Some people could hardly wait, because when else is there such a mass of famous Porsche racing cars up for auction as were offered at the Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auction on March 9, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. local time in Florida/USA.
So the words "Ladies and Gentlemen, please make your way to the auction tent, the auction will be beginning in five minutes" were probably a relief for the eager auction visitors! And indeed, with a slight delay of four minutes, the auctioneer welcomed the assembled crowd to the auction with the words "the market is hot, and so is it in the tent", alluding to the high prices of the last auction and the high temperatures in the event tent.
Cautious start
The first car drove onto the stage at 11:10 a.m., a 1912 Ford Model T Speedster. Auctioneer Charly Ross opened the bidding at USD 10,000 before finally lowering the hammer at USD 22,000 - well below the estimate.
Lot 2, a 1964 Jaguar E Type Coupé, fared better, finding a new owner at around the mid-estimate of USD 85,000.
Bidding for Lot 4, a Porsche 911 Carrera RS Touring from 1973, started at USD 200,000, only to dry up at USD 260,000, which meant "not sold", just like the Aston Martin DB6, which was called out a little later. However, the Porsche was subsequently sold during the auction.
A little later, a Lotus Elite Super 95 found a new owner at the highest bid of USD 127,500, good money for a beautifully presented lightweight sports car by Colin Chapman.
Then a Shelby GT350 came on stage, once sold to finance a wedding ring. Clearly below the estimated price, a lucky buyer was able to purchase the car at auction for USD 175,000.
World record Porsche 550 RS Spyder for USD 3.35 million
The first car in the million-dollar range came on stage as Lot 15, a 1955 Porsche 550 RS Spyder. The bidding started at USD 1 million and then went up to USD 2.4 million in increments of 100,000 within seconds - incredible. But that was not enough, the hammer finally fell around 10 minutes later after a fierce battle between three bidders at USD 3.35 million, far above the estimate. A new world record for the little Porsche, hard-earned money for the auctioneer.
The euphoria then also helped the following Porsche 356 A Super Speedster to USD 240,000.
A rarity - a TVR 3000 S at auction
It is rare to see TVR sports cars from the 1970s at major auctions. The TVR 3000 S on offer here was one of 256 roadsters built between 1978 and 1979, with a Ford V6 Essex engine, sprayed dark grey.
Obviously, the bidders had not come for rare British cars, because the bids stopped at USD 22,000, far below the estimated price. Definitely a good opportunity.
The TVR fared similarly to an Austin Healey and some other affordable classics, such as the Lotus Esprit S1 or the BMW 2000 tii. But even the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Spider, one of a good 120 factory Spiders built, remained well below the estimate at USD 900,000, but was sold.
The Drendel family's Porsche Turbo collection
The vehicles in the Drendel collection, all Porsche vehicles with a turbo, were eagerly awaited. The 944 Turbo S, with 700 miles on the clock and practically a new car built in 1988, kicked things off. Despite a slow start, the bids went up to USD 75,000, well above the estimated price and above the new price.
This was followed by a legendary racing car, the first Porsche 935 to be produced, with beautiful Martini paintwork. The bidders also liked the car, and after a short time the bids reached USD 2.3 million and the Group 5 Porsche was knocked down well above the estimated price.
The only privately owned Porsche 924 GTP, 13th in the 1980 24 Hours of Le Mans, found a new owner for USD 350,000, around USD 200,000 below the estimate.
The Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution in Mobil 1 livery slowly but steadily approached the final bid of USD 1.15 million
In the general Porsche buying frenzy, even the Porsche 944 S2 Cabrio from 1991 reached USD 36,000.
The Le Mans class winner Porsche 934 from 1976 was a little more difficult, with the hammer falling at USD 810,000.
The McLaren MP4/3 Formula 1 car from 1987 reached unexpected heights at USD 780,000.
Derek Bell on stage
The Porsche 962 from 1984 was presented by racing driver Derek Bell himself. 800 hp and largely free of electronics. This 962 probably won more races than any other racing car of its time and has now been sold publicly for the first time by Gooding & Company. Bidding started at one million USD. However, after this steep lead, further bids were slow to come in, but in the end it was USD 1.75 million, a new world record for a 962.
The next highlight was the Porsche RSR Carrera Turbo from 1974, silver-colored and with Martini stripes, one of the most important Porsche racing cars. People were also prepared to go far beyond the estimated price for this vehicle. The hammer only fell at USD 2.95 million, another world record.
A Porsche for four million USD
Finally, the flagship for the Amelia Island auction was loudly driven onto the stage, the Porsche 917/30 CanAm Spider, with over 1,500 hp and a blue livery that breathes racing history. The auctioneer started with USD two million. The other bids were USD 100,000 apart, then the bidding jumped from 2.6 to 3 million and quickly reached four million. Bargains look different; at four million, the Porsche was the most expensive car at the auction.
At USD 280,000, the Porsche 944 GTP, one of two built, felt very reasonably priced, as it also remained well below the estimated price.
The second Porsche 962, built in 1985 and with various racing victories, also almost reached the estimated price and found a new garage for USD 850,000.
The 1992 Porsche 968 Turbo RS was then knocked down at 3:15 a.m. (local time) for USD 315,000.
The last car in the Drendel collection to take to the stage was the air-cooled Porsche 911 GT2 from 1995, which was once driven by Stuck, Boutsen and Bell. "No reserve", said the auctioneer, but a reserve price was also unnecessary, as the car easily reached a maximum bid of USD 325,000.
Porsche Carrera 6 from 1967 below the estimated price
The Porsche 906 with fuel injection roared onto the podium. In its blue livery, it screamed "Racing". Bidding started at USD 500,000. Just a few years ago, hardly any 906 reached more than 250,000, but within two minutes 900,000 had already been reached here. But then it was over at 910,000 - sold.
Mike Hawthorn's Ferrari
The bidding for the 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter, which Mike Hawthorn once drove as a training car for the Mille Miglia, started at exactly one million. In the end, 1.25 million was enough to buy this gem.
The MG TC from 1949, which had been pimped up with many extras, from a supercharger to a five-speed gearbox, was of a completely different nature. The estimated price of USD 75,000 to 90,000 seemed high, and the final bid for the TC, which was offered without a minimum hammer price, was USD 44,000 - "the snip of the day".
No record prices for the Gullwing
Of course, the obligatory Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing was not to be missed, this time red and, as usual, fully equipped. The last owner drove the car for 43 years!
Nobody wanted to bid more than USD 650,000, but the car was sold anyway.
The dark blue Dino 246 GT from 1972, equipped with Daytona seats in a brown interior, did well with restoration receipts of around USD 100,000. The Dino made a new owner happy for USD 195,000.
The Tucker 48 from the Coppola movie
They may not have been commercially successful back then, but today Tucker vehicles are sought-after collectors' cars. Bidding for the Tucker 48 started at USD 500,000, and then quickly moved towards USD 1 million. The vehicle on offer was once shown in the film "Tucker - the man and his dream" by Francis Ford Coppola and is probably one of the most beautiful remaining vehicles. At USD 1.2 million, the Tucker was the tenth car to sell over 1 million that afternoon.
Successful auction marathon
The auction of the 77 vehicles lasted a good five and a half hours, which meant a good 4 minutes per car, during which bids averaging USD 451,000 were achieved. USD 32 million was realized (before knockdowns), 88% of the vehicles were sold and 90% of the targeted estimate volume was realized.
The two Aston Martin DB5 and DB6, the Maserati Ghibli Spider, the Fiat 8V Zagato, a Pierce-Arrow Series 31, a 4.5-liter Bentley, the Parnelli-Indy-Porsche and the Bentley S2 Contintental were not sold during the auction.
Despite a high "no reserve" percentage of 44%, the sales proceeds were high and only a few vehicles, including the MG TC, the Fiat Abarth 750 Spider, the Rambler Model 65, the "race Rat" Corvette and the Shelby GT 350, changed hands for significantly less than the estimated prices.
Some of the 24 Porsches on offer achieved new record prices, another reason for Gooding & Company to be satisfied with the results of its auction.
Results in detail
The hammer prices shown here are before any surcharges (buyer's premium, taxes, etc.) of at least 10% and according to the results during the auction. The conversion into Euro and CHF was made at the respective daily exchange rates and is for information purposes only.
| Lot | Vehicle | Year | Estimated price ($) | Highest bid ($) | Surcharge | Highest bid (€) | Highest bid (CHF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Ford Model T Speedster | 1912 | 40000-50000 | 22000 | sold | 16678 | 20102 |
| 02 | Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Coupe | 1964 | 75000-95000 | 85000 | sold | 64438 | 77666 |
| 03 | Mercedes-Benz 220 S Cabriolet | 1957 | 90000-120000 | 70000 | sold | 53067 | 63960 |
| 04 | Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 | 1973 | 300000-375000 | 260000 | sold after | 197104 | 237567 |
| 05 | MGA 1500 Roadster | 1959 | 40000-50000 | 40000 | sold | 30324 | 36549 |
| 06 | Aston Martin DB6 Vantage | 1967 | 300000-400000 | 260000 | not sold | 197104 | 237567 |
| 07 | Shelby GT500KR Convertible | 1968 | 160000-200000 | 127500 | sold | 96657 | 116499 |
| 08 | Allard K3 Roadster | 1953 | 150000-180000 | 137500 | sold | 104238 | 125637 |
| 09 | Lotus Elite Super 95 | 1962 | 100000-130000 | 127500 | sold | 96657 | 116499 |
| 12 | Shelby GT350 | 1965 | 220000-260000 | 175000 | sold | 132666 | 159901 |
| 13 | Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Convertible | 1971 | 150000-200000 | 190000 | sold | 144038 | 173607 |
| 14 | Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III BJ8 | 1967 | 70000-90000 | 54000 | sold | 40937 | 49341 |
| 15 | Porsche 550/1500 RS Spyder | 1955 | 2200000-2600000 | 3350000 | sold | 2539612 | 3060962 |
| 16 | Porsche 365 A Super Speedster | 1956 | 200000-250000 | 240000 | sold | 181942 | 219293 |
| 17 | Lancia Aurelia B24S Convertible | 1957 | 275000-350000 | 255000 | sold | 193314 | 232999 |
| 18 | Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 | 1970 | 110000-130000 | 125000 | sold | 94762 | 114215 |
| 19 | Jaguar SS 100 3 1/2 Litre | 1939 | 350000-450000 | 420000 | sold | 318399 | 383762 |
| 20 | Mercury Station Wagon | 1947 | 130000-160000 | 105000 | sold | 79600 | 95941 |
| 21 | Bentley 3 1/2 Litre Aerodynamic Sports Saloon | 1935 | 175000-225000 | 250000 | sold | 189523 | 228430 |
| 22 | TVR 3000S Roadster | 1979 | 40000-50000 | 22000 | sold | 16678 | 20102 |
| 23 | Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Tourer | 1930 | 650000-850000 | 600000 | sold | 454856 | 548232 |
| 24 | Porsche 356 B Super 90 Coupe | 1962 | 100000-130000 | 78000 | sold | 59131 | 71270 |
| 25 | Pierce-Arrow Series 31 Model 38 Dual-Valve Seven-Passenger Touring | 1919 | 165000-185000 | 130000 | not sold | 98552 | 118784 |
| 26 | Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spider | 1969 | 550000-700000 | 440000 | not sold | 333561 | 402037 |
| 27 | Austin-Healey 3000 Mk I BN7 | 1961 | 70000-90000 | 72000 | sold | 54583 | 65788 |
| 28 | AC Ace Bristol | 1957 | 225000-275000 | 280000 | sold | 212266 | 255842 |
| 30 | Aston Martin DB 5 | 1965 | 750000-850000 | 660000 | not sold | 500341 | 603055 |
| 31 | Cadillac V-16 All-Weather Phaeton | 1933 | 350000-450000 | 460000 | sold | 348723 | 420311 |
| 32 | BMW 600 Isetta | 1958 | 25000-35000 | 35000 | sold | 26533 | 31980 |
| 33 | Ferrari GTB/4 Daytona Spider | 1971 | 1000000-1400000 | 910000 | sold | 689865 | 831485 |
| 34 | BMW 2002tii | 1972 | 25000-35000 | 17500 | sold | 13267 | 15990 |
| 35 | Chrysler Town and Country Barrelback | 1941 | 200000-300000 | 260000 | sold | 197104 | 237567 |
| 36 | Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Harrison British Flexible Coupe | 1928 | 600000-800000 | 500000 | not sold | 379047 | 456860 |
| 37 | Lotus Esprit S1 | 1977 | 25000-35000 | 19000 | sold | 14404 | 17361 |
| 38 | Ford Sportsman Super Deluxe | 1947 | 225000-275000 | 200000 | sold | 151619 | 182744 |
| 39 | Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona | 1973 | 310000-350000 | 300000 | sold | 227428 | 274116 |
| 40 | Jaguar XK 150 S Roadster | 1959 | 90000-120000 | 84000 | sold | 63680 | 76752 |
| 41 | Fiat 8V Zagato | 1953 | 750000-900000 | 700000 | not sold | 530665 | 639604 |
| 42 | Aston Martin V8 Volante | 1986 | 150000-180000 | 117500 | sold | 89076 | 107362 |
| 43 | Willys-Knight Great Six Plaid-Side Roadster | 1930 | 140000-180000 | 200000 | sold | 151619 | 182744 |
| 44 | Chevrolet Corvette "Race Rat" | 1960 | 450000-550000 | 400000 | sold | 303237 | 365488 |
| 45 | Porsche 356 B Roadster | 1960 | 135000-160000 | 135000 | sold | 102343 | 123352 |
| 46 | Porsche 944 Turbo S | 1988 | 50000-65000 | 75000 | sold | 56857 | 68529 |
| 47 | Porsche 935/76 | 1976 | 1700000-2000000 | 2300000 | sold | 1743614 | 2101556 |
| 48 | Porsche 924 GTP | 1980 | 450000-600000 | 350000 | sold | 265333 | 319802 |
| 49 | Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution | 1997 | 900000-1200000 | 1150000 | sold | 871807 | 1050778 |
| 50 | Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet | 1991 | 25000-30000 | 36000 | sold | 27291 | 32894 |
| 51 | Porsche 934 | 1976 | 800000-1000000 | 810000 | sold | 614055 | 740113 |
| 52 | McLaren MP4/3 Formula 1 | 1987 | 450000-600000 | 780000 | sold | 591313 | 712702 |
| 53 | Porsche 962 | 1984 | 1750000-2250000 | 1750000 | sold | 1326663 | 1599010 |
| 54 | Porsche 944 Turbo Cup | 1986 | 65000-85000 | 72000 | sold | 54583 | 65788 |
| 55 | Porsche RSR Carrera Turbo 2.14 | 1974 | 1750000-2250000 | 2950000 | sold | 2236374 | 2695474 |
| 56 | Porsche 968 Turbo S Clone | 1994 | 45000-55000 | 66000 | sold | 50034 | 60306 |
| 57 | Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder | 1973 | 3250000-4000000 | 4000000 | sold | 3032372 | 3654880 |
| 58 | Porsche 944 GTP | 1981 | 375000-450000 | 280000 | sold | 212266 | 255842 |
| 59 | Porsche 962 | 1985 | 900000-1200000 | 850000 | sold | 644379 | 776662 |
| 60 | Porsche 968 Turbo RS | 1992 | 250000-325000 | 315000 | sold | 238799 | 287822 |
| 61 | Parnelli-Porsche Indy Car | 1980 | 350000-550000 | 200000 | not sold | 151619 | 182744 |
| 62 | Porsche 911 GT2 | 1995 | 375000-425000 | 325000 | sold | 246380 | 296959 |
| 63 | Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Cabriolet | 1970 | 25000-35000 | 23000 | sold | 17436 | 21016 |
| 64 | Porsche 356 A Speedster | 1957 | 180000-220000 | 170000 | sold | 128876 | 155332 |
| 66 | Porsche 959 | 1988 | 400000-500000 | 450000 | sold | 341142 | 411174 |
| 67 | Rambler Model 65 Seven-Passenger Touring | 1911 | 290000-340000 | 250000 | sold | 189523 | 228430 |
| 68 | Jaguar Mark V 3 1/2 Litre Drop Head Coupe | 1950 | 100000-125000 | 80000 | sold | 60647 | 73098 |
| 69 | Porsche 906E | 1967 | 1000000-1250000 | 910000 | sold | 689865 | 831485 |
| 70 | Fiat Abarth 750 Spider | 1959 | 85000-105000 | 52000 | sold | 39421 | 47513 |
| 71 | Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe | 1951 | 1300000-1600000 | 1250000 | sold | 947616 | 1142150 |
| 72 | MG TC | 1949 | 75000-90000 | 44000 | sold | 33356 | 40204 |
| 73 | Bentley S2 Continental Drop Head Coupe | 1961 | 200000-250000 | 180000 | not sold | 136457 | 164470 |
| 74 | Mercury Wagon | 1949 | 50000-75000 | 58000 | sold | 43969 | 52996 |
| 75 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1956 | 700000-900000 | 650000 | sold | 492760 | 593918 |
| 76 | Porsche 356 B Super Coupe | 1962 | 95000-120000 | 85000 | sold | 64438 | 77666 |
| 77 | Ferrari Dino 246 GT | 1972 | 185000-210000 | 195000 | sold | 147828 | 178175 |
| 78 | Tucker 48 | 1948 | 950000-1300000 | 1200000 | sold | 909712 | 1096464 |
| 79 | Dual Ghia | 1958 | 200000-250000 | 195000 | sold | 147828 | 178175 |
| 80 | Ford Thunderbird | 1957 | 55000-75000 | 46000 | sold | 34872 | 42031 |
| 81 | Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Litre Roadster | 1965 | 130000-160000 | 112500 | sold | 85285 | 102794 |
Three vehicles/lots were withdrawn before the auction began, namely
Lot 10 - Jaguar XK120 Roadster (1953), Lot 11 - Pierce-Arrow 1602 Salon 12 Convertible (1936), Lot 29 - Porsche 911 2.2 S Coupé (1970) and Lot 65 - Porsche 911 2.4 S Coupe (1973).
