phil berg

Marx Bros' Mercedes Speedster and More at Gooding Pebble Beach

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Pebble Beach stands each year as one of the premiere concours on the historic automobile circuit, and the accompanying auction never disappoints. Gooding & Company is the auctioneer of choice, and with the California event fast approaching in August, the auction house has already announced a selection of notable consignments.

Among those up for auction this year will be a famous 1927 Mercedes-Benz S Boattail Speedster, a 1956 Maserati 200 SI and a 1951 Ferrari 340 America. The Mercedes Speedster stands as one of the most significant, having famously participated in a race between Zeppo Marx and Hollywood talent agent Phil Berg. Marx lost the race in the Speedster to Berg's Duesenberg, and a $10,000 bet in the process. The Mercedes has remained in Southern California ever since, and will now be up for auction for the first time.

The Maserati, meanwhile, was campaigned at some of the most notable races of its time, including the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and several grands prix, piloted by such notables as Sir Stirling Moss. Finally the Ferrari served as the company's show car at the New York expo in 1952, and has participated in several concours and historic races since. All these and more will cross the auction block on August 14-15 at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, so stay tuned for more.

Gallery: 2010 Gooding & Company auction at Pebble Beach