BLENHEIM.- Following its record-setting sale of the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum earlier this year,
RM Auctions continues its run of private collection auctions later this month, lifting the gavel on the respected Don Davis Collection during a single-day sale, April 27, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Well-known and respected in automotive circles, the Don Davis Collection is best described as serious cars for serious collectors. In line with Mr. Davis astute collecting philosophy, the offering has a strong emphasis on rare, high quality, low mileage, limited production examples, many of which have been recipients of complete body-off, nut-and-bolt restorations, and all of which have been well-maintained by a professional staff. As Davis prepares to downsize the collection later this month, 64 automobiles from his collection will be offered without reserve, including no less than 11 vehicles with pre-sale estimates exceeding $500,000 each.
The upcoming Don Davis Collection sale represents one of the first times that a collection of this caliber and value has been offered without reserve, presenting an incredibly exciting range of ownership opportunities for savvy collectors, says Ian Kelleher, Car Specialist, RM Auctions. The sale not only demonstrates Mr. Davis faith in the current strength of the collector car market, but also RMs confidence in the quality of the cars on offer they truly are among the best of the best. Discerning collectors who have dreamed of owning one of the greatest sports cars or most elegant American classics ever built will certainly find what theyre looking for in the Don Davis Collection.
Within the offering lie several wonderful individual marque collections, including a phenomenal Porsche selection that runs the gamut of the companys history and boasts a certificate of authenticity for each and every vehicle. In total, no less than 10 examples from the famed German automaker are set to go under the gavel, led by a menacing 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort, considered by many as the ultimate supercar. An extremely rare find in the United States, the example on offer is presented in its original Graphite Metallic over a complementary Dark Grey Metallic leather interior (Estimate: $500,000$650,000). Other notable Porsche highlights include a freshly restored, matching-numbers 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Touring, one of a reported 30 with the special-order Code 2525 India Red paint and well-equipped with a limited slip differential, sports seats, through-the-grille fog lights, and a retractable antenna (Estimate: $400,000$500,000); along with a stunning 1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster restored by marque experts to concours presentation (Estimate: $250,000$300,000).
Vette enthusiasts are also well catered-for with a series of six well-documented Corvettes up for bids. Highlights of this group include a multi award-winning 1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427/425 Big Tank Coupe, regarded as the ultimate 1966 Corvette and equipped with a 427/425 V-8, four-speed transmission, heavy-duty brakes, side exhaust, as well as the radio/heater delete option (Estimate: $250,000$300,000); and a numbers-matching, well-optioned 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Fuel-Injected Split-Window Coupe, a terrific combination of European-inspired high style and American brawn, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year (Estimate: $125,000$150,000). Also on offer is the original Corvette, a restored 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, this example is one of just 300 built (Estimate: $200,000$300,000).
Beyond the Porsche and Corvette selection, additional notable collection highlights include:
· a trio of handsome coachbuilt Chryslers, including a rare, concours-quality 1941 Chrysler Newport Indianapolis 500 Pacemaker by LeBaron, the actual pace car used during the 1941 Indianapolis 500 and originally owned and driven by Walter P. Chrysler Jr. (Estimate: $900,000$1,200,000); a striking 1954 Chrysler GS-1 Special by Ghia, recently restored to authentic original condition (Estimate: $700,000$800,000); and an Amelia Island Concours dElegance award-winning 1958 Dual-Ghia Convertible, formerly owned by legendary entertainer Hoagy Carmichael (Estimate: $250,000$450,000);
· a pair of Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytonas, including a Ferrari Classiche certified 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider, one of only 121 factory examples built by Scaglietti (Estimate: $1,200,000$1,400,000); and a 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Coupe, one of the 1,273 Berlinettas built from 19681973 (Estimate: $350,000$450,000); and
· a group of iconic Mercedes-Benz 300SLs, including a beautifully restored 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, complete with Rudge wheels, belly pans, fitted luggage, a sport camshaft, and other highly desirable features (Estimate: $900,000$1,200,000); along with a pair of 300SL Roadsters from the 1957 and 1961 model years (Estimate: $700,000$900,000 each).