May 2019 - European auction previews
8 May, 2019
1950s competition machinery dominates the big-ticket entries at RM Sotheby’s biennial Villa Erba sale on 25 May, headed by a 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider (estimate €4,250,000 – 4,750,000). Chassis 0448 MD, one of only 13 Pinin Farina Spiders built, began its racing career with Tony Parravano’s Scuderia Parravano team in California, notching up a class win on its maiden outing at Willow Springs. A recent cosmetic restoration and certification by Ferrari Classische confirms it retains the original engine, gearbox and bodywork.
A 1957 Porsche 550 A Spyder which has covered just 100km since the completion of a four year restoration in 2016 is estimated at €3,400,000 – 3,800,000; while a 1955 Maserati A6G/2000 that was used by Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson in practice for the 1956 Mille Miglia – and subsequently finished 117th overall in the race in the hands of Arnaldo Bellini and Nicolo Carosio – is listed at €3,000,000 – 3,500,000.
Modern collectibles include an 8,400-km 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss (estimate €1,850,000 – 2,200,000); a 2015 McLaren P1 with a scant 191 miles from new (estimate €1,100,000 – 1,300,000); and a 2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato, the first of 65 built (estimate €650,000 – 750,000).
Other notable highlights among the 53 lots set to cross the block also include a unique 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato which was exhibited on the coachbuilder’s stand at the 1974 Geneva Motor Show (estimate €425,000 – 475,000); and an elegant 1955 Pegaso Z-102 – the seventh of ten Series IIs by Touring (estimate €550,000 – 700,000).
The catalogue cover star at Finarte’s 13 May sale in Brescia is a 1953 Fiat 8V, with a guide of €1,800,000 – 2,000,000. The car’s early competition career included the 1957 Mille Miglia, Antonio Siddi putting in a solo performance which sadly ended in a DNF.
Highlights at Aste Bolaffi on 24 May include a 40,000-km 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT which has been in single family ownership for 42 years (estimate €300,000 – 330,000); a three-owner 1974 BMW 2002 turbo (estimate €105,000 – 115,000); and Alpina’s answer to the 02 turbo – a 30,000-km 1974 BMW 2002 tii Alpina A4S (estimate €95,000 – 105,000).
A 1968 Maserati Ghibli 4700 tops the entries at Oldtimer Galerie’s Swiss Classic World sale in Lucerne on 25 May. The car emerged from a 10-year restoration in 2016 and is presented in its original shade of Oro Metallico (estimate CHF365,000 – 385,000).
The sale also features a 1938 Bentley 4¼-Litre Concealed Drophead Coupe by H.J. Mulliner. Chassis B173LE is one of only six 4¼-Litre examples incorporating discrete running boards and a concealed spare wheel. The car remained with its first owner in Switzerland until 1960, after which nothing is known until 2005 when it was discovered stored in a shed (estimate CHF295,000 – 325,000).
Classic car auction price estimates for: Ferrari | Porsche | Maserati | Mercedes-Benz | McLaren | Aston Martin | Pegaso | Fiat | BMW | Alpina | Bentley
From leading auction houses: RM Sotheby’s | Finarte | Aste Bolaffi | Oldtimer Galerie
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