Scottsdale Auction Makes $25-Million

January 20, 2015 by Bonhams

Scottsdale Auction Makes $25-MillionThe stunningly beautiful and historic 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione, which won its class at Le Mans, Spa and Imola, raced to the forefront of the Scottsdale auction on 15 January. It sold for $9,405,000, setting a new world auction record for the model. The sale achieved a nearly 90% sell-through rate.

Held at the picturesque Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, the fourth annual Bonhams event was at full capacity, with an audience of international bidders spilling outside the auction pavilion and onto the lawns where TV monitors broadcast the sale. Ferrari - the grandest sporting marque of them all - was well represented among the 84 automobiles on offer, as were notable motorcars from every era, many of which achieved very impressive results.

The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing' Coupe, formerly owned by Lord O'Neill, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, made $1,375,000, after it was the subject of spirited bidding from collectors in attendance and on the telephones. Another Teutonic gem which was the focus of intense interest was the silver 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster with red interior, which achieved $1,237,500.

The highly original 1964 Shelby Cobra 289, which had been in single-family ownership since it was new, drew an enormous amount of attention and finally sold to a private American collection for $1,017,500. Meanwhile, representing veteran and vintage cars, a Humber and a Kissel realized new world auction records for their marques: the British-built 1904 Humber 8.5hp Twin-Cylinder Two-Seater making $148,500, and the American-built 1926 Kissel 6-55 Gold Bug Speedster selling for $286,000.

Other notable results included a 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Coupe which achieved $511,500, and a pair of Ferrari 512 BBi models - a 1982 and a 1984 - which made more than double their pre-auction estimates to sell for $357,500. From the popular automobilia section, a 1929 opalescent 'Vitesse' glass mascot by René Lalique exceeded expectations when it was bought by an American collector for $35,000.

James Knight, Group Motoring Director at Bonhams, said: 'Year on year our auction here in Scottsdale has grown in both reputation and results. Our selection is focused but diverse, representing the very best of the car collecting hobby, and we're very pleased with the results and with the strong support demonstrated by clients from around the world.' Mark Osborne, US Head of Motoring at Bonhams, added: 'Our sale has shown the strength of the market and of our firm, and it's been a real pleasure offering blue-chip motorcars to what is truly a global audience of connoisseurs.'

Malcolm Barber, Co-Chairman and auctioneer at Bonhams, said: 'Scottsdale is an excellent and important sale for Bonhams and we're delighted to be here in partnership with the beautiful Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. In continuation of our strategic global growth, we're also looking forward to our inaugural auction at Amelia Island in March.'

Photo credit: Bonhams
posted on conceptcarz.com

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