RM Sotheby’s Online Only: The European Sale

June 13, 2020 Auction Report No Comments

June 3-11, 2020

Featuring the Petitjean Collection

This was RM Sotheby’s third online only auction, succeeding its canceled second annual auction at Techno Classica Essen in Germany.

The feature was the 96 cars from La Collection Petitjean, all offered at no reserve after decades of static storage and, as it turned out, indifferent cosmetic attention to exacerbate being parked for years. That’s the usual fate of neglected collections, offering some collectors the opportunity to acquire unusual and valuable cars to resuscitate with hours of free labor. The balancing factor is that the appeal of a potential bargain sometimes robs even rational bidders of their good sense, bringing irrational prices.

RM has pursued online auctions with singular dedication and effort. They quickly transitioned from its live one-site auction at Palm Beach two weeks after Amelia Island as the world was reorienting itself for COVID-19 to the Online Only format and sold $13.8 million. That success led to the dedicated Online Only: Driving into Summer auction ending May 17 that sold $16.3 million.

The string continued last week with Online Only: The European Sale featuring La Collection Petitjean with $21.3 million in sales.

The European Sale achieved a remarkable 90.6% sale rate, not least on account of the 118 lots offered without reserve. That doesn’t detract, however, from the results of cars with reserves. There were 73 cars lots had reserves; 56 were sold, a 76.7% sell-through.

Keep in mind that RM Sotheby’s posted its final results within 24 hours of the final bid closing time, leaving some flexibility for post-block sales to be concluded by RM’s specialists.

The virtual world is confusing and disorienting (a word I find myself using frequently during COVID-19 lockdown.) It takes forever to sell 191 lots; two days, to be more precise.

Trying to follow the bidding is difficult. Scheduled closing times are four minutes apart but even a couple of closing extensions will push a lot’s closing into, or even past, the closing time for the subsequent lot.

And as I write this summary I’m watching the 24 Heures du Mans Virtual, which really confuses the real versus virtual environments.

Here are the numbers for RM Sotheby’s three Online Only auctions:

Cars Sold/ Offered	Sale %	Sold < Low Est	Sold > High Est	Average Sale	Median Sale	Total $
RM Sotheby’s, Online Only: European, June 3-11, 2020
173/191	90.6%	60.7%	6.9%	$123,349	$57,173 [46.4%]	$21,339,361.
RM Sotheby’s, Online Only: Driving Into Summer; May 21-29, 2020
114/193	59.1%	65.5%	9.7%	$142,547	$55,000 [38.6%]	$16,250,410
RM Auctions, Online Only: Palm Beach, March 20-28, 2020
172/259	66.4%	82.6%	1.7%	$80,191	$48,400 [60.4%]	$13,792,865

Lots are sorted by lot number. The La Collection Petitjean no reserve cars are lots 110-203.

Photo by Tom Wood

Lot # 110 1973 De Tomaso Pantera Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N THPNNR05810; Red/White leather; Estimate $56,495 – $84,743; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $61,015 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $67,116. – 351/330hp, 5-speed, power windows, air conditioning, De Tomaso alloy wheels, Euro bumpers. – Fair older repaint with preparation scratches visible under the paint, a few small touched up chips. Sound lightly soiled and mildewed upholstery. Orderly engine compartment and original underbody. Curb rashed wheels. Static displayed for some 37 years in the Petitjean collection and will need a full recommissioning. – After little interest was shown during the preview this project Pantera was at only Euros 37,000 when closing day dawned but interest showed up and this is a reasonable result for its condition and equipment, even exceeding the low estimate.

Photo by

Photo by Tom Wood

Lot # 111 1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N AR149500412; Engine # AR135140403; Red/Black leather, Red piping; Black cloth top; Estimate $90,392 – $112,990; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $63,274 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $69,602. – 1,290/80hp, Solex downdraft carburetor, 4-speed, silver steel wheels, hubcaps, Motorola AM radio. – Mediocre quality older repaint with masking issues, minor overspray under the hood and various small scratches and chips. The upholstery is described as leather but looks like (and should be) shiny vinyl. The steering wheel rim is sloppily vinyl wrapped. The engine compartment has been given a quick coat of chassis black and has some paint loss. Carpets are old. The chrome is erratically weak and thin. Someone has gouged one of the headlight bezels and the seals are old and cracked. The gauges are readable but have faded plastic surrounds. The chassis and suspension are old and tired. A tired old car that needs pretty much everything but Mille Miglia eligible. From long term static display in the Petitjean Collection. – Bid to only Euros 35,000 during the preview this Giulietta (a Normale with a single Solex carb) accelerated nicely during closing to this realistic result even though it was far below the Veloce-level pre-sale estimate range.

Photo by Diana Varga

Photo by Lot # 113 1969 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N AM1151162; Engine # AM1151162; Dark Blue/Black leather; Estimate $169,485 – $203,382; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $141,238 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $155,361. – 4,719/330hp, 4×2 Weber carbs, 5-speed, centerlock alloy wheels, power windows. – Poor quality older repaint with flaws, cracks and chips. Sound but mildew flaked original upholstery, good dash and gauges. Neglected old engine compartment, chassis and suspension with paint and original undercoating loss. Static displayed in the Petitjean Collection for going on 40 years and looks like it, with extensive recommissioning necessary. – This is a “needs everything” price for a Ghibli 4.7. The bottom-feeders were at only Euros 70,000 at the start of closing day before running it up by Euros 55,000 in active bidding. The appeal of a no reserve Ghibli drew them in and produced an appropriate result considering the many unknowns of its condition and the potential costs of dealing with them.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 114 1970 Lotus Elan S4 Coupe; S/N 7004080029A; Blue/Black vinyl; Estimate $28,248 – $39,547; Unrestored original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $14,124 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,536. – 1558/115hp, 4-speed manual, centerlock steel wheels, Moto-Lita leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood dash, wood shift knob. Right-hand drive. – With the Petitjean collection since 2007. Some dents and scratches on the edges, and cracks in the paint. Pitting brightwork. Left rear taillight is broken. Decent original interior, but the headliner is coming out around the edges and it’s discolored. Driver’s seat shows wear and cracks on the bottom left. The wood dash doesn’t show any of the usual cracking, and may be refinished. Dirty trunk. Messy electrical wiring. Driver quality engine bay and underbody. Kept in static collection for many years and will require at least a full service, and likely a lot more. – This Elan is commendably complete but it is a project, and this price is a reasonable balance between those two qualities.

Photo By Tom Wood

Lot # 115 1962 Lotus Seven S2 Roadster; S/N SB1628; Dark Green/Black vinyl; Estimate $28,248 – $39,547; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $23,163 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $25,479. – Ford Kent crossflow engine, dual Weber carbs, 4-speed, rear-mounted spare, Brooklands aero screens, dual mirrors, Smiths gauges, Tonneau cover, roll bar (not currently fitted). Right-hand drive. – In the Petitjean collection since 2007. Showing 45,321 miles. Lots of detail scratching and minor blemishes in the paint. Carpets need refitting. Driver condition engine bay and underbody that would benefit from detailing, but no rust visible. At least one of the tires looks flat. In static collection for the past 13 years and needs full service at the very least to get it running, and then it will still just be in driver condition. – Charmingly rudimentary in its layout but intoxicating to drive, the Lotus Seven is second only to the Cobra in being aped by kit and replica manufacturers. Genuine, early S2 cars like this one are rare, but not so rare that its neglected condition and lack of history weren’t a problem for bidders. This is a realistic if somewhat high price for the condition. For reference, this money could buy a perfectly good, lightly used Caterham Seven with the same looks and more performance, but minus the actual Lotus badge.

Photo by Dirk de Jager

Lot # 118 1971 De Tomaso Mangusta Coupe, Body by Ghia; S/N 8MA1224; Red/Black leather; Estimate $225,980 – $282,475; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $192,083 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $211,291. – 302/230hp, 5-speed, power windows, air conditioning, alloy wheels, Arriva tires. – Genuinely awful old repaint in Red from the original Blue. Flaws throughout, surface rust blisters throughout the paint, orange peel predominates, vast overspray inside the front compartment cover. Sound original upholstery with some mildew evident, dirty carpets, good gauges. The engine compartment is original and decent but old. The underbody is original and messy. Static displayed for many years in the Petitjean Collection and in need of comprehensive attention. Replacement engine unconfirmed as 302cid. – De Tomaso’s Mangusta has a cult following that appreciates its design and innovation even though it didn’t work very well. That was seen in the bidding here which increased steadily throughout the preview days and resting at a comfortable $140,000 at the beginning of closing day bidding. That’s unlike many of the Petitjean cars, which started slowly before closing strong. This is a strong result for its condition and the replacement engine despite being Euros 30,000 under the low estimate.

Photo by Tom Wood

Lot # 121 1972 Alfa Romeo Giulia GT 1300 Junior Zagato Coupe, Body by Zagato; S/N AR1800989; Engine # AR00526AA5865; Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $22,598 – $33,897; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $25,988 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $28,586. – 1570cc engine, 40DCOE Webers, 5-speed, 4-lug steel wheels, Continental tires. – 1974 Spider engine. Rusted through front fender wells with older paint in the engine compartment and material paint loss. Mediocre old repaint with chips and some surface rust underneath. Weak chrome. Good dash and crisp gauges, sound upholstery and interior trim with age and mildew flakes. Partially disassembled center stack. Original chassis. Static displayed many years in the Petitjean Collection and will need comprehensive mechanical attention and some reassembly. Probably goes like the hammers of Hell with the bigger engine with dual Webers. – This is a rare and distinctive Alfa that will not meet itself coming the other way very often, even on an Alfa club display field. The bigger engine is on one hand a knock on its value, but it adds at least 20hp. Built on a 100mm shorter wheelbase than the Giulia Sprint GT, something that will enhance the already telekinetic Giulia handling, it is a much more rare model bought for an appropriate but still modest price.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 122 1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 Veloce Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N AR2462881; Engine # S16492; Red/Black vinyl; Black top; Estimate $28,248 – $39,547; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,513 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,265. – 1,962/132hp, two 2-barrel Weber carbs, 5-speed, headlight covers, Blaupunkt cassette stereo – Seriously deficient paint with erratic coverage, little coverage inside moving panels and overspray on the original undercoat. Orange peel everywhere. Chipped edges, primer outgassing pimples. Blistered chrome door handles. Seam split driver’s seatback upholstery. The odometer shows 15,365km but the pedals show 115,365km wear. An unremarkable but sound and largely original car static displayed for many years in the Petitjean Collection and in need of comprehensive mechanical recommissioning before it can be driven safely and with confidence. – The result here is all the retail money for this Alfa’s condition and recommissioning it mechanically but without addressing its many and noticeable cosmetic flaws will make it more than retail.

Photo by Tom Wood

Lot # 124 1960 Austin-Healey Sprite Mk I Roadster; S/N AN5L48029; Engine # 90UH47839; Leaf Green/Green; Estimate $22,598 – $33,897; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $14,124 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,536. – 948/43hp, 4-speed manual, steel wheels with hub caps, luggage rack, hardtop, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel. – Sold on a bill of sale. Originally sold in the Netherlands. Went to the Petitjean collection eight years ago. Showing 41,332 km. Some dents and scratches around the panel edges, and several cracks in the paint, which likely isn’t original. Painted steel wheels have some scrapes around the edges with surface rust poking through. Hardtop has several chips and scratches. Brightwork could use polishing. Well-preserved original interior, but it’s dirty. Decent, driver-quality engine bay and underbody. Will need a full service to get running, and that’s before going through the process of titling and registering it. When it’s running, though, it will be a charming, well-equipped and correct Bugeye for weekend fun. – Bugeyes aren’t as common in Europe as they are on our side of the pond. That partly explains this price, which would ordinarily buy a significantly better (or at least running) example in America, even with the hardtop.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 128 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N 3111; Engine # 1067; Yellow, Silver sills/Black leather; Estimate $790,930 – $903,920; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $734,435 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $807,879. – 3,929/350hp, 5-speed, alloy wheels, tri-lobe centerlocks, power windows. – Poor old repaint, cracks at corners, edge chips, poor coverage in door jambs. Sound upholstery, bright gauges, dead seals and body gaskets. Shrunken, dirty carpets. Erratic door panel trim fit. Aged, mostly original engine and chassis. Replacement engine from 01072. The 57th Miura built, static displayed since 1979 in the Petitjean Collection, a restoration project too far gone to be preserved but sound and complete. – It was clear from the beginning that there was going to be serious interest in this early Miura which advanced to Euros 405,000 on the second day of bidding and kept advancing steadily until it opened on Wednesday at Euros 540,000 and 32 bids. For a project-condition car with none of the later Miura performance enhancements and a replacement engine this is a solid price that shows Miura interest is alive and well.

Photo by Dirk de Jager

Lot # 134 1970 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder; S/N 50365414; Black/Red; Estimate $101,691 – $124,289; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $84,743 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $93,217. – 351 Ford, electronic fuel injection, 4-speed, air conditioning, chrome spoke Borrani centerlock wire wheels, power windows, covered headlights. – Poor old repaint peeling in several areas, chipped and scratched. Sound upholstery and interior trim. Thin, peeling chrome. Wires dangling under the dashboard. Clean, orderly, lightly used unrestored engine compartment. The poor quality old repaint lets this car down, otherwise it’s not bad, just aged after years on static display at the Petitjean Collection. It will take some effort to get it running, only then to head right to a competent paint shop for a new repaint. – The unidentified electronic fuel injection system on this Italia is a bit of a value challenge, but the easy alternative to figuring out is an Edelbrock intake manifold and a four-barrel, which has the advantage of looking like the way it came from Ford. The bidders here took advantage, bidding it to this result through several bid extensions, a price that is fair for the new owner and the Petitjean Collection.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 137 1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder Conversion; S/N AM1151616; Engine # AM1151616; Blue/Beige leather; Estimate $169,485 – $203,382; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $169,485 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $186,434. – 4,719/330hp, 5-speed, power steering, alloy wheels. – Poor quality old repaint with abundant scrapes, scuffs, chips, cracks and dust inclusions. Sound old interior with mildew, scrapes, scuffs and soiling. Good, clear gauge faces. Weak chrome inside and out. Orderly unrestored engine compartment and chassis. Unknown where the conversion was done. Static displayed for many years in the Petitjean Collection and in need of comprehensive attention both mechanical and appearance. – With 3 minutes left this cut Ghibli was bid to only Euros 115,000 but it then got serious, extending several times until ending up at Euros 165,000 with 20 bids. The result is noteworthy because this Ghibli 4.7 Spyder brought only Euros 12,500 more than its coupe counterpart bought an hour or so ago and is in (marginally) better condition, the usual fate of cut cars.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 138 1961 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 10867S105279; Roman Red, White coves, White hardtop/Red leather; Estimate $73,444 – $90,392; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $54,235 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $59,659. – 283/230hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, WonderBar radio, hardtop. – Texas assigned VIN 132TX68. Poor quality older repaint with chips, scrapes, dust inclusions and mismatched colors. Scuffed and thin chrome. Sound interior. The engine isn’t stated and there is no engine number photo although the painted valve covers indicate a base-level 4-barrel. It sits in an orderly unrestored compartment. The underbody has old undercoat. Static displayed in the Petitjean collection for years and in need of comprehensive attention before being driven. – An assigned VIN usually means a theft recovery or a salvaged car and there’s no representation for the engine’s origin. That’s two death kisses on value. The awful paint is another and the Petitjean Collection should be delighted to get this much for it, a car that at Mecum Indy or B-J Scottsdale would have struggled to make $40,000.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 140 1972 Aston Martin V8 Convertible, Body by Banham; S/N V810538RCA; Engine # V540413; White/Dark Blue leather; Estimate $67,794 – $101,691; Unrestored original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $59,885 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $65,873. – RHD. 5,341/350hp, automatic, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel, cloth boot cover, Alpine CD stereo with Pioneer speakers in the back. Right-hand drive. – From the Petitjean collection. Reportedly used in the 2005 St. George’s Day parade in England. Lots of chips, touch ups and blisters. Light scuffs in the top. Dirty carpets, and they’re torn in places. Surface rust showing under the engine compartment with heavy flaking. Signs of surface rust on the underbody. A rare convertible conversion of an AMV8 before Aston made a soft top version of its own, but not currently running and there is too much wear and tear to ignore. – A cut car, not running and in nasty condition? The seller should be overjoyed at this result.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 145 1965 Matra Djet 5 Coupe; S/N 1093; Engine # 134; Red/Black; Estimate $22,598 – $33,897; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $24,293 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $26,722. – 1,108/70hp, 4-speed manual, steel wheels. – From the Petitjean collection. Some dents and scratches on panel edges and numerous cracks in the paint. Some microblistering and uneven finish in the paint as well, suggesting poor prep work. Brightwork is a bit dull. Fog lights are missing. Decent but dirty original interior with a split seam in the driver’s seat and some electrical tape holding the passenger’s seat together. Center cap is missing on the steering wheel. Dirty and old but complete engine bay and old driver quality underbody. A neat little French two-seater, and it would make for a straightforward, rewarding project for someone who is into eccentric cars. – Credited as the first mid-engine production automobile, the Matra Djet started as a Bonnet in 1962. In 1964 Bonnet came under the umbrella of Matra, which during its history has made aircraft engines, missiles, cluster bombs, rocket launchers and bicycles. In our hobby, though, we mostly know Matra for its F1 team (and engines) and its Le Mans-winning sports cars. The Djet is a more humble thing in both performance and price, powered by either base Renault 8 or Gordini-tuned four, with fully independent suspension and disc brakes under a fiberglass body. Matra built fewer than 1500 Djets (including one for Yuri Gagarin). This price is appropriate, and even on the strong side, for a solid project car that’s missing a few bits.

Photo by Tom Wood

Lot # 146 1996 Renault Sport Spider; S/N VMKAF0H0515511281; Yellow, Gray/Black; Estimate $22,598 – $33,897; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $39,547 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $43,501. – 2.0/148hp, 5-speed manual, roll bar. – From the Petitjean collection. Mileage not represented or shown. Lightly used engine bay. A little wear on the steering wheel and a few chips on the roll bar but the interior (what there is of one, at least) mostly looks good. Scratches on the filler cap, a few cracks in the paint, and a small scrape on one of the bumpers. No windshield or radio (the only two options). Has been sitting for a while, but will probably take less to get back on the road than some of the other cars out of this collection. – If a Lotus Elise is just too luxurious and mainstream for you, the Renault Sport Spider is another bare-bones roadster from the 2000s that looks like an insect on wheels. Built from 1996-99 at the Alpine factory in Dieppe, the 2050-pound car came with a plastic composite body over an aluminum chassis, a roll bar, and that’s about it. A windshield and a radio were optional extras, and this car has neither. Renault hasn’t really built anything as weird or as wonderful since, but this is a surprisingly high price for one that has been sitting and shows some wear and tear. It soared past its high estimate with some late back and forth bidding. Other decent Renault Sport Spiders have sold for under Euros 30,000, and Artcurial sold a much better 17,000-km example a couple of years ago for Euros 38,144.

Photo by Dirk de Jager

Lot # 148 1971 Alpine-Renault A110 1600 S Berlinette; S/N 017684; Engine # 11154; Metallic Blue/Black; Estimate $112,990 – $135,588; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $107,341 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $118,075. – 1,565/102hp, dual 45DCOE Weber carbs, 5-speed, Alpine rollbar, Moto-Lita steering wheel, fog lights, Alpine bolt-on alloy wheels. – Decent old paint with some defects, chips and erratic panel fits. Thin, scratched chrome. Sound original interior. Orderly but aged engine compartment and similar underbody and suspension with old undercoat. Documented in a thorough old inspection report by Alpine expert Gilles Vallarian. Mostly original and complete but static displayed for decades in the Petitjean Collection and needing comprehensive attention. – With ten minutes left on the original closing clock this A110 was bid to Euros 75,000 with 22 bids. By the time it was done at the successful Euros 95,000 bid it had accumulated 38 total bids and extended several times in one of this auction’s more engaging bidding contests even if it didn’t quite breach the low estimate of Euros 100,000. For a car with no competition history, even with the 1600 engine, this is a strong result.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 149 1972 Ligier JS2 Coupe; S/N 24747203; Engine # 107907; White/Blue vinyl; Estimate $67,794 – $90,392; Unrestored original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,846 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,930. – 2,670/180hp, 3 dual choke Weber carburetors, mid-mounted Maserati V-6, 5-speed, 4-spoke bolt-on alloy wheels, leather rim Moto-Lita steering wheel. – Maserati V-6 borrowed from the Citroen-Maserati SM. Cracked, scratched Plexiglas side windows, scratched headlight covers, cracked windshield. Frequently cracked and spotted paint, crudely touched up edge chips. Thin old chrome. Sound original interior, good dash gauges. Dirty original engine compartment with paint loss and oxidized aluminum. Undercoated body. Static displayed for a quarter century in the Petitjean collection. Complete and unusual but tired. – Definitely one of the more unusual results of the brief period of Citroen’s control of Maserati, but also one that makes sense and should be an intriguing driver, a French-built Merak bought at a meaningful premium over a comparable Merak. It’s eligible for both French and Italian car shows, too. Artcurial Motorcars sold s/n 24887203 at Retromobile in 2016 for $155,319 which makes this result look like a deal.

Photo by Dirk de Jager

Lot # 152 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale, Body by Bertone; S/N AR10120177449; Engine # AR0053094898; Red/Black leatherette; Estimate $90,392 – $112,990; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $74,573 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,031. – 1,290/115hp, dual Weber carbs, 4-speed, Silver steel wheels, hubcaps – Thick old repaint with edge chips, some peeling and swirl. Poor chrome inside and out. Sound upholstery. Empty radio hole with no blank plate. Mildew spots on the interior trim panels. Orderly engine compartment with old paint and some paint loss, dull aluminum parts. Aftermarket carburetor intake screens. Static displayed for years in the Petitjean Collection and in need of substantial work. – Too far gone and neglected to be anything other than a restoration project, a judgment that is reflected in this transaction. The bidding advanced to this level from Euros 42,000 and 13 bids to this level with 32 bids well in advance of closing where the bidders wisely decided enough was enough.

Photo by Tom Wood

Lot # 156 1974 Bitter CD Coupe; S/N 525066; Blue/Blue cloth; Estimate $39,547 – $50,846; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $41,806 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $45,987. – 5,354/227hp Chevrolet V-8, automatic. – From the Petitjean collection. Showing 50,384 km. Good-looking paint that apparently needs polishing, but the roof has some flaking to the clear coat. A few scuffs on the bumpers and rust is starting to show at the junctions. Very good panel fit. A few dings in the body trim. Good seats and door panels, but the front seats have been retrimmed in a color that doesn’t match the rest. Slight discoloration on the steering wheel. Accelerator pedal is broken off at the stalk and missing. Some loose wiring hanging down under the dash. Dusty engine bay, and old undercoating on the chassis with some surface rust. Needs full service before driving. A very rare car (and a very blue one), but not a good example. – The Bitter started from a canceled GM concept car, based on Opel’s Diplomat sedan and styled by Frua. GM offered the design to ex-racing driver Erich Bitter, who had dreams of making it as a carmaker and sold the package as the Bitter CD (Coupe Diplomat) after farming out actual production to Baur of Stuttgart. Bitter CDs are rare (395 built) and handsome but not particularly exotic, and we though RM’s presale estimate of Euros 35,000-45,000 seemed quite ambitious for a car with so many needs. They must know the Bitter market better than we do, because the final price falls right in the middle of their range. Those of a particular age can’t see a Bitter CD without remembering Greenwich Concours and MASCDCS impresario Bruce Wennerstrom who loved them.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 163 1966 Ford Mustang Notchback; S/N 6R07T152669; Red, White stripes /; Estimate $16,949 – $22,598; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $21,468 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $23,615. – 289 crate engine, 4-barrel, automatic, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, manual steering and brakes, CD stereo. – Originally a 200/120hp six. Poor repaint over old paint with chips and scratches. Weak chrome. Sound upholstery and interior trim except for two small tears in the driver’s seatback. Unrestored chassis and underbody. Cracked steering wheel rim. Orderly engine in a tired mostly original engine compartment. Static displayed many years in the Petitjean Collection and will need thorough recommissioning. – The bidders here either didn’t know it was a re-engined six or didn’t care to pump it up to this price, a car that wouldn’t bring $10,000 in the States.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 164 1964 Glas 1300 GT Coupe; S/N 211001364; Blue/Black vinyl; Estimate $16,949 – $22,598; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $16,384 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,022. – 1300/85hp L-4, 4-speed manual, VDO gauges. Comes with spare engine. – From the Petitjean collection. No inspection report from RM. Dull, scratched, lightly pitted bumpers, and there is a small dent in one of them. Some blisters in the paint and numerous scratches throughout. Dry weather stripping. Decent seats, but the rest of the interior is dirty and worn, and the carpets are missing. Engine bay looks old, but not particularly dirty. No underbody photos. A project car, but a mostly solid one and everything seems to be there, which is always important on rare cars with hard-to-find bits like this. – Known for the cute Goggomobil microcars and for pioneering timing belts on overhead cam engines, Glas came under BMW ownership in 1966 and the Bavarian company has largely disappeared from memory. That’s too bad, because Glas built some interesting cars, like the handsome little GT. Most of the bidding for this one happened at the end of things. With half an hour left it was still at Euros 4700. Things went quickly up from the 10-minute mark and it wound up with 32 bids to a price that is hard to argue with. It’s a lot of style and exclusivity per dollar, but it may be a headache to put this neglected example right.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 173 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 30867S111061; Daytona Blue, Silver hardtop/Black vinyl; Estimate $56,495 – $67,794; Modified restoration, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $63,274 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $69,602. – Replacement V-8 with an Edelbrock intake, carburetor and air filter, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, pushbutton AM radio, power windows. – “CNV” stamped on the engine pad indicates its original purpose was a 1970 full-size Chevrolet 350/250 2-barrel Hydramatic. Cracked, scratched, scuffed and edge chipped paint. Usable old upholstery, door trim, dash and gauges. The engine compartment is complete with odds and ends of wires and hoses; the compartment paint is probably original with paint loss and surface rust. Static displayed from the Petitjean Collection and will need comprehensive recommissioning. – At any U.S. auction this would be a $35,000 car, and that only on a good day. This is a generally scrofulous Corvette with an unidentified engine and it brought an exceptional price online.

Photo by Tom Wood

Lot # 174 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ Tribute Coupe; S/N AR1012600185; Engine # AR0012920748; Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $56,495 – $67,794; Rebodied or re-created, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $47,456 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $52,201. – Giulietta TI engine, 1,290/90hp, two dual-choke Dell ‘Orto carburetors, 5-speed, woodgrain steering wheel, 4-bolt alloy wheels. – No history given. Still has the “poor cracking repaint over lumpy body” it did back in 2000 at Auburn Fall. The engine has either grown numbers since then or been replaced. Generally orange peely paint. Scruffy chassis and underbody, half-finished door panels and crude door window brackets on scratched, scraped original structure. Decent engine with black wrinkle cam covers but a scruffy engine compartment detailed with undercoat. A seriously nasty and poorly assembled SZ fake with a poor reproduction tail profile that looks like it came off a 6C 2500. Static displayed in the Petitjean Collection and a project. – Sold at Auburn Fall in 2000 as a genuine SZ, an assertion no one accepted at the $46,640 price it brought, even in 2000. The fact that it brought about as much twenty years later attests to its fakeness.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 177 1979 Lamborghini Countach LP400S Coupe, Body by Bertone; S/N 1121066; Engine # 1121066; Dark Blue/Blue, Cream leather; Estimate $451,960 – $564,950; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $463,259 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $509,585. – 3,929/375hp V-12, 5-speed, air conditioning, power windows, telephone dial bolt-on wheels, Cinturato P7 tires, cassette stereo. – Essentially totally original and barely touched showing 13,787 probably original kilometers. Good original paint with some stone chips and scuffs. Curb rashed wheels. Loose passenger side mirror, broken driver’s quarter window. Minor wear on the seats. Bright, crisp gauges. Dusty original engine compartment with paint loss on the cam covers. Barely aged or used original chassis and underbody. Static displayed since 1987 in the Petitjean Collection and will need comprehensive mechanical restoration but cosmetically it’s nearly pristine and shouldn’t be touched. – Bid to Euros 340,000 and 29 bids with a dozen minutes remaining on the closing clock, the fuse was lit as time got short with this Euros 410,000 successful bid coming on a total of 35 bids. Passion seems to reign even online in the time of COVID-19 and this is a generous, really generous, result for an LP400S even with just 13,787 km.

Photo by Tom Wood

Lot # 179 1989 TVR S2 Convertible; S/N SA9DS28P5KB019142; Engine # D054854; Red/Gray leather piped in Red; Estimate $5,650 – $11,299; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $4,181 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,599. – 2,792/160hp V-6, 5-speed manual, limited-slip. Right-hand drive. – From the Petitjean collection. Repainted. Crack in one of the headlights and a large paint chip in the nose. A few scrapes on the bumpers and some heavy scratching on the wheels. Significant wear on the seats and dirty carpets. Radio is missing. The top looks worn as well. Gauges show a little rust under the black paint. Dry weather stripping. Has been sitting for 13 years and needs a full servicing. Sure, it’s a TVR so it’s not exactly screwed together like a tank, but a car with 57,635 miles could and should be better. – The S Series was TVR’s entry level model from 1987-93 and its success helped keep the company afloat for a while. Even when new it was an old school British roadster both in its styling and layout – engine up front, rear-wheel drive, fiberglass body over backbone chassis, tight cockpit and minimal amenities. Like most TVRs, they’re temptingly affordable for a car with so much character, performance and rarity, but buying a bad one isn’t for the faint of heart. The bidders wisely exercised restraint here, and this is a rational price given the car’s problems and unanswered questions.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 181 1982 TVR Tasmin Convertible; S/N DH52962L; Engine # D25922; Red/Black; Black top; Estimate $3,390 – $5,650; Unrestored original, 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,938 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $3,232. – 2.0-liter Ford Pinto, 4-speed manual, alloy wheels, cassette stereo, Momo steering wheel. Right-hand drive. – From the Petitjean collection. Showing 59,952 miles. Some dents and scratches on panel edges as well as cracks in the paint. Bottom front lip is crunched. Top is worn. Track scratches in the glass. Split seam in the driver’s seat, but the interior is mostly decent for the mileage. Grubby engine bay. RM notes that the underbody is tired, but there are no photos of it. Given how rust-prone TVR chassis can be, that’s a red flag. Needs full service before driving again. – TVR’s doorstop-shaped Tasmin series sold in the States with a Ford V-6 as the 280i. For fun and rarity per dollar, a good one is hard to beat but a bad one should probably be avoided. Most people wisely avoided this one. It attracted little bidding and sold for less than even RM’s conservative presale estimate.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 183 1961 TVR Grantura Mk II Coupe; S/N 16GAU19316; Green/Black piped in White; Estimate $28,248 – $39,547; Older restoration, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $18,078 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,886. – 1588/80hp MGA four, 4-speed, painted wire wheels, wood shift knob, Jaeger gauges. Right-hand drive. – In the Petitjean collection since 1996. Decent older repaint with minor scuffs, scratches and crack throughout. Good brightwork with a few cracks. A little surface rust on the exhaust tip. Good interior other than dirty carpets. Steering wheel is later and doesn’t look correct. Tidy engine bay, but it could use new lines and hoses. Chassis repainted around the same as the body. Good restored underbody. Rear window looks dull. A lightly used older restoration that likely just needs some light going through before enjoying it. – Although Trevor Wilkinson built his first special way back in 1947, the first serious production model – the Grantura – didn’t arrive until the end of the 1950s. Built over three series but always in small numbers, the Grantura got the usual TVR treatment of fiberglass body over backbone chassis, tight suspension and a no-frills interior, while engines came from Ford, Climax or MG. Any Grantura is a rare sight, although they’re popular historic racers. Other ones have sold for more but none are particularly expensive given how rare they are (about 400 Series IIs built), and this one sold sensibly given the work it will take to get it back on the road.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 186 1964 Porsche 904 GTS; S/N 904062; Silver, Orange sills/Blue cloth; Estimate $790,930 – $1,016,910; Competition restoration, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $711,837 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $783,021. – Unstamped 911 6-cylinder with two 3-barrel Weber carburetors, 5-speed, bolt-on wheels, Dunlop Racing tires. – Damaged in late 1966, passed through a number of intermediate owners with unspecified use or alterations and to the Petitjean Collection in 1993. Sound but edge chipped paint. Good original-appearing interior. Well-maintained engine compartment, chassis and suspension. Static displayed since 1993, needs pretty much everything although no one will complain about edge chips when it flashes by at 140mph. – This 904 showed steady interest in the preview days, holding in the Euros 400,000 range for four days and opening on closing day at Euros 465,000. With twelve minutes left it was at Euros 500,000 and 29 bids. The closing bid was Euros 630,000 with 42 bids, a reasonable result for a 904 with a 911 engine and no important competition history. For reference Artcurial Motorcars sold s/n 904061 at Retromobile in February for a hammer bid of Euros 1.7 million, $2,110,401 with commission. But it had a Carrera 6 engine installed and a 904 Carrera engine on a stand to go with it. The result here is real money for the condition and specifications.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 190 1979 Panther Lima Roadster; S/N 5204; Engine # 23H3351237; Yellow, Black/Black; Black top; Estimate $7,909 – $11,299; Visually maintained, largely original, 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $7,627 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $8,390. – RHD. 2,279/108hp Vauxhall four, 4-speed manual, painted wire wheels, rear-mounted spare, luggage rack. – From the Petitjean collection. Showing 56,733 miles. Driver’s side mirror is severely cracked. Worn interior with faded gauges, aged dash, and tired seats. Old paint with some cracks and scratches throughout. Tired bumpers and brightwork. Dirty engine bay. Like most of the cars in this collection, it’s old and tired but cool and salvageable. – Panther Westwinds went through the 1970s and 1980s selling retro-styled roadsters with more reliable modern (for the time) running gear. Limas are among the most common Panthers although only a few hundred were built. They’re fun, but being an old car made to look like an even older car limits its appeal somewhat. This is a fair price for a project.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 200 1991 Ginetta G33 Roadster; S/N SA9CXXG33EM036001; Yellow/Black; Estimate $16,949 – $22,598; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $24,858 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,344. – 3.9-liter Rover V-8, 5-speed manual, alloy wheels, roll bar, cassette stereo, Personal steering wheel. Right-hand drive – In the Petitjean collection since 2008. Represented as the first G33, used as a prototype and press car. No inspection report from RM. Showing 14,567 miles. Used engine bay. Crack in the nose. Some bubbling in the paint. A few chips throughout and some serious cracking near one of the taillights. Spider web cracks in some other areas as well. Light general wear and dirt in the interior. Worn pedals. Looks like a blast to drive, but like all the cars out of this collection it needs some going through first. – Despite being one of the oldest (surviving) British sports car companies, we hardly ever see Ginettas in the States outside of the occasional vintage race. The usual Ginetta formula is tiny, low-slung and swoopy roadster over tube frame and four-cylinder power, but this one’s thumping Rover V-8 should make things even more interesting. Ginetta built fewer than 100 G33s, so as long as this one doesn’t need anything serious before getting it on the road, this seems like a solid value even if it did sell for over RM’s Euros 20,000 high estimate.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 202 1970 Marcos 3000GT Coupe; S/N 3M5623; Red/Red leather; Estimate $33,897 – $45,196; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $20,903 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,993. – RHD. 2,994/144hp Ford V-6, 4-speed manual, alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Smiths dash clock, cassette stereo. – From the Petitjean collection. 54,245 miles showing. Minor scuffs and scratches in the paint throughout. Seat bolsters have been retrimmed and don’t match the color of the rest of the car. Top of the dash is starting to peel off. Clean engine bay with light general dirt and dust. RM reports the underbody as clean, but there are no photos. In static display for 25 years and needs sorting. – Early Marcos GTs had four-cylinder power and a plywood chassis (yes, plywood), but the company switched to conventional steel by the arrival of the V-6 cars, which usually command the most money. Marcoses have a lot going for them (rarity, performance and great looks) but buying a low-volume classic British sports car sight unseen on the Internet is a daunting prospect. Even so, the bidders didn’t shy away from this rare car and there was a flurry of bids late in the day, but they also didn’t get carried away and the price reflects this GT’s strengths but also its neglect and unanswered questions.

Photo by Diana Varga

Lot # 203 1969 Marcos Mini-Marcos Coupe; S/N DH8367; Red/Black; Estimate $11,299 – $16,949; Visually maintained, largely original, 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $5,424 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $5,966. – RHD. 998-cc Mini engine, 4-speed manual, Mini-Lite style wheels, Sparco racing bucket seats with harnesses, wood dash, Mountney woodrim steering wheel. – From the Petitjean collection. Some dents and scratches on panel edges, and a few paint cracks throughout. Interior modified for racing, including removal of the carpets. Rough engine bay with visible rust, tired underbody. In long-term static display and needs full service. Rare and fun, but tired. – Marcos built some very attractive sports cars over the years, like the 3.0-liter GT also in this sale. Marcos also built some alarmingly ugly ones, like the Mini-Marcos. Sold as part of a kit, that fiberglass shell isn’t pretty but it is slippery, and of course it’s lighter than the steel skin of a regular Mini. Mini-Marcoses are popular vintage racers and that appears to be what someone had in mind for this one, before it got parked and left to sit. It’s rare and quick, but a proper Mini Cooper S is worth more. This is a project car for project car money.

Photo by Peter Singhof

Lot # 323 1993 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II 4-Dr. Hatchback; S/N ZLA831AB000583983; Giallo Ginestra/Black Alcantara; Estimate $101,691 – $158,186; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $91,522 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $100,674. – 1,995/212hp turbo four, fuel injection, 5-speed, yellow gauge legends and indicators, Momo Corse leather rim steering wheel. – Despite the odometer showing 86,804 km this is a nearly untouched and nearly showroom condition car with a partial repaint in the original color. There is light wear on the driver’s seat bolster. – Bid to Euros 59,000 yesterday with 12 bids, interest showed up (as it should have) on closing day to bring this final result, a rather generous one for an Evo II considering that RM got an unsuccessful high bid of $70,000 in its Online Only: Driving Into Summer auction last month for a similar if not slightly better Evo II. The seller here should be satisfied with the result.

Lot # 330 1991 Venturi Transcup 260 Convertible; S/N VK8SPD51191CE0006; Framboise Metallic/Ivory leather; Estimate $56,495 – $79,093; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $47,456 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $52,201. – 2.8-liter, 253-hp turbocharged PRV V-6, 5-speed manual, power seats, wood dash, wood shift knob, Momo woodrim steering wheel, air conditioning. – One of 17 examples of the Transcup 260, featuring a nifty hardtop and turbocharged 253 hp version of the Peugeot-Renault-Volvo V-6 (also used in the old DeLorean). Delivered new in Switzerland. Showing 34,101 km. Handful of scratches in the paint. Good interior that matches the age and miles but quite well kept. Clean underneath. Lightly used, very rare French supercar. – Although Venturi built some quicker and more attractive cars than this, this is a lot of rarity and performance for the money.

Photo by Remy Dargegen

Lot # 331 1981 Lancia 037 Stradale Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZLA151AR000000014; Red/Black cloth; Estimate $474,558 – $587,548; Recent restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $463,259 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $509,585. – 1,995/205hp Volumex supercharged four-cylinder, FI, 5-speed, modular alloy wheels, Pirelli tires, Bilstein shocks, roll cage, Carello fog lights. – Excellent original paint, interior, gauges, engine compartment and everything else. Mechanically restored to better than new condition with impressive attention to detail. Fresh fuel tanks, engine, gearbox, clutch, suspension and brakes. Original paint and interior. #14 of 207 built. – The photographer for this car was fixated on dramatic low angle exterior shots over wet pavement. They made the car look sway-backed in the front 3/4 and put the car in the top half of the photo in the side view. No one looks at a car while lying on the ground (particularly in a puddle) and this kind of photography does no car any favors. Notwithstanding that complaint, it brought a superior price appropriate to its condition and preservation.

Photo by Dirk de Jager

Lot # 338 1993 Lancia Hyena Berlinetta, Body by Zagato; S/N ZLA831AB000585157; Madras Blue/Blue Alcantara; Estimate $180,784 – $225,980; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $192,083 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $211,291. – 1,995/300hp, turbocharged inline four, 5-speed, all-wheel drive, power brakes and steering, Momo Corse leather rim steering wheel, CD stereo, 5-bolt alloy wheels. – Replaced odometer, 11,270km on the original and 573 on the replacement, represented as just over 14,000 km total. Good original paint with small chips, lightly work driver’s seat upholstery. The engine compartment and chassis are clean, lightly used original. Originally owned by Paul Koot, a Dutch Lancia distributor who commissioned the project with Lancia and Zagato, one of just 24 built. Based upon the Lancia Delta Integrale Evo I but in this case with some 80 more horsepower. Impossible to fault in any meaningful way. Handsome and tightly-wrapped coachwork weighing much less than the Integrale upon which it was based. – This is the essence of Zagato design and execution with no excess and nothing wasted. Function wins over form and style, but it’s still a striking and well-integrated design: this and the Giulia GT Jr. Zagato are my favorite cars of the sale. They are striking and nearly singular. Taking this Hyena’s history and 300hp into account this is an appropriate result that both buyer and seller should be satisfied with.

Photo by Nanette Schaerf

Lot # 341 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Coupe, Body by Touring; S/N AR1900C02074; Engine # AR13081253; Grey/Sand leather; Estimate $248,578 – $338,970; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $203,382. – 1,884/circa 110hp, 2000 Spider cylinder head, two Weber dual choke carburetors, 4-speed, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, Blaupunkt multiband radio, silver painted wire wheels. – Good older paint with some surface rust worms under the paint along some panel joints and wheel wells. Good lightly stretched upholstery and interior trim but worn old pedal pads. Bright, clear gauges. Orderly restored engine compartment with typical thick matte black paint. Good chassis and suspension. Restored to presentable driver condition with some age but little use. – A presentable driver that is Mille Miglia eligible, the difference of opinion between the bidders and the consignor is small and might reasonably have been resolved with some intercession from RM. It wasn’t, though, and this result stands as a missed opportunity.

Photo by Tom Gidden

Lot # 344 2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello Coupe, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFBT55B000129317; Red/Natural leather; Estimate $90,392 – $112,990; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $76,833. – 5,748/515hp, paddle shift, modular alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, SF shields, leather parcel shelf and fire extinguisher wrap, Ferrari stereo, Red calipers, Fiorano Handling Package, Assembly No. 46304. – According to the dash plaque this Maranello was built for Hartmut Helbig and is represented as <48,000 km from new. It looks every bit a pampered and well-maintained car. Good upholstery with a scuffed driver’s seat bolster. Some sticky switches. Clean original engine bay and chassis. – 575M Maranello values are going nowhere but down, but not as far down as the bidders here hoped. This is an offer that deserved to be declined.

Photo by Alexander Babic

Lot # 345 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet B, Body by Mannheim; S/N 191191; Black/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $367,218 – $451,960; Older restoration, 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $344,620 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $379,081. – 3,185/78hp, sidevalve six, 2-barrel Solex, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, dual sidemounts with mirrors, wide whitewalls, turn signals added, dip beam light, fitted luggage. – Sold new to the German Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg, mother of the future king of Sweden, continuously documented since. Restored with good paint, chrome and interior. Loose fitting top. Clean, orderly, dry engine compartment. Not fresh, but a good example and a rare survivor of the model with practical and good looking coachwork by Mannheim. – As the online description notes, a concise, confirmed history for a Mannheim M-B of this era is rare in the extreme and this result hinges upon that history as well as the exceptional condition of its older restoration. It will get its new owner into the same events frequented by supercharged 8-cylinder M-Bs (or at least many of them) and is a high quality, distinctive, open car with attractive lines if moderate performance. This is a sound value for the new owner and for the seller.

Photo by Peter Singhof

Lot # 346 1978 De Tomaso Longchamp 2 + 2; S/N THLCMV02027; Brown/Beige leather, Brown cloth inserts; Estimate $56,495 – $79,093; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,846 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,930. – 360/330hp Ford, automatic, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, cassette stereo, power windows, 5-bolt de Tomaso alloy wheels, Michelin XWX tires. – Represented as the original engine with 65,990 km from new. Fair old partial repaint with nicks and scratches. Sound original interior with seriously stretched driver’s seat cloth insert and door panel cloth. Decent chrome, dash and gauges. The engine compartment is clean and dry but aged, as is the chassis and suspension. Sound and unusual. – The Longchamp is as handsome as any 2+2 out of Italy in the 70’s and its Ford driveline puts it in a Ferrari/Maserati performance envelope, at a tenth or so the price. The bidders here recognized its appeal and while it will never be a Ferrari or Maserati in value it makes up in style and performance for what it lacks in tech appeal and is a sound value at this price.

Photo by Tim Scott

Lot # 348 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Turismo Series IV Spider, Body by after Zagato; S/N 8613481; Engine # 8613481; Red/Red leather; Estimate $451,960 – $508,455; Rebodied or re-created, 4+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $361,568. – RHD. 1,752cc twin cam six upgraded with a supercharger to 85hp Gran Sport specs, SU carburetor, 4-speed, dual rear-mounted spares, folding windshield, Jaeger tach in French, clock, later ammeter, black wire wheels, Blockley tires. – Converted by Rodney Felton in the UK in the 80’s and rebodied in aluminum about the same time. Represented as the original engine and chassis. Sketchily pictured but thoroughly and recently document by Jim Stokes Workshop in a 9-page report which points to a number of shortcomings and safety issues and estimates the cost to correct the critical items to be GBP 60,000-80,000 after which it will be a safe if not impressive driver. – It’s really hard to like this made-up 6C 1750 after reading the bluntly honest and detailed JSW report. RM Sotheby’s should be given full credit for publishing it so bidders were not misled, an essential element of online only, hands-off auctioning. It’s a challenged bitsa and the bidding reflected that.

Photo by Peter Singhof

Lot # 354 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 10211; Engine # 10211; Rosso Cina/Black leather; Estimate $440,661 – $508,455; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $401,115. – 3,967/300hp V12, 5-speed, chrome spoke Borrani centerlock wire wheels, power windows. – Good 1993 repaint, unrestored but well-maintained engine compartment and chassis with some paint loss and surface rust. Good original upholstery with patina from 33 years of single family ownership. Waterspotted paint. Curb gouged wheel rims. A sound driver quality 330 GTC represented to have the original engine and gearbox. – Want to sell this car? Pay the tithe to Ferrari Classiche for a book, even if it’s yellow. It is discounted in a big way for its age and defects in the pre-sale estimate but discounted even further by the bidders who couldn’t look beyond its myriad problems. The bidding barely moved in the final extended minutes of the sale, proving that there was little appetite to take on its issues.

Photo by Peter Singhof

Lot # 355 1991 Lancia Thema 8.32 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N ZLA83400000243496; Metallic Ruby Red/Camel Alcantara; Estimate $16,949 – $28,248; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $18,078 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,886. – 2,927/215hp Ferrari V8, 5-speed, burl wood instrument panel, 7-spoke alloy wheels, air conditioning. – Detuned Ferrari 308 QV V-8 with a cross-plane crankshaft for smoothness. Mostly original but partially repainted, stone chipped nose. Very good Alcantara upholstery and interior trim looks like new despite the 87,235 km showing. Very good, dry engine bay looks like new. Good chassis and underbody. Largely overlooked but this Thema 8.32 has never been neglected. – Yes, I know, it’s quirky. It’s also a silent, fast, comfortable and rare sedan with as much power from its 3-liter Ferrari V8 as a 1991 Corvette. Try to find something else from that era with as much room, comfort and performance, not to mention a 5-speed gearbox. But, OK, no one cares and this is a realistic result.

Photo by Dirk de Jager

Lot # 356 1976 Daimler Sovereign Coupe; S/N 2H50054BW; Dark Red, Black vinyl roof/Beige leather; Estimate $28,248 – $50,846; Enthusiast restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $27,683 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,451. – 4.2-liter XK engine, automatic, hub caps and trim rings, cassette stereo, dash clock. – Represented as one of 29 left-hand drive examples built in 1976. Showing 34,207 km. Repaint with numerous flaws. Decent brightwork. Refurbished interior with newer leather. The rest of the interior could use detailing. Good engine bay and underbody with light wear and use. Light restoration work done on a budget. – Viewers of British cozy mysteries will identify the Daimler Sovereign Coupe as the vehicle of choice for (usually obstinate) senior police officials. We’ll let this one stand as a realistic result, not having seen one in a dog’s years.

Photo by Remi Dargegen

Lot # 359 1939 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet, Body by Gangloff; S/N 57731; Engine # 527; Cream, Black fenders and rear deck/Green leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $847,425 – $960,415; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $790,930 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $870,023. – RHD. 3,257/135hp, 4-speed, cream wire wheels, single left side enclosed sidemount, teardrop fenders, raked windshield, Marchal headlights – Reportedly the 1939 Geneva Motor Show car, later used by Bugatti factory driver Jean Pierre Wimille as a demonstrator. Sound older paint, chrome and interior. Good top. Orderly but aged engine compartment. Mediocre photos often vaguely focused by someone who doesn’t understand what “depth of field” is or how to increase it. Also given a succinct RM condition report of little value. – Sold by RM from the Quattroroute Collection at Monaco in 2016 for $746,308 where it had sat for half a century. It’s better now than it was then, and has unusual coachwork. With 26 minutes remaining it was bid to only Euros 510,000 with 11 bids. Bidding extended shortly thereafter from Euros 590K with 18 bids, then again, again, and again before concluding at this result with 29 bids at Euros 700,000, Euros 770,000 with commission. A distinctive Bugatti, bought for a reasonable price.

Photo by Tim Scott

Lot # 361 1955 Porsche 356 “Pre-A” Speedster, Body by Reutter; S/N 80524; Engine # P34815; Black/Black; Black cloth top; Estimate $361,568 – $429,362; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $367,218 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $403,939. – Michelin XAS tires, 1,488/64hp, 4-speed. – Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. The engine compartment is like new or better. The chassis and suspension are not as elaborately restored but are in excellent as-delivered condition. Color changed but represented as the original engine verified by the Porsche CoA and Kardex copy. Said to have been driven on the Mille Miglia 2010-2012. It must have been driven very carefully because it is essentially unblemished. – With 33 minutes on the bid clock this Speedster was at Euros 245,000 with 16 bids. Six extensions brought this Euros 325,000 hammer result with a total of 29 bids. The enthusiasm was justified for this impeccably restored and presented Speedster.

Photo by Dirk de Jager

Lot # 363 1957 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster, Body by Reutter; S/N 83639; Engine # P66457; Ivory/Red leatherette; Beige cloth top; Estimate $338,970 – $395,465; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $288,125 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $316,937. – 1,582/70hp, 4-speed, hubcaps, bumper overriders, Rallycounter S rally odometer, comfort seats. – Represented as the original engine, mechanically overhauled by Porsche Classic in Stuttgart. Presented with an inadequate selection of 35 photos and a superficial condition report. Restored in the U.S. some years ago. Impressive engine compartment with intact quilted sound deadening. – It’s a matter of opinion, but a more complete description, better photos and a more thorough condition report could have brought an even better result for this high quality Speedster. The bidders were left to rely on the implied quality of a Porsche Classic restoration. With more details this could have been a $350,000 Speedster, a margin the new owner takes home.

Photo by Dirk de Jager

Lot # 367 1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 14931; Engine # 00118; Ivory/Black leather, Red plaid inserts; Estimate $282,475 – $338,970; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $271,176 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $298,294. – 4,390/320hp, 5-speed, air conditioning, power windows, 5-spoke Cromodora centerlock alloy wheels with Borrani tri-lobe centerlock nuts, books, Ferrari Classiche Red Book. – U.S. delivery, one of seven believed originally painted Ivorio Tetrarch. Recently restored in its original colors including the distinctive red plaid seat inserts. Excellent paint, interior, engine compartment and chassis. The chrome is good except for the door handles which are pitted. – It always amazes me when someone spends GBP 220,000 on a professional restoration which ends up reinstalling the old, pitted door handles that disappoint every time someone gets into the car. Yet it happens again and again, even when replacement parts are readily available and inexpensive. The color of this C/4 is attractive, even complementing the black “clown mouth” nose and the interior is eye-catching. It was sold at the Guernsey auction on Long Island in 1991 for $91,300 in mostly original condition. Bidding here was static at <200K until the last five minutes then took off through several extensions to this final and realistic price.

Lot # 368 1960 Porsche 356B Roadster, Body by Drauz; S/N 87936; Engine # 806710; Black/Black leatherette; Black cloth top; Estimate $135,588 – $158,186; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $163,836 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $180,219. – Let’s give this suspect engine the benefit of the doubt and call it a 1,582/90hp Super 90, 4-speed, reproduction Rudge centerlock alloy wheels, – Crudely (and I mean crudely) restamped engine number corresponds to an early 1963 Super 90. Trim chrome and the windshield header are pitted and rust spotted. Gauge bezels are pitted and thin, the dashboard paint is older and the dashboard soft trim is old and doesn’t fit well. Good carpets and floor mats. The reproduction Rudge wheels are chromed but the centerlock hubs are peeling and rusting. The paint looks decent but given the car’s other shortcomings begs for a paint gauge’s opinion. The engine compartment is clean, dry and mostly like new with correct carburetor filters. Undercoat brushed on the underside of the tub. A highly suspect car. – The bidding was desultory until the final minutes, sitting at Euros 90,000 with 45 minutes to go and only 100K at 14 minutes. It then accelerated and extended before ending up with this generous result for a car with many questions.

The hokey engine stamping has to be seen to be believed.

Photo by Dirk de Jager

Lot # 379 1975 Ferrari Dino 208 GT4 2 + 2, Body by Bertone; S/N 11018; Engine # 00099; Red/Black leatherette, cloth inserts; Estimate $45,196 – $56,495; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $46,326 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $50,958. – 1,990/170hp V8, 4 Weber carburetors, 5-speed, Sony cassette stereo, power windows, Borletti air conditioning. – Represented as 74,319 km and four owners from new. A tax-oriented 2-liter version of the Dino 308 GT4 to avoid a 38% surcharge in Italy on cars over 2 liters, but with the expected reduction of power and performance. Thick old repaint with edge chips and some rust worms under the paint. Sound original upholstery and interior trim. Orderly engine compartment and original chassis. A usable driver. – This is 308 GT4 money.

Photo by Dirk de Jager

Lot # 383 1972 BMW 2000 Touring Hatchback; S/N 3357480; Yellow/Black vinyl and cloth; Estimate $22,598 – $28,248; Enthusiast restoration, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $15,819 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $17,400. – 1,990/114hp, 4-speed, hub caps, original Blaupunkt pushbutton radio, wood shift knob, aftermarket tach. – Represented with two owners from new, and with the original one until 2019. Restored and repainted last year. Good recent paint. Older brightwork. Good preserved interior. Original carpets showing some wear. Wear appropriate for the age to the engine bay. Underbody could use some work but no rust apparent. Engine bay cleaned up and possibly sorted but definitely not fully restored. – The various Touring-bodied hatchback BMWs were never popular, with some 11,000 of them built during their four-year run, an understandable appreciation for a car that looks like a SAAB 99, even with better performance and handling. Bidding picked up with several extensions to this Euros 14,000 hammer bid and 37 bids. An unusual BMW for a modest price.

Photo by Tom Gidden

Lot # 385 1936 BMW 329 Cabriolet; S/N 86526; Dark Blue, Cream sides/Cream leather; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $90,392 – $112,990; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $57,625 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $63,387. – 1,911/45hp six, dual downdraft Solex carburetors, 4-speed, rear-mounted spare, hubcaps, top-hinged windshield, dash plaque says “Sie fahren auf Ihre eigene Gefahr und Risiko in diesem Wagen!”, “You drive at your own risk and peril in this car!” – A sad old car with an awful chipped and cracked old repaint, failing chrome. Sound old upholstery and interior trim including the wood. Old faded and discolored gauge faces, later fuel level gauge. Old tires with cracked sidewalls. Given a uniformly optimistic condition report not supported by the 59 photos that show a litany of defects. – A funky old thing, but appealing. It needs much but not quite everything and can be driven and enjoyed as it is with plenty of latitude for a new owner to improve it progressively without spending much. It has intrinsic value at this price.

Photo by Tim Scott

Lot # 390 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFJA09B000047865; Engine # 00693; Black/Natural leather; Estimate $158,186 – $214,681; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $203,382 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $223,720. – 4,942/340hp, 5-speed, power windows, Borletti air conditioning, TRX wheels and tires, cassette stereo, equalizer. – Sound older repaint, sound and attractive original upholstery and interior trim. Orderly and clean engine compartment with no visible fluid leaks. A well-maintained largely original 512 BBi. – Bid to Euros 150,000 with 6 minutes left, bidding accelerated and extended at Euros 165,000 with 9 bids. There were two more extensions to the final bid of Euros 180,000, a realistic result for a well-maintained and largely original 502 BBi.

Photo by Kevin van Campenhout

Lot # 391 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE Series I 2 + 2, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 2961; Engine # 2961; Silver-Grey/Beige leather; Estimate $316,372 – $361,568; Original, with major mechanical repairs, 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $276,826. – 2,953/240hp, three 2-barrel Weber carburetors, 4-speed, Blaupunkt cassette multiband radio, Marchal headlights and fog lights, silver painted Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XVS tires. – Tired, scratched and chipped original paint, curdled rubber body seals. Thin, pitted chrome. The original interior is a marvel of patina but is cracked, peeling and unsightly not to mention fragile. The engine following a recent rebuild is neat and dribble-free. The compartment it sits in is orderly and presentable, as is the underbonnet quilted blanket. A patina freak’s dream, a car that should drive close to new but look like a barn find. – How much is patina worth? This 250 GTE brought that into sharp focus. It’s been mechanically restored but left with the evidence of the slings and arrows of a mixed history in its exterior presentation. The bidders here couldn’t agree with the consignor who thought the history offset the condition. No argument, just a difference of opinion.

Photo by Tim Scott

Lot # 392 2018 Ferrari GTC4Lusso 70th Anniversary Hatchback; S/N ZFF82WNB000233645; Bianco Italia, Blu Pozzi stripes/Blue Sterling leather, Mycroprestige details; Estimate $293,774 – $361,568; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $350,269 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $385,296. – 6,262/680hp, 7-speed paddle shift, Tailor Made livery “White Spider”. – 900km and in showroom condition. The description vividly quotes Jeremy Clarkson’s statement, “the most beautiful piece of sculpture of all time.” That from someone whose tongue is almost always in his cheek. This is a hideous, overwrought thing that was ugly when it was the FF and hasn’t improved by being dressed up with two historic Ferrari models’ names or being laden with a contrived livery. – The sole valuable attribute of this misbegotten Ferrari is that it preserved its first owner’s place on the list of favored Ferrari clients. That, however, doesn’t apply to the purchaser here who will be fortunate if Ferrari even remembers his/her name from a list of parts buyers. Bidding stalled early rising only to Euros 205K and 11 bids a day before closing then closing at this generous result after a cluster of extensions. Oh, and because of its 800 km to a buyer in some European tax regimes it will be taxed (again) as a new car with 20% or so VAT added.

Photo by Alexander Babic

Lot # 394 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda AAR 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N BS23J0B292348; Engine # OB292348; Deep Burnt Orange Metallic, Matte black hood and strobe stripe/Black vinyl; Estimate $112,990 – $169,485; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $73,444. – 340/290hp, 3×2 Six Barrel, 4-speed, Hurst pistol grip shifter, side outlet exhaust, power brakes, power steering, Rallye wheels, Radial T/A tires, fog lights, 3.55 Sure Grip, chin spoiler, hood tach. – Excellent paint, chrome, panel fits and interior. Bright, crisp gauges. The engine compartment is like new as is the chassis. A nearly pristine restored ‘Cuda AAR in an attractive and unusual color and all the details any driver could want. – No one paid any attention to this AAR ‘Cuda for days as it languished at its opening imputed bid of Euros 50,000 until the day of closing when it attracted some interest in several bidding extensions that still completely missed the point. It’s an $80,000 car all day and should come back to the States to realize its potential in dramatic contrast to some of the Corvettes that were bid to silly numbers in the Online Only auction.

Photo by Tom Gidden

Lot # 395 1982 Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition Coupe; S/N 1G1AY0781C5113707; Silver Beige/Beige leather; Estimate $28,248 – $33,897; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $22,598 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $24,858. – 350-cid, 200-hp V-8, automatic, Goodyear Eagle GT tires, glass T-tops, air conditioning, power windows. – One of 6,759 Collector Edition C3 Corvettes built, and surely there are only a few in Europe. Canceled U.S. title. Showing 2,808 miles. Visible detail scratching and swirls in the paint. Heavy scratching and hazing on the B-pillars. A few rock chips on the nose. Rear bumper has heavy scratching and some discoloration. Excellent interior that matches the mileage. Minor shrinkage to the dash. Clean engine bay and underbody. Given the low mileage, the light damage on the outside is a little disappointing, but this is still a remarkably well-preserved car. – Seeing a Collector Edition Corvette on our shores isn’t anything to write home about, but in Europe it’s almost exotic. We were curious how the car would do with that audience and in this setting, and at first it looked like nobody cared. It wasn’t until the last hours and minutes of the auction that bidding really got underway, and it brought a price that would ordinarily buy a much nearer to like-new example here in the States.

Photo by Tim Scott

Lot # 396 1977 Ferrari 512 BB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 21783; Engine # 00123; Black/Black leather; Estimate $248,578 – $293,774; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $231,630. – 4,942/360hp, 4×3 barrel Weber carburetors, 5-speed, centerlock Cromodora 5-spoke alloy wheels, Michelin XWX tires, Borletti air conditioning, power windows, Becker Europa II multiband stereo. – First delivered to German footballer Gunter Netzer. Restored in Switzerland in 2015. Lovely original leather upholstery worn in and creased like a cherished bomber jacket. The engine compartment is nearly like new. A sympathetically and thoroughly restored example. – Bidding reached Euros 195,000 at the end of regulation (I mean scheduled) bidding with 13 bids and stalled at Euros 205,000 after only two extensions where the bidders sought to secure a good value that the consignor wasn’t willing to recognize. Neither side of the exchange was wrong, but they were close enough that RM may be able to secure a deal in the days after the auction’s conclusion.

Photo by Tim Scott

Lot # 397 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 17561; Engine # 00032; Rosso Chiaro, Black sills/Black leather; Estimate $248,578 – $293,774; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $282,475 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $310,723. – 4,390/380hp, four 3-barrel Weber carburetors, 5-speed, Borletti air conditioning, power windows, leather rim Nardi steering wheel, books, jack and tools, Ferrari Classiche confirmed original engine, chassis and gearbox (but no Red Book). – Owned by Jean-Pierre Jabouille in derelict condition, stored many years at Chas. Pozzi in Paris with parts extracted, but not the original engine and gearbox. Restored in the mid-naughts with 3,000 km since. Very good paint and interior; orderly, dry engine compartment. Lightly creased seats. – Offered by Artcurial at Retromobile a year ago where it was reported bid to $260,716 (Euros 230,000 at the time, the reported high bid here is Euros 250,000). Interest was high, with 13 bids in all and a realistic result for a car with a rather sketchy history.

Photo by Dirk de Jager

Lot # 401 1956 AC Ace Bristol Roadster; S/N BEX225; Engine # 100D584; British Racing Green/Green leather; Estimate $282,475 – $338,970; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $254,228 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $279,650. – 1971/105hp Bristol six, 3 carburetors, 4-speed manual, painted wire wheels with AC caps, Michelin tires, Lucas driving lights, woodrim steering wheel, modern rally instruments. Left-hand drive. – A factory Ace-Bristol, fully restored by UK specialists from 2009-11. Delivered new to Canada. Originally light blue over white. Had a V8 at some point in its life and now has a correct replacement Bristol unit. Rubbing from the tires on both rear wings. Small dent on the nose. Driver’s seat has light wear, but the interior mostly looks very good. A few issues, most importantly the replacement engine, but a mostly lovely little Ace. – Matching numbers matter in this hobby, especially for highly coveted six- and seven-figure cars. Over 300 grand would have been perfectly realistic if this car still carried its original unit, especially if it had been the tuned 100D2 Bristol.

Lot # 402 1948 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport Cabriolet, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 915566; Engine # 923668; Dark Grey/Red leather; Red cloth top; Estimate $508,455 – $564,950; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $440,661. – 2,443/155hp six, 3 Weber carburetors, 4-speed, trafficators, column shift, 2-spoke rattan-wrapped steering wheel. – Very good paint, chrome, upholstery, interior trim and top. The engine compartment is clean but photos on the lift show a brush painted chassis and globs of sealer around the oil pan fasteners. Restored in 2013 and barely used since. – Sold by Bonhams at the Grand Palais in 2015 for $433,844 (Euros 330,000 at the time). The pre-sale estimate range here is decidedly optimistic and the bidding stalled at the ultimate high bid of Euros 390,000 with hours to go. The bidders had a very different opinion of value from the consignor.

Lot # 405 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Turismo Ministeriale 4-Dr. Sedan, Body by Alfa Romeo; S/N 914073; Engine # 923243; Black/Beige cloth; Estimate $180,784 – $225,980; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $108,470 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $119,317. – RHD. 2,443/90hp twin cam six, single 2-throat Weber downdraft carburetor, 4-speed, dual enclosed sidemounts, jump seats, rollup division window, Carello headlights, steel wheels with hubcaps. – A bit player in something like 80 movies and television series, one of 81 believed built by Carrozzeria Alfa Romeo and represented as the original engine. Movie car paint, good recent interior, erratic chrome, largely original chassis and suspension with expedient repairs. Scuffed and scratched original interior wood. Tidy old engine and the compartment it sits in. A genuine and genuinely charming old car. – It is so rare that any market evaluation is pointless. The bidding was purposeful in the low Euros 80,000 for the days before closing, advanced to the final Euros 96,000 with seven minutes remaining and there it stayed, a good indication of market consensus on the value of this highly unusual car.

Lot # 411 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA Stradale Sprint, Body by Bertone; S/N AR752577; Engine # AR00502A19181; Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $225,980 – $282,475; Cosmetic restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $214,681. – RHD. 1,570/170hp, dual ignition, 5-speed, Tecnomagnesio alloy wheels, woodrim steering wheel, conventional rear axle (no sliding block), dual electric fuel pumps, Dunlop disc brakes, drilled rear axle trailing arms and front lower A-arms. – Represented as the original engine and 64,075 km from new. Very good paint, chrome and interior. The engine compartment is clean and dry with the correct stradale air cleaner and crossover although it and the cam cover is painted silver not natural aluminum. Orderly chassis and underbody with fresh, bright fasteners throughout the suspension. A continuously maintained and cosmetically attended to example that has never been restored but might as well have been, it’s that good. – The bidding on this rare righthand drive Alfa GTA was uninspired with the bid at Euros 160,000 and 9 bids two days before the closing and up to Euros 190,000 with hours to go, and there it stayed with only 13 bids. This should have been an especially attractive car to British buyers, but they never got after it, nor did the consignor relent on the low estimate/reserve. If it had sold even at the low estimate it would have been a very good value in a well-prepared GTA Stradale.

Tags: RM Sotheby's

RM Sotheby’s Online Only: The European Sale

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