As every year, the auctions around Scottsdale/Phoenix in Arizona opened the new auction year. And like every year, the big companies had put together an impressive line-up of cars, and RM/Sotheby's was no exception.
As many as 154 1:1 scale vehicles, plus a few scaled-down versions and a few Automobila were looking for new owners on January 17 and 18, 2019.
The total value of the vehicles was estimated at around USD 76.4 million. However, after the two days, it didn't turn out to be that much. In fact, the sales prices amounted to USD 36.9 million, practically half the amount hoped for. The reason for this was that many of the particularly expensive cars did not find a buyer, despite a comparatively small deviation from the estimates overall, because at 81 percent of the average estimate, the highest bids were no further away from expectations than at other auctions.
Cheap Porsches?
22 Porsches were auctioned on January 17 and 18, with the highest bids averaging a good 86 percent of expectations. What's more, they were all sold!
Nevertheless, there were some surprisingly inexpensive Zuffenhausen sports cars for sale, such as two 930 Turbo from 1987 for USD 81,200 and USD 67,200, as well as early 911 models from 1969 and 1970 for USD 89,600 each (including surcharge/commission).
Even for a 911 RS from 1973, you had to invest significantly less money than a year ago, at USD 467,000.
A 356 Speedster from 1957 for USD 245,000 also sounds like a good deal, while a second Speedster from 1958 was sold for USD 313,000.
Surprisingly, the most expensive Porsche was a 911 Sport Classic from 2010, which cost the new owner USD 654,000, while a GT2 RS 'Weissach' from 2018 passed into new hands for USD 461,500.
Ferrari beaten below value
Of 21 Ferraris (including the Dino), 15 were sold.
Expensive sports cars from Maranello were particularly disappointing, such as the 250 GT Coupé Speciale by Pinin Farina from 1957, which had been estimated at USD 11 to 13 million, but failed to attract any bids over USD 7.5 million.
The 275 GTB/4 from 1967 also remained unsold, but at USD 2.65 million the bidders came close to the reserve price.
The most expensive Ferrari was a 288 GTO from 1985, which fetched USD 3.36 million.
In general, the younger cars from Maranello had an easier time, with the exception of the 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta, which remained unsold despite a bid of USD 5.5 million.
Over 50 years old on average
The average age of the vehicles was over 51 years, which was due to the surprisingly large pre-war offer of 28 cars (up to and including 1941). Of these, however, only 22 cars found a new home, with bids at 73.5 percent of the median estimate, the offers were often low/too low.
However, some pre-war cars were able to shine, such as the Lone Star Beauty Four Five-Passenger Touring from 1920 or the Marmon Sixteen Two-Passenger Coupe by LeBaron from 1932.
At the same time, a 1938 Buick Business Coupé (Custom) went to its new owner for USD 24,640, well below expectations.
Many super classics
With so many Porsches and Ferraris on offer, it goes without saying that even without a Lamborghini and with only one Maserati, there was a huge arsenal of super classics waiting for new owners.
Of course, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL gullwing and roadster were not missing in Phoenix, with an estimated value of USD 1.1 to 1.4 million.
Both remained unsold, although USD 1.1 million was offered for the Gullwing and USD 950,000 for the Roadster. The consignors obviously expected more.
Three Jaguar E-Types were presented to the bidding public. Two were from the first and one from the second series. They were all sold, the Series 1 cars close to the estimate, the Series 2 E-Type well below it for USD 72,800 instead of the expected USD 110,000 to 130,000.
No luck for the two Shelby Cobras, which were left standing despite top bids of USD 675,000 and 1.1 million, while a 1965 GT350 found a new garage for USD 357,000.
Bentley ahead of Rolls-Royce
In a direct comparison, the nine Bentleys (8 sold) performed significantly better than the 16 Rolls-Royces (13 sold). The Rolls models in particular showed enormous swings upwards and downwards.
While USD 252,000 was paid for a 1987 Camargue with a convertible top, almost double the estimate, a prospective buyer was able to snap up the 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom V State Landaulet by Mulliner Park Ward for a fraction of the estimate, as USD 445,000 was enough to acquire the rarity, which was estimated at USD 1 to 1.5 million.
Two Vector prototypes
The two Vector prototypes WX-3 as Coupé and Roadster from 1993, which caused a sensation at the Geneva Motor Show in 1992 and 1993 with around 1000 hp and great colors, were certainly something special.
The two one-offs were sold for USD 615,000 and USD 500,000, which overall exceeded expectations.
Cheap cars too
40 cars could be bought in Phoenix for five-digit sums, significantly more than the estimates had suggested. A VW Type 181 was available for USD 24,640, a Lotus Esprit S1 for USD 50,400.
The De Tomaso Pantera L from 1974 cost USD 61,600, the Acura NSX from 1995 USD 70,000.
A Ferrari F355 Spider from 1996 could be had for USD 78,400, while a Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupé from 1963 drained the bank account by USD 89,600.
It seems that the price level among Americans is also falling to international standards.
Despite the high risk ratio (60 percent of the cars were sold without a reserve price), the RM auction was not reminiscent of a sell-out, with good cars also fetching high prices.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | Volkswagen 1500 Beetle Sedan | 1968 | 35'000 | 50'000 | 30'000 | 33'600 | 33'600 | 29'568 | -20.94%
|
V |
| 105 | Ferrari F430 Spider | 2006 | 125'000 | 150'000 | 100'000 | 112'000 | 112'000 | 98'560 | -18.55%
|
V |
| 106 | Fiat-Abarth 750 GT 'Double Bubble' Zagato | 1959 | 80'000 | 100'000 | 90'000 | 100'000 | 100'000 | 88'000 | +11.11%
|
V |
| 107 | Porsche 356 SC GT 'Outlaw' | 1964 | 200'000 | 275'000 | 185'000 | 207'200 | 207'200 | 182'336 | -12.76%
|
V |
| 108 | Toyota FJ25 Land Cruiser Soft-Top | 1960 | 50'000 | 70'000 | 62'500 | 70'000 | 70'000 | 61'600 | +16.67%
|
V |
| 109 | Acura NSX | 1995 | 70'000 | 80'000 | 62'500 | 70'000 | 70'000 | 61'600 | -6.67%
|
V |
| 110 | Willys M38 Korean War Jeep | 1952 | 40'000 | 50'000 | 60'000 | 67'200 | 67'200 | 59'136 | +49.33%
|
V |
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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
































































































































































































































































































































































