As usual, Gooding & Co concluded the series of auctions as part of Scottsdale Week. 124 vehicles, including two motorcycles, valued at USD 70.3 million were lined up in Scottsdale Fashion Square on January 18 and 19, 2019.
85 percent of the vehicles on offer were sold, ultimately raising USD 48.2 million (EUR 42.5 million).
Just over 50 years old on average
The average age of the vehicles on offer was just over 50 years. The oldest car was a Benz Patent-Motorwagen Replica from 1886, while the newest car was a Ferrari GTC4 Lusso from 2018.
In general, the old cars fared the worst. On average, only 65 percent of the median estimate was bid for the pre-1945 cars. The Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886 as a replica, for example, fetched just USD 52,640 (EUR 46,323), compared to an estimate of USD 70,000 to 90,000.
The neo-classics fared much better, with bids averaging around 84 percent of the median estimate. A Ferrari 458 Speciale from 2015, for example, sold for USD 373,500 (EUR 328,680), while an Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione from 2008 found a new owner for USD 335,000 (EUR 284,800). However, four of the 14 modern classics could not be sold.
Vehicles from the 1950s to 1980s achieved an average of 77 percent of expectations, but made up the majority of the offer with 97 lots.
Ferrari with highs and lows
With 30 vehicles, Ferrari (including two Dino 246 GT/GTS) was the strongest brand in terms of numbers at Gooding in Scottsdale. 83 percent of the cars from Maranello were sold, with interested parties bidding an average of 78 percent of the median estimate. None of the cars went over the top, but the cheapest car with the prancing horse was bought well below expectations, a Ferrari 328 GTS from 1989, which fetched USD 106,400 (EUR 93,632).
At the same time, however, the six most expensive cars in the auction were Ferrari sports cars. The Ferrari 250 GT SWB from 1963 (lot 121) was the highest priced at USD 7.6 million (EUR 6.7 million).
The Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France from 1958 followed at USD 5.9 million (EUR 5.2 million).
In third place in the ranking is a Ferrari 250 MM Spider from 1953 with USD 5.4 million (EUR 4.8 million).
Cheap Dino - bargain or expensive investment?
An unrestored 1972 Dino 246 GT, which had been in the same ownership for many years, was sold for just USD 240,800 (EUR 211,904). What initially sounds like a bargain could, however, prove to be much less attractive once the necessary work that might be required after more than 20 years of ownership has been paid for. Although the carburetors have already been overhauled, it would probably have been better to open up the engine completely and carry out a thorough engine overhaul. The fact that the color no longer corresponded to the factory delivery may also have reduced the price.
Porsche with a good sales quota
Gooding had 23 Porsche cars on offer. They achieved average bids of 77 percent of the median estimate. 21 of the 23 vehicles were sold, which corresponds to a sales rate of 91 percent.
There were no real bargains here, but it was noticeable that a number of 911s were traded in the five-digit range.
A Porsche 356 A Speedster from 1956 was not sold despite a bid of USD 360,000. An almost new 997 GT2 RS from 2011 was also left standing (at USD 360,000).
Two out of three Shelby Cobras sold
Gooding was able to offer three of Carroll Shelby's fast roadsters. They were all priced between USD 900,000 and 1.4 million, with the most expensive being the 427 from 1966.
However, this remained unsold despite a bid of USD 950,000, while the two 4.7-liter versions found a new garage for USD 1.05 million and USD 912,500.
Two of three 300 SLs with new owners
Two Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadsters and a Gullwing rounded out the Gooding offerings from Scottsdale. They were offered at prices between USD 900,000 and 2.25 million, with the late 1963 roadster with disc brakes and just 16,000 miles on the clock being responsible for the highest price. However, no bidder was willing to offer more than USD 1.55 million and the '63 SL remained unsold.
The other two, however, were sold to new owners for USD 1.435 million (EUR 1.263 million) in the case of the Gullwing and USD 1.006 million (EUR 885,280) in the case of the 1957 Roadster.
Exotics below expectations
Of course, there was no shortage of exotic cars at Gooding in Scottsdale. There was the 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4, for example, which came under the hammer as a Bertone-bodied coupé with chassis number LML/765.
The car was shown in Turin in 1957. USD 600,000 to 800,000 was expected, but USD 566,000 (EUR 498,080) was enough to acquire this unique piece.
The equally rare Bugatti EB110 GT from 1993 received a better bid in percentage terms, but was nevertheless not sold because the proposed USD 700,000 was not enough for the consignor.
The Maserati 3500 GT Spider Vignale from 1960 was also something special: this exact car, chassis 101.505, was presented as a prototype at the Turin Motor Show in 1959. Compared to its later series brothers, it differs in details. A few years ago, it was restored in Italy and was now to pass into new hands for USD 1 to 1.2 million. However, no Maserati fan wanted to offer more than USD 800,000, so the car was left standing.
Cheap was hardly possible
Although more than half of the cars were offered without a reserve price, bargain hunters hardly got a chance. However, at USD 19,040, the selling price for a 1951 MG TD was well below expectations, as was the USD 28,000 for a 1960 Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile.
The USD 58,240 for a VW-Porsche 914 2.0 from 1973 could not be described as a bargain, nor could the USD 64,400 for a VW Karmann-Ghia from 1959.
Overall, Gooding was not quite able to reach the high estimates, but with a sales rate of 81 percent, it was not so bad overall, especially as the actual sales prices realized were quite respectable.
Offered and Sold Vehicles
The following table lists all offered and sold vehicles with estimated prices, highest bids, and sale prices. The price conversion was made at the exchange rate valid on the auction day. All information is provided without guarantee.
| Lot | Car | Year | USD Est from | USD Est to | USD HP | USD SP | CHF SP | EUR SP | % Est | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC | 1979 | 40'000 | 60'000 | 31'000 | 34'720 | 34'720 | 30'553 | -30.56%
|
V |
| 002 | Cadillac Series 75 Eight-Passenger Sedan | 1963 | 30'000 | 40'000 | 22'000 | 24'640 | 24'640 | 21'683 | -29.6%
|
V |
| 003 | Moto Guzzi Falcone | 1951 | 25'000 | 35'000 | 20'000 | 22'400 | 22'400 | 19'712 | -25.33%
|
V |
| 004 | Porsche 914 2.0 | 1973 | 45'000 | 65'000 | 52'000 | 58'240 | 58'240 | 51'251 | +5.89%
|
V |
| 005 | Ford GT | 2005 | 250'000 | 300'000 | 250'000 | 280'000 | 280'000 | 246'400 | +1.82%
|
V |
| 006 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 | 1971 | 140'000 | 180'000 | 92'500 | 103'600 | 103'600 | 91'168 | -35.25%
|
V |
| 007 | Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione | 2008 | 275'000 | 350'000 | 300'000 | 335'000 | 335'000 | 294'800 | +7.2%
|
V |
All information is provided without guarantee.
Legend: Column S = Status (V = Sold, N = Not sold, Z = Withdrawn, U = Under reserve)
Est = Estimate, HP = Hammer Price, SP = Sale Price
