Rare, International Selection Of Automobiles Set To Wow Collectors At RM's London Sale This Month

October 19, 2012 by RM Auctions

• Anticipation builds ahead of RM Auctions' central London sale, 31st October, 2012

• Auction features an exceptional collection of more than 90 automobiles and two motorcycles selected from the world's finest makers

• Offering comprises a wonderful selection of the finest and rarest Italian, British and German marques, including Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche amongst others

• Complete digital catalogue available online at rmauctions.com

Anticipation is running high as the two week countdown to RM Auctions' annual London sale begins. This year's auction presents a treasure trove of more than 90 mouthwatering cars and motorcycles, each specially handpicked for the sale and representing the most iconic brands and models coveted by collectors around the world.

'The broad selection of marques and values represented in this year's London sale is what really sets it apart from other collector car auctions,' says Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe. 'RM always succeeds in bringing together some of the world's finest automobiles, and this year we have a large number of lots that represent a broad cross section of the collector car market and which have been drawn from every corner of the globe. This international capability is what really sets us apart in the market place.'

It is fitting that a premier London sale will feature some 27 fine British automobiles, including examples from such celebrated marques as Aston Martin, AC, Rolls-Royce and Bentley. A total of 11 Aston Martins are poised to go under the hammer, ranging from a delectable 1960 DB4 through to an exceptionally rare 2001 Vanquish Prototype, the second produced by the factory and the subject of much publicity at the time of the car's launch. DB4s, DB5s and DB6s have become highly desirable in recent years, with values reflecting their popularity. The London sale will feature no less than seven cars representing these models. Amongst highlights is a 1964 Aston Martin DB5, delivered new that year to Beatles member Sir Paul McCartney. The car is accompanied by a heritage certificate from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust confirming this fact and includes a Philips Auto-Mignon record player, the perfect amenity for a professional recording star (estimate: £300,000 – £380,000). Another super-rare Aston secured for the sale is a 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Shooting Brake. One of just two and commissioned new by racing legend, Innes Ireland, the fully restored car has not been seen in public since 1995 (estimate: £325,000–£375,000).

No RM sale is complete without an exclusive selection of rare Ferraris and the upcoming London sale is no exception. Matching the Aston Martins car for car, a total of 11 examples from the Prancing Horse will be offered during the evening sale on the 31st October. In addition to the previously announced 250 GT LWB 'Tour de France', the catalogue also features a beautiful, Ferrari Classiche certified 1964 250GT Lusso Berlinetta, chassis 5101 GT (estimate: £550,000 - £650,000) while collectors and motorsport fans will be offered an exceptional opportunity to purchase a 1998 Ferrari F300 Formula One Racing Car, chassis 183. This wonderful Scuderia Ferrari team car was built for the 1998 season during which Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine were teammates and for whom this car intended to be used as a race day 'spare' (estimate: £440,00 - £520,000).

Other exceptional Italian automobiles on offer include two important pre-war Alfa Romeo sports racing cars. The 1930 6C 1750 GS 'Testa Fissa' is not only one of the world's finest pre-war sports cars, but this particular example boasts an incredible period provenance having been piloted to victory in the 1930 Tourist Trophy by racing icon and legend, Tazio Nuvolari. One of only 12 'Testa Fissa' specification cars believed to have been constructed, it is also notable for having been the 1930 London Motor Show car (estimate: £750,000 - £900,000). It will be joined at the sale by another eminently desirable pre-war Alfa Romeo, a 1934 6C 2300. With stunning open competition coachwork and a meticulous restoration by one of the world's leading marque experts, this glorious UK registered car is estimated to fetch between £280,000 - £350,000.

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No auction featuring exotic Italian machinery would be complete without Maseratis. The London sale will feature two cars led by an ultra-exclusive 2005 Maserati MC12, one of only 50 built from 2004-2005. Boasting just two owners and 2,500 kms from new, it is capable of sprinting 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds with a top speed exceeding 205 mph (estimate: £680,000 – £780,000).

The undoubted star lot of the German marques is the rare, alloy-bodied 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, one of only 29 cars built by the factory. Chassis 198043-5500786 is a dream purchase for any collector of blue-chip automobiles and in its fully restored silver paintwork with stunning red leather interior, there is no doubt that it is a stunning car from any angle. An exclusive video of the car is available online here: http://bit.ly/Vd8P9W.

In addition to the automobiles, the upcoming London sale will lift the hammer on two very rare and ultra-desirable motorcycles. The highlight is a 1926 Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sports, one of the world's rarest and most collectable motorcycles. The machine, chassis 820A, was dispatched by the Brough works on 21st January 1926 to Frank Hallam, the Brough Superior agent in Birmingham, United Kingdom and it was first registered on 22nd August 1926. This totally correct and fully documented motorcycle has a complete recorded history from the 1920s and boasts only four owners from new. It has undergone a recent full restoration and is the recipient of many prestigious awards and is the first time a Brough of this precise specification has been offered for sale at auction (estimate: £250,000 - £300,000). Another significant bike on offer is a 1952 Vincent Series C Black Shadow. This award-winning, fully restored, matching numbers machine was first registered in October 1952 and has also enjoyed only four owners from new (estimate: £65,000 - £75,000).

A full list of auction offerings, along with a digital copy of the auction catalogue is available online at rmauctions.com or by calling RM's London office on +44 20 7851 7070. For those unable to attend the event in person, Internet, absentee and telephone bidding options are available, and all the auction action will stream live at rmauctions.com to provide real-time coverage of the event.

About RM Auctions

RM Auctions is the world's largest auction house for investment-quality automobiles. With over three decades of experience in the collector car industry, RM's vertically integrated range of services, from restoration to private treaty sales, auctions, estate planning and financial services, coupled with an expert team of car specialists and international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM proudly holds five of the top 10 all-time records for the most expensive motor cars sold at auction. RM's restoration division has achieved unprecedented accolades earning 'Best of Show' honors at the world's top concours events, including an unmatched four wins at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. For further information, visit www.rmauctions.com, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @rmauctions.