RM Sotheby’s, Online Only: Driving Into Summer March 21-29, 2020

Two months ago RM, in just two weeks after the onset of the COVID-19 shutdown, converted its scheduled Palm Beach auction into an Online Only format.

Since then RM’s Essen, Germany auction was postponed (it has been reinstated this week as Online Only: The European Sale featuring the Petitjean Collection closing on June 10-11.)

With Auburn Spring canceled, RM launched another online only auction, Driving into Summer, on March 21. It showed, with better photography, inspection reports and documentation, that the two months had not been wasted.

It helped that RM had three $2 million plus consignments, all Ferraris, of which they sold two, a 288 GTO and an Enzo, while missing on the third, an F50.

The 288 GTO became an online only auction record at $2,310,000 only to be eclipsed a few lots later by the Enzo at $2,640,000. The F50 laid an egg at an entirely reasonable $2.2 million bid.

It was, in many respects, the online emulation of Auburn Spring, with 92 of the 193 cars (47.1%) offered closing on hammer bids of $50,000 or less.

RM posted the cars for previewing and bidding on March 21 and it wasn’t until the 28^th that they began to close. Allowing time between lots, the bidding even on the bid closing days went on, well, forever.

Unless you’re an auction junkie (as I am) or anticipate bidding on specific cars the process of following the online bidding is like watching grass grow. There’s no Maarten ten Holder urging bidders on, no ringman crying out a new bid, no anticipation of the imminent fall of the hammer, no sharing speculation with other onlookers. It’s sterile, devoid of excitement.

As RM Sotheby’s has proved, Online Only is effective at selling cars, but that’s only half (or less) the story.

What I’d do, not that RM will hear or listen, is add live narrative recounting the bidding with comments on other lots – which frequently overlap in their bid closing times due to “anti-sniping” bidding extensions – and keep bidders engaged.

That would transform online only bidding closer to the show that it’s missing now.

Here are the numbers:

Cars Sold/ Offered	Sale %	Sold < Low Est	Sold > High Est	Average Sale	Median Sale	Total $
114/193	59.1%	65.5%	9.7%	$142,547	$55,000 [38.6%]	$16,250,410

Andrew Newton and I spent days watching and recording the actual bidding progress through the seven preview days and the two days of bid closings. Many have detail on bid progress through the week and at the bid closings. There are 58 cars presented here, 30% of the total consignment.

We relied upon RM Sotheby’s often staggering collections of photos as well as the Condition Reports created by their specialists (which are effective and independent.) A few of the cars had been seen before which made the task easier.

They are sorted in Lot Number order. Photos are (c) 2020 Courtesy RM Sotheby’s, photographer credits are noted where applicable.

Online Only will go on for the next few months until there’s a SARS-COV2 vaccine. When it’s developed (and thoroughly tested for old guys like me) we look forward to “the old normal” where we gathered, rubbed elbows and conversed without masks.

Here are the cars:

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Lot # 120 1963 Chevrolet Corvair 95 Rampside Pickup; S/N 3R124F107899; Red, White/Red vinyl, pattern cloth; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000. – 145/80hp flat six, 4-speed. hub caps, narrow whitewalls, factory radio, tissue dispenser, retractable seat belts, jack and spare. – Very good paint. The rubber around the Rampside door reportedly shows light wear. Excellent interior. Clean engine that looks hardly run. No photos of the underbody but RM notes slight signs of use. A well restored, charming example of one of these quirky Corvair pickups. Located in Indiana. – Rampside and Loadside Corvair pickups weren’t all that common in period, and because they were so practical a lot of them were used up. They’re rare in any condition so a remarkably well restored one like this is a treat. Another better-than-new Rampside sold in Scottsdale last year for $77,000, which was itself an unprecedented result. This one is even richer and even more surprising, especially given the times and the setting of the sale.

Lot # 125 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback; S/N 9R02R141578; Acapulco Blue, Matte Black hood, Gold side stripes/White vinyl; Estimate $60,000 – $70,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Post-block sale at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. – 428/335hp, 4-speed, Hurst Shifter, shaker hood, air dam, spoiler, window slats, chrome rally wheels, hubcaps, Eagle GTII tires, woodgrain steering wheel, AM-FM, Edelbrock intake, Holley carburetor, power brakes. – Date code correct R-code replacement engine. Restored 10 years ago with minor edge chips and curb scrape on the air dam. The dash and instruments are driver quality, upholstery is stretched. The engine bay is tired with surface rust and some paint loss. Good but aged underbody and chassis. 46 photos of limited value or specificity. A 10-year old restoration showing limited use but indifferent storage. – Live bid to $52,000 and reported closed later with this all-in result, a realistic compromise for its condition, replacement engine and the engine upgrades.

Lot # 127 1953 Jaguar XK 120SE Drophead Coupe; S/N S677155; Engine # P1157; Black/Red; Black top; Estimate $90,000 – $110,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $82,000. – 3,442cc/180-hp six, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual wing mirrors, jack and tools. – Restored in the 1990s. Paint and interior redone in 2013. Replacement engine block, but the rest of the drivetrain is original. Two chips on a rocker panel. Even gaps and straight bodywork. Excellent top and chrome. Like new interior. Lightly used engine bay and largely unrestored underbody, but tidy with nothing to be concerned about. A high-spec engine and desirable body style. Given the age of the restoration and the replacement block, it would make a fine event car. Love the curb feelers on the right fenders. Located in California. – Reported bid to $90,000 at Russo and Steele Monterey in 2018, this is a decent XK 120 Drophead with a responsible cosmetic restoration and a responsible pre-COVID bid for it. The consignor should have given this bid more serious consideration.

Lot # 133 2019 Ferrari 812 Superfast Coupe; S/N ZFF83CLA6K0239105; Nero Daytona/Camel leather, Black bars; Estimate $300,000 – $350,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $305,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $335,500. – 6,496cc/789hp V12, 7-speed AutoManual, $125,000 in options including adaptive lights, Alcantara carpet, carbon fiber trim, yellow calipers, carbon ceramic brakes, battery tender, car cover, books, tools, manuals, window sticker copy, Assembly No. 159849. – 212 miles and like new. – Bought just over the low estimate, there was little hesitation in the bidding for this essentially brand new and exclusive Ferrari. It went to $275,000 on twelve bids a day after opening, advanced only $10,000 and one bid through the week and closed quickly on Friday with eighteen bids. A 212-mile, brand-new car requires little speculation about condition or specifications: it just is what it is and the valuation equation is simple leading to quick decision making.

Lot # 136 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet; S/N 11102712004198; Light Ivory/Burgundy leather; Brown cloth top; Estimate $275,000 – $325,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $270,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $297,000. – 3,499cc/230hp V-8, floor shift automatic, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, Behr air conditioning, Becker Europa radio. – Bought new by Arizona Congressman John C. Pritzlaff, Jr. Single family ownership until 2016. Originally had a blue interior. The paint and chrome look show-ready, and the interior is excellent. Detailed engine bay and underbody. Clean, straight convertible top. Never fully restored, but has gotten everything it ever needed. Located in California. – Mercedes-Benz built, largely by hand, just over 1200 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolets from late 1969 to mid-1971, and they are seriously coveted by collectors who value their style, quality, performance and comfort. This might not be a 100-point show car, but it’s a very good one, and it sold in the middle of its estimate range at a perfectly fair price. It also sold for the similar sum of $291,500 at Quail Lodge in 2016.

Lot # 137 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Coupe; S/N WP0AC29938S792296; Green, Black/Black; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $150,000. – 3,600/415hp six, 6-speed, ceramic brakes with yellow calipers, Sport Chrono Plus package, navigation, air conditioning, roll cage. – Represented as 9,099 miles from new. One of 803 911 GT3 RSs built in 2008. The outer bolster on the driver’s seat shows significant wrinkling. A few small chips on the front of the car, many of them touched up. The roll cage is also chipped up. These cars are more for at home on the track than they are cruising around town, and this car may have hit the track a time or two. That doesn’t make it a bad or worn out car, however. It’s just a lightly used 997 GT3 RS in appropriately loud colors. Located in California. – The consignor was surely hoping for closer to 200 grand or at least the $175,000 low estimate, but with fees the final price at this reported high bid would have been in the right neighborhood. Other GT3 RSs with similar mileage have sold for around that amount. It’s a far cry from the $275,000 it was reported bid to at Mecum Monterey in 2018 or the $200,000 bid it got at the same venue last August. The trend is clear and it’s time to accept that there is no shortage of low mileage 911 GT3 RSs out there and let it go before the temptation to roll the odometer into 5-figures proves irresistible.

Lot # 138 1994 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II 4-Dr. Hatchback; S/N ZLA831AB000584367; Monza Red/Fawn cloth; Estimate $90,000 – $110,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $70,000. – 1,995/212hp turbocharged four, 5-speed, air conditioning, air conditioning, Recaro seats, Momo leather-rim steering wheel, alloy wheels, Goodyear tires, JVC stereo, radar detector. – Delivered new in Japan, now showing some 38,000km. Good partial repaint with some paint match issues. Sound original upholstery with bolster wear, some original factory protective film still in place. Repainted wheels. Good highly original engine compartment appropriate to the mileage showing. A mostly original car with some body and paint work. – The reported high bid is notably conservative but the Delta HF Integrale Evo II trend is down since their high point two years ago and the bidders were understandable interpolating further movement down that trend line with this bid. Artcurial sold an Evo II in similar condition at Retromobile three months ago for $69,900 including commission.

Lot # 143 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Coupe; S/N 228870N125958; Engine # 20N125958 0547869 WS; Polar White, Blue stripes/Blue vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $85,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $78,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $85,800. – 400/345hp Ram Air III V-8, 4-speed, Rally II wheels, Polyglas GT tires, power steering, power brakes, Hurst shifter, Formula steering wheel, pushbutton radio, heavy-duty battery, added air conditioning, hidden modern radio, window sticker, PHS documents. – Represented as matching numbers. Drag raced in period but more recently received a six-figure professional restoration to factory correct. It still looks better than new with no notable or detectable flaws. A top-notch Trans Am. Located in Texas. – We can’t really argue with the quality of this Firebird, and we can’t argue with this price, either. No discounts for pandemics or online platforms here, just a very good car bringing the very good money it deserves.

Lot # 148 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe; S/N 1G1YY26E465100200; Le Mans Blue/Black leather; Estimate $30,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $37,400. – 427/505hp LS7, 6-speed, navigation, polished alloy wheels, “Preferred Equipment Group”, red calipers. – All original with 1,117 miles. Nicked up splitter. Excellent original paint and lightly creased upholstery. The engine compartment is clean, orderly and like new. – To all intents and purposes a brand new car, appropriately bid into its pre-sale estimate range and huge performance for the money.

Lot # 152 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 VCA Pickup; S/N 3D3HA16HX4G174492; Viper Blue Electric Pearl, White stripes/Black leather with suede inserts; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $39,000. – 506/500hp V-10, 6-speed, Pirelli Scorpion tires, Hurst shifter, CD stereo. – Number 44 of 50 VCA Editions, with purchase rights raffled off to Viper Club of America members. Represented with 3,323 miles. Light signs of use and age underneath. A few chips and small scrapes on the lower front and rear bumper. Like new interior. Clean wheels. Clean interior. Tidy, straight pickup bed, but it’s not like anyone ever hauled much in these things, anyway. A low-mile, limited-production Viper truck. Located in Texas. – This reported high bid should be plenty for one of these outrageous 10-cylinder pickups, but does the “VCA Edition” moniker make it worth all that much more than a regular one? The consignor and RM sure seem to think so, given the 50 grand low estimate. This same SRT-10 also went sold in Kissimmee three years ago at 2,770 miles for $64,900, although that seems expensive and was passed at RM’s Ft. Lauderdale auction in 2019 on a high bid of $46,000. The “VCA” intrigue is wearing off fast.

Lot # 156 1997 Plymouth Prowler Roadster; S/N 1P3EW65F2VV300010; Prowler Purple/Black leather; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. – 215/214hp V-6, automatic, Goodyear tires, AutoMeter tach mounted on the column, matching trailer. – Represented as the 10th production example, a one-owner car out of a private collection, and with 244 miles. The driver’s seat shows some wrinkling. Small scratch noted on the left rear fender and one more on the trailer. The engine bay could use a minor detailing, but it is mostly as new. Finished in the most desirable color, barely any mileage and comes with the nifty matching trailer. Located in Michigan. – We mostly remember the Prowler for its wild hot rod styling writing a check that its V-6 and automatic couldn’t cash, but it’s an interesting chapter in Chrysler history and a Prowler never fails to make a statement, at least visually. The matching trailer, which cost about 5 grand when new and went to about 12 percent of Prowlers, is also a neat gimmick. For a serious collector, this car ticks all the right boxes, so we were surprised at this modest price. Other Prowlers with higher mileage and no trailer have sold for more.

Lot # 159 1960 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N 00867S109856; Engine # 109856F0223CR; Roman Red, Ermine White coves/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $60,000 – $70,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,200. – 283/250hp Fuel Injection, 4-speed, spinner wheel covers, Pirelli radial tires, WonderBar radio – Represented as the original engine and 68,205 miles from new with two owners and never fully restored. Failing paint with a large patch missing behind the left headlights, chips on the right rear fender and chips and lifting generally. Good seats but the dash pad is cracked. Weak grille and other chrome. Cracked and discolored old vinyl top. The frame has its original paint which is peeling and road-used. The differential driveshaft seal leaks and the mufflers are stained with cooked axle oil. The suspension has evidence of much work and looks better than the frame. Orderly but aged engine compartment. A sound old Corvette that suffers from a poor quality old repaint. 225 photos thoroughly document its issues. – Bidding on this lot started slowly, sticking at $36,000 for two days and gaining only $1,000 in the fourth on just four bids. With four minutes to closing it was at $52,000 and 15 bids, closing at this amount in the allotted time, a result that is fair to both the seller and the buyer.

Photo by Juan Martinez

Lot # 168 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe, Body by Ellena; S/N 0861GT; Engine # 0861GT; Black, Silver roof/Green leather; Estimate $625,000 – $725,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $610,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $671,000. – 2,953cc/240hp, 4-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Excelsior tires, Wagner halogen headlights, Marchal fog lights. – Long term owned by Brad Balles in Houston and then Jack Boxstrom. Good interior but the pistachio hue leather and carpet is an odd color combination with the black/silver exterior. The underbody and engine compartment have been restored like new. Sound paint and chrome. A better car than its first impression and it has been successfully vintage raced and taken on a trouble free Colorado Grand in 2008. – Sold by RM in London in 2012 for $378,931 (GBP 235,200 at the time) and given needed attention thereafter. It was meaningfully better when Bonhams sold it at Quail Lodge last August for $621,000 and has added only 82km to its odometer since then while attending to some noted shortcomings including replacing the windshield and installing wiper arms and wipers. Bidding was lackluster through the first five days ending at $420,000 on Wednesday with only eight bids. That all changed on Thursday when bidding quickly picked up eventually extending three times to end here with 25 bids, a reasoned result that both the consignor and the buyer can be satisfied with.

Lot # 170 1959 Maserati 3500GT Coupe; S/N AM101530; Engine # AM101530; Light Blue/Beige leather; Estimate $220,000 – $260,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $170,000. – 3,485cc/220hp twin cam six, triple Webers, 4-speed, Borrani steel wheels with hub caps and trim rings, Audiovox radio, Koni shocks. – Some light waviness in the chrome in the front bumper. Very good older paint. Tidy underneath but with thick old undercoating. Good original dash and gauges. The leather and carpets are newer, with some wear on the driver’s side. Clean and restored but not overly detailed engine. A solid carbureted 3500 with light restoration work where necessary but never fully taken apart and redone. Located in California. – A good car but not a great one, this 3500GT has been to Scottsdale twice, going unsold at a $240,000 high bid with Gooding in 2018 and again at a $230,000 high bid with RM Sotheby’s last year. This online high bid is softer, but imperfect cars at this price point have been struggling for a while and it may be hard to find a higher offer in the near future.

Lot # 174 1995 Ferrari F50 Coupe; S/N ZFFTA46B000103114; Engine # 40151; Rosso Corsa/Black, Red; Estimate $2,500,000 – $2,750,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $2,200,000. – 4,699/513hp V-12, 6-speed, Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, Classiche Red Book, owner’s manuals, tool kit, Assembly No. 19963. – Represented as the second F50 built. Shown at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show and sold new in Germany. Brought to the US in 2017 and federalized. Full service and PPI in May 2020. Showing 3,371 miles. Rubs on the underside of the front corners of the bumpers. Dash is starting to wear to the left of the gauge cluster. Light wear on the outer driver’s seat bolster, and the driver’s side door sill has minor scuffs. That sounds unusual given the low mileage, but these are hard cars to get in and out of and otherwise the interior looks like new. Engine cover delaminating a bit at the top, but again that is typical for the age. The F50 is a polarizing car, thanks in large part to its less than graceful bodywork, but it’s a rare (349 built) halo model Ferrari with 12 cylinders behind the seats, so it will always be highly collectible. And this is a mostly very good example. Located in Massachusetts. – The Massini Report on this F50 notes that it was “confiscated by German Financial Authorities” in the late 1990s, but the story doesn’t get any juicier than that. It sold in March 1999 for 690,000 Marks. More recently, it went to Mecum Monterey in 2018 (showing 3,363 miles) and hammered not sold at a $3,000,000 high bid. The selling dealer has also advertised it for sale at $3.5M, then reduced the price to $3.35M in April and $2,995,000 in May, so there is a big gap between their expectations and the bidders’.

Lot # 177 1934 SS Jaguar 1 2 1/2-Litre Tourer; S/N 247877; Engine # 248520; Dark Green/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $132,000. – RHD. 2,663cc/100hp, dual RAG carburetors, 4-speed, leaf spring 4-spoke steering wheel, upgraded engine with a 3.5 liter crankshaft, tonneau cover, side curtains, tools, tire pump, rear-mounted spare. – Restored in Australia a decade ago, judged authentic there recently. Very good paint with minimal polishing swirl. The interior is excellent with scant evidence of wear or creasing from use. The engine compartment is better than when it left Coventry without being overdone and the chassis and suspension are like new. Clear, crisp gauges in a scratched panel. Generally good chrome. An outstanding SS One with room for a small family and all the equipment it should have. 88 reassuring photos. – The SS One is not as pretty as an SS 100 but is still a prime example of William Lyons’ design talent applied to a 4-seat tourer. It is eligible for an impressive sweep of events and with 100hp is capable of keeping up with traffic in style consistent with its design and dignity. An SS 100, even a 2 1/2 liter, would cost multiples of this price which is a sound value for its condition and quality.

Lot # 183 1997 Bentley Azure Convertible; S/N SCBZK14C3VCX61044; Peacock Blue/Magnolia leather piped in Blue; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Unrestored original, 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $29,000. – 6,750/385hp turbocharged V-8, automatic. – One of 200 built in 1997. Represented with 33,713 miles. Looks used and a little dirty underneath. Quite a few chips and scratches in the paint. Two small dents in the front and rear bumpers. A few isolated cracks in the wood. Seats look re-dyed. Switchgear looks a little aged. Lightly worn leather. Mild cracks in the center of the steering wheel. Popped seams in the top. Hydraulic system for the top extensively serviced in 2018, apparently to the tune of $12,000. Has gotten a new windshield and dashboard. Looks like a driver with lots of flaws, including some not listed, kind of too many to list, but they’re all photo documented for honesty. A straightforward used Bentley. Located in California. – Not a ton of bids came this car’s way. It was up to 26 grand on May 26 (Tuesday), was up to 29 grand on the afternoon of May 27 (Wednesday), and stayed there for the duration. Buying a used modern Bentley sight unseen from the internet is a bit daunting, but the same car sold on Bring a Trailer two years ago for $51,300 and the seller here understandably expected similar from the web this time around although what we don’t know is its condition and mileage then as opposed to its frequently flawed and used condition today.

Lot # 186 2016 Ferrari F12berlinetta; S/N ZFF74UFA8G0219312; Blu Pozzi/Natural leather; Estimate $225,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $210,000. – 6,262/730hp, 7-speed automanual, 20-inch wheels, yellow calipers, SF shields, suspension lift, Daytona-style seats, parking camera. – One owner, <3,800 miles and nearly like new. Excellent original paint. Clean splitter but scraped rear undertray and rear valence skid blocks. 41 photos tell a decent but not thorough story. – Bid to $180,000 by Wednesday evening with thirteen bids. With an hour to go is was at $190K and fourteen bids, extended once to close at this price with nineteen bids. This is a reasonable figure for its condition and mileage and would have been $231,000 with the commission, sufficient in any scenario to see it on its way to a new owner.

Lot # 188 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista Spider; S/N ZFF91HMA7L0253232; Black, Red stripe/Red Alcantara; Estimate $525,000 – $625,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $550,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $605,000. – 3,902cc/711hp twin turbo V8, 7-speed automanual, red calipers, carbon fiber trim, AFS, suspension lift, titanium exhaust, white tach face, silver alloy wheels, manettino steering wheel. – 90 miles from new. Unblemished splitter and diffuser. 52 photos with few details, but why bother? It has 90 miles. – A striking and desirable car in its black and red livery, not to mention it being brand new and breathtakingly powerful, powerful enough to put it in the same exalted ranks as Ferrari’s current front engine V12 supercars. Bidding rose quickly in the preview days, ending Wednesday at $420,000 and a healthy 20 bids. The last few minutes saw close to frenzied bidding from $450,000 with an hour to go and extending at least once before closing at this mid-estimate bid. It is one heck of a car and it brought one heck of a fully-deserved price.

Photo by Stephen Kim

Lot # 213 1953 MG TD Roadster; S/N TD28037; Woodland Green/Biscuit leather; Natural cloth top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $23,500. – 1,250/54hp, 4-speed, full weather equipment, Lucas fog lights, badge bar, Silver steel wheels, luggage rack, fender mirrors, wind wings, shop and operator’s manuals, sales brochure, – Sound paint, good interior trim and lightly stretched upholstery. Good steering wheel rim and gauges. The top is good with minor folding abrasions but the tonneau cover is old and discolored as are the old top bow pads. The engine compartment is very good, as is the suspension but the frame is old and largely original. The doors fit as well as they did when new. Chrome is good. A TD that shows careful attention to restoration appropriate to its value and good subsequent maintenance. – Sold by Barrett-Jackson at Las Vegas in 2012 for $42,900, then by Mecum at Monterey in 2016 for $33,000 and most recently by RM at Ft. Lauderdale a little over a year ago for $33,000. It got little attention here but the reported high bid would have been fair. The seller thinks it is a better TD than it is.

Lot # 215 2001 Jaguar XKR Silverstone Coupe; S/N SAJDA41B21PA11620; Platinum Metallic/Warm Charcoal leather; Estimate $18,000 – $22,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,800. – 3,996/370-hp supercharged V-8, automatic, BBS wheels, Pirelli tires, cross-drilled rotors. – One of 141 left-hand drive Silverstone edition coupes. Represented as a one-owner car with 25,438 miles. Small dent below the driver’s side taillight and scuff on the lower part of the front bumper. Mostly clean interior with minor wear on the outer driver’s seat bolster. Engine bay and underbody look to match the age and mileage. An honest, lightly used and nearly 20-year-old Jaguar. Located in Florida. – The “Silverstone” edition XKR was introduced to celebrate Jaguar’s (ultimately forgettable) entry into Formula One, and features special paint and badges, handling and transmission upgrades, special wheels and a better interior. The engine stayed the same, but the 370-horse V-8 (which got the same supercharger as the Ford Lightning pickup) packed a lot of performance for the early 2000s. Old XKRs are temptingly affordable (to buy, anyway), and after only some mild bidding activity this one brought only a slight premium over a standard production model. After a no-sale at a $16,000 high bid at RM’s Palm Beach online sale in March, the seller should be happy with this fair price.

Photo by Andrew Miterko

Lot # 221 2012 Ferrari California Convertible; S/N ZFF65LJAXC0188505; Tour de France Blu/Crema leather, Blue bars; Estimate $120,000 – $130,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $105,000. – 4,297/454hp, 7-speed automanual, yellow calipers, carbon-ceramic brakes, P-Zero tires, power Daytona-style seats, blue carpets and belts, carbon fiber steering wheel, nav system, climate control. – 3,579 miles from new. Good original paint, upholstery and interior but gooey switches. Minor wheel blemishes and door edge chips. Scraped rear undertray. Not pristine, but close. – Not many Californias have many miles and among them this is a realistic bid in a declining marketplace which the seller should have given closer consideration.

Lot # 223 2005 Ferrari Superamerica Coupe; S/N ZFFGT61A950145711; Argento Nürburgring/Tobacco leather; Estimate $260,000 – $300,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Post-block sale at $231,818 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $255,000. – 5,748cc/540hp, Fiorano Handling Package, paddle shift, SF shields, modular alloy wheels, Bridgestone tires, climate control, Ferrari stereo, Red calipers, Daytona-style seats, yellow tach face, Assembly # 62834. – Delaminating electrochromic roof panel, lightly burnished driver’s seat. 3,772 miles. Chipguarded nose. Described as having a “recent” belt service. – Reported sold by RM two months ago at Amelia for $313,000, now with about 300 more miles than it had then. It closed online bidding at a reported $240,000 and seventeen bids, closing later at this negotiated price, a great value for the new owner even with the Revocromico roof delamination that costs a fortune to fix. At this price the new owner can happily overlook the roof issue while enjoying exceptional performance and comfort.

Photo by Gabor Mayer

Lot # 233 1934 Bentley 3 1/2-Litre Drophead Coupe, Body by Park Ward; S/N B93AE; Engine # U6BF; Red, Plum bonnet top and fenders/Plum leather; Plum leatherette top; Estimate $130,000 – $150,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $110,000. – RHD. 3,680/105hp, 4-speed, polished wheel discs, suicide doors, landau bars, Flying B mascot, badge bar, wood dash and window trim, rear-mounted enclosed spare, painted radiator shell. – Formerly owned by Frederick Charles Stewart (construction manager of the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth ocean liners), Sid Craig (diet guru Jenny’s husband) and the Academy of Arts University. A few chips on the front of the car and some sizable cracks at the bottom of the A-pillars. Lots of cracking around the semaphores and several chips on the spare wheel cover. Clean and restored but lightly used underneath. Creased seats but mostly good interior. A handsome, rakish little car with a lot of eyeball, but upon closer inspection the age of its early 90’s restoration is apparent despite having little or no use in the past ten years. 112 good quality, thorough photos. – Sold by Bonhams from the Sid Craig collection at Quail Lodge in 2009 for $122,500, then by Mecum at Las Vegas in 2018 for $115,500. A particularly attractive Park Ward body with long-term value and quality that makes even this bid close to reasonable. The consignor isn’t known for hanging on to cars past their sell-by date and that is getting perilously close for this Bentley.

Lot # 238 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ43 Utility; S/N FJ4368806; Sky Blue/Gray; Gray top; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Truck restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $28,600. – 4,230/125hp six, automatic, aluminum radiator, All-Terrain T/A tires, rear barn doors, modern Pioneer stereo, air conditioning, power steering, power brakes. – Foreign market FJ43 showing 80,620 km (50,095 miles). Refurbished and imported in 2018 by specialists, and got a $3,000 service in January. Some orange peel noted in the paint, as well as rust around some of the bolts and screws on the body. Like-new soft top and upholstery, but lightly faded gauges. Tidy but not spotless engine bay and underbody. Far from the overrestored jewelry that some classic FJs became, but that just makes it more usable, and there’s nothing serious to criticize. It’s also a longer FJ43, which gives it some notoriety among the crowd of FJ40s. Located in Massachusetts. – Notoriety didn’t translate into extra bids here. It had a single bid of $18,000 on May 26 (Tuesday) and was only up to $22,000 on May 29 (Friday). The dealer selling this Land Cruiser had it listed on their site for $44,800 but this result, while modest and a bit of a bargain, is closer to reality for a driver-quality foreign market FJ. At least it’s not a diesel which so many of these imported FJs are.

Lot # 239 1965 Morgan 4/4 Roadster; S/N B1040; Westminster Green/Black leather; Black top; Estimate $60,000 – $75,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,200. – 1,498/65hp, 4-speed, chrome spoke wire wheels, front disc brakes, Firestone tires, badge bar, single Lucas driving light, dual wing mirrors, wood dash, period Motorola radio, heat and defrost, tonneau cover. – Represented with original engine, two owners and 18,225 miles from new. Restoration finished at the end of 2018. Original wood body frame and sheet metal. New wire wheels. Slight pitting around the radio, but otherwise the interior looks like new. The engine bay and underbody look new as well. A fresh, handsome Morgan with no excuses. Located in Florida. – RM’s inspection report calls this car one of the best Morgans they’ve ever sold. Indeed, Morgans don’t often get this kind of royal treatment when it comes time to restore them. The bidders seemed to recognize this right away, bidding it up to $38,000 by May 26 (Tuesday). That would have been a relatively strong price for a 4/4 right there, but this final result is surprisingly high. It’s top-end money for a top notch car, but the same money could also get you into a very good Plus 4 or even a reasonably nice Plus 8 although nothing so thoroughly represents the Morgan experience better than a 4/4. A great car at an advantageous price less than the $63,000 reportedly spent on its restoration. “Always buy a restored car” say the experts. “Don’t undertake one yourself.” Truer words were never spoken.

Lot # 240 2005 Acura NSX-T Coupe; S/N JH4NA21655S000085; Berlina Black/Black leather; Estimate $140,000 – $160,000; Original, modified for competition or performance, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $137,500. – 3,179 supercharged V-6, 6-speed, dealer-installed Comptech supercharger, Bose stereo, tools and books. – Showing claimed original 5,390 miles. Small scuff on the front bumper and a few more on the chin spoiler. Small paint blemish above the chin spoiler as well, along with another one on a back corner of the targa top. Very good interior. A mostly excellent, low-mile final-year car from the final year of the original NSX. Located in Florida. – Comptech made superchargers for S2000s, Civic Sis and NSXs, and this car had its blower installed at the dealer. The extra power (and especially torque) must be intoxicating, but this car’s owners resisted the urge to flog the car, or even drive it much at all given the mileage. Offered at Mecum Monterey in 2016 with a reported high bid of $125,000, then sold at Auburn Fall a month later for $144,100. This price is high, very high, but it isn’t shocking given the condition and the four-figure odometer reading and consistent with its prior auction results.

Lot # 242 1963 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider, Body by Touring; S/N AR191491; Red/Beige vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $71,000. – 2,584cc/145hp, 5-speed, full tool set and jack. – Sound paint with nose chips, fisheyes on the cowls, edge chips on the driver’s door and trunk opening and bubbles on the body rocker panels. Orderly engine compartment, loose fitting top, crisp gauges with clear lenses, good recent upholstery. Old undercoat with some loss and surface corrosion. 39 photos of limited value or specificity, no chassis photos or history. The consignor is relying on the comprehensive condition report from RM. – And even that reassurance didn’t prove to be sufficient even with twenty bids on the car when it closed at the scheduled time. Alfa 2600s were largely overlooked for years and suffered from it making it especially important for a 2600 to be thoroughly inspected lest it turn out to be fluffed up and superficially presented to look good at the auction. This one didn’t meet that standard but even at that the bidders gave it a realistic, if conservative, offer that deserved serious consideration.

Lot # 252 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 1007GT; Engine # 1007GT; Silver Metallic/Blue leather; Estimate $575,000 – $675,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $480,000. – 2,953/240hp, 4-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin Pilote X tires, behind the grille fog lights, identification with block letter Ferrari and chrome Cavallino above the grille, woodrim steering wheel, seven dash switches, six dash gauges plus tach and speedo. – A specially configured Pf Coupe, one of two built. Delivered to Carlo Vitale, its counterpart went to his partner Dr. Enrico Wax of Wax & Vitale, Johnnie Walker importer for Italy. Retained for only a few months, sold to Chinetti and displayed at the 1959 Chicago Auto Show. Restored by RPM in the early 00’s, recently freshened by Patrick Ottis. Very good older paint with minor cracks below the C-pillars and small stone chips on the nose. Lightly stretched upholstery, clear and crisp gauges. Orderly engine compartment and chassis showing some age but little use. An attractive and well-restored Pf Coupe. – Pinin Farina’s elegant, refined coupe for the 250 GT chassis is a milestone of design and also an example of Ferrari’s recognition that steady production of a luxury GT could return big profits for the company. The Pf Coupe was so well-conceived that it quickly translated into a beautiful cabriolet. Overlooked for years, the Pf Coupe has recently seen remarkable value increases and why this well-presented example didn’t bring more than the parsimonious bid here is difficult to understand. Maybe it’s the rather splashy exterior identification, which is inconsistent with the Pf Coupe’s otherwise restrained decoration. It is no surprise that it didn’t sell at this bid, the final one of twenty that pushed into overtime several times. The bidders and the seller just had different opinions of its value.

Lot # 257 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Duetto Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N AR662383; Engine # AR0053610707; White/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $37,400. – 1,570/122hp, 5-speed, dual Weber carbs, power brakes, Kenwood Bluetooth stereo, Koni shocks, 14″ 8-spoke Panasport alloy wheels, Michelin tires, jack, tool roll. – Round tail body. Appears to be a newer leather interior with white contrast stitching in very good nearly unmarked condition. The instrument panel and dash top have matching leather. Very good paint with minor stone chips behind the front wheels and adhesion blisters behind the driver’s door. The engine compartment is stock except for an Optima battery and unusually clean with correct hoses and fittings. Gauges are crisp and clear. The chassis and underbody have been restored to showroom condition and little used. An exceptionally good and well-maintained Duetto Spider. – RM’s condition report notes that the engine number does not coincide with the chassis number, which it never did; Alfa used a separate numbering scheme for each. Bidders weren’t misled and it powered from a piddling $19,000 with three bids at the inception of closing day to extend several times and reach this satisfying result after seventeen bids.

Lot # 261 1969 Austin America 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N AA2SD34141M; Light Yellow/Black vinyl; Estimate $8,000 – $12,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $3,600 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $3,960. – 1,275/58hp A-Series L-4, automatic. – Sold new in Minneapolis, then stored in the family’s basement garage in Kansas after the Hydrolastic suspension failed – which it tends to do. The 29,090 miles showing are stated to be original. Nearly all original paint and interior. Some touch ups, but overall well-preserved paint. Some dents and dings in various places, including a large crease in right front fender above the beltline. Some of the chrome is pitting. Front and rear window surrounds are discolored. Well-preserved interior, although the carpet looks like it shrank over the years. Original engine bay and underbody. Likely needs mechanical sorting, but the level of preservation is amazing. A shoo-in for Concours d’Lemons when that event comes back, especially with the automatic. Located in California. – Designed by Alec Issigonis of Mini fame, BMC’s AD016 series was Britain’s best-selling car for a several years in the 1960s and wore MG, Vanden Plas, Riley and Wolseley badges, but it’s a rare sight on our side of the pond. Let’s remember that rare doesn’t always mean valuable, though. It’s still just an old front-drive commuter car, even if it does have a Pininfarina-penned body. Its real value lies in the quirk factor of being a remarkable example of a mostly unremarkable car, and the fun conversations it will start.

Photo by Mark Corcoran

Lot # 262 1956 Austin-Healey 100/M Le Mans Roadster; S/N BN2L233248; Engine # 1B233248M; Red/Black piped in red; Black top; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $104,500. – 2,660cc/110-hp, overdrive 4-speed, painted wire wheels, Michelin tires, tools, spare, side curtains, tonneau cover, reproduction owner’s handbook. – Represented as a matching numbers factory-built 100M (as opposed to a dealer conversion). Originally two-tone white and black but has been red since the 1980s, when most of the restoration work was done. Even gaps except for the trunk. Driver quality seats. Tidy but used engine bay. Wheels and trunk look clean. Good but 30-year-old paint. An aged old Healey, but there’s nothing seriously wrong with it, and it’s a genuine M. It would make a great event car. Located in California. – This car failed to sell at Quail Lodge last August at a $130,000 high bid. That wasn’t a huge offer for a factory M car at the time but apparently it was a missed opportunity for the seller. It’s not a great example but a good and presentable one. It had a modest estimate this time around, and brought an even more modest price and a serious value to the new owner.

Lot # 263 1936 Delahaye Type 135W Cabriolet Project; S/N 45460; Primer/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $130,000 – $160,000; Incomplete restoration, 4 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $115,000. – 3,557/115hp, triple carburetors, 4-speed (not preselector), covered rear-mounted spare, Marchal headlights and fog lights, oil cooler, four leaf spring spoke steering wheel, Maroon wire wheels, folding windshield, disappearing top, rear wheel spats. – Old multi-color paint, sound but old upholstery and interior trim. The engine compartment is orderly but the frame and running gear are old, dirty and not restored. No coachbuilder’s identification. The design is attractive if difficult to appreciate in its present partially assembled state. Basically needs everything. – One significant advantage of live auctions is that project cars like this are subjected to close scrutiny often by people intimately familiar with the marque, model and body style whose opinions become part of the conversation. At this point in online auctions (except for BringaTrailer) that dialogue doesn’t happen leaving bidders to their own counsel with perhaps an assist from a consulting expert. After zero interest or bidding until Friday within the last two hours it took off from $65,000 (the opening bid place holder) to this result with several extensions and a total of 26 bids, a reasonable result that deserved close consideration from the consignor.

Photo by Mark Corcoran

Lot # 266 1950 Hudson Commodore Eight Convertible Brougham; S/N 50490375; Metallic Blue/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. – 254/128hp inline eight, overdrive 3-speed, chrome body sill, skirts, windshield visor, hubcaps, wide whitewalls, aftermarket turn signals, pushbutton radio, underdash stereo, bench seat, power top, power windows, heater. – Sound but aging older repaint with noted erratic masking. Generally sound chrome with dents on the hubcaps and in some trim. Very good newer upholstery. Orderly but aged engine compartment and unrestored chassis and suspension. A presentable driver. – Reported sold for $46,750 at RM’s Arizona auction in 2014, this no reserve Hudson was another slow starter during the preview days, stalled in the low $20 thousands until Friday even though it accumulated 28 bids. Even at 2 1/2 hours to go it was at only $25K and 32 bids. Then they flew thick and fast, engine up at this realistic price with 46 bids, a result consistent with its condition, history and age.

Photo by Mark Corcoran

Lot # 268 1948 Kurtis-Kraft Offenhauser Midget; S/N O24848; Engine # 351; Black, “Matoon Imperial Motors”/Burgundy; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000. – 110 Offenhauser, Hilborn fuel injection, chromed torsion bar suspension, lever shocks, AACA Competition #268. – Driven by Bob Tattersall for Howard Linne, 8th in 1963 USAC Midget championship, later raced by Tattersall in Australia. AACA President’s Cup award winner. Restored to high standards throughout with excellent cosmetics and professional mechanicals. Front line midgets looked like this when they were new, and so does this one. – This nifty little K-K Offy Midget looked like it was going to pass into oblivion during the days leading up to the closing on Friday, stalled at $20K for days and rising only to $25K on Wednesday then stalling again at $31K and eight bids with two hours to go on Friday. Its attractive presentation and intriguing history then caught hold, quickly rising to this attractive result on sixteen bids, a price that should gratify the seller and be highly satisfactory for the buyer.

Lot # 271 1962 MG A Mk II Deluxe Roadster; S/N GNHL2108591; Black/Red leather; Black top; Estimate $65,000 – $75,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $52,000. – 1,622/90hp, 4-speed, Dunlop centerlock wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, Michelin X tires, wind wings, Derrington woodrim steering wheel, Blaupunkt pushbutton AM/FM radio, Stewart Warner ammeter, aftermarket clock mounted on the transmission tunnel, wood shift knob, original spare, tonneau cover, jack, tools, air pump. – Featured in Hemmings Motor News and Sports & Exotic Car in 2013. Showing 15,951 miles, which are represented as original. RM notes that most if not all the paint is original. It shows minor blemishes and swirls but no major damage, and all is forgivable given the age. It’s a similar story with the brightwork, which shows general age but no major pitting. Mostly even gaps. Well-preserved original interior. Dry rubber on the door seals. Minor oxidation underneath but nothing bad. Tires are old and the brakes reportedly feel soft. A time capsule MGA, which in itself is remarkable, but being a very rare factory Deluxe model makes it even more special. Located in Philadelphia. – After MG finished production of its finnicky MGA Twin Cam, there were too many leftover parts to ignore. Enter the MGA “Deluxe,” which the company sold as essentially an MGA Twin Cam with the base overhead valve B-Series engine. The features borrowed from the Twin Cam include four-wheel disc brakes and racy Dunlop centerlock steel wheels. While never officially marketed as the “Deluxe,” the name stuck and these are the rarest of all production MGAs. This one will need some sorting before driving it much farther than into the garage, but it’s also arguably far too well-preserved to give it significant restoration. And given what the seller expects to get out of this car, it’s too expensive to restore anyway. Bidding stayed quiet for the entire final two days of the auction, but the seller knows what they have, an absolute gem of an MGA, and we can’t judge the decision to hold out too harshly.

Lot # 273 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV 6 2.5 Coupe; S/N ZARAA669XB1001296; Anthracite Grey/Beige; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $28,000. – 2,492cc/154hp V-6, 5-speed transaxle, deDion rear suspension, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, alloy wheels, air conditioning, (rusty) tools, correct spare and jack. – Released by Alfa to Mario Andretti for demonstrations but not owned by him. Good original paint and interior appropriate to the 35,534 miles represented as from new. The Pirelli P600 tires have good tread but sidewall cracks. Some rust bubbles on sills and rockers. Good external plastic trim. The engine compartment is original and shows age. Cherished and well-preserved with negligible mileage or wear. – This result is at least a 50% premium for originality and the Mario Andretti connection. His “ownership” doesn’t exist, however, and the documentation package clearly shows it to be a loan by Alfa. Nevertheless, Mario sat here and the impression of his backside remains in the well-preserved original seat. The low estimate is optimistic, the bid is realistic.

Photo by Gabor Mayer

Lot # 274 1934 Lincoln KB Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton; S/N KB3358; Engine # KB3358; Sand, Maroon fenders and accent/Maroon leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $120,000 – $140,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $100,000. – 414/150hp V12, maroon wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts, dual windshields, luggage rack. – One of two built with this uncataloged factory body style and the only known survivor. In an earlier appearance at auction it was claimed that the first owner was entertainer Herb Shriner, but he would have been 16 years old when this Lincoln was built, and still practicing his harmonica in the barn. An excellent older restoration with some edge and body panel interference chips but otherwise, except for dated colors, an outstanding car that needs little but is showing the restoration’s age. Reportedly has a $40,000 engine rebuild with new cylinder heads but done at some indeterminate time in the past.. – The auction history of this unique surviving Lincoln KB sport phaeton is no more encouraging than its result here. It was a $95,000 no-sale at Auburn Fall in 2002, $100,000 at G. Potter King’s Taj Mahal auction in 2003 and at Auburn Spring a few months later at $122,000. It resurfaced at RM’s Hershey auction in 2018 where it no-saled at $90,000. It didn’t do much better here where it attracted serious bidding (26 bids in all) but not enough to separate it from its owner.

Photo by Gabor Mayer

Lot # 275 1934 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria; S/N 902284; Dark Metallic Grey/Burgundy leather; Grey cloth top; Estimate $350,000 – $450,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $245,000. – 446/160hp V12, 3-speed, chrome wire wheels, dual enclosed sidemounts, luggage rack, eagle radiator mascot, radio, whitewalls. – Dietrich designed body built by Packard. Very good recent repaint in an attractive and contemporary color, quality panel fits and alignment. The upholstery is older and shows some miles. The engine compartment is very good with modest use showing. The chassis is completely restored and well-maintained. A handsome car that can be driven happily and then shown with pride at the end of the day. – This is a more attractive, prettier, more powerful car than the bidding here gives it credit for, by a long shot.

Lot # 279 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO Berlinetta; S/N ZFFPA16B000055223; Red/Black leather; Estimate $2,200,000 – $2,400,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,310,000. – Air conditioning, power windows, 5-spoke Ferrari modular wheels, BFGoodrich tires. – Euro spec car stolen within 2 weeks of being delivered, eventually recovered in Phoenix, returned to its German owner, Hartmut Ibing. Imported to the U.S. in 2001, federalized by JK Technologies (who curiously changed the speedo legend to miles, but left the odometer reading in kilometers.) 2018 belt service at Motion Products which also refit the original fuel pumps and ECU. Good repaint and original interior except for driver’s seat bolster wear and worn through seatback piping. Now stated to have 23,555 km. Power window buttons are worn. Aged engine compartment with paint loss and frayed flexible ducting. A checkered history but with enough km on it so it can be driven without fear of the mileage detracting from its value. – Bidding stuttered along during the preview phase. On Wednesday it was at only $1.6 million with 11 bids. Bidding began in earnest only on closing day, Thursday, opening about $1.74 million with 16 bids. With fifteen minutes left it was at $1.92 million with 22 bids but it then livened up and extended to this result, ultimately closing with 29 bids, a strong result considering its theft/recovery history, highly evident use, age and mileage. This is not a coddled 288 GTO, which in itself is unusual, and a conscientious owner will want to spend some money on its preparation and appearance even after the relatively recent belt service. Its result here is pre-COVID full retail, something of an accomplishment for an online-only auction in uncertain times.

Lot # 282 1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 14633; Red/Tan leather; Estimate $225,000 – $250,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $190,000. – 4,390/320hp, 5-speed, centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin tires, air conditioning, power windows, power seats, tools, jack, CD stereo (original type radio included). – Decent repaint and older upholstery and interior trim, scuffed driver’s seat bolster. Orderly but aged engine compartment, chassis and underbody. Scraped wheels. Colorful history of being abandoned in the median of a Saudi highway after an accident while being driven by a prince. Discovered in a junkyard by a Scottish businessman, then restored agonizingly slowly by Ferrari and others. A presentable cosmetic restoration. – Bid to just $150,000 with eight bids when action started on Friday, and didn’t get much further when it closed. The reported high bid is close, but reasonably declined.

Lot # 285 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 5F08K278952; Wimbledon White/Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $65,000 – $75,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $53,000. – 289/271hp K-Code engine, 4-speed, styled wheels, double red line tires, Rally Pac gauges, 8-track stereo, dealer air conditioning, luggage rack, console. – Sound old repaint with many flaws, edge chips and poorly detailed door jambs. Scuffed windshield frame moldings. Sound older top starting to fade. Sound upholstery with a sagging driver’s seat back. Orderly, clean engine compartment. Unrestored chassis with surface rusted leaf springs. A driver quality redo with many shortcomings. – This high bid is appropriate for this car’s condition, but not for its originality and preservation, a value more reasonably represented by the low estimate of $65,000. The value of originality is in any case a subjective judgment on which two inconsistent opinions are not necessarily wrong.

Lot # 287 1995 BMW 850 CSi Coupe; S/N WBSEG932XSCD00225; Jet Black/Gray, Light Gray leather; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $93,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $102,300. – 5576-cc, 372-hp V-12, 6-speed manual. Alloy wheels, original window sticker, service records, owner’s manuals. – Sold new in Florida. One of 225 US-spec cars and 81 for final model year of 1995. Showing 35,156 miles. Serviced earlier this year to the tune of nearly 20 grand. Clutch replaced in April. Hood has been clearcoated. Scuffing on underside of front valance and a small spot on the trunk lid where paint is buffed through. Small scratches on passenger’s side rear quarter panel. Small paint imperfections driver’s front fender, bumper cover and plastic cowl behind hood. Normal wear on driver’s side outer bolster, but also some more light wear on the bottom cushion. Dull plastic on front seat headrests. Represented with a headliner replacement, but it is starting to sag. Sunroof’ interior cover is of its track. Understandable age on a lightly used 25-year-old car, although that sunroof might be an expensive fix. Located in Florida. – The top-spec factory version of the famous 8-Series, the 850 CSi sits a step above the already potent 850 Ci thanks to more power, stiffer suspension, better brakes, lower ride height, different spoilers and one transmission choice – 6-speed manual. As vintage BMWs in general have gained a larger following over the past few years 8-Series cars have gone from undervalued old GT to modern collectible. The extra performance and lower production numbers of the 850 CSi mean that good examples are worth three or more times as much as lesser 8-Series. Bidding didn’t pick up until the last day of the auction for this car, as it was still only at 65 grand on the morning of May 29 (Friday), but even in the late-in-the-game frenzy the bidders still appropriately discounted this car for its flaws. This is a fair result.

Lot # 293 1995 Ferrari F355 Spider; S/N ZFFPR48A3S0103930; Giallo Fly/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $70,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $46,000. – 3,496/380hp, 6-speed, Alpine CD stereo, climate control, power windows, power outside mirrors, tools, books, car cover. – Good original paint and upholstery showing wear and creasing appropriate to the 30,222 miles that are represented as original. Gooey switches, some wear on the door panels and center console. Nothing hiding, a clean used car. – Even at the low estimate this would have represented good value for money. It is somewhat surprising that it didn’t attract more attention.

Photo by Karissa Hosek

Lot # 294 2003 Ferrari Enzo Berlinetta; S/N ZFFCW56A030133033; Rosso Corsa/Black leather, Red cloth inserts; Estimate $2,600,000 – $2,900,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,400,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,640,000. – 5,998/660hp V12, 6-speed automanual, climate control, carbon fiber interior trim, books, tools, Assembly No. 50274. – Two owners, 1,225 miles from new, U.S. spec. Major 25,000 mile serviced in 2015. Minor nose chips and a small chip under the left exhaust outlet. Unblemished interior except for gooey rocker switches and door handles. The online photos and RM Sotheby’s condition report are good and thorough. – Preview bidding ended on Saturday at only $1.9 million and three bids, then barely moved the needle through Tuesday when it stood at $2.04 million and nine bids. It stayed there through Wednesday but opened on Thursday, when bids would close, at $2.12 million on only one additional bid. As closing approached the offer rose to $2.34 million with seventeen bids, then extended twice, first to $2.36 million and them the final $2.4 million with 19 bids to set a record, in RM Sotheby’s carefully worded description, the “most valuable car sold in a dedicated online only collector auction to date.” The bidders reasonably hedged their offer to take into account the age of the last major service and the sticky interior plastic and the consignor equally reasonably recognized the reality of those considerations with this result that is fair to both parties and a strong showing for the efficacy of online auctions to reach confident results.

Lot # 295 1972 Datsun 240Z Coupe; S/N HLS3059426; Engine # L24075867; Orange/White vinyl; Estimate $35,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $22,500. – 2,393/151hp, 4-speed, BBS-style wheels (set of steel wheels, painted black, included), Radial T/A tires, woodgrain steering wheel, wood shift knob, Sony CD stereo. – Fully restored in 2005 and 5000 miles ago, but no photos or invoices included. Some paint globs in the door jambs and some overspray but nothing on the outside body surfaces. Some paint chips noted but not visible in the photos. Straight gaps and bodywork. Interior looks impressive for the age. Engine bay shows few signs of use. Impressive condition and quality of work considering Z cars weren’t worth all that much when this one was restored. Located in California. – Bid to $19,000 on May 26 (Tuesday), $20,000 on May 27 (Wednesday), then stayed there for a couple of days and only got up to this low but not unreasonable $22,500 high bid. The gap in prices between very good 240Zs and mediocre ones can be huge. This car sits somewhere in the middle, and the bidders put up driver-quality money for it. Although it’s probably a better car than the money offered, it may be difficult to sell for more elsewhere.

Photo by Ryan Merrill

Lot # 296 1998 Ferrari F355 F1 GTS Spider; S/N ZFFXR42A5W0110943; Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $77,000. – Painted roof panel, red calipers, rear Challenge grille, climate control, tools, books, car cover, Assembly No. 28102. – Very good original paint with a smattering of small chips. Very good interior with the usual driver’s seat bolster wear. Switches have been anti-gooey treated. The engine compartment and chassis are as expected for the 11,248 miles. Engine-out service and clutch replacement in 2019. – There was serious interest in the F355 GTS with $11,000 in bids during the final minutes and a total of 21 bids through the auction’s period. The bidders had a good idea what they thought it was worth and the extra enthusiasm of the consignor is excessive. This is a realistic offer which would have been $84,700 with the commission factored in, more than enough even for a well-maintained example.

Lot # 297 2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello Coupe; S/N ZFFBV55A220129323; Rosso Barchetta/Two tone Tan; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $91,000. – 5,748/515hp, paddle shift F-1 transmission, SF shields, carbon fiber interior trim, Alpine stereo and navigation. – Very clean and barely used. Driver’s seat has light bolster scuffing. Belt serviced in 2007 at 10,045 miles, now has 15,640 and a recent engine-out service update. The paint on the nose and mirrors has stone chips expected for the age and miles. – Sold by RM at Arizona in 2012 for $121,000 with 12,300 miles. It’s still worth about what it sold for eight years ago and would have been a sound value at the low estimate.

Lot # 298 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II Sedan; S/N WDB2010361F741957; Engine # 10299210000531; Black/Black with pattern cloth inserts; Estimate $200,000 – $220,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $210,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $231,000. – 2,463/235hp turbocharged twin cam four, 5-speed, Pirelli tires, sunroof, cassette stereo, tool roll. – Sold new to Japan, then came to Canada in 2015. Showing 41,357 km (25,698 miles). Likely original paint with light scratching on most body panels. Driver’s side B-pillar has light scratches as well, and the covers for the jacking points have blistered paint. Scratches on the windshield trim. Dull grille plastic. Light wear on the driver’s seat’s outer bolster, but the rest of the interior looks very good. Certainly used, but not necessarily abused. Located in British Columbia. – The Evolution II is the fastest, most developed and most aggressively styled of the 190 Cosworth Benzes, and it won Mercedes the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft) championship in 1992. A homologation special, only 500 were built, and all of the above makes them highly coveted among Mercedes fanatics and people who collect modern performance cars. This one was heavily discounted for its wear and tear, though. Other, near-perfect Evo IIs have sold in the neighborhood of 400 grand.

Lot # 303 1963 Porsche 356B 1600 Super Cabriolet; S/N 158541; Engine # P707074; Heron Grey/Blue leather; Blue cloth top; Estimate $140,000 – $160,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $125,000. – 1,582/75hp, 4-speed, factory hardtop and soft top, Silver steel wheels, hubcaps, Michelin XZX tires, Blaupunkt multiband radio. – Represented as the original engine and gearbox. Oil misted and rather dirty engine compartment. Good newer paint, upholstery and top. Dirty floor mats and pedals. Very good panels except for some filler in the passenger’s door. The tub has been crudely repainted assembled and there is a welded patch inside the right front wheel well. Cosmetically restored to sound driver standards. – Sold at RM’s Ft. Lauderdale auction fourteen months ago for $154,000 and now showing just 3 more miles on the odometer than it did then, it is unusually well-equipped with the factory hardtop and in attractive colors. That wasn’t enough to turn on the bidders who made a modest wholesale offer for it.

Lot # 304 1973 Maserati Bora 4.9 Coupe; S/N AM11749500; Engine # AM1071149500; Red, Stainless steel roof /; Ivory leather top; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $95,000. – 4,930/330hp, 5-speed, 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. Orderly unrestored engine compartment and chassis. Described as being owned for years by Portland dealer Ron Tonkin and comes with a pile of service receipts over the years. The older repaint unfortunately detracts from the rest of this Bora’s originality. – Sold by RM at Arizona four months ago for $114,800 and now shows just 35 more miles on the odometer. Bidding stuck at $80,000 with four bids until Friday morning and up to 15 minutes before the scheduled closing. It moved to this result with six bids in two extensions, not enough to separate it from its consignor, but taking into account the edgy condition.

Lot # 307 2005 Ferrari 360 Spider, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFYT53A650140025; Grigio Titanio/Black leather, White stitching; Black cloth top; Estimate $85,000 – $95,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $75,000. – 3,586/400hp, paddle shift 6-speed, SF shields, tools, books, aftermarket exhaust, power seats, Challenge grille, power top, climate control, Ferrari stereo. – Represented as 7,432 miles from new and looks like it with only a little creasing and light scuffing of the driver’s seat bolster. The exterior has a few minor dings and scratches that are apparent only under close scrutiny; driver’s door edge chips have been touched up. The shift paddles are worn and sticky. The engine compartment is clean and orderly as expected for the mileage. – An attractive car in good overall condition let down only by the banged up shift paddles and light evidence of use. With 7 1/2 minutes left on the scheduled bidding it was bid to only $57K with 10 bids. It closed with 19 bids at this amount, a reasonable offer for its specifications and condition.

Photo by Patrick Ernzen

Lot # 312 1964 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series I 2 + 2, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 6227; Engine # 6227; Grigio Argento/Black leather; Estimate $160,000 – $180,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $155,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $170,500. – 3,967/300hp, 5-speed, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, ANSA exhaust. – Good older repaint but spotty chrome, particularly trim. The engine compartment is neat, as is the chassis, but neither has been restored and show their age. The upholstery is original, loose and worn but sound and usable. A driver quality car that has been given driver treatment. There are 73 photos, which isn’t enough for this car’s condition. – Reported sold at Barrett-Jackson WestWorld four months ago for $181,500. The bidding opened Friday morning at $155,000 and 17 bids and stayed there all day. It’s been an expensive experience for the seller but this is not an unreasonable price in the present environment for this driver.

Lot # 314 1969 Plymouth GTX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RS23L9E157729; Sunfire Yellow, Black hood and vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Post-block sale at $42,727 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $47,000. – 440/375hp, automatic, Air Grabber hood, bucket seats with console, vinyl roof, power brakes and steering, deluxe road wheels, red line radial tires, woodgrain steering wheel, underdash AutoMeter engine gauges, pushbutton radio. – The paint is good other than a few small chips just behind the driver’s door and a very small touch up on the driver’s door. Brightwork is good and shiny. The interior is clean with no signs of wear but a big crack in the steering wheel rim. Engine is clean with heat rash on the headers. Engine compartment is clean and detailed. Underbody is clean with little wear. California black plate car reportedly with the original owner until 2014. An attractive car, restored to high enough standards and finished in attractive colors. – Sold by Auctions America at Auburn Spring in 2017 for $39,000 and now shows 248 more miles than it did then. It wrapped up online after several extensions at $39,000 and nine bids, then was closed later with this result, a usable GTX 440 at a realistic price.

Photo by Ted7.com Photography

Lot # 315 2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello Coupe; S/N ZFFBV55A220129435; Modena Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $225,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $247,500. – 5,748/515hp, 6-speed, Fiorano handling package, modular wheels, Tubi exhaust, (original wheels and exhaust included), Scuderia shields, Daytona-style seats, tools and manuals, Assembly No. 46361. – Sold new in Canada. Three-owner car showing 17,222 km (10,701 miles). Has been exhibited at the Quail and won its class at the 2017 Cavallino Classic. Only one small, filled in chip noted on the front bumper. Some shrinkage on the dash, the center console buttons are a little sticky, and the plastic surround on door lock panel is sticky. Crease on the driver’s seat bolster. Passenger’s side headlight gasket peeling off. Well-optioned, low miles, good color and most importantly has a manual gearbox. Located in California. – Although the 500 that preceded it was only available with a 6-speed manual, the 575 marked the surprisingly rapid takeover of flappy paddles among Ferrari’s big GT cars. Manual versions are naturally much more desirable, but the premium for a 575 with a stick is even higher than it is for other Ferraris, in some cases about double the price of a paddle-shifted 575. Take this price, for example, which is twice what an automatic car would expect to bring but spot on for this one, and right in the middle of its presale estimate range. RM had two 575Ms closing today, this stick shift example and an automatic with 15,640 miles that got bid to $91,000 and failed to sell. Sales that teach, indeed.

Lot # 317 1991 Nissan Skyline GT-R Coupe; S/N BNR32212659; Cherry Red/Black leather; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Original, modified for competition or performance, 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $36,000. – 2,568-cc twin-turbo L-6, 5-speed manual. Veilside exhaust, HKS boost controller, strut tower ties, aftermarket gauges, Advan Racing wheels, Yokohama tires, fog lights, aftermarket stereo, Recaro seats. – Showing 126,133 km (78,375 miles). Dry, faded door handles. Heavily worn shifter and E-brake boot. Visible wear on door panels and seats. Partial repaint with blemishes and chips throughout. Small chunk taken out of the top of the steering wheel. Dry weather stripping. Used engine bay and underbody but nothing terrible. Driver’s side rear glass has a corner seal that is pulling. Not a ton of bolt-ons, but it does have too many speed parts to ignore, not all of them very tasteful, although they could be reversed. Modified and used. Located in South Carolina. – Stock, low-mile R32 GT-Rs make the headlines when they sell for a lot of money, but most of these cars shared the fate we see here – lots of mods, inconsistent work and probably hard driving. Someone paid $50,600 for this car at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas in 2018, and that was about 15 grand too much. Although bidding was very sluggish on this car (just two bids and $23K on the morning of the last day of the sale), this is a fair offer.

Lot # 323 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III Phase 2 Roadster; S/N HBJ8L41744; Green/Black; Black top; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. – 2,912/150hp, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Lucas driving lights, badge bar, dual wing mirrors, luggage rack. – Good older paint with one chip below one of the doors. Good chrome. Newer convertible top. Newer carpets but original seats, dash and door panels that show light wear. Minor oxidation and surface rust underneath as noted by RM, but it isn’t visible in the photos. Clean, correct engine bay. Restored many years ago, and now a driver-quality final-year Big Healey. Located in California. – Bid to $31,000 on May 26 (Tuesday) and only up to $36,000 by the morning of May 29 (Friday), so there was significant bidding activity late in the game. This car sold for $46,200 at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas four years ago, and this result is similarly appropriate to the restoration’s age and the car’s shortcomings.

 

Lot # 324 1992 Mazda RX-7 Type R Coupe; S/N FD3S106884; Black/Black cloth; Estimate $55,000 – $70,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $46,000. – RHD. 1,308cc/252hp turbocharged rotary, 5-speed. – Showing 9,154 km (5,688 miles). No inspection report from RM, but does come with numerous service records. A few dings on the wheels, but the condition largely seems to match the mileage with minimal, general age and wear. No serious modifications apparent. Original tires. A collector-grade, low-mile RX-7 with some JDM notoriety. Located in New Hampshire. – In Japan, Mazda sold the third generation (FD) RX-7 through its luxury brand ??fini, which operated from 1991 to 1997. The Type R was a lighter, sportier model over the base Type S. Other than the badges, though, it’s the same gorgeous, cleverly engineered driver’s car as the US version. This was the very last lot of the sale, although that distinction probably isn’t as unfortunate as it would be in a live auction. The reported high bid was about what a North American market RX-7 with this condition and mileage would expect to bring, and the seller shouldn’t really be expecting much more than that.