Those responsible at Gooding & Company had every reason to be happy after two tough auction days. 89% of the vehicles had been sold, raising a total of USD 113 million. The Gooding people announced a total of 21 world sales records, including the USD 11,770,000 for the Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster and the USD 3,725,000 Jaguar C-Type from 1953.
A slow start
Initially, success at auction did not seem at all certain. The first vehicles found new owners at or just below the estimated prices. The bidders seemed to have to warm up first. It was only with the Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton "Blue J" that the bids shot up and the million mark was broken for the first time. But then the spell seemed to be broken and many offers easily reached their minimum bid.
Porsche RS 60 far above the estimated price
The Porsche RS 60 had been estimated at USD 2.25 to 3.0 million, already a considerable sum of money. However, the bidders saw things differently and bid up to USD 3,465,000 (including premium).
The 1919 Miller TNT was also sold for far more than expected.
Ferrari record sales
The Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione was worth USD 11,275,000 to one bidder, a new world record according to Gooding.
Another California model fetched USD 6,600,000 and the Ferrari 288 GTO exceeded the million mark, as did several other Ferrari models. In the wake of these sales successes, a 330 GTC also came as a surprise, selling for USD 550,000. The joy was somewhat dampened by the unsold 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider and the Dino 246 GTS, unlike the example that went under the hammer at RM, did not cause euphoria either.
A roundelay of Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs
Gooding had several 300 SLs on offer. To the surprise of some visitors, however, it was not one of the normally higher priced gullwing coupés that achieved the highest price of the day, but a late 1963 Cabriolet. At USD 1,595,000 (incl. surcharge), the 300 SL beat all vehicles of this type sold at auction to date.
The other 300 SLs also achieved respectable prices, with a Gullwing Coupé reaching USD 1,127,500 and the other vehicles landing at USD 638,00 (Gullwing) and USD 792,000 and 847,000 (Cabriolets) respectively.
The 300 S and 300 SC Roadsters on offer were also knocked down for over half a million.
Surprisingly high hammer prices
It was not only the 300 SL that caused surprises. An Aston Martin DB4 for USD 495,000, a Bugatti Type 13 for USD 379,500, a Cord L-29 Convertible Sedan for USD 324,500 and, in particular, the Hudson Hornet Four-Door Sedan from 1952 at USD 178,750 (well above the estimated price of 50,000 to 70,000) raised the eyebrows of the experts present.
And the Lamborghini Countach LP 400 from 1976, which sold for USD 660,000, set a new auction record price for the wedge-shaped Italian super sports car, as did the Porsche 911 S 2.4 from 1973, which already landed in Carrera RS territory with a sales price of USD 214,500.
Sold below price
However, the bidders were not interested in all offers, and a number of vehicles went to new owners for well below the estimated prices, including an Aston Martin V8 Volante (USD 103,400), a Chrysler Town and Country Convertible Coupe (USD 104,500), a Dusenberg Model J Long-Wheelbase Limousine (USD 330,000), two Jaguar XK 120 Roadsters (USD 79,750, USD 101,750), a Packard 120 Station Wagon (USD 165,000) and two Stutz.
Two rare Lotus vehicles, a Lotus Eleven Series 1 Le Mans 85 (USD 100,000) and a Lotus Elite Series II (USD 93,500), were also knocked down well below the expected price.
The rare Monteverdi Hai 450 SS (prototype) from 1970 did not quite reach the estimated price of USD 600,000 to 800,000 and found a new home for USD 577,500.
The 11% that fell
The aforementioned Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Spider, a Lincoln Model K Convertible Victoria, a Jaguar XK 120, a Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Drop Head Coupé, a Jaguar XK Special, a Rolls Royce Phantom III, an S.P.O. Raceabout, a Rolls-Royce Phantom II and a Bentley 4 1/2 liter SC Blower.
Even the prototype of the 1968 Bizzarrini Manta, which had been estimated at USD 1 to 1.5 million, did not elicit enough money from the bidders present.
The good ending at the end
In the end, a Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, normally good for USD 80,000 to 100,000, went under the hammer at a dizzying USD 203,500 and probably benefited from the good atmosphere at the auction.
And it was also a good day for the Fisher House Foundation, as Jay Leno's actually mundane Fiat 500 (first edition) achieved the fabulous price of USD 385,000 for a good cause.
Detailed results
The table contains all lots with automobiles that were offered in the two-part auction on August 18 and 19, 2012. The purchase prices include surcharges/taxes and have been rounded by Gooding. The conversion into Euro and CHF was made at the published exchange rates of August 19, 2012. All figures are subject to change.
| Lot | Vehicle | Year | Estimated price USD | Purchase price USD | Purchase price € | Purchase price CHF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider | 1961 | 70000-90000 | 41800 | 33887 | 40709 |
| 2 | Jaguar XK120 Roadster | 1954 | 140000-180000 | 101750 | 82489 | 99094 |
| 3 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SLGullwing | 1955 | 600000-750000 | 638000 | 517227 | 621348 |
| 4 | Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall Tourer | 1925 | 225000-300000 | 203500 | 164978 | 198189 |
| 5 | Plymouth P-18 Special Deluxe Convertible | 1949 | 20000-25000 | 22000 | 17835 | 21426 |
| 6 | Stutz DV-32 Convertible Sedan | 1931 | 225000-300000 | 154000 | 124848 | 149981 |
| 7 | Packard Custom Super-Eight 180 Conv Victoria | 1940 | 200000-275000 | 247500 | 200649 | 241040 |
| 8 | Chrysler Town and Country Convertible Coupe | 1948 | 150000-200000 | 104500 | 84718 | 101772 |
| 9 | Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Speedster | 1928 | 500000-650000 | 687500 | 557357 | 669556 |
| 10 | Cord 812 Phaeton | 1937 | 150000-200000 | 112750 | 91407 | 109807 |
| 11 | Chrysler Town and Country Sedan | 1948 | 100000-130000 | 56100 | 45480 | 54636 |
| 12 | Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton "Blue J" | 1929 | 2000000-2750000 | 1980000 | 1605188 | 1928321 |
| 13 | Chrysler Imperial CL Convertible Sedan | 1932 | 200000-275000 | 247500 | 200649 | 241040 |
| 14 | Packard Eight All-Weather Panel Brougham | 1938 | 50000-75000 | 77000 | 62424 | 74990 |
| 15 | Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Drop Head Coupe | 1962 | 200000-275000 | 233750 | 189501 | 227649 |
| 16 | Porsche 356 1500 Speedster | 1954 | 275000-350000 | 286000 | 231861 | 278535 |
| 17 | Rolls-Royce Phantom II Drop Head Coupe | 1935 | 700000-900000 | 495000 | 401297 | 482080 |
| 18 | Ferrari Enzo | 2003 | 1200000-1500000 | 1430000 | 1159303 | 1392676 |
| 19 | Chevrolet Corvette | 1956 | 80000-100000 | 74250 | 60195 | 72312 |
| 20 | Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Le Mans Sports "Bobtail" | 1928 | 5500000-7500000 | 6050000 | 4904743 | 5892092 |
| 21 | Cadillac V-12 370-A Phaeton | 1931 | 180000-220000 | 192500 | 156060 | 187476 |
| 22 | Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Coupe | 1967 | 120000-140000 | 165000 | 133766 | 160693 |
| 23 | Maserati A6G/2000 Berlinetta | 1955 | 1500000-2000000 | 1650000 | 1337657 | 1606934 |
| 24 | Aston Martin DB Mark III | 1958 | 225000-275000 | 209000 | 169437 | 203545 |
| 25 | Bizzarrini Manta | 1968 | 1000000-1500000 | |||
| 26 | Cord L-29 Convertible Sedan | 1930 | 200000-250000 | 324500 | 263073 | 316030 |
| 27 | Chrysler Town and Country Barrelback | 1941 | 350000-450000 | 385000 | 312120 | 374951 |
| 28 | Porsche RS60 | 1960 | 2250000-3000000 | 3465000 | 2809080 | 3374562 |
| 29 | Aston Martin V8 Volante | 1987 | 140000-180000 | 103400 | 83827 | 100701 |
| 30 | Ford Station Wagon | 1939 | 110000-140000 | 121000 | 98095 | 117842 |
| 31 | Miller TNT | 1919 | 750000-900000 | 1210000 | 980949 | 1178418 |
| 32 | Porsche 356 Carrera 2 Cabriolet | 1963 | 400000-500000 | 506000 | 410215 | 492793 |
| 33 | BMW M1 | 1981 | 175000-225000 | 242000 | 196190 | 235684 |
| 34 | Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupe Aerodinamico | 1962 | 1750000-2500000 | 2365000 | 1917308 | 2303272 |
| 35 | Packard 734 Speedster Phaeton | 1930 | 975000-1300000 | 975000 | 790434 | 949552 |
| 36 | Duesenberg Model A Sedan | 1926 | 140000-180000 | 176000 | 142683 | 171406 |
| 37 | Jaguar C-Type | 1953 | 4000000-5500000 | 3725000 | 3019862 | 3627776 |
| 38 | Monteverdi HAI 450 SS Prototype | 1970 | 600000-800000 | 577500 | 468180 | 562427 |
| 39 | Packard 733 Seven-Passenger Sedan | 1930 | 80000-110000 | 71500 | 57965 | 69634 |
| 40 | Pope-Hartford Model 33 4-Pass Touring Phaeton | 1913 | 350000-425000 | 319000 | 258614 | 310674 |
| 41 | Aston Martin DB5 | 1964 | 750000-850000 | 748000 | 606405 | 728477 |
| 42 | Fiat 500 "Prima Edizione" | 2012 | 25000-35000 | 385000 | 312120 | 374951 |
| 43 | Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider | 1973 | 1300000-1500000 | |||
| 44 | Delage D8S Coupe | 1933 | 550000-650000 | 522500 | 423591 | 508862 |
| 45 | Lotus Eleven Series 1 Le Mans 85 | 1956 | 150000-180000 | 100000 | 81070 | 97390 |
| 46 | Knox Tudor Touring | 1904 | 175000-225000 | 198000 | 160519 | 192832 |
| 47 | Lincoln Model K Convertible Victora | 1931 | 275000-375000 | |||
| 48 | Ferrari 288 GTO | 1985 | 750000-900000 | 1045000 | 847183 | 1017725 |
| 49 | Ferrari 250 GTLWBCal Spider Competizione 1 | 1960 | 7000000-9000000 | 11275000 | 9140657 | 10980717 |
| 50 | Ferrari 340 MM Spider | 1953 | 4500000-6500000 | 4730000 | 3834617 | 4606545 |
| 51 | Ferrari 500 TRC | 1957 | 3750000-4500000 | 4510000 | 3656263 | 4392287 |
| 53 | Shelby 427 Cobra | 1966 | 750000-950000 | 825000 | 668829 | 803467 |
| 54 | Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster | 1961 | 140000-170000 | 181500 | 147142 | 176763 |
| 55 | Auburn 852 SC Boattail Speedster | 1936 | 525000-575000 | 605000 | 490474 | 589209 |
| 56 | Duesenberg Model J Long-Wheelbase Limousine | 1931 | 400000-500000 | 330000 | 267531 | 321387 |
| 57 | Ford Thunderbird E-code | 1957 | 60000-80000 | 77000 | 62424 | 74990 |
| 58 | Jaguar XK 120 Roadster | 1950 | 250000-350000 | |||
| 59 | Bentley 4 1/4 Litre Drop Head Coupe | 1938 | 150000-250000 | |||
| 60 | Ford Sportsman Super Deluxe | 1947 | 200000-250000 | 170500 | 138225 | 166050 |
| 61 | Ferrari 275 GTB | 1965 | 850000-1000000 | 946000 | 766923 | 921309 |
| 62 | Jaguar XK Special | 1952 | 200000-275000 | |||
| 63 | Lotus Elite Series II | 1960 | 120000-150000 | 93500 | 75801 | 91060 |
| 64 | Bugatti Veyron | 2008 | 1100000-1300000 | 1182500 | 958654 | 1151636 |
| 65 | Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe | 1948 | 100000-120000 | 90750 | 73571 | 88381 |
| 66 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1963 | 1000000-1300000 | 1595000 | 1293069 | 1553370 |
| 67 | Porsche 914-6 | 1970 | 30000-40000 | 61600 | 49939 | 59992 |
| 68 | Ferrari 330 GTC | 1967 | 300000-375000 | 550000 | 445886 | 535645 |
| 69 | Austin-Healey 100/4 Le Mans | 1956 | 90000-120000 | 119900 | 97203 | 116771 |
| 101 | MG A Mkl | 1961 | 30000-40000 | 37400 | 30320 | 36424 |
| 102 | Cord 810 Phaeton | 1936 | 175000-225000 | 181500 | 147142 | 176763 |
| 103 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1961 | 725000-850000 | 792000 | 642075 | 771328 |
| 104 | National Series V N3 Semi-Racing Type Roadster | 1913 | 250000-300000 | 203500 | 164978 | 198189 |
| 105 | Packard 120 Station Wagon | 1940 | 200000-250000 | 165000 | 133766 | 160693 |
| 108 | Bugatti Type 13 | 1920 | 250000-350000 | 379500 | 307661 | 369595 |
| 109 | Ferrari 857 Sport | 1955 | 5000000-7000000 | 6270000 | 5083097 | 6106350 |
| 110 | Panhard et Levassor Model U2 Transformable TC | 1907 | 250000-325000 | 264000 | 214025 | 257109 |
| 111 | Rolls-Royce Phantom I Tourer | 1927 | 500000-700000 | |||
| 112 | Hudson Hornet Four-Door Sedan | 1952 | 50000-70000 | 178750 | 144913 | 174085 |
| 113 | Ford GT40 Prototype | 1964 | 5000000-7000000 | 4950000 | 4012971 | 4820802 |
| 114 | Toyota 2000 GT | 1968 | 400000-500000 | 627000 | 508310 | 610635 |
| 115 | Aston Martin DB4 Series II | 1960 | 325000-375000 | 495000 | 401297 | 482080 |
| 116 | Lamborghini Miura P400 SV | 1972 | 1200000-1500000 | 1375000 | 1114714 | 1339112 |
| 117 | Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Litre Coupe | 1965 | 100000-130000 | 143000 | 115930 | 139268 |
| 118 | Duesenberg Model JN Convertible Coupé | 1935 | On Request | |||
| 119 | Cunningham C-3 Continental Coupe | 1953 | 350000-450000 | 341000 | 276449 | 332100 |
| 120 | Rolls-Royce Phantom III Saloon | 1937 | 250000-400000 | |||
| 121 | Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio | 1938 | 1300000-1600000 | 1292500 | 1047831 | 1258765 |
| 122 | Maserati 3500 GT | 1962 | 160000-180000 | 236500 | 191731 | 230327 |
| 123 | Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster 1 | 1936 | On Request | 11770000 | 9541954 | 11462797 |
| 124 | Lancia Flaminia Sport | 1959 | 375000-450000 | 412500 | 334414 | 401734 |
| 125 | Locomobile Model 48 Sportif | 1923 | 175000-225000 | 192500 | 156060 | 187476 |
| 126 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1960 | 750000-950000 | 847000 | 686664 | 824893 |
| 127 | S.P.O. Raceabout | 1911 | 500000-650000 | |||
| 128 | Tesla Roadster | 2008 | 100000-125000 | 99000 | 80259 | 96416 |
| 129 | Porsche 356 A Speedster | 1958 | 300000-400000 | 330000 | 267531 | 321387 |
| 130 | Bugatti Type 55 Cabriolet | 1932 | 5000000-6500000 | |||
| 131 | Jaguar XK120 Roadster | 1951 | 100000-130000 | 79750 | 64653 | 77668 |
| 132 | Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental All-Weather Tourer | 1934 | 400000-500000 | |||
| 133 | Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona | 1972 | 325000-375000 | 324500 | 263073 | 316030 |
| 134 | Bentley 4 1/2 Litre SC "Blower" Sports 2/3 Seater Boattail | 1931 | 8000000-10000000 | |||
| 135 | Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Roadster | 1956 | 750000-875000 | 962500 | 780300 | 937378 |
| 136 | Bugatti Type 57 Atalante | 1936 | 1500000-2000000 | 1485000 | 1203891 | 1446241 |
| 137 | Ferrari 250 GTLWB California Spider Prototype | 1957 | 6000000-8000000 | 6600000 | 5350628 | 6427737 |
| 138 | Lancia Aurelia B24S Convertible | 1956 | 200000-275000 | 242000 | 196190 | 235684 |
| 139 | Daimler 40/50 Double Six Sport Saloon | 1932 | 3000000-4000000 | 2970000 | 2407783 | 2892481 |
| 140 | Ferrari Dino 246 GTS | 1972 | 200000-250000 | 231000 | 187272 | 224971 |
| 141 | Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8AS Landaulet | 1928 | 300000-450000 | 258500 | 209566 | 251753 |
| 142 | Cadillac V-16 452D Convertible Sedan | 1934 | 500000-650000 | 550000 | 445886 | 535645 |
| 143 | Austin-Healey 3000 M K III BJ8 | 1967 | 80000-110000 | 71500 | 57965 | 69634 |
| 144 | Alfa Romeo GTA 1600 | 1965 | 250000-300000 | 275000 | 222943 | 267822 |
| 145 | Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan | 1929 | 550000-750000 | 522500 | 423591 | 508862 |
| 146 | Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage | 1959 | 3500000-4500000 | 3520000 | 2853668 | 3428126 |
| 147 | Lamborghini Countach LP400 'Periscopica' | 1976 | 650000-750000 | 660000 | 535063 | 642774 |
| 148 | Porsche 356 A Speedster | 1958 | 200000-250000 | 236500 | 191731 | 230327 |
| 149 | Cadillac V-16 452D Two-Passenger Stationary Coupe | 1934 | 300000-400000 | 396000 | 321038 | 385664 |
| 150 | Stutz BB Coupe | 1928 | 80000-100000 | 60500 | 49047 | 58921 |
| 151 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SLGullwing | 1955 | 900000-1200000 | 1127500 | 914066 | 1098072 |
| 152 | Lincoln Continental Convertible | 1940 | 200000-300000 | 200750 | 162748 | 195510 |
| 153 | Porsche 911 S 2.4 Coupe | 1973 | 120000-140000 | 214500 | 173895 | 208901 |
| 154 | Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster | 1953 | 500000-650000 | 550000 | 445886 | 535645 |
| 155 | Mercedes-Benz 190 SL | 1959 | 100000-130000 | 203500 | 164978 | 198189 |
The copyright for all images shown in this article is held by Gooding & Company.
