Formula One racing came to Las Vegas with a vengeance on the weekend of November 18. It was a given that it would be spectacular and – other than the seemingly inevitable win by Max Verstappen – it was. Like just about anything happening in Vegas, it was over-hyped, over-produced and the action was long after sunset.
Why would RM Sotheby’s auction be any different? Of course not. Held at the Wynn Las Vegas “Awakening” theater in the round with bidders hidden in darkness surrounding an elaborately lighted turntable in the center of the arena, its few non-vehicle offerings were delivered by elaborately costumed “Awakening” performers. The turntable itself included an elevator at its center which brought auctioneer Oliver Barker up from the depths inside a Tardis-like booth to an introduction by actor James Corden, who was otherwise irrelevant.
The auction docket was heavily weighted to newer vehicles with 20 of the 32 vehicle lots being built this century. There were seven non-vehicle “experience” lots that, except for a signed Michael Schumacher driving suit, were remarkable unsuccessful. One is included in the results that follow only because it was sold on a single bid; it was a tremendous value that underscored the paucity of interest shown in these digressions.
On the other hand, the headline lot, Lewis Hamilton’s 2013 Mercedes-AMG W04 Formula One car, was a huge success.
You’d have to be a glutton for punishment to deal with Las Vegas on a GP weekend just to attend a 33 lot auction so this report was done remotely then watching the auction live on the internet.
Like the Las Vegas GP, the RM auction when off with only one hitch. At the GP it was a loose water valve cover that destroyed the tub of Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari. At the auction it was the McLaren 765LT Spider which wouldn’t start on the block after being sold for $665,000 all-in. In the GP it took hours to weld down all the water valve covers. In the auction it took only a minute or two before a spectator called out, “Open and close the door” which reset the electronics.
Here are the numbers:
| Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Sold < Low Est | Sold > High Est | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ |
| 28/33 | 84.9% | 66.7% | 3% | $1,883,738 | $830,000
[44.1%] |
$52,744,675 |
Observations are from RM’s website descriptions and photos. Pictures are courtesy RM Sotheby’s with photographer credits as provided.
Lot # 1 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet; S/N 11102712000758; Engine # 11698012000632; Grey metallic/Cream leather; Brown cloth top; Estimate $450,000 – $500,000; Recent restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $400,000 plus commission of 11.25%; Final Price $445,000. – 3,499/200hp, automatic, power steering, brakes and windows, Behr air conditioning, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, Becker Grand Prix AM-FM, 14-inch wheels with wheel covers, Uniroyal narrow whitewalls, fog lights. – Represented as the original engine. Detailed and spotless engine compartment aside from some brake fluid leakage on the power brake servo housing. Excellent upholstery, gauges and dashboard. – Sold by RM at Hershey in 2021 with 52,222 miles for $198,000 where it brought only a “3-” condition evaluation, this 280SE 3.5 has had a thorough and complete makeover and is now an object of desire and appreciation. The leaky master cylinder is a little troubling and may signify other expedient attention that will disappoint the new owner but it led off this auction with a notable result and a concours condition price.
Lot # 2 2005 Ferrari Superamerica Convertible; S/N ZFFGT61A550146144; Black/Black leather, Red stitching; Estimate $350,000 – $450,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $350,000 plus commission of 11.43%; Final Price $390,000. – 5,748/540hp, AutoManual 6-speed, Daytona seats, interior carbon trim, red calipers, yellow tach, SF shields, manuals and books, 5-spoke modular wheels, P Zero tires, climate control, CD stereo. Assembly No. 63239. – 3,571 miles from new, belt serviced six months ago. Very slight driver’s seat creasing, clean, orderly engine compartment, otherwise essentially like new. – An attractive and desirable car that shows its 3,571 miles only in the faint creasing of the driver’s seat bought for a realistic price in a high profile setting.
Lot # 3 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N WDB2010361F734005; Anthracite metallic/Black leather; Estimate $500,000 – $700,000; Original, modified for competition or performance 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $490,000 plus commission of 11.02%; Final Price $544,000. – 2,463/262hp, 5-speed, DTM-style bits and bobs added including racing exhaust system, individual throttle bodies and large injectors, Brembo brakes, centerlock alloy wheels, roll cage, Recaro seats, DTM gauges, Motec engine management, fuel cell, O.Z. centerlock wheels, Yokohama 18-inch tires, high-mount wing, big front splitter. – One of 502 Evo IIs built augmented by a host of DTM upgrades, essentially a race car in specification but still street-registered. The stock Evo II horsepower rating is vastly under-rated but it’s probably impossible to over-rate the driving experience. A restomod in M-B guise, clean and barely used with 5,338 km from new. – This car has 5,277 km when it was sold by RM at Arizona in 2017 and has added only 65 km since then but vaulted mightily upward in value with this result. Its appeal is visceral but needs more than 65 km to experience it. Las Vegas on its initial F1 weekend proved to be the right place to offer it and both the seller and RM Auctions should be highly satisfied with this result: It is epic, but so is this Evo II’s potential.
Lot # 4 1984 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N ZA9C00500DLA12657; Red/Black leather; Estimate $700,000 – $900,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $750,000 plus commission of 10.67%; Final Price $830,000. – 4,754/375hp, 6×2 45DCOE Weber carburetors, 5-speed, telephone dial wheels, wing, driving lights, built-in Escort radar detector, manuals, tools, invoices – Grey market import for first owner Ralph Lauren through Stan Nowak, thoroughly documented from new and only three owners. Not fresh but recently detailed and as good as it can be at its age and 17,413 km. No record of recent major service but appears to have been recently refreshed. – Bidding started at a modest $350K then quickly advanced, selling to a phone bidder at this price. This is a celebrity Countach, however, owned for two years by Ralph Lauren, whose taste in cars is recognized as exceptional. The fact that he owned it for only two years, however, and it has accumulated minimal mileage in his and subsequent owners’ hands suggests it was an opportunistic purchase that appealed less to his high standards than his many other great classic cars. In any event this is a HUGE price for a Countach LP5000S that otherwise, even as well-preserved as this example, would be a quarter-million dollars less without the glittering provenance. It is an expensive Polo pony.
Lot # 6 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG Coupe; S/N WDB2093421F165719; Brilliant Silver/Black leather, Alcantara; Estimate $700,000 – $900,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $650,000 plus commission of 10.77%; Final Price $720,000. – 5,439/542hp, 5-speed AutoManual, modular alloy wheels, Dunlop Super Sport tires, silver calipers, CD stereo, carbon fiber interior trim, wing. – 270 km and like new. A Show and Display conditional import. – Sold by Bonhams at Monaco in 2022 for $430,974 (Euros 414,000 at the time, this result is Euros 661,800) with 187 km, a satisfying flip for the seller. Bidding opened at $200,000 and moved quickly to this result. The auction’s Las Vegas glitz had settled down by this point, but that did nothing to deter the bidders from putting a whopping price on this lot, an increase of over 67% in eighteen months. [But that is nothing like the CLK GTR Roadster that closes out this auction.]
Lot # 7 2022 Ferrari 812 Competizione Coupe; S/N ZFF03TLA9N0279874; Matte Black, Fly Yellow stripe/Black Alcantara; Estimate $1,650,000 – $1,950,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,600,000 plus commission of 10.31%; Final Price $1,765,000. – 6,496/819hp V-12, 7-speed AutoManual, yellow calipers, 20-inch carbon fibre wheels, P Zero tires, carbon fiber elements inside and out, suspension lift. – $150,000 in options. 354 miles from new. – Not a hybrid and no turbos, this is an exercise in expensive atmospheric excess that seemed to strike a chord here in the hyper glitzed atmosphere of Wynn’s. Sold to an online bidder after starting at a million dollars, there was little doubt of either the audience’s or the internet’s appreciation of it.
Lot # 8 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV, Body by Mansory; S/N SLATV4C05PU216552; Arctic White/Mandarin Orange leather; Estimate $600,000 – $900,000; Original, with non-original appearance items 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $500,000 plus commission of 11.00%; Final Price $555,000. – 6,750/600hp BMW twin turbo V-12, 8-speed ZF gearbox, Mansory wide-body kit, alloy wheels. – Assembled by Platinum Motorsport in Los Angeles. Under 300 miles. – Answering the question, “What it is worth” needs first to find an answer to, “Who would want it”? Seriously ridiculous in both concept and execution, its real home is either here in Las Vegas, in LA where it was put together or maybe in Miami. Anywhere else in North America it is an oddity.
Lot # 9 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ95ZHS900149; Graphite Metallic/Dark Grey leather; Estimate $1,650,000 – $1,850,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,600,000 plus commission of 10.31%; Final Price $1,765,000. – 2,848/450hp twin turbo, 6-speed, all-wheel drive, air conditioning, tools, jack, books, trickle charger. – The odometer reads 23,399 km and the car hardly looks that used. Mechanically restored in the U.S. in 2015, then serviced in Melbourne, Australia a year ago. A few sand nicks on the nose and lightly creased driver’s seat are pretty much all the use it shows. – Sold by Poulain-Sotheby’s in France in 2000 for $148,109 with 18,998 km, then by RM at Arizona in 2015 with 21,608 km for $1,045,000 and reported sold by Mecum at Monterey in 2017 for $1,045,000, it has been babied and serviced as needed and this result is a realistic measure of its value in 2023. Even 35 years old the 959’s technology is still impressive.
Lot # 11 2006 Ford GT Coupe; S/N 1FAFP90S96Y401638; Midnight Blue, White side stripes/Black leather; Estimate $500,000 – $600,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $510,000 plus commission of 10.98%; Final Price $566,000. – 330/550hp supercharged V-8, 6-speed, white side stripes, BBS wheels, red calipers, McIntosh stereo, original window sticker, owner’s guide, delivery stickers documented. – 798 miles but without ownership or service history. Like new. – This is a prodigious result for a 2006 Ford GT not one of the limited edition or Heritage versions. Midnight Blue with side stripes is an unusual combination, but this is still one of nine built in this livery. It was reported sold at Mecum’s 2017 Las Vegas auction for $319,000 where it had 514 miles, a reasonable price at the time.
Lot # 12 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Project One Coupe; S/N W1KYJ8BA7MA042580; Cirrus Silver Metallic/Black leather, cloth inserts; Estimate $650,000 – $800,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $600,000 plus commission of 10.83%; Final Price $665,000. – 6,208/720hp twin turbo V8, 7-speed automanual, air conditioning, 10-spoke black alloy wheels, Michelin Cup 2R tires, carbon brakes, black calipers, wing, splitter, books and tools. – One of about 40 built as consolation for people who pre-ordered the Project One hypercar. 321 miles and like new. – Very few could pull off a bait-and-switch with the panache of M-B and AMG who were long overdue with the $2.7 million Project One so they offered their place-holders the opportunity to buy another expensive Mercedes-AMG, the GT Black Project One in the meantime. Some 40 people took the bait and most, like this one, have minimal miles. It should be a thrilling drive and visually exceptional with its silver and black rear body Mercedes stars as on the W11 F1 cars. It is brutally fast, looks every bit the part and is a serious value in performance and rarity.
Lot # 13 2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas W04 Formula 1; S/N F1W0404; Silver, Black/Black; Estimate $10,000,000 – $15,000,000; Competition car, original as-raced 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,100,000 plus commission of 10.03%; Final Price $18,815,000. – — Lewis Hamilton’s team car from his first season with Mercedes-AMG, 2013. Driven at 14 of the 19 races that year, winner at Hungary, three further third place finishes. The first race winning Mercedes-AMG driven by Hamilton. Unused since 2013 with a quality repaint and race-used chassis and cockpit. – The only Hamilton-driven Mercedes-AMG Formula One car not owned by Mercedes or or by individuals within the organization and it is a measure of its status as an “icon” that it is not mentioned whether it is complete with functioning drivetrain or electronics, probably because it isn’t. It is unlikely ever to be driven again, but that is unimportant to its value which was thoroughly explored here during Las Vegas GP weekend at the Wynn Las Vegas “Awakening” amphitheater with 32 bids starting at $5 million and lasting 32 minutes, auction theater in all respects. The FW04 did better than Lewis Hamilton this weekend where he finished 7th in the late night Las Vegas GP.
Lot # 14 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S X85 Flachbau Coupe; S/N WP0AC2964RS480446; Grand Prix White/Black leather, Classic Grey cloth; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,250,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $900,000 plus commission of 10.56%; Final Price $995,000. – 3,601/385hp turbo, 5-speed, X85 package, 18-inch polished Speedline modular wheels, Michelin tires, Red calipers, locking differential, Dark Rootwood interior accents, Porsche car phone, heated power Sport seats, power sunroof, cassette/CD changer, air conditioning, rear window washer, tool roll, jack, lug wrench, tire air compressor, tow eye. – One of 76 believed built at the end of the 911 Turbo run, one of 39 in US-spec. 18,326 miles from new and unblemished. – Seriously rare, end of production single turbo 3.6 litre Porsche lavished with Sonderwunsch special features, the high output X85 engine package and flat nose body and complimented by extremely well-preserved original condition, this is a very special and sought after 911 that brought an appropriately superior price.
Lot # 16 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta Convertible; S/N ZFF86ZHA0H0232856; Nero Daytona Metallic, Rosso stripes/Nero leather; Estimate $5,300,000 – $5,800,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $4,900,000. – 6,262/948hp hybrid V12, 6-speed AutoManual, carbon fibre hardtop, soft top, carbon-ceramic brakes, FXX-K wheels (original wheels included), battery maintainer, centerlock wrench, owner’s manuals. – Active aerodynamics, Extended factory warranty until September 2025. 2,072 miles and like new. – This result is not an unreasonable offer for the colors, specifications, mileage and options on this LaFerrari Aperta, but neither was it unreasonable for the seller to take time for it to be market-priced on the block here in Las Vegas on F1 weekend and then reconsider. The bidding sequence (2.5 million to open, then 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 4.8 and 4.9) shows the bidders’ declining willingness to pay more than $5 million and imparts some market intelligence to the owner.
Lot # 17 2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Coupe; S/N VF9SA25C78M795066; Silver Metallic, Bright Silver/Silk leather, Anthracite inserts; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,200,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,450,000 plus commission of 10.34%; Final Price $1,600,000. – 488/987hp quad turbo W16, 7-speed AutoManual, all-wheel drive, adjustable suspension, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 PAX tires. – 928 miles and like new. Liveried in a more sedate two-tone Silver than most Veyrons. One of 250 Veyrons, of which just 76 were U.S. spec like this. Essentially unused and well-preserved. – Now with 928 miles and two owners from new this Veyron has been sold two times previously at auction all by RM: at Arizona in 2020 for $1,105,000 and at Monterey in 2021 for $1,545,000, all while acquiring just 922 miles. Much of the miles must have been from transporters to auction blocks and back to a new garage. It’s a neat car with breathtaking performance, however, which deserves a better history.
Lot # 18 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider 70th Anniversary Convertible; S/N ZFF80AMA6H0226326; Giallo Tre Strati/Black, Ink leather; Estimate $400,000 – $475,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $350,000 plus commission of 11.43%; Final Price $390,000. – 3,902/661hp twin turbo, 7-speed AutoManual, 1967 Dino 206 tribute edition with 26 standard options, 12 Tailor Made options. Assembly No. 143989 – 1,572 miles from new, one of the 70th Anniversary tribute editions from Ferrari. $450,000 sticker price including $55,915 for the 70th Anniversary paint job not to mention all the other expensive Tailor Made features. Essentially like new with only minor driver’s seat creasing. – This Ferrari had under 1,000 miles when it was sold at Gooding & Co in Scottsdale in 2020 for $368,000. It now has 1,572 miles, for a special car like this a rather high usage in the past 46 months but still nearly pristine and optimistically but not unrealistically valued in this transaction.
Lot # 19 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Coupe; S/N WDB2973971Y000018; Iridium Silver metallic/Blue-Grey Tartan gabardine plaid; Estimate $8,000,000 – $9,000,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $7,000,000. – 6,898/622hp V-12, 6-speed AutoManual, O.Z. wheels (originals included), special DK Engineering exhaust (original included), luggage, manuals, battery maintainer, service invoices. – Show & Display import. #7 of 20 built. Extensively serviced by DK Engineering in 2021 with modifications and updates including a new fuel bladder. Featured in the 2021 “Ultimate Group Test” video (with McLaren F1 and Porsche 911 GT1). Like new right down to the tires. – Henry Catchpole in the “Ultimate Group Test” described the CLK GTR as “the precursor to the hypercars we have today” and it is informing to watch the video of three legendary cars in a contemporary test. His take is that it is, despite being difficult to enter and exit, surprisingly satisfying and enjoyable to drive aided by the M-B V12’s abundant power and even more surprising torque. Rare hardly begins to describe it and a mere million dollars difference between the high bid and the low pre-sale estimate is, at this level, only 19%, a difference of opinion that may encourage its consignor to put some more miles on it.
Lot # 21 1988 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe; S/N WP0JB093JS050284; Guards Red/Black leather; Estimate $250,000 – $300,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $200,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $224,000. – 3,299/282hp, 4-speed, limited slip, sunroof, sport seats with power height, alarm, Blaupunkt Reno cassette, black center Fuchs wheels, air conditioning, original window sticker and owner’s manual documented, tire inflator. – Represented as the numbers-matching engine and transaxle. Original paint and interior. 24,731 miles. Mildly burnished upholstery, great paint. Chassis shows gentle but noticeable use. – Spooled up at low rpm the Porsche Turbo had scary torque and obviated the need for a fifth speed. This is a generous result for this car, but no more generous than is supported by its originality and obvious care and attention.
Lot # 22 2021 McLaren Elva Roadster; S/N SBM26ACA6MW815122; Pacific Colourstream/Brown; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,400,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,375,000 plus commission of 10.36%; Final Price $1,517,500. – 3,994/804hp twin-turbo V8, 7-speed automanual, purple calipers, Pirelli P Zero tires. – 122/149, 93 miles, $102K options and coated in color-shifting iridescent paint that accentuates the many curves and aerodynamic channels of the McLaren Elva. Obsessively lightened including titanium brake caliper pistons saving 2.2 pounds. Unused and like new. – MSRP started at $1,695,000 without all the options and paint, so this is result is a notable drop from new, although how many people want an open top, no windshield (despite the air diversions included in the Elva’s design) car is a challenge. It was offered at Mecum Monterey last year estimated at $2.6-2.75 million with 85 miles where it was optimistically reported as bid to $2.1 million without being sold. It came back to a low earth orbit here with this result, a car to own and drive proudly, but only in fair weather. At this result it is still in orbit somewhere above a realistic value.
Lot # 23 2012 Lexus LFA Coupe; S/N JTHHX8BH9C1000480; Pearl Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $900,000 – $1,200,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $850,000 plus commission of 10.59%; Final Price $940,000. – 4,805/553hp 72-degree V-10, 6-speed automanual, Tumi luggage, car cover, spare keys, window sticker, pre-delivery inspection report and purchase invoice documented. Number 483 of 500 built. – 112 miles; U.S. delivery. Just another LFA of the 500 made. No miles, bought ten years ago and put away as an “instant collectible” but serviced and carefully maintained. – The $350,000 or so that this LFA cost to get off the dealer’s showroom floor proved to be a good investment even if its 112 miles didn’t provide much driving enjoyment. This was an appropriate result in today’s market but the seller’s ROI was approximately 8.5% annually not taking into account what it cost to house, maintain, service and insure it. A half-million dollar paper gain over eleven years becomes much more modest when considering the magic of compound interest.
Lot # 24 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster; S/N 1980427500115; Engine # 1989807500174; Strawberry Red Metallic/Tan leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $1,300,000 – $1,600,000; Older restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,100,000 plus commission of 10.45%; Final Price $1,215,000. – 2,996/250hp, 4-speed, polished rim alloy wheels, Dunlop SP Sport tires, Talbot Berlin mirror, dash clock, luggage, owner’s manual, tools. – Body-off restored at Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in California. Represented as matching numbers and as the first car delivered in the now popular one-year-only Strawberry Red. Very good paint and chrome. Clean, tight top. Even gaps. Beautiful interior with very lightly wrinkled leather. Beautiful car with a desirable factory restoration. – Offered at Mecum’s Monterey auction three months ago where its fabulous Strawberry color failed to catch on and it brought a no-sale bid of only $1,050,000. That wasn’t the case here at Wynn’s on F1 weekend and it brought a reasonable price that saw it going to a new home where the new owner should be very happy with it.
Lot # 25 2017 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta 70th Anniversary Coupe; S/N ZFF74UFA1H0228080; Azzuro metalllic, Gunmetal roof/Cream leather; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $500,000 plus commission of 11.00%; Final Price $555,000. – 6,262/730hp, 7-speed automanual, adaptive front lights, parking camera, Tailor Made “550 Barchetta Pininfarina” package. – MSRP with all the options was $464,809. Now has only 1,169 miles from new and shows no appreciable wear or use. – A premium for this livery based on the unimportant 2000 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is impossible to support making this a stunningly expensive result even considering the low miles. With any seller’s commission at all the net to the seller is no more than what it cost originally and no one got much enjoyment out of it in 1,169 miles.
Lot # 26 2015 Porsche 918 Weissach Spyder; S/N WP0CA2A14FS800438; Engine # F01101; White/Black leather, Alcantara inserts; Estimate $1,900,000 – $2,200,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,450,000 plus commission of 10.34%; Final Price $1,600,000. – 4,953/599hp IC engine, 282 hybrid, 875hp total, 7-speed automanual, active aerodynamics, front axle lift, air conditioning, Burmester sound, glove box, charging cable, trim-to sample silver interior piping. – Number 438 of 918 built. 9,937 miles, serviced this month. Lightly used and thoroughly maintained, nearly like new. – Porsche’s 918 was a leader in hybrid supercars, a position that made them highly desirable and expensive a few years ago. That stature has diminished as the field has filled out with later competitors with even more fantastic performance figures. That’s reflected in this rather disappointing result, a 2- 918 that was bought for 3- money.
Lot # 27 2012 Lexus LFA Nurburgring Coupe; S/N JTHHX8BH6C1000369; Orange/Black Alcantara; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,400,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,700,000 plus commission of 10.29%; Final Price $1,875,000. – 4,805/562hp 72-degree V-10, 6-speed automanual, graphite color forged wheels, Tuni luggage, keys, carbon fibre trim, window sticker documented. – 143 miles. one of 25 US delivery LFA Nurburgrings. There are a few annoying little water spots on the steering wheel but other than that there is no sign of wear or use. – The LFA Nurburgring reports only nine more horsepower than the regular LFA. What’s the big deal? The surprising and unusual emphasis in the Nurburgring is in the suspension and aerodynamics, faster-shifting automanual transmission, lighter wheels, better Bridgestones and a ride height drop of 0.4 inches. The result is a seriously fast and responsive car that’s worth roughly a million dollars more than less accomplished LFAs. This result is appropriate in today’s market.
Lot # 28 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari Berlinetta; S/N ZFF76ZFA7E0206832; Grigio Silverstone/Red leather; Estimate $3,900,000 – $4,400,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $3,550,000. – 6,262/949hp hybrid, 7-speed automanual, Sports exhaust, carbon fiber exterior trim, black alloy wheels, red calipers, original window sticker, service records and Ferrari Yellow Book certification. – Formerly owned by golfer Rory McIlroy, 881 miles and like new. – The bidders even in the high pressure atmosphere of Wynn’s Las Vegas “Awakening” theatre on F1 weekend were not willing to give any credit to the Rory McIlroy provenance, a history with little relevance to an automobile with tremendous performance and exotic heritage. This was a realistic offer, however, and the seller’s expectations need adjustment.
Lot # 29 2024 Experience Collective Napa Valley Experience; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,500 plus commission of 27%; Final Price $3,175. – — Nobody cared even though it was four nights for four at Alila Napa Valley and various wine experiences leading up to the 2024 Barrel Auction May 31-June 1, including a private tasting at Danica Patrick’s Somnium, a private tour of Napa Valley wineries and a dinner for four. – Sold to an internet bidder on one bid of $2,500 plus 27% commission with this final result, a seriously incredible value that shows the sometimes tricky aspects of combining “experiences” that are irrelevant to a themed auction. Even someone who is not an oenophile will find the experience a great value.
Lot # 30 2005 Porsche Carrera GT Speedster; S/N WP0CA29865L001111; Fayence Yellow/Dark Grey leather; Estimate $1,500,000 – $1,750,000; Unrestored Original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,400,000 plus commission of 10.36%; Final Price $1,545,000. – 5,733/612hp V10, 6-speed, dark grey centerlock alloy wheels, yellow calipers. – 8,758 miles, clutch replaced. Aside from a little creasing on the driver’s seat there is little evidence of the miles it has covered. – Except for the brilliant Fayence Yellow color this is an ordinary Carrera GT that has actually been used even as it has been regularly maintained and carefully preserved. It was appropriately valued in this transaction.
Lot # 31 1990 Ferrari F40 GT Berlinetta; S/N ZFFGJ34B000085690; Engine # 22707; Estimate $3,250,000 – $4,000,000; Competition restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $2,800,000. – 2,936cc Michelotto modified twin turbo V-8, 5-speed, white O.Z. centerlock alloy wheels, Momo Alcantara rim steering wheel, Schedoni luggage, Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified, Assembly no. 02746. – Race prepared when new for Pierre Alexander Popoff, competed in Italy in 1992-1994 with nine podium results in 27 races. Represented as the matching-numbers engine and transaxle, Ferrari Classiche Red Book certified. Restored to original racing appearance and specifications and in decent condition for an old competition car. – There was no love lurking here in Las Vegas for this privately modified F40 GT even with its moderate success in Italian competition. The auctioneer pleaded for another bid at this amount, sounding like it might have sold had a paddle been raised. None was.
Lot # 32 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Coupe; S/N WP0AF2A91BS785681; Carrera White/Black leather, Red inserts; Estimate $750,000 – $950,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $650,000 plus commission of 10.77%; Final Price $720,000. – 3,996/500hp, 6-speed, yellow calipers, centerlock alloy wheels, air conditioning, CD stereo, Sport Chrono, extended leather and carbon fibre interior trim, front axle lift, carbon ceramic brakes. – Number 499 of 600. Described as, “Offered here on behalf of Blue Chip in Denver, Colorado”, an odd attribution. Hood liner signed by Hurley Haywood. 4,226 miles and nearly like new. – Reasonably and responsibly priced in this transaction, a lightly used and very fast limited production Porsche.
Lot # 33 2022 McLaren 765LT Spider; S/N SBM14SCA1NW765173; Dragon Green color-shift, Papaya Orange accents/Black Alcantara, Orange trim; Estimate $650,000 – $750,000; Unrestored Original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $600,000 plus commission of 10.83%; Final Price $665,000. – 3,994/755hp twin turbo V-8, 7-speed automanual, Papaya Orange calipers, Dragon embroidered headrests, carbon fibre exterior elements, electrochromic roof panel, chip guarded all over. – Number 173 of 765 with 599 miles. Like new. – $498,004 when new and sold here for a modest premium in a dramatic and flashy livery that will draw cops like a mayfly draws trout. McLaren, despite relying on a relatively tiny V-8 and turbos, has become a serious player among supercars. Their success is in a sense also their undoing since they build plenty of stylish, fast, sophisticated exotic cars and that means there’s no shortage of them in the secondary market. McLaren’s recent resurgence in Formula One has helped the marque’s visibility.
Lot # 34 1994 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport Coupe; S/N ZA9BB02E0RCD39027; Bianco Monaco/Black leather; Estimate $2,500,000 – $3,250,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $2,000,000. – 3,498/680hp quad turbo V-12, 6-speed, all-wheel drive, GT-style splitter, black alloy wheels, factory modified engine, air conditioning. – Original and one of two in this color. The driver’s seat upholstery is visibly creased and stretched. Scratched wheel nuts. Despite 24,467 km on the odometer there is more age than use in its condition. – A rare surviving relic of the interim Bugatti, after Ettore and before Volkswagen, resurrected by Romano Artioli. As the third generation Bugattis have reached new heights of performance and sophistication these Italian Bugattis, once destined to be forgotten, has returned to relevance. This transaction suffered when the previous car, McLaren 765LT, wouldn’t start on the block. Bidding opened with photos until finally a spectator called, “open and close the doors”. That worked and the McLaren got going, but the bidding on this EB 110 never did. This EB110 SS was bid to $2,481,380 at RM’s London auction a year ago (£2.2 million, this bid is only £1.6 million). It would be risky to draw any conclusions from today’s transaction.
Lot # 36 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S 3.6 “Package” Coupe; S/N WP0AC2968RS480465; Black/Black leather; Estimate $1,250,000 – $1,550,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,075,000 plus commission of 10.47%; Final Price $1,187,500. – 3,601/385hp turbocharged X88 engine package, 5-speed, polished Speedline modular alloy wheels, red calipers, standard Porsche headlights, air conditioning, heated sport seats, power sunroof, CD changer, Dark Rootwood shift knob, Turbo S rear fender vents, original window sticker documented, books, tools, air compressor. – 5,619 miles. $119,837 new car sticker price including $17,000 in options. One owner from new and consistently maintained and preserved. Essentially flawless showing only a little unavoidable age and oxidation. – Other than its lowered ride height there is nothing that definitively distinguishes this rare Turbo S “Package” from truckloads of other 911s of this era. Its value lies in the eyes and minds of Porsche enthusiasts and even there only in the understanding of those most thoroughly schooled in Porsche intricacies. This is a realistic price among those Porschephiles.
Lot # 37 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC AMG 6.0 Wide Body 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N WDB1260451A507821; Engine # 11796812075281; Blue-Black metallic/Anthracite leather; Estimate $700,000 – $900,000; Unrestored original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $375,000 plus commission of 11.33%; Final Price $417,500. – 5,953/385hp, automatic, O.Z. Aero III alloy wheels, Recaro seats, burl wood trim, leather-rim steering wheel, new tires. – In Japan for its early years and now with 89,044 km, the paint is good, as is the original upholstery and interior trim – Today, when a Toyota or Chevy can have 385hp it is hard to remember the effect the dohc AMG conversions of big M-B V-8s had with their 385hp engine, but they were seriously impressive performers and housed within AMG’s lowered “Wide Body” coachwork they were intimidating. Today this is still a car that will scare poky drivers out of the lefthand lane, a serious, purposeful, aggressive hardtop. This is four times the value of a 238hp 560 SEC, but appropriately valued here even at barely half its pre-sale low estimate.
Lot # 38 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster; S/N WDB2973971Y000034; Silver/Black, Grey leather; Estimate $10,500,000 – $13,000,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $9,300,000 plus commission of 10.05%; Final Price $10,235,000. – 6,898/612hp, 6-speed automanual, centerlock AMG alloy wheels, Michelin tires, fitted luggage, manuals, a Show & Display import. – #3 of 6 built, 170 km but several owners from new, none of whom seem to have driven it. One of five (not including the AMG prototype) built with suitable reinforcements to make up for the structural integrity of the lost roof. Statically displayed and not serviced since 2018. – Back in 2013 this CLK GTR Roadster crossed the auction block at Mecum Monterey where it attracted no joy and an unsuccessful hammer bid of just $1.3 million. Fast forward a decade to this result, a mere [sic] $8 million bump at the successful hammer bid here. The ROI calculator says that if it had been bought for $1.5 million at Mecum Monterey 2013, today’s result is an annualized ROI of about 19.5%. That is very impressive and yet it’s a seriously rare car, it looks great and (after suitable and expensive recommissioning) is a huge performance value. It is impossible (or at least unproductive) to argue with the bidders’ opinion of value.