This week’s highlights from the Classic Driver Market

Of the numerous auction house cars that flooded the market this week, it was an extremely rare 1963 Abarth Simca ‘Long-Nose World Champion’ coupé that caught our collective eye. It’s another car from the Maranello Rosso collection that Bonhams has been selected to sell off over several auctions…

Auctions | Cars

Abarth Simca

EUR 151 496 - 201 995

Market | Cars

1989 Jaguar XJR Racing Car - XJR-10

P.O.R.

Market | Cars

1997 Lamborghini Diablo - 5.7 VT Roadster

EUR 165 086

Auctions | Cars

1955 Austin-Healey 100

EUR 757 480 - 1 009 973

Auctions | Cars

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

EUR 1 199 344 - 1 388 714

Market | Cars

1940 Horch 853 - A Sportroadster

P.O.R.

Market | Cars

1965 Bizzarrini 5300 GT

P.O.R.

Market | Cars

1970 Lamborghini Miura - S

P.O.R.

Market | Cars

1971 Rolls-Royce Corniche I - Coupé

EUR 72 000

Market | Cars

1970 Porsche 914 - 914/6 GT Tribute

P.O.R.

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Magazine | Cars

This week’s highlights from the Classic Driver Market

LIBRARY  

Magazine | Cars

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How 36 forgotten Corvettes were rescued from a 25-year slumber

Around 25 years ago, pop artist Peter Max bought a collection of 36 Corvettes – and subsequently left them languishing in a New York garage gathering dust for almost two decades...

One for every year

The fascinating story began in 1989, when US music channel VH1 was looking for a way to boost flagging ratings. One producer suggested a competition that offered the prize of a Chevrolet Corvette from every model year since its 1953 launch; Long Island carpenter Dennis Amadeo won the resulting telephone sweepstake, acquiring 36 'vettes (and a 2.5kg bag of keys) with a combined value of $610,000 at the time. Even before Amadeo had the chance to savour his win, he was persuaded to part company with the entire job lot by psychedelic artist Peter Max, who paid him $250,000 cash and another $250,000 in artwork assets. Max’s decision to acquire was a hurried one, supposedly inspired by a dream that involved “cheerleaders, the 36 'vettes, and a stadium full of people yelling ‘They're Peter Max's cars!’”

Pop-art project on hold

The decision proved perhaps too hasty: with his work in such demand, Max never found time to complete the art project he had planned for the cars, and the issue of storing them became more pertinent. They spent the majority of Max’s ownership in an underground garage in New York, gathering dust and angering neighbours. Sold in one go to a new owner last July, the cars will now be restored and sent to auction as individual lots some time next year. Photographer Richard Prince was able to capture the forgotten Corvettes in their dilapidated state shortly before they were relocated for revival. 

Photos: Richard Prince Photography

You can find all Corvettes of all generations for sale in the Classic Driver Market.

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