January 2018 – Scottsdale previews
10 January, 2018
An ex-Works 1954 Jaguar D-Type and a 1921 Alfa Romeo G1 top the entries at RM Sotheby’s Scottsdale sale on 18-19 January.
Chassis XKD 403 was the lead car among the three Works D-Types entered for the 1954 Le Mans 24 hours race, campaigned by Stirling Moss and Peter Walker. Having been the fastest in practice much was expected of the car, although brake problems after 12 hours forced Moss to retire. The driver pairing was back out a few weeks later for the 12 Hours of Rheims, once again recording a DNF. Following a fifth place at Dundrod’s Tourist Trophy ‘OKV 2’ took on the role of factory development car, prior to its sale in May 1955. The car’s competition career continued in private hands until it was garaged in 1963 for some 17 years (estimate $12,000,000 – 15,000,000).
RM’s Alfa Romeo G1 is one of just 52 produced between 1921 and 1923 and is believed to be the only known survivor existing today. As the G1 was Alfa Romeo’s first model, chassis 6018 also represents the oldest example of the marque. The car was exported to Australia from new, where it spent the majority of its early life stored on a farm in the Outback. Discovered in the late ‘40s and pressed in to service as a farm runabout, 6018 had to wait until 1964 before it was treated to its first restoration, with its most recent being completed in 2014.
Among the Shelby’s on offer, a 1966 Cobra 427 'Semi-Competition' – restored by Mike McCluskey – is estimated at $2,000,000 – 2,400,000; a two-owner 1965 Cobra 289 is $900,000 – 1,200,000; and a GT350 R that was used in the 1965 ‘Cobra Caravan’ tour is $1,000,000 – 1,200,000.
A one-off 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe with coachwork by Ghia – shown on the Ferrari stand at the 1952 Paris Salon – carries a pre-sale estimate of $1,600,000 – 2,000,000; while another one-off, the 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Speciale by Boano which was awarded Best in Class at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours, is listed at $1,250,000 – 1,750,000.
Bonhams sale on 18 January features an ex-Works 1958 Porsche 550A Spyder. One of just 40 Spyders produced, the car’s standout results under the Porsche factory banner were a class win at the 1958 Nürburgring 1000km and fine 2nd in class and 5th overall three weeks later at Le Mans (estimate $4,500,000 – 5,000,000).
Unsurprisingly, Italian machinery is much in evidence. A 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 which has covered less than 32,000 miles from new is estimated at $2,800,000 – 3,400,000; a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider – one of 123 factory examples built – is $2,400,000 – 2,800,000; a 1995 Ferrari F50 with over 60,000 miles is $1,500,000 – 1,800,000; and a 2,428-mile 1991 Ferrari F40 is $1,400,000 – 1,700,000.
Other highlights include a recently restored 1982 Lancia 037 Stradale (estimate $350,000 – 450,000); a 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta – one of 401 produced (estimate $250,000 – 350,000); and an 11,000-mile 1977 Maserati Merak which has been in single family ownership for 38 years (estimate $60,000 – 80,000).
Gooding and Company open their two-day sale on the 19th with an inventory that includes no fewer than 22 cars carrying million-dollar-plus estimates.
Star attraction is a 1956 Jaguar D-Type with a pre-sale estimate of $10,000,000 – 12,000,000. Chassis XKD 518 was sold by Bernie Ecclestone to its first private owner, Peter Blond, who campaigned the car until mid-1957, achieving a 5th overall at the Aintree 100, a top 10 finish in the Goodwood Trophy, and a win at the Snetterton National Race.
Sharing the limelight with the D-Type is a one-of-a-kind 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Speciale (estimate $8,000,000 – 10,000,000). Chassis 06437 was the personal car of Battista Pininfarina and is the only 275 GTB to be built by Carrozzeria Pininfarina, rather than by Scaglietti , with numerous design details separating the two.
Other top-tier entries include a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I, displayed at the 1958 Torino Motor Show (estimate $7,000,000 – 8,500,000); a 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial (estimate $5,000,000 – 5,750,000); and a 1931 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster which won the 1947 Rallye des Alpes (estimate $4,000,000 – 5,000,000).
Classic car auction price estimates for: Jaguar | Alfa Romeo | Shelby | Ferrari | Porsche | Lancia | De Tomaso | Maserati | Bugatti
From leading auction houses: RM Sotheby’s | Bonhams | Gooding & Company
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