RM Sotheby’s pulled off an impressive hat-trick in October, with its three US auctions delivering a perfect 100% sell-through rate. Highlight for many was the once-in-a-lifetime sale of the three Franco Scaglione-designed Alfa Romeo Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica concept cars, offered as one lot with a guide of $14,000,000 – 20,000,000. Hand built by Bertone in the 1950s, the Alfa Romeos known as B.A.T. 5, 7 and 9d were hammered away for a record $14,840,000 during Sotheby’s $142.8 million live-streamed Contemporary Art Evening Auction.
The single-owner Elkhart Collection featuring more than 240 cars, together with a vast array of spares, garage equipment and automobilia, brought a combined total of $44.4 million. A 1952 Ferrari 225 S with Mille Miglia and Grand Prix history headed the results, fetching $2,810,000 (estimate $2,500,000 – 3,500,000); while the top three was rounded off with a 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic at $2,040,000 (estimate $1,750,000 – 2,200,000), and a 1957 Jaguar XKSS Continuation, one of just nine built by Jaguar Classic, which raised $1,985,000 (estimate $1,500,000 – 2,000,000).
A 1955 Cooper-Jaguar T38 with six victories at Goodwood and Silverstone in period sold for $1,765,000 (estimate $2,000,000 – 2,500,000). The second of only three T38 Mk IIs produced, chassis CJ/2/55 was supplied new to Michael Head who campaigned it extensively throughout 1956, subsequently making it available to John Bolster for a road test which appeared in the August 1957 issue of Autosport.
With over 2,500 bidders from 53 countries participating in the two-day sale, plenty of cars blitzed their estimates; notably, a three-owner 1991 Ferrari Testarossa with just 5,240 miles went for $190,400 (estimate $100,000 – 125,000), a 2012 Chevrolet Impala NASCAR driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. during the 2012-2014 seasons took $268,800 (estimate $80,000 – 100,000), and a 1950 Land Rover Series I SWB known as "Car Zero" – the first to be restored by Land Rover Reborn and initially used as its show vehicle prior to joining the Elkhart Collection – changed hands for $240,800 (estimate $90,000 – 120,000).
A brace of 1968 Iso Grifo GLs also commanded strong money, the yellow example with a rare Pavesi sunroof and retro-fitted 427 engine drew $500,000 (estimate $375,000 – 425,000), and the ex-Mann Collection Grifo with 327 power achieved $401,000 (estimate $325,000 – 375,000).
[ RM Sotheby’s Elkhart Collection Sale – auction results here ]
Classic car auction results and prices for: Alfa Romeo | Ferrari | Fiat | Jaguar | Cooper | Chevrolet | Land Rover | Iso
From: RM Sotheby’s
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