106 vehicles and some automobilia, including a Coventry Climax engine, were auctioned by RM/Sotheby's from February 19 to 28, 2021. That in itself would not be unusual. What was certainly special was that the auction only took place online and the vehicles were spread across half the globe. Accordingly, interested parties bid on cars that were to be collected in the USA, Europe and Abu Dhabi. The first 50 or so lots came from Europe, followed by around 60 lots from the USA and finally a Swiss collection of new classic Porsches.
The 106 vehicles are on average a good 41 years old, and there were also a few tractors and a motorcycle among them. The largest brand contingent came from Porsche, followed by Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Ford, Alfa Romeo and Rolls-Royce. This was another indication of the unusual composition of consignments.
The spectrum was broad and ranged from super classics to used cars, including a Fiat Coupé 2.0 16V Turbo from 1995, an Aston Martin Vantage Le Mans V600 from 2000 and a Packard 2-25 Twin Six Runabout from 1917.
Rolls-Royce classics as high-flyers and divers at the auction
It is not always easy to gauge buyer interest in cars. In the case of two Rolls-Royces, however, the specialists at RM/Sotheby's were somewhat off the mark.
A 1983 Rolls-Royce Camargue sold for EUR 101,200 (CHF 111,209) instead of EUR 50,000 to 80,000, which was certainly a good result for the coupé designed by Pininfarina.
At the other end of the spectrum, however, only USD 7259 was offered for a 1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow LWB, which resulted in a sale price of just EUR 6620 and fell well short of the expectation of EUR 20,500 to 24,600.
Lots of interest in SL73
The bidders reacted enthusiastically to a Mercedes-Benz SL 73 AMG from the R129 model series.
The estimate was exceeded long before the end of the auction and in the end the dark convertible went for EUR 170,500 or CHF 187,363.
Hot-rod Ferrari 250 GTE finds new owner
The Ferrari 250 GTE on offer with chassis number 3723 GT from 1962 was unusual. The black coupé belonged to Jay Kay, the founder of the music group Jamiroquai, among others, and a lot of money was invested in it. The car was made faster with a 320 hp Colombo V12, so that the car was rightly called a "hot rod".
Visually, its performance was not apparent, and the estimated price was given as USD 675,000 to 725,000. At least the original engine was included.
The estimate was not quite reached, but at EUR 566,060 or CHF 622,044, the Ferrari got off quite reasonably.
Highly acclaimed Lamborghini Countach
However, a Lamborghini Countach LP5000 S from 1984, offered at a moderate estimate, was much more brilliant. The car had been in the same family in the USA since 1984 and had 48,005 km on the clock (as a German first delivery).
With a sales price of EUR 232,815 (CHF 255,841), the route Countach was sold for practically twice its estimated value.
Alfa rarities with mixed results
When you think of Alfa classics at auction, the Montreal, the Bertone or perhaps the Zagato specialties RZ/SZ come to mind. However, the offer at RM was completely different, as an Alfasud, an Alfa 33 and an Alfa Romeo 147 were on offer, supplemented by a GTV6 2.5 from 1984. The latter is a Group A version from Autodelta, prepared for use in rallying.
Even more special, however, was the twin-engined Alfasud from 1974, to which tuner Wainer added a second engine via the rear axle in 1977, thus doubling the power and the number of driven wheels. However, EUR 80,000 to 120,000 was a hefty estimate for this experimental car and nobody wanted to offer that. EUR 68,000 was the final price, not enough for a sale.
The 147 GTA from 2003 was much more successful, because with a sales price of EUR 26,950, the front-wheel drive car with the beautiful Busso V6 landed pretty much in the middle of the estimated value.
A well-preserved Alfa 33 1.5 4x4 Sport Wagon from 1988 was even cheaper, with EUR 9350 being enough for a successful purchase, while EUR 66,000 had to be paid for the GTV6 from 1984.
Spurned Italian exotics
Although the Alfas were exceptional, the list of Italian exotics was much longer. For example, a Cisitalia 202 SC Cabriolet came under the hammer. This was chassis 118 SC from 1950, one of around 60 examples built. The car on offer was probably fitted by Vignale, had the 1.1-liter 60 hp engine with Fiat roots under the hood and had already driven in Uruguay, Italy, Austria and Germany, among other countries.
The consignor expected EUR 400,000 to 450,000 for this rarity, but the highest bid of EUR 320,000 was not enough to win the auction.
One of the rare Lancia Hyena Zagato from 1994 was valued somewhat lower, but was hardly less exotic. The green car with chassis number ZLA831AB000579320 was estimated at EUR 160,000 to 200,000, but did not exceed EUR 145,000.
Mixed interest for pre-war cars
The pre-war fraction was all-American, with two Packards, a Pierce-Arrow and a 1938 Oldsmobile Two Door Travel Sedan coming under the hammer, the latter being the only one left standing.
EUR 95,865 (CHF 105,346) was paid for the 1917 Packard 2-25 Twin Six Runabout, EUR 14,608 (CHF 16,053) for the 1936 Packard Eight Sedan and EUR 40,172 (CHF 44,145) for the 1936 Pierce-Arrow Eight Enclosed Drive Limousine. Only this Pierce-Arrow exceeded expectations, the other three were well below.
Almost the entire Porsche collection from Switzerland with new owners
The last seven lots were all new Porsche classics from a Swiss collection. They included almost everything a Porsche collector who prefers modern cars could dream of, such as a yellow Porsche Carrera GT from 2005, a 918 Spyder from 2015 or a 911 Sport Classic from 2010. None of them had been driven much, and the newer models in particular remained within the four-digit kilometer range.
Only the 911 GT2 RS from 2011 (maximum bid EUR 358,800) was not sold; all but one of the other sports cars was knocked down at around 77 to 92% of the median estimate.
The 911 R from 2016 performed best, selling for EUR 379,500, which was more than expected.
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 | EUR Est from | EUR Est to | EUR HP | EUR SP | CHF SP | % Est | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107 | Fiat 900T "Garage Francorchamps" Service Van | 1978 | 20'000 | 25'000 | 25'000 | 27'500 | 30'250 | +22.22%
|
V |
| 108 | BMW M Coupé | 1998 | 45'000 | 55'000 | 42'000 | N | |||
| 109 | Chevrolet Corvair 95 Rampside | 1962 | 35'000 | 40'000 | 28'000 | N | |||
| 110 | Maserati Biturbo Si Black | 1987 | 20'000 | 30'000 | 11'500 | 12'650 | 13'915 | -49.4%
|
V |
| 111 | De Sanctis Formula Junior | 1958 | 45'000 | 55'000 | 42'000 | N | |||
| 112 | Porsche 911 T 2.2 Targa | 1971 | 75'000 | 90'000 | 69'000 | 75'900 | 83'490 | -8%
|
V |
| 113 | Jaguar XJS V-12 Le Mans Special Edition | 1988 | 25'000 | 30'000 | 17'000 | 18'700 | 20'570 | -32%
|
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
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