- RM sets the tone for yet another fantastic Monterey auction by posting $51,635,000 in sales during the first night of its two-day sale held during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance motoring week
- Highlights of the night included the ex-Jim Kimberly 1953 Ferrari 375 MM Spider which sold for $9,075,000 and the 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster which sold for $7,480,000
- 11 lots realized individual million-dollar-plus results with numerous world records achieved during RM’s Friday sale session with more incredible lots still to follow on Saturday night (August 17)
MONTEREY, California (August 17, 2013) – Amongst the numerous blue-chip cars to go under the hammer during the first night of RM’s Monterey weekend sale, the fabulous 1953 Ferrari 375 MM Spider which boasts an incredible racing history and a unique pontoon fender body, stole the limelight selling for $9,075,000. Bought new by Jim Kimberly of the Kimberly-Clark business empire, the car was campaigned extensively in period and won the SCCA National. The sale of this historic car further demonstrates the strength of the Ferrari marque and the demand for blue-chip examples with exceptional provenance and continuous documented history.
The 375 MM was just one of numerous cars to achieve exceptional prices during the sale. Another car to attract significant pre-sale interest from collectors around the world was the 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster, a rare and stunning pre-war grand touring car with one-off coachwork by Sindelfingen. Offered in outstanding, restored condition, this wonderful car garnered $7,480,000. Two further lots enjoyed exceptional bidding, including the 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider, another spectacular sports racing Ferrari from the golden era of motorsport, which sold for $4,070,000 and the 1955 Jaguar D-Type, which sold for $3,905,000.
RM Monterey Million-Dollar-Plus Sales (Friday)
1. 1953 Ferrari 375 MM Spider – $9,075,000
2. 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster - $7,480,000
3. 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider - $4,070,000 (establishing a new world record price for a Ferrari 750 Monza at public auction).
4. 1955 Jaguar D-Type – $3,905,000
5. 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta – $3,080,000
6. 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Coupe Aerodinamico – $2,750,000
7. 1958 Lister-Jaguar ‘Knobbly’ Prototype – $1,980,000 (establishing a new world record price for a Lister-Jaguar sold at public auction)
8. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing – $1,485,000
9. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster – $1,430,000
10. 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L 'Lusso’ Belinetta – $1,386,000
11. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II – $1,292,500 (establishing a new world record for a Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet at public auction)
Additional notable Friday sales included:
- an incredible, fully restored 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB Daytona, described as one of the best in the world, exceeded its pre-sale estimate, selling for $770,000 and establishes a world record auction price for a production specification, non-competition Daytona.
- always in demand, a remarkably original 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra proved its appeal by selling for $924,000
- a rare car and a ‘modern’ classic, the awesome 1985 Porsche 959 ‘Vorserie’ sold for $670,000
- a beautifully restored 1932 Chrysler CH Imperial Cabriolet, which established a new world record for the model at public auction, sold for $660,000.
- a fabulous 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster, in stunning colors, sold for $269,500, establishing a new world record for the model at public auction.
RM’s annual Monterey sale continues today, Saturday, August 17 at the Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, CA. In total, some 120 automobiles will cross the auction podium over the two days as part of the most significant auction offering ever presented on the Monterey Peninsula.
Saturday 17 August:
The Saturday auction is all set to become another night of exciting sales, as a number of hugely significant and very valuable cars cross the podium. The undoubted highlight of the entire sale and one of the most anticipated lots to come to auction in recent years, is the 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T. Spider, one of only 10 cars in existence and which has been in the same family’s ownership since new. Estimated to sell for in excess of $14,000,000, the N.A.R.T. Spider will not only be one of the most valuable Ferraris ever to be sold at auction, but is also likely to be one of the most valuable cars ever sold at auction. With the sale proceeds generously being donated to charitable causes close to the late owner’s heart, all eyes are on this the remarkable car during the Monterey festivities.
Following on from Friday’s 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster, is another of the German marque’s greatest cars, a 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Torpedo Roadster (estimate available on request). This magnificent car, the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Best of Show-winner, is surely amongst the most prized of all pre-war automobiles and has enjoyed tremendous interest from collectors.
The Saturday sale is a veritable treasure trove of incredible lots which includes a further selection of wonderful sports and racing cars including a 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 ‘Birdcage’ (estimate $3,000,000-$4,000,000), 1953 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spider (estimate $2,450,000-$2,950,00), 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series 1 (estimate $2,750,000-$3,250,000), and the McLaren M16C Indianapolis racing car, which won at the Brickyard in 1974 (estimate $1,250,000-$1,750,000).
Other interesting lots include a rare, 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider which starred in the well-known movie ‘The Gumball Rally’, the simply stunning 1953 Maserati A6G/2000 Spyder (estimate $1,200,000-$1,500,000) and two magnificent pre-war grand touring cars, a 1931 Duesenberg Model SJ ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible Coupe (estimate $2,000,000-$2,5000,000) and the super-stylish and highly coveted 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6 Cabriolet (estimate $1,500,000-$2,000,000).
For those unable to attend the event in person, Internet, absentee and telephone bidding options are available, and the auction will stream live online at www.rmauctions.com, providing real-time coverage of the event.
Complete official results for RM’s Monterey sale will be posted online at www.rmauctions.com early next week.
(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and include the 10 percent buyer’s premium).