RM Sotheby’s, Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island, March 10-11, 2017

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RM Sotheby’s expanded its Amelia Island auction to a second day this year to accommodate the collection of the late Orin Smith.

The Smith cars were offered in a Friday session. All but one were sold without reserve. None of them were anything less than excellent whether in design or presentation. The Smith cars posed something of a challenge for RM in that they were heavily populated with cars both recently changing hands at auction and a number of rare postwar Rolls-Royces and Bentleys with custom coachwork that threatened to choke up the available pipeline to consumers.

In the end RM did its homework and placed the many Rolls and Bentleys at premium prices while achieving superior prices for a number of cars; eleven of the Smith cars exceed their high estimates, attesting to the respect which the bidders held for Orin Smith’s standards of beauty and restoration.

The regular RM Saturday auction was challenged by weather. It wasn’t on the day of the sale but expected on Sunday which caused the Concours to move a day forward to Saturday in anticipation of rain and wind, running the Concours and the RM Sotheby’s auction concurrently.

While it probably caused RM Sotheby’s specialists to burn up untold cellphone hours, in the end it proved to be insignificant. The auction ballroom was sparsely populated at the 11AM auction start but filled in. In an era of mobile communications being in two places at once is the norm, not the exception.

At the end of the two days RM Sotheby’s posted its highest-ever sale total, as it should have given the quality of the consignment.

It included the weekend’s highest sale, Bugatti Type 57S Vanvooren Cabriolet.

Not bad for a disrupted schedule.

Here are the numbers:

Year Cars Sold/ Offered Sale % Sold < Low Est Sold > High Est Average Sale Median Sale Total $
2017 135/150 90% 51.1% 11.9% $528,701 $286,000

[54.1%]

$71,374,600
Three lots, including the Ferrari 250 GT SWB, were reported sold post-block at undisclosed prices and are not included in these totals.
2016 82/93 88.2% 50% 18.3% $472,269 $242,000

[51.2%]

$38,726,050
2015 99/101 98% 52.5% 17.2% $607,293 $258,500

[42.6%]

$60,122,000
Two lots were reported sold post-block at undisclosed prices and are not included in these totals
2014 88/91 96.7% 33% 19.3% $408,494 $181,500

[44.4%]

$35,947,500

Note: The RM Sotheby’s Amelia results are being posted in two segments. The first are the cars I reviewed. Cars observed on site by Andrew Newton will be posted in detail later but are presented here as stub entries with photos and results.

Note 2: 3/21/17 Additional details are now posted.

RICK6853_119_H.R.G._1938_1 1~2 Liter_Airline Coupe_WT68_900.jpgLot # 119 1938 H.R.G. 1 1/2 Liter Airline Coupe; S/N WT68; Ivory, Turquoise Green frame/Green leather; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Recent restoration, 1 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $176,000 – RHD. Trafficators, Notek fog light, Lucas Biflex headlights, Silver painted wire wheels, sliding sunroof, enclosed rear spare. – A one-off body for Major Halford (the ‘H’ in HRG) with an MG Airline passenger compartment and custom nose by A. Crofts. Powered by a 1.5 liter Triumph Gloria engine and gearbox. Acquired in 1964 by the consignor and beautifully and freshly restored with excellent cosmetics and meticulous attention to details. The shocking pastel green frame color is original, as is the white exterior. Road & Track Award winner at Amelia Island and Most Distinguished Design Award at the Glenmoor Gathering in 2012, among others including Pebble Beach in 2012. A little dusty underneath, but still exceptional. Orin Smith Collection – Sold by Gooding & Company at Amelia Island in 2013 for $253,000 with its odometer showing just 40 more miles now than it did then. The car is still in magnificent condition needing only a thorough detailing to be concours ready, and at much lower cost that must count as a good value.

RICK6857_121_Amilcar_1935_G36 Pegase Racer_Grand Sport_100102_900.jpgLot # 121 1935 Amilcar G36 Pegase Racer Grand Sport; S/N 100102; Andalouse Red/Black leather; Estimate $350,000 – $450,000; Rebodied or re-created, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $215,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $236,500 – RHD. Talbot-Lago T14LS engine, Alfa Romeo 4-speed, hydraulic brakes, chrome wire wheels, Michelin tires, 4-spoke leaf spring steering wheel, Marchal headlights, folding vee windshield. – Trouser crease teardrop fenders, boattail rear deck. Very good paint, chrome and interior except for a small flaw under the windshield’s left edge. Underbody, chassis and engine compartment are like new. Very good paint, chrome and interior. CCCA National First Prize #2719. Built up some decades ago in an amalgam of Figoni & Falaschi and Gordon Buehrig Auburn styles, a beautiful but not significant car. A good looking car in good looking condition. Orin Smith Collection. – Sold by RM here in 2014 from Malcolm Pray’s collection for $467,500, an impressive price against its $250-350,000 estimate and sold here closer to the previous estimate range, a fair price for an attractive but rebodied car.

RICK6887_122_Fiat_1953_8V Supersonic_Coupe_106000049_900.jpgLot # 122 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N 106000049; Engine # 104000000085; Blue-Green Metallic/Beige leather; Estimate $1,600,000 – $1,900,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,250,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,375,000 – Chrome full wheel covers on Borrani wire wheels, Marchal headlights and fog lights, woodrim steering wheel, full tool roll, jack, wheel hammer. – One of twenty Supersonics built by Ghia to a design by Giovanni Savonuzzi of which fifteen were Fiat 8Vs. Sold first to Chrysler president K.T. Keller, then to Lou Fageol. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and glass. A show quality restoration with its original engine to better than new condition. People’s Choice at Amelia last year. Orin Smith Collection. – Sold at Bonhams Quail Lodge auction two years ago for $1,815,000 and still in show quality condition with only 38 more kilometers showing on its odometer. This result is a second chance and a good value.

RICK6869_127_Aston Martin_1938_15~98 Short-Chassis_Open Sports_J8776LS_900.jpgLot # 127 1938 Aston Martin 15/98 Short-Chassis Open Sports; S/N J8776LS; Dark Blue/Grey leather; Grey cloth top; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Rebodied or re-created, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $260,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $286,000 – Silver painted wire wheels, Englebert tires, rear-mounted spare, folding windshield, dual windscreens, outside exhausts, Bosch headlights with stoneguards, Lucas driving light, dual horns. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Underbody and engine are like new. May be the only LHD prewar Aston in the world. Originally a standard chassis saloon, shortened and this body in the style of the two original Abbey open sports installed by R. W. Mills. Later converted to lefthand drive, hydraulic brakes and synchromesh gearbox by Steel Wings in the U.S. Orin Smith Collection. – This is a commanding price for a rebodied, shortened, lefthand drive converted car although done to and maintained in the highest standards. The new owner has a unique automobile, however, and one that should perform and drive very well.

RICK6859_132_H.R.G._1956_1500_Alloy Roadster_WS231_900.jpgLot # 132 1956 H.R.G. 1500 Alloy Roadster, Body by St. Leonards; S/N WS231; Engine # 18GKEH24385; Black, Red hood top/Red leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $130,000 – $160,000; Modified restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $121,000 – RHD. 1,798cc BMC engine. Banjo spoke steering wheel, black wire wheels, BFG tires, folding windshield, Lucas headlights and fog light, bonnet strap, single fender mirror, single rear spare. – The original Singer engine is included. Rare, very late production HRG, the last shipped by the company. Very good paint and interior. Tidy, detailed but used engine bay. Clean chassis. Very pretty, but not too good to worry about it while blasting through the countryside or around a track. It is also very unlikely to see itself coming the other way. A car that looks like pure fun, and a sure standout in a field of MGs and Morgans. Orin Smith Collection. – Sold by RM here last year for $143,000 and bought for modestly less here. The original engine offers the new owner an opportunity to restore it to largely original configuration although the performance will suffer. The result here is a timely compromise among condition, originality and genuinely sexy appearance.

RICK7006_133_Jaguar_1965_XKE SI 4.2_Roadster_1E11175_900.jpgLot # 133 1965 Jaguar XKE SI 4.2 Roadster; S/N 1E11175; Engine # 7E45739; BRGreen/Biscuit leather; Black top; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $135,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $148,500 – Chrome wire wheels, Michelin tires, Becker Europa AM-FM. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Engine and chassis are very clean. Orin Smith Collection. – This is a driver-quality E-type, appropriate for an excellent driving automobile. It needs nothing to be enjoyed and is far too good to waste time and money attending to appearance issues. It brought an appropriate price for its presentation, specification and equipment.

RICK6873_135_Mercedes-Benz_1936_540K_Cabriolet B_130921_900.jpgLot # 135 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet B, Body by Sindelfingen; S/N 130921; Engine # 130921; Red/Putty leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $600,000 – $750,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $635,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $698,500 – Chrome wire wheels, Firestone tires, Bosch headlights and fog light, dual Raydyot spotlights with mirrors, mother of pearl instrument panel. – Very good paint and chrome. Interior and top are sound but showing age. Engine and underbody were like new but also show age. Orin Smith Collection. – Prior owners include Blackhawk Collection and Jerry J. Moore, it was sold at the Hershey Auction in 2001 for $308,000 and shows only 885 more kilometers on its odometer today. The cosmetics have mellowed in the intervening sixteen years but are still strong. It would be an ideal mount for tours and the sound of the supercharger when it is called upon will raise hairs on the back of the neck of anyone within auditory range. The price is an appropriate one for what it is.

RICK6984_139_Aston Martin_1966_DB5 Short Chassis_Volante_DB5C2301L_900.jpgLot # 139 1966 Aston Martin DB5 Short Chassis Volante; S/N DB5C2301L; Engine # 4002292; Metallic Green/Tan leather, Brown piping; Green cloth top; Estimate $1,600,000 – $2,000,000; Modified restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,550,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,705,000 – 4 1/2 liter engine, Sony CD stereo, aftermarket underdash air conditioning, chrome wire wheels, Goodyear tires, Lucas driving lights, Spanish Weber 45DCOE carbs, Tremec 5-speed, upgraded suspension. – One of 37 built on the DB5 chassis with DB6 features. Restored by Steel Wings to high cosmetic standards and suitably modified for touring. Shows a little use appropriate to its specifications. Orin Smith Collection. – As the RM Amelia bidders demonstrated, this is a real prize in a rare open Aston Martin (the first to use the term ‘Volante’) with upgraded performance. The modifications may detract from its collector appeal, but add significantly to its driving appeal.

RICK6855_142_SS Jaguar_1937_100 2 1~2 Liter_Roadster_18124_900.jpgLot # 142 1937 SS Jaguar 100 2 1/2 Liter Roadster; S/N 18124; Engine # 250798; Red/Black leather; Black cloth tonneau cover top; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $290,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $319,000 – RHD. MG gearbox, Silver painted wire wheels, Lucas headlights and fog lights, badge bar, Dunlop Gold Seal tires, hood straps, headlight stoneguards. – Replacement engine. Restored like new with better cosmetics than ever left Coventry. Orin Smith Collection. – While the 3 1/2 liter SS100s are preferred by most collectors the 105hp 2 1/2 liter is no performance slouch and has the same aura of beauty conferred by William Lyons’ design. This is a sound value at this price, a car to own and drive proudly.

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Lot # 144 1949 Lea-Francis 2.5L Sports Convertible; S/N 5158; Engine # S5173; Electric Blue/Red leather; Estimate $100,000 – $140,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500 – RHD. 2495/100hp, 4-speed, dual SU carbs, hub caps, Excelsior tires, rear wheel spats, enclosed rear-mounted spare, banjo spoke steering wheel. – From the Orin Smith collection. Reportedly $80,000 spent on the restoration. A few light scratches near where the top buttons down. Otherwise excellent paint. Some fluid leaks under the hood, but essentially done like new. – Sold for $110,000 at Bonhams Quail Lodge in 2015. Someone had a great love for Lea-Francis to spend this much money, time and attention on its restoration and then its subsequent preservation. At this price the Lea-Francis itself is free and the new owner bought the restoration with a little in hand to tend to its few slight cosmetic details. It’s a good value in a distinctive and unusual British convertible.

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Lot # 146 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I Shooting Brake, Body by H.J. Mulliner, Radford; S/N LSMH65; Velvet Green, Sage/Beige leather piped in Green; Estimate $375,000 – $475,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $530,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $583,000 – Wheel covers, whitewalls, Lucas driving lights, badge bar, pushbutton radio, power windows, tables in the back, Webasto folding sunroof, air conditioning. – One of two short wheelbase Silver Clouds fitted with this Radford estate car bodywork, and the other one is part of a permanent museum collection. Fully documented ownership history, and restored a few years ago by Vantage Motorworks. Showing 18,989 miles, but the odometer has ticked over once. Long crack on the bottom of the right A-pillar. Inch-long scratch on the left front fender. Otherwise very good paint and brightwork. Even gaps. Very good interior other than some light wrinkling and discoloration in the front seats. Excellent interior wood. Restored to high standards and enjoyed lightly since. Orin Smith collection. – An elegant, refined and practical Rolls with room for dogs, family, blunderbusses and a generous picnic, it scored what can only be described as a superb result for the Smith family. There was a not-insignificant risk that the myriad of postwar Rolls and Bentleys in RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island auction would choke the market but the bidders turned out in force and with bulging checkbooks at least where this rare Radford-built Shooting Brake was concerned.

RICK6986_148_Mercedes-Benz_1958_300SL_Roadster_1980428500286_900.jpgLot # 148 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster; S/N 1980428500286; Silver-Blue, Metallic Blue hardtop/Tan leather; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $900,000 – $1,050,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $870,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $957,000 – Rudge-style centerlock wheels with polished rims and body color centers, Talbot mirror with Celsius thermometer, Euro headlights, two tops, fitted luggage, Becker Mexico radio. – Later alloy block engine. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment and underbody are like new. Restored some years ago but still in showroom condition. Orin Smith Collection. – Sold here in 2013 for $792,000 and bought here for a price that reflects the quality and durability of the restoration as well as the subtle, refined colors and full equipment list.

RICK6877_149_Ford_2005_GT_Coupe_1FAFP90S45Y400136_900.jpgLot # 149 2005 Ford GT Coupe; S/N 1FAFP90S45Y400136; Red, White stripes/Black leather; Estimate $250,000 – $300,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $290,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $319,000 – BBS wheels, Red calipers, McIntosh stereo. – 2,453 miles and like new. Orin Smith Collection. – With anything more than delivery miles Ford GT values take a plunge, even with all the options. This is a realistic price for this example.

RICK6893_150_Lancia_1953_Aurelia PF200 C_Spider_B521052_900.jpgLot # 150 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200 C Spider, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N B521052; Engine # B214843; Red/Camel leather, Camel top; Estimate $1,100,000 – $1,400,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,135,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,248,500 – Spinner wheel covers, Audiovox radio, wind wings, woodrim steering wheel. – 1953 Pinin Farina show car displayed at Geneva, Paris and Turin. Replacement engine of the appropriate PF200 type. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Restored to better than new condition, an award winner at Amelia Island and Concours d’Elegance of America in 2013. Orin Smith Collection. – Sold by RM in Monterey in 2014 fresh from restoration and showing only 80 more kilometers now than it did then, it is still ready for concours and a rare, dramatic jet-age design. A milestone of automobile design that will stop traffic on the road or at any concours.

RICK6884_154_Bentley_1939_4 1~4 Liter_Embiricos Coupe Recreation_B119MX_900.jpgLot # 154 1939 Bentley 4 1/4 Liter “Embiricos” Coupe Recreation, Body by Bob Petersen Engineering; S/N B119MX; Engine # W9BC; Metallic Gunmetal/Camel leather; Estimate $750,000 – $950,000; Rebodied or re-created, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $610,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $671,000 – RHD. Skirts, trafficators, body color wheel discs, Excelsior tires, Marchal headlights and single grille-mounted driving light, overdrive – Fastback coachwork with split rear window, dual fuel fillers, teardrop fenders. Done to very high standards with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Underbody is like new and the whole car is barely used. The only discordant note is the bare aluminum instrument panel which may be authentic but is out of character with the rest of the fine materials and rich finishes. Orin Smith Collection. – A glorious replica of one of Bentley’s most famous automobiles built on an appropriate MX-series overdrive 4 1/4 liter chassis with upgrades for performance and reliability. It needs to be driven, and at this price it can be, an expensive car no doubt but one that will arrest traffic on any highway or city street and will humble modern Bentleys and Rolls-Royces.

RICK6861_155_Jaguar_1966_XKSS Recreation_Sports_7E69649_900.jpgLot # 142 1966 Jaguar XKSS Re-creation Sports, Body by Tempero; S/N 7E69649; Engine # 8L405465; Silver/Dark Red leather; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Facsimile restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $255,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $280,500 – E-type based with 4.2 liter engine, triple Webers, 5-speed, 2-piece 5-bolt wheels, luggage rack, side exhaust. – Good paint, chrome and interior. Aluminum body replica by Tempero built to high standards. Shows a little age but not much use. Orin Smith Collection. – Sold by RM at Arizona in 2010 for $123,750, then in the same place in 2012 for $145,750. It has added 1,152 miles to its odometer since 2012 but appears hardly more used at all. This year the Amelia Island Concours celebrated the 50th anniversary of the D-type’s Le Mans wins with 11 D-types and three XKSSs on the lawn. The enthusiasm for that milestone must have had an effect on the bidders here, who paid generously for this high quality replica.

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Lot # 157 1961 Morgan Plus 4 Roadster; S/N 76180; Engine # TS76180ME; British Racing Green, Black fenders/Black vinyl; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Enthusiast restoration, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $51,700 – Triumph TR3 engine, fiberglass fenders, bonnet scoop, painted centerlock wire wheels, Toyota brake cylinders, rear-mounted spare, badge bar, Lucas driving lights, Brooklands aero screens, banjo spoke steering wheel, fire system, wood dash. – From the Orin Smith collection. Acquired by his wife. Somewhat tired, average quality older paint with light scratches on the left front fender and the right side of the hood. Decent older chrome. Tires don’t have much tread left. Looks original underneath. Good interior. Looks like a lot of fun for driving, but miles away from being a show car. Restored a while ago with tasteful upgrades for driving in mind. – This result fails to take into account the well-used condition of this Plus 4 while according it a generous premium for the performance upgrades (and the rust proof fiberglass fenders?) It would have been fully priced at $10,000 or even $15,000 less than the result here.

RICK6891_158_Talbot-Lago_1947_T26 Record_Cabriolet_100064_900.jpgLot # 158 1947 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Cabriolet d’Usine; S/N 100064; Engine # 26028; Grey/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $650,000 – $850,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $320,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $352,000 – RHD. 4,482cc, 170hp, Wilson preselector 4-speed, Marchal headlights and fog lights, silver painted wire wheels, Dunlop tires. – Restored like new by Chris Charlton for Bill Ruger, Jr. a decade ago with very good cosmetics, underbody and engine. Not concours quality overdone, but nonetheless highly satisfying. Orin Smith Collection. – Offered by RM at Monterey in 2001 before the restoration, it brought a high bid of $65,000. With 4,200 hours expended on it since then, it is beautifully done to high standards without being overdone, a delicious combination. It is a bargain at this price.

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Lot # 159 1958 Morris Minor 1000 Traveller; S/N FLA4625082; Green, Wood/Black cloth; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $41,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $45,100 – Dual carbs, hub caps and trim rings, dual wing mirrors, wood shift knob, VDO oil pressure, amp and water temp gauges. – From the Orin Smith collection. Maintained but unrestored engine bay. Carbs are dirty. Light pitting on the mirrors. Paint coming off the hinges. Dull, average quality older repaint. Cracking steering wheel cap but otherwise a good refurbished interior. Road wear and unrestored underneath but not bad. Out of whatever money has been put into this car, most of it seems to have gone to the wood, which isn’t perfect but looks great. A driver quality Traveller with flaws that take little away from this car’s inherent charm. – The car is not a knockout, but this sale absolutely was. Condition #1 money was paid for a condition #3 car, and this was the most expensive Minor Traveller seen at auction since the $52,250 example RM sold here two years ago. Compared to a less powerful and less usable but no cuter Fiat Jolly, though, this still seems like a decent value for something that is fun but, in a diminutive fashion, usable.

RICK6863_162_Alfa Romeo_1950_6C 2500 SS_Coupe_915758_900.jpgLot # 162 1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Coupe, Body by Touring; S/N 915758; Engine # 928198; Dark Metallic Green/Cognac pigskin; Estimate $700,000 – $850,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $800,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $880,000 – RHD. Beautiful aluminum frame, Abachi wood segmented rim steering wheel, silver painted wire wheels, Dunlop Fort tires, Aster multiband radio, Marchal headlights and fog lights, period luggage. – Excellent paint, chrome and pristine interior. Underbody and engine are like new. Doors, hood and trunk fit perfectly, panels are flat and straight. Class winner at Pebble Beach, Palo Alto anf Hillsborough in 2012. Orin Smith Collection. – Of all the cars in the Orin Smith collection this was my personal favorite. It helps that it’s an Alfa, but it is so gloriously restored and equipped that it stands head and shoulders above even the exceptional cars in his collection. The steering wheel is simply to die for. Apparently others felt the same way and it nicely eclipsed the price it brought fresh from restoration at Gooding’s Pebble Beach auction in 2013 of $814,000, an accomplishment shared by only a few of the Smith Collection cars.

RICK6889_163_Lancia_1936_Astura_Cabriolet_335313_900.jpgLot # 163 1936 Lancia Astura 3rd Series Corto Cabriolet Tipo Bocca, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 335313; Engine # 911171; Light Grey/Blue leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $2,000,000 – $2,600,000; Concours restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,950,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,145,000 – RHD. 2972cc/82hp 17 1/2 degree narrow angle V-8, 4-speed, short 122 inch chassis, power top, trafficators, folding vee windshield, skirts, polished wheel discs, luggage rack, Carello headlights and fog lights, woodgrain faced instruments. Orin Smith Collection. – Best in class at Mar-a-Lago and People’s Choice at Amelia in 2013, Most Sympathetic Restoration at Villa d’Este in 2014. Gorgeous paint, chrome and interior, restored to better than new but not overdone standards by Vantage Motorworks and still concours quality. Orin Smith Collection. – This is a breathtaking automobile, perhaps even better on the short wheelbase Corto chassis than on last year’s Pebble Beach Best in Show winning Lungo. This was the only car in the Orin Smith collection with a reserve. If ever a car deserved a $2 million price this is it.

RICK6997_210_Morgan_1947_F-Super_Two-Seater_761_900.jpgLot # 210 1947 Morgan F-Super Two-Seater; S/N 761; Engine # E93A6050B; Pastel Green, Black fenders/Black leather; Estimate $35,000 – $40,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $39,600 – RHD. Chrome exhaust, silver painted wire wheels, hubcaps, Avon tires, folding windshield, luggage rack, rear-mounted spare chrome radiator, banjo spoke steering wheel, fishtail exhaust. – 2007 AACA Grand National winner and looks like it could win again. – Sold at Auburn Fall in 2002 for $18,550 prior to restoration. The seller has done a beautiful job of restoring and maintaining this Moggie and was rewarded with a strong price that is entirely deserved by its quality and preservation even though it must be far less than the restoration investment.

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Lot # 211 1987 Porsche 924 S Coupe; S/N WP0AA0922HN452147; Silver/Black with cloth inserts; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,800 – 2479/147cc, 5-speed, power windows, air conditioning, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, rally timer. – Plastic rub strip is missing from the driver’s side door. Wheels are a little dirty and tired. Good original paint. Mostly good original interior other than some light discoloration on the driver’s seat. Showing 43,588 miles, but shows more signs of use than most Porsches with this many miles on the odometer. It really is unusual to see a 924 at an RM auction, and in this context it would be reasonable to expect this car to be better than it is. – After a few years’ absence, the 924 returned for 1987 and 1988 with a 150-hp version of the 944’s Porsche-designed engine rather than the buzzy Audi unit used before. It was still a 924, but despite this car’s unloved model name and less than stellar condition this sale was a home run and better than the car really deserved.

RICK6999_213_Devin_1959_D Porsche Special_Sports Racer_DD512_900.jpgLot # 213 1959 Devin D Porsche Special Sports Racer; S/N DD512; Engine # 804903; Light Grey/Black vinyl; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000 – 90hp 1,582 cc Porsche 356B engine, full width Plexiglas windscreen, woodrim steering wheel, Tecnomagnesio alloy wheels, Halda Speedpilot, halogen headlights. – Described as restored by Bill Devin with a new body from the original molds. Good paint and interior. Engine compartment is like new, underbody shows a little use. Set up for events. – The Devin D was the third of Bill Devin’s projects, following the seductively bodied V8 powered Devin SS and built during the craze for VW- and Porsche-powered projects. This one, with its Bill Devin restoration history and nearly immaculate presentation, is a prime example and should even at this realistic price give its new owner plenty of performance and style on the open road events for which it is set up.

RICK6819_218_Ferrari_1995_F50_Berlinetta_ZFFTG46A0S0104220_900.jpgLot # 218 1995 Ferrari F50 Berlinetta; S/N ZFFTG46A0S0104220; Red/Black leather, Red cloth inserts; Estimate $2,200,000 – $2,400,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,400,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,640,000 – SF shields, black calipers, all books and accessories, Tubi exhaust. – Ex-Mike Tyson, one of 50 U.S.-delivery F50s, 5,737 miles from new. Good original paint and interior. Clean, orderly engine compartment. Underbody shows no appreciable use. Ferrari Classiche certified and regularly maintained by its several owners. – It seems almost a waste to have driven this F50 so little, but it is the low miles, complete documentation and careful preservation of all its books and ancillaries that appeal to today’s collectors. It will probably get another few hundred miles in the new owner’s hands, then be passed on to another owner to preserve and experience.

RICK6995_223_Austin-Healey_1956_100~4 BN2_Coupe_BN2L231178_900.jpgLot # 223 1956 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN2 Coupe; S/N BN2L231178; Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $86,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $94,600 – 4-speed with overdrive, chrome wire wheels, Vredestein tires, WIPAC driving lights. – Modified by its first owner with a handmade roof by California Metal Shaping and frenched taillights. Restored still for the first owner in 2008, class winner at the Concours on the Avenue in Carmel in 2009. Represented as 37,802 miles from new. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody is nearly like new but shows some age and use. Very good door fits. – Sold at Mecum Monterey in 2013 for $53,500, at Mecum Anaheim three months later for the same price, then by Gooding at Scottsdale in 2016 for $66,000, it hit the high road at Amelia with this generous price for a customized car. It will be the only one on the field at any car show, however, and this is the price of exclusivity.

RICK6846_226_Ferrari_2001_550 Barchetta Pininfarina_ _ZFFZR52A110124295_900.jpgLot # 226 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina; S/N ZFFZR52A110124295; Black/Beige leather, black bars; Estimate $575,000 – $650,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $550,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $605,000 – 6-speed, SF shields, silver calipers, 5-spoke modular wheels, power Daytona seats, unused Barchetta luggage, all the books and accessories. – Unblemished and like new with 1,679 miles. Belt serviced two months ago. – A stunning car, originally ordered by a Ferrari dealer and used as his personal car for 18 months with two subsequent owners. It brought an appropriate price for its unique equipment, preservation and low miles.

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Lot # 230 1977 Ferrari 308 GTB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 21167; Engine # 2236; Grigio Ferro Metallic/Red leather; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $76,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $83,600 – Michelin XWX tires, power windows, air conditioning, Pioneer cassette stereo, Momo leather-wrapped steering wheel, jack, tool roll, owner’s manual, warranty cars. – Wheels are a little tired and have some dings. Chip at the front of the passenger’s door. Otherwise a good single repaint in the original color with some flaws around the windshield. Visibly but lightly worn seats and otherwise very good original interior. Engine rebuilt in the early 2000s. Canadian market car brought to the U.S. in 2015. Engine then removed and sorted along with the brake, air conditioning and cooling systems. Represented as 43,701 miles from new. Not totally original but also not restored, it’s a totally sorted carbureted 308 in the attractive dark metallic grey over red that looks great on so many Ferraris. – This is a reasonable price for a quality carbureted 308 GTB enhanced by attractive colors that enhance the body lines and stand out from the usual Rosso Ferrari gaggle.

RICK6882_231_Stutz_1929_Model M Supercharged_Coupe_MC31312_900.jpgLot # 231 1929 Stutz Model M Supercharged Coupe, Body by Lancefield; S/N 31312; Engine # 32018; Black, Red accent/Red leather; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,200,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,550,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,705,000 – RHD. Chrome wire wheels, helmet front fenders, windshield visor, dual sidemounts with mirrors, folding sunroof, turn signals. Halogen bulbs in the Zeiss headlights. – One of the legendary Stutzes of A.K. Miller, pulled from his barn in 1996 and meticulously restored to Pebble Beach class- and Briggs Cunningham Award-winning condition. Later sold to Skip Barber who invested time, money and skill in perfecting its performance so it ran at least as well as it looks. Engine and supercharger updated with modern materials, bearings and seals, tuned by George Holman. Re-restored in 2010 to concours condition with subsequent Best of Show awards, CCCA Senior #3027. One of the most appealing classic automobiles, a sinister and serious performance car without compromise. – Sold by Christie’s at the Miller disposition in 1996 for $151,000 a magnanimous price for a barn-find car in the days before dirt became precious. Restored for David Cohen to Pebble Beach class- and Briggs Cunningham Trophy-winning condition. Sold by RM at the New York Auto Salon sale in 2000 for $316,000 to Skip Barber, then sold to John O’Quinn at Meadow Brook in 2006 for $715,000 and from his estate to Richard Mitchell at RM Monterey in 2010 for $660,000 before the present concours-quality re-restoration. It is impeccable and still one of the most attractive, sinister automobiles ever built, a show-stopper everywhere including here where it jumped right past its high estimate to this impressive result.

RICK6982_232_Bugatti_1937_Type 57S_Cabriolet_57513_900.jpgLot # 232 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Cabriolet, Body by Vanvooren; S/N 57513; Engine # 21S; Black, Yellow/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $8,500,000 – $10,000,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $7,000,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,700,000 – RHD. 170hp 3,257cc straight eight, chrome wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, Marchal headlights. – Represented as original chassis, body, engine and gearbox. One of four bodied in this style by Vanvooren. Modified with hydraulic brakes and Koni shocks in the 50’s. Free-standing headlights added and repainted in the 1960’s and looks like it although it is remarkably sound with only a few chips and a large area lifting on the left front fender. Engine changed around that time to a Type 57G factory competition engine; the original engine has been reinstalled but with the higher flow 57G carburetor. The upholstery is likely original and sound but deeply creased. The interior wood trim and door panels have been redone more recently. The engine and chassis are aged and lightly road grimy and oily. Six known owners since 1939, little used in recent years and thorough recommissioning is in store. – Sold at Rétromobile by Poulain in 1991 for $1,398,715 (8.4 million francs) in substantially the same condition as it is today, this is a marvelous relic of a long and cherished life with enthusiasts who kept it up and used it, sometimes in competition, while respecting its style and glamor. It is an important automobile but more importantly it oozes history while not being too good to put back on the road. This is a respectable price for all that it is.

RICK6880_233_Packard_1933_Twelve_Convertible Victoria_901136_900.jpgLot # 233 1933 Packard 1005 Twelve Convertible Victoria; S/N 901136; Engine # 901140; Black/Dark Red leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $475,000 – $550,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $475,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $522,500 – Red wire wheels, chrome lock rings, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemounts, dual Lorraine remote spotlights, vee lens Solar headlights, Pilot-Rays. – First owned by Alfred G. Vanderbilt II. Stored for seven decades by the next owner, Bradford E. Blake, Jr. until 2012 with one intervening short term owner before the seller for whom it was restored, winning a class second at Pebble Beach in 2015 and Best in Class at the Packard Nationals. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. Concours restored and barely used since it was completed. – Sold by RM at Hershey in 2012 before restoration for $357,500 and presented here in concours condition, a magnificent open Packard Twelve for an appropriate price.

RICK6910_236_Isotta-Fraschini_1933_Tipo 8A_Dual Cowl Sports Tourer_1664_900.jpgLot # 236 1933 Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8A Dual Cowl Sports Tourer, Body by Castagna; S/N 1664; Engine # 1664; Maroon, Burgundy/Beige leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $800,000 – $1,100,000; Older restoration, 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $820,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $902,000 – RHD. RHD. Grebel headlights and spotlight, chrome wire wheels, dual windshields, whitewalls, dual rear spares, airfoil shaped running board. – 1933 Paris Auto Salon, used by James Dean in “Giant” and other films, formerly owned by Joe Penner (“Wanna buy a duck?”), Pacific Auto Rentals, Matt and Barbara Browning, Otis Chandler and J. Peter Ministrelli. A concours restoration some time ago, now with some minor chips and stress point flaws. Great chrome. Seats lightly soiled, steering wheel cord wrapping also soiled. Great chassis, coachwork and history but in need of some attention. – Sold by Gooding & Company in Scottsdale in 2009 for $1,089,000, its odometer shows 695 further miles but the car remains in essentially the same condition. It is one of only two surviving bodied by Castagna in this style and the only one with cutdown doors on both sides. Its style is still dramatic and combined with rarity, provenance and performance it leaves no box without a check mark. It would not have been at all surprising to see it fetch seven figures and the new owner should consider it a good value at this price.

RICK6848_241_Ferrari_1967_330 GTC_Coupe_10267_900.jpgLot # 241 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 10267; Engine # 10267; Blue Scuro/Claret leather; Estimate $650,000 – $750,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $680,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $748,000 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, Carello headlights, power windows, air conditioning, full tool roll. – Freshly restored by Patrick Ottis with cosmetics by Brian Hoyt. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Underbody and engine compartment are like new. Upholstery has no wear. If it runs as well as it looks it is a very good car. Ferrari Classiche certified, FCA Gold in 2015. – Even if it doesn’t run as well as it looks at this price the new owner can spend the time and money it needs. It was sold by RM in Monterey in 2014 for $1,023,000 but today’s price is in line with today’s expectations.

RICK7225_243_Graham_1938_97 Supercharged_Cabriolet_141747_900.jpgLot # 243 1938 Graham 97 Supercharged Cabriolet, Body by Saoutchik; S/N 141747; Engine # 146749; Ivory, Green accent/Green leather; Green cloth top; Estimate $600,000 – $900,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $700,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $770,000 – Fender skirts, green wheels, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, parallel opening doors, radio, splined rear deck, Cibie driving lights, folding windshield, overdrive. – 1938 Paris Salon car, one of two in this style by Saoutchik known to survive. Conscripted by the French Army in Algiers during WWII, equipped with a military engine. Eventually acquired by Harrah’s Collection, researched but not restored, sold in 1981 and put away pending restoration which wasn’t started until 2013 by the RM for the present owner with a correct period Graham supercharged engine. Class second at Pebble Beach in 2015, CCCA Full Classic. Concours restored with brilliant paint, chrome, interior and top. Underbody is restored like new. – Among many beautiful automobiles in RM’s Amelia Island sale this was one of the most admired. Conversation in the preview included mention of the restoration’s cost, said to be Canadian $650,000 which is not surprising in light of the many unique parts that had to be fabricated from scratch based on photos. The price it brought endorses the effect it had, and will have, whether on the road or a show field. Arriving in this Graham will escape no one’s notice.

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Lot # 244 1970 Nissan Fairlady Z Coupe; S/N PS300166; Engine # S20001020; Orange, Black hood/Black vinyl; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $155,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $170,500 – RHD. S20 engine, 1,989cc/160hp, triple Mikuni-Solex carbs, 5-speed, limited slip differential, Dunlop tires, wing mirrors, AM/FM radio. – One of less than 500 432s (4 valves per cylinder, 3 carbs, 2 camshafts) built for the Japanese market. Restored in Japan in 2013. Decent paint with some orange peel. Two small dents behind the right front wheel. Touch up on the tail. Bumper rub strips are wavy. Worn parking brake handle, otherwise a decent largely original interior. Very clean restored engine bay. Restored as a driver, not a show car. – Highly unusual in the U.S., a car that will make 240Z owners drool with envy. Righthand drive makes it easy to place at the apex of turns on clockwise road racing circuits, but too valuable to manhandle in drifting. RM Sotheby’s seems to have a reliable pipeline supplying exotic home-market Japanese performance cars and is getting good prices like this for them. Watch this space because a generation of kids hopping up Hondas, Nissans and Toyotas is going to develop into a market for the real home-market performance stuff.

RICK6913_245_Fiat-Stanguellini_1957_1200_Spider America_121166_900.jpgLot # 245 1957 Fiat-Stanguellini 1200 Spider America, Body by Bertone; S/N 121166; Engine # 121670; Silver/Blue leather, White piping; Black cloth top; Estimate $300,000 – $400,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $250,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $275,000 – Factory-prepared Fiat 1200 TV engine, Stanguellini-prepared chassis, steel wheels, hubcaps, Michelin tires. – A charming bit of fluff exhibiting most of the design features Franco Scaglione was prone to employ including fins, scalloped front fenders and a wraparound windshield bracketed by a protruding tiny oval air intake at the nose between headlights mounted in the front of the fenders and an extended flying saucer tail. There is a lot of B.A.T. and Sprint Speciale here, but in a compact, even tiny, package. Very good older paint, chrome and top. Good but slightly aged upholstery. Underbody was restored to show standards and now is a little aged and in need of attention. – Full of so many details it would easily fill several pages to describe fully, a car where time spent looking at it reveals more thoughtful touches. It is one of a kind and its early 2000’s restoration is holding up very well promising a positive experience for the new owner. It deserved, and got, a healthy price.

RICK6990_247_Ferrari_1963_330 America_2+2_5049_900.jpgLot # 247 1963 Ferrari 330 America 2+2, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 5049; Engine # 5049; Metallic Grey/Maroon leather; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $375,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $412,500 – 5-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin tires, halogen headlights, Marchal foglights. – Once owned by Bill Harrah and used as a loaner car for visiting celebrities. Sound paint, very good chrome and sound original interior. Wheel wells have been repainted over old undercoat but are clean and orderly. Trunk fit is badly twisted, hood fit is better but also off. Doors fit well. Wire wheels were poorly cleaned up for the auction. A competent but not exceptionally restored and perpared Ferrari – In fairness to the car the twists to the hood and deck are probably due to incompetent closing and should be relatively easy for a body man to give a little torque to correct the fit. The rest of the car is in very good condition and this result is appropriate for the level of restoration and its preservation.

RICK6904_254_Ferrari_1961_250 GT SWB_Berlinetta_2639_900.jpgLot # 254 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 2639; Engine # 2639; Red/Tan leather; Estimate $9,000,000 – $10,000,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $8,200,000 plus commission of – ; Final Price $8,200,000 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli Cinturato tires, tall shift lever, ribbed case competition gearbox, 40DCL6 carburetors with trumpet intakes, Marchal fog lights. – Freshly restored to accurate but better than new appearance, Beautiful paint, chrome, interior and underbody. It is important to note that this is not an all-singing, all-dancing over the top concours restoration but rather an as-good-as-it-gets restoration by the most highly regarded specialists to factory-like condition with better cosmetics. Best in Class/Ferrari/Show at Concorso in 2015. Represented as numbers matching, Ferrari Classiche certified. – Sold post-block at an undisclosed price so any comment on the transaction is without basis although the reported high bid is reasonable even for this superlative Ferrari.

RICK6835_257_Alfa Romeo_1955_1900C SS_Coupe_AR1900C01915_900.jpgLot # 257 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N AR1900C01915; Engine # AR130801048; Grey-Green/Green vinyl; Estimate $800,000 – $1,200,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,000,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,100,000 – Silver painted wire wheels, Michelin X tires, plastic lacing wrapped steering wheel, Plexiglas side windows, Carello headlights. – 1955 and 1956 Mille Miglia entrant by Vittorio Randaccio. Damaged in an accident in 1963 in New York, then stored for four decades. Freshly but not very well painted and masked. Old, crusty, falling apart seals. Scratched side windows. Sound but stiff probably original upholstery. Aged gauges. Surprisingly good chrome but the side window frames are pitted and coarsely sanded. Tired and neglected, it must have been really bad to waste money on the repaint and new wire wheels. – This Alfa SSZ deserves a full restoration but at this price it is going to be hard to justify the expense. It has had some mechanical and electrical work in the last decade but will need more before it will be safe and reliable to drive and it may just recede into the background in the hope its underlying value will increase enough to make it financially responsible to restore. It is an expensive car at this price.

RICK6979_258_Mercedes-Benz_1954_300SL_Gullwing_1980404500116_900.jpgLot # 258 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing; S/N 1980404500116; Engine # 1989804500136; Dark Blue/Beige leather; Estimate $1,200,000 – $1,400,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,235,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,358,500 – Body color Rudge-style centerlock wheels, Michelin tires, separate fender eyebrows, Nardi hinged steering wheel, fitted luggage. – Cosmetically restored in 2007 with an engine rebuild in 2015. Documented to have been delivered with Rudge wheels Sharp paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment and chassis are freshly done like new. An especially good looking Gullwing in deep blue with matching Rudge wheels and blackwall tires. – At just over the low estimate this is still a sound value in a particularly attractive early Gullwing with the add-on fender eyebrows.

RICK6902_260_Maserati_1956_A6G~54_Coupe Series III_2181_900.jpgLot # 260 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Coupe Series III, Body by Frua; S/N 2181; Engine # 2104; Red, Black hood stripe and roof/Tan leather; Estimate $1,600,000 – $2,000,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,150,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,365,000 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli tires, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, Cibie headlights. – 1956 Turin Auto Show display car. Chevy powered for a time in the U.S., now with a correct but not the original A6G/54 engine. Class winner at Pebble Beach in the Maserati Centennial year, 2014. Gorgeous paint, interior and chrome. Engine compartment is like new. A beautiful car with a beautiful restoration. – A beautiful and rare car represented as the sole survivor of two coupes by Frua on this chassis. The color scheme is as it was delivered from Frua which shows just how dramatic the colors were in the Fifties and it attracted constant attention during the preview as well as spirited bidding in the room on Saturday. It is a prize, even at this cost.

RICK6900_261_Lancia_1955_Aurelia B24S_Spider America_B24S1072_900.jpgLot # 261 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N B24S1072; Engine # B241184; Light Grey/Dark Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $1,400,000 – $1,800,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,200,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,320,000 – Floor shift, chrome spoke wire wheels, Michelin tires. – Excellent paint, interior and chrome. Good but loose fitting top. Underbody was done like new and now has some miles. Second in Class at Pebble Beach in 2012. A quality restoration that has had some careful use and should be ready for more. – Aurelia Spider Americas are turning up at a torrid pace, this being the fourth one in the past twelve months out of only 181 lefthand drive B24S Spider Americas built. This is what it costs to own one, a result that is fair to both the buyer and the seller.

RICK6915_263_Ferrari_1964_275 GTB_Berlinetta_06681_900.jpgLot # 263 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 06681; Engine # 06681; Red/Black leather; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,000,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,675,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,842,500 – Chrome spoke wire wheels, Michelin XWX tire, tool roll, owner’s manuals. – Represented as the matching numbers engine, Ferrari Classiche certified, Platinum and Coppa Bella Macchina at Cavallino in 2004 and 2005. Underbody has some road miles and grime. Engine compartment is still essentially like new after an engine-out rebuild in 2013. – Sold by RM at Monterey in 2012 for $1,182,500. After the 275 GTB drought in Scottsdale where only two of four offered were sold (including one highly desirable 6C) it is good to see that the market still has an appetite for them. This is a quality example and the buyer should be pleased with the value.

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Lot # 264 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Coupe; S/N 9113600336; Engine # 6630312; Light Yellow, Black graphics/Black; Estimate $800,000 – $1,000,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $790,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $869,000 – 2687/210hp, 4-speed, black center Fuchs wheels, Pirelli tires, rally lights, roll bar, fire bottle. – One of 200 ’73 RS 2.7 Lightweights. Matching numbers. Porsche CoA. Repainted in the late ’80s and mechanically overhauled in the 2000s. Handful of chips on the nose. Otherwise good paint. Wheels are a little dirty. Some scuffs on the door panels. Lightly used but very good car, always more notable for what it is than what condition. This is an example you actually wouldn’t be afraid to drive hard. – Drive hard, that is, if exploiting the performance of a car costing $131,000 short of a million dollars isn’t daunting enough. What it is best suited for is loping along with a high speed police escort on the Colorado Grand or carving turns on the New England 1000. It is impossible to argue with this price for a Lightweight.

RICK6851_265_Ferrari_1991_Testarossa_Coupe_ZFFSG17A3M0087750_900.jpgLot # 265 1991 Ferrari Testarossa Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFSG17A3M0087750; Engine # 5568; Yellow, Black sills/Black leather; Estimate $275,000 – $400,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $280,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $308,000 – Air conditioning, books, tools, window sticker. – Like new, never titled, 583 miles. Recent engine-out, belt service. Multiple Platinum awards. Ferrari Classiche certified. – Nine of those awards should surprise at all, it being in all important respects a new car, albeit one that is a quarter century old. It might be a surprise that it sold so reasonably, but it has no future except preservation and regular trips to the Ferrari shop for belts, hoses and fluid changes.

Lot # 267 1959 Bocar XP-5 Roadster; S/N XP5043; Red/Red vinyl; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $159,500 – 327 Chevy, 4-speed, Positraction, front disc brakes, kidney bean centerlock alloy wheels, Holley 4-barrel, full Plexiglas windshield, dual paperclip rollbars and head fairings. – Assembled in Bocar’s ‘factory’ in Denver. Race ready with good, presentable cosmetics. A real racer’s racer with scrutineers’ stickers wallpapering the driver’s rollbar and logbooks from VSCCA, HMSA and two from SVRA. Road registered and said to be track ready. – Offered by Mecum at Monterey last August and found its home here at Amelia. It’s a little rough and ready but with the emphasis on the ‘ready’. A ready ticket to Monterey or pretty much anywhere else it wants to go, and much less money, fuss, bother or expensive rebuilds than similar tickets. It is an astute acquisition for a racer.

RICK7236_269_Ferrari_1971_365 GTB~4 Daytona_Berlinetta Competizione Conversi_14115_Block_900.jpgLot # 269 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta Competizione, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 14115; Engine # B946; Red, White stripe/Black leather; Estimate $1,250,000 – $1,500,000; Competition restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,200,000 plus commission of – ; Final Price $1,200,000 – Gold wide centerlock alloy wheels, Avon tires, 4-point belts, fire system, hood straps, quick fill gas cap, power windows, braced rollbar, painted nose panel with fixed lights under Plexiglas covers. – Originally ordered by Gordon Tatum with competition preparation by Ferrari to race at Sebring in 1972. Unfortunately Tatum didn’t tell Gregory Richter, who had ordered it as a street car and who tied it up in court so it missed the race. Exceptionally nicely and thoughtfully restored for vintage track events and high speed touring. Excellent cosmetics throughout. Competition preparation by Ferrari is documented in contemporary paper, one of fifteen Daytonas prepared for competition by Ferrari when new. – Offered by Barrett-Jackson in Los Angeles in 2003 where it was tired, a bit rusty and didn’t sell on a reported high bid of $110,000. I opined then, ‘This is a healthy bid for an $80,000 Daytona that needs careful attention. It probably can be saved from becoming a bottomless money pit by some quick and careful attention, but only makes sense if it’s bought right by someone who knows what they’re getting into and has the experience and resources to identify and fix its flaws.’ So much for my crystal ball. It is beautifully done today, no doubt at great cost, but at a reported bid only $50,000 under the low estimate realistically should have been sold.

RICK6988_271_Aston Martin_1965_DB5_Coupe_DB52098R_900.jpgLot # 271 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe; S/N DB52098R; Engine # 4002204; Metallic Sierra Blue/Tan leather; Estimate $900,000 – $1,100,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $900,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $990,000 – 4.2 liter engine, triple Webers, ZF 5-speed, converted to lefthand drive, chrome wire wheels, Avon tires, power windows, woodrim steering wheel, tool roll, owner’s manual, extra keys, jack, wheel hammer. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior, flat panels, flush fits, even gaps. Underbody and engine compartment are in showroom condition. Done like new but with better performance. – Sold by Gooding at Amelia in 2013 prior to the restoration and performance upgrades. The price it brought is appropriate for a standard ’65 DB5 in comparable condition without the performance work and it should prove to be a highly satisfying open road driver, ideal for long distance tours like the New England 1000 although it might long to be let loose in Montana.

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Fly Yellow — This may answer the long debate about why Ferrari called this bright yellow color “Fly Yellow”, flies are attracted to it.

Lot # 274 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 14585; Fly Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $600,000 – $700,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $600,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $660,000 – Veglia air conditioning, Becker Europa II stereo, painted nose panel, popup lights. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Loose window channels with many flying threads. Underbody is nearly like new. Good panel fits. Scratches and masking issues around the right door lock. Ferrari Classiche certified. – An ordinary Daytona bought for an ordinary Daytona price.

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Lot # 275 2004 Porsche Carrera GT Coupe; S/N WP0CA29874L001150; Seal Grey/Black leather; Estimate $575,000 – $650,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $550,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $605,000 – Yellow calipers, wood shift knob, power windows, air conditioning. – U.S. market car. Represented with 8,500 miles, which seems to be on the high side for a Carrera GT, but this one looks just as fresh and spotless as the rest of them. – 21 lots before this, there was another Carrera GT finished in a rarer black over brown and showing less than half the miles. It sold for $165,000 more. The Seal Grey car was more in line with other results in 2017, although it was the lowest auction result for one of these cars in the past year, probably thanks to the black car stealing its thunder.

RICK7243_278_Ferrari_1950_166 MM_Barchetta_0058M_Block_900.jpgLot # 278 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta, Body by Touring; S/N 0058M; Engine # 0058M; Red/Tan leather; Estimate $8,000,000 – $10,000,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $6,900,000 plus commission of – ; Final Price $6,900,000 – RHD. Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Englebert tires, dual folding windscreens, Marchal headlight. – Mille Miglia entrant in 1951 driven by Eugenio Castelotti with Giuseppe Rota finishing 6th in class. Triple carbs added at Ferrari later that year and raced through 1951 by Castelotti. Back at the Mille Miglia in 1953 but did not finish. Exported to the U.S. Dr. Raymond Craycroft finished 2nd in class at the Pebble Beach road races in 1954. Later owned by Ed Gilbertson and others with a string of concours appearances. Freshly restored to better than new and only reasonably overdone. Great new paint, chrome, polished aluminum and soft trim. Original engine and gearbox, Ferrari Classiche certified. In summary, let it be said simply that this Ferrari is not only eligible for everything a new owner could desire to attend it will be a welcome participant where it essentially flawless presentation, Touring Barchetta coachwork and history will be appreciated. – This Ferrari deserves the adjective ‘impeccable’. History, performance, design, provenance all are above reproach and if it came up a bit short here it won’t be long before it finds a suitably appreciative audience willing to strike a value compromise with the present owner.

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Lot # 280 1994 Porsche 911 Carrera Speedster; S/N WP0CB2964RS465313; Mint Green/Black; Black cloth top; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $104,500 – 3,601cc/270hp, Snorkely brake light, Tiptronic, power windows, air conditioning, Alpine stereo. – One of 931 964 Speedsters, which aren’t yet as common a sight at collector car auctions as their older ’89 Speedster cousins. Cool, very rare color offset somewhat by the Tiptronic. Showing 20,810 miles. Very good paint. Top is a little frayed around the edges of the rear window. Lightly worn driver’s seat, but otherwise like new interior. – Reported sold at Mecum’s Monterey auction in 2009 for $44,255. Other 964 Speedsters have sold for a lot closer to 200 grand at auction over the last year or so, meaning the Tiptronic (the color might not be to everyone’s taste, either) seems to have put the bidders off of this otherwise well kept and purposeful-looking open-top 911.

RICK6823_281_Porsche_1963_356B Carrera 2_Sunroof Coupe_121298_900.jpgLot # 281 1963 Porsche 356B Carrera 2 Sunroof Coupe, Body by Reutter; S/N 121298; Engine # 97079; Oslo Blue/Beige vinyl, cord cloth inserts; Estimate $600,000 – $750,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $575,000 plus commission of – ; Final Price $575,000 – 1996cc/130hp twin cam Carrera engine, porsche woodrim steering wheel, multiband radio, power sliding sunroof, power antenna, chrome wheels, hubcaps, Michelin XAS tires, halogen headlights. – Thick repaint, very good interior and chrome. Replacement engine of the correct 587/1 configuration, 356C 4-wheel disc brakes. Engine compartment and underbody are like new. – The catalog says the seller has used this car regularly but the between uses maintenance must have been thorough and consistent because it looks freshly, if thickly painted, restored. Even taking that into account, if there had been money close to the reported high bid it should have been on its way to a new home.

RMSothebysAmeliaIsland2017_IMG6566_282_Porsche_1988_944 Turbo S_Coupe_WP0AA2953JN151575__900.jpgLot # 282 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S Coupe; S/N WP0AA2953JN151575;  Maraschino Red Metallic/Beige leather with cloth inserts; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $46,200 – 2,497/250hp, turbocharged, 5-speed, BFG Comp T/A tires, sport suspension, sunroof, headlight washers, cruise control, rear window wiper, Kenwood CD stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – Several sizable chips in the nose. Wheels are dull and slightly scratched up. Original paint is sound otherwise. The interior looks new. Showing 39,060 miles and reasonably but not impeccably kept along the way. – The Turbo S was the top of the line in the 944 range, with a larger turbocharger than the standard car that made for more power. Like the other front-engined Porsches in this sale, this car did better when it crossed the block than it really deserved to. This price should have bought a showroom fresh example, but that’s not what this car is.

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Lot # 284 1969 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 Coupe; S/N 6267; Engine # 2350; Dark Blue/Brown leather; Estimate $250,000 – $300,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $220,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $242,000 – Centerlock alloy wheels, Pirelli tires, woodrim steering wheel, wood shift knob, Becker Mexico radio, air conditioning, dash clock. – One fine crack behind each headlight door. Otherwise sound older repaint and good chrome. Mostly quite good original interior, but some seams are popping in the front seats. Very clean underneath. Unrestored but maintained and clean engine bay. Owned by Adam Carolla since 2008. – Sold by Gooding at Pebble Beach in 2008 for $203,500 and in about the same condition now as it was then. This result is fair to both the buyer and the seller.

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Lot # 287 1968 Porsche 911 Coupe; S/N 11835019; Engine # 3380124; Silver Metallic/Black leatherette; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $260,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $286,000 – Sportomatic, Blaupunkt AM/FM radio, gold brightwork, tinted glass. – Numbers matching. Showing 22,729 miles. Almost completely original other than a repainted front bumper. Very good paint, brightwork and interior. Has to be one of the best cars with a Sportomatic out there, including restorations. – Car and Driver said of the semi-automatic Sportomatic gearbox, ‘we understand the reasons for it, but we disagree and we don’t like it’, while Road & Track said that a car equipped with one “sounds very much like a GM city bus’. Sportomatic-equipped 911s were quite rare in period and even rarer now, though, and apparently at least two Porsche collectors in the room wanted a piece of this chapter in Porsche history. This car is also probably the best original car equipped with a Sportomatic around, which at least partly explains this shocking result, which is over twice what other ordinary ’68 911s could expect to bring.

RICK7255_289_AAR_1968_Eagle-Chevrolet USAC_Indy Car_406_Block_900.jpgLot # 289 1968 AAR Eagle-Chevrolet USAC Indy Car; S/N 406; Blue, Yellow ‘Sunoco’/Black; Estimate $350,000 – $400,000; Competition restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $260,000 plus commission of – ; Final Price $260,000 – 320/525hp Traco Chevy with crossram mechanical port fuel injection, Hewland gearbox. – The first Indy car purchased by Roger Penske for Mark Donohue. Chevy powered Donohue finished 5th overall at Mosport in his first race in it, the dnfed at Riverside in the Rex Mays. Later sold to Sid Weinberger for Ronnie Bucknum to drive but dnfed at Indy with an Offy. Sold to Arnie Knepper in 1970 with no notable results, then to LaWarre racing for Larry Rice and John Hubbard. Now with a Traco-built engine, correct FI system and road racing gearbox. Unused since its 2004 restoration with a pickled engine, utilitarian presentation and preparation. – While this is a delicious history it is largely peripheral to the mainstream of race winners and lap leaders. The touch of Roger Penske and Mark Donohue is the frosting on the cake, or maybe the cake itself without the frosting of a race win. The seller puts a great deal of store in the Penske/Donohue history, overlooking the age of the restoration that will need comprehensive attention before it’s let loose. The reported high bid is appropriate.

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Lot # 292 1967 MG B Mk I Roadster; S/N GHN3U133548G; Engine # 18GBUH82569; Mineral Blue/Black leather piped in Blue; Black vinyl top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Concours restoration, 1- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500 – Painted wire wheels, Dunlop tires, Blaupunkt AM/FM radio. – Seats are incorrect but better than factory and the restored interior looks fantastic other than some worn original switchgear. Lots of oil spit out onto the front bumper. Excellent good paint and chrome. Very clean underneath. Excellent newer top. Restored by a trained BL mechanic. Not perfect, but done to much higher standards than usually seen on an MGB. – This is crazy money for a B. There’s no other way to put it. It would have been expensive even if it had brought 10 grand less.

RICK7256.JPGLot # 295 1974 Alfa Romeo Montreal Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N AR1427863; Engine # AR00564S0634; Gold/Beige leather with cloth inserts; Estimate $90,000 – $110,000; Original, with major mechanical repairs, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $66,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $72,600 – Woodrim steering wheel, Magnaflow mufflers, power windows, air conditioning, modern Sony CD stereo, Campagnolo wheels. – Sold new in France. Major mechanical work done in 2014, but the car is otherwise original, including the paint. Lots of paint chips on the nose and headlight doors. Lots of cracks behind the passenger’s window and on the tail, plus some blisters on the left side of the tail. Wheels are tired and a little beat up. Shift knob is on crooked, but the original interior is otherwise quite good compared to the rest of the car. Road wear underneath but nothing terrible. A well preserved original car. Certainly used and not babied, but well taken care of. Good enough to enjoy as is, but some of the cosmetic flaws might leave the new owner feeling a little self-conscious. – Just to be clear, in 1974 amid gas lines and draconian emissions requirements when a Corvette had 250hp the Montreal’s 227hp was nothing short of miraculous. They have been consistently undervalued for years and this result, less than a 105-series Giulia Spider, is appropriate in market terms but a value to an astute buyer.

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Lot # 296 1976 Triumph TR6 Convertible; S/N CF56280U; Engine # CF45268UE; Inca Yellow/Black vinyl; Black top; Estimate $20,000 – $25,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000 – New aluminum radiator, Michelin red line tires, wood shift knob, radio. – Two-owner car, repainted about 10 years ago. Unrestored and lightly worn but recently cleaned up engine bay. Good paint and brightwork. Top is fairly worn but sound, although it doesn’t fit tightly. Good replacement upholstery, otherwise a sound original interior. A strong car, but there are better TR6s out there. – A very strong result for a safety bumper TR6 in this kind of shape. The money brought here is more down to money at RM – where an extra few thousand dollars isn’t even a thought to most of the bidders in the room – than it is down to the condition or the car itself.

© 2017 Rick Carey and others at their interests may appear. Reproduction without credit and identified links to the original content are prohibited.

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Comments

    • Jim
    • March 23, 2017
    Reply

    I love that color. Great reporting.

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