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'62 Ferrari Stars in New Monaco Auto Auction

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions


On May 1st RM Auctions will inaugurate a new annual sale in Monaco headlined by a rare Ferrari expected to fetch up to $3.5 million. The Sporting Classics of Monaco event will be held at the Grimaldi Forum during the same weekend as the 7th Grand Prix Historique de Monaco. 80 of the world's finest motor cars will be on offer, headlined by a stunning 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet Pininfarina (above). One of only six short wheelbase examples bodied by Pininfarina, the Ferrari, chassis no. 3309SA was the last example built, and displayed as a factory show car at the Geneva and New York Auto Shows in 1962. The car, which recently underwent a no-expense spared, nut and bolt restoration by top tier marque specialists, won an award at this year's famed Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Widely regarded as more exclusive, powerful and luxurious than the SWB California Spider, its offering is set to garner significant attention from collectors around the world.

[via JustLuxe]

Ultra-Rare '63 A.T.S. Sports Car to Make Auction Debut in London

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions


An ultra-rare 1963 A.T.S. 2500 GTS 3.0-litre sports car (above) will be sold at RM Auctions' Automobiles of London event on October 28, marking the first time one of these highly desirable cars has been offered at auction. One of only eight A.T.S. sports cars produced between 1962 - 1965 to rival Ferrari, this example, chassis number 004, will be offered without reserve and is expected to fetch in excess of £500,000 or about $820,000. Of immense historical significance, A.T.S. (Automobili Turismo Sport) was an Italian car maker and racing team that formed by Carlo Chiti and Giotto Bizzarrini, who established the company as a direct competitor to their former employer, Ferrari. Financially supported by Count Giovanni Volpi, the company produced a small number of road-going sports cars and a Formula One car which boasted Phil Hill as one of its drivers. The car made its debut at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show, and although 12 chassis were produced, only 8 cars were ultimately completed, making each a rare collector's item.

Rare Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin Classics to highlight RM Auction in London

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions



As ironic as it may seem, the world of classic automobiles moves at break-neck speed. So while the doors have barely shut yet at Pebble Beach, notable auction house RM is already gearing up for another event in London, where it will be auctioning off a number of notable classics.

Along with a rare 1962 Chaparral 1, the only right-hand drive Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster built, a graceful 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 and a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato, to name just a few, the Automobiles of London event will feature a rare 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I (pictured above) and a storied 1950 Aston Martin DB2 (pictured at right).

Nicknamed the "Jarvis Torpedo", the award-winning Phantom once belonged to the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, and has since gone on to appear at numerous prestigious concours. The Aston, in contrast, raced at Le Mans and the famous Mille Miglia and acted as personal transport to company chairman David Brown. Both are considered highly collectible and very valuable and promise to command high prices when they cross the block at the Automobiles of London event on October 28, 2009.


Rare Multimillion-$ 1955 Aston Martin Racer Added to RM's Monterey Lineup

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions


RM Auctions has just announced the consignment of a highly-desirable 1955 Aston Martin DB3S racer (above) to its Sports & Classics of Monterey auction event on August 13th - 15th in California. One of just 20 customer DB3Ss built and one of three examples ordered new by Australia's celebrated "Kangaroo Stable" racing team, the 1955 DB3S, chassis number DB3S/104, boasts an unbroken chain of ownership through to the present and an impressive racing history spanning from 1956 through to its last known event in 1997. It's estimated at $1.75 million - $2.25 million, making it one of the world's most expensive Aston Martins.

Painted in the famed Aston Martin racing color of Almond Green metallic with a yellow flash on the bonnet, the car was also driven by racing legends like Phil Hill and Carroll Shelby. "The Aston Martin DB3S in particular is rarely available to the market and when it is, traditionally only changes hands privately," notes RM President Ian Kelleher, "so it is exceptional to find one with such important provenance to be offered for sale publicly." The Aston will be auctioned off along with the $3 million 1952 Jaguar C-Type that The Classicist wrote about last month.

One-of-a-Kind Miller V16 Racing Car for Auction at RM Monterey

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions


Some legends come, and some legends go. Bugatti is a name you'll recognize because the famous automaker of yore was reborn in splendid fashion under the Volkswagen umbrella. But for every revived automaker of yesteryear, there are dozens more that will likely never see the light of day, save for vintage car events and headline auctions. Like Miller, for example. Just like Bugatti dominated grand prix racing in Europe, Miller dominated Indy racing in America in the 1920's. In fact Harry Miller's engine designs remained in use through the 1980s, by which time they had racked up innumerable victories and earned their place in history. And this is perhaps the most prominent of them all: the one-of-a-kind 1931 Miller V16 racing car. After competing in the Indianapolis 500 several times in its heyday, the Miller V16 engine was separated from its chassis only to be reunited decades later by collector Chuck Davis, who restored it to its former glory and took it on tour around the world, visiting the most prestigious vintage car concours and club events. Now, for the first time in decades, the only V16-engined car ever made by Miller will be offered at RM Auctions' event in Monterey, California, where it is projected to sell for as much as $1 million.

The Classicist: $3 Million Jaguar Racer, 26 Ferraris & More on Offer in Monterey

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Events, The Classicist


1952 Jaguar C-type
On August 13-15 RM Auctions is holding its annual Sports & Classics of Monterey auction in California, starring an historic 1952 Jaguar C-Type sports racer (above) that was driven to victory in 1952 by the legendary Phil Hill and is expected to fetch over $3 million. 26 Ferraris and several other rare and valuable autos will be part of the 200 vehicles crossing the auction block over the course of the three-day event. The beautiful and rare C-Type (a precursor of the modern-day XK we wrote about recently), designated XKC-007, was one of just 53 examples built and one of the first Jaguar C-Types delivered to the United States.

Shipped to New York in 1952, this example was immediately driven to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where it, along with XKC-009, made their competitive racing debuts as part of the company's North American sales effort for the model. It was at this meet that XKC-007 made Jaguar history when the eventual World Champion driver, Phil Hill – then just 25 – drove it to victory in the Sheldon Cup. Presented in period correct condition, it notably displays the signature of the great Phil Hill and retains its original, numbers matching engine.

The star amongst the stunning selection of 26 Ferraris is a 1953 166MM Spider Scaglietti estimated at $1.4 million - $1.8 million. The important car was given by Enzo Ferrari to his son Dino for a design project with Scaglietti. It is known as the first Scaglietti-bodied competition Ferrari and its attractive, rakish styling resulted in the prototype for the subsequent 750 Monza and 500 Mondial models. It was restored first in the 1960s and again prior to running the Mille Miglia Storica in 2005.

RM Launches its First Online Auction This Summer

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions



Seeing the item you're bidding on is all well and nice, but more and more auctions have been taking place online. Classic and exotic automobile auctions are no exception, and now venerable Canadian house RM Auctions is launching their first event that will take place exclusively online. The docket is stacked mostly with classic American motors – including a pair of '53 Cadillac Series 62s, a smattering of classic Corvettes and a handful of Ford T-Birds – but also includes a few European sportscars as well. Registration begins on July 10 for the auction taking place on August 9, but you can check out the lots on RM's website right now.

Pair of Ford GTs up for Auction for Juvenile Diabetes

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Charity



Getting our hands on the out-of-production Ford GT is cause enough. We wouldn't need any more justification. We'd need the cash, but not the justification. But just in case, the Ford Motor Company and RM Auctions are offering up a pair of early production Ford GTs to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The pair – including the sixth example produced, in red with white stripes, and the seventh, in white with blue – will be offered at the Meadow Brook and Monterey auctions respectively, which are both coming up in August. Each example is expected to fetch somewhere in the $150,000-$200,000 range, so if you've got the cash on hand and were looking for another excuse, here it is.

'57 Ferrari Sells for $12 Million, Sets New World Record

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions


The ultra-rare 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (which my colleague Noah Joseph wrote about back in February) just set a new world record for the most expensive motor car ever to be sold at auction, achieving a final price of €9,020,000 or about $12.2 million at RM Auctions' annual Leggenda e Passione event in Italy. The beautiful Scaglietti-designed "pontoon-fender" 250 TR was one of only 22 made. One of the most instantly recognizable cars in Ferrari's history, it's highly coveted by collectors - Ralph Lauren owns two of them.

"The historical significance of this car attracted a bidding war as collectors from around the world - both in the room and on the telephone – competed to secure one of the most alluring and iconic of all Ferrari racing cars," said Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Europe. "The eyes of the world were watching today's sale as cars of this quality are so rarely offered to the market. The quality and the provenance of the Testa Rossa speaks for itself and the price we achieved today is testament to that."

Prost's Historic Title-Deciding Ferrari 641/2 F1 Car Up for Auction

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions



This year's Leggende e Passione auction event at the Ferrari factory in Maranello is shaping up to be, well... legendary. RM Auctions has run the historic Ferrari and Maserati auction at the factory for three years running now, but this year's roster of classic exotic machinery going under the hammer looks to be the best crop yet. In addition to the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 (among the myriad other priceless classics) we've already reported on, the auction will feature the historic Formula One race car which Alain Prost drove in his infamous duel against Ayrton Senna in 1990.

Packing a 685-horsepower 3.5-liter V12 revving up to 13,000 rpm and mated to a ground-breaking seven-speed sequential transmission, Chassis #121 is what Prost drove to five podiums over the course of the 1990 championship, including one race win. It's also what Prost was driving when arch-rival Senna crashed into him on the penultimate race of the season in Japan, ending the race for both but handing the title to Senna by default. It was one of the most controversial championships in motor racing history, and now the car in which it all happened is up for sale. Following a nearly €110,000 restoration at the Ferrari factory where it's being sold, Chassis #121 is expected to fetch €300,000-€400,000 when the hammer drops next month in Maranello.

Ultra-Rare 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 Le Mans Up for Auction

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions


There's been a show-stopping addition to RM Auctions' annual Leggenda e Passione event at the Ferrari factory in Maranello on May 17. We've already enthused about the rare 1957 250 Testa Rossa and the passel of other multimillion-dollar Ferraris on offer; now RM informs us that an ultra-rare and enormously valuable 1967 podium-finish Ferrari 330 P4 Le Mans (above) has been entered in the sale, and is sure to shatter records. Regarded as one of the greatest sports-racing prototypes ever designed by Ferrari, the fiercely competitive 330 P4 is one of only three P4s ever built.

The example on offer has a distinguished racing pedigree including a win at the 1000-kilometre Trofeo Filippo Caracciolo in Monza and a third overall finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967. The car has been driven by such legendary names as Lorenzo Bandini and Willy Mairesse, while Jackie Stewart and Chris Amon famously took the car to second place in the British BOAC International 500, clinching the World Championship for Ferrari in the process. The May 17 event marks the first time the car has come to market in 38 years.

Multimillion-$ Ferraris Star in Italy Auction

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions


In addition to the rare 1957 Testa Rossa which we told you about in February, there are several other beautiful multimillion-dollar Ferraris being auctioned off by RM Auctions in Italy on May 17. Many of the cars in the stunning Ferrari: Leggenda e Passione sale, the only auction exclusively dedicated to the Ferrari marque, held within the Maranello factory grounds and endorsed by the Ferrari factory, are from the esteemed private Edgar Schermerhorn Collection. Highlights include a 1959 250GT SWB Berlinetta Speciale Bertone, estimated at $3 million - $3.8 million; a 1959 250GT California LWB, est. at $2.6 million - $3.3 million; a 1964 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso Competizione (above), est. at $1 million - $1.5 million; and a 1966 275 GTB Alloy, est. at $1 million - $1.25 million.

Classic Ferraris & More in Amelia Island Auction

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Events


On Saturday, March 14, RM Auctions is staging its Automobiles of Amelia Island sale at the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida, featuring several gorgeous vintage Ferraris, Bugattis and more. The auction coincides with the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance and features some of the event's former prizewinners. The down economy is reflected in significantly lower estimates, a boon to collectors who still have some cash, as the rarity of the vehicles means they're more than likely to increase in value.

The top draw is a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider, estimated at $2.4 million - $2.9 million, one of only 50 made. There's also a beautiful 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (above), estimated at only $700,000 - $900,000. Among the Bugattis on offer is a 1939 Type 57 C Faux Cabriolet 'Charmaine', est. at $550,000 - $750,000, and a 1936 Type 57 Stelvio, est. at $350,000 - $450,000. Also worth noting is the ex-Le Mans 1963 AC Cobra, est. at $1 million - $1.4 million. See the gallery for pix.

[via JustLuxe]

Big Auto Auction Has Disappointing Results

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions


For a while now, classic cars, like other auction markets have been going up, up, up. But has an end been reached. A 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder was expected to be a big seller at the Automobiles of London event held by RM Auctions and comprehensively delineated by my colleague Jared Paul Stern earlier this month.

After all the red beauty is one of the last three short-wheel-base examples of the 250 GT California Spyder built and is was driven by Cameron Diaz in a ``Charlie's Angels'' movie. It had a presale estimate of 3 million pounds ($5 million) and as Bloomberg reports it didn't sell. The sale, which was held in association with Sotheby's, raised 14.7 million pounds way short of the low estimate of 20 million and also off of the 18 million pounds the sale earned last year.

Right after the ``Charlie's Angels'' Spyder failed to sell a silver 1997 McLaren F1 sports car sold for 2.5 million pounds, more than double its 1.1 million-pound low estimate. Overall though the news wasn't promising and 30 percent of the 129 lots were unsold. The auction house had asked some consignors before the sale to cut the reserve prices on their lots, predicting a poor sale to the economy. Some agreed to make an adjustment. Another item in the sale, a blue 1955 Ford Thunderbird, once owned by Hollywood actor John Travolta, who starred in the 1950s-inspired movie ``Grease,'' sold for 18,700 pounds against expectations of 20,000 pounds-to-30,000 pounds.

Multimillion $ Ferraris & More in London Sale

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions


On October 29, RM Auctions will present an amazing collection of classic sports cars, including several stunning multimillion dollar Ferraris, at their Automobiles of London event. The star of the sale is a highly-prized 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California, estimated at $5 million - $6 million. Other hot-ticket Ferraris on the London block include a 1965 250 LM Berlinetta, est. $4.3 million - $4.8 million; a 1959 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta, Est. $3 million - $3.8 million; and a gorgeous black 1968 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta (above), est. $1.3 million - $1.4 million. Also on offer is the ex-Park Lane 1997 McLaren F1, the last roadgoing F1 ever produced, est. $1.9 million - $2.4 million; and an ultra-rare 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante, est. $970,000 - $1.1 million. See the gallery for pix.

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