The first, temperature-taking auctions of the year have been held in Scottsdale, Arizona – and with three of the major auction houses racking up sales of almost $120m between them, the market is showing no sign of slowing. All prices are inclusive of buyer’s premium...
Bonhams - Total sold: $23.6m
With an impressive 89% of lots sold, Bonhams almost doubled its 2013 sale total with over $23.6m taken. As expected, the ex-Caraceni Ferrari 212 and 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C were two of the main contributors, selling for $3.2m and $3.1m, respectively. With several other million-dollar sales achieved, James Knight and co. will be looking to the Rétromobile auction in Paris next month with much anticipation. The five top-selling lots:
1. 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Berlinetta 'The Tailor's Car' - $3,190,000
2. 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Supercharged Gran Sport Spider - $3,080,000
3. 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C - $2,640,000
4. 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Sports Phaeton - $1,430,000
5. 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster with Hardtop - $1,237,500
Gooding & Company - Total sold: $49.5m
David Gooding will no doubt end the weekend a very contented man indeed, with the 94% of lots sold at the Scottsdale Fashion Square leading to a near-$50m sales total. The auction saw 11 new World Records set, including the $6.2m for a Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet, and the $5.3m for the ex-Works McLaren F1 GTR Longtail. Other cars to break model records included a Ferrari 330 GTS ($2,062,500), a Ferrari Dino GT ($473,000), and an Alfa Romeo Montreal ($176,000). The five top-selling lots:
1. 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series 1 Cabriolet - $6,160,000
2. 1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail - $5,280,000
3. 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series I Coupé - $3,300,000
4. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé Speciale - $2,365,000
5. 1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton - $2,090,000
RM Auctions - Total sold $45.6m
Among the records set by RM this week was the coveted ‘most expensive car sold in Arizona auction week history’, the result of the $8.8m achieved by the Ferrari 250 GT LWB Cal’ Spider. Other top-sellers included the $2.75m Porsche 718 RS 61 Spyder and the $2.2m Duesenberg Model J ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible Coupé, but the record $165,000 paid for a 1970 Mercedes SL ‘Pagoda’ also impressed. The five top-selling lots:
1. 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider - $8,800,000
2. 1961 Porsche 718 RS 61 Spyder - $2,750,000
3. 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L 'Lusso' - $2,447,500
4. 1930 Duesenberg Model J 'Disappearing Top' Convertible Coupé - $2,200,000
5. 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB - $1,815,000
Photos: Bonhams, Gooding & Company, RM Auctions
