January 2019 - Scottsdale previews
21 December, 2018
RM Sotheby’s looks set to steal the headlines at this year’s Scottsdale sales with a one-off 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale that was built for Princess Lilian de Réthy of Belgium topping the entries, estimated at $11,000,000 – 13,000,000. Chassis 0751 GT – the second of three Speciales owned by the Princess – features unique coachwork by Pinin Farina, with styling cues taken from the 250 GT Tour de France and California Spider.
Ferraris dominate RM Sotheby’s ‘blue-chip’ entries with a 1,500-mile 2017 LaFerrari Aperta in Nero Daytona and red accents listed at $6,500,000 – 8,500,000; a sub-2,900-mile 1985 288 GTO is $3,200,000 – 3,600,000; and a 275 GTB/4 – one of 330 ‘Four-Cams’ built – carries a guide of $2,800,000 – 3,200,000.
Elsewhere, highlights include a 1958 BMW 507 that was restored in 2000 by renowned specialists TT Workshops (estimate $2,500,000 – 3,000,000), and a 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 that formed part of Otis Chandler’s collection for nearly 20 years, housed at his Vintage Museum in California (estimate $1,350,000 – 1,450,000).
A 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial is the star attraction at Bonhams’ Scottsdale auction on 17 January, when 120 lots are due to cross the block. Chassis 0438MD was delivered to its first owner – the international playboy/diplomat Porfirio Rubirosa – in time for September’s Labour Day Races at Santa Barbara, where he netted a second in class. Ownership then passed to Competition Motors’ Johnny von Neumann, with a notable drive for team members Phil Hill and Richie Ginther at Torrey Pines in 1956. 0438 is presented today in its original livery, having undergone a meticulous year-long €475,000 restoration by Ferrari Classiche in 2013.
Significant entries also include a concours award-winning 1951 Maserati A6G/2000 Spider, one of just three short-wheel base Frua Spiders built (estimate $2,800,000 – 3,400,000); a 2018 Bugatti Chiron showing only 365 delivery miles (estimate $2,800,000 – 3,300,000); and an ex-Team Cunningham 1959 Lister-Jaguar that made its racing debut at that year’s Sebring 12 Hours, with Ivor Bueb and Stirling Moss at the wheel (estimate $2,000,000 – 2,600,000).
A 12,160-km 1991 BMW Alpina Z1 RLE has been consigned with an estimate of $140,000 – 180,000. The car is one of just 66 built using Alpina’s 2.7-litre unit, giving an additional 30bhp over the standard Z1 and dropping the 0-100 kph dash to 7.1 seconds.
Gooding & Company’s two-day Scottsdale sale kicks off on the 18th, featuring 17 cars with million dollar-plus estimates. A 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB Prototype shares the top-billing along with the model it replaced, a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB – each offered with $6,000,000 – 8,000,000 estimates. Gooding’s 275 – the only prototype built – started its life as a test and development car, before famously competing in the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally as a factory-supported entry, driven by Giorgio Pianta.
The top five is rounded off with a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France – one of 36 single-louvre TdFs produced – which finished second in class at its maiden race, the Grand Prix of Venezuela (estimate $5,750,000 – 6,500,000); a one-of-12 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Spider with extensive US competition history in period (estimate $5,500,000 – 6,500,000); and a 12,249-km 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO, estimated at $2,500,000 – 3,000,000.
Classic car auction price estimates for: Ferrari | BMW | Shelby | Maserati | Lister-Jaguar
From leading auction houses: RM Sotheby’s | Bonhams | Gooding & Company
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