This may be one of the most idiosyncratic, expensive and irrelevant collections ever assembled.
People collect all kinds of things, and sometimes specialize in surpassingly tiny variations of a single theme:
- David Andreani in Italy has over 10,000 Coca-Cola cans;
- Becky Martz has over 21,000 banana labels (“banana labels”?);
- David Morgan in England (who claims to have invented the artifact ) has over 500 traffic cones which is but a small fraction of the flexible cones mangled on the margins of highways;
- In China Chen Qingzu has over 5,000 brassieres;
- Nick Vermeulen has almost 6,300 airline puke bags.
For that indispensable if trivial background I credit – not wanting to emulate the citation-skipping Claudine Gay, President of Harvard –cubeselfstorage.my.
But for obsession it’s hard not to credit the person who put together the White Collection which RM Sotheby’s sold in Houston, Texas on two days, December 1-2, 2023.
The whole place was white: walls, floor, ceiling, furniture. 49 of the 62 vehicle lots offered were Porsche 911 variations in hues of white, with a smattering of neutrals. Six more were non-911, but white, Porsches and two of the seven remaining were Porsche tractors, a total of 57 Porsche-brand lots out of 62 total.
Apparently others felt the pull, clarity, purity and simplicity of white, as the numbers that follow, which are unusually strong for a late 2023 auction, show. I find this collection contrived and boring even as I credit the collector’s dedication and vision. White Porsches? Red Ferraris? Silver Mercedes?
It was, however, a relief from the jellybean colors of McLarens.
| Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Sold < Low Est | Sold > High Est | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ |
| 61/62 | 98.4% | 54.1% | 6.6% | $482,283 | $318,500
[66%] |
$29,419,250 |
Andrew Newton wrote of 19 of the following cars from RM’s website; I did one further. Photos are by Darin Schnabel, copyright and courtesy of RM Sotheby’s, overprinted here only to deter copyists.
Lot # 2106 1977 Porsche 924 ‘Martini Championship Edition Coupe; S/N 9247211279; Engine # XH007048; Police White, Martini graphics/Black leatherette, Blue piping, Red cloth; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $29,120. – 1,984/125hp, 5-speed, white wheels, AM/FM/cassette, original books. – One of about 3,000 built to commemorate Porsche’s 1976 World Sportscar Championship title with its Martini-liveried 936. Showing 24,769 miles, regularly maintained, and has been in current ownership since 2019. The beautiful interior, seemingly flaw-free paint and highly detailed engine bay leave it looking like a car with even fewer miles. – The first automotive lot of the sale and the cheapest Porsche (a 1952 Kleinschnittger microcar sold for $24,200), this car nevertheless brought the tip-top end of the price spectrum for early 924s. Given the impeccable preservation and rare Martini colors, it deserves every penny of that $29,120.
Lot # 2114 1976 Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo Coupe; S/N 9306800233; Engine # 6860231; Grand Prix White/Cinnamon leather; Estimate $325,000 – $425,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $350,000 plus commission of 11.43%; Final Price $390,000. – 2,994/234hp, 4-speed, Comet Diamond Fuchs wheels, Pirelli tires, limited-slip, Blaupunkt cassette, air conditioning, California emissions equipment, books, tools. – First year for the US-spec 930 Turbo. Showing 8,235 miles and represented as the numbers-matching engine. In current ownership since 2014. Little age to speak of, especially since this car is nearly 50 years old. – This is a very good early 930 but it isn’t the world’s best. Even so, it got absolute top dollar at this sale. The persistence of the 930 Turbo’s value, despite its anemic 234hp, continues to surprise but in its day it was a gargantuan performer and that reputation survives among a certain era of collectors who remember this as a dream car among its contemporaries.
Lot # 2119 2004 Porsche 911 GT2 Coupe; S/N WP0AB29984S696063; Carrara White/Black leather; Estimate $350,000 – $450,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $360,000 plus commission of 11.39%; Final Price $401,000. – 3600/476hp, 6-speed, ceramic composite brakes, black wheels, Pirelli P Zero tires, yellow calipers, window sticker, books and tools. – Showing 3,717 miles. Represented as one of 303 996-generation GT2s delivered new to the US. Two-owner car and like new. – The second 911 GT2, the 996-generation car was primarily designed as a road car, whereas the previous 993 GT2 was more a race car for the road. But it’s still a capable track car even 20 years later. It was also the first Porsche road car with carbon ceramic brakes. This is a rare car, but its specs are otherwise nothing out of the ordinary. Nevertheless, it sold for a big premium in this venue. Closer to 200 grand for these cars is more common.
Lot # 2121 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe; S/N WP0AC2990VS375827; Glacier White/Black leather; Estimate $700,000 – $900,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $780,000 plus commission of 10.64%; Final Price $863,000. – 3.6/424hp, 6-speed, painted Turbo Twist wheels, yellow calipers, carbon fiber interior accents, sport front seats, rear seat delete, digital sound package with remote CD changer, all-leather package, window sticker, books and tools. – One of 183 built for North America in 1997. Showing 5,267 miles. Sold new in California for a reported $182,496. Carefully preserved and like new. – One of the ultimate air-cooled 911s, the 993 Turbo S offered added performance while retaining the comfort and luxury of standard Turbo models. Since the Porsche boom of the mid-2010s the cleanest Turbo Ss have been half-million-dollar-plus cars. Again, though, unique specs and fantastic condition brought a car from the White Collection to a beyond top dollar result. Only the ex-Otis Chandler paint-to-sample 993 Turbo S, which sold for $896,000 in Monterey this year, is more expensive. A choice car with bragging rights attached, but expensive.
Lot # 2123 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0 Coupe; S/N 9114609106; Engine # 6840124; Grand Prix White, Gold Carrera/Midnight leatherette; Estimate $2,250,000 – $2,750,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,750,000. – 2,994/230hp, 5-speed, gold center Fuchs wheels, Pirelli tires, 917 brakes, racing seats, 4-point Repa belts. – One of 55 built. Represented as numbers-matching engine and gearbox. Originally a factory demonstration car. Later owned by Ohio Porsche dealer and racer Chuck Stoddard for 20 years. Mostly original paint, original interior, 29,452 km, five owners from new and cherished. – Bought at RM’s Amelia Island auction in 2017 for $1,375,000, this is the only “White” Porsche that didn’t sell in this specialist auction, an aberration in an otherwise magnanimously successful sale that saw many magnanimous prices. It was one of only fourteen lots with reserves.
Lot # 2124 1970 Porsche 914/6 Targa; S/N 9140430355; Engine # 6404223; Light Ivory, Black roof panel/Black leatherette; Estimate $120,000 – $140,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $89,600. – 1,991/125hp, 5-speed, chromed wheels, original AM/FM pushbutton radio, books and tools. – Single family ownership until 2018, and in current ownership since then. Unrestored, showing 86,893 miles, and largely original other than a reported respray on the left rear quarter panel. Represented as the original engine and gearbox. The paint, interior and engine show wear and age commensurate with the level of use, but it’s clear that this car has been lovingly maintained from new and it is too good to be restored at this point. – Despite the impressive level of originality and preservation of this car combined with the knowledgeable and deep-pocketed bidders at this sale, nothing out of the ordinary happened when this car crossed the block. There were plenty of monster prices out of the White Collection, but this was simply a #3+ car sold for #3+ money and a bit of a surprise. Most of the bidders may have been here for the later model low mileage 911s and overlooked this 914/6 gem turning it into a good value in this auction for the wise bidder who snapped it up.
Lot # 2127 1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster, Body by Reutter; S/N 84742; Engine # 69261; Ivory, Black hardtop/Black leatherette; Estimate $450,000 – $550,000; Visually maintained, largely original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $285,000 plus commission of 11.75%; Final Price $318,500. – 1,582/70hp, Zenith carburetors, 4-speed, Glaspar hardtop, Marchal headlamps, disc wheels, gold brightwork, bumper overriders, Kardex, Porsche CofA, original service book, registrations and invoices. – US-spec car represented as matching numbers in the catalog but disclosed at the sale as a restamped engine. The Zenith carbs are correct for a 1600 normal, but only until 1956, later should be Solex. Documented history. Not represented as ever having been restored but presents quite well with a few signs of use and a highly detailed engine bay. – Another market-appropriate result for this final-year Speedster which, in the context of this largely expensive White Collection auction, is the exception rather than the rule. With all the attention directed at the late model 99X series 911s this good 356A Speedster was overlooked, to the benefit of the astute buyer who snapped it up.
Lot # 2128 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ99ZAS794151; Engine # SA00696; Sport Classic Grey/Espresso leather; Estimate $600,000 – $800,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $580,000 plus commission of 10.86%; Final Price $643,000. – 3.8/408hp, 6-speed, sport shifter, black Fuchs-style wheels, yellow calipers, carbon ceramic brakes, fire bottle, books and tools. – Delivered new to Bosnia but acquired by the current owner in 2010 and reportedly the first 911 Sport Classic imported to the United States. In this country under “show and display” exemption. Number 116 of 250 built and represented with 1,794 km (1,115 miles), the vast majority of them accumulated during dyno testing for emissions compliance. – As suggested by the name, the Sport Classic evokes classic 911s of the ’70s while offering a modest performance bump over contemporary base 911s. It cost roughly GT2 levels of money so it wasn’t exactly a good performance value, but its limited production ensured people would covet it. This is one of only a handful of cars out of the White Collection that isn’t, well, white, but it still sold at a very strong top-of-the-market result. Only a 150-mile car, sold in Scottsdale back in 2019, has brought more at $654,000.
Lot # 2129 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe; S/N WP0AB0914KS120272; Grand Prix White/Marine Blue; Estimate $175,000 – $250,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $185,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $207,200. – 3.2/214hp, 5-speed, white Fuchs wheels, sport shocks, limited-slip, cruise control, sunroof, Blaupunkt Reno radio, books, tool roll, jack, air pump, window sticker. – Sold new in Washington. Fully documented history and in current ownership since 2012. Currently showing 10,870 miles. Babied since new and seldom driven. – Unlike many of the cars out of this collection, this is essentially just a regular production 911 that has been lightly driven and well cared for, like many vintage 911s out there. Even so, it blew past blew past the usual prices to about double the result of what most other low-mile ’89 Carrera coupes sell for. The “White Porsche” provenance counts but this is a generous provenance valuation in dollars.
Lot # 2130 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Coupe; S/N WP0AE2A90KS155248; Engine # 004070; Grand Prix White, Exposed blue carbon/Yachting Blue leather with Bianco Leda piping; Estimate $700,000 – $900,000; Unrestored original 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $910,000 plus commission of 10.55%; Final Price $1,006,000. – 3.8/690hp, Weissach performance package, Dark Sea Blue painted magnesium wheels, Yellow calipers, front axle lift, Bose stereo, Sport Chrono package, extended-range fuel tank, window sticker and other documentation. – Showing 15 miles, one-owner car. Unique specs and represented with over $344,000 of bespoke options from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, to a total of $639,345. – Another record-breaking price for an exquisitely-optioned museum-grade car. It beat the previous record for this generation of GT2 RS by about a quarter-million dollars. And it’s another bit of irony where one of the most track capable cars in the world will, at this price, probably never turn a wheel in anger on a road course, or for that matter, anywhere else. Exclusivity has its price, in this case 50% more than it cost new four years ago… and it’s not even to the new owner’s Exclusive desires. It is a breathtaking result.
Lot # 2131 1959 Porsche 356A Carrera GS de Luxe Coupe, Body by Reutter; S/N 106545; Engine # 93062; Ivory/Red leatherette; Estimate $600,000 – $750,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $510,000 plus commission of 10.98%; Final Price $566,000. – 1,587/121hp, 4-speed, chrome Rudge centerlock wheels, Michelin tires, Simpson lap belts, Blaupunkt pushbutton radio, Hirschmann antenna, Eberspacher B3 heater, bumper overriders. – One of 31 built for 1959. Delivered new in England to a member of the RAF. Represented as matching numbers and restored in its original colors in 1990. In current ownership since 2012. The car has been kept very clean and highly detailed since its restoration, and shows little age. – A decent and appropriate result given the age of the restoration but also recognizing the impressive state it’s in and the unusual combination of the 692/2 ohc engine with abundant (for the time) occupant comforts and conveniences. It combines surprising performance with ordinary appearance in an unusual package.
Lot # 2134 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S X85 ‘Flat-Nose’ Coupe; S/N WP0AC2965RS480441; Engine # 61R01023; Grand Prix White/Tan Leather; Estimate $1,500,000 – $2,000,000; Unrestored original 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,325,000 plus commission of 10.38%; Final Price $1,462,500. – 3,601/355hp turbo, 5-speed, polished 18-inch RS Cup wheels, red calipers, sunroof, rootwood interior accents, factory cassette, air compressor, car cover, books, tool roll, original window sticker. – Represented as one of 39 examples built for the US market in 1994 and one of two X85 Turbo S Porsches in this color anywhere. Showing just 39 miles. Sold new to the Blackhawk Collection and there until 2016. A prime example of one of the last and fastest 964-generation 911s, with a very rare and desirable combination of options and equipment. Recently serviced. – Among 964s the Turbo S Flachbau is about as valuable as it gets, and the consignor bought this one in Monterey back in 2016 (from the Blackhawk Collection) for $1.1M. It shows just 1 more mile on the odometer and as it has been a cherished collector car from new that is likely all it has covered under its own power. This result is still appropriate, but given inflation ($1.1M in 2016 is about $1.4M today) and other costs associated with ownership and then selling via auction, he didn’t make any money on this one.
Lot # 2137 2016 Porsche 911 R Coupe; S/N WP0AF2A94GS195255; Engine # G07042; Grand Prix White, Blue stripes/Yachting Blue leather with houndstooth cloth; Estimate $700,000 – $800,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,000,000 plus commission of 10.50%; Final Price $1,105,000. – 3,996/500hp, 6-speed, front axle lift, Sport Chrono package, white wheels, yellow calipers, painted key and leather key pouch, deviated carbon fiber floor mats, satellite radio, Bose surround sound, fire bottle, extended-range fuel tank (23.9 gallons), aluminum-look fuel cap, carbon fiber door sill guards, SportDesign exterior mirrors, PCM, auto-dimming mirrors. – Single owner car delivered in 2017 at a $296,480 original cost and currently showing 20 (well, 19.7) miles. Reportedly ordered with $92,899 in options. – Given its extensive options and like-new condition along with everything from detailed order correspondence to its pre-delivery coverings, it’s no surprise that this museum-grade 911 R came at an additional premium. In fact, it’s another record price. The high-performance, limited-production 911 R unsurprisingly became a darling of collectors and speculators when it came out in 2016, but when Porsche introduced the manual-only Touring package for the 911.2-generation GT3 that offered a similar experience for significantly less money, 911 R prices dropped. Rs have since recovered but, with this single exception, they haven’t really been close to seven-figure cars. This was another case of a unique option combo, like-new condition and a bunch of Porschephiles in one room working together to drive the price up.
Lot # 2146 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8 Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ96ZPS496109; Engine # 62P85675; Grand Prix White/Can Can Red leather; Estimate $2,000,000 – $2,500,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,880,000 plus commission of 10.27%; Final Price $2,073,000. – 3,746 twin-ignition Le Mans-spec engine, 5-speed, 120-liter fuel cell, air jack system, passenger’s seat, locking rear diff, gold brake calipers, Speedline RS modular wheels with Amethyst Metallic spiders, roll cage, Schroth harnesses, white face gauges. Sold on bill of sale. – Represented as the second of two “Strassenversion” RSRs built by Porsche Motorsport, and indeed the all-red fully appointed leather interior stands out on what otherwise looks like a race car. Delivered new to the UK and currently showing 70 km (43 miles). In current ownership since 2015. Original engine, gearbox and tires. – One of the rarest and quickest cars built on the 964 platform, this car came about after Porsche Motorsport built roughly 50 3.8-liter RSRs for competition and a British enthusiast specified the last two for road use. This example is certainly impressive but, interestingly, both of these Carrera RSR 3.8 Strassenversions have sold at auction. Bonhams just sold the other one (finished in Polar Silver) in Abu Dhabi. Its slightly lower mileage as well as the Cosmoline still covering the car were apparently worth an extra few grand, because it brought $2,127,500 all-in. Now, what is the new owner going to do with it?
Lot # 2148 1997 Porsche 911 GT2 Coupe; S/N WP0ZZZ99ZVS392077; Engine # 61V01056; Glacier White/Black leather; Estimate $2,000,000 – $2,200,000; Visually maintained, largely original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,175,000 plus commission of 10.23%; Final Price $2,397,500. – 3.6/430hp, 6-speed, air conditioning, locking diff, fog lights, power steering, Speedline RS wheels, red calipers, Porsche CR-3 radio, air jacks, tools. – Delivered new to Japan. Showing 15,226 km (9,461 miles). One of 194 roadgoing 993-generation GT2 cars built. In current ownership since 2015, then cosmetically refinished and detailed in 2016. – The GT2 is at the top of the food chain when it comes to these late air-cooled 911s, but this price is beyond most. Typically these cars bring somewhere between $1.0M and $1.5M, so this was a massive result for a road-configured GT2. Only the new owner’s best Porschephile friends will know this GT2, without exterior identification except for a subtle “911 GT” on the engine cover, will know this is a rare 993-generation GT2. 430 hp? Impressive but not fabulous. Expensive? Yes.
Lot # 2150 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring Coupe; S/N 9113601235; Engine # 6631213; Grand Prix White, Blue Carrera script/Black leatherette; Estimate $900,000 – $1,200,000; Visually maintained, largely original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $895,000 plus commission of 10.56%; Final Price $989,500. – 2,687/210hp, 5-speed, blue Fuchs wheels. Comes with uninstalled Becker Mexico cassette radio. – Sold new in Italy. In current ownership since 2012, and since then has had an engine/gearbox rebuild, suspension service, and other mechanical attention. Represented as numbers matching. Not represented as a restored car but presents like one and is represented as original paint and interior. – The ’73 Carrera RS 2.7 came in two guises – “Touring” and “Lightweight.” Less is more in Porsche-world, and because the Lightweight was given fewer creature comforts it is worth far more. The Touring offers the same look and pedigree along with much the same driving experience but is worth about half as much. Case in point is this car, which brought $989,500 against the $1.875M brought by the Lightweight out of the same collection.
Lot # 2151 1987 Porsche 928 S4 Coupe; S/N WP0JB0922HS862168; Engine # 81H01229; Grand Prix White/Crimson leather; Estimate $100,000 – $140,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $112,000. – 4,957/316hp, 5-speed, limited-slip, sport shocks, sunroof, factory cassette, heated seats, alarm, window sticker, air compressor, tools. – Fully documented, consistently maintained, and showing 12,285 miles with few signs of age or use. – The 928 had a long (1978-95) production run. It evolved and improved itself quite a bit during that time, while sales figures for various iterations varied widely. Prices have a huge range as a result, with driver-quality early cars coming in at barely 20 grand territory and the final GTS (1992-95) cars costing well into six figures. This is a strong but not over-the-top result for a clean S4, which falls somewhere in the middle of the 928 ladder.
Lot # 2154 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight Coupe; S/N 9113601406; Engine # 6631376; Grand Prix White, Red Carrera script/Black cloth; Estimate $1,750,000 – $2,000,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,700,000 plus commission of 10.29%; Final Price $1,875,000. – 2,687/210hp, 5-speed, red Fuchs wheels, heated rear glass, headrests, vehicle order, original sales order, Porsche CofA documented. – One of 200 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweights, and a rare US-delivery car that is represented as matching numbers. Partially restored by Otis Chandler then updated after its 2011 acquisition by the White Collection in 2011. Known ownership history including Otis Chandler. Lightly restored in the late 1990s/early 2000s and showing little age to speak of. – As far as classic 911 road cars go, the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight is the peak, and a Lightweight (thinner steel, thinner glass, stripped interior) can be worth about twice what a standard Carrera RS 2.7 Touring. This one sold strongly for the age of its restoration but not excessively. It could have been yours at Christie’s Lyndhurst auction in 1998 when it was in “Not like new, but very nice” condition for $59,700 where it sold to Otis Chandler while still unrestored.
Lot # 2157 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Roadster; S/N WP0CA2A13FS800656; Engine # F01451; Grand Prix White/Yachting Blue leather with Bianco Leda piping; Estimate $2,500,000 – $3,000,000; Unrestored original 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $3,575,000 plus commission of 10.14%; Final Price $3,937,500. – 4593/887hp hybrid, luggage, silver calipers, exposed weave-matched carbon fiber detailing, Burmester audio, Yachting Blue seatbelts, extended charging cable. Comes with Porsche 918 Spyder Circle race suit/helmet/driving shoes, Porsche Design 918 Spyder Circle Chronotimer, and Martini graphic set. – Delivered new via Porsche of North Houston with a reported $96,000 in bespoke tailoring from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur and with a reported original MSRP of $1,028,200. Showing 12 miles. It wears the same paint-to-sample Grand Prix White and Yachting Blue interior colors as the GT2 RS out of the same collection, but it’s still a unique car in its combination of colors and options, and appropriately called the “crown jewel” of this collection. If this isn’t the world’s most desirable 918 Spyder, it’s close. – At this price, it’s certainly the world’s most expensive 918, and quadrupling in price over the course of less than a decade is one hell of an ROI. This price is double what other clean low-mile 918s typically sell for. The general trend at this auction was bidders paying up for rare/unique options, but this was an extreme example that is linked to this high profile and well-publicised auction and is unlikely to be replicated the next time this car comes up for sale whether at auction or in a private transaction.
Lot # 2160 1978 Porsche 911 SC 3.0 Martini Championship Edition Coupe; S/N 9118201812; Engine # 6282121; Grand Prix White, Martini graphics/Red leather; Estimate $75,000 – $125,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $115,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $128,800. – 2,993/172hp, 5-speed, black Fuchs wheels, factory cassette, fog lights, books, tools. – Delivered new in Houston, represented as numbers-matching engine and gearbox. Showing 23,182 miles. Documented history and well-kept with only light signs of use and age. – 911s SCs are typically one of the very cheapest entries into vintage Porsche 911 ownership. This result, though, even with a decent premium for the over-the-top but rare Martini graphics, is huge. It’s very rare to see a 911 SC break six figures even with special edition graphics from the factory. This is a good one, but it’s not as good as this price indicates unless the Porsche market has taken an unexpected turn.