While Gooding’s Pebble Beach auction isn’t the hero sale of Monterey this year it is the one auction that sends me its printed catalogs in advance. Collecting the other catalogs is a chore and brought with it a trip to the UPS Store in “New Monterey” (near Cannery Row) and a $51 credit card ding to send all 18# of them home so they didn’t burden carry-on luggage.
With five auctions and ten auction sessions taking place over only three days, Thursday through Saturday, it gets pretty ridiculous. A “preview day” for each of them helps, but a Wednesday or Thursday is no substitute for the spread out week of auctions that once populated the Monterey Peninsula.
Gooding is centered on Pebble Beach. It is the “official” auction for the Concours d’Elegance which is prestigious but otherwise irrelevant.
Well, except that David Gooding and his team of specialists regularly assemble some of the most interesting, rare and valuable cars under their tent (enlarged this year by five meters in length). It is a compendium of collector car dreams with most of the consignments impossible to “walk by”. Only fourteen lots of the 184 offered brought bids under six figures.
Described here are 49 of the 184 lots offered. It was a strong result in a year when prices were off from previous auctions and the headline ’38 Alfa 8C2900B Lungo Touring Spider sold for only [sic] $15,438,000.
Here are the numbers:
| Year | Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Sold < Low Est | Sold > High Est | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ | |||
| 2024 | 149/184 | 81% | 52.7% | 10.3% | $726,572 | $313,000
[43.1%] |
$108,259,300 | |||
| 2023 | 133/168 | 79.2% | 56.6% | 7.1% | $714,708 | $240,800
[33.7%] |
$95,056,145 | |||
| 2022 | 132/155 | 85.2% | 53% | 18.2% | $831,780 | $461,500
[55.5%] |
$109,795,000 | |||
Descriptions are by Rick Carey, Andrew Newton and Greg Ingold.
Lot # 2 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Coupe; S/N WP0AE2A86PS280205; Black/Black leather and Race-Tex; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $180,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $201,600. – 3,996/493hp, 7-speed PDK, Weissach package, front axle lift, ceramic composite brakes. – One owner and 800 original miles. Barely used and like a new car inside and out. – The Cayman GT4 RS is the ultimate-spec Cayman and, all things considered, arguably the best track car in the Porsche catalogue. It’s also in high demand and it’s not particularly easy to get your hands on one, so second-hand GT4 RSs trading at a premium isn’t unheard of. The window sticker on this one, for example, reads $183,470.
Lot # 10 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 R&P Roadster; S/N CSX2540; White/Red leather; Estimate $950,000 – $1,100,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $775,000 plus commission of 10.65%; Final Price $857,500. – 289/271hp, 4-speed, Stewart Warner gauges, wire wheels. – From the Thomas H Larsen collection. Used in the 1965 TV show “Honey West”, and later owned by a 16-year-old girl who had it taken away after she got too many speeding tickets in it. Restored in the 2000s Paint finish is good overall other than a small run at the front of the driver’s side wheel well. The brightwork is very good and shiny. The engine compartment is detailed and shows like new. The underbody has some dirt from use but presents well otherwise. Both seats show some creasing and stretching from use and the gauges appear old. An older restoration that has held up quite well. – Honey West was an important show in that it was the first time a woman played the lead in a network TV series, but it only lasted one season and few people remember it. The real draw to this car is that it’s a solid rack-and-pinion Cobra with good colors and no major issues. The price for it is definitely on the soft side but cars of this vintage at this price point struggled everywhere in Monterey this year.
Lot # 15 1955 Austin-Healey 100S Roadster; S/N AHS3901; White, Blue/Dark Blue, White piping; Black tonneau cover top; Estimate $500,000 – $700,000; Competition restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $489,000 plus commission of 11.02%; Final Price $542,900. – RHD. 2,660/134hp, 4-speed, 26-gallon tank, Weslake cylinder head, white wire wheels, Cinturato P3 tires, Plexiglas full width windscreen, no roll bar, quick fill fuel cap, no bumpers. – Represented as the original engine and gearbox. Known history from new with long history in Australia where it was once demonstrated on track by Stirling Moss. Later with a single owner in the U.S. Restored in the 1970’s but still with good paint and interior. Clean restored chassis and underbody with minor road grime. Excellent engine compartment. – This is a particularly satisfying and reassuring 100S that obviously has had consistent, knowing care an attention. Bought here in a post-block transaction, it is a very good value for its new owner and will promises to be a rewarding participant in tours and vintage racing. It would not have been expensive even at the low pre-sale estimate.
Lot # 17 1960 Lotus 18 Formula 1; S/N 374; Engine # 430/17 1152; Green, White nose band/Black fiberglass; Estimate $400,000 – $600,000; Competition restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $379,000 plus commission of 11.32%; Final Price $421,900. – 2,498/225hp Coventry Climax FPF, 58 DCO3 Weber carburetors, 5-speed transaxle, lefthand shift, 5-point belts, yellow wobbly wheels, Dunlop Racing tires. – Lotus team car in 1960-61 driven by Ron Flockhart, Jim Clark, John Surtees, Graham Hill, Innes Ireland and Trevor Taylor. Colin Chapman’s first purpose-built Formula 1 car. Later owned in the U.S. by Phil Cade and Joel Finn. Restored in the U.K. in the late 80’s, then again in the U.S. around 2000. Chipped old paint. Older restored chassis and engine. Serviceable and presentable but better at the Monaco GP Historique, for which it is perfectly suited. – This is an historic Lotus mid-engine Formula 1 car with a notable history and a roster of significant drivers during its busy Team Lotus years. It warrants careful freshening and inspection but will reward its new owner with invitations to participate in eminent historic events at a realistic cost.
Lot # 18 1971 Fiat Dino 2.4 Spider; S/N 135BS0001569; Red/Black; Estimate $250,000 – $350,000; Older restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $225,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $252,000. – 2,418/180hp, dogleg 5-speed, Cromodora wheels with Fiat hub caps, woodrim steering wheel, wood dash. – One of 424 built. Restored by specialists in Italy. Beautiful paint and chrome. Perfect wheels. Excellent interior. Looks like nobody has ever been in it. A fresh and well but not overdone car, the Fiat with eccentric Pininfarina style and Ferrari power. – Before Fiat bought 50% of Ferrari in 1969, the two companies worked together on the Dino. Ferrari wanted to homologate its Dino V-6 for Formula 2 racing but didn’t have the production capacity. Fiat did, and benefited from the prestige of a Ferrari-powered halo model in its lineup. Like their more exotic mid-engine cousins, Fiat Dinos have become valuable in their own right. Whereas not even the nicest one in the world would have cracked 100 grand 10 or 15 years ago, they bring a lot more than that today, although this result is surprisingly high, and the second most expensive Fiat Dino sold at auction.
Lot # 20 1992 Porsche 911 964 Carrera Cup USA Coupe; S/N WP0AB2963NS420557; Grand Prix White/Black leather; Estimate $300,000 – $350,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $220,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $246,400. – 3,600/256hp, 5-speed, tools, window sticker. – 1 of 29 Cup cars converted by Andial for street use. Great paint and body. The engine compartment does have some dirt and dulling from use and the driver’s seat has some minor creasing from use. A great, original car with some usage showing. – These American 964 Carrera Cup cars were intended for a race series here. Based on the 964 Carrera RS that was used in the European Carrera Cup series, they feature a seam-welded chassis, aluminum hood, and blueprinted engine. The series was canceled, but the appeal of a lightened and focused 911 never dies. This price, though, is on the soft side, less than what other, similar 911s have sold for at auction recently and well under the $340K it brought on Bring a Trailer in late 2020.
Lot # 21 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT Coupe; S/N DB4GT0141L; Engine # 3700141GT; Silver Metallic/Black leather; Estimate $2,200,000 – $2,800,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,900,000 plus commission of 10.26%; Final Price $2,095,000. – LHD. 4,212/302hp, triple Webers, 4-speed, wire wheels, woodrim steering wheel. – One of just 30 left-hand drive DB4 GTs built. Shown at the 1960 Torino Motor Show. Represented as matching numbers but upgraded to 4.2 litres, and one of three DB4 GTs fitted with optional rear seats. Currently presents as a solid older restoration with sound paint and chrome, very clean engine, and only light wear to the leather and switchgear. – Sold by RM here in Monterey eleven years ago in 2013 for $2.2 million where it showed 21,706 miles against the 23,017 miles on the odometer currently (1,311 miles in 11 years) but little significant difference in condition. The successful hammer bid is $100,000 less than it sold for in 2013: $76.28 per mile added. It is an excellent value in this transaction.
Lot # 23 1961 Chaparral 1 Sports Racer; S/N 003; White/Black vinyl; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,500,000; Competition restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $760,000. – RHD. 339/442hp, six Stromberg 97 carburetors, 4-speed, braced roll bar, magnesium centerlock alloy wheels, Dunlop Racing tires. – The first generation Chapparal, built by Troutman and Barnes for Jim Hall, one of five built in this series. 2nd overall at Laguna Seca, 3rd at Riverside, 2nd at the Nassau Governor’s Trophy in 1961, winner at Road America in 1962 driven by Hall and Hap Sharp. Cycled through SCCA races subsequently, later owned by Skip Barber with appearances in historic events with the current owner since 2004. Restored in 1997 Recently repainted but the chassis, wiring and engine are older and race used. The foundation of the Chapparal saga. – Sold to the current owner in 2004 at RM’s Monterey auction in 2004 for $1,111,000, the current owner has had a good time with it in historic events since then and offered it at RM’s Arizona auction in 2014 where it was reported bid to $1,750,000 without selling. The auction history is indicative of buyers’ interest and value determinations. Gooding is asking $975,000 in its post-sale listing, and good luck on getting that.
Lot # 24 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring Coupe; S/N 9113601291; Engine # 6631239; Grand Prix White, Blue Carrera script/Black leatherette with cloth inserts; Estimate $600,000 – $750,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $520,000 plus commission of 10.96%; Final Price $577,000. – 2,687/210hp, 5-speed, blue Fuchs wheels, Blaupunkt multiband radio, books, tools, jack, Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. – Represented as matching numbers. Restored in original colors 10 years ago. Very good paint. The only notable blemish is a chip on the driver’s door edge at door handle height. The engine compartment and underbody are immaculate and the interior exhibits very little use. A beautiful Carrera RS with little to pick on. – These cars established the tradition of lightened, hardcore, brightly painted 911s that Porsche continues to this day. Carrera RS 2.7s came in two flavors – “Lightweight” and “Touring”. The Lightweights trimmed 200 pounds in weight off the Touring version, and just 200 of the 1580 cars built were ordered in the Lightweight trim. They’re also worth about twice as much as the Touring even if the driving experience is basically identical. This Touring model sold on the soft side for its condition but the result is consistent with values generally in recent months and at Monterey 2024 particularly.
Lot # 27 1956 Ferrari 500 TR Spider, Body by Scaglietti; S/N 0654MDTR; Engine # 0654MDTR; Red/Red leatherette; Estimate $4,000,000 – $5,000,000; Competition restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $3,300,000. – RHD. 1,985/180hp, 4-speed, grey painted Borrani wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, driver’s Plexiglas windscreen and head fairing, passenger’s seat metal tonneau cover, covered Marchal headlights, two seats. – Raced when new in Europe including the 1956 Reims 12 Hours (5th overall, 1st in class), at Le Mans and Swedish Grand Prix. Sold to Howard Hively in the U.S. and raced at Nassau in 1957 and finished the Governor’s Trophy 8th overall. Entered in the Cuban Grand Prix driven by Peter Collins who finished 4th overall. Later restored in the U.S., shown at Pebble Beach in 1991 and Concorso Italiano in 1992. Same owner since 1969, rarely seen and with its original engine and coachwork. Damaged right front wheel well and blisters above the right grille and above both front fender vents. Restored chassis and engine but the restoration’s age is apparent. Usable but aged with curious body damage that hints at superficially repaired front end damage. – Unlike the later 500 TRC which were customer race cars Scuderia Ferrari raced the 500 TR with some success and it is the first Ferrari to earn the “Testa Rossa” designation. This is the last of 17 built. Despite the Le Mans appearance, which was a dnf due to illegal refueling (I know from personal experience how that works), its period race history is not illustrious aside from the Cuban result with Peter Collins behind the wheel. Its recent history of some 55 years in the same ownership is more impressive and it could reasonably be expected to bring something more than the reported high bid here although even Mecum’s 500/625 TRC with much west coast racing history also failed to meet expectations at a $7.9 million reported high bid.
Lot # 29 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider, Body by Touring; S/N 412027; Engine # 422031; Dark Blue/Vanilla leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $16,000,000 – $20,000,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $14,030,000 plus commission of 10.04%; Final Price $15,438,000. – RHD. 2,905/180hp twin supercharged dual overhead cam straight eight, 4-speed transaxle, dark blue wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, partial door windows, Carello headlights, skirts. – Fascinating history but, being a Two-Nine, not a surprising one while being notable for its generally meticulous preservation through many owners (Vojta Mashek, Walter Weimer, Ben Moser, Dr. Fred Simeone, Lukas Huni (Best of Show at Villa d’Este in 1996) and Oscar Davis (Best of Show at Pebble Beach 2000)). Stolen from a South Caroline motel parking lot along with the trailer it was in and its tow vehicle in 2022 and paid off (a reputed $23 million) by the insurance company. Recovered in December 2023. Restored several times and with a replacement crankcase (original was 422036). Shrinking old paint. Sound but worn upholstery. Good chrome. Aged but maintained engine compartment. Good restored chassis. Comes with an acceptance to the October 2024 Mille Miglia USA Warm Up and 2025 Mille Miglia. – The South Carolina theft ring must have been floored when they opened the trailer, probably expecting a Road Runner or Corvette, and found this inexplicable rarity sitting inside. Their jaws probably hit the floor faster than the trailer tailgate did, but credit them at least for not cutting it up or quickly submerging it in the nearest river. Some careless cosmetic damage was repaired before the auction but the most recent restoration’s age is starting to show. It was sold here for a bit less than the $19,800,000 that Sam and Emily Mann’s similar Lungo Touring Spider s/n 412041 brought at RM Monterey in 2016, a reflection of today’s market position and 412027’s aged restoration and checkered recent history. The $10 million difference between what the insurance company paid out on the claim and this result is onerous, but was realistically reflected in Gooding’s pre-sale estimate range.
Lot # 32 1976 Porsche 935 Coupe; S/N 935001; White, “Martini” liveried/Black cloth; Estimate $4,500,000 – $5,500,000; Competition restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $3,900,000 plus commission of 10.13%; Final Price $4,295,000. – 2,875/590hp single KKK turbo flat six, 4-speed, black centerlock alloy wheels with fan vented fronts, braced roll bar, Cibie halogen headlights. – The first 935, factory development car, eventually raced by Porsche, 1st at Watkins Glen (Stommelen/Schurti) and 3rd at Dijon (same drivers). Later owned by Vasek Polak, Kevin Jeannette, John Kotts and Matthew Drendel. Freshly restored and like new everywhere, in 1976 Watkins Glen livery. – This is one of those “it’s worth what the bidders say it is” cars, a car so rare and so significant that comparables don’t exist. That its hammer bid fell 13% below the pre-sale low estimate also demonstrates how seller’s expectations and auction companies’ evaluations differ from buyers’ willingness to spend in 2024.
Lot # 33 1993 Porsche 964 Turbo Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ96ZPS470268; Cobalt Blue Metallic/Black leather; Estimate $650,000 – $800,000; Recent restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $560,000 plus commission of 10.89%; Final Price $621,000. – 3,605/355hp turbo, 5-speed, red calipers, 5-spoke modular alloy wheels, air conditioning, power sunroof, upgraded with a KW coilover suspension, books, tools and Japanese delivery documents. – One of 650 Rest of World (ROW) Turbo 3.6 models built for 1993. Stunning Cobalt blue paint presents beautifully with only a few minor paint chips filled on the bumper. The engine compartment shows minor use but is not dirty. The driver’s seat has minor creasing from use, otherwise it is in excellent condition. Lightly used but very striking Turbo 3.6 showing 39,647 believable km on its odometer. – Appealingly original and well-maintained as well as unusual, attributes that earned it a healthy price.
Lot # 34 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Torpedo Roadster, Body by Figoni & Falaschi; S/N 49169; Engine # 49169; Black, Crimson accent/Cognac leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $2,000,000 – $3,000,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,900,000 plus commission of 10.26%; Final Price $2,095,000. – RHD. 3,557/116hp, preselector 4-speed, enclosed front wheels, skirts, fender mounted Marchal headlights and fog lights, biplane bumpers, black wire wheels, whitewalls. – One of eleven “Geo Ham” Torpedo Roadsters bodied by Figoni & Falaschi of which five are believed to survive, the essence of F&F’s flamboyant, seductive, voluptuous coachwork. Part of the Petersen Museum’s collection since 1999. Very good older paint, chrome and upholstery with minor touched up small scrapes and scratches. – There was almost an embarassament of Figoni et Falaschi Delahayes at Monterey this year with three in the auctions including this voluptuous Torpedo Roadster, a taper tail coupe at Broad Arrow and a Teardrop at Mecum. This car sold to Bob Petersen at Brooks Quail Lodge auction in 1999 for $1,332,500 and its somewhat aged museum display condition does little to detract from its distinction and eye-appeal. It is an automobile to be owned with pride and maybe even given a new paint job to accentuate its appearance.
Lot # 35 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N AR752648; Red/Black leatherette; Estimate $500,000 – $600,000; Competition restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $300,000 plus commission of 11.67%; Final Price $335,000. – RHD. 1,570/165hp, 5-speed, Campagnolo alloy wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, braced roll bar, full road equipment, sliding block live rear axle. – Raced for Lake Forest, IL dealer Knauz Continental Autos driven by Horst Kwech and Gaston Andrey in the under-2 litre Trans Am in 1966, winning at Mid-Ohio, Road America, VIR and Green Valley, 2nd at Bryar and Riverside when Alfa won the manufacturers’ championship. Then won the SCCA B-Sedan championship and President’s Cup for Kwech. Later raced in SCCA until it was restored in the 80’s by Paul Spruell and continued to race in historic events. Thoroughly documented. Sound older paint with outie stone stars in the aluminum fenders. Good upholstery and gauges. – At this price this Alfa GTA would be a great value even without its winning Trans Am and B-Sedan history. With its history it is a bargain, and it is in presentable condition that will take only limited safety and reliability checks to get back on the track in historic events. Alfa aficionadoes must have been fixated on the Two-Nine to miss this outstanding value for a car that runs, in favorable venues, with Ferrari GTOs and 275 GTB/6Cs.
Lot # 40 1958 Ferrari 250 GT TdF Coupe, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 0893GT; Engine # 0893GT; White, Red stripe, nose, sills/Red leather; Estimate $5,500,000 – $6,500,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $5,200,000 plus commission of 10.10%; Final Price $5,725,000. – 2,953/240hp, 4-speed, silver painted Borrani wire wheels, Michelin X tires, covered Marchal headlights, Marchal fog lights, braced roll bar. – First owned by George Reed, 2nd in class at Sebring in 1958, then 1958 SCCA C-Production National Champion. Bought by Jim Kimberly in 1959, later sold to Ed Wechsler then sold it to Ike Uihlein, aged 20. His father, David, thinking the TdF too much for his kid, confiscated it and donated it to the Brooks Stevens Museum where it remained until 1980. Later owned by Tony Wang until 2011, still largely original. Restored in 2013 for the current owner. Represented as the numbers-matching original engine, gearbox and rear axle. Good paint, upholstery and chrome. Clear, crisp gauges. Older restored chassis with road miles. – A celebrated Tour de France with a meaningful race history, this is a just-right price that counters the impression that Enzo-era Ferraris have flagging value. While it isn’t what it might have been a few years ago this is still a strong and representative price for a 3-louvre TdF.
Lot # 43 1998 Porsche 993 Turbo XLC Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ99ZWS370703; Metallic Black/Black leather; Estimate $600,000 – $800,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $390,000 plus commission of 11.28%; Final Price $434,000. – 3,608/450hp, XLC/WLS 2 Turbo Power kit, 6-speed, Turbo Twist wheels, red calipers, Pirelli P Zero tires, sunroof, heated power sport seats, power windows, factory radio, white face gauges, books, tools, tinted glass. – Represented as one of 266 LHD Turbos built with the XLC/WLS 2 package, a 1998-only option that added larger turbos and boosted power from 400hp to 450hp. Mild but numerous chips in the nose but the paint finish is in good shape. Very good interior. Rare, desirably equipped late 993 showing age consistent with the 24,022 km (14,927 miles) on the odometer. – The XLC is a rare, little known option that brought the 1998 911 Turbo to Turbo S and GT2 levels of output but without the more aggressive bodywork. That subtle add-on counts for a lot, because a normal 993 Turbo with similar condition, mileage and colors would ordinarily bring a lot closer to 300 grand although this transaction is nowhere near the exalted pre-sale estimate.
Lot # 44 1995 Ferrari 333 SP Evoluzione Sports Racer, Body by Dallara; S/N 010; Engine # 027; Red, Yellow “Momo”/Black duct tape; Estimate $6,000,000 – $8,000,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $4,650,000 plus commission of 10.11%; Final Price $5,120,000. – RHD. 3,997/650hp V-12, 5-speed automanual, BBS modular centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Legends tires, Cibie lights. – One of nine Evoluzione 333 SPs built by Dallara, raced by Scandia Motorsport in the U.S. in 1995. Dnf at Daytona, 4th at Sebring (Mauro Baldi, Michele Alboreto, Eric Van de Poele). Winner at Halifax, 2nd at Atlanta, Mospoer and Texas, top 10 at Lime Rock, Sears Point and New Orleans with Baldi and Fermin Veliz who was Driver’s champion, Ferrari won manufacturer’s champion. Indifferent results in 1996, but first for Momo racing at Lime Rock, Pikes Peak and Sebring. Then 2nd in class at Le Mans in 1997. Collector owned since then. Good older paint with stone chips on the nose. Small crack over the right front wheel. A serviceable race car. – The most significant Ferrari sports racer until the 2023 and 2024 Le Mans-winning 499P Hypercar with the benefit of sounding like a real Ferrari V12 instead of a smothered turbo V-6. The race history of this 333 SP is good, if not exceptional, and it is meticulously prepared and presented. Its price is just over 3/4 of the low estimate, attesting to a limited audience of potential clients able t manage it on track and afford the Ferrari Course Clienti support to keep it running.
Lot # 46 1966 Porsche 906 Carrera 6 Coupe; S/N 906140; Blue, Polished aluminum sills/Dark Red leatherette; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,200,000; Competition restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,500,000. – 1,996/210hp, two 3-barrel Webers, 5-speed, 5-bolt alloy wheels, Dunlop Racing tires. – Raced when new by Earl Chiles including 7th overall and 3rd in class at the Road America 500 driven by Michael Fisher and Pete Lovely. Damaged in a 1967 race and sold to Portland dealer Monte Shelton and raced through 1969 with class and overall SCCA wins and even in a Laguna Seca Can-Am. Then through various owners before going to Fabrizio Violati in Italy. Updated during its racing career but never restored or significantly modified, original bodywork and transaxle. Banged up old fiberglass body. Sound and raceable in its historic Monte Shelton livery. – RM sold 906127 at Miami earlier this year for $2,205,000 and Bonhams sold 906120 at Quail Lodge last year for $2,040,000 both in comparable but restored condition contrasted with 906140’s originality. This is a car that deserves to go back on track as soon as it can be thoroughly inspected and mechanically freshened, and if it cost a little more than the $1,655,000 that this would have cost if hammered sold at the reported bid it would be a sound value fair to both the buyer and the seller.
Lot # 48 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Drophead Coupe Stelvio, Body by Gangloff; S/N 57639; Engine # 476; Black, Burgundy sides/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $800,000 – $1,000,000; Modified restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $675,000 plus commission of 10.74%; Final Price $747,500. – RHD. 3,257/160hp supercharged eight, 4-speed, overdrive added, hydraulic brakes, enclosed rear-mounted spare, black wire wheels, Dunlop tires, Marchal headlights and fog lights. – Represented as the matching-numbers engine and Stelvio coachwork, now improved with the later-added supercharger and overdrive for easier cruising. Good older paint and lightly worn upholstery. Curiously, the rear upholstery is worn more than the front. Good chrome although the fender mounted marker lights are lightly pitted under the plating. The chassis is competently restored but the underbody has old undercoat on it. Tired and used but presentable and usable. – Just as many Bentleys are “driver’s cars”, this Stelvio with its hydraulic brakes, supercharged 160hp engine and electrically operated overdrive is configured and set up for driving. It has passed through many informed collectors hands and seems always to have been maintained and preserved. It is, despite the modifications that impinge upon its originality, an excellent value for the money in this transaction.
Lot # 49 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N WDB2010361F735138; Blauschwarz Metallic/Anthracite leather; Estimate $250,000 – $300,000; Visually maintained, largely original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $250,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $280,000. – 2,463/235hp, 5-speed, six-spoke alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, sunroof, factory cassette, power windows, air conditioning, books, tools. – Car 106 of 502 Evo IIs built. Showing 27,384 km (17,016 miles). Recently serviced. Very good paint. Clean wheels. Front seats show the mildest of stretching. Perfect glass. Very clean underneath. A very clean, high spec DTM homologation special. – Other lower-mile Evo II models have sold at auction for over $400K and even $500K in the past couple of years, but they may be softening. This same car sold in Amelia Island three years ago for $379K.
Lot # 50 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 10507; Engine # 10507; Rosso Cordoba/Beige leather; Estimate $3,000,000 – $3,400,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $2,500,000. – 3,286/320hp, 5-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, ANSA exhaust, woodrim steering wheel, dual Talbot Berlin mirrors, tools. – U.S. market car, four owners from new, represented as the original engine. Original colors. Scratch in the right headlight cover. Mostly good paint other than a small bubble on the right front fender and masking errors around the glass. Clean wheels and tires. The doors stick out very slightly at the bottom. Interior shows light wear, including two big wrinkles behind the vents in the dash top. – Now offered by Gooding on its post-sale website for $3,150,000, a magnanimous expectation for this car’s condition and recent value trends. It was sold at Bonhams Quail Lodge auction in 2017 for $2,519,000 when it showed 42,373 miles. Today it shows only 42,380 miles indicative of seven years of display and no use at all and the Pebble Beach bidders appropriately valued it in their reported high bid here.
Lot # 54 1959 Maserati Tipo 61 Spyder, Body by Allegretti; S/N 2454; Engine # 2477; Black/Black leatherette; Estimate $5,000,000 – $6,000,000; Competition restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $4,200,000. – RHD. 2,890/250hp, 5-speed, silver painted Borrani wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, side exhaust, fire system. – Raced at Havana, Nassau and Pikes Peak when new although without notable success. Cracked, peeling old repaint with casual masking. Older restored chassis and engine. A usable but not showable race car with a new Steve Hart reproduction engine, another repro engine and a disassembled original Tipo 61 engine s/n 2477. Recently disassembled and prepared by Canepa. Maserati Classiche certified original engine and chassis, with correct-type engine and transaxle. – A Birdcage replica claiming this chassis number stamped on an original Maserati chassis tag was sold by Brooks Auctioneers at London in October 1997 for $12,742, coincidentally the same year this car is described as being bought by Hein Gericke from Karl Blochle. It showed up again here in 2012, now with Maserati Classiche documentation, where it sold for $3,520,000 ($3.2 million hammer) and was subsequently given the Canepa treatment that it carries today. Its cosmetic presentation makes it a stretch to support the pre-sale estimate range. These are wonderful, quick, responsive and creatively designed sports racers with a fabled history, fully worth the reported bid here and arguably worth more for its Canepa presentation and three engines but with commission added it would be over a million more than it brought twelve years ago, an optimistic expectation.
Lot # 59 1961 Ferrari 250 SWB California Spider (closed headlight), Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 3095GT; Engine # 3095GT; Rosso Corsa/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $15,000,000 – $17,000,000; Cosmetic restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $13,500,000. – 2,853/280hp, 4-speed, chrome spoke RW3591 Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli tires, chrome fender vents, covered Marchal headlights, grille-mounted Marchal fog lights, engine internal number 870E. – Excellent older paint and fresh interior. Sharp like new engine compartment. Older chassis and underbody with old undercoat and road grime. Fresh cosmetics, new Borranis and refreshed engine compartment make a meaningful difference. Ferrari Classiche certified and represented as the original engine. – Originally Dark Blue Metallic, a color that would accent its body’s seductive curves, this SWB Cal Spider was sold here in 2015 for $16,830,000 ($15,300,000 hammer) and has added fewer than 1,000 km to its odometer since then while benefiting from a new interior. Gooding’s post-sale website is asking $15.5 million all-in, a generous price for an SWB Cal Spider with an older restoration.
Lot # 63 1998 Lamborghini Diablo SV Coupe; S/N ZA9DU21B1WLA12935; Giallo Fly, Black/Beige leather; Estimate $450,000 – $550,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $385,000 plus commission of 11.30%; Final Price $428,500. – 5,707/523hp, 5-speed, black OZ wheels, Pirelli P Zero tires, books, tools. – One of 346 built. Represented with $20,000 worth of service in 2018. Showing 27,206 km (16,905 miles). Good paint with a minor touch up on the right rear scoop. Wonky glue on the quarter windows but it probably came from the factory like that. Very good interior. High spec, appropriately loud Diablo. – With more power, less weight and more aggressive looks, the SV version of the Diablo came out in 1995, and Diablos in general have been one of the big winners in the shift of interest towards stick shift supercars during the 2020s so far. This result is right-on for the condition and mileage.
Lot # 67 1959 Lister-Chevrolet Sports Racer, Body by Costin; S/N BHL124; Blue, White stripe/Black leatherette; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Competition restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $330,000 plus commission of 11.52%; Final Price $368,000. – RHD. 331/474hp fuel injected Chevrolet, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, fire system, kidney bean centerlock alloy wheels, Dunlop Racing tires. – The first Lister built specifically for Chevy power, for Tom Carstens, with Costin-designed bodywork. SCCA winner, then very successful in vintage racing. Known history, never broken up or lost. 331 cu.in Chevy with Rochester fuel injection. Very presentable and needs only recommissioning to hit the track. Good stone chipped paint. Restored in the early naughts and vintage raced since. – Purchased by the seller at Coys Rockingham, UK auction in 2001 for $291,243 (£208,500 at the time, this result is £285,100) and subsequently restored again and prepared for historic competition. It has been professionally maintained and appears to be largely track-ready. Its later Costin designed bodywork isn’t as charismatic as the earlier “Knobbly” Listers, but is more aerodynamic. It represents a sound value in race history and potential in this transaction.
Lot # 70 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8 Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ96ZPS496091; Grand Prix White/Black; Estimate $1,500,000 – $2,000,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,250,000. – 3,746/375hp, 5-speed, vented and cross-drilled brakes, red calipers, Speedline wheels, Bridgestone Potenza tires, roll cage, Recaro seats, Sabelt harnesses. – In a few Japanese collections for a long time. Showing 6,930 km, so it has been driven, but they don’t appear to be angry track miles. The paint and wheels are free of major blemishes, just some mild ones on the mirrors and on the rear fender stone guards, which are yellowing. There are some light scuffs on the roll bar inside as well, but the interior looks hardly used. A very desirably configured dual purpose 964 with little use on it. – A better, more rare and more desirable car than the result reported for it here.
Lot # 74 1969 Iso Grifo 7 Liter Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N 7L950297; Blue/Beige Leather; Estimate $500,000 – $600,000; Older restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $350,000 plus commission of 11.43%; Final Price $390,000. – 6,997/400hp, ZF 5-speed, Campagnolo centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin tires, woodrim steering wheel, Becker Europa radio, power windows, air conditioning, books, jack, tools. – One of 66 7 Litri models thoughtfully upgraded with a ZF 5-speed. Best in class at Pebble Beach in 1999 and still looks great. There is a minor paint blemish at the back of the hood scoop and two tiny chips in the driver’s door, but the underbody is nearly spotless and the leather hardly worn. Rare, beautiful, desirable equipment, and an old high quality restoration aging well. – This was an old high quality restoration back in 2016 when Gooding sold it here for $682,000. It now has 213 more miles on its odometer than it did then and, as this result shows, is still an old high quality restoration altough worth a lot less money. The difference between the $500-600,000 estimate range and the $350,000 successful hammer bid suggests that even the auction companies don’t know what cars are worth these days but are willing to post an enticingly high estimate to please consignors while taking the actual consignment only at a drastically reduced reserve.
Lot # 111 1969 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23J9A144312; Blue Fire/Light Blue vinyl; Estimate $120,000 – $140,000; Older restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $150,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $168,000. – 426/425hp Hemi, dual quads, 4-speed, Super Track Pak, power brakes, converted to rear disc brakes and power steering, air grabber hood, body color wheels with hub caps and redline tires, bench seat, possible aftermarket radio head unit, includes Govier report, window sticker copy and Chrysler Registry papers. – Represented as the numbers-matching engine and gearbox. The paint and body are excellent. The brightwork is all in like new condition. The engine compartment is restored to like new condition with correct finishing and the underbody has no deterioration from use. The interior is completely redone and indicates no wear. An excellent restoration to like factory finishes. – Sold by Russo and Steele at Scottsdale in 2007 for $203,500, then by Mecum at Indianapolis in 2009 for $140,450. Among many exotic cars at Gooding Pebble Beach this year this Road Runner Hemi was an exception, not only modestly estimated (at least for this well-heeled crowd but also an American Muscle Car that was a rare bird among Ferraris and Bugattis. Its potential and modest investment lured the bidders into a contest and resulted in this premium price, a figure it would have had little chance of reaching across the Monterey peninsula at Mecum. Good venue selection brought a good price for the consignor.
Lot # 115 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 08446; Engine # 0012058; Argento Auteuil Metallizzato/Black leather; Estimate $600,000 – $750,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $500,000 plus commission of 11.00%; Final Price $555,000. – 2,419/195hp, chairs and flairs, Blaupunkt radio, includes books, jack, tools and window sticker. – Represented as the matching numbers engine and gearbox. Known history from new, recently serviced at GTO Engineering. The original paint is somewhat faded, there are numerous small chips on the nose, the brightwork has been maintained well and is free of pitting or serious fading. The engine compartment is in original condition but is clean and maintained. The underbody has been kept clean and the interior shows significant wear to the seats from use. A very original car that has been used and enjoyed. – Dino prices have settled a bit from their peak last year, and this result suggests that they’re still soft. The price reflects only a very modest premium for both its originality and the typically very valuable chairs and flares (Daytona seats and factory fender flares) options.
Lot # 141 2001 Ferrari 550 GTZ Barchetta, Body by Zagato; S/N ZFFZR52A310124055; Argento Nürburgring/Red leather; Black top; Estimate $600,000 – $800,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $760,000 plus commission of 10.66%; Final Price $841,000. – 5500/485hp, 6-speed manual, red calipers, Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, carbon fiber seats and shift knob. – One of three built, and commissioned by the current owner. Represented with 7,714 miles and a recent service. Showing no real issues and a very pretty car, at least in Andrew Newton’s opinion. In my (Rick Carey’s) opinion it looks like a bulbous caricature with tiny baby buggy wheels under balloon fenders. – An interesting mix of creases and curves, this creation came out of Zagato the same time as they produced a coupe based on the 575 called the 575 GTZ. Zagato completed just five 575 GTZs and three 550 GTZ Barchettas. One of those three sold at auction in 2019 for £575,000 ($754,803). This one, understandably, brought a higher amount five years later (£651,600) and of the three twenty-first century Zagato creations on offer at Pebble Beach this year, this was the most expensive. Rare as it is, its design will not stand the test of time, even with the 6-speed manual gearbox. Andrew and I can agree to disagree on it.
Lot # 142 2010 Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N 1B3AZ6JZ4AV100005; Dark Blue Metallic/Brown leather; Estimate $450,000 – $550,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $570,000 plus commission of 10.88%; Final Price $632,000. – 512/640hp Dodge Viper V10, 6-speed manual, Michelin Pilot Sport tires. – One owner car and the fifth of just nine built to celebrate Alfa’s 100th birthday. An odd choice of platform for celebration, though, because underneath the 1960s-esque TZ skin is not an Alfa Romeo from Milan but a Dodge Viper ACR from Detroit. Represented with 1,832 miles and looks new, and great. It’s a Viper in an Italian suit with a name it dishonors. – And, technically, a Viper has never sold for more than this at auction, though $632K compared to the $1M or so that it reportedly cost new reflects plenty of depreciation. This is a complete debasement of Alfa Romeo history and design principles. It is the antithesis of the Monza, the Two-Nine, the Disco Volante, the denial of the handling and performance of lightweight Giuliettas, Giulias and the legacy of Alfa TZs, the misbegotten child of an opportunistic conjunction of incompatible corporations. It is a barren vision of conjoined corporations that were blissfully separated before too much damage could be done before evolving into the current Stellantis, which melds Alfas with, at least, inoffensive Dodge Hornet SUVs. That said, it’s a rare and fanciful misshapen rendering of Zagato style on a Viper floorpan. Having spent $632,000 for it the buyer may be in the market for an Excalibur.
Lot # 143 2013 Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N ZHWGU5AU6DLA13335; Yellow/Light Gray leather with Yellow stitching; Estimate $400,000 – $600,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $650,000 plus commission of 10.77%; Final Price $720,000. – 5,204/570hp, E-gear 6-speed sequential, Pirelli P Zero tires, roof scoop, tinted glass. – Based on an LP570-4 Superleggera, to celebrate Zagato’s 95th anniversary. Just 1,115 miles and new. Zagato trademarks include the double bubble in the roof and an overall look best described as “not exactly pretty, but definitely distinctive.” The front in particular is a little odd. The way the headlights are situated make them look cross-eyed from some angles, and the front grille looks sort of like a sad, drunken cow or maybe a donkey with its tongue half hanging out. One of nine built, and reportedly cost about $1M when it was new. Also reportedly the first one ever offered for public auction. – Gooding’s presale estimate suggested that this rare, coachbuilt modern supercar could be had for basically half price from what it cost new, but a few people were taken with this thing, bidding for it was spirited, and it’s hard to argue with the price paid. Well, except aesthically. In yellow it looks like a badly fried egg with the yolk broken. It is, however, a way to be different at Concorso Italiano.
Lot # 144 1914 Sunbeam Tourist Trophy Race Car; S/N Engine no. 4; Engine # 4; British Racing Green/Black leather; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,400,000; Older restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,000,000 plus commission of 10.50%; Final Price $1,105,000. – RHD. 3,295/85hp DOHC inline four, 4-speed, rear wheel brakes, dual rear-mounted spares, Elliott tach, dual aeroscreens. – One of three surviving Tourist Trophy Sunbeams, designed by Louis Coatalen, in 1914 as famed as Adrian Newey is today. The engine is an enlarged copy of the ground-breaking 1913 Peugeot L3. One of the four Sunbeams entered won both days of the 1914 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy driven by Lenelm Lee Guinness. Converted by the factory to its present configuration in 1920. Owned by Stanley Sears after WWII, then restored by the present owner in the early 70’s, maitained and demonstrated since then. Chipped old paint, worn upholstery. beautiful old dribbling engine. Fender mounts on the frame. An epic car.
– Like the ’38 Bugatti Type 59 that won Best of Show at the Sunday Concours, this is a marvelous old car with pioneering technical specs and design. It exuded character in Gooding’s preview and reminded me (as it should have because it’s a close copy) of the Peugeot L45 from the Bothwell Collection of a few years ago. This Sunbeam could be restored, but why? It has its own charisma and stature which Pebble Beach proved this year with its Best of Show Bugatti is a valuable and important attribute.
Lot # 146 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante Coupe; S/N 57573; Engine # 37S; Dark Blue/Havana leather; Estimate $9,000,000 – $11,000,000; Concours restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $7,750,000. – RHD.3,257/200hp supercharged inline eight, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Blockley tires, Marchal headlights. – Thoroughly restored to better than new condition, class winner at last year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Displayed by Bugatti at the Paris Salon and Earls Court in London in 1937. Supercharger (from 57374) added in 1939. Represented as the original chassis, coachwork and engine. Excellent paint, Brilliant chrome, fresh upholstery and interior wood. The engine compartment and chassis are nearly spotless. – Owned over the years by a succession of informed, appreciative collectors and beautifully presented still in Concours condition, this is a centerpiece of any collection and a car that looks as good with the hood open as it does with it closed. Gooding is asking $9.75 million all-in on its post-sale website, a big bump even from the $8.5 million that the reported high bid here would have been with Gooding’s Buyer’s Premium.
Lot # 152 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 SIII Cabriolet, Body by Figoni; S/N 2311239; Engine # 2311239; Red, Burgundy fenders and hood/Brown leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $4,000,000 – $5,000,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $3,400,000. – RHD. 2,336/142hp DOHC supercharged inline eight, 4-speed, Memini carburetor, SIATA adjustable shocks, fender color wire wheels, Michelin tires, rear-mounted spare, Bosch headlights, fixed frame top hinged windshield. One of five Figoni-bodied cabriolets of which two remain. – Represented as the original body and drivetrain with a clear, succinct history of just five owners beginning with Raoul Calvayrac. Next owned by Hubert Harmon in the States after WWII and eventually for four decades to Jim Ibold. About 2005 it was acquired from Ibold by Patrick Ottis, displayed at Pebble Beach in 2005, then repainted, upholstered and again displayed at PB in 2010. Subsequently to the present owner, it was a class winner at Amelia in 2018. Carefully preserved and meticulously maintained for almost nine decades. Very good paint, interior and bright trim, highly original. Already accepted to the October USA Warm Up and 2025 Mille Miglia. – Bonhams offered this Alfa in its online Quail Lodge auction in 2020 where it was reported bid to $4.6 million but didn’t sell with a low pre-sale estimate of $6.5 million. It is little changed as offered here, having only a little more than 200 km added to its odometer since then, and the bid is not unreasonable. The consignor is chasing a soft market downward, a tactic that is unlikely to be particularly satisfying or rewarding.
Lot # 154 1970 Lamborghini Miura P400 S Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N 4614; Engine # 30531; Luci del Bosco (Light of the Woods), Gold sills/Beige vinyl, cloth; Estimate $2,000,000 – $2,500,000; Visually maintained, largely original 4+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,850,000 plus commission of 10.27%; Final Price $2,040,000. – 3,929/370hp, 5-speed, vented disc brakes, gold Campagnolo wheels, power windows, leather-wrapped steering wheel. – Delivered new in Turin, then made its way to Paul D. Nadel in East Rockaway, New York who eventually stuck it in his living room, where it sat since the 80’s. Represented as the numbers-matching engine and body. Only recently removed from there, which apparently required some demo-ing on the house, and reportedly unknown in Miura circles until it resurfaced. The partial repaint is flaking off the wheels and chipping off the body. There are several large scratches as well as a big dent on either side of the nose. Upholstery is all aged but there, although there is a rip in the console and a big chunk taken out of the passenger’s seat. All original and rough underneath, but correct. There can’t be many Miura discoveries like this left, given how valuable these cars have gotten. – Among the many testaments to the sheer beauty of these cars is that they look just as good in brown and gold as they do in bright green or orange. There’s no telling why this Luci del Bosco (“lights of the forest”) over Gobi (beige) car wound up becoming a glorified coffee table, but my guess is that the owner was either single or his wife was very easygoing. It’s also not clear what the new owner’s plans are for it, because the temptation to fully restore it or just sort it out mechanically while leaving the top side original are both there. Either way, it brought a solid but not excessive premium for its as-discovered condition.
Lot # 158 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle Tourer; S/N 18PB; Engine # 55R; Gray, Polished aluminum bonnet/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $3,500,000 – $4,000,000; Rebodied or re-created 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $2,850,000. – RHD. 7,248/148hp, 4-speed, rear wheel brakes, dual rear-mounted spares, Elliott tach and speedometer, blade fenders, black 35-inch wire wheels, Silvertown tires, Halogen Lucas headlights, bulb horn. – The 1914 Alpine Trial winner. Represented as the original engine, gearbox and rear axle. Reproduction Alpine Eagle lightweight coachwork in the early naughts. Dyno tested 148hp engine. Excellent recent paint, lightly stretched upholstery. Brilliant chrome. Sharp, clean engine compartment. Driven nearly 30,000 miles since restoration and in remarkably good condition. – There are great car stories, and then there are truly remarkable car stories of which this is one. The Alpine Eagle Rolls-Royce nearly singlehandedly established Rolls as the Best Car in the World and the feat of James Radley and his mechanician “Tubby” Ward in completing the 8-day event without loss of a single point is the stuff of legend. This restoration for Steve Littin is a tribute to the car’s history. Its post restoration use in all manner of events is a tribute to the restoration’s quality. Gooding is asking $3,360,000 on its post-auction website, a piddling premium over the $3,140,000 that the reported high bid would have been had it been accepted and the deal should have been consummated before the sun rose over the Concours on Sunday. Intransigence is not a rewarding attitude, particularly when the auction bid is this close.
Lot # 161 1928 Bugatti Type 44 Torpedo, Body by Figoni; S/N 44437; Engine # 154; Green/Tan leather; No top; Estimate $250,000 – $350,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $420,000 plus commission of 11.19%; Final Price $467,000. – RHD. yellow wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, varnished wood cockpit trim, folding vee windshield, Marchal headlights, dual rear-mounted spares. – Represented as the numbers-matching original engine. Known history from new including D. Cameron Peck, Tom Carstens, author Ken Purdy for whom it was restored by Jim Hoe and Bunny Phillips. Bought from Purdy’s estate by Dr. Theodore Waugh in 1972 and offered from the Waugh estate. Good paint, wood trim and lightly stretched upholstery. Pitted aluminum headlight bezels. Orderly engine compartment. Dusty restored chassis. Better than what might be expected for its long ownership in a multi-car collection. – A handsome and usable Bugatti with room for four and a noted provenance of sophisticated collectors, this was the first of the Dr. Waugh Bugattis to cross the block and it brought bidding that blew away the pre-sale estimate, one of very few auction cars this week to achieve that with most selling under (and some well under) their low estimates. A result showing that provenance and known history still stir the juices of collectors.
Lot # 162 1914 Bugatti Type 13 Dog Cart Replica; S/N Engine no.1232; Engine # 1232; Red/Black leather; No top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Rebodied or re-created 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $140,000. – RHD. 1,453/30hp 16-valve SOHC four, 4-speed, black wire wheels, Dunlop tires, rear wheel brakes, brass radiator, bolster fuel tank. – Built up from a replica frame and Crosthwaite & Gardner body using an original Type 13 engine and front axle. Decent paint and interior both look good. The engine compartment is clean and orderly but aging. Not used in years and needs recommissioning. Dr. Theodore Waugh collection. – Bugatti owners are understanding of cars built from pieces of this and that Bugatti and readily accept bitsas for Bugatti events provided they are, as is this one, faithful to original configuration and Bugatti standards. This isn’t expensive even for a 30hp Brescia while still recognizing its origin and long static display history.
Lot # 163 1930 Bugatti Type 46 Cabriolet, Body by Gangloff; S/N 46470; Engine # 377; Black, Blue sides/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $450,000 – $650,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $500,000 plus commission of 11.00%; Final Price $555,000. – RHD. 5,359/140hp inline eight, 3-speed, brushed chrome bumpers and other bright trim, alloy wheels, Dunlop tires, Marchal headlights, dual sidemounts. – Represented as the original engine. Only three owners from new, with the original owner in Algeria until 1963, then with the second owner for whom it was restored in the UK in the early 70’s. Purchased by Dr. Theodore Waugh in 1975 and offered from Dr. Waugh’s estate. Cosmetically restored more recently in the U.S. This Bugatti has been driven more than indicated by the 12 km on the odometer. Interior trim panels missing next to the footboards. Good paint, top and interior. Restored and lightly used chassis. A pleasing Bugatti with odd bright trim. – “La Petite Royale” with a strong 8-cylinder engine and luxury open coachwork. It benefits from an unusually clear 3-owner history from new and seem always to have been maintained as a single, unmolested entity. It also is very good looking, elegant but not formal. Other than the odd brushed chrome brightwork it is ready to be refreshed and either displayed or toured in BOC events and is a reasonable value in this transaction.
Lot # 164 1914 Bugatti Type 23 Tourer, Body by Wilkinson; S/N 693; Engine # 434; Yellow, Black fenders/Black leather; No top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Rebodied or re-created 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $220,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $246,400. – RHD. 1,327/15hp SOHC 4-cylinder, 4-speed, black wire wheels, Dunlop tires, single rear-mounted spare, brass radiator, rear wheel brakes. – The engine, a correct 8-valve, is from chassis 766. Later coachwork by Wilkinson in the early 80’s. Mediocre old paint with application streaks and small flaws. Serviceable engine compartment. Not used in years and needs attention. – An appealing early Bugatti but with a borrowed engine and replica coachwork. It is surprising it brought this much.
Lot # 165 1927 Bugatti Type 43 Grand Sport Torpedo, Body by Wilkinson; S/N 43207; Engine # 68; Blue/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $400,000 – $600,000; Recent restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $660,000 plus commission of 10.76%; Final Price $731,000. – RHD. 2,262/120hp supercharged SOHC inline eight, 4-speed, cycle fenders, single right side spare, alloy wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, Marchal headlights, seat belts, supercharger number 84. – Former owners include Georges Filipinetti, Pierre Bardinon and (a surprise) Carroll Shelby. Purchased from Shelby by Dr. Waugh in 1974 with an extensive restoration and new coachwork following including a Crosthwaite & Gardner built engine. Very good paint, bright trim, interior and engine compartment. The original engine was number 40. Well done and attractive without being overdone. Dr. Theodore Waugh collection. – A lot rides on the fact this is based on an original Type 43 with a Grand Sport body, although the way it is rendered here is a representation of how it originally left Molsheim. That said, it is a visual and performance statement with high quality cosmetics and mechanics but still expensive at this hammer price over the pre-sale high estimate.
Lot # 166 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Drophead Coupe Stelvio, Body by Gangloff; S/N 57600; Engine # 441; Black, Red sides/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $250,000 – $350,000; Recent restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $520,000 plus commission of 10.96%; Final Price $577,000. – RHD. 3,257/160hp supercharged DOHC straight eight, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Dunlop tires, Marchal headlights, enclosed sidemount, turn semaphores, fender catwalk mounted headlights. – Originally a Ventoux coach, by 1962 when it was acquired of Overton A. “Bunny” Phillips, it was a rolling chassis. Mechanically restored by Phillips and acquired from him by Dr. Waugh along with this Stelvio body from chassis 57766 later on chassis 57733 and restored for Dr. Waugh by Ian Wilkinson, updated with a supercharger and hydraulic brakes. Represented as the original engine. Good paint with a few small flaws. Very good upholstery. Bright chrome. Chassis restored like new. Not used in years and needs freshening. Dr. Theodore Waugh collection. – Although this Type 57 Stelvio is in better overall condition than the Type 57 Stelvio sold here yesterday as lot 48, its history is much more convoluted and it brought roughly $200,000 less, an ideal example of the difference between a Bugatti like this that has evolved and one that is as it began life, particularly since both have been upgraded with superchargers. The pre-sale estimate in this case is meaningless, a come-on for bidders on a No Reserve lot.
Lot # 176 1957 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Lugano Coupe, Body by Ghia-Aigle; S/N AR1900C10439; Engine # AR130801385; Light Blue, Champagne metallic roof/Tan leather; Estimate $250,000 – $300,000; Older restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $162,400. – 1,975/115hp, 5-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli Cinturato tires, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, Veglia gauges. – One of four thought to remain. Restored in Italy in the 2010s. Beautiful paint and chrome. Striking colors. Excellent interior with clear gauges and clean switches. Some light dust and surface rust on the edges of the wheel spokes. Even gaps. The body side trim doesn’t fit completely flush to the body, but it isn’t loose or anything. Mostly top notch, a few details away from being a concours car, and a rare, charming coachbuilt Alfa. – What a lovely car, bodied by the little known Swiss Ghia subsidiary and later independent Ghia-Aigle. Bonhams sold it here in 2016 for $165,000, but that was before its restoration, and it was painted a less charming silver at the time. This result, then, is a great value to the new owner who has a nearly unique car that won’t need any major attention for quite some time.
Lot # 183 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster; S/N 19804210002760; Engine # 19898010002818; Black/Red leather; Estimate $1,400,000 – $1,600,000; Unrestored original 5+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,075,000 plus commission of 10.47%; Final Price $1,187,500. – 2,996/250hp, 4-speed, Becker Mexico radio, includes tools, jack and period literature. – Garage find after 58 years with the previous owner, two owners from new. In as-found condition still covered in dust. Represented as all original including body, engine, gearbox, differential, steering box and front spindles. The paint underneath appears very faded. The brightwork is dull. The radio antenna bezel is missing. The convertible top cover is ripped, The engine compartment is aged and filthy and the underbody is oily and grimy. The interior is heavily worn with tears on the driver’s seat. The carpet is very faded and the interior smells of mouse urine. A garage find car in need of full restoration, but appears to be all here. – There might be some ancient body repairs but this is to all intents and purposes a preserved, if dirty, original 300SL Roadster. It needs comprehensive attention but the financial consequences of that are accommodated in the result it brought here. Auctions, and particularly Gooding & Company, keep finding these neglected but wonderful barn finds. The prices they bring don’t make sense financially in view of the cost of making them run and drive, but they are the essence of what car collecting is about.
Lot # 187 1961 Porsche 356B Carrera Sanction Lost Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N 117289; Bianco Gardenia, Red tail flashes/Black; Estimate $500,000 – $600,000; Facsimile restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $425,000 plus commission of 11.18%; Final Price $472,500. – 1,587/115hp Carrera engine, dual Webers, 4-speed, gold badges, Nardi woodrim steering wheel. – One of nine Zagato-bodied Sanction Lost coupes and believed one of two with a Carrera engine. Completed by Zagato in 2017. Good paint and body showing very little use, the engine compartment is well detailed and shows minimal run time and the interior is excellent exhibiting only minor stretching to the driver’s seat to suggest any sort of use. A very interesting, fairly recent creation by the legendary coachbuilder Zagato. – It’s a re-creation of a single car built in period for Claude Storez, a Speedster but now rendered in several examples as coupes like this one. Nifty but having no history either in period or design. This one was sold be RM in London in 2021 for $575,897 (£462,875, this result is £366,100), a nifty, sleek and fast car but one of several facsimiles of the sole original that has now disappeared. And what would that be worth if it were found?
Lot # 189 1954 Pegaso Z102 Coupe, Body by Saoutchik; S/N 01021500148; Engine # 01020170148; White pearl, Silver Roof/White Leather; Estimate $650,000 – $800,000; Older restoration 1- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $460,000r. – 2,814/195hp, dual 4-barrel Webers, 5-speed transaxle, wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, woodrim steering wheel, Radiomobile radio, Jaeger gauges, Marchal fog lights. – Mild age to some of the brightwork but the pearl paint is spectacular. Wheels and tires look new. Light age to the radio and some of the switchgear, and a slightly stretched driver’s seat bottom, but the interior is mostly bright and gorgeous. One of two Saoutchik-bodied Pegasos here this week. They’re both in fantastic condition. – Unsold at Christie’s Het Loo in 2003 for $164,790 (Euros 150,000), then reported sold after restoration at RM New York in 2013 for $797,500 and bettering that at RM Monterey in 2016 where it sold for $ 880,000. One of two Z102s at the 2014 Monterey auctions but neither of them sold, this one stalling at a $460K high bid and the other, also bodied by Saoutchik, at a nearly identical $450K at RM. Pegasos are an engineering marvel packed with interesting and advanced technology, including their multi-carbureted four-cam V-8s with desmodromic valves, 5-speed transaxle with reverse dogleg shift pattern and inboard rear brakes. They’re perhaps an acquired taste, though, and vintage cars particularly from obscure manufacturers did not do well in Monterey this year, perhaps a reflection of younger bidders unwilling to accept the challenges of older, complicated cars that have to be explained to the owners of turbocharged, sequential shift, jelly bean colored McLarens and Lambos that will brick their multiple onboard computers in a few years and become garage art. A Pegaso, as complicated as it is, will always find a way to work. The old way is not without its redeeming features.
Hi Rick, I would like to know how you really feel about that Lamborghini, lot 143, but please wait to tell me until after I finish laughing.