Arizona sale by RM Sotheby´ s

DAYTONA SPIDER AND FOUR-CAR SINGLE-OWNER COLLECTION SWELL THE RANKS OF ITALIAN EXOTICA ON OFFER

RM SOTHEBY’S TO OFFER ‘THE BEST OF THE BEST’ 1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL ALLOY GULLWING AT ARIZONA AUCTION

• Stunning Ferrari feast to cross the block in Arizona
• Latest consignments led by 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti
• A rare survivor and a unique and peerless specimen of the Alloy Gullwing with fascinating provenance
• Numerous blue-chip collectibles from across all eras join the Arizona sale

BLENHEIM, Ontario – RM Sotheby’s is adding an incredible selection of Ferraris to the already outstanding lots going under the hammer in Arizona on 27 January.

Few road-going Ferraris of the 1970s are more coveted than the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti. The 31st of just 121 examples built, this is a wonderful example of Maranello’s celebrated spider. Once owned by a famous Hollywood director, the car offered is an FCA Platinum Award winner and retains its numbers-matching engine and gearbox. The Daytona is one of only 14 originally finished in Argento Metallizzato paint over a Nero interior and is beautifully restored in its original specification. It is equally suited for presentation at FCA events and major concours d’elegance, or simply enjoyed for its powerful and refined drivetrain, inviting serious tifosi to indulge in one of the most iconic and exotic, drophead sports cars ever produced. (Estimate: $2,400,000 – $2,800,000).

Offered from The Dr. Terry Maxon Collection are four further stunning Ferraris. Leading the group across the block is a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina. An exceptional example of another of Maranello’s great grand touring spiders, the car on offer is one of only 99 examples built and boasts 46 years of meticulous mechanical upkeep under the dedicated ownership of a single, enthusiast owner. This highly desirable GTS will go to its new owner with a spare wheel set and accompanied by a comprehensive Massini report, period SEFAC certificate of origin, Chinetti Motors delivery note, and service and parts invoices (Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,000,000). Accompanying the GTS in Arizona is a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB by Scaglietti. One of the Maranello marque’s most desirable models, this fastidiously maintained example has benefited from 36 years of care within the consignor’s collection. Presented in outstanding, highly original condition, the car won the preservation class award at the 2015 Arizona Concours d’Elegance and was presented at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Documented with a Massini report and a handwritten logbook dating back to 1985, this GTB retains its numbers-matching V-12 engine and is offered with two spare wheel sets. Offering marque aficionados and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire a pure example of the earliest variant of the 275 GTB (Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,000,000). Also offered from the collection are a lovely 1962 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series II by Pininfarina, maintained by the owner for 37 years, this car is perfect for being driven and enjoyed (Estimate $175,000 – $225,000), while the 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB Club Racer offers enthusiasts a highly modified and track-ready competition car that was subject to a 13-year build to full race specification (Estimate: $30,000 – $40,000).

Another outstanding Ferrari lot to cross the block in Arizona is a 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale by Pininfarina, one of just six “Speciale” examples built on the 330 GTC platform. This GTC was the fourth example built and was provided new to Sergio Pininfarina as a design study of further GTC development. It retains its numbers-matching engine and boasts numerous one-off features, including pop-up foglamps and several prototype features that were subsequently approved for production examples. An exacting 14-year restoration was completed in 2002, including a refinish in the original factory paint color (Estimate: $700,000 – $900,000).

Aside from the Ferrari marque, the Arizona sale features a number of outstanding sports cars to suit all tastes and requirements. The ultimate incarnation of Lancia’s most celebrated post-war model, and one of only 181 left-hand-drive examples – a 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America by Pinin Farina – will cross the block in Arizona. Tended by marque experts and exhibited at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, this Aurelia retains its numbers-matching engine and is desirably equipped with Nardi intake and a rare Fontana low-roof hardtop. It is eligible for exclusive premium touring events or to simply cruise in ultimate style (Estimate: $900,000 – $1,200,000). The sale will also feature an award-winning example of the exceedingly sought-after “Split-Window” coupe. A 1951 Porsche 356 ‘Split-Window’ Coupe by Reutter, finished in its original color combination of Adriablau metallisch over grey “Hafele”. The car has been subject to a painstaking, factory-accurate restoration by a group of early 356 specialists and will go to its new owner with a copy of its factory Kardex and boasting a host of awards recently won across a number of prestigious events (Estimate: $550,000 – $600,000).

And proving that it wasn’t only Ferrari that produced beautiful and powerful GT cars in the 1960s, is the 1967 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 by Touring. A model that is always in demand with collectors, the example on offer in Arizona is one of only 247 examples produced between 1966 and 1968. It would be hard to find a better example anywhere in the world, having recently undergone a stunning restoration by marque specialist Gary Bobileff, finished in its striking original colors of Bleu Notte over a Tabacco interior. Retaining its numbers-matching Bizzarini-designed V-12 engine, the car is Lamborghini Polo Storico certified and accompanied by Polo Storico documentation. Not publicly shown since the restoration was completed, this car is an outstanding opportunity to acquire a 400 GT that will be welcome at concours events around the world (Estimate: $450,000 – $550,000).

For those seeking high performance in a more up-to-date supercar package, Arizona has plenty to offer. Most recent consignments include a 2019 Ford GT with just 21.3 miles from new at the time of cataloguing, which will cross the block finished in the stunning shade of Ingot Silver with Comp Orange stripes and equipped with $76,995 in options (Estimate: $950,000 – $1,150,000). Offered from its original owner, a 2012 Lexus LFA, presented in Whitest White over an exclusive orange/black leather, comprehensively accompanied by its service records, car cover, window sticker, carbon fiber Tumi luggage, delivery literature, LFA hat and pullover, manuals, keys, and even its original, serialized laser-cut crystal sculpture and cradle will go under the hammer in Arizona (Estimate: $650,000 – $750,000).

RM Sotheby’s is also excited to offer what many consider to be the finest of the ultimate specification, road-going, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing sports cars in the world. A simply stunning 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing.

The 13th of the 24 Alloy Gullwings produced in 1955. Chassis number 5500332 was ordered by official Mercedes-Benz agent Joseph F. Weckerlé of Casablanca, Morocco. It was fitted with all the requisite lightweight equipment and finished in Silver Gray Metallic (DB 180) over a blue vinyl/blue gabardine fabric interior (L1). Additional factory specifications include a full complement of desirable features such as the high-speed 3.42 rear axle with uprated metric 270-kph speedometer, Becker radio, and standard glass windows (as opposed to Plexiglas). It was the only Alloy example commissioned by Weckerlé, and as such, the sole specimen delivered new to Africa.

THE SPORTS CAR OF THE CENTURY

To many collectors and enthusiasts, the 300 SL Gullwing Coupe is considered to be the sports car of the century and the most iconic of all the post-war sports car designs. Representing the peak of the model’s roadgoing development is the Leichtmetallausführung, or Light Metal Version, produced in aluminum. Commonly known as the “Alloy” Gullwing, it is unequivocally the ultimate production version of Mercedes-Benz’s most celebrated creation.

The Alloy Gullwing boasts a special, competition-bred configuration, which differs in many ways from the standard steel-bodied production car. These incredibly rare and historically significant Alloy coupes were purpose-built for competition and the changes resulted in an overall weight reduction of 209 pounds, thus making the Alloy Gullwing especially competitive against the best of the competition. The cars also featured race-bred, high-performance NSL engines tuned to deliver in excess of 215 horsepower. Rudge center-mount wheels came standard, as did special vented front brake drums. Finally, the suspension was revised with exclusive springs and shocks, which provided better high-speed handling. Mercedes-Benz commenced production in 1955, and factory records show just 29 examples were made available to private customers.

RM Sotheby’s Arizona auction will take place at The Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E Missouri Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85016 USA, on Thursday, 27 January – 5:00 PM – Preview will take place on Wednesday, 26 January.

23rd annual Arizona sale

by RM Sotheby´ s