RM Auctions Monterey 2012 – Auction Report

Lot # 229 1929 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe, Body by Murphy; S/N 2134; Engine # J-108; White/Cognac leather; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,400,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $1,725,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,897,500 — Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual sidemounts with mirrors, single Pilot-Ray, rumble seat, driver’s side tinted glass visor, Watson Stabilators. Concours restoration with excellent cosmetics and only the barest hint of any use. The first custom-bodied Duesenberg J delivered by the factory. Early disappearing top convertible body by Murphy with flat raked windshield and center spline down the rear deck. Original owner was Mrs. Harry Robinson of LA, used in ‘The Gay Divorcee’ with Ginger Rogers and most recently restored in 2010 by Fran Roxas. A handsome, rare, early Model J with unusual monotone paint on the body and chassis. A great car with a great history in one the most collectible Duesenberg body styles. It is no bargain at this price, but it is a lot of automobile.

Lot # 231 1956 Ferrari 250 GT TdF Berlinetta, Body by ; S/N 0585GT; Engine # 0585GT; Red, Blue and White stripes/Cream, Blue leather; Competition restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $6,100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,710,000 — Silver painted Borranis, Dunlop Racing tires, covered headlights recessed in fender noses, dark blue carpets, grille-mounted driving lights, 14 louver sail panel. Replacement transmission. First owned by Tony Parravano but without any racing history of note. Later used in ‘The Love Bug.’ Restored like new with better paint. Shows only limited use. Ferrari Classiche certified with the original gearbox supplied with it. Restored by DK Engineering, recently freshened by Junior’s House of Color and looks gorgeous. For a TdF with no race history to speak of, even beautifully restored in a highly desirable body configuration, in an increasing market for Fifties Ferraris this result is not just an increase, it is a quantum leap. The implications for the market are substantial, as other Ferraris demonstrated here in Monterey this week.

Lot # 235 1960 Plymouth XNR Concept; S/N 9999997; Red/Black leather; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $850,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $935,000 — Spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, Slant six, 3-speed, driver’s curved windscreen, small aeroscreen for passenger, driver’s head fairing. Conceived by Virgil Exner, built by Ghia with all steel panels. Sold to the Shah of Iran and remained in the Middle East until 2008. Restored better than new. Pretty instrument panel with SW instruments. Chassis shows a little age and use. 2011 Pebble Beach GT Trophy winner. The unique asymmetrical steel coachwork is handicapped by the Slant Six engine and this is a reasonable price for the car, even with its colorful history.

Lot # 239 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta; S/N 09523; Engine # 09523; Blue Sera/Tan leather; Estimate $1,200,000 – $1,600,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,350,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,485,000 — Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires. Good older paint and interior. Cracked window seals. Dusty, used engine. Good trim chrome. Scuffed sill chrome trim. A great 4-cam driver. This looks positively a bargain next to the $1,182,500 paid for the 2-cam s/n 06681 a little over an hour ago, which may help explain how even a period as short as Monterey’s four days can adjust expectations. Unlike the 2-cam, though, this result is consistent with recent 4-cam transactions although a little generous for its condition.

Lot # 240A 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 3119GT; Red/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $7,500,000 – $900,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $7,800,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $8,580,000 — Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Pirelli P5 tires, Marchal fog lights in grille, covered headlights. Good paint and chrome. Tired, lightly soiled interior. Good, flush panel fits, even gaps. Clean underbody and chassis. Class winner at Pebble Beach. Ferrari Classiche certified. Sold by RM in Arizona in 2000 for $1,265,000, then offered at Maranello in 2009 where it was a no-sale at $5,415,651. Looks much the same today as it did then, so this is the ‘new normal’ in SWB California Spider values, a value confirmed by other California Spider sales during Monterey week.

Lot # 242 1963 Porsche 904/6 Carrera GTS Factory Works Prototype; S/N 906-002; Engine # 906-151; Silver, Red nose/Dark Blue cloth; Estimate $1,800,000 – $2,200,000; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,575,000 — One of six 904/6s used by Porsche for development in 1963. Hillclimbed by Michel Weber in 1966 with two 1st places, raced by Ruedi Jauslin and Peter Ditzler in 1967, finishing 2nd in class at a 3-hour race at Hockenheim and third overall later at Hockenheim. Original engine plus a spare and other spares and documentation. Doesn’t appear ever to have been hit or abused. Good older paint and interior. Dusty underbody with age and some road grime. It is impossible to argue with the present owner’s conclusion to keep the car at the reported high bid.

Lot # 245 1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 41 Convertible Victoria, Body by LeBaron; S/N 3050235; Engine # 325760; Khaki, Burgundy fenders and accent/Burgundy leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $425,000 – $525,000; Recent restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $350,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $385,000 — Chrome spoke wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual sidemounts with mirrors, dual inside rear view mirrors, metal luggage trunk. Restored in the early 00′s, class winner at Pebble Beach in 2008 Concours standard restoration with two awards from the 2012 Burn Foundation Concours, best in class and best in show. The only known 1931 Pierce-Arrow Model 41 LeBaron Convertible Victoria. Chassis is presented like new without being overdone. A rare and very special automobile, but it is a Pierce, not a Packard, Cadillac, Duesenberg or even Marmon, which forever handicaps its value. That said, though, the new owner now owns a limited production, coachbuilt, powerful automobile of the highest quality for a relatively modest price and a good value.

Lot # 249 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta Special, Body by Allegretti; S/N 09813; Engine # 09813; Dark Red/Tan leather; Estimate $1,100,000 – $1,600,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,350,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $1,485,000 — Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, covered head and fog lights, Marchal headlights, halogen fog lights, rollbar, sliding Plexiglas side windows. Created for Greg Garrison by Vaccari (new frame), Allegretti (carrozzeria) and Sport Auto combining GTO, Lusso and GTB/4 design cues to make an intriguing special. Very good paint, chrome, interior and glass. A remarkably pretty car with an intriguing history, but one that’ll never get Ferrari Classiche’s imprimatur. Described in the catalog as a ‘Competizione Speciale’ (with quotes), there’s nothing other than looks about this car that has the remotest link to competition. Acceptability in events might be problematic. The seller should be very satisfied with the price it brought.