is nicely worn in so as to look comfortable and inviting. The underside has seen a little bit of road use but has been nicely detailed for sale. This would be an excellent car to drive or show. This example sold for a premium due to attractive color scheme, attention to minor details like having the correct cigarrette lighters, ashtray, exhaust tips and decals. It’s not so over the top that it can’t be driven making it fall into the desirable dual category of driver and show car with instant gratification.Lot # 229 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider, Body by Scaglietti; S/N 0492M; Engine # 0492M; Red/Black leather; Estimate $2,500,000 – $3,250,000; Competition restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $2,530,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,783,000 — RHD. Featured in “On the Beach” driven by Fred Astaire, 1955 Brussells Motor Show display car. First owned by John von Neumann, driven by von Neumann, Phil Hill and Harrison Evans in West Coast events. Fresh, sharp, show quality restoration. Excellent paint and interior. Sold by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2006 in largely original condition for $1,107,000 and subsequently restored to its present show quality condition. Famous not only for its West Coast racing but also for its screen acting role it is, as the catalog notes, “the only 750 Monza to enjoy race wins both on and off the silver screen”. It is impossible to argue with that history, the caliber of the presentation or the price it brought, a record for a 750 Monza by nearly a million dollars.Lot # 230 1938 Lagonda LG6 Rapide Drophead Coupe; S/N 12372; Blue/Brown pigskin, Beige cloth top; Estimate $650,000 – $900,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $544,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $598,950 — RHD. Body color wheel discs, blackwall tires, skirted rear wheels.One of only six LG6 Rapides built, with Lagonda-built coachwork designed by Frank Feeley. Displayed at the 1940 New York Auto Show, with just three owners from new. Restored by RM Restorations, second in class at Pebble Beach in 2008 and winner of the Beaulieu Cup Excellent paint, chrome, upholstery and interior wood. Concours restored and no sign of age or use. Rare, beaufiful, sporting and, in the day, capable of over 100 mph, this is a fine example of the re-creation of Lagonda under W.O. Bentley’s guidance and the coachwork talent of Frank Feeley. A rare and distinctive classic in superb condition at a realistic price.Lot # 232 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 408383; Engine # 408383; Black/Black leather; Estimate $3,500,000 – $4,500,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $4,620,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $5,082,000 — Spotlight, cowl-mounted trafficators, mother of pearl instrument panel, chrome spoke body color wire wheels, wide whitewalls, rollup windows, windwings, Bosch head and dip beam lights, Telefunken radio. A late 540K with 5-speed (overdrive 5th) gearbox, fully disappearing top, spare hidden under a flush round cover on the rear deck. Tracked down in Russia in the late 60’s by Alf Johansson. Authenticated as original chassis, body, engine and correct gearbox by M-B Classic Germany. A very nice older restoration with sound but aged paint, chrome and upholstery. The first of RM’s unprecedented run of 540K Special Roadsters to cross the block and a spectacular and significant example with many unique features and design elements than presage postwar M-B luxury cars, the bidding was hot and heavy and set the tone for the 540Ks to come.Lot # 233 1932 Packard 904 Custom Eight Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton, Body by Dietrich; S/N 193514; Engine # 193622; Dark Blue/Dark Blue leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,400,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $946,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,040,600 — Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemount, Pilot-Rays, rollup raked rear windshield with folding wings, vee windshield. One of only two known on this chassis, Ex-Otis Chandler, Imperial Palace. Restored in the late 90’s and carefully maintained since, a beautiful, sleek, elegant Packard restored to concours condition. Lyon Family collection. This is a gorgeous automobile, prized by collectors for its chassis and driveline but beyond that for the elegant proportions of its Ray Dietrich inspired body design. It is particularly well presented in this deep blue and is a real prize even at this handsome price.Lot # 234 1950 Bugatti Type 101 Coupe, Body by Van Antem; S/N 101504; Black, Red/Red, Black leather; Estimate $600,000 – $800,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $616,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $677,600 — RHD. Chrome wire wheels, 6.50-15 Coker blackwall tires. 1951 Paris Salon display car. Later owned by Harrah’s, Nick Cage and Gene Ponder. The most well known of the six Type 101 Bugattis. Aged but sound old restoration presented in clean and sharp condition. Offered by RM at Amelia in 2002 but unsold at a reported bid of $320,000, later sold by RM from Gene Ponder’s collection in April 2007 for $990,000, a breathtaking price at the time and a hammer bid $100K over the already-generous high estimate. Offered by RM in Monaco last year with a high bid of only $498,829, the price it brought here can only be judged sufficient.Lot # 235 1938 SS Jaguar 100 3 1/2 Liter Roadster; S/N 39048; Engine # M549E; Dark Blue/Red leather; Estimate $700,000 – $800,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $687,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $756,250 — RHD. Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual rear-mounted spares, driving lights, stoneguards, folding windshield with dual aeroscreens. Known history since the mid 1960’s when it was restored in the U.S. for Ken Gardner, winning its CCCA Primary in 1970 with 99.25 points and AACA National First Prize in 1972. Then owned for 25 years by Bernard Nevoral. Freshly restored to better than new condition with excellent paint, chrome, interior and details. Thoroughly documented since the Sixties. Bought at Gooding’s Pebble Beach auction in 2010 in sound and complete but tired condition for $368,500 and immediately rushed to the restoration shop from which it has just emerged, show-ready. The price it brought reflects the caliber of the presentation and the many opportunities it presents for concours and touring entries.Lot # 236 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Coupe, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 130944; Engine # 130944; Dark Red/Cream leather; Estimate $3,250,000 – $4,500,000; Concours restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $3,080,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $3,388,000 — Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual spares inset into rear deck, laced on leather steering wheel cover, Bosch headlights and dip lamp, skirted rear wheels. 1936 Paris Salon show car, one of very few closed 540Ks. Numbers matching and confirmed by M-B Classic Germany inspection. First owned by Jean-Claude Solvay in Belgium, later by John Mozart and the Imperial Palace. Sharp but now aged concours restoration. Strong paint and chrome. Chassis and interior are aged to the point of patina. Lyon Family collection. It’s a measure of the skill and vision of Sindelfingen’s design team led by Hermann Ahrens that this closed coupe is such an exciting and visually distinctive design. That — plus its originality, provenance and sympathetic restoration — accounts for its exceptional value. On open road events this will be one of the most admired and appreciated participants, particularly when it gets chilly or the raindrops start. A wonderful automobile that will be a star in any collection and worth every penny of the price it brought today.Lot # 237 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinetta, Body by Vignale; S/N 0226AT; Engine # 0226AT; Red ‘1-2-3’/Brown cord; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $3,685,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,053,500 — RHD. 3-point Simpson belts, silver painted Borrani wire wheels, 6.00-16 Michelin Pilote X blackwall tires. Alberto Ascari’s mount for the 1952 Carrera Panamericana, a race that ended early when Ascari crashed, later raced by Carroll Shelby and Jack McAfee at Offut AFB in Omaha. Later owned for a decade by Larry Nicklin. Restored in 1988 for J. Willard Marriott with many subsequent awards including Best in Show and the 1988 FCA Elkhart Lake Concours and a class win at Pebble Beach. Later ran the Colorado Grand several times and the Monterey Historics. Good cosmetics. Chassis shows use and age but not much. Having just seen its sister car 0224AT sell at RM’s Amelia Island for $4,290,000, a car with more racing success than 0226AT and stunning originality, it’s no suprise that 0226AT nearly tripled the $1,377,500 it brought at Christie’s Pebble Beach auction in 1999. The aggressive Vignale coachwork and famed “1-2-3” livery are fixed in many collectors’ brains as the image of early competition Ferraris from a time when the Carrera Panamericana was a heralded event on a par with LeMans and the Targa Florio, but with American cars and drivers. It’s worth every penny of the price it brought.Lot # 238 1958 BMW 507 Convertible; S/N 70192; White/Claret leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $800,000 – $1,200,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,072,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,179,750 — Becker Mexico AM-FM, body color Rudge wheels, Pirelli Cinturato blackwall tires, chrome nerf bar bumpers, Eclipse CD stereo under the dash. Old repaint, painted steering wheel, pitted interior chrome, bezels and horn bars. Good new interior and top boot cover. Chassis and underbody are original. Very nice largely original car that carries with it the story that Elvis Presley gave it to Ursula Andress. Perhaps apocroyphil, but it can’t hurt the value or ownership experience. Lyon Family collection. Wherever she got it, it’s indisputable that Ursula Andress owned this 507 for many years and that George Barris maintained it for her, eventually swapping the BMW V-8 for a Ford 289. Returned to stock by Mark Smith with a non-matching engine. Later owned by Nick Harley and the Imperial Palace. The condition isn’t much to brag about, nor is the swapped engine, but the Ursula story is, as they say on TV, “Priceless” and accounts for much of the rather extraordinary price it brought.Lot # 240 1952 Cunningham C-3 Coupe, Body by Cunningham, Palm Beach; S/N 5206X; White, Blue stripes/Burgundy, Grey leather; Estimate $675,000 – $875,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $550,000 — Radio, heater, chrome wire wheels, 6.70-16 Michelin X tires, 331 Chrysler Hemi V-8 with four Zenith carbs on Cunningham log manifold, roll bar, Cadillac 3-speed. One of only two C-3s bodied by Cunningham’s Palm Beach, Florida facility, the other is a roadster. First owned by Mercury Marine’s Carl Kiekhaefer. Exchanged for the first Vignale-bodied C-3 which received the same chassis number. Rebuilt by Cunningham for George Schrafft (candy) with live rear axle, wire wheels and bucket seats as configured today. Sold by Schrafft to Henry Desmoreou in 1958, then to the current owner in 1999 and restored (mostly) as delivered to Schrafft. Restoration is now aged and shows plenty of touring miles but is sound, complete and usable as is. An important link between the C-2R competition Cunninghams and the later C-3 ‘production’ cars. The high bid is Vignale C-3 money, and it’s impossible to argue with the consignor’s conclusion that even with the old restoration of this Palm Beach-bodied C-3 coupe it isn’t worth more, especially with its delightful history and four owners from new.
RM Auctions Monterey 2011 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 241 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS 5th Series Spider, Body by Zagato; S/N 10814402; Engine # 10814898; Dark Blue/Dark Red leather; Estimate $850,000 – $950,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $935,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,028,500 — RHD. Dark Red wire wheels, Firestone blackwalls, dual rear spares, Bosch headlights, Marchal fog lights, spotlight. Engine swapped with 10814898 in the 70’s (original engine is now in 8513088.) Never fully restored. Twice in the Mille Miglia Storica. Original chassis and body. Aged but sound paint, chrome and upholstery. Superficially redone chassis painted over rust pits. Radiator discolored from boilover. A driver’s 1750. This Alfa doesn’t need restoration, just continuing good care, regular attention and enthusiastic use as it has received over the past half century. Its character and patina are significant contributors to its value, which is accurately represented by the price it brought here today.Lot # 242 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 154140; Engine # 154140; Silver/Blue leather; Estimate $8,800,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $9,680,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $10,648,000 — Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual spotlights, Bosch headlights and dip beam. Long tail, high door, covered spare. First delivered to Argentina. Restoration begun in Germany by Axel Schuette, completed in the U.S. by Stone Barn and Sam and Emily Mann. Concours restored, Best of Show and Best Mercedes-Benz at Amelia Island, Class winner and Best Mercedes at Pebble Beach in 2004. Inspected and verified original engine, chassis and body by Mercedes Classic Germany experts. Sam and Emily Mann collection. The headline car of this auction, and just about anywhere it might appear, a magnificent vehicle by any standards, meticulously restored to concours-quality. It blew away even RM’s estimate, as it deserved to do.Lot # 243 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 16539; Rosso Dino/Black leather; Estimate $350,000 – $450,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $357,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $393,250 — Chrome spoke Borranis, Michelin XWX 215/70VR15 tires, Becker Europa II AM-FM, P/W, A/C, headrests. A clean original car with a very good repaint. Three owners and 6,395 miles from new. The originality of this Ferrari is almost an afterthought in its price. It will be a difficult decision to add many miles to the few it has covered, but a little use won’t hurt its originality or value, which at this price is very good.Lot # 244 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competition Berlinetta, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 2209GT; Red/Brown leather, corduroy; Estimate $3,800,000 – $4,500,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $5,280,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $5,808,000 — Chrome spoke Borranis, 6.00L-15 Dunlop tires, Marchal head and fog lights, carburetor cold air box. Raced (and believed owned, although records have it first delivered and registered to Ardilio Tavoni) by Jo Schlesser, 3rd in the 1960 1000km of Montlhèry with Andre Simon, 3rd in the Coppa St. Ambroeus at Monza driven by Alessandro Zafferri, 4th in GT in the 1961 Tour de Corse driven by Schlesser with his wife as co-driver. Sold in 1962 to Gianni Roghi who crashed it in 1966 or 67. Rebodied by Drogo, with 250 GTE engine 4921GT. Restored and again rebodied by DK Engineering in SWB ’61 style in the late 80’s. Fresh chrome. Good upholstery. Fresh, sharp chrome. Fresh paint flawed and bubbling on cowl. Chassis Black blown on underbody. Ferrari Classiche stamped block. Not as good as it could, or should, have been. Ferrari Classiche certified. Skip Barber collection. This car was sold by RM at its first Maranello auction in 2007 for $2,820,246, partially restored with the restoration by Ferrari Classiche included in the price. At the time I thought the acquisition was fraught with risks and potential conflict among the seller, Classiche and the buyer. It has now been conclusively proved to be worth the risk. This is an awesome price for a re-stamped engine SWB, let alone one restored to this flawed condition.Lot # 245 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe; S/N 1980405500621; Engine # 1989805500665; Silver/Black leather; Estimate $650,000 – $850,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $803,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $883,300 — Rudge wheels, fitted luggage, hinged steering wheel, belly pans, sport camshaft. Two owners from new. Restored like new to better than showroom condition by Kevin Kay wiht interior by Ken and Cindy Nemanic with limited subsequent use. No Reserve. An outstanding Gullwing which brought an appropriately outstanding price.Lot # 246 1955 Ferrari 250 GT Europa Low Roof Berlinetta Alloy, Body by Boano; S/N 0447GT; Engine # 0447GT; Dark Red/Grey leather, Dark Red piping; Estimate $750,000 – $850,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $660,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $726,000 — Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, 185S16 Pirelli blackwalls, Marchal headlights and fog lights. Chassis and underbody sprayed with undercoat. Good paint, chrome and interior. Scuffed window trim. Alloy body, later modified by Boano without the fender top break behind the doors and cleaner headlight joint to conform to later designs. Restored in 1986 by Lyle Tanner and little messed with since. Offered at Gooding’s Scottsdale auction in January where it no-saled at $750,000. There is little not to like about this car — although it would be more intriguing with the original rear fender line — and on account of its date it is eligible for most events making it a sound acquisition at this price.Lot # 247 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K Roadster, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 105380; Engine # 105380 (see text); Dark Red/Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $4,000,000 – $5,000,000; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $3,767,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,144,250 — Chrome wire wheels, dual rear spares, wide whitewalls, dual Bosch spotlights, mother of pearl instrument panel, Bosch headlights and dip beam, radiator stone guard. Chromed front suspension and springs. 1935 Berlin Motor Show display car, then delivered to Hans Friedrich Prym, later owned by the Imperial Palace. A well maintained old restoration by the IP that has seen little use and only minor age. M-B Classic inspection identifys the engine as a period replacement, correct body. Lyon Family collection. In its own way as important and spectacular as the later 540Ks and a beautiful individual example of Sindelfingen’s coachwork. It is amply but justifiably valued at this result.Lot # 248 1953 Ferrari 375 America Coupe, Body by Vignale; S/N 0327AL; Engine # 0327AL; Burgundy, Silver roof/Light Grey leather, Maroon piping; Estimate $1,750,000 – $2,100,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,980,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,178,000 — Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, 215/70VR15 Pirelli P5 blackwall tires. 1954 Geneva Salon show car, one of only two Vignale-bodied 375 Americas, the other also being sold here in Monterey this weekend (0337AL) at Gooding’s. Good fresh repaint in the original colors. Excellent chrome, lightly soiled upholstery. Chassis was redone like new but shows some age and use. An impressively presented, elegant and handsome Ferrari. 0337AL, freshly and completely restored in brilliant original colors, brought $2 million hammer, $2.2 million with commission today at Pebble Beach, pretty explicitly describing the market for Vignale bodied 375 Americas.Lot # 249 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 130945; Engine # 130945; Black, Burgundy accent/Black leather, Red piping; Black cloth top; Estimate $2,700,000; Older restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $2,970,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $3,267,000 — Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual rear spares, Bosch headlights and dip beam, dual spotlights, mother of pearl instrument panel, low windshield. Owners include Lowel Ledford, Don Williams, Nachiro Ishikawa and Thomas Taffet. Excellent 1994 concours restoration redone in 2006, no longer fresh but possible to fault only in generalities. Inspected by M-B Classic Germany experts and confirmed as original engine, transmission and body. This is a very interesting and attractive M-B with intriguing interim features between the 500K and 540K. The otherwise beautiful coachwork has a single drawback, its massive folded top sitting on the rear deck and it is significant that it’s neither cataloged nor shown with the top down. It is a beautiful and regal automobile, however, and brought an appropriately beautiful and regal price, especially when compared with its $2,035,000 sale by RM freshly re-restored at Arizona in 2008.Lot # 250 1935 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet D; S/N 104569; Engine # 104569; Black/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $200,000 – $300,000; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $275,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $302,500 — Chrome wire wheels, blackwall time, dual sidemounts, dual Heller spotlights, fog lights, cowl-mounted trafficators, trunk rack. CCCA National First Prize # 2691. Concours restored with some sympathetic subsequent use and age. Strong paint, chrome, upholstery, interior wood and top. Still close to concours. This was a smart consignment, trading on and following RM’s unprecedented array of giant 8-cylinder supercharged Mercs, this rather pedestrian but beautifully restored and presented 290 Cab D was an opportunity for the rest of the audience to share in the excitement. It paid off with a full price for the seller but still a lot of automobile for the new owner.Lot # 251 1924 Mercedes 28/95 Sport Phaeton, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 27003; Black, varnished wood/Brown leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $900,000 – $1,200,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,017,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,119,250 — RHD. Clamshell front fenders, four spotlights, driving lights, dual rear cloth covered spares. Discovered by Kirk Gibson in New England, later owned by Ben Moser and restored for Ted Jameson in the early 90’s. Very good paint, chrome, glass, wood and interior. Highly attractive older restoration still in presentable condition but aging and showing it. Sold by Bonhams at Brookline from the Jameson collection in 2003 for just $245,900 to a couple of experienced collectors who recognized its quality and hidden value. It has added just over 400 miles to its odometer since it was offered by RM at Amelia in 2007 (a $775,000 no-sale). The result here is heroic money, probably helped along by the Mercedes-Benz epic which this year’s RM Monterey sale was.Lot # 252 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 3559SA; Engine # 3559SA; Metallic Blue/Cream leather; Estimate $1,500,000 – $1,900,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $2,090,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,299,000 — Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, 205/70VR15 Michelin XWX tires, SNAP exhaust tips. Excellent paint and chrome. Seats and center armrest worn and stretched. Sharp, detailed underbody and chassis. Restored in 1993 by Edi Wyss in Switzerland and still in excellent condition. These cars are on a tear, price-wise, as this transaction at the top of RM’s generous estimate range shows. It’s a lovely car that might benefit from reupholstery but that’s about all.Lot # 255 1953 Siata 208S Spider; S/N BS523; Engine # BS070; Red/Binge leather, Red piping; Black cloth top; Estimate $875,000 – $1,175,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $946,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,040,600 — Chrome spoke Borranis, 165-400 Michelin X blackwall tires, Heuer rally timers, driving lights behind the grille. First owned by Steve McQueen. Restored some time ago with 2.3 liter pistons and liners, later further upgraded by Nino Epifani. Excellent restoration to like new condition. Replacement engine block; original block is with the consignor and available on separate agreement. The colorful history doesn’t hurt; in fact it offsets the replacement engine block and some of the performance and reliability updates that have been applied. This is what a quality 208S is worth these days, a tribute to their intriguing engine, gorgeous coachwork and eligibility for many exclusive and desirable events.Lot # 256 1955 Kurtis 500SX Roadster; S/N SX001; Maroon/Dark Blue leather; Estimate $800,000 – $1,000,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Post-block sale at $500,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $550,000 — Chrome side exhausts, rollbar, driver’s head fairing, Dunlop 6.00×16 tires. A brute that has been very carefully historic race prepared. Front wheel well and outside exhaust configurations are not as original. Second owner Mickey Thompson installed a Pontiac engine and 4-speed in place of the original Cadillac. Later mated with this ex-Firestone Ray Nichels-built 500hp FI Pontiac during restoration. One of a kind engine with magnesium dry sump pan, valve covers and front cover with accessory drives. Live axle front and rear suspension, Halibrand QC rear axle, Halibrand kidney bean wheels. Raced by Thompson and Jerry Unser. Historic raced at both Goodwood meetings. Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2007 for $852,500 in a bidding contest that should have ended where this one did. This is a wonderful, historic old car thoroughly prepared in the British manner (and in Britain) for modern historic racing and not to its original configuration. The Ray Nichels fuel injected Pontiac adds both to its enjoyment on the road and to its historic appeal. This is appropriate money for the car.Lot # 258 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS; S/N 07968; Yellow/Beige leather, Black stripes; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $187,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $205,700 — Cromodora alloy wheels, Michelin Green X blackwall tires, A/C, P/W, Becker Mexico cassette. Good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody painted but chassis and engine given a quick once-over. An attractive cosmetic restoration with limited use. Repainted from the original Dino Blue. It’s hard to argue with the decision a decade or so ago to repaint this Dino in Fly Yellow, a color that looks good on any Ferrari and particularly on a Dino. Thoughtfully maintained and consistently given just about anything it might need, this is a good car which the Monterey bidders confirmed with a good price.Lot # 263 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Coupe; S/N WDDAJ76F76M001188; Crystal Palladium Grey/Light Brown leather; Estimate $240,000 – $280,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $242,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $266,200 — New York Auto Show 2007, two owners, 4,000 miles, freshly serviced and nearly like new. A show-off car with show-off miles.Lot # 264 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL Roadster; S/N 11304210018632; Light Ivory/Brown leather; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $82,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $90,750 — 4-speed, hubcaps, wide trim rings, blackwall tires, no radio, hardtop. Good paint, chrome and original interior. Wheel wells painted body color over undercoat. Engine compartment has been cleaned up with a new firewall pad but otherwise looks original. Cataloged as 30,000 km but read 58,456 on-site, and represented as all original but appears to have been repainted. No Reserve. This is a healthy price for a $45-55,000 highly original car with paintwork. Maybe the 540K enthusiasm carried over? No, probably not that either.Lot # 265 1886 Benz Replica Patent Motorwagen; S/N 066; Black, wood/Black leather; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $49,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $54,450 — Little used, but what use it has had shows. Built by John Bentley Engineering in the U.K. under Mercedes-Benz authorization. No Reserve. The less expensive of the two Bentley replica Patent Motorwagens sold at Monterey this weekend. It’s also the less pristine of the two.
