RM Sotheby’s, Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix, Arizona, January 28-29, 2016
Any time a Mercedes-Benz 540K High Door Long Tail Special Roadster is sold at auction it’s special.
The one offered by RM Sotheby’s at the Arizona Biltmore this year was, if anything, even more remarkable, with two long term owners, the first and the most recent, and a crisp, clear history that has ‘no stories’.
RM Sotheby’s sold 127 of 150 cars, a sell-through of 84.7% that is lower than some recent RM Sotheby’s auctions but consistent with prior Arizona sales.The 150 cars offered was the largest in Arizona since 2011, but that hardly matters when $62,781,750 changed hands for the 127 cars sold, only 1.3% behind last year’s record Arizona sale total.
The Biltmore had many more recently built supercars than in years past, a trend being played out across the board at auction. In 2014 there were five lots offered (all sold) with model years within 25 years. In 2015 there were eight lots (all but one sold). This year there were sixteen. All of them sold, bringing a total of $8,161,000, a full 13% of the sale’s total.
It’s a trend visible across the auction spectrum. Does it mean modern cars are getting better? There is no doubt of that, but it also may be a younger cohort of buyers seeking the cars they had on their Cal Tech dorm room walls before hitting it big in Silicon Valley and the antithesis of the $9.9 million Special Roadster’s appeal.
Here are the numbers:
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On-site observations by the editor, Andrew Newton and Arno Leskinen. Final edits and comments are the responsibility of the editor.
RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2016 – Auction Report
Lot # 102 1978 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser Utility; S/N FJ40265788; Engine # 2F230219; Sky Blue, Cygnus White roof/Charcoal leatherette; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500. – Air conditioning, radio, fog lights, center facing rear seats barn style rear doors, locking front hubs, Old Man Emu suspension, 2F engine. – Excellent paint and interior, Restored better than new. – The passion for FJs is visible in this immaculately, better-than-new, restored example, with attention to detail worthy of a V-12 Ferrari. Immensely capable off-road, it would almost be a shame to subject it to rocks, dust and mud, but that is its highest and best use. FJ prices are hugely variable with the very best, like this, bringing high five-figures (and sometimes even more.) It makes a restored Land Rover look a bargain.Lot # 103 1974 Citroen 2CV6 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N AZA9103167; Engine # 1GW02016660; Yellow, Black fenders and roof/Grey cloth; Black folding roof top; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. – Yellow wheels, blackwall tires, folding roof – Beautiful paint, chrome and interior. Restored better than new and a showstopper in bumblebee colors. – The value of cute is amplified in the case of the Deux Cheveau by being funky. Usually seen in France hauling chickens and milk to market, no such utilitarian use is in store for this magnificently restored, immaculate, example for which a generous price was paid, but no more than justified by its condition.Lot # 104 1962 APAL-Porsche 1600 GT Coupe; S/N 40172003; Engine # 66106; Red/Black leather; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000. – 1957 Porsche 1600 Normal engine, woodrim steering wheel, dash clock, Speedster style seats, steel wheels, Vredestein tires, rollbar, inertia reel shoulder belts, driving and fog lights. – Fiberglas body special with quality cosmetics, overspray in wheelwells. A strange looking beast in surprisingly good condition. – Lighter than a comparable Porsche, with an extra 30cm wheelbase, built on a VW pan, this is an intriguing Belgian-built special, one of about 150 built from 1961-1965. Not likely to meet itself coming around the corner any time soon which makes its price a reasonable stretch for a Porsche fan looking for individuality.Lot # 107 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194677S113992; Engine # 7113992 V0208HT; Red/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500. – 327/350hp, 4-speed, power brakes, side exhausts, cassette stereo, Rally wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, 3.70 Positraction. – Good repaint and sound interior and chrome. Underbody has received scant attention and the engine and engine compartment got only a shot a shot of chassis black and some dull silver paint. Makes a good first impression that doesn’t stand up to a close look. – Reported sold by Mecum at Anaheim in 2013 for $64,200, with a correctly stamped engine block, high output carbureted smallblock Corvettes are quick, balanced and relatively trouble free. A good engine builder today could keep it looking stock on the outside and make the factory 350hp rating pale, but why bother? It’s a great driver in reassuring condition, attractive colors and nicely equipped for a realistic price only a bit more than . –it brought two years ago.Lot # 108 1956 Austin-Healey 100/M ‘Le Mans’ Roadster; S/N BN2L/231253; Engine # 1B/231253M; Dark Red, Black/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $185,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $203,500. – 4-speed with overdrive, chrome wire wheels, Lucas fog lights, badge bar, hood strap. – BMIHT Heritage Certificate identified as an original louvered hood car, with engine, body and chassis matching the BMIHT Certificate. Reproduction cold air box. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Restored better than new. A car anyone would be proud to own and drive, – The 100/S may be the pinnacle of Austin-Healeys, but a beautifully restored and presented 100/M with BMIHT documentation is a worthy substitute for the six-figure buyer. The little truck motor pulls like an ox (or Henry’s Flathead V8) and the sparsely equipped 100 takes full advantage of its willingness. This is a serious car that brought a serious price fully deserved by its better than new restoration.Lot # 110 1991 Ferrari Testarossa Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFSM17A3M0087482; Engine # 25696; Silver/Red leather, Black bars; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $154,000 Air conditioning, power windows, custom seats with black Daytona-style bars. – Very good original paint and interior. Owned and unregistered until 2012 by Luigi Della Grotta, Ferrari distributor in Canada, now with a second owner with 4,898 km from new. Major service including timing belts in March 2015. – This is the second time in three months that RM has brought a pristine, low mileage Testarossa out of Canada. The other one brought twice as much but had 1/10th the km. Either way, this is a good value in an unmolested Testarossa with enough kilometers so that adding a few more won’t seriously affect the value.Lot # 111 2007 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640-4 Coupe; S/N ZHWBU37M77LA02595; Gold (Oro Adonis)/Black leather; Estimate $275,000 – $325,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $270,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $297,000. – 6-speed, glass engine cover, yellow calipers, headrest emblems, navigation system, big stereo. – Showroom condition, formerly owned by Noel Finn, CEO of Monster Cable who had the monster stereo installed. – This is twice the price of a Ferrari 512 TR, with better chassis and performance. This result is on a par with what your local Lamborghini dealer got for it new, in sharp contrast with other late model supercars bringing double or more their MSRP. It’s not a bargain, but it’s not excessively priced, either.Lot # 112 2005 Ford GT Coupe; S/N 1FAFP90S95Y401041; Quick Silver Metallic, Black stripes/Black leather; Estimate $300,000 – $325,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $280,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $308,000. – McIntosh stereo; BBS wheels, stripes, silver calipers. – Nearly imperceptible driver’s seat bolster wear, otherwise like new. – Offered at Russo and Steele a year ago with a reported high bid of $275,000, the result here at the Biltmore is typical of low mileage (aren’t they all?) Ford GT’s today and a six-figure profit on its original $150,000 or so price.
RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2016 – Auction Report Page Two
Lot # 113 1947 Chrysler Town and Country Convertible; S/N 7403287; Panama Sand/Brown leather, Beige cloth; Beige cloth top; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $155,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $170,500. – Fluid Drive, pushbutton radio, heater, remote spotlight, dual outside mirrors, fog lights, wheel covers, wide whitewalls. – Very good paint, chrome interior, top and glass. Doors fit well, trunk lid not so much. Excellent exterior wood and varnish. Underbody presents like new. An impressively restored T&C. – Sold by Auctions America in Ft. Lauderdale in 2014 for $211,200 and still in exceptional condition, this is a quality car bought at a good price.Lot # 116 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 30837S115045; Engine # 3115045F0226SD; Sebring Silver/Black vinyl; Estimate $90,000 – $125,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $115,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $126,500. – 327/300hp, Powerglide, air conditioning, power brakes, power steering, alloy wheels, blackwall tires, WonderBar radio. – Good older repaint, interior and chrome. Orderly underhood. A good but not impressive older restoration with some miles. – Home run? This Corvette was sold at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction a year ago for $77,760. It is distinguished by absolutely nothing, a car that a Chevy dealer would have ordered as part of its allotment in 1963 to put on the showroom floor to draw traffic. Its only distinguishing attribute is air conditioning, deftly offset by Powerglide. Its condition is nothing special and it could have been happily sold at any bid over $70,000.Lot # 119 1933 MG L-Type Magna Roadster; S/N L0317; Engine # 576AL; BR Green/Green leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $99,000. – RHD. Cycle fenders, body color wire wheels, rear-mounted spare, folding windshield, Lucas King of the Road headlights. – Body revised from a 4-seat tourer. Not fresh but done to very good standards of fit, finish and function and well maintained. A sweet little car. – Magna sixes are rare MGs, even more rarely seen on the Atlantic’s western shores. While Sixty Large would be abundant money for a TC, and a bit more for a pre-war T-series, an L-Type Magna six like this is Terra Incognita. RM estimated it generously, the bidders were more conservative, and the result is a very special MG at a moderate price.Lot # 120 1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 14891; Engine # 00112; Ice Blue/Blue leather; Estimate $350,000 – $400,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $300,000. – 5-Speed, Pioneer CD stereo, power windows. – Flat, flush fitting panels, even gaps, good repaint, interior and chrome. Old undercoat in wheelwells. A soundly presented and consistently maintained C/4. – Offered by RM in Ft. Lauderdale in 2011 and now showing 231 more miles on the odometer, its high bid then was $80,000. Since then it’s been repainted and very tastefully reupholstered and the C/4 market has taken off. The reported high bid here is on the chintzy side of reasonable and the seller understandably decided to wait for a better offer.Lot # 127 1970 Ferrari 246 GT Dino ‘L-Series’ Coupe; S/N 01040; Engine # 0005882; Yellow/Black leatherette; Estimate $375,000 – $425,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $360,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $396,000. – Cromodora wheels, Michelin X tires. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Beautiful engine compartment in fresh, showroom condition. Underbody and chassis done like new. Fresh, sharp and very attractive. – Sold by RM in Paris a year ago for nearly the identical price in dollars, $396,433, Euros 347,200 at the time but Euros 365,600 today so a seller counting coup in Euros comes off moderately well.Lot # 128 1931 Bugatti Type 49 Roadster, Body by Gangloff; S/N 49431; Engine # 275; Red, Black fenders/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $900,000 – $1,100,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $775,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $852,50. –0 RHD. Rumble seat, rear-mounted spare, alloy wheels, folding windshield, adjustable shocks, Scintilla headlights, cable brakes, Weber carburetor, auxiliary radiator. – The history is a bit sketchy, but not unusual for a Bugatti of this era and is thoroughly documented and vetted by experts to indicate that the engine, gearbox, rear axle and frame are appropriate to its configuration. Provenance includes Jess Pourret and Michel Seydoux. Sound old paint, pitted chrome, dusty restored chassis with some road grime. Clean, orderly engine. A wonderful touring Bugatti. – Although Bugatti built some 470 Type 49s they are these days rarely seen, which might be accounted by their performance, comfort and style. There were, surprisingly, two in the Scottsdale auctions, both sold at magnanimous prices. The other, s/n 49119 at the Gooding auction, brought $110,000 more largely on account of a two-owner history, but this is a very good value in an impeccable car.Lot # 130 1960 AC Aceca Bristol Coupe; S/N BEX766; Engine # 100D21051; Blue-Grey/Black, Gray leather; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $190,000. – 1971/125hp 100D2 engine, 4-speed overdrive, oil cooler, front disc brakes, chrome centerlock wire wheels, Vredestein tires, Lucas driving lights, woodrim steering wheel, Smiths dash clock. – Dull, scratched grille. Slightly dull headlight bezels. Neither door fits flush with the body. Very good paint and chrome. Very good, lightly worn seats. The wood window trim is lightly scratched and has a few tiny gouges. Restored but used underneath. A fully and well restored car done about 10 years ago that looks like it’s been used on a few tours and rallies. It’s still gorgeous, though, and continued participation in vintage driving events would be perfect for it. – Sold by RM here in 2010 for $137,500. RM sold a similarly equipped and even similarly finished 1960 Aceca Bristol in Monterey 2014 for a whopping $286,000, so there may have been an expectation on the part of the seller to get somewhere near that amount. The Monterey example, however, was a nearly immaculate and fresh restoration rather than a used driver like this one is. The reported high bid was a generous one, and it should have been happily accepted if there was money near it.Lot # 132 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Coupe; S/N 4912; Engine # 30673; Yellow, Gold sills/Beige leather; Estimate $2,000,000 – $2,400,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Post-block sale at $1,818,182 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,000,000. – Gold alloy wheels, Radial T/A tires, air conditioning. – Very good paint, interior and trim. Engine has been restored like new, then driven and has a bit of dust and oil mist. Engine compartment has not been done as well but is tidy. A good looking driver quality Miura. – These days the concept of a ‘driver quality Miura’ is difficult to conceive, yet here it is. Long dormant in Japan but color changed somewhere along the way from its original Bleu Medio and Bleu leather, it is otherwise charmingly original and unmolested, not quite a time capsule but a credit to the preservation that some cars found sheltered in the Tokyo property bubble of the 90’s. It is a real find, even at this price. (photo: RM Sotheby’s)
RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2016 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # 139 1959 Maserati 3500GT Spider, Body by Vignale; S/N AM101505; Engine # 101505; Burgundy/Tan leather; Estimate $1,500,000 – $2,000,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $900,000. – Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli tires, tan vinyl boot cover, Personal steering wheel, power windows. – Old, dry-looking tires. Sound older paint with light scratches on the right front fender and a big crack near the left front wheel well. Lightly worn carpets. One of three prototype Spiders bodied by Vignale, and finished new in Grigio over Red leather. Sold new in Miami before being completely restored in the 1980s, although the restoration looks newer thanks to only occasional and careful use. – There is a bit of Vignale flair in the check-mark accent flowing back from the front fender vent and the exaggerated haunches of the rear fenders. Condition is an issue, unless a new owner prefers driving to displaying. Returned to its original colors the body contours and details would be displayed to advantage and even after paying a bit more than the reported high bid a new owner would have financial headroom to freshen and repaint it while increasing its value commensurately.Lot # 167 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 7515; Engine # 7515; Rosso Corsa/Red leather; Estimate $350,000 – $450,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $310,000. – Ansa exhaust, Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli tires, power windows, Blaupunkt radio, woodrim steering wheel. – Three tiny chips on the nose, otherwise good older repaint. Excellent chrome. Lightly scratched up door handles. Driver’s door is not flush with the body. Very good, mostly original interior. Very clean and restored underneath thanks to a mechanical restoration last year. The four-seat, four headlight version of the 330 is among the least coveted Enzo-era V-12s, but that makes it a decent value in today’s market and this is a solid usable example that needs nothing even if it isn’t exactly a show car. – This is a good, sound and apparently consistently looked after and maintained 330 GT, but the reported high bid is fully appropriate to the model and this example’s condition.Lot # 203 1966 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super Berlina Polizia; S/N AR337918; Light Green/Brown vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Facsimile restoration, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. – CB radio, siren, roof mounted blue gumball, woodrim steering wheel, wood dash. – Panel fit around the doors is inconsistent. Right front fender is bulging and rust is appearing around the bottom as well as around the windows. The paint is poor and bubbling. The bumpers are incorrect for the year. The underbody is rusty and the engine compartment is aged and filthy. The interior is the best part with well sorted seats and equipment, although the headliner is dirty and disconnected. Quickly restored to movie car standards to look like an old Italian Polizia car and used in a few Italian films. – Sold at RM Paris in 2014 for $37,853 and it achieved a similar result here. Sounding the functioning police siren when the car crossed the block didn’t charm anyone enough to bid close to the $50,000 low estimate, but it did bring more than a regular Super Berlina in this rough condition really deserves. That’s likely more due to the money in the room at an RM sale than it is than any attachment to the car’s police equipment or film history.Lot # 204 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 11603612006349; Milan Brown Metallic/Bamboo leather; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Unrestored original, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500. – Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, alloy wheels, Euro headlights, air suspension, aftermarket Nardi woodrim steering wheel, cassette stereo, front and rear headrests, window sticker and delivery documents included. – Excellent panel gaps and factory paint is hardly aged. Glass and trim are like new. The engine is very clean and the interior is like new. In better condition than a two year old used car and showing 30,015 miles. – This remarkably well preserved 6.9 is still capable of surprising alacrity and doing so with comfort and security. Its brown livery reflects the subdued tenor of the late Seventies. It brought a reasonable price here with a realistic premium for its originality.Lot # 208 1926 Lancia Lambda 6th Series Torpedo Tourer; S/N 14656; Engine # 4709; Blue/Black leather; Brown top; Estimate $100,000 – $150,000; Older restoration, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000. – Black painted wire wheels, four wheel drum brakes, opening windshield – Body is worn and old and the chrome is quite dull. Oily engine compartment and aged but clean interior. Well-aged and charming appearance. Original engine, replacement gearbox, original rear axle. Unknown history before the Seventies, but restored at some point many years ago, a restoration which now has achieved the stature of patina. – Lancias have always been technically advanced, with sliding pillar independent front suspension, 4-wheel brakes and compact but powerful narrow angle vee engines. Those of this one’s era are quick, rugged and reliable. This Lambo was offered at Bonhams Quail Lodge auction in 2014 with a reported high bid of $130,000 and even discounting that disappointment as a benchmark it is a terrific value at the price it brought here. The new owner should be very satisfied both with the Lancia and with the modest price paid for it.Lot # 209 1954 Kaiser-Darrin 161 Roadster; S/N 161001390; Engine # 1611390; Yellow Satin/White leather; Black top; Estimate $140,000 – $180,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $176,000. – McCulloch Supercharger, overdrive, yellow steel wheels with wire wheel covers, Silvertown whitewalls, wind wings, hard top, dual antennae, bucket seats, floor shift, Motorola radio. – Big scratch on the driver door latch and small chip a few inches above it. Large touch up at the bottom right of the windshield. Very pretty, shiny paint otherwise. Very good, lightly worn restored interior. Very good chrome. Restored relatively recently. The rare period options the car is advertised with, namely the supercharger and the hard top, were not fitted to the car originally but added during restoration. Not a complete stunner, but a neat car in striking colors. – More notable for its sliding pocket doors than its styling or performance, the Kaiser Darrin is nevertheless a rare and collectible piece of American sports car history with less than 500 built. The bidders were taken not only by this example’s recent restoration and pretty color combination, but also placed a significant over-market premium for the replica hard top and added punch from the period correct supercharger.Lot # 210 1974 De Tomaso Pantera Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N THPNNK06428; White/Black leather; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $99,000. – 351/266hp, 5-speed, alloy wheels, Goodyear Eagle tires, aftermarket steering wheel, power windows, cassette steering wheel, wood shift knob. – Straight body. The white paint is thick and not well prepped. Driver’s door is hard to close. Engine compartment is clean and stock other than aftermarket exhaust. Good interior. A decent driver. – This result is very strong for the condition of the car and would normally reflect some kind of originality premium however in this case there is not only no originality, there isn’t even any history. On the other hand, it is rewarding to see a Pantera that hasn’t been modified, customized and personalized into a caricature of itself.Lot # 213 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ95ZJS900191; Engine # 65H00262; Grand Prix White/Blue leather; Estimate $1,100,000 – $1,400,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $800,000. – White alloy wheels, power windows, air conditioning, Kenwood cassette stereo, heated sport seats. – Represented as 25,503 km from new. A few tiny chips around the right headlight bezel, but otherwise fantastic original paint. Very good, barely worn interior. A very lightly used 959. Sold new in Germany and spent many years in Switzerland. Received a major service in late 2014, but nowhere in the catalog or on-site does it mention any U.S. import approval. – Reported sold at Bonhams Francorchamps sale last year for $781,480 and thus not surprising that it didn’t change hands at the reported high bid. Its offering here depends upon it being more than 25 years old and thus exempt from U.S. DOT and EPA requirements, a weak reed upon which to base a 7-figure expenditure.
RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2016 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # 214 1974 Ferrari 246 GTS Dino Spider, Body by Scaglietti; S/N 08454; Engine # 12048; Verde Medio Nijinsky, Black roof panel/Tan leather, Black bars; Estimate $425,000 – $500,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $360,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $396,000. – Ansa exhaust, Campagnolo wheels, Michelin XWX tires, leather-wrapped Momo steering wheel, power windows, Borletti air conditioning, Daytona seats. – First owned by socialite Sandra West who later was interred in her 330 America. Light scratches on the rear bumper. Excellent paint that would be flawless but for an unfortunate deep scratch on the left rear fender. Like new interior other than some dull switchgear, particularly on the radio. Driver’s door doesn’t close flush with the body. Purchased new by a Hollywood socialite and had several owners and paint jobs before being cosmetically restored to its original Verde Medio Nijinsky, reportedly one of only three Dinos so finished. Some colors are rare for a reason in that they just don’t look good or just don’t fit a particular car that well. This is a different story, though, because this shade of green really accentuates the Dino’s already eye-catching curves in addition to being a refreshing break from red and yellow. It’s almost sharp enough to make you overlook this car’s handful of shortcomings. – All can probably agree that it is better the deceased Sandra West was buried in a 330 America than in this Dino. With such a sharp, rare color and as one of the very last 246 GTS Dinos built, this car could have brought considerably more money, but there was no shortage of Dinos in Scottsdale this year and it is notable that this colorful Dino brought the highest price in the Valley of the Sun along with RM’s L-Series s/n 01040 and reflects the current Dino market.Lot # 215 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster; S/N 11304412006311; Engine # 13098310002908; Anthracite Grey Metallic/Dark Gray; Estimate $150,000 – $180,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $115,500. – Automatic, narrow whitewall tires, Becker Mexico radio, factory air conditioning, hardtop. – Smooth panels with factory gaps. Excellent paint. The front bumper has been repaired at some point and the grille is a bit wavy. The engine has been detailed, but not restored, with a few incorrect finishes. The interior has been well restored decently although the seats were overstuffed. Full restoration completed in 1990 for a Japanese collector. A good looking car overall but falls down on correctness. – One of two Pagodas in the sale, this car brought a huge result considering its good but unexceptional condition. The factory air conditioning adds to the value, but that doesn’t explain the over-market result here.Lot # 216 1968 Porsche 911S Targa Soft Window; S/N 11850368; Engine # 4081247; Tangerine/Black leatherette; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $137,500. – Dual triple-throat Webers, MSD ignition, Fuchs wheels, Michelin XZX tires, soft plastic rear window, gold brightwork, woodrim steering wheel, radio delete. – Lightly scratched window glass. Paint coming off the roof panel frame. Dull front vent chrome and bumper plastic. Very clean, straight and clear rear window. Rear bumper rub strip is coming loose on the driver’s side. Very good interior with original unrestored gauges. Very clean, lightly used engine bay. A solid older restoration, probably best used on vintage driving events and casual cruises. A European spec soft window Targa that was fully restored and is now starting to show its age. – A straightforward, market appropriate transaction for an older restored soft window car that both parties should be satisfied with, even if the seller was hoping the 911 wave would be continuing to rise.Lot # 219 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster; S/N CSX2561; Ivory/Red leather; Estimate $950,000 – $1,100,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $975,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,072,500. – Chrome wire wheels, 215/70R15 Goodyear radials, wind wings, grille and trunk guards. – Originally built with an automatic transmission, converted at some point to the present 4-speed but comes with the automatic and its related parts. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Old, peeling sound deadener inside the rear fenders. Clean, orderly engine compartment showing a little age and use. An honest, usable Cobra. – The 4-speed conversion made sense years ago but the rarity of automatic Cobras means that putting it back the way it was will probably enhance its value. The price paid for it seems to reflect that possibility and is realistic.Lot # 220 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Coupe, Body by Scaglietti; S/N 14819; Engine # B1456; Fly Yellow/Nero leather; Estimate $700,000 – $800,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $625,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $687,500. – A sexy sextet of dual choke Webers, Ansa exhaust, Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Becker Mexico stereo, Borletti air conditioning, power windows. – Cleaned up, largely original engine bay. Long crack above the left headlight and another at the bottom of the hood as well as one more on the right side of the nose. Fair share of road dirt underneath. Small chip at the back of the passenger door. Rear prancing horse badge is quite dull. Light but numerous dings on all four wheels. Lightly scratched glass on the passenger side. Slightly dirty carpets. Lightly worn seats. The shifter gate is also really scratched up. Dull switchgear. Worn original luggage straps. Documented ownership history and recent Ferrari Classiche certification. Refurbished in 2001, including a repaint in the original color. Mechanically sorted again more recently. Never fully restored but given serious attention periodically, it’s a car that’s been kept up with but cosmetically it’s a driver. – Sold by Barrett-Jackson in 2003 for $145,800, then sold by Gooding & Company in Scottsdale in 2010 for $291,500. Sold again at the RM Don Davis collection sale in 2013 for $407,000 and shows just over a thousand miles on the odometer since then. Not the best Daytona out there, but one that can be driven without undue concern for stone chips or bug splatter and one that brought a representative price for its condition.Lot # 221 1960 Jaguar XK 150 3.8 Drophead Coupe; S/N S838432DN; Engine # VA11119; Cotswold Blue/Biscuit leather piped in Blue; Dark Blue Cloth top; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $154,000. – 5-speed gearbox (original Moss overdrive 4-speed included), centerlock wire wheels, Firestone blackwall tires, dual wing mirrors, Lucas driving lights, locking filler cap. – Represented as matching numbers cylinder block and head, documented on the JDHT Certificate. Door gaps are slightly uneven. Paint crack on the right rear fender. Good, shiny paint otherwise. Very good top. Cracked steering wheel center cap. Dirty, discolored but sound seats and carpets. Restored a while ago by Jaguar specialists and driven regularly since. It’s a good 20 foot car, but it’s used and won’t take home any JCNA trophies. – This is XK 150S money, and this isn’t an XK 150S.Lot # 223 1967 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N AM115532; Engine # S1153; Black/Gray leather; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $175,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $192,500. – Alloy centerlock wheels, Yokohama tires, woodrim steering wheel, Blaupunkt AM/FM radio, dash clock. – Very smooth panels with only minor flaws. Decent black paint with a few minor cracks and scrapes. Old and shrunken weather stripping. The engine and underbody are lightly worn. The driver’s seat is flat and creased and the headliner is sagging slightly. A 15-year old restoration on a car with an unknown early history, this is a driver quality Ghibli. – A worthy competitor to the Daytona, with gorgeous body by Giugiaro for Ghia, the Ghibli remains one of the finest examples of Sixties’ GT design and performance. This result reflects the 4.7 liter engine and the age of the Bob Smith Coachworks restoration as well as the kilometers it has accumulated since it was done, but is still a great value in performance, exclusivity and style.Lot # 227 1953 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe, Body by Vignale; S/N 0285 EU; Engine # 0285EU; Red, Black roof/Tan leather, Black piping; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,200,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,000,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,100,000. – 2,563/170hp, three Webers, 5-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels. – Possibly Chinetti’s 1953 New York Auto Show display car This car has loads of patina; the seat leather is heavily worn but intact and the paint has heavy polish marks and a few chips, but overall attractive appearance given its age. The chrome has been heavily polished as well and the underside is worn but overall the car looks fabulous in its largely original state and ready to drive. – Offered by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2011 where it failed to sell on a reported high bid of $920,000 and had an estimate range of $1.1-1.4 million. The estimate went way up after 5 1/2 years, but the bid, this time successful, went practically nowhere. For its originality, Vignale design and sheer joy of enjoying a classic Ferrari V12 this is a very good value. Its new owner displayed astute judgment and got a trophy car. (photo: RM Sotheby’s)
RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2016 – Auction Report Page Five
Lot # 229 1952 Cunningham C3 Coupe, Body by Vignale; S/N 5208; Dark Blue, Light Blue, Silver/Tan; Estimate $900,000 – $1,100,000; Older restoration, 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,210,000. – Chrysler 331 Hemi, four single barrel Zeniths, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Cadillac 3-speed, Firestone tires, woodrim steering wheel, radio, heater. – Represented as the original engine. Excellent chrome. Excellent paint. Carpets and upholstery are lightly worn and driver’s side window molding is loose. Otherwise it’s a gorgeous concours car top to bottom. The third of 19 C3 road cars, raced in period by Phil Stiles and spent many years in the Petersen Museum before being exhaustively restored by RM Auto Restoration some years ago and carefully preserved since. – The caliber of the restoration in its original colors and details as well as the period race history unique among C3s elevates this Cunningham to elite status. The race history should ease its entry into important events not accessible to other C3s and the new owner will, with continuing good care, never have to make excuses for its presentation. Even at the top of the estimate range it is a sound value for the money to its new owner.Lot # 231 1939 SS Jaguar 100 2.5 Roadster, Body by Van den Plas; S/N 49064; Red, Black/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $1,500,000 – $2,100,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,275,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,402,500. – Dual SU carbs, spinner wheel covers, rear fender skirts, Brooklands aero screens, engine turned dash, badge bar. – Paint crack at the back of the passenger door. Driver door isn’t flush, and neither is the right rear fender trim or the trunk. Lightly pitted exhaust tips. Lightly worn seats. Restored but used underneath. Restored in the early 1990s and used since. An SS100 chassis bought in 1939 by Van den Plas in Belgium but not bodied until after the war with this unique coachwork. Then displayed by the coachbuilder at the Brussels Motor Show in 1948. – Like Raymond Loewy’s E-Type, this one-off SS100 is certainly distinctive and eye-catching, blending features of the SS100 with envelope bodywork typical of the coming XK 120. It is effective, but also isn’t as graceful as the either original factory-bodied car or the XK, especially the out of proportion Lucas Kind of the Road headlights. It truly is unique, however, and uniqueness carries a premium in the world of classic cars. In this case, it’s several times the going rate for a normal 2.5-liter SS100.Lot # 232 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 07935; Engine # 7935; Argento/Red leather; Black top; Estimate $1,600,000 – $2,000,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,600,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,760,000. – Ansa exhaust, Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, black vinyl boot cover, wood dash, woodrim steering wheel, dash clock. – Numerous small chips in the nose. Otherwise excellent paint. Excellent chrome. Very good, lightly worn interior. Older looking tires. Tidy, detailed engine bay. Some undercoat is flaking off the chassis. An older restoration that has held up well but is no longer fresh. – A handsome 275 GTS with a history of consistent care and attention that should provide a satisfying ownership experience, bought at a price appropriate to its history and condition.Lot # 234 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Sedan; S/N DB4905R; Engine # 370909; Aegean Blue/White Gold leather; Estimate $525,000 – $625,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $400,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $440,000. – Centerlock wire wheels, Avon Ranger tires, Smiths dash clock, heater, Alpine CD stereo, woodrim steering wheel, modern R134 air conditioning, aftermarket alarm, fire extinguisher, Steel Wings handling package. – Lefthand drive conversion, bumpers not fitted but are included. Driver’s door is not flush with the body and there’s a tiny dent at the back of it and several small chips at the front of it as well as several cracks on the left rear on the crease in the tail. Dirty wheels and brakes. Very worn out original seats and shifter boot. Repainted and given mechanical attention, but a largely original DB4 with 82,750 miles on it. – For a base DB4 Coupe in this kind of hard to find well-maintained driver condition, this is a straightforward, market-appropriate result.Lot # 238 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 Coupe; S/N SAJJEAEX8AX220619; Silver/Gray leather with suede inserts; Estimate $425,000 – $500,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $350,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $385,000. – Michelin Pilot Sport tires, Alpine stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – Aside from a handful of scratches on the right front wheel the original paint is fantastic. Nearly spotless engine bay. Like new interior. Almost like new with 6,880 careful miles. One of 281 XJ 220s built. – While it didn’t satisfy many potential buyers’ thirst for a V-12, the XJ 220’s twin-turbo V-6 allowed it to be the world’s fastest production car when it came out. It was then quickly and significantly bested, however, by the 240-mph McLaren F1, so the Jag will always live in that car’s shadow. In a world where a comparable McLaren is an eight-figure car and even Porsche 959s and Ferrari F40s and F50s are exceeding a million dollars, this XJ 220 that sold to a prudent phone bidder seems like a big bargain in the world of small-batch exotics.Lot # 242 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster; S/N 130894; Engine # 130894; Red/Red leather; Estimate $10,000,000 – $13,000,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $9,000,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $9,900,000. – High door, long tail, lefthand drive, inset exposed spare tire, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, Bosch headlights, dual spotlights, driving light. – Owned by its first owner, Reginald Sinclaire, son of one of the founders of Corning Glass Works, who stored it in the parking garage of the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs until the Fifties. Restored by Mike Fennel for the most recent owner in the 1980’s and in that collection ever since. Original engine, chassis and body. The restoration, while aging gracefully, is still in excellent condition, almost too good to restore again, and the car is clean, crisp and sharp with very good paint, barely used upholstery and bright chrome. – The star of the show, if there ever was one, with a charming history of long term ownership by its first and its most recent owners. This is an advantageous price that discounts its older restoration but puts a marvelous automobile still more than suitable for touring in its new owner’s hands. Restored examples might be (and have been) worth more than this, but none have such a solid history.Lot # 244 1968 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 11853; Engine # 11853GT; Fly Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $300,000 – $375,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $240,000. – Triple Webers, Ansa exhaust, Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, power windows, woodrim steering wheel, later Blaupunkt cassette stereo, wood dash. – Tidy but used engine bay with a little road dirt and grime. Good older paint with a drip on the right drip rail but otherwise no big flaws. Lightly scratched window frames. Restored but used underbody. Lightly pitted door handles. Very good bumper chrome. Dash wood is a bit wavy. Original gauges. Lightly worn original switchgear. California black plate. Showing 93,542 miles. A straightforward older full restoration of an Italian market car that’s been enjoyed and not overly pampered. A driver. – Sold here in 2013 for $148,500 in essentially the same condition as it was offered today. The 2013 result was an epic price for a Queen Mother but three years later the bidders weren’t much moved by it.Lot # 245 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Berlinetta, Body by Zagato; S/N AR1900C0109; Engine # AR130810480; Dark Blue/Brown leather; Estimate $1,400,000 – $1,800,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,250,000. – 1975/115hp, dual recent Weber carburetors, chrome spoke Borrani wheels, woodrim steering wheel, wood shift knob. Supplied with a correct pair of Solex carbs and appropriate intake manifold. – Flawless panels and fit. Excellent paint. Wiper scratches on the windshield. Excellent and correct (but not the original) engine with the exception of the carburetors (the originals are included in the sale). Gorgeous interior. Fantastic overall. Raced in period by Scuderia Madunina, fourth overall and 1st in class at the 1955 Vuelta a la Cordialidad in Colombia. A full restoration began in 2008 and it was exhibited at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. – Restored to better than new condition with a useful period competition history this is an exceptional Alfa, albeit one that might well have been let go at the reported high bid.
RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2016 – Auction Report Page Six
Lot # 249 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N B24S1131; Engine # B241171; Dark Blue/Red leather; Estimate $900,000 – $1,100,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $800,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $880,000. – Chrome spoke Borrani wheels, Nardi package with twin Webers, woodrim steering wheel, side curtains, jack, wheel wrench. – From the Craig McCaw collection. Straight panels other than the trunk lid, which is slightly misaligned. The paint has some checking but still presents very well. Very good glass and chrome. Excellent interior. Clean engine bay. Cosmetically restored in the early 1990s, although it looks newer. – Sold by RM in Monterey in 2007 for $550,000, then here in 2013 for $825,000. Considering the passage of three years since then the price is up a negligible amount and the car is still in excellent condition, perhaps even better than it was then. The Spider America may be the most desirable of all series-produced Lancias, a great ride for vintage events and tours with outstanding Pinin Farina design.Lot # 250 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N 4782; Engine # 30578; Bianco, Silver sills/Blue, White leather; Estimate $1,300,000 – $1,500,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,000,000. – Quadruple Webers, Campagnolo wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows, wood shift knob, tools, jack. – Wheel lobes have been hammered on a lot and are slightly bent. Pitted exhaust tips. Paint blisters on roof and driver’s door. Uneven door and engine cover gaps. Lightly worn upholstery. Dull switchgear. Sold from the factory to Japanese collector Isao Noritake in 1983 and given a cosmetic re-freshening, including paint in the original Bianco over an earlier red repaint. The car then remained in Japan for three decades and the odometer still only shows 3,791 km. In driver condition, but other than paint and upholstery it’s an all original car. – The originality of this Miura S is offset by the accident history and marginal quality repaint by Lamborghini. Even with the Miura market soaring the high bid here appropriately recognizes this example’s issues. (photo: RM Sotheby’s)Lot # 253 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster; S/N 83895; Engine # 744333; Meissen Blue/Dark Blue vinyl; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $325,000 – $400,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $260,000. – Chrome wheels, hubcaps, Michelin tires, bumper overriders, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, full tool roll, jack. – 912 engine and carburetors. Very good, paint, chrome and interior. Underbody has been redone like new, undercoated and driven some. Excellent panel fit with flush fits and tight, even gaps. Filled fenders, lower doors and cowl. – Offered by RM in Monterey in 2008 with a high bid of $170,000 before the fresh cosmetics, the later engine, while adding to the driving experience, detracts from its collector value. Even at that the high bid here is light in the context of current 356A Speedster values, but not by much.Lot # 255 1967 Toyota 2000GT Coupe; S/N MF1010158; Engine # 10204; Pegasus White/Black vinyl; Estimate $800,000 – $900,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $675,000. – RHD. AM-FM, clock, timer, alloy wheels, Bridgestone tires, fender mirrors, air conditioning. – Very good paint, chrome and lightly worn interior. A Japanese home market 2000GT that has been well maintained and at some point restored to nearly like new condition. – This result is a surprising disappointment in a frothy Toyota 2000GT market.Lot # 257 1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage SIII Coupe; S/N SCFCV81V9HTR12564; Balmoral Green/White leather piped In Black; Estimate $500,000 – $575,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $410,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $451,000. – ‘X-Pack’ 432hp engine with four Webers, ZF 5-speed, alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, wood dash, console trim and window trim, air conditioning, Alpine stereo, documented with a full service book, original owner’s manual, warranty book, jack and tools. – Lefthand drive conversion. Immaculately repainted. The leather is supple and gorgeous and the wood is flawless. Despite the 61,049 miles on the odometer, this car looks new and is made even more desirable by the third pedal in the footwell. A lightly worn shift knob is the only sign of any real age on this car. – The extra power of the ‘X-Pack’ engine, the attractive European bumpers and the rarity of being one of 137 built in this specification sets this Aston V8 Vantage apart. Along with its exceptional condition it led the bidders at the Biltmore to pay a price effectively double that of a U.S. spec V8 Vantage, a decision with which there can be no argument.Lot # 259 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 Coupe S/N 9114600628; Engine # 6640833; Grand Prix White, Black graphics/Black vinyl with tweed cloth inserts; Estimate $300,000 – $375,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $250,000. – Bosch mechanical fuel injection, Fuchs wheels, Kumho tires, duck tail spoiler, power windows, radio delete, VDO dash clock. – Used but tidy engine compartment with the Euro-spec 210hp engine. A few light scratches on the window frames. Fairly worn steering wheel but otherwise well kept all original interior. Very good newer paint. Used by the original owner as a daily driver until 1987, when it had reportedly accumulated 147,000 km (which doesn’t match the 58,285 km on the odometer today), then received a cosmetic restoration a few years ago that retained the very good original interior. A very pretty driver quality 911 Carrera. – A Carrera, but not an RS, with Euro horsepower and bumpers is a combination that pencils out to a desirable example that is unusual in the U.S. and warrants a premium price. Apparently the bidders at the Biltmore didn’t think it was as desirable as the consignor, despite a generous reported high bid.Lot # 261 1949 Bentley Mk VI Station Wagon, Body by Rippon; S/N B91FU; Engine # B295F; Blue, Wood/Brown; Estimate $160,000 – $190,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $121,000. – Blue steel wheels with hub caps, Excelsior radials, rear fender skirts, single sidemount spare with cloth cover, dual wing mirrors, single driving light, suicide front doors, bench seat, floor shift, wood dash and window trim, dash clock, rear fold-out tables. – From the Craig McCaw collection. Huge paint cracks on the right side of the body in front of the door and big crack on the tail and drip rail. Uneven gaps. Dull chrome and brightwork. Very good interior wood, and the exterior wood is in decent shape, although the margin between the coated wood and painted portions of the body is uneven. One of three woodies by Rippon. Cosmetically restored in the late 1980s and showing age. It may lack the presentation of a freshly restored Mark VI, but it more than makes up for it in charm. – Sold by Christie’s at Tarrytown in 1996 for $68,170 in essentially the same condition as it is here except for new upholstery. It won’t win any concours prizes but will be an excellent, enjoyable and eminently practical car for weekend jaunts to the beach or to pick up horse bedding at the farm supply store. When mentioning a woodie this isn’t what comes to mind, an exception that is part of its appeal and makes it a sound value at this price.Lot # 262 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFJA09B000047859; Rosso Corsa/Tan leather; Estimate $325,000 – $400,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $250,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $275,000. – Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin TRX tires, power windows, Pioneer 8-track stereo. – 17,552 miles from new. Mostly original paint except replacement Euro-style bumpers and Rosso Corsa body sills and spoiler. Paint is very good with no real flaws other than a sizable chip at the bottom of the right headlight door. Very lightly worn seats and tired-looking parking brake boot. Straight and clean underneath. This is your quintessential babied Ferrari. Driven little but regularly enough and always pampered in between trips. A car like this is the kind to buy, and its 17,552 miles make it more usable than a mothballed one with 1,700. – It is an especially astute buy when it goes to a new home at a price like this. Not a bargain, but a very sound value for a quality car.Lot # 266 2005 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo Coupe; S/N 1S9SB181X5S000046; Engine # S705046; Black Metallic/Black; Estimate $550,000 – $650,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Post-block sale at $486,364 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $535,000. – 427/850hp, Twin Garrett turbos, adjustable suspension, Brembo brakes, Competition Package, Kenwood CD stereo, navigation. – Like new and showing 942 apparently careful miles. – With RM’s sale of Saleen S7 Twin Turbo s/n …000056 from the Pinnacle Portfolio in Monterey last August for $682,000 the S7 market ratcheted up several notches, a transaction that makes this one look like a relative value for a car in better condition than Pinnacle’s. The late model supercar market is thin and marked by seemingly unrelated variations due to time, place and availability. There were three S7s in the Arizona auctions and all of them did well by historical standards.Lot # 273 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster; S/N 12104210020375; Grey-Blue/Tan leather; Gray top; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $150,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $165,000. – Dual Solex carbs, electronic distributor, halogen headlights, K&N air filters, hub caps and trim rings, coco mats, dash clock. – Smooth panels and even paint with a scratch on the driver door and chips on the trunk. Very good chrome and glass. Excellent top. The chassis and engine are very clean and correct. The interior presents as new. Numbers matching and finished in its original colors after a nut and bolt restoration 10 years ago and a 2006 190SL Group Best in Show winner. Aside from a few small flaws, it’s a beautiful car and still showable on a local level with several upgrades to make it a more satisfying weekend driver and tour car. – After a couple years of hardly believable prices, sometimes well over $200,000, for good restored 190SLs that encouraged more and more good ones to come to market, prices seem to be settling. The enthusiasm for them has brought many examples to auction with rushed, superficial, ‘restorations’ designed to look good on the block but not much else. This one is not one of those cars but rather a meticulous older restoration that has been kept up and should be a highly satisfying acquisition for its next owner. It is an astute buy of a quality car.
Noel Lee not Noel Finn