RM Sotheby’s, Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island, March 10, 2018

RM held its auction on Friday, March 9 starting at 3PM as the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance was for the second year in a row moved up to Saturday to avoid a threatening weather forecast.

It made for a truncated auction week, slicing a day off the pre-auction viewing schedule. Gooding & Company remained at their scheduled Friday time starting at 11AM, and they were still selling cars at the Plantation as RM Sotheby’s kicked off. A check of HammerPrice at the time indicated at least fifteen lots were still to cross the Gooding block at 3PM, an overlap that couldn’t have helped either auction’s audience.

The total sale was RM’s lowest at Amelia since 2012, attributable in large part to a dearth of high dollar consignments and a docket loaded with nineteen Porsches, including a dozen 964 series cars from a single collection. Only four cars sold on hammer bids of $1 million or more – and none of the no-sale lots were bid to seven figures. Two of the million dollar cars were Porsche 964s, a Carrera RS 3.8 And a Carrera RSR 3.8.

The dearth of high profile expensive cars – and a soft sell-through for what was on offer – was typical of all the Amelia Island auctions this year.

Many of the cars that did sell had been across auction blocks in recent years and few of them showed fat prices relative to earlier transactions.

Classics, on the other hand, seemed to swim effectively against the ebbing tide. The 30 pre-war cars offered (not all of them fitting the definition of “Classic”) were 29.4% of the lots on offer, posted an 80% sale rate and total sales of $7,512,160, 28% of the sale total. One (not reported in detail here) set an auction record, the 1931 Marmon Sixteen LeBaron Coupe that sold for $950,000 hammer, $1,050,000 including RM Sotheby’s recently revised buyer’s commission of 12% of the first $250,000 and 10% above that.

Here are the numbers:

Year Cars Sold/ Offered Sale % Sold < Low Est Sold > High Est Average Sale Median Sale Total $
2018 87/102 85.3% 64% 10.5% $308,031 $173,600

[56.4%]

$26,798,720
2017 135/150 90% 51.1% 11.9% $528,701 $286,000

[54.1%]

$71,374,600
2017 was a 2-day sale featuring the (mostly) No Reserve Orin Smith Collection on Friday
2016 82/93 88.2% 50% 18.3% $472,269 $242,000

[51.2%]

$38,726,050

The cars reported in detail that follow were reviewed on-site by Andrew Newton and me; I am solely responsible for the final edits and comments.

They are sorted by Marque, Model, Body Style and Year for quicker reference.

Lot # 182 1956 AC Ace Roadster; S/N AEX160; Engine # CL 2290 WT; Red/Black leather; Estimate $375,000 – $425,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $325,000 plus commission of 11.54%; Final Price $362,500. – AC engine, chrome centerlock wheels, Michelin X tires, woodrim steering wheel. – Represented as matching numbers. Very good older paint and chrome. Lightly worn seats. Very slightly uneven gaps. Fully redone and gorgeous, just lightly used despite being restored way back in the 1990s. – The $375,000 low estimate was pretty ambitious for an AC-engined Ace, but the price achieved here is still very strong and deservedly so. These cars cost a lot to restore and this one, while not finished yesterday, has received a lot of high quality attention and nothing is preventing it from being used in driving events or casually shown.

Lot # 202 1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Convertible; S/N AR149505617; Engine # AR131543796; Alfa Red/Gray leather piped in Red; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $72,800. – Hub caps, Borrani steel wheels. – AACA Junior and Senior awards. Very good older paint and chrome. Scuff on the right rear wheel. Dull steering wheel cap. Flat bottoms on the seats. Slightly faded gauges. High quality work on a handsome Giulietta, but it was restored in 2011 and is starting to show its age a bit. – This car was sold at Gooding Amelia Island 2013 for the then and still outrageous price of $140,250, and has clearly been driven a little since then. This result may be half what it sold for previously, but it’s a lot closer to reality and goes to show how these eager little Giulietta Spiders are still a bargain compared to a similar car with a Porsche badge.

Lot # 197 1954 Arnolt-Bristol Bolide Roadster, Body by Bertone; S/N 404X3046; Engine # BS1MKII243; White, Black stripe/Black piped in White; Estimate $400,000 – $450,000; Competition restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $360,000 plus commission of 11.39%; Final Price $401,000. – Disc wheels, Pirelli tires, roll hoops, woodrim steering wheel, racing harnesses, fire extinguisher, replacement engine (repaired original block included). – One of four factory racers. Represented as driven by Rene Dreyfus to 4th in class at Sebring in 1955, then raced quite a bit in Canada. Tidy engine bay and underbody. Very good paint and interior. Some cracking around the Bertone badge on the left front of the car. Raced a little bit, but not used up. Still very attractive, good history, and eligible for all sorts of great events. – Renowned in period for their speed and handling, frequently the class of the 2-liter field, and endowed with Franco Scaglione’s gifted coachwork covering the tall Bristol engine. The result here reflects this car’s Sebring history with a slight but not excessive premium.

Lot # 196 1934 Aston Martin 1 ½ Litre Mk II Sports Roadster, Body by Bertelli; S/N F4455S; Engine # F4455S; Maroon/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $220,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $246,400. – RHD. Maroon wire wheels, cycle fenders, chrome outside exhaust, wind wings, rear-mounted spare – A quality older restoration with age and miles, owned and restored by Harrah’s and from the 1960’s until 2013 by comedian Bill Cosby. Paint, chrome and upholstery are sound and presentable but show age and use. A great tour car. Matching numbers engine confirmed by the AM Heritage Trust. – As with so many Harrah’s restorations this Aston has held up remarkably well through many years and Bill Cosby’s long term ownership. It was sold at Bonhams sale at the Simeone Foundation in 2013 for $264,000 in essentially the same condition as it is today when it shows about 25 more miles.

Lot # 179 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1 Convertible; S/N SCFAE62333K800012; Racing Green/Brown leather; Estimate $300,000 – $350,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $275,000 plus commission of 11.82%; Final Price $307,500. – P Zero tires, power windows, leather dash, diamond stitched seats. – Two-owner car, the 12th of 99 built. Barely any miles and presents like a new car. Showing 1,958 miles. The time under the RM tent is probably the longest it’s been outside. – Sold for a similar amount to other recent transactions for cars with similar miles, and slightly favorable to the seller.

Lot # 154 1962 Aston Martin DB4 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N DB4817L; Engine # 370790; Ice Blue/Cream leather; Estimate $725,000 – $825,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Reported sold but not confirmed $765,000 plus commission of; Final Price $765,000. – Woodrim steering wheel with black spokes, chrome wire wheels, Dunlop tires, Motorola multiband radio. – 12,462 miles and three owners from new. Polished carb dashpots, hammertone cam covers, gold painted calipers. Excellent pain, chrome except for some lightly scuffed windows trim and the rear bumper. The interior is very lightly stretched. The passenger’s door doesn’t close flush by about 1/8 inch. The engine compartment is orderly and like new. – Reported by RM as sold in a private transaction with the amount undisclosed, the result here is what it was bid to on the block. Under the circumstances it is impossible to make a conclusion about where this result fits, but significantly the reported high bid is over the low estimate.

Lot # 127 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Coupe; S/N DB62625LN; Engine # 4003345; White/Dark Blue leather; Estimate $475,000 – $550,000; Modified restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $350,000 plus commission of 11.43%; Final Price $390,000. – Chrome centerlock wire wheels, Avon tires, woodrim steering wheel, Blaupunkt pushbutton stereo, air conditioning, heated rear window. – Recently upgraded to Vantage specs and fitted with a 5-speed after 47 years in single family ownership. Comes with original tools and books. Very good original paint and older chrome. Excellent restored interior with perfect seats. Tidy underneath. Originally fitted with a Vantage engine, but quickly returned to the factory and got a standard engine instead. Recently, it received restoration work that kept the paint original, and upgraded the engine to Vantage specs as well as a later 5-speed. – Sold by RM at Monterey in 2014 for $412,500 before the extensive recent work, engine upgrade and 5-speed, an exercise that resulted in a significantly lower price than it brought four years ago. The new owner has a quality DB6 for a moderate price.

Lot # 110 1993 Aston Martin V8 Virage Volante Convertible; S/N SCFDAM2C8PBL60047; Engine # 8960047A; Winchester Blue/Blue leather; Dark Blue cloth top; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $97,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $109,200. – Alloy wheels, Continental tires, CD stereo, wood dash and console trim, power windows, air conditioning. – Represented as one of 20 US market examples. Long rip in the right side of the top. Very good original paint. Tidy underneath. Almost no wear at all in the interior and showing just 7,176 miles. The rip in the top is a shame since this is an otherwise like new car in attractive colors, but if you just put the top down you’ll never notice it. – This car sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale two years and 185 miles go for $50,600, having previously sold there in 2011 for $99,000. When offered in 2016, it wasn’t running due to an unknown problem. Someone fixed it since then, and while an Aston is expensive every time you open the hood, the work couldn’t have been more expensive than the difference between these two transactions. One of those very rare occasions when someone makes money on ownership of a used high-end car.

Lot # 150 1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 Roadster; S/N BN1L221406; Engine # 1B221406; Spruce Green/Dark Green; Light Green vinyl top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $72,800. – Painted centerlock wire wheels, Dunlop Road Speed tires, single Marchal driving light, banjo steering wheel, overdrive. – Represented as numbers matching and in original colors. Sound but older paint. Restored underneath. Good, restored, lightly worn interior. Very good newer top. An early 3-speed Big Healey that was restored in the 1980s but has no apparent needs and looks ready for a long Sunday drive. – A very strong price for such an old restoration, but not so much taking the quality of the restoration and its preservation is taken into account. It is a sound value for the money at this price.

Lot # 108 1959 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I BT7 Roadster; S/N HBT7L2348; Engine # 29DRUH2709; Gun Metal Gray, Colorado Red/Red; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $72,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $81,200. – Chrome centerlock wire wheels, woodrim steering wheel. – Very good paint and chrome. Very good interior. Represented as matching numbers. Restored by Healey Lane and not done yesterday, but still fresh and gorgeous. – A great car restored by a reputable shop, so it sold for a deservedly strong price.

Lot # 113 1972 BMW 2002 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 2581201; Yellow/Black vinyl; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Modified restoration, 1 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $38,080. – ATS alloy wheels, Hella driving lights, Weber carbs, sports steering wheel, stainless steel exhaust. – A few scratches on the mirrors and window frames, but otherwise good brightwork. A few paint runs and cracks on the tail. Some light scratches in the window glass. Good fully restored interior with extra gauges. A tastefully upgraded and restored 2002 done to appropriate but not crazy-high standards. – This seems very expensive for a car that isn’t a tii or ti, but the combination of upgrades, condition and color apparently resonate with BMW folks, because this car sold for a very similar $38,500 at RM Motor City in 2015.

Lot # 190 2001 BMW PTG M3 GT V8 Grand-Am Coupe; S/N 004; Metallic Blue, Silver/Black cloth; Estimate $250,000 – $350,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $175,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $196,000. – Recaro seat, Willans belts, fire system, 18 inch BBS centerlock wheels, Yokohama slicks, Stack data system. – A well-used race car with a good repaint. It was second in class at in the 2001 Grand-Am series. Rebuilt by PTG in 2013 in its 2001 Daytona 24 livery and not raced since. Comes with a spares package including wheels and bodywork. – There’s no doubt that this is a fast, competitive BMW, needing only a place to wring it out, and a driver of the caliber of Said, Stuck and Borcheller to realize its potential. Is it worth more than this? Apparently on this weekend, anyway.

Lot # 144 1940 Buick Super Estate Wagon; S/N 0K0612500; Engine # 54012662; Cranberry Metallic, Black composite roof/Dark Red; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $145,600. – Body color wheels, hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, two-row seats, pushbutton radio, heater. – 2009 AACA National First Prize and Senior. Excellent paint, chrome, interior, glass and wood. A cabinetmaker’s delight with all new wood and bright varnish. Very good door and tailgate fits. The engine and underbody are better than new. Gorgeous. – Sold by RM at Hershey in October for $160,000 and now having four more miles on the odometer (on and off a couple of transporter trucks, presumably) it is still as pretty as it was then, with a low roof and beautiful woodwork inside and out. At $15,000 less it is an even better value than it was then.

Lot # 183 1929 Duesenberg Model J Clear Vision 4-Dr. Sedan, Body by Murphy; S/N 2209; Engine # J187; Blue/Dark Blue leather; Estimate $750,000 – $1,000,000; Older restoration, 1- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $675,000 – Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemounts, luggage trunk. – An older concours quality restoration for the Imperial Palace Collection now starting to lose its edge. Window sill chrome is wearing through on the right door. A known car with a long history, it is represented as the original engine, chassis and body with one of Murphy’s more attractive closed bodies. – Sold by RM at Amelia in 2006 for $693,000, at Gooding & Company Scottsdale in 2009 for $836,000 and at RM in Arizona in 2011 for $742,500, it didn’t make much impression on the Amelia Island bidders today and went home with its owner, who may have to adjust expectations for its value.

Lot # 162 1930 Duesenberg Model J Imperial Cabriolet, Body by Hibbard & Darrin; S/N 2275; Engine # J254; Black, Silver accent/Grey leather; Grey cloth top; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,400,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $900,000 plus commission of 10.56%; Final Price $995,000. – Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts with chrome bands, fitted cloth covered trunk, jump seats, rollup division, smoker’s kits, Trippe lights. – Built for William Randolph Hearst and his mistress, actress Marian Davies, one of two in this style by Hibbard & Darrin. Restored some time ago and driven on the Pebble Beach Tour in 2008. Odometer shows 14,565 miles. A quality older restoration with excellent chrome, paint, interior, glass and top. Not fresh, but extremely well maintained. Chassis shows some use, oily residue and road dirt. ACD Category 1 original engine, chassis and body. – Offered at the ACD meet auction in 2009 where it became the object of a bidding contest that resulted in a stupefying result of $3,132,000 that later turned upside down when the successful bidder’s senses returned and no idea what eventually transpired. It is a marvelous automobile with celebrity history [imagine this car’s arrival at San Simeon, Hearst’s castle, bringing Marian Davies to a rendezvous.] This is an appropriate result for a wonderful Duesenberg.

Lot # 147 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 1745 GT; Engine # 1745GT (472F); Dark (Lancia) Blue/Grey leather; Estimate $600,000 – $750,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $650,000 plus commission of 10.77%; Final Price $720,000. – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli tires, Marchal headlights and fog lights behind the grille. – Driver’s door isn’t flush and the latch is jammed. Impressively and expensively restored at Motion Products reputedly at a documented cost of $958,000. Flat, flush fitting panels (except that door), beautiful paint, chrome and interior. The engine compartment is better than new. – This is gorgeous Pinin Farina coupe and it brought a gorgeous price, even if it’s only 2/3 of what was spent on the restoration, with the clear message to ‘buy them after they’re done.’ Twenty-five years ago they were taking Pf Coupes like this, throwing away the bodies and using them as the basis for Testa Rossa replicas. No more.

Lot # 148 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Coupe, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 08603; Engine # 08603; Rosso Rubino/Black leather; Estimate $2,200,000 – $2,500,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,000,000 plus commission of 10.25%; Final Price $2,205,000. – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, long nose, torque tube driveline. – Represented as the original chassis, engine and gearbox. Good paint, interior and chrome. The engine and chassis have not been restored and are lightly oiled and a little dirty but well maintained and never neglected. – Sold by RM at Arizona in 2015 for $2,750,000 and offered by Mecum at Monterey in 2016 (high bid $2.2 million.) It has been impressively preserved over the years, including two decades in Japan, and is a solid value at this price.

Lot # 200 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 9535; Engine # 9535; Red/Black leather; Estimate $475,000 – $550,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $460,000 plus commission of 11.09%; Final Price $511,000. – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, power windows, air conditioning, Blaupunkt cassette stereo. – Orderly but scruffy engine compartment clumsily painted with runny engine black. Seam pulled original upholstery. Good dashtop. Old undercoat. Scuffed bumpers and some trim. Polisher scuffed paint. Doors close well but proud by an eighth of an inch or so at the back. Aged but usable. The permanently installed fire extinguisher behind the seating is not encouraging. – A modest but well-preserved 330 GTC bought for an appropriately modest price even with the torn upholstery seams.

Lot # 134 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Coupe, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 15229; Engine # B504; Rosso Chiaro/Black leather; Estimate $525,000 – $575,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $560,000 plus commission of 10.89%; Final Price $621,000. – Centerlock 5-spoke alloy wheels, Michelin XWX tires, air conditioning, JVC cassette stereo, painted nose panel, popup lights. – Fresh engine with new black wrinkle paint. Faded, waterstained old dashtop. Surface creased upholstery. Old undercoat in the whitewalls. A tiny chip on the back of the driver’s door. Good chrome except for badly peeling bashed up wheel nuts. – This is a representative result these days for a sound, well-preserved but aged Daytona.

Lot # 137 1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 Coupe; S/N 14891; Azzurro Metallizzato/Grey-Blue leather; Estimate $260,000 – $290,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $230,000 – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires, Pioneer cassette stereo, power windows, air conditioning, Marelli ignition boxes. – Good repaint and very attractive new upholstery and interior trim. Orderly underhood but missing the cold air ducts to the air filter boxes. Old undercoat in the wheel wells, oily and slightly grimy chassis. – This C/4 was a no-sale at RM’s Arizona auction in 2016 with a reported bid of $300,000. More tellingly, in 2011 it was bid to only $80,000 at RM’s Ft. Lauderdale auction, all in all despite the lack of a change of ownership at auction, a chronicle of the 365 GTC/4’s value history.

Lot # 124 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Coupe; S/N ZFF75VFA1F0211327; Blu Pozzi, White stripes/Brown Alcantara, Dark Blue cloth; Estimate $370,000 – $420,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $340,000 plus commission of 11.47%; Final Price $379,000. – Carbon fiber diffuser, SF shields, carbon interior trim, climate control, grey 5-spoke wheels, black calipers. – 620 miles, like new, and still under Ferrari’s 7-year warranty. – This result is about MSRP, not taking expensive options into account, a 3-year old Ferrari with negligible miles in dramatic colors, but without evidence of depreciation.

Lot # 158 1983 Ferrari 512 BBi Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFJA09B000043937; Engine # 00333; Red, Black sills/Black leather; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $230,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $257,600. – Borletti air conditioning, power windows, 5-spoke centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin TRX tires, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, Pioneer equalizer. – 10,582 miles, original and very good with only lightly worn interior. – Have we seen this BBi before? Why, yes. At Auctions America in Ft. Lauderdale in 2016 where it was bid to $290,000, at Auburn Fall in September 2016 bit to $250,000, and at Ft. Lauderdale again last year bid to $220,000. The bidders and the consignor finally found common ground here at Amelia with this result consistent with its earlier appearances. 512 BBs and BBis were overlooked for years, then caught up but now seem to be giving up ground and it’s hard to find this kind of 12-cylinder Ferrari performance for so little money.

Lot # 125 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Spider, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N 05724; Rosso Rubino, Black roof panel/Beige; Estimate $350,000 – $400,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $350,000 plus commission of 11.43%; Final Price $390,000. – Power windows, Borletti air conditioning, Cromodora alloy wheels, Michelin XWX tires, open headlights. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. The underbody is restored like new but the engine is oil misted and a little dirty. The roof panel seal on the driver’s side is torn and cracked. A sound but not inspiring Dino. – Sold for $429,000 with 447 fewer miles on the odometer and in essentially the same but fresher condition at Gooding & Company’s Scottsdale auction in 2014. The result here is realistic in 2018 for this car.

 

Lot # 177 2017 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, Body by Scaglietti; S/N ZFF74UFA5H0226588; Rosso Corsa Metallic, Black roof/Natural leather; Estimate $550,000 – $650,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $475,000 – SF shields, matte black calipers, carbon brakes, 5-spoke silver alloy wheels, climate control, carbon fiber cupholder, paddle shift, Magnum P.I. livery, suspension lift, AFS system, parking cameras, passenger display, more. – Delivery miles only. The only F12 delivered in this commemorative color scheme. – Fault me for skepticism, but a front-engined V-12 Ferrari has little or nothing to do with Thomas Magnum’s 308 GTS or all the bells, whistles and whoopdeedo accessories on this F12. How anyone could buy this, then never drive it farther than from the dealer to home is irrational. Please, let the new owner actually drive the car.

Lot # 192 1988 Ferrari Testarossa Coupe; S/N ZFFSG17A9J0078188; Red/Beige leather; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $150,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $168,000. – — Barely stretched driver’s seat cushion upholstery, otherwise like new with 992 miles and still riding on the original tires. Timing belt serviced in 2015 ‘only’ three years ago. – The originality of this Testarossa is impressive and it thoroughly rewarded by this magnanimous price.

Lot # 142 1948 Healey Westland Roadster; S/N B1689; Engine # B1051N689; Metallic Pearl Green/Oxblood leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $195,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $218,400. – RHD. 104hp Riley RM four, dual carbs, Radiomobile radio, body color wheels, hubcaps, Dunlop bias ply tires, cord-wrapped steering wheel, Lucas headlights and fog lights. – Restored a decade ago to showroom condition with better cosmetics and still like that. One of 42 built in the B-series – The beginning of Donald Healey’s history as a manufacturer, not the most attractive British car ever but for 1948 pretty advanced and streamlined and sold here realistically for its condition.

Lot # 186 1951 Hudson Hornet Convertible Brougham; S/N 7A122578; Engine # 122578; Newport Gray/Maroon leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $140,000 – $180,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $72,800. – Twin-H power, automatic, Kelsey Hayes wire wheels, whitewalls, hood ornament, sun visor, spotlight, column shift, wood dash and window trim, factory radio, dash clock. – Very good paint and chrome. Imperfect gaps. Older tires. Good interior. Very clean underneath. Some light surface rust on the top frame. About as loaded as you could ever want in a step-down Hudson. There are a few things to pick on, but it’s gorgeous and was professionally restored. – Sold for $192,500 at Bonhams Quail Lodge 2016, which was far too expensive even for a very good step-down Hudson convertible. This result is on the other end of the spectrum, with driver quality money paid for a great car that has desirable period accessories. One of the big bargains of the auction.

Lot # 153 1930 Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8A S Boattail Cabriolet, Body by Castagna; S/N 1581; Engine # 1599; Light Green, Willow Green accent/Dark Green leather; Dark Green cloth top; Estimate $1,200,000 – $1,400,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,150,000 plus commission of 10.43%; Final Price $1,270,000. – RHD. Grebel headlights and spotlight, headlight and radiator stoneguards, rumble seat, airfoil running boards, chrome wire wheels, Michelin 21 inch tires, dual rear-mounted spares. – Owned for many years and actively toured by Sergio Franchi. Restored years ago for Franchi, redone and took second in class at Pebble Beach in 2009 followed by Best in Show at the Newport Concours. Concours restoration with excellent paint, chrome, upholstery, interior trim and woodwork. – Sold from the Franchi collection in 2006 at Christie’s Greenwich auction for $658,500, then offered at RM Monterey in 2012 after its most recent restoration with a reported high bid of $1,450,000. This is a spectacular automobile with high quality chassis, drivetrain and coachwork and it deserved every bid of the price it brought today, even if it was less than had been expected six years ago.

 

Lot # 199 1948 Jaguar 3 1/2 Liter 3-pos. Drophead Coupe; S/N 637098; Garnet Red/Red leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $120,000 – $160,000; Older restoration, 1- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $152,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $170,800. – Chrome centerlock wire wheels, dual wing mirrors, Lucas driving lights, badge bar, factory tool kit. – JDHT Certificate. Sold new in Texas. Very good paint and chrome. Very good top. Cracks in the left taillight lens. Excellent interior wood. Negligible wear to the seats. Restored 20 years ago and only showing the light general wear that comes with age. A gorgeous, voluptuous early postwar Jag in excellent shape and a multiple award winner since 1992, even if it might not take home a JCNA trophy today. – Appropriately bought and sold here, a seriously high quality older restoration that has held up extremely well and brought a deserved superior price.

Lot # 160 1950 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster; S/N 670662; Engine # W20338; Squadron Blue/Grey leather; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $106,400. – Chrome centerlock wire wheels, Firestone wide whitewalls, dual wing mirrors, original jack and tools, JDHT Certificate. – The gauges are unrestored, and the hand is missing from the clock. Good older paint and chrome. Even gaps. Good seats and carpets with only very light general wear. Very clean underneath with a very tidy engine bay. A straightforward, lightly aged and slightly superficial older restoration of an early 120. – And a straightforward, appropriate result for an imperfect but usable car.

Lot # 178 2001 Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 SE Coupe; S/N ZA9DC01A71LA12886; Sunset Brown/Brown leather; Estimate $300,000 – $350,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $370,000 plus commission of 11.35%; Final Price $412,000. – Titanium shift knob. – One of 42 built as a sendoff for the model. Half were this color, the other half were Sunrise Gold. Has 14 miles, was stored carefully, and is still in showroom fresh condition. – Diablos started gaining value a couple of years ago as people moved on from Countaches, and at this point they can be considered full-on collector cars. This result is far more than this car cost new, and far more than the $231,000 it sold for at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2012.

Lot # 140 1961 Maserati 3500GT Coupe, Body by Frua; S/N AM1011496; Metallic Blue/Tan leather; Estimate $550,000 – $700,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $470,000  – Silver steel wheels, hubcaps, Avon tires. – Very good older paint and interior. Weak, lightly scuffed trim chrome. The underbody is like new. – This distinctive Maserati with its 5000GT-ish coachwork sold for $302,500 at Gooding’s Scottsdale auction in 2012 and was reported bid to $660,000 at RM Monterey in 2014. It is an exceptional, beautiful, handsome car but one might question if it is worth much, if any, more than the price it brought here.

Lot # 201 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Convertible; S/N 1210406502563; Light Green/Green leatherette; Green cloth top; Estimate $140,000 – $160,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $122,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $137,200. – Becker Mexico radio, clock, body color wheels, hubcaps and trim rings. – Restored like new with very good paint, chrome and interior. The engine compartment and chassis are also restored like new. An unusually good 190SL restoration. – Sold here in 2015 for $165,000 and still in exceptional condition, the result here is a reflection of the 190SL market, and is in context a generous price for a 190SL.

Lot # 191 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible; S/N 11304412003075; Beige Grey, Beige Grey hardtop/Parchment vinyl; Brown cloth top; Estimate $135,000 – $165,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $102,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $114,800. – Becker Europe AM-FM, automatic, two tops, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. – Freshly restored to better than new but not overdone. There is a little light orange peel on the hood but otherwise the paint, chrome, interior and top are above reproach. The engine compartment is particularly impressive. – Beautifully done by a professional restorer who conducted an at-the-preview clinic about the important, authentic, features of the 208SL. That didn’t get its result to the rarified atmosphere of the pre-sale estimate range, but brought a superior price appropriate to the car’s quality and condition.

Lot # 155 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing; S/N 1980406500292; Engine # 19898010002887; Dark Blue/Oyster Beige leather; Estimate $1,100,000 – $1,300,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $975,000 plus commission of 10.51%; Final Price $1,077,500. – Becker Europe AM-FM, polished Rudge style centerlock wheels, Michelin XWX tires, front disc brakes added, hinged steering wheel – Very good older paint, interior and chrome, done by Kienle in the mid-90’s and driven a claimed 7,918 miles since. Show polished engine. The chassis and most of the engine compartment are done like new. Serviced by Kienle in 2007. Not a show car but one to be driven proudly, as the sellers have over the past two decades. – A car that has an aura and a history of careful attention to any of its needs, sold here for a price that is a sound value for the new owner.

Lot # 156 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster; S/N 1980427500182; Engine # 1989807500213; Red, Red hardtop/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,200,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $990,000 plus commission of 10.51%; Final Price $1,094,000. – Polished alloy wheels, hubcaps, Michelin XWX tires, two tops, Talbot outside mirror, Becker Mexico cassette stereo, front disc brakes added. – Restored by Kienle in Germany two decades ago, refreshed with an engine rebuild in 2007. The engine compartment is like new with a little use (and regular greasing). The 13,422 miles showing are since the 2007 rebuild. It is not pristine but is loved, maintained and protected. The paint is still very good. The chrome is a little weak and the upholstery has some patina and surface creases. – This is a promising, regularly cared for and maintained 300SL Roadster, like its stablemate the Gullwing that sold one lot after. It brought an intelligent price that needs no excuses from either the buyer or the seller.

Lot # 206 1965 Meyers Manxter 2+2 Buggy; S/N 1102864682; Olive Green, Beige hardtop/Brown vinyl; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $56,000. – SCAT shifter, VDO classic style guages, dual carbs, EMPI distributor, Manx registry #0461. – Sound paint and upholstery. Oily engine and lightly used chassis. A rare 4-seat Manx with a full roll cage and fiberglass full hardtop. – One would have to say that this Manx, which shows some use but also good care, is close to meeting the rare qualification of “unique”. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one at auction before. Somewhat more practical than a 2-seater for family weekends, it brought a superior price that is hard to argue with.

Lot # 139 1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Hatchback; S/N VF3741R76E5100189; Grey/Grey leather, cloth; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $156,800. – Cassette stereo, power windows, boost gauge. – Some paint cracks on the back of the roof. Lots of chips and a few cracks on the nose and hood. Significant wear on the driver’s seat and slightly faded gauges. Driven quite a bit, and showing 47,990 km. One of 200 built for homologation purposes. More than a few of these homologation specials were treated as collectible from new, so its condition is a little disappointing. – This car sold for $198,000 at RM Sotheby’s Quail Lodge in 2016, so the seller was surely hoping for more, but this is far from the best T16 out there and this price shouldn’t be too regrettable.

Lot # 203 1919 Pierce-Arrow Model 31 Vestibule Suburban; S/N 312017; Engine # 311365; Blue, Black fenders and roof/Black leather, Brown cloth; Estimate $100,000 – $140,000; Older restoration, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $77,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $86,800. – RHD. Body color wood spoke wheels, white tires, dual right side cloth covered spares, opera lights, rollup division, speaking tube, pulldown shades, nickel brightwork, Westinghouse air spring shackles. – A tired old restoration with too many issues to list. Oily, road grimy chassis. Superficially repainted underbody. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson at Westworld in 2015 for $170,500, this is a big, impressive, luxury automobile but it has not aged well and if it isn’t now in desperate need of restoration it soon will be. The bidders priced it for restoration.

The Panolpy of Porsches

Lot # 181 1959 Porsche 356A Coupe, Body by Reutter; S/N 105673; Engine # 82452; White/Beige; Estimate $100,000 – $140,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $117,600. – Hub caps, gold brightwork, replacement 1600 Super engine, Blaupunkt radio, Kardex. – Very good paint and brightwork. Even gaps. Fully restored underneath. Excellent, fully restored interior. Gorgeous and, other than the replacement engine, an ideal 356A. – The bidders here arrived at a realistic balance between its outstanding condition and the better performance but compromised original specifications of its replacement engine. A Porsche driver’s car at a driver’s car price.

Lot # 169 1994 Porsche 911 Carrera Speedster; S/N WP0CB2960RS465325; Engine # 62P05845; Ferrari Yellow/Black; Black top; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $200,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $224,000. – Snorkely brake light, Alpine CD stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – Special order Ferrari Yellow. Lightly wrinkled seats. Some chips on the windshield wipers but excellent paint. Showing 21,734 miles, but mostly babied to typical 911 standards since new. – Like most of the cars out of this collection, the Speedster has a few miles on it and isn’t exactly showroom fresh. It was appropriately discounted for its age and went for a fair price. This car would have cost about 75 grand when it was new, likely more with the ‘paint to sample’ special order paint.

Lot # 175 1991 Porsche 911 Carrera Cup Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ96ZMS409063; Engine # 62M20063; Grand Prix White/Black; Estimate $250,000 – $325,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $200,000 – Recaro seats, harnesses, radio delete, no carpets, manual windows, roll cage. – Showing just 30,472 km. Recent full service. A few chips in the nose. Otherwise very good. Spent much of its life in Japan. Federalized in 2016. A genuine Carrera Cup. Not like new and has some mileage, but still very good. – A 964 Carrera Cup can command a quarter-million dollars or more, so even this lightly used one deserves more than the reported high bid.

Lot # 174 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ96ZNS491054; Engine # 62N81669; Polar Silver/Black with Gray inserts; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $195,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $218,400. – Yokohama tires, power windows, air conditioning. – Originally delivered in Japan. Fully federalized a few years ago. Recent service. Scrapes on the right front wheel. The seats are a little flattened. Very good paint. 38,603 miles from new. A genuine Carrera RS that is a quite good but not prime example. – A “basic” Carrera RS with more miles than many others and a moderate but reasonable price.

Lot # 167 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ96ZPS497111; Engine # 62P85663; Speed Yellow/Black; Estimate $1,250,000 – $1,500,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,500,000 plus commission of 10.33%; Final Price $1,655,000. – Speedline wheels, red calipers, factory stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – One of 55 built for homologation. Sold new in Japan. Brought into the U.S. under Show and Display in 2015. Showing just 6,825 km represented as new. Recently serviced. No wear or blemishes to speak of. Looks like a new car. – Still on a Show and Display exemption and now 25 years old that may eliminate the limitations, not that it has ever seen more than 2,500 miles on the way to and from shows, nor is it likely to in the future. Based on results here in Amelia this week this price would buy two Ferrari Daytonas.

Lot # 176 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8 Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ96ZPS496080; Engine # 62P85585; Ferrari Yellow/Black; Estimate $1,200,000 – $1,400,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,150,000 plus commission of 10.43%; Final Price $1,270,000. – Speedline wheels, red calipers, Recaro driver’s seat only, harness, fire system, roll cage. – One of three sold in Japan. Showing just 770km and looks like a new car, and reportedly maintained consistently. Clearly hasn’t any of the on-track driving in anger that it was designed for. Paint to sample in Ferrari Fly Yellow. – One of the kings of the 964 collection at RM Amelia this year, this is nevertheless a race car that you can only use on the track, and sold on a bill of sale. It was also never raced, so it has no history to point to. Nevertheless, it’s a rare, significant and highly collectible model and a seven-figure price was entirely justified.

Lot # 173 1994 Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo Coupe; S/N WP0AC2962RS480395; Engine # 61R00878; Speed Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $290,000 plus commission of 11.72%; Final Price $324,000. – Speedline wheels, red calipers, sunroof, yellow contrast stitching, yellow gauge bezels, yellow seat belts, factory cassette/CD stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – Showing 35,834 miles represented as from new. Recent service. Very light wrinkling on the driver’s seat. Fantastic blemish-free paint. Looks like a car with a fraction of the miles. – Other than some of the special order yellow bits in the interior, this is a mostly standard 964 Turbo among lots of other special cars, but it nevertheless sold at the high end of 964 Turbo values.

Lot # 172 1994 Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo S Flachbau Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ96ZRS470291; Engine # 61R00803; Silver/Black; Estimate $500,000 – $650,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $420,000. – Speedline wheels, red calipers, Flachbau, sunroof, side intakes, factory cassette stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – One of just 10 of these 1980s-style Flachbaus on the 964 platform built. Sold new in Japan and imported under Show and Display in 2014. A handful of chips and scratches on the nose, but the exterior is remarkably good for a car showing 74,532 km represented to be from new. There is wear to the driver’s seat that corresponds to the mileage, but the interior is quite good. Another rare configuration 964 out of this collection, but has significant mileage. Likely not the best of the 10 built. – Gooding hammered a nearly identical silver example in Scottsdale this year at a $500,000 high bid. This car arguably deserves at least closer to that amount, although people looking for one of these for a collection probably want one with lower mileage.

Lot # 168 1994 Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo S Flachbau Coupe; S/N WP0AC2969RS480426; Engine # 61R00957; Speed Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $600,000 – $800,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $590,000 plus commission of 10.85%; Final Price $654,000. – Speedline wheels, red calipers, sunroof, CD stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – One of 39 flat nose US-spec Turbo S cars. There is negligible wrinkling to the driver’s seat, but otherwise this very rare Flachbau Turbo S looks like a showroom fresh car despite the 28,784 miles on the odometer. – Gooding & Company has sold a few of these cars, two of them for over $1M. Those were very low-mile cars, though, and a white one in similar condition sold at Pebble Beach last year for $715,000, making this one seem like a bit of a bargain but not a steal. Sometimes bringing together a bunch of similar cars draws every enthusiast on the planet but here in Amelia 964 Porsches were everywhere and the supply may have fulfilled demand.

Lot # 165 1993 Porsche 911 RS America Coupe; S/N WP0AB2961PS418034; Engine # 62N06059; Polar Silver/Black cloth piped in Red; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $170,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $190,400. – Red calipers, Potenza tires, whale tail, factory cassette stereo. – Special upholstery, carbon fiber trim on the dash and handbrake, red boots for the handbrake and shifter boot, red dash trim. Recently serviced. One of 710 RS Americas built. 1993 models had no rear seat. In showroom condition and showing 1,638 miles which are represented as all it has covered in nearly two and a half decades. Essentially perfect. – The 1993 Carrera RS was a European spec limited production model, while the RS America was essentially a Carrera RS built in compliance with American regulations. When new, it was actually the cheapest 911 you could buy thanks to its sparse equipment, but in typical Porsche fashion these days, less is more and this nearly 200 grand price is appropriate for a low-mile RS America.

Lot # 166 1991 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe; S/N WP0AA2960MS480653; Engine # 61M03039; Ferrari Yellow/Black; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $155,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $173,600. – Sunroof, factory CD stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – Paint to sample Ferrari Fly Yellow paint. Recent service. Like most of this collection, it’s got something special to distinguish it from series production examples. Showing 12,015 miles from new and looks essentially new. Bought in 2011 by the consignor, who has driven it just 30 miles a year since. – Sold on the low end considering the special order paint and like-new condition, but maybe the bidders had their fill with yellow 964s.

Lot # 171 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo 930 Coupe; S/N WP0JB0935KS050489; Engine # 68K00936; Guards Red/Tan leather; Estimate $200,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $200,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $224,000. – Red painted Fuchs wheels, Potenza tires, Flachbau, sunroof, climate control, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, power windows, air conditioning. – Factory slant nose car. Showing 28,271 miles from new, but babied to typical 911 standards. Other than commensurate wear on the seats, it looks like a new car. As an ’89 car, it also has the desirable G50 5-speed. – A factory slant nose can add a premium of up to 30% over a standard 930, but this one sold for essentially what it would have if it had the standard front end. A pretty solid bargain.

Lot # 132 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo 930 Targa; S/N WP0EB0935KS060070; Engine # 68K00261; Velvet Red/Linen leather; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $107,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $120,400. – Black Fuchs wheels, Potenza tires, climate control, Blaupunkt Reno cassette stereo, power windows, limited slip, power seats, air conditioning. – Original colors. Excellent repaint, roof vinyl and wheels. Very good interior with newer seats and carpets. Showing 63,813 miles, but has been restored to like-new condition. As an ’89 Targa, it’s also one of the more collectible 930s. – While this 930 ticks a lot of the right boxes for Porsche-philes, it also faced pretty stiff competition from the dizzying number of special-order 964s and dozens of other Porsches offered across the island. Generally, it seems like the Porsche folks did not get their fill and most cars sold well, but this one just slipped through the cracks. It was one of the few real bargains of the week, not just for Porsches, but of the whole week.

Lot # 170 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo S Leichtbau Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ96ZPS479014; Engine # 61N01537; Speed Yellow/Black; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,200,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $860,000 – Modular wheels, red calipers, roll cage, Sabelt harnesses, air conditioning, power windows, Recaro seats. – One of 86 built. Special lightweight model that weighs just 2,850 pounds and has a hotter engine. Delivered new in Japan. Imported to the U.S. under Show and Display in 2015 but driven at the track recently. 36,151 km from new and has a few chips on the nose. Otherwise in remarkable shape. One of the rarest and quickest 964 variants. – Gooding sold another Speed Yellow 964 Turbo S Leichtbau in Amelia last year for $1,540,000, but that car had just 2,250 km on it. Even so, RM’s $1M low estimate wasn’t unreasonable and neither was the seller for expecting more out of this car, which didn’t attract the same kind of strong bidding as much of the rest of the collection.

Lot # 128 1967 Porsche 911S Coupe; S/N 306571S; Engine # 960649; White/Black vinyl; Estimate $250,000 – $300,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $200,000 – Fuchs wheels, Michelin XZX tires, gold brightwork, Blaupunkt pushbutton stereo, Webasto heater. – Two-owner Texas car. Represented as matching numbers. Has Kardex and CoA. Very good paint and brightwork. Very good fully redone interior. Not overdone, but fully and professionally restored to like new condition. Showing just 97 test miles since completion. – Such a fresh first-year 911S with documentation and no stories deserves several more bids than this. Maybe people were just focused on all the newer Porsches to choose from. It shouldn’t have a problem getting a more appropriate offer if it crosses the block again.

Lot # 135 1967 Porsche 911S Targa Soft Window; S/N 500695; Engine # 911989; Polo Red, Black/Black with houndstooth cloth inserts; Black top; Estimate $100,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $115,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $128,800. – Chromed steel wheels, gold brightwork, plastic rear window, woodrim steering wheel, Blaupunkt pushbutton radio. – Represented as matching numbers. Good older paint and chrome. Slightly wavy roof vinyl. Nearly spotless engine bay. Very good fully restored interior apart from slight waviness and a small scuff on the dash top. Restoration finished 10 years ago and still holding up quite well despite a few flaws. – This is very strong money, even for a soft window Targa, which is a testament to the quality of the restoration and the amount of Porsche-focused money at the Ritz. Five years ago at Bonhams auction in Boca Raton it was a no-sale at $70,000. Times have changed.

Lot # 198 1969 Porsche 912 Coupe; S/N 129020983; Engine # 4093962; White/Black leatherette; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $67,200. – Chromed steel wheels with hub caps, Michelin XZX tires, 5-speed, dealer-installed air conditioning. – Unrestored and showing 24,569 miles. Light cracking in the weather stripping. Small cracks in the dash top and speaker cover but otherwise fantastic original interior. Dull brightwork. Excellent original paint with no flaws to speak of. Mild surface rust poking through the chrome on the left front wheel. Lightly oxidized but very clean underneath. Engine rebuilt in 2013. In fantastic totally original condition, especially for a 912. Porsche CofA and Kardex copy documented. – 1969 is the final and arguably most desirable year for the four-cylinder 912, and this one is preserved to a greater degree than even many unrestored 911s of this vintage. It sold for absolute top dollar, but it would be very hard to find another unrestored one this good.

Now, back to the non-Porsches

Lot # 204 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Standard Steel Saloon; S/N LSJR83; Astral Blue/Light Blue leather; Estimate $80,000 – $90,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $61,600. – Wheel covers, whitewalls, Lucas driving lights, period radio, power windows, original tools. – Finished in original colors. Good older paint and chrome. Some cracking in the windshield gasket. Fantastic original interior with still supple, barely wrinkled leather and very solid wood. You can see why they left it alone. Discolored older tires. Restoration work underneath and a very tidy engine bay. A solid late Cloud III with seemingly none of the issues that can turn these cars expensive very quickly. – This is a solid value in a sound and well-maintained Rolls-Royce that could have brought a little more without being expensive.

Lot # 184 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50hp Roi des Belges Tourer, Body after Barker; S/N 970; Engine # 60970; Cream, Dark Green coachlines/Dark Green leather; Dark Green leather top; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,250,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $940,000 – RHD. Lucas acetylene headlights, kerosene sidelights, single right side spare, bulb horn, varnished wood spoke wheels, double Elliott speedometer, electric starter, 12v electrics. – Owned for decades by Joe Loecy who created this replica of the original Barker body. Refreshed in the early Naughts by Steve Littin, class winner at Pebble Beach in 2007. Original engine. Excellent fresh paint, interior, wood and nickel brightwork. A concours restoration with no evidence of any appreciable use. Known as the ‘Silver Fairy’. – The reported high bid here is really close to the pre-sale low estimate, a strong indication that it could well have moved on to a new owner for the reported bid. It is a gorgeous Ghost, but the reproduction coachwork, even reproducing the original body, limits its appeal.

Lot # 164 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 R&P Roadster; S/N CSX2149; White/Red leather; Estimate $1,000,000 – $1,200,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $900,000 – Silver painted wire wheels, Avon bias ply tires, luggage rack, windwings, grille and trunk guards. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Crisp, sharp gauges. Orderly engine compartment is nearly like new, just showing a little age, as is the chassis. The original “Cobra in the Barn” restored by Tom Cotter and Jim Maxwell after sitting in Dr. Bryan P. Molloy’s barn for almost 20 years. – Sold by RM to the present owner at Monterey in 2005 for $379,500 and still in remarkable condition with about 1,500 more miles on the odometer now than it had thirteen years ago. Its notoriety adds some value, but the reported high bid here is appropriate to its condition and well-preserved originality.

Lot # 199 1937 SS Jaguar 100 2 1/2 Liter Roadster; S/N 18116; Black/Blue leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $340,000 – RHD. Chrome wire wheels, Dunlop tires, dual rear-mounted spares, folding windshield, dual aeroscreens, Lucas headlights, driving and fog lights, light and radiator stoneguards. – U.S. history since 1955, never fully restored but given a good cosmetic restoration some time ago and by all appearances regularly maintained. Orange peely repaint, good upholstery, top and chrome. Orderly engine compartment done to touring standards. Replacement engine. – Sold by RM at Villa Erba in 2013 for $361,760 (Euros 280,000 or about $350,000 at today’s exchange rate) and in largely the same condition today as it was then. It is a sound and usable driver and the consignor’s decision to like it more than the money in the Ritz ballroom is understandable.

Lot # 151 1932 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Coupe, Body by LeBaron; S/N DV1282012; Engine # DV33001; Maroon, /; Estimate $600,000 – $700,000; Older restoration, 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $490,000 plus commission of 11.02%; Final Price $544,000. – Chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts with mirrors, Ryan-Lite headlights, Pilot-Rays, trunk rack, rumble seat, golf bag door. – Pretty coachwork with away low, almost chopped, top, the original LeBaron body with Rollston-style modifications done by Richard Sahlin in 50’s, upgraded to DV-32 specs. Good older paint with small cracks at the front lower corners of the door windows. Dull chrome on the headlight shells and the horns. Lightly creased upholstery, tight top. Sharp, crisp guages. Clean, orderly chassis that is like new. – This was one of the most admired cars during the RM Sotheby’s preview, a gorgeous, sleek, low profile convertible with a rakish look. It was sold by RM from the Milhous Collection in 2012 for $522,500 and changed hands here in nearly impeccable condition for about the same money.

Lot # 149 1966 Sunbeam Tiger Mk IA Convertible; S/N B382000044LRXFE; Black/Beige; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $52,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $58,800. – Centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin X tires, boot cover, woodrim steering wheel, Kenwood CD stereo with speakers in the back, dual mirrors. – Represented with a hardtop and as matching numbers. Tidy and restored but lightly used engine bay. Good older paint. Uneven gaps. Some dull switchgear but mostly good interior. A straightforward, lightly aged and usable Tiger. Good colors and desirable wheels. – Sold at Auburn Fall in 2014 for $110,000. It has been lightly used over the past four years adding just 264 miles to the odometer, but that doesn’t justify the modest price here, which can be considered a bargain for a well and correctly restored 260 Tiger.

Lot # 118 1965 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 Soft Top 4×4; S/N FJ4035802; Engine # 2F041386; Volcanic Beige/Brown vinyl; Olive cloth top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Truck restoration, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $56,000. – Fog lights, hub caps, Firestone tires, rear-mounted spare, later 2F engine. – A very early U.S. market soft top FJ reportedly sold by Toyota’s first U.S. dealership. Restored but not spotless underneath. Very good paint. Excellent interior. No issues to pick on. It’s all been done. A desirable early US market FJ in a rare body style. Prime for collectors other than its later replacement engine. – This FJ sold for $82,500 at Gooding Pebble Beach in 2015, but that was right in the middle of the days when the really good ones were bringing six-figure prices at auction. Things have come back down to earth a bit since then, and this result is a fair price despite the difference.

Lot # 136 1956 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, Body by Karmann; S/N 1081572; Engine # 3204959; Almond Green/Tan vinyl; Brown top; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $72,800. – Wheel covers, whitewalls, fender skirts, dual mirrors, boot cover, VDO dash clock, Motorola radio, sun shades, Dehne fuel gauge, trip odometer, shifter lock. bumper overriders, headlight shades. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Even gaps. Fully restored to very high standards and a show stopper. A ’56 convertible is a rare car in any condition, so one that is this well restored with so many options and accessories is really special. – This is an exorbitant price for a Beetle, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better one or one with more bling, and bling sells on VWs.

Lot # 115 1964 Volkswagen Type 2 Microbus, 21-Window; S/N 1152441; Teal, White/Light Green vinyl piped in Teal; Estimate $90,000 – $125,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $112,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $126,000. – Hub caps and trim rings, Firestone whitewalls, pop-out windshield, Blaupunkt picnic radio, custom 2,007cc engine. – Some light scratches on a few of the windows. Some of the window gaskets on the roof are a little loose. Fully restored but lightly used engine bay that is not spotless. Older tires. Paint coming off around a few of the hinges. Very good fully redone interior. We’ve become accustomed to Transporters being super fresh and overdone, so it is surprising to see this one’s notable but minor flaws. It’s still gorgeous, just not a show winner. – Apparently, the lack of an original engine and the handful of flaws didn’t put anyone off, because this microbus sold for top-end 21-window money.

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