RM Auctions expects its sale this August of some of the world’s most collectable cars will top last year’s record return of $US86 millon worth of prestige models.
The auction house has just announced the lots for the Monterey sale in Monterey, California, on August 15-16. It coincides with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Monterey car week.
Headline cars this year include (above) a 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype, and 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 owned by Hollywood hero Steve McQueen. The last GT40 Prototype that went to auction sold for $US7 million. Here are some of the examples up for sale.
1964 Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti.This is one of the headline lots for 2014. A similar 250 LM with an extensive racing career sold at auction in 2013 for $US14,300,000.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti. Steve McQueen bought this Ferrari in 1967. Later it was sold to fellow actor Guy Williams. The car has been fully restored and certified by Ferrari Classiche.
1961 Ferrari 250 GT N.A.R.T. Spider by Fantuzzi. This one-off Ferrari was rebodied in 1966 by Fantuzzi. It has been displayed at the New York, San Francisco and Miami International auto shows.
1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype. This car (above) is number 8 of 12 GT40 prototypes built. Previously driven by Ken Miles, Carroll Shelby and Jim Clark, it has been owned privately for more than 20 years. One of the 12 sold for $US7 million earlier this year.
1936 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster.The Auburn Speedster was the last car to be produced by the company, which shut down in 1937. This model was its most advanced. Similar examples have sold for $US500.000.
1918 Bentley 8-Litre Sports Coupe Cabriolet by Barker. This Bentley is a one-off bespoke design by coachbuilders Barker – one of only two 8-litres bodied by the company. It is said to be one of the greatest coach-built Bentley models in existence.
Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio. The 57C is seen as the most sporting of all non-racing Bugattis. More than 680 examples have been produced in various body styles. They mostly focus on refinement, but retain Bugatti’s engineering values.
1951 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Chapron.The Type 135 was unveiled in Paris in 1935 and praised for its sporting chassis, light steering and a smooth gearbox. Coachwork by Chapron marks out a Delahaye. Previous examples have sold for $US120.000.
1967 Ferrari 330 GTC by Pininfarina.Sharing the shorter wheelbase and independent rear suspension of the 275, the 330 GTC was more refined and easier to drive than previous models.
Fiat 600 Multipla and 600 Jolly. Being sold as a pair. The 600 Multipla could seat up to six passengers, while the Jolly was built in limited numbers and designed as a luxury vehicle for wealthy Europeans.
1954 Jaguar XK120 SE Roadster.The XK120 created a sensation when it debuted at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show. It set new standards for comfort, road holding and performance for British sports cars. Examples have been selling for $US100,000.
1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200 C Spider by Pininfarina. One of only three distinctive spiders built by Pininfarina, and owned privately for the past 46 years. Since undergoing a recent, extensive restoration it has become a multiple award-winning car.
1963 Maserati 5000 GT by Frua. One of only three examples designed by Pietro Frua, the Maserati 5000 GT was produced between 1959-1965. It has been popular with celebrity buyers, with prices in recent years going to $US1.2 million.
1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Cabriolet by Sindelfingen. A one-of-a-kind, the 540 K Special Cabriolet was a built especially for American investment manager William A.M. Burden, Jr. It is a well-known, respected and award-winning restoration.
1938 SS 100 Jaguar 3 ½- Litre Roadster. The SS 100 is rare –only 116 models were produced. With exclusivity ensured, a similar model sold at auction in the US earlier this year for $US852,500.
1948 Tucker 48. The Tucker 48 was conceived as a vision for the future, with revolutionary safety features and contemporary design. But the company didn’t survive and only 51 models were produced.
1966 Volkswagen 21-Window Deluxe Micro Bus. Instantly recognisable, the VW is an interesting addition to the usual line-up of prestigious cars. Models such as this in excellent, restored condition can fetch around $US55,000.
Here are some of the cars:
