Amelia Island Week is here these are the 12 cars that caught my eye that will be available at RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams and Gooding auctions.
As always, thank you for your support. Greg Stanley
I own three of the four “Empire Strikes Back” glass mugs Burger King gave away in 1983. That fourth glass has been haunting me for years. What is it about having the complete set that just feels right? Serious Porsche aficionados pursue the complete set of Speedsters which were available over five model generations. RM Sotheby’s just happens to have three of the five Speedsters available and I’m watching this 1994 Porsche Speedster. Limited to just 469 built, this one is a low mileage example in original condition. Whose collection is missing this little rear-engined gem? Like Porsches? Then be sure to check out “The Most Valuable Porsche from Every Model & Generation”.
One example recent oversold expectations in a big way at RM Sotheby’s Scottsdale auction. The latest one-year trend is up 46.7% and three-year is up 91.3%. How will this 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560 SL perform on Saturday at RM Sotheby’s? I think the estimate of $70k-$90k is spot on but being showcased at the Ritz by the beach may put this convertible over-the-top.
Incredible provenance and ownership history, one of twenty-five built and one of five cabriolets. Custom coachwork by Vignale and powered by an American V8. It was shown at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1956, 1957 and 2015…what is not to like? Well, I’m in love with the 1953 Cunningham C-3 Cabriolet by Vignale which is available at RM Sotheby’s on Saturday.
Mercedes 300SL Roadsters have been selling strong lately but are they $2M cars? There is an interesting 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster available at Bonhams. This Merc has a Royal pedigree but received a replacement engine block and went from cast iron to alloy. This may add significant value to the right buyer. Its unique “Uranium Yellow” color may not be to everyone’s taste, but you will definitely see it coming. Photo courteous of www.Bonhams.com.
The Next Generation of collectors are buying what they like and they like BMWs. It has been a while since one of BMW’s infamous Batmobiles has come up for sale and RM Sotheby’s has a very cool 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ available. Offered without a reserve, this one is going to a new home on Sunday. The valuation trends are strong with the latest year up 22.2% and there is no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
The world’s fastest production car in period, one-off coachwork bodied by Pinin Farina and Jaguar’s 1955 Geneva Motor Show Car…don’t miss the 1954 Jaguar XK120 SE Coupé at Bonhams. What is the price for exclusivity? In this case, Bonhams believes it is about five times the value of a factory XK120. Photo courteous of www.Bonhams.com.
How much is a fancy, period Gulf Oil paint job worth? In the case of the 2006 Ford GT, the valuation tools would say about $200k more than the “base” example. But recent sales results have been closer to a $350k-$400k gap between the two. Will this gap get smaller at Amelia? Will the “base” Ford GT jump above the half-mil mark? RM Sotheby’s has an 8-mile example in Speed Yellow that will be a great barometer for these iconic Fords.
I have a love/hate relationship with Zagato-designed cars. Some, like the Aston Martin DB4 Zagato, are true works of art. Others, like the Ferrari 599 GTZ, just hurt my eyes. What do you think of RM Sotheby’s 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1 Zagato? It is the 79th of only 99 examples built exclusively for the US market and this one has under 10k miles!
Are cars from the 1950s dead? From what I’ve seen, not in the least. Especially limited-production examples that have great provenance. For these reasons, I am watching this 1956 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria Skyliner which is one of only 603 “Glass Top” Crown Victorias built in 1956. Restored by a Crown Victoria expert, previously owned by noted collectors and equipped with desirable factory options, this will be a fun one to track as it goes across the block at RM Sotheby’s on Saturday.
What makes this next car desirable? It’s a Porsche, check. It’s from the 1950s, check. It’s a factory racecar, check. It is one of thirty-four built, check. I am keeping an eye on Gooding’s 1959 Porsche 718 RSK which comes from 50-year single-family ownership. Photo courteous of www.goodingco.com.
Yes, it is another Porsche but for a good reason. Gooding’s estimate of $1.8M-$2.4M for their 2005 Porsche Carrera GT looks very aggressive considering $1.8M is the current record price at public auction, w/o buyer’s fee, and that example had 7k less miles. Why the strong numbers? Carrera’s are incredibly hot right now and Seinfeld’s black example is currently on the market and it will likely exceed $2.2M. But that car is black, has low miles and…you know…Seinfeld. Not that there’s anything wrong with that… If you like analog supercars, don’t miss “Cars On The Rise – Analog Supercars”. Photo courteous of www.goodingco.com.
How much is a “VIN# 00001” worth? If you are Rick Hendricks and you love buying the first production Corvette from every model generation, “00001” is worth anywhere from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. Find out more by listening to “The Math Behind a New $3,000,000 Corvette”. RM Sotheby’s is offering the very first BMW 850 CSi produced and it is finished in Brilliant Red over black nappa leather; the only US example ever produced with this color combination.
As always, thanks for joining me on my automotive adventures!