When a Toyota becomes worth more than the classics from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Mercedes-Benz
Over the last few years, the famous Mercedes Benz 300 SL in gullwing and roadster versions have been setting new price records at auctions. Just a few years ago, a good SL from the fifties or sixties could have been bought for between 200,000 and 300,000 euros, but prices have risen to seven-figure dollar regions in some cases. The expectations of the auction houses, or rather the owners who have such a vehicle auctioned, are correspondingly high. Record prices were once again expected at RM Auctions last night, especially as the vehicles were carefully restored. Two roadsters and a gullwing were offered in Ford Worth.
It was therefore all the more surprising that the two roadsters were overshadowed by a Japanese car that had fetched a record price. It was a 1967 Toyota 2000 GT for which the highest bidder offered a whopping USD 1.05 million, and this amount had to be rounded up by 10% to account for surcharges/commissions. So while the two SL Roadsters remained below the ominous million mark, the Toyota made the leap into the super league.
Of course, this is not entirely surprising. It is rare (only 337 were built) and beautiful, has a powerful engine and can rightly be described as the first super sports car to be built in Japan. At the time, however, nobody wanted to buy it because the Japanese lacked prestige.
Today, things are obviously different, because while you can now pay a million for a Toyota in top condition, you can get a Lamborghini 350 GT for half that price or a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona for a third. That's how tastes change.
We have just published a comprehensive report on the RM Auctions auction in Texas , with all the results and hundreds of photos. All pictures are by Darin Schnabel - Courtesy RM Auctions.
