RM Sotheby’s, Arizona Biltmore, January 17, 2020

RM Sotheby’s experienced the same paradigm shift as most of the other Arizona auctions, a shortage of expensive cars and a general shift to more accessible consignments.

The median transaction was the lowest since 2011; the average sale was the lowest since 2012 which also marked the last time RM had a total sale this low. Making the market shift even more apparent, the 89.5% sell-through rate was the highest since 2012’s 90%.

Ten lots were bid to $1 million or more of which six were sold for a total of $8,951,000 (including commissions.) The four that didn’t sell, however, attracted total bids of $9,550,000.

While talking about paradigm shifts it’s telling to note that RM’s top sale was not a Ferrari, an historic race car or a fabulous classic. It was a 2018 Pagani Huayra Roadster with less than 200 miles that sold for $2,370,000, a late model hypercar that, along with several other hyper-beasts in the Arizona auctions, are making up an increasingly important market segment.

An observation on Paganis: the artistry, intricate attention to detail and meticulous craftsmanship of Horacio Pagani’s automobiles is fascinating. There is always another detail to discover, and wonder at the obsessive attention to everything, from the dashboard instruments to the delicately formed outside mirrors, that makes them more than automobiles. Paganis are works of art … with 750 horsepower.

Here are the numbers:

Year	Cars Sold/ Offered	Sale %	Sold < Low Est	Sold > High Est	Average Sale	Median Sale	Total $
2020	128/143	89.5%	76.6%	6.3%	$237,080	$106,400 [44.9%]	$30,346,210
2019	131/155	84.5%	66.4%	10.7%	$281,312	$145,600 [51.8%]	$36,851,890
2018	111/128	86.7%	60.9%	8.2%	$323,722	$165,200 [51%]	$35,933,140
2017	142/160	88.8%	69.7%	5.6%	$378,248	$121,000 [32%]	$53,711,250

On site observations are from Rick Carey, Andrew Newton, Greg Ingold and Megan Boyd.

65 of the 143 lots offered are described here. They are sorted by Marque, Model, Body Style and Year.

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Lot # 250 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce Spider, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 1495F07553; Engine # AR131531847; Grigio Grafite/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $84,000. – Silver steel wheels, hubcaps, Vredestein tires, 5-speed, Wagner halogen headlights, dual outside mirrors. – Very good paint, bright lipstick red upholstery, good chrome and glass. The engine compartment is complete, clean and authentically detailed. One of the Webers is covered in fuel residue and there’s some oily residue on the crankcase and frame but overall this Alfa is difficult to fault in any meaningful way. – According to Luigi Fusi, this chassis number is a 1959 Giulietta Veloce Spider and the engine number is a 1958 Veloce. At least it’s all Veloce. The bidders must have had their Fusi in their pockets. It was sold by Bonhams here a year ago for $95,200 showing 17 fewer miles on the odometer than the 82,042 displayed today. It was a sound buy then, and it’s an even more sound buy today.

Lot # 217 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N AR1425442; Engine # AR0056400401; Red/Black cloth; Estimate $100,000 – $130,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $57,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $64,400. – Blaupunkt CD stereo, Red painted alloy wheels, Michelin XWX tires. – Sound repaint, lightly worn interior, decent chrome. Clear gauges. Scratched woodrim steering wheel. The engine compartment is dry and clean but aged and has plentiful paint loss. – Someone in this Montreal’s ownership history cannot be forgiven for painting its alloy wheels body color. They are audacious and grating. The rest of the car is good, if not great, and the seller should be happy with this result even if it’s barely half the exalted pre-sale low estimate.

Lot # 173 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N ZAR16200003000440; Red, Gray roof/Tan leather; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Original, modified for competition or performance, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $52,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $58,800. – 2,959cc/210hp V6, 5-speed, Potenza tires, aftermarket coilovers, Wilwood brakes, 17-inch wheels, Momo steering wheel (original included), aftermarket stereo head unit, Sparco seats with harnesses, aftermarket exhaust, Sparco aluminum pedals. – Just 13,166 km from new having spent most of its life on display in Japan. The finish on the rear spoiler is a little tired. The red paint is starting to show its age but there are no huge blemishes. Negligible wear on the driver’s seat but otherwise great interior. Very rare, especially here where the SZ was never sold and, in that typical Zagato way, it’s so ugly it’s beautiful. Also a shoo-in for Radwood. – Alfa sold barely 1,000 SZs, and since turning 25 years old a while back they have started to trickle into this country. This one’s mods are tasteful but they are still mods and they kept the bidding relatively quiet. This is one of the less expensive examples sold recently and represents very good value for money for a performance-oriented buyer.

Lot # 231 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk II Coupe; S/N AM3001114; Engine # VB6J656; Dark Blue/Tan leather; Estimate $180,000 – $200,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $112,000. – Chrome wire wheels, Avon Turbospeed tires, Raydyot driving lights, woodrim steering wheel, Smiths gauges. – Represented as the matching numbers engine. Older chrome. Some discoloration on the body trim. Very good paint and interior. The wheels could stand a cleaning. Very tidy and restored underneath. Minor oil leak. A restored and rare Mk II (one of 199 built) DB2/4 in good colors, perfect for events or casual showing, – Earlier DBs have been struggling recently, with more attention seemingly shifting to later, faster, more attractive Astons. This one sold at RM’s Monterey 2018 for $318,500 auction, then hammered not sold at a $290,000 high bid at RM’s Petersen Museum sale the same year, so this result looks like a steal even considering the recent dip in prices. It’s a great bargain and a solid value for the new owner, who now has all sorts of events and rallies to choose from.

Lot # 271 1956 Austin-Healey 100-4 BN2 Roadster; S/N BN2L232735; Engine # 1B232735M; Ivory White, Black/Black; Black vinyl top; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $55,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $62,160. – Chrome wire wheels, banjo steering wheel, overdrive, heater, 4-speed, Lucas driving lights, BMIHT documented. – Represented as matching numbers. Good older paint and chrome. The headlight bezels are a little dull. Slightly uneven fit on the doors and very uneven on the trunk lid. Good, lightly worn interior. Original gauges. Older restored and lightly aged underneath. Restored six years and 700 miles ago but not to show standards. It’s a better than average driver and looks ready to go for rallies and events. – A good car at a modest price that should leave the new owner happy. The seller got scant compensation for the restoration work and expense.

Lot # 204 1986 Bertone X1/9 Targa; S/N ZBBBS00A6G7157651; Blue, Light Metallic Blue/Black vinyl, pattern cloth; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $16,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $18,480. – Cromodora wheels, Cinturato tires, Mitsubishi cassette stereo, books, jack, tools. – Showing 4,786 believable miles but doesn’t quite look showroom fresh. Impressive original paint other than odd discoloration on the right side of the nose, several small chips rough out and a faded roof. Slightly dull bumpers. Very good interior and hardly any age or wear underneath. Has to be among the best, lowest mile X1/9s of any kind out there, and that it’s a Bertone-badged car adds even more distinction. – A classic, mid-engine Bertone-bodied wedge sports car for 18 grand sounds like a steal, but it’s a top-of-the market result for an X1/9, which is usually seen with a Fiat badge (on pre-1982 models) and with lots of rust.

Lot # 162 1970 Buick GS 455 Stage I 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 446370H264513; Burnished Saddle/Brown; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $50,400. – Stage 1 455/360hp, 4-speed, factory air conditioning, power brakes and steering, Goodyear Eagle GT tires, AM/FM radio, bucket seats, console mounted clock. Includes Protect-O-Plate and original window sticker. – The paint is very good without chips or blemish. The rear bumper has some light streaks in the finish. The lower driver’s door sticks out a bit. The engine compartment is clean and the engine shows minimal run time. The underbody has been repainted, but not to a high quality like the body. The interior has been redone and shows very well. Very well restored with only a handful of details missed. – Sold at Motostalgia’s Houston auction in 2014 for $66,000, offered at Mecum Indy in 2014 where it was reported bid to $52,000, then sold by Leake at Oklahoma City in February 2014 for $44,000 and at Tulsa in June for $47,850. The successful hammer bid of $45,000 fits neatly into this progression and the market’s evolution over the past six years, a fair result for a good GS 455

Lot # 119 1931 Cadillac 452 V-16 Imperial Sedan, 7-pass., Body by Fleetwood; S/N 703108; Engine # 703108; Bimini Blue, Black fenders and roof/Black leather in front, Gray cloth in back; Estimate $100,000 – $150,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $72,800. – Dual sidemount spares with mirrors, luggage rack, radiator mascot, wide whitewalls, windshield visor, spotlight, Cadillac build sheet documented. – Original paint with fading and cracking throughout. Original leather front seat shows wear and cracking. The rear seat is in great condition with only minor moth damage. All brightwork is pitted, with some of it completely stripped. Tires look ancient and yellowed but have lots of tread. Represented with known ownership history and 21,904 miles from new. First ordered by Congressman Ira C. Copley of Illinois and passed through a string of owners and collectors but has never been restored. It has to be one of the best preserved unrestored V16s out there. John Groendyke collection. – An extraordinary survivor, never restored or even painted. The Fleetwood Imperial Sedan coachwork isn’t in favor (to say the least) but it is elegant and practical. Restoration of “Blue Boy” would be a travesty but at this price the new owner can continue its preservation while maintaining it as an example for restorers of less well-preserved V-16 Cadillacs, a solid value for an irreplaceable automobile.

Lot # 207 2010 Chevrolet Callaway Corvette SC606 Convertible; S/N 1G1YX3DW2A5106882; Velocity Yellow, Silver Pearl hood/Black, Cashmere leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $44,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $49,280. – 6.2/606hp supercharged, 6-speed paddle shift automatic, power everything, chrome 18/19-inch alloy wheels, carbon fiber hood. – 1,500 miles and pristine inside and out. – This is a $49,280 2010 Corvette Grand Sport. The extra 176 Callaway supercharged, intercooled horsepower and all the other Callaway features are free, and that’s a good deal which the buyers here at the Arizona Biltmore recognized.

Lot # 216 1988 Chevrolet Corvette Callaway Convertible; S/N 1G1YY318XJ5102534; Bright Red/Black leather; Black top; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $56,000. – 350/382hp twin turbo engine, Doug Nash 4+3 overdrive transmission, Aerobody, Uniden radar detector, Dymag alloy wheels. – The front bumper has numerous stone chips and a large scrape on the right side. There is a large paint crack on the upper bumper. The top fits tightly and has a few water stains. The underbody and mechanicals are original and have not received any significant detailing. The driver’s seat has significant stretching and both seats have noticeable wrinkling. A well-worn in car with little care taken considering the 10,300 miles represented. – Sourced by Corvette as a stopgap before the delayed introduction of the ZR1 and the first Corvette offered by Chevrolet with a factory RPO (B2K) the relevant number here is not the 382hp (142 more than the standard Corvette.) It’s the 562 lb-ft torque that propels the Callaway Twin Turbo into warp speed with unprecedented alacrity for the 80’s (provided the driver can master the intricacies of the Doug Nash overdrive 4-speed’s convoluted shifting sequence which goes something like: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd OD, 4th, 3rd OD, 4th OD.) All that aside, this is an exhilarating ride and a Corvette performance milestone for an appropriate price.

Lot # 225 1963 Chevrolet Corvette FI Coupe; S/N 30837S106704; Engine # 3106704 F1016RF; Tuxedo Black/Black vinyl; Estimate $140,000 – $180,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $134,400. – 327/360hp, 4-speed, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewall radial tires. – Good older repaint and upholstery. Clean, orderly engine compartment but showing some age and aluminum oxidation. Scratched windshield pillar chrome, paint loss on the hood grilles. Neglected underbody. Dull console aluminum and dirty gauge bezels. Dirty frame. A sound and usable FI Vette that’s seen better days. – Two weeks after Scottsdale at the Paris auctions of RM, Bonhams and Artcurial it was noted that, like in a Sesame Street skit, “I’m running out of ‘3’s”. That wasn’t quite the case in Scottsdale, but close. This is a desirable Corvette Fuelie, but it’s been treated like a red-headed stepchild, ignored and denied, but a choice example could have brought over $200,000 and this is a reasonable price for this one.

Lot # 212 1996 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Coupe; S/N 1G1YY2251T5600364; Admiral Blue, White/Black leather; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Reserve; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $53,760. – 350/330hp LT4, 6-speed, F45 suspension, Delco/Bose stereo, low tire pressure warning, window sticker and 1996 Corvette VHS tape. – One of 1,000 (810 coupes and 190 convertibles) 1996 Grand Sports. Like new condition and represented with just 96 miles, so it’s destined for a life of collection display. That odometer will probably never tick over 100. – According to RM Sotheby’s, this carried a sticker price of $46,239 in 1996, which is nearly 76 grand adjusted for inflation. On the collector car market, though, this is a massive price for a Grand Sport and it bought a car that stands out for its condition and mileage even though many of these limited-production C4s were mothballed from new.

Lot # 134 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (big tank) Coupe; S/N 30837S114083; Riverside Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $500,000 – $600,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $400,000. – 327/360hp Fuelie, Z06, 36-gallon fuel tank, power brakes, wheel covers, AM/FM radio, heater delete. – NCRS Top Flight, Bloomington Gold certified, 2016 AACA Grand National First Prize. The paint is in good condition overall without damage, the finish would benefit from a professional detail to make the finish pop. The bumpers and brightwork are all excellent. The engine compartment is very clean and indicates no use as does the underbody. The interior is practically unused. An older restoration, reportedly using NOS parts, which still presents well. – Even with no race history represented, a Big Tank Z06 is a highly collectible Corvette in any condition and this one has no needs, so it’s worth a little more than this reported high bid and refusing the offer was an understandable decision.

Lot # 210 2002 Dodge Viper GTS ACR Coupe; S/N 1B3ER69EX2V102961; Red, White stripes/Black; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Reserve; Hammered Sold at $102,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $114,800. – 488/460hp, 6-speed, BBS wheels, Pilot Sport tires, harnesses. Options include Competition Group and Comfort Group. – Number 96 of 360 Final Editions built in 2002. Comes with original window sticker from the original owner. Just 101 miles, and they weren’t on the track. A like new collector-grade Viper, and the ACR makes things even more interesting with lighter weight and a little more power. – According to RM, this car had a $95,100 sticker price at the dealer, or about $136,000 in today’s dollars. Not a home-run investment, then, but six figures for an older Viper that isn’t one of the track-exclusive GTS-Rs (those have sold for six figures before) is noteworthy. This is a breakout sale.

Lot # 140 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Coupe, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 0377GT; Engine # 0377GT; Azure Blue, Silver roof/Beige leather; Estimate $1,500,000 – $1,700,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,350,000. – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, woodrim steering wheel with finger buttons, Clayton heater, Marchal headlights and fog lights. – Very good recent repaint, good older upholstery. The engine is clean except for some fluid residue. The engine compartment and chassis have been painted over old, chipped paint. A handsome car in solid touring condition. – Offered by RM at Monterey in 2017 where it was reported bid to $1.6 million, this Europa GT is getting no better with age and deserves to find a caring home that will enter it on the Mille Miglia. Its condition is such (other than the recent paint) that a few stone chips won’t significantly detract from its value, which is reasonably represented by the reported high bid here.

Lot # 253 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 0913GT; Engine # 0913GT; Rosso Corsa/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $6,000,000 – $7,000,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $5,500,000. – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Vredestein tires, woodrim steering wheel with finger buttons, covered Marchal headlights, single Talbot outside mirror, auxiliary power outlets under the dashboard. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. There is some paint loss behind the driver’s door and on the hood edge on the left side. Panels are flat, fits are excellent. The seats have some use and wear but only enough to be characterized as “patina.” An exceptionally attractive and maintained beautiful Ferrari. – It’s no California Spider, but it is a fast, beautiful and rare Ferrari grand touring cabriolet that is highly sought-after and has loads of panache, particularly with the covered headlights. The result here is reasonable, and so close to RM’s pre-sale low estimate, it realistically could have been sold at the reported high bid. At Monaco in 1992 at the Brooks auction it was bid to $295,800 although only described then as “cosmetically restored” and has been completely redone since at presumably vast expense.

Lot # 151 1962 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series II 2 + 2, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 3547; Engine # 3547; Dark Red/Beige leather; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $360,000. – Marchal headlights and fog lights, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Vredestein tires. – Dull, dirty wheels, burnished older upholstery with dead foam cushioning falling apart and onto the floor. Dull gauges with foggy lenses. Oily misted engine compartment with some fluid leakage. Old undercoat in the wheelwells. Decent older paint and even panel fits. New paint on an old car. – Only four miles have been added to this 250 GTE’s odometer since it crossed the block at the ill-fated Keno Brothers auction in New York in 2015 but the car has been neglected and it shows. The reported high bid here is reasonable and realistic for its condition and the looming probability of an extensive re-commissioning to make up for five years of dormancy. The consignor would have been well-advised to take the money if it was there.

Lot # 152 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 07241; Engine # 07241; Rosso Corsa/Tan leather; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,200,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,700,000. – 3,286cc/300hp, six Weber carbs, 5-speed, centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin XWX tires, covered Carello headlights, short nose, Ferrari Classiche certified with a replacement correct Type 563 transaxle. – Steel body. A little fluid residue in the engine compartment but otherwise clean and nearly like new. Excellent paint and interior with a lightly burnished driver’s seat. A quality older restoration with excellent maintenance. Skip Barber collection. – A somewhat strange Ferrari with the six carb intake but steel coachwork. The catalog makes much of the short nose coachwork being “the purest iteration of the original design” however the later longer nose was created to reduce the front end aerodynamic lift at speed of the short nose cars. The reported high bid here is more than reasonable for this car.

Lot # 249 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 9449; Engine # 9449; Rosso Corsa/Tan leather; Estimate $500,000 – $600,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $450,000 plus commission of 11.11%; Final Price $500,000. – Becker Mexico cassette stereo, Talbot outside mirror, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, Carello halogen headlights, grille mounted Marchal driving lights, power windows. – Sound older paint, poorly touched up repair on the driver’s windshield post and scratches on the cowl. The hood stands a bit proud at the rear. Good major chrome but weak window trim, license plate lights and door handles. Delaminating rear window. Original undercoat in the wheelwells. A disappointing cosmetic redo on a car that deserved better. – This 330 GTC brought close enough to the result for Gooding’s long-stored and comprehensively needy 330 GTC to illustrate the contrast between a supposed “barn find premium” and what a car is worth. Not pristine by any standard, but at least maintained in running and driving condition, this is a representative result these days for a driver quality 330 GTC.

Lot # 242 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 9781; Engine # 9781; Grigio Ferro/Grey leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,200,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,550,000 plus commission of 10.32%; Final Price $1,710,000. – 3,967cc/300hp V-12, 5-speed, chrome spoke polished rim Borrani RW4039 wire wheels, Michelin X blackwalls, power windows, halogen headlights, owner’s manual, full tool roll, Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification. – Cavallino Platinum 2017-19. Known history from new, original chassis, engine and body. Restored in 2016 in the present colors and materials with beautiful clearcoat paint, bright chrome and inviting interior. The underside is as clean and fresh as the top. The engine compartment is beautiful, fresh, dry and clean. – Sold by RM at Monterey in 2015 for an undisclosed amount (reported to be just over $2 million) and offered by RM at Monaco in 2016 where it was reported bid to $2,032,920 (Euros 1.8 million at the time, this result is Euros 1,541,500 all-in). One of the most beautiful of all open Ferraris, of which only 99 were built, with continent-straddling performance and comfort and impeccable restoration and preservation. The result here is indicative of a general softening in top-end Ferrari V-12s in the past five or so years, a result that will not please the other 98 330 GTS owners, but is realistic in the present environment and comparable with the 330 GTS s/n 10111 sold at Gooding & Company a day later for $1,985,000 (its color earning it a “Giallo Premium” over the more subtle “Grigio Ferro” of s/n 9781.)

Lot # 146 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 14239; Engine # B1034; Black/Black leather; Estimate $475,000 – $575,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $420,000 plus commission of 11.19%; Final Price $467,000. – 4,390cc/352hp, 5-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, Kenwood cassette stereo, Veglia air conditioning, Marelli Dinoplex ignition modules. – Good chrome. Represented as the original engine, interior and “correct-type” gearbox. Mediocre older repaint over old paint. Cracking original upholstery with a flap torn out of the driver’s cushion. Dirty wheels and engine compartment. Stone chipped nose. Old undercoat peeling and starting to surface rust where it’s gone. Neglected and not encouraging. – For a Daytona this is actually pretty scrofulous. Maintained over the years but never given any more than it demanded, the paint is barely above nasty and the touted original upholstery is falling apart. It was offered by RM at Amelia in 2002 with a reported high bid of $98,000 and has added some 2,400 miles to its odometer in the intervening eighteen years. With an abundance of Daytonas on offer privately, by dealers and at auctions the seller should be grateful to RM Sotheby’s for getting a superior price for a daily driver quality Daytona.

Lot # 145 2014 Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 3238; Engine # 015; Rosso Corsa/Black cloth; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $179,200. – 4,499cc/550hp, Hewland sequential 6-speed, carbon fiber body panels, wing, splitter, 7-spoke black alloy wheels, Pirelli tires, fire system. – Minimally used and undamaged but dusty and aged, in need of comprehensive inspection, deferred maintenance reversal and freshening before being used. – Heavily discounted for its half-decade in storage, this 458 Italia GT3 promises some exciting track days but only after spending many months and dollars on inspection and updating. The price seems to take that into account but even when it is track-ready it still will be an outdated GT3 track day car.

Lot # 240 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale A Spider, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFF78VHA6F0209707; Blu Pozzi, White Stripe/Black, Blue Alcantara; Estimate $550,000 – $650,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $450,000. – 4,499cc/605hp, Carbon fiber interior trim, black wheels, SF shields – One of 499 458 Speciale Apertas. Few signs of use aside from a couple of small stone chips on the lower front bumper. The car is otherwise in unused condition and represented to be under 1,000 miles. – This is an essentially unused example of a special limited production (499 built) high performance Ferrari with some 55 more horses than the already powerful 458. Its appeal was lost on the bidders in Arizona, however.

Lot # 153 2017 Ferrari 488 70th Anniversary Spider, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFF80AMA4H0226129; Metallic Rosso Corsa, Black mirrors and sills/Beige leather, Black stripe; Estimate $350,000 – $400,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $325,000 plus commission of 11.54%; Final Price $362,500. – SF shields, black calipers, 5-spoke Ferrari alloy wheels, climate control, manettino steering wheel, carbon fiber diffuser and details, parking camera and sensors, adaptive lighting, Assembly number 143664. – 1,500 miles and like new. This is Ferrari’s 70th Anniversary “Magnum P.I.” livery, the only 488 Spider so-liveried. – While most 488 Spiders share common characteristics of low miles, lavish options and assiduous maintenance this one adds the “Magnum P.I.” livery, a dubious distinction at best but it brought a meaningful premium on the order of 20%. It’s only two more years ’til 2022 and an even more furious exploitation of the diamond anniversary at 75 years from 1947.

Lot # 257 1979 Ferrari 512 BB Custom Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 28981; Engine # 42872; Black/Black leather; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $200,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $224,000. – 17-inch 5-spoke modular wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, air conditioning, power windows, 4942cc/440hp F512 M engine, driving lights, carbon fiber airboxes, Ohlins coilovers, Wilwood brakes. – Very good repaint and attractive interior with little evident use. Old undercoat in the wheelwells. Clean, orderly engine compartment. Impressively competently executed and presented. – An intriguing hot rod Ferrari that has had two lives, first as a Bob Norwood special with a twin turbo Testarossa engine and then later tamed with the present F512 M powerplant. While the turbo Testarossa engine is reputed to have developed 1,000+hp, the current powerplant promises to be much more drivable. It was sold at Worldwide’s Houston auction in 2006 with the twin turbo setup for a modest $60,500, a case where simplification and drivability vastly enhance the value.

Lot # 136 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFJA09B000049803; Rosso Corsa, Black sills/Cream leather; Estimate $325,000 – $375,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $295,000 plus commission of 11.69%; Final Price $329,500. – Power windows, Kenwood cassette stereo, air conditioning, gold painted centerlock alloy wheels, TRX tires. – Good probably original paint and interior. Clean underbody and clean, dry engine compartment. The odometer shows 10,903 km, probably all it has covered from new. Belt serviced five years, but only 25 miles, ago. – Serious premiums for originality were earned by a few select cars in Scottsdale like the 400i and this Berlinetta Boxer. In these situations it’s best to let the bidders speak with their paddles. In this case low miles and preservation were worth $50,000-$75,000 over a less well-preserved example.

Lot # 148 1993 Ferrari 512 TR Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFLG40A7P0095077; Engine # 32406; Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $179,200. – Ferrari alloy wheels, Michelin tires, black calipers, power windows, air conditioning, tools. – Represented as 8,916 miles and aside from some burnishing and light wrinkling on the seats looks the part. The engine compartment, however, is aged, dusty and oxidized with seepage from the cam covers and road grime on the chassis and suspension. – One look into the bottom of the engine compartment shows that this 512 TR isn’t the pampered, babied car implied by the low miles. It also was offered with no record of major service. The seller was fortunate to get this much for it.

Lot # 267 2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Coupe, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFAA54A250138987; Grigio Ingrid/Tan leather with Brown inserts; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $82,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $92,400. – Modular wheels, red calipers, P Zero tires, heated power Daytona-style seats, Scuderia shields, books and tool kit. – A few small but deep chips on the nose. Otherwise the car looks fantastic and nearly new, as it should given the 7,126 miles and single owner represented. Also comes with full service history including a belt service in 2015. Unusual colors on an already underappreciated Ferrari, but this is a well-kept example. – The 612 Scaglietti cost about a quarter-million dollars when it was new, but the four-seater Ferraris take longer to garner appreciation among enthusiasts and collectors than their sportier cousins, and this is a spot-on result in today’s market. It’s a lot of car for the money and unlike some depreciating Ferraris it has been regularly serviced.

Lot # 115 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Spider, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 04268; Engine # 0010130; Giallo Fly, Black Targa panel/Black vinyl; Estimate $325,000 – $375,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $305,000 plus commission of 11.64%; Final Price $340,500. – Cromodora alloy wheels, Michelin XWX tires, power windows, Borletti air conditioning, owner’s manuals, jack, tool kit. – Chipguarded nose. Ferrari Classiche certified, original engine and gearbox. Good paint and interior with neither chips nor wear. Old undercoat in the wheelwells. The engine compartment is orderly but has fluid residue. Good chrome. – Sold by RM here in Arizona in 2014 for $352,000 and bought here for a realistic price (with perhaps a little bonus for the wonderful Giallo Fly livery) that reflects the reality of 246 GTS values over the past six years.

Lot # 255 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Spider, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 07898; Engine # 11889; Rosso Cordoba/Beige leather; Estimate $300,000 – $350,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Reserve; Hammered Sold at $270,000 plus commission of 11.85%; Final Price $302,000. – Daytona-style seats, Cromodora wheels, Momo leather-wrapped steering wheel, Blaupunkt stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – Chairs but no flares. The engine bay is a bit grimy but tidy enough. A few microblisters, touch ups and cracks on the left rear and a few other blemishes throughout. Good mostly original interior. Probably never restored but maintained and painted. Also desirably optioned from new, but a driver by Ferrari standards. – Low $300,000’s seems to be the standard of 246 GTS value in the Scottsdale auctions, with moderate variations for equipment and colors. It is unusual to see such consistency across several auctions but this is an informed marketplace with sunny skies where lightning is unlikely to strike.

Lot # 171 2017 Ferrari F12berlinetta 70th Anniversary Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFF74UFA6H0226891; Marron Fer, Vinaccia roof/Cream leather, Burgundy piping; Estimate $400,000 – $450,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $372,500 plus commission of 11.34%; Final Price $414,750. – 5-spoke alloy wheels, PZero tires, black calipers, climate control, folding rear seat back. – 109 miles and unblemished. 70th Anniversary livery (no. 10) “The Grand Tourer” inspired by 1954 Europa GT s/n 0313EU, the only F12berlinetta so-liveried. – According to the catalog there were 70 different Tailor Made liveries applied exclusively to each of five production models. Math tells us there are 350 70th Anniversary cars floating around, with a significant subset of them being passed on here at the Scottsdale auctions and this one brought the most extravagant premium even taking the low miles into account, some $150,000 over the value of an ordinary (if there is such a thing) F12berlinetta. It’s a handsome and luxurious car. It’s also expensive.

Lot # 245 2018 Ferrari GTC4Lusso 70th Anniversary Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 229194; Bordeaux/Black leather, Alcantara; Estimate $375,000 – $475,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $300,000. – Silver painted 5-spoke alloy wheels, PZero tires, Yellow calipers, SF shields, fitted luggage, zillions of dollars in options. – 1,200 miles and like new. 70th Anniversary livery after the earliest Ferrari 125S. – “70th Anniversary” overload has set in by Friday at RM when this 70th Anniversary GTC4 Lusso brought a bid of no more than a similar production car would have brought.

Lot # 139 1987 Ferrari Testarossa Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFSG17A4H0068663; Engine # 00512; Rosso Corsa/Tan leather; Estimate $95,000 – $115,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $67,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $75,600. – 5-spoke alloy wheels, BFGoodrich tires, air conditioning, power windows. – Good original paint and lightly worn interior. The front compartment panel doesn’t close flush but there are no nose stone chips. There is overspray in the right front wheelwell indicating some paint work on the front. Represented as having a clean CarFax. – The CarFax and the paint work are inconsistent and the buyer of this Testarossa left a reasonable amount of headroom at this price to find and fix (or simply accept) any discrepancies.

Lot # 211 1968 Fiat Dino Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 135AS0001100; Red/Black leatherette; Black leatherette top; Estimate $100,000 – $150,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $108,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $120,960. – Centerlock Cromodora alloy wheels, Michelin XVS tires, Pioneer cassette stereo, woodrim steering wheel, Pioneer cassette stereo, Marelli ignition module. – Very good repaint and interior. Good chrome except for a few weak trim bits. The steering wheel varnish is curdled and lumpy. There is a good sized chip at the back of the driver’s door that hasn’t been touched up. Original undercoat underneath. Clean, orderly engine compartment with some fluid residue in the plug recesses. – This is more money than this neglected Dino deserved. Not by a lot in absolute terms (maybe $15,000 or so) but a lot in percentage. It’s an attractive beast that would have been a more realistic buy at $95,000 hammer than this price. It flew strongly in the headwinds of the Arizona auctions that put a premium on good cars, which this obviously flawed example was not.

Lot # 246 2017 Ford GT Coupe; S/N 2FAGP9CW8HH200040; Riviera Blue/Black; Estimate $750,000 – $1,000,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $835,000 plus commission of 10.60%; Final Price $923,500. – Silver brake calipers, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, titanium lug nuts, without the NHV panel affixed from the factory. – The paint is excellent and shows no damage from road use, the interior is essentially unused. This is nearly a brand new car with 2,900 miles represented. – Most of the new Ford GTs we’ve seen at auction have delivery miles, which puts this one in the “high mileage” category. It failed to sell at an $875,000 high bid at Fall Auburn last year, while other ones with a fifth of the miles and a still-in-the-wrapper presentation have sold in the $1M range, so this result makes sense.

Lot # 273 1941 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon; S/N 186325382; Lochaven Green, Wood/Brown; Estimate $65,000 – $85,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $39,200. – 90hp Flathead, 3 on the tree, hub caps and trim rings, whitewalls, dual mirrors, factory radio, dash clock, three-row seating, heater, enclosed rear-mounted spare. – Bought from the original owner’s family by the consignor. Good paint and chrome. The rubber moulding on the doors is coming loose. Very good revarnished original exterior wood with just a handful of forgivable cracks. The door gaps are a little uneven but still probably better than new. Excellent interior wood and upholstery. Very good dash, but some cracks in the steering wheel. A rarely seen woody in any condition let alone with presentation this good, and it wears a charming color combination. – This is a bargain price for a prewar Ford woodie wagon that has had sympathetic ownership by only two owners and a credible restoration. It was the last lot across RM’s auction block at the Biltmore and the new owner was rewarded for waiting around.

Lot # 137 1961 Jaguar XKE SI Flat Floor Roadster; S/N 875274; Engine # R1395-9; Opalescent Green Metallic/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $156,800. – Flat floors, external bonnet latches, welded louvers, Tremec 5-speed (original Moss 4-speed included), chrome wire wheels, boot cover, woodrim steering wheel, original Blaupunkt pushbutton radio, tool kit, JDHT Certificate. – Represented as the original engine. Originally red over black, restored in the 1990s, then freshened in the mid-2010s. Very good but not super fresh paint and chrome. Very good fully restored engine bay and underbody. Uneven fit on the trunk lid, and there’s a small paint scratch at the bottom of it. Light but visible age to the interior. The Tremec 5-speed also makes the car objectively nicer to drive, but may turn off some purists. Ticks a lot of the right boxes but it isn’t a stunner. – Not sold at a $230,000 high bid at Quail Lodge last year and seriously handicapped here by its 5-speed. The purists were turned off and may have been reasonably concerned about what else was not original or period-correct about it (which might be inferred from the catalog’s reference to “further mechanical upgrades” in 2016.) Worth over $200,000 in its factory configuration, the “upgrades” weighed heavily on this E-Type’s value, a discerning approach to originality that was seen at all the Arizona auctions this week.

Lot # 127 1983 Lamborghini Countach LP500S Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N ZA9C00500CLA12548; Engine # 12548; White/Black leather; Estimate $250,000 – $300,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Reserve; Hammered Sold at $240,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $268,800. – Six Webers, Route OZ wheels, P Zero tires, Ansa exhaust, reproduction manual, tool roll, jack. – With one owner for 30 years. Some significant cracks and crazing in the paint, but it’s only visible up close. The windshield is delaminating a little at the bottom edges. Clean wheels. Rebuilt engine and new clutch 4,000 km ago, done by a specialist to European specs. Good interior with light wear on the driver’s seat. An unrestored Countach but mechanically sorted and presumably worry-free, at least as much as an old Lambo can be. Charming originality and the right amount of patina. – Surprisingly, this car’s combination of good mechanicals underneath with patina on top didn’t seem to charm anybody else. Even though the 1982-85 LP500S is among the less expensive ways to get into a Countach, this was still a light result.

Lot # 222 1992 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N ZLA831AB000576058; Metallic Black/Grey Alcantara; Estimate $150,000 – $180,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $96,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $107,520. – 2-liter/210hp, turbocharged, Leather rim Momo steering wheel, alloy wheels, Pirelli tires. – Good original paint and interior showing 12,488 believable kilometers. A homologation model with full road equipment and comprehensive comfort features, first owned by Italian Olympic Gold Medal skier, Alberto Tomba. – Despite the generous pre-sale estimate premised on both the low mileage and celebrity ownership this modest result is less of a bargain than it seems. It’s still a very good value in a rare high performance Lancia, however, and the new owner can be justly proud of both the car and the price paid for it.

Lot # 208 1991 Lotus Elan SE Convertible; S/N SCCGA36B1MHF28127; Metallic Blue/Black; Black cloth top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; 2 condition; Reserve; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $32,480. – Ruote OZ wheels, Goodyear Eagle tires, power windows, cassette stereo. – Just 260 miles on a one-owner car. Maybe he was disappointed in it. Regardless, it’s clean top to bottom and as close to a brand new one of these M100 Elans as you’ll find anywhere. Very impressive. – While Mazda was perfecting its modern interpretation of the 1960s Elan with its MX-5 Miata, Lotus was getting it wrong with a front-drive, Isuzu-powered wedge. The M100 Elan didn’t sell very well and isn’t particularly collectible, and for years it has presented a cheap way into Lotus ownership. Most examples still out there are on the rough side. This like-new one is the best we’ve seen at auction, and it’s the most expensive.

Lot # 272 1978 Lotus Esprit S1 Coupe; S/N 78010621H; Engine # AC7 7801 14511; Yellow/Black cloth; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $32,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $36,400. – 1973cc/160hp, dual Webers (original Dell’ortos included), black alloys, Yokohama tires, rear window seats, power windows, aftermarket radio and later shift knob. – Rare late S1 Esprit. Represented with 900 miles since a restoration. A few small bubbles in the paint. Tidy engine bay. A few scuffs and wrinkles on the rear bumper. Tidy but only partially restored interior. Not 100 percent correct and not perfect, but when it comes to early Esprits it’s best to buy one that is sorted rather than one that is iffy underneath but pretty on top. This is a solid car for somebody who wants one to drive. – A few like-new all-original early Esprits have sold at higher numbers, but this is a fair result for a restored driver.

Lot # 219 1973 Maserati Bora 4.9 Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N AM11749500; Red, Brushed stainless roof/Ivory leather; Estimate $160,000 – $200,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $102,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $114,800. – Power windows, Pioneer cassette stereo, Campagnolo alloy wheels, hubcaps, Michelin XWX tires – Erratically masked older repaint with chips, blotchy stainless. Good original upholstery. Edge chipped headlight covers. Dull bumper chrome. A cool car that has not been well-treated. – “Not been well-treated” is the operative qualification for this 4.9 Bora. Buyers were looking for “2” condition cars in Arizona this year. “3” condition cars, let alone “3-” condition examples, were simply ignored at the consignors’ peril. No Reserve for a mediocre car like this Bora was a leaden burden on its value and established a much wider range between pristine and driver quality.

Lot # 260 1972 Maserati Ghibli SS 4.9 Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N AM115492372; Engine # AM115492372; Oro Kelso/Black leather; Estimate $275,000 – $325,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $270,000 plus commission of 11.85%; Final Price $302,000. – Silver painted wire wheels, Pirelli tires, cassette stereo, woodrim steering wheel, air conditioning, Maserati Classiche documented. – Single owner from new until 2012 and represented as numbers matching. Good clearcoat paint. Clean, orderly engine compartment and good upholstery. Clear, crisp gauges. The windshield molding needs to be rechromed, which is a strange oversight since the rest of the chrome is very good. The underbody is repainted over the old undercoat but is very orderly. A quality older restoration in Italy. – Offered here three years ago in 2017 where it was reported bid to $310,000 and showed 168 fewer miles on the odometer. It is a straightforward buy at this price taking its desirable equipment and condition into account.

Lot # 269 1966 Maserati Mexico 4.7 Coupe, Body by Vignale; S/N AM1121026; Engine # AM1121026; Light Metallic Blue/Cognac leather; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $106,400. – Quadruple Webers, 5-speed, Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli P4000 tires, woodrim steering wheel, wood shift knob, factory air conditioning, power windows, Becker Europa radio. – Maserati Classiche certified. Represented as matching numbers. Very good paint and chrome. The left front bumperette rubber is cracked. Slightly uneven gaps and panel fit. Clean wheels. Tidy and restored engine bay and underbody. Very good interior other than light wear on the driver’s seat. Conservatively styled by Maserati standards but the Mexico is still an attractive car, and this is a solid, documented restored example. – Another example of an attractive and comfortable lot offered without reserve that failed to attract much bidding from the crowd at RM and sold for a below-wholesale price. It would still have been a solid value at a hammer price $30,000 higher.

Lot # 218 1967 Maserati Mistral 4.0 Spyder, Body by Frua; S/N AM109SA1665; Engine # AM109A11140; Black, Black hardtop/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $450,000 – $550,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $270,000 plus commission of 11.85%; Final Price $302,000. – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli P4000 tires, two tops, aftermarket air conditioning, pushbutton radio, Sylvania halogen headlights. – Replacement engine. Fair paint, good chrome and lightly used interior. Old undercoat in the wheelwells. A usable driver. – Mistral sports Frua coachwork, but it is refined and sleek Frua rather than fussy Frua of earlier designs. The Mistral’s 255hp was no match for competing models from Ferrari but was reliable and capable of 150 mph top speeds. Offered here without reserve this Mistral fell right through the floor with this result, a bargain of notable proportions. It may have been overlooked, but it sets a staggeringly low benchmark for the model and the new owner can be proud of the car and particularly proud of its advantageous purchase. The replacement engine is irrelevant in the context of this result.

Lot # 133 2019 McLaren Senna Coupe; S/N SBM15ACA5KW800087; Gulf Blue, Orange, Dark Brown, Carbon Fiber/Black; Estimate $1,100,000 – $1,250,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,000,000. – Bowers & Wilkins stereo, lightweight wheels, includes window sticker. – A new car inside and out, with just 192 miles and no real signs of use. – A devastatingly quick road-legal track toy, the Senna is limited to just 500 units and they hit the auction scene quickly, billed as instant collectibles. Most of them have failed to meet reserve, but the no-reserve format at Barrett-Jackson saw one sell in Scottsdale last year for $1,457,500 and another one sell this year for $946,000. The original base price was just short of a million dollars, but this one’s special Gulf livery paint apparently cost $194,000 on top of that, so it’s easy to see the owner’s reluctance to let it go at this high bid.

Lot # 112 1960 Mercedes-Benz 220SE Cabriolet; S/N 12803010003553; Medium Red/Tan leather piped in Red; Brown cloth top; Estimate $120,000 – $140,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $162,400. – Wheel covers, whitewalls, column shift, fog mirrors, Becker Mexico stereo, dash clock, books, tool kit, fitted luggage. – Very good paint and chrome, although the rear bumper looks older. Slightly imperfect door fit. Older tires. Fantastic interior with seats that look barely sat in. Restored by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center about 10 years ago, and the quality of the work speaks for itself even if it wasn’t done yesterday. – RM’s estimate range of $120,000-$140,000 is excessively (and remarkably) modest for this 220SE, the end of the production of this body style and the beginning of fuel injection induction. The price it brought, despite being just over the high estimate, is reasonable for the quality and preservation of its restoration.

Lot # 261 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 Sedan; S/N 10901812004819; Engine # 10098112004827; Silver Blue, Black/Gray leather; Estimate $75,000 – $125,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $32,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $36,400. – 6.3, automatic, wheel covers, floor shift, power windows, air conditioning, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, older Panasonic speakers in the back, books, tools, jack, spare. – Single family California car showing 76,920 believable miles. Very clean, possibly redone bumpers. Good older repaint with a handful of chips and touch ups. Tidy underneath. Very good interior, looks like a car that is much newer with far fewer miles aside from the wood on top of the dash being a bit tired. A great highly optioned Mercedes cruiser, never restored but lovingly maintained its whole life. – One of a few intriguing cars offered without reserve at RM that fell through the cracks. A big Merc sedan like this, even with the sweetly powerful 6.3 liter 300hp V-8, is not going to appeal to many collectors and that was the case here. The new owner got a tremendous value, a car that should turn around and sell at retail for as much as double its all-in cost here.

Lot # 234 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Coupe, Body by Sindelfingen/Hebmüller; S/N 154143; Engine # 154143; Ivory, Light Grey/Red leather; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,500,000; Unrestored original, 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $900,000 plus commission of 10.56%; Final Price $995,000. – 5,401cc/180hp supercharged inline eight, 3-speed with overdrive, crank out vee windshield, silver painted wire wheels, bias ply wide whitewalls, enclosed rear-mounted spare, folding Golde sunroof, auxiliary gauges with old aircraft instruments, Marchal spotlight, Bosch headlights and fog light, heater, outside headpipes. – Originally a Sindelfingen (Body #200451) Cabriolet A with 540 K Second Series setback engine and radiator. Fitted from the beltline up with this coupe roof by Hebmüller in 1951 along with other body modifications including a vee windshield, skirted front fenders and alterations to the tail to order of the Henkel family of Dusseldorf, owners of Henkel & Cie. Chemical Works. Later had the Golde sunroof installed. Brought to the U.S. in the early 50’s and owned by Henry A. Rudkin, Jr., scion of the family that started Pepperidge Farm bakery. Sold by John P. Quirk to the present owning family at a Park Bernet auction in Denver in 1968 and preserved since then in as-acquired condition, not registered for road use since 1980. Cracked and scratched old repaint, sound original upholstery turning brown with age and headliner. Surface rusting wheel rims. Peeling old chrome bumpers and trim but sound radiator, headlight shells and parking lights. Aged engine compartment but said to run, drive and stop after recent recommissioning by RM Auto Restorations. Rusting right door bottom. 1937 undercoat in the wheelwells. A long-rumored but unknown classic, aged but generally sound and complete. – This was the most anticipated and admired car in the Scottsdale auctions, a gem of Thirties performance and design. It should be preserved at least through a year’s succession of Preservation exhibits before being restored. There will be arguments about retaining the sunroof and seriously funky leg-scraping auxiliary aircraft gauges which post-date the Hebmüller modifications; my opinion is that they’re part of its intriguing history and should remain as markers of its past. The setback radiator and coupe coachwork are visually arresting even in the present muted colors and it is all-matching numbers and original save for its most distinctive feature, the Hebmüller coupe roof. There was no shortage of interest in it at the auction and the result here reflects the value judgment of informed classic car collectors. The family should return to Nebraska satisfied, if not ebullient, with this result.

Lot # 258 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Convertible; S/N WDDAK76F09M001924; Arctic White/Tobacco Brown leather; Brown cloth top; Estimate $300,000 – $350,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $290,000 plus commission of 11.72%; Final Price $324,000. – Pilot Super Sport tires. – Just 8,866 miles and still like new. – For the SLR McLaren’s last two years (2008-09), it was available only as a convertible. As is the case with most cars, the drop tops are worth a little more. This one’s unusual but lovely colors and low mileage explain this strong but realistic price. For reference, though, this car would have cost over half a million dollars when it was new.

Lot # 238 2005 Morgan Aero 8 Convertible; S/N SA9AR281550J00345; Light Blue/Beige leather; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $84,000. – 4.4 litre, 325-hp BMW V8, Getrag 6-speed, AP Racing brakes, alloy wheels, Pilot Super Sport tires, boot cover, engine-turned dash, Sony stereo, dash clock. – One of 500 sold in the US and 10,595 miles. A few too many chips on the nose to ignore, as well as very light discoloration on the driver’s seat and sill. Niggles aside, it’s an undeniably cool, fun car even if it the only cross-eyed car in town. – A twenty-first century take on the classic Morgan styling cues, the Aero 8 is more distinctive than attractive, but from the driver’s seat it is surely a blast with only a little more weight than a Miata for its aluminum BMW V8 to push around. That combo of low weight and lots of power also made it among the quickest cars out there in the mid-2000s despite its analog feel and retro looks. 84 grand for an exclusive, hand-built, fast and nearly like-new roadster? Sounds like a good deal to us.

Lot # 215 1999 Panoz AIV Roadster; S/N 1P9PA1829XB213024; Blue/Tan leather; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Reserve; Hammered Sold at $62,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $70,000. – 281/305hp SVT Mustang Cobra V8, 5-speed, BBS wheels, Alpine CD stereo, woodgrain dash, Nardi steering wheel, air conditioning. – Just 287 miles and like new. Not an elegant car by any means but functional, fast and fun. Plus it’s an all-American hand-built lightweight sports car and a true roadster, which is not a common combination of ingredients. – The AIV (Aluminum Intensive Vehicle) was Panoz’s second model that came out in 1994. Visually, it looked like the Panoz Roadster that came before, but it came with a new aluminum chassis, a rudimentary top and a Ford V8 from the Modular family instead of the old 5.0. It cost about $65,000 when it was new. Just 176 were built and this has to be one of the best. Cool and quick as it may be, though, Panoz doesn’t carry a ton of weight when it comes to value and this is a top-of-the-market result.

Lot # 226 1953 Porsche 356 1500 Coupe, Body by Reutter; S/N 50790; Engine # 50039; Azure Blue/Tan leatherette; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $155,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $173,600. – Later 1300 Super engine, hub caps, Avon tires, gold brightwork, black exhaust tips, tools. – Represented as a three-owner car recently restored by a marque expert. Very good paint and brightwork. Slightly imperfect panel gaps. Excellent interior. Nearly spotless underneath. The window gaskets are a little dull and there are some very light track scratches in the driver’s window. A few details aside, it’s a gorgeous Pre-A bent window coupe with no needs. – This is the quintessential “bathtub” Porsche and it’s not a surprise it doesn’t have its original 1500 engine, or that the 1300 Super engine fitted has a few more horsepower. The Biltmore bidders liked its style and performance, not to mention its moderate $125,000-$150,000 estimate range, and gave it a healthy price that’s more than deserved by its specifications and restoration.

Lot # 243 1961 Porsche 356 B 1600 S Cabriolet, Body by Reutter; S/N 154048; Engine # 87401; Aetna Blue/Grey leather, cloth inserts; Black cloth top; Estimate $125,000 – $160,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $107,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $120,400. – Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel, Silver painted steel wheels, hubcaps, Falken tires, dual outside mirrors, Blaupunkt AM-FM. – Bored-out original engine to 1,750cc/84hp. Good paint over areas of filler. Cracks under the right outside mirror base. Deteriorating composite washers under some of the tonneau cover snaps. Orderly engine compartment with painted-over old sound suppression pads. Clear glass and gauges. Very good interior and tight-fitting top. A good, but not exceptional Porsche. – Sold by RM here in Arizona in 2014 fresh from restoration for $140,250 and still in very good condition today, the bidders didn’t take to the car as much as it perhaps should have been and sold for this moderate price.

Lot # 165 1972 Porsche 911 T Coupe; S/N 9112102356; Engine # 6123630; Tangerine/Black leatherette; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $67,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $75,040. – Fuchs wheels, Eagle GT tires, 5-speed, older aftermarket cassette stereo, repro tool kit, jack, spare, service records and Porsche CofA documented – Represented as the original engine. Very good paint and brightwork. A few light scratches on the window frames. Very clean, lightly run engine bay. Very good like new restored interior. The 911T may have been the base model when it was new, but old air-cooled 911s of all kinds have been worth enough for a while now to put money into, and this one was restored to like new standards and kept that way. – This is a straightforward result for a long hood 911 with unremarkable equipment but a great restoration and desirable color. It was sold by Worldwide at Houston in 2013 for $57,200.

Lot # 264 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo 930 Cabriolet; S/N WP0EB0937HS070141; Guards Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Reserve; Hammered Sold at $127,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $142,800. – Factory slant nose, black center Fuchs wheels, Toyo Proxes tires, snorkely brake light, Blaupunkt CD stereo. – A real slant nose, represented as one of 42 built for 1987. Showing 31,872 believable miles. Really good original paint other than a small chip on the driver’s side rocker panel. Lightly worn top. Very light wrinkling on the driver’s seat. Modest, forgivable wear on a very cool and desirable late 930. – A factory slant nose can carry a 30 percent premium over a regular 930. This result, then, seems about right, confirmed by the $145,600 it sold for at Quail Lodge last year.

Lot # 116 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet; S/N WP0CD2A94KS144636; Engine # 009956; Golden Yellow Metallic, Carbon stripes/Black, Gold; Black cloth top; Estimate $300,000 – $350,000; Unrestored original, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $250,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $280,000. – Carbon fiber wheels, carbon fiber spoiler, carbon-ceramic brakes, Aerokit, front axle lift, Burmester sound system, heated seats. – One of 200 for the North American market. 19 km and still a new car under factory warranty for another three and a half years. – Hammered not sold at the auction then settled post-block for the same reported $280,000. This is an attractive, limited production 911 with lots of performance, so its collectability prospects long term are bright. A look through the ones available at U.S. dealers shows the going rate to be in the high 200s, which suggests this is a fair result.

Lot # 229 1963 Shelby Cobra 260 Roadster; S/N CSX2047; Red/Black; Estimate $650,000 – $750,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $520,000 plus commission of 10.96%; Final Price $577,000. – 260/164hp, Smiths gauges, Dunlop Formula 70 tires, chrome wire wheels, woodrim steering wheel, sun visors, wind wings, grille guard. – Owned by Bob Schiro from 1973-2019. Good repaint. The engine compartment shows age with a light detailing. The hose clamps are standard parts store fare with the fuel supply line a parts store grade hose and filter. The underbody is clean but shows fading from age. The upholstery is good with no significant usage showing. The glove box door has a few rips at the bottom and the dash cover is showing noticeable wear. An interesting early Cobra let down a bit by lack of attention to detail. Represented as having two owners since 1968. Used as a daily driver in the early ’70s. Out of 46 years of storage with a recent repaint. – It’s unusual to see a Shelby Cobra, even an early 260 Cobra, in this kind of mediocre condition and the Biltmore bidders landed on it with some enthusiasm, discounting its value realistically and seizing upon a realistic price for it which the consignor accepted. This is a benchmark result for condition, history and specifications.

Lot # 235 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback; S/N Z67400F5A03114; Dark Moss Green, White stripes/Black vinyl; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $200,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $224,000. – Power brakes and steering, Goodyear Speedway tires, AM radio, Carroll Shelby signed dash. – Represented as numbers matching and never-driven since a recent restoration. Good paint with some minor scuffs on the valence under the front bumper. The bumpers appear to be replaced and the brightwork is very good. Alignment of the hood is uneven, the edges sit higher than the fenders. The engine compartment is extremely clean and shows like factory. The underbody has been restored and is extremely clean. The interior is in excellent condition and shows little use. A well restored car with the main gripe being the hood fitment. –

Lot # 239 1999 Shelby Series 1 Prototype Convertible; S/N CSX50X4; Black/Gray, Black leather; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $82,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $91,840. – Power windows, CD/cassette stereo, air conditioning. – Original paint with some minor scratches and cracks as well as a small scrape on the bottom front. Good upholstery in need of a detailing. Represented as 2,618 miles from new. One of a handful of prototype cars used for development. – The always-ebullient Ramsey Potts did one of his preview walks and pointed out that “the seats on this Shelby Series I bear the bun prints of Carroll Shelby.” That may be true, but the Series 1 Shelbys were flawed and inadequately developed vehicles from new and the prototypes and early “production” cars were the worst. The Biltmore bidders recognized the problems with this price.

Lot # 135 1961 Sunbeam Alpine Harrington Fastback Coupe; S/N B9106097; Engine # B9106090; Red/Blue; Estimate $130,000 – $160,000; Competition restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $175,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $196,000. – Hartwell Stage III tuned engine, dual Webers, black wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, driving lights, muffler, roll bar, woodrim steering wheel, wood shift knob, stripped interior with fire system. – Neat racing history, once as a works-backed entry at Sebring 1962 and with NART at Sebring the following year (4th in class), and currently presented in its NART colors. Good older repaint with no huge chips or scrapes from time on the track. Tidy and lightly run underneath. Slightly uneven door fit. Needs nothing, but not so shiny that you wouldn’t want to take it racing. While it didn’t have any major wins, this is a significant Alpine racing car with elegant Harrington fiberglass roof, and much of its value is tied to its Sebring appearances. – It might not be as exciting to drive as a Tiger, but this will make a rewarding and fun vintage racer, and it has a neat history as well as NART livery that is more famous than the car itself. RM Sotheby’s sold it in London in 2016 for £109,200 (about $145,700 at the time), and it surpassed expectations here selling for well over its $160,000 pre-sale high estimate.

Lot # 224 1966 Sunbeam Tiger Mk IA Convertible; S/N B382002093LRXFE; Engine # 7476B19KC; Dark Blue/Black leatherette; Black leatherette top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $77,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $86,800. – 260/164hp, 4-speed, Motorola AM radio, steel wheels, hubcaps, trim rings, Michelin tires, woodrim steering wheel. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Underbody has old undercoat and hasn’t been done. Clean, orderly engine, represented as original to this chassis. Cracking varnish on the steering wheel rim. Very poor trunk lid fit. A mediocre example. – Sold by Worldwide at Auburn in 2012 for $58,000, by Auctions America at Auburn in 2014 for $68,750 and by RM at Amelia in 2015 for an eye-popping $137,500. It no-saled at Russo and Steele Monterey in 2015 on a reported high bid of $102,500 but then sold at Gooding’s Scottsdale auction in 2016 for an even more eye-popping $148,500. The auction history is a reasonably accurate mirror of the Tiger market’s ups and downs, as is this result which refutes the old canard, “You can’t pay too much, just too soon.” In this case waiting paid off for the new owner.

Lot # 113 1967 Sunbeam Tiger Mk II Convertible; S/N B382100269LRXFE; Engine # 2236A22KA; Jaguar Racing Green, White side stripe/Black vinyl; Black top; Estimate $100,000 – $150,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $62,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $70,000. – 289/200hp, Minilite-style wheels, Avon tires, woodrim steering wheel, Jaeger gauges, hardtop. – Very good paint and chrome other than mild blistering on the very back of the trunk lid. Small scrape on the right front wheel. Imperfect door fit. Very good interior. Attractively restored and fitted with nearly everything one would want on a Tiger, including the 289 that makes it even more of a thrill than the 260 cars. – Everything, that is, except for the matching numbers 289. It could have been six-figure car otherwise, but this result is realistic among all the Tigers crossing various auction blocks this month including nine here in Scottsdale.

Lot # 213 1991 Vector W8 Twin Turbo Coupe; S/N 1V9VW2629MW048009; Eggplant/Black; Estimate $300,000 – $450,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $650,000 plus commission of 10.77%; Final Price $720,000. – Transverse-mounted 365/625hp twin-turbo V8, automatic, CD changer, moonroof, Recaro seats, riveted wheels, Michelin XGT Plus tires, original ownership documents accompanying the car. – Represented with 2,286 miles. One of 17 production W8s (“production” having a specialized meaning when it comes to Vectors.) The paint does not have any significant wear, but the paint around the rivets for the rear window louvers is chipped and the side skirt badging has finish deterioration. The mechanicals have been quickly detailed. Wires have been zip tied to the frame in multiple places. The interior is worn in more than what would be mileage appropriate. A phenomenally interesting car, but the presentation fails to meet expectation for such low miles. – The story of Jerry Wiegert and his Vector dream is far more complicated and colorful, really colorful. Fortunately Preston Lerner journeyed to Palos Verdes to meet the man and recount Wiegert’s own version of Vector history. It’s in the Hagerty Magazine, or online through a Google search for “Jerry Wiegert”. The result here, however, is three times the highest price ever brought by a W8 Twin Turbo at auction, astounding and beyond comprehension.

Lot # 206 1986 Zimmer Quicksilver Coupe; S/N 1G2PF3790GP242215; White/Red leather; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $21,280. – Wire wheels, narrow whitewalls, hood ornament, power windows, automatic. – Very good original paint and brightwork. Nearly like new interior. Represented with 464 miles from new, a believable claim. Good luck finding one of these to buy ever, let alone one this clean. If this wasn’t the best one in existence, that would be a surprise. – The very rare Zimmer Quicksilver (about 170 built) looks like a big thirsty V8 luxury car, but it’s actually a Pontiac Fiero underneath, mid-mounted engine and all, and it’s a lot smaller in person than it looks in photos. The looks are a love-it-or-hate-it affair, but it’s less garish than Zimmer’s more well-known neoclassics and, again, this is probably the best Quicksilver in the world. Few of the Biltmore bidders seemed to be in the “love-it” camp and it sold for barely half its presale estimate, which seems like a deal. For reference, a new Quicksilver cost over 50 grand back when a Fiero cost about 12. It’s a “deal” however only in the eyes of a Zimmer-lover.