RM Sotheby's Scottsdale Auction 2017

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Phoenix AZ, Jan 21 2017 – RM Sotheby’s ushered in 2017 with another strong performance in Arizona, generating $53,772,775 in total sales with 89 percent of all lots sold at the Arizona Biltmore. The company’s 18th annual Phoenix sale, held 19-20 January, was a truly global event, attracting bidders from 30 countries—20 percent of which were new RM Sotheby’s clientele—once again illustrating that Arizona is the epicenter of the collector car world in January.

Amongst the 141 lots that found new homes, the top-seller was the one-off, owner-commissioned 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster. Originally built for Rolf Horn of Berlin with a rare five-speed transmission and various unique design cues, the beautifully restored Roadster drew eyes and bids, selling for a final $6,600,000 during Friday evening’s sale session. Throughout Friday’s sale, numerous best-of-category Ferraris also took top honors, led by a highly awarded, matching-numbers 1969 Ferrari 365 GTS. One of just 20 built, the exceedingly rare road-going Ferrari surpassed its pre-sale estimate, realizing $3,602,500, nearly triple the previous auction record for the model. Rounding out the top three, a pristine 1995 Ferrari F50, one of just two U.S.-delivery examples finished in black, demonstrated its desirability, bringing $3,135,000—a new auction benchmark for the model. Friday night also saw the exquisitely restored, ex-Greg Garrison and Skeets Dunn 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Coupe Aerodinamico generate a strong result of $3,080,000, while perhaps the world’s finest 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS sold at the top end of its estimate at $2,475,000.

2003 Ferrari Enzo $2,695,000

“Our Arizona sale is consistently a bellwether for the collector car market, setting the pace for the auction season to come,” says Ian Kelleher, Managing Director of RM Sotheby’s West Coast Division. “This year’s top ten sales clearly indicate that demand for modern supercars remains strong, while exceptional pre-war classics—such as the 540 K—anchor the strength and resilience of the market. When it comes to specific marques, four decades of Ferrari production were represented in our catalogue, from the 400 Superamerica through to the Enzo, each of which attracted multiple bidders and achieved impressive results – a reflection of their outstanding provenance, restorations and condition. We now turn our attention to Paris, where we’ll open our European calendar next month.”

1959 Connetti Ferrari Monza Vintage Racer $35,650

To cater to the growing appetite for modern high performance motor cars, RM’s Arizona offering had a strong emphasis on vehicles from 1980 and later. As a group, these examples comprised approximately 25 percent of the catalogue. In addition to the F50, leading this segment was Thursday’s headliner, a 2003 Ferrari Enzo, purchased new and offered by renowned designer, Tommy Hilfiger. Fastidiously maintained and driven just 3,620 miles, the 218 mph hypercar roared onto the auction stage before selling for a final $2,695,000. Among other notable modern collectibles, a 2003 Aston Martin DB AR1 Zagato with 800 actual miles exceeded estimate at $379,500; a U.S.-specification 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, showing just 1,132 miles from new, garnered $742,500; and a F22 Raptor-inspired 2008 Lamborghini Reventón, the third of only 20 examples built, realized $1,320,000.

2013 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport 300 $2,090,000

With more than 60 percent of catalogue entries offered without reserve, the Arizona auction catered to a variety of collector tastes and budgets. Additional stand out lots include a much-admired 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Litre Roadster, striking in Opalescent Dark Blue, which exceeded pre-sale expectations at $308,000, while a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 200 V Sport Roadster, offered from the Jules Barsotti Collection, far-surpassed its pre-sale estimate of $50,000 - $70,000 at a final $176,000.

RM Sotheby’s Arizona Top sales:

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster (Chassis 408383) $6,600,000

1969 Ferrari 365 GTS (Chassis 12489) $3,602,500

1995 Ferrari F50 (Chassis ZFFTG46A6S0104092) $3,135,000

1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Coupe Aerodinamico (CHASSIS NO. 2841 SA) $3,080,000

2003 Ferrari Enzo (Chassis ZFFCW56A330133026) $2,695,000

1967 Ferrari 330 GTS (Chassis 10689) $2,475,000

1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C (CHASSIS NO. 08431) $2,117,500

2013 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport 300 $2,090,000

1948 Tucker 48 (Chassis 1044) $1,347,500

2008 Lamborghini Reventón (CHASSIS NO. ZHWBU77SX8LA03148) $1,320,000