March 2016 - Amelia Island previews
24 February, 2016
A 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Sports Tourer with one-off coachwork by Vanden Plas heads the 95 cars on offer at Bonhams’ Amelia Island sale on 10 March. When new, chassis number 57541 was featured in the company's catalogue and was also displayed on the Bugatti stand at the 1938 London Motor Show. The car has a well-documented history and carries a pre-sale estimate of $11,000,000 – 13,000,000.
Six cars are offered with estimates over one million dollars, including a three-owner 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, which formed part of the collection of the late Wade Carter for nearly 45 years (estimate $2,700,000 – 3,200,000) and one of the ‘Brass Era’ greats – a 1910 Thomas Flyer Model K-670 “Flyabout”, estimated at $900,000 – 1,200,000.
A 1971 De Tomaso Pantera, one of only 87 Panteras produced in ‘Lime Green’ and believed to have covered just 11,600 miles from new, has a pre-sale estimate of $110,000 – 130,000. Other low mileage cars include a 1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary, which has covered less than 2,700 kilometres from new (estimate $450,000 – 550,000) and a 1982 Aston Martin V8 Volante, showing 20,477 miles, is estimated at $160,000 – 200,000.
16 Porsches from The Jerry Seinfeld Collection will go under the hammer at Gooding and Company’s Amelia Island sale on 11 March, headed by a 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder. Although the car was never driven in competition, it is one of only six examples produced, and represents the ultimate evolution of the 917. Restored in its current ‘Sunoco’ livery by Porsche in the 90s it has a pre-sale estimate of $5,000,000 – 7,000,000. Other notable cars in the collection include; a three-owner 1955 550 Spyder, showing just 10,500 miles from new, which is estimated at $5,000,000 – 6,000,000; a 1959 718 RSK, raced by Roger Penske and Lake Underwood (estimate $3,800,000 – 4,200,000); and a 1990 962 C, run in period by Joest Racing and driven by Bob Wollek and Frank Jelinski among others (estimate $1,500,000 – 2,000,000).
Star attraction at the Gooding sale, at least in pure dollar terms, is a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, estimated at $15,000,000 – 17,000,000. Chassis 2871 GT is a three-owner car and one of only 37 covered-headlight SWB examples produced.
Other highlights include; a 1966 Ford GT40 Mk I, one of only 31 road cars produced and originally used by Ford for dealer promotions (estimate $3,200,000 – 3,600,000); a 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra with period SCCA race history (estimate $950,000 – 1,100,000); and a 5,800-km 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS (estimate $160,000 – 180,000).
RM Sotheby’s host the final auction of the weekend on 12 March with 17 lots carrying estimates in excess of one million dollars. A 1957 Ferrari 250 GT TdF is the star of the show, owned by the vendor for 41 years, with an estimate of $5,500,000 – 7,500,000. Other big hitters include; a 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Cabriolet A (estimate $3,000,000 – 4,000,000); a 1911 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost (estimate $2,500,000 – 3,500,000); and a 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB, with just four family owners from new (estimate $2,700,000 – 3,300,000).
An ex-Mark Donohue/Sam Posey 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Trans Am is offered with a reserve of $900,000 – 1,200,000. The third of six Sunoco Camaros built, it was prepared for the Penske Team’s assault on the 1968 season.
Highlights among the modern collector cars include a 2014 Pagani Huayra, with less than 400 miles from new and $260,000 of options, estimated at $1,900,000 – 2,200,000; a 7,200-km 2011 599 GTO (estimate $650,000 – 750,000); and a one-owner 2005 Porsche Carrera GT that has covered 1,184 miles from new (estimate $750,000 – 850,000).