PHOENIX, AZ.- RM Sotheby’s diverse roster of blue-chip collector cars spanning pre-War American classics through iconic European sports cars and high performance modern collectibles powered its 19th annual Arizona sale to a final $36,523,620 with 88 percent of all lots sold at the Arizona Biltmore, 18-19 January.
Following a very well-attended outdoor preview, the packed auction room saw high energy and spirited bidding across the two-day event, with top sale honors going to the 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra ‘Semi-Competition’, CSX 3040. Offered from an esteemed private collection and just four owners from new, CSX 3040 is one of the finest semi-competition examples in existence, and has benefitted from a restoration by leading Cobra expert Mike McCluskey. The matching-numbers Cobra eventually soared past its pre-sale estimate of $2.0–$2.4m to bring a final $2,947,500.
“While collectors across Arizona Car Week have been selective, there were clear signs throughout the century of cars we offered that the market is solid,” said Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s following the sale. “Our top lots such as the 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra S/C and the 1948 Tucker 48 show that demand remains strong for rare, well-documented, expertly restored automobiles that are priced attractively. The two major single-owner collections we were privileged to offer – reflecting starkly different parts of the spectrum from pre-War classics to modern sports cars – showed the power of no-reserve lots to attract multiple bidders and send prices over the estimate.”
RM Sotheby’s is the auction house of choice for important private collections and this week’s sale featured two single-owner groups, highlighted by A Century of Sports Cars; eleven automobiles focused on great Italian sports and GT cars and offered entirely without reserve. Results for the collection were highlighted by the beautifully restored and maintained 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso at $1,682,500, a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II offered from just two owners over the last 30 years at a final $1,407,500, and an award-winning 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Speciale by Boano at $1,270,000.
A selection of pre and post-war American Classics offered entirely without reserve from a private collection on Thursday evening elicited numerous above-estimate results, undeniably led by the 1948 Tucker 48, chassis no. 1029, the personal car of visionary builder Preston Tucker himself until 1955. Star of the 1948 promotional film Tucker: The Man and the Car and presented with exhaustive documentation, the Tucker achieved a final $1,792,500 (Est. $1.25-1.5m). Also fetching a strong price was the 1935 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster, retaining its original chassis, engine, and body, which well-surpassed pre-sale expectations at $769,500 (Est. $500-650k).
Additional stand out moments from across the two-day sale demonstrate strong interest at all levels of the market; a 4,540 km 1993 Bugatti EB110 GT offered out of single-ownership from new sold for a well-deserved $967,500, smashing the previous auction record for a GT example, a 1907 Ford Model K Roadster emerging from single-family ownership since 1957 brought a world record model price at $252,000, and a 1977 International Scout II Traveler Custom drew eyes and bids at a final $128,800.
