Sale dates: June 25 - 26, 2016
Preview dates: June 24, 2016
Location: Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90405
Admission: Bidder registration is $100 and includes an official auction catalog and admission for two (2) to the preview and auction. An event pass is $20 per person.
Digital preview catalog: http://auctionsamerica.com/catalog/2016/CA16/
The collector car community will once again descend on Southern California, July 25 -26, for Auctions America’s annual Santa Monica sale at the historic Barker Hangar. In just three years, the Auctions America event has emerged as a new highlight on the Southern California automotive scene, raising the bar for collector car auctions with its quality and diversity of product, and innovative presentation. This year’s sale, which also doubles as one of the area’s leading classic car shows, will present a wonderful showcase of automotive history and design, lifting the gavel on a handpicked collection of 300 quality vehicles and select automobilia. As in past years, the sale promises an eclectic mix of automobiles representative of diverse Southern California tastes: European and American sports cars, prewar classics, hot rods and customs. Visit the Auctions America YouTube page for videos of select vehicles in action! Beyond the automobiles, the sale will also present assorted automobilia, including a collection of vintage movie posters, billboards and advertisements, a variety of René Lalique glass mascots, and even a custom-painted Parrot surf board – perfect for hitting the beach!
For those unable to attend the auction in person, Auctions America offers a broad range of remote bidding options including Internet, absentee and telephone bidding, and the auction will stream live online at www.auctionsamerica.com, providing real-time coverage of the event.
In the lead up to the sale, Auctions America will preview select auction highlights at the Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance, June 19. The Auctions America booth will be set up at the intersection of Dayton and Rodeo.
AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
Star Attractions
1995 Ferrari F50, Estimate: $1,800,000 - $2,100,000
Built to offer customers a Formula 1 racing experience on a road-legal platform, the F50 combines sleek design with blistering performance; powered by a 4.7-liter, 513-hp V-12 engine, it is capable of accelerating 0-60 in just 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 202 mph. Finished in traditional Rosso Corsa over a two-tone black and red interior, the featured F50 is one of only 55 U.S.-specification examples built. The recipient of a full major-service, which included replacement of its fuel bladders, it has been driven sparingly since, leaving it ready for its next owner to drive and enjoy. Recently granted Ferrari Classiche certification, it would make a great addition to any collection of Maranello’s finest. It leads a group of no less than 20 Ferraris slated for the Santa Monica podium.
1988 Porsche 959 ‘Komfort’, Estimate: Est. $1,300,000 - $1,600,000
Porsche’s first true “supercar”—a 200-mph road car of which only 329 were produced—the 959 was an instant success: rare, well-built, and extremely fast, all ingredients making it a highly sought-after collectible. Originally purchased in Germany by professional Porsche driver, Max Moritz, the featured 959 was imported to the U.S. by its second owner in 2001 and made legal to California guidelines. A well-preserved, well-documented ‘Komfort’ example, it comes to auction just two owners and 7,500 kms from new, accompanied by original tool kit, jack, spares and books. A short video of the 959 in motion is available for viewing here: http://bit.ly/1TLxMFZ.
European Sports and GT cars
For those with an affinity for European design, the Santa Monica catalog features numerous examples from some of Europe’s leading blue-chip marques. Highlights:
· a desirable 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona “Euro”; the fastest production car in the world when new, this restored, well-documented example is offered fresh to the U.S. market from Japan (Est. $750,000 - $850,000);
· a generously equipped 1969 Ferrari 365 GTC, expertly prepared for road use, touring, and concours exhibitions (Est. $800,000 - $950,000);
· a low-mileage, two-owner 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary; an iconic “poster car” of the 1980s, this example is striking in classic Rosso with contrasting tan leather interior (Est. $325,000 - $375,000);
· an all-original, 7,000-mile 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera Speedster, a stunning example of one of the most fiercely desirable modern Porsches (Est. $210,000 - $250,000); and
· a well-cared-for 1969 Ferrari 330 GTC, equipped with a 3,967-cc V-12 engine producing 300-hp and mated to a five-speed manual transmission (Est. $625,000 - $725,000).
Late-Model Collectibles
For those looking ahead to “what’s next” in the collector car market, the Santa Monica sale includes a bevy of late-model collectibles:
• a 2000 BMW Z8 Convertible, a stunning example of the model used in the 1999 James Bond film, The World is Not Enough; this American-spec car shows less than 11,000 miles ($200,000 - $250,000);
• an original, expertly maintained 2005 Ferrari 575M Superamerica, complete with unique convertible top, a feature never fitted to any other production Ferrari (Est. $385,000 - $425,000);
• a black-on-black, 617-hp 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, capable of powering 0–60mph in just 3.8 seconds ($240,000 - $275,000); and
• a meticulously cared for and technology laden 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Coupe, boasting a track-tested top speed of 194-mph and sporting just 2,000 miles from new (Est. $175,000 - $200,000).
American Engineering and Design
The June sale also features a terrific selection of American examples. Highlights:
• a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429—the ultimate pony car—the recipient of a professional, three-year restoration, finished in Candy Apple Red with black interior (Est. $250,000 - $275,000);
• a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible; a stunning example of Cadillac’s flagship model, it remains one of the most desirable models from GM and an ideal luxury cruiser, designed for comfort and style (Est. $ 90,000 - $110,000);
• an award-winning 1969 Corvette L88 427/430 Convertible; among the most desirable of all Corvettes, the featured Vette is the recipient of a comprehensive frame-off restoration by L88 experts, resplendent in Burgundy with Black interior and tan soft-top (Est. $650,000 - $750,000);
• an aero-inspired 1940 Packard Royal Streamliner Roadster; measuring over 31 feet in length, and equipped with a supercharged V-12 engine from a World War II Patrol Torpedo boat ($450,000 - $600,000); and
• a 1965 Shelby GT 350 Fastback, a shining example of Shelby’s most iconic Mustang, perfect for use on vintage rallies, or just a long Sunday drive (Est. $340,000 - $380,000).
ADDITIONAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
The 2016 Santa Monica sale features more than 100 years of automotive history and design.
· Oldest vehicle on offer: 1906 Ford Model N (Est. $20,000 - $25,000)
· Newest vehicle on offer: 2015 Fiat 500L (Est. $75,000 - $100,000)
Ø WORLD’S TOP MARQUES
Entries for Auctions America’s 2016 Santa Monica sale span the spectrum of the market, presenting examples of the world’s most iconic brands. Prominent among the 53 marques offered are:
· 23 Ferraris, spanning 43 years of production
· 23 Porsches, spanning 52 years of production
· 13 Mercedes-Benzes, spanning 47 years of production
· 12 Jaguars, spanning 42 years of production
Ø STAR POWER
The Santa Monica docket also includes cars with noteworthy provenance, including:
· a 2015 Fiat 500L used by His Holiness Pope Francis during his trip to New York City in September 2015. Selling to the highest bidder, all hammer proceeds from the Fiat’s sale will benefit the Archdiocese of New York and in turn be donated to support a series of Catholic charities (Est. $75,000 - $100,000); and
· an example of the most iconic Ferrari of the 1980s, a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa, used in the feature film Straight Outta Compton with Dr. Dre (played by Corey Hawkins) behind the wheel (Est. $130,000 - $150,000).
Ø UNIQUE CUSTOMS
As in past years, the catalog also includes a variety of customs appealing to eclectic SoCal tastes, including:
· a 1954 Studebaker Starlight Coupe Custom; a modern interpretation of a classic, it was designed by California hot rodder Hal Bankhead to cruise on the street, or take to the drag strip (Est. $20,000 - $30,000);
· a classic, yet contemporary 1952 Buick Custom – “Resilience”, finished in Blazing Copper (Est. $35,000 - $45,000); and
· a unique 1968 Toyota Corona Hardtop Custom; created by Mitch Allread in Southern California, it successfully blends American and Japanese elements with an infusion of unique SoCal style. With such a unique car, it comes as no surprise that Hot Rod magazine chose to feature the car when it was built (Est. $25,000 - $35,000).
Ø QUIRKY AND COOL
The Santa Monica sale takes ‘California cool’ to a whole new level, with a variety of unique entries, including:
· the perfect beach-side cruiser, a 1969 Fiat 500D Jolly Conversion, featuring handmade wicker bucket seats and a rear elongated picnic style basket (Est. $50,000 - $70,000);
· a ‘Smurf Blue’ 1972 Toyota FJ55 Landcruiser (Est. $40,000 - $50,000); and
· a highly-original 1967 Autobianchi Bianchina Panoramica, a stunning example of Autobianchi’s stylish station wagon variant (Est. $35,000 - $40,000).
Ø PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Auctions America’s Santa Monica sale continues the company’s strong track record for single-vendor offerings featuring 10 all-American vehicles from the Duffy Grove Collection, along with a select group of cars donated to the Petersen Museum specifically for fundraising purposes. The catalog also includes an assortment of motorcycles, scooters and cars from the personal collection of Vinnie Mandzak, a well-respected and much-loved Southern California automotive identity. A genuine “car guy” in the truest sense of the term, Vinnie was an integral fixture in helping establish the SoCal car scene. His collection represents his love for dirt biking, motorcycles and one-off, late model Mercedes-Benz. Among highlights: a 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Convertible (Est. $20,000 - $30,000), a 1983 Harley-Davidson XR-1000 Sportster (Est. $10,000 - $15,000), and a 2001 Jesse James West Coast Choppers Custom (Est. $14,000 - $18,000).
Joining the aforementioned collections is an assortment of vehicles offered from the Riverside International Automotive Museum. Founded by local racing enthusiasts Ray and Doug Magnon in 2006, the RIAM is dedicated to preserving and displaying the rich history of not only the famous Riverside International Raceway, but California’s rich motor sports heritage. The Santa Monica sale will present 34 automobiles from the museum collection ‘without reserve’, headlined by a selection of ‘modern collectibles’, including a well-optioned 2006 Ford GT (Est. $250,000 - $300,000); a 1994 Jaguar XJ 220, a rare example of the famous British supercar (Est. $225,000 - $275,000); and a 2006 Maserati Gran Sport Victory Cambiocorsa (Est. $55,000 - $75,000). Celebrated as one of the country’s largest and most comprehensive collections of road-going Maseratis, no less than 14 examples will cross the block as part of the RIAM collection sale in Santa Monica.
About Auctions America
Formed in July 2010, Auctions America specializes in the sale of American classics, European sports cars, Detroit muscle, hot rods and customs. Headquartered at the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana, Auctions America boasts an expert team of full-time vehicle specialists, who offer over 180 years of combined experience buying, selling, racing and restoring collector vehicles, making them uniquely qualified to advise on all aspects of the hobby. The company’s established roster of annual events are held in some of the country’s leading automotive destinations including Auburn, Indiana; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Santa Monica, California and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. To learn more about Auctions America, visit auctionsamerica.com.
Media Contacts
If you are interested in attending this event as a member of the media, please visit www.auctionsamerica.com/media-center to register for credentials.
For further information, hi-res images, and interview opportunities, please contact:
Amy Christie achristie@auctionsamerica.com +1 734 649 9156
Sadie Chapple schapple@auctionsamerica.com +1 519 437 3053