55 cars for EUR 74.3 million, which means EUR 1.35 million per car. If the bidding at an auction looks like this, then this auction must surely be a special one. The presumably last RM/Sotheby's auction at Villa Erba on May 20, 2023, which will take place on the occasion of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, certainly deserves this title.
In view of the high value expectations, the high proportion of vehicles to be sold without a minimum bid is surprising, namely 34 or almost two thirds of the offer, which is on average 48 years old.
Ferrari and the others
The offer is dominated by vehicles of the Ferrari brand, 26 cars with the rearing horse are to be sold on May 20. On average, they are said to be worth EUR 2.2 million and 73% will be sold without a minimum bid. In fact, Ferrari is almost exclusively represented among the 15 most expensive cars, with only a Bugatti Chiron, a Lamborghini Miura and a Lancia Astura. On average, the 26 Ferraris are 42 years old.
The six BMWs are significantly younger, with an average age of just 20 years. These are predominantly younger M versions, all of which will be sold without a limit.
Lamborghini is represented with four cars, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Mercedes-Benz with two.
There are no truly exotic brands on offer; Facel Vega or Fiat-Abarth are still the most unusual manufacturers.
Successful racing Ferrari
The most expensive vehicle in the auction is a Ferrari 312 P (B), once driven by the likes of Ronnie Peterson and Tim Schenken. Chassis 0886 won the 1000 km in Buenos Aires and at the Nürburgring, as well as other podium finishes.
The 312 P (B) was the last Ferrari prototype to win the World Sports Car Championship. This is worth EUR 14 to 18 million.
In 1949, the Ferrari 166 MM Touring with chassis number 0024 M was on display at the Paris Motor Show. And shortly afterwards it won for Ferrari in South America. At the 1951 Mille Miglia, the car was classified in eighth place.
It was therefore perhaps somewhat less successful than the Barchetta that won the Mille Miglia in 1949 and thus gave the car its name, but according to RM it still has the original engine and gearbox from back then, which is to be valued at EUR 4 to 5 million.
The Barchetta is only the third most expensive car in the auction, as a 250 GT WB from 1961 is expected to cost EUR 7.5 to 8.5 million.
Other multi-million values from Maranello include a Ferrari 500 TR Spider from 1956, a 400 Superamerica from 1961, a 275 GTB/4 from 1967, a 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider from 1973, a Monza SP1 from 2019, an F40 from 1989 (EUR 2.2 to 2.8 million) as well as several 250 GT variants and a 275 GTS.
The special Facel Vega
For people who like to own something special, the Facel Vega Facel II prototype (chassis HK2 A099) from 1959 could be an option.
It has a unique bodywork and a four-speed gearbox from Pont-à-Mousson. It was originally driven by Facel-Vega owner Jean Daninos. Completely restored (2020-2022), the unique Facel is now expected to cost EUR 700,000 to 1 million.
Cars with famous previous owners
The Facel is not the only car with famous previous owners.
The Jaguar XK120 from 1952, which once belonged to Clark Gable, should also be mentioned here. "MDU 420" was restored by Georg Dönni with great attention to detail and originality and is now expected to fetch EUR 350,000 to 500,000.
The 1977 Lamborghini Countach, one of the early models with chassis number 1120262, which was recently delivered to Rod Stewart, is expected to be even more expensive.
RM/Sotheby's estimated EUR 950,000 to 1.05 million for the red Lambo, which had been changed from RHD to LHD configuration and fitted with a Targa roof.
Almost only super classics
Apart from the relatively young BMW M models and a few pre-war specialties, Villa Erba's offerings actually only include super classics.
It is clear that neither a Lamborghini Miura from 1968 (EUR 1.3 to 1.5 million) nor two Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs from 1955 and 1958 are missing here.
However, the fact that the catalog also includes a Lancia Astura Cabriolet with Pinin-Farina bodywork from 1936 or an entire Ferrari Testarossa collection (all model variants, all with black paintwork and black interior) should also be mentioned.
A Maserati is missing, and there is a DB5 from Aston Martin for sale as a restoration project built in 1964.
The Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II DTM racing car from 1992, which is looking for a new owner for EUR 450,000 to 550,000, appears somewhat exotic in the offer.
Few low-priced cars
Yes, there are also a few cars at Villa Erba for which you don't have to fork out six-figure sums.
There is a Fiat 501 Tourer from 1920 (EUR 10,000 to 15,000) and the interesting four-door Fiat 1500 Berlina from 1938 (EUR 30,000 to 40,000).
The Fiat-Abarth 850 Scorpione from 1961, built by Allemano as a coupé, which is on offer for EUR 40,000 to 50,000, also seems interesting.
The offer is therefore exclusive and attractive, more information and many pictures can be found on the RM/Sotheby's website.
Offered Vehicles
The following table lists all offered vehicles with estimated prices. The price conversion was made at the exchange rate valid at the time of publication. All information is provided without guarantee.
| Lot | Car | Year | NoR | EUR Est from | EUR Est to | CHF Est from | CHF Est to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 102 | Fiat 501 Tourer | 1920 | Yes | 10'000 | 15'000 | 9900 | 14'850 |
| 103 | Fiat 1500 Berlina | 1938 | Yes | 30'000 | 40'000 | 29'700 | 39'600 |
| 104 | Alfa Romeo 1900 C Cabriolet Pinin Farina | 1953 | Yes | 200'000 | 300'000 | 198'000 | 297'000 |
| 105 | Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America Pinin Farina | 1955 | 700'000 | 900'000 | 693'000 | 891'000 | |
| 106 | Lancia Aurelia "B20 Corsa" Replica | 1953 | Yes | 40'000 | 50'000 | 39'600 | 49'500 |
| 107 | Fiat-Abarth 850 Scorpione Coupé Allemano | 1961 | Yes | 40'000 | 50'000 | 39'600 | 49'500 |
| 108 | Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 Sport Tourer Series II in the style of James Young | 1929 | 500'000 | 700'000 | 495'000 | 693'000 | |
| 109 | Alfa Romeo Giulietta T.I. Berlina | 1959 | Yes | 50'000 | 60'000 | 49'500 | 59'400 |
| 110 | Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso | 1963 | 1'300'000 | 1'600'000 | 1'287'000 | 1'584'000 | |
| 111 | Ferrari 328 GTS | 1989 | Yes | 90'000 | 120'000 | 89'100 | 118'800 |
| 112 | BMW 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile' | 1973 | Yes | 180'000 | 240'000 | 178'200 | 237'600 |
| 113 | Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Coupé Aerodinamico | 1961 | 3'000'000 | 3'500'000 | 2'970'000 | 3'465'000 | |
| 114 | Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano | 2009 | 600'000 | 650'000 | 594'000 | 643'500 | |
| 115 | Ferrari Testarossa 'Monospecchio' | 1986 | Yes | 120'000 | 180'000 | 118'800 | 178'200 |
| 116 | Ferrari Testarossa 'Monodado' | 1987 | Yes | 120'000 | 180'000 | 118'800 | 178'200 |
| 117 | Ferrari Testarossa | 1989 | Yes | 100'000 | 150'000 | 99'000 | 148'500 |
| 118 | Ferrari 512 TR | 1992 | Yes | 180'000 | 250'000 | 178'200 | 247'500 |
| 119 | Ferrari F512 M | 1996 | Yes | 230'000 | 300'000 | 227'700 | 297'000 |
| 120 | Lamborghini Murciélago R-GT | 2004 | 700'000 | 800'000 | 693'000 | 792'000 | |
| 121 | Lamborghini Diablo VT | 1994 | Yes | 150'000 | 200'000 | 148'500 | 198'000 |
| 122 | Lamborghini Countach LP400 'Periscopio' by Bertone | 1977 | 950'000 | 1'050'000 | 940'500 | 1'039'500 | |
| 123 | Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta | 1949 | 4'000'000 | 5'000'000 | 3'960'000 | 4'950'000 | |
| 124 | Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pinin Farina | 1960 | 1'200'000 | 1'400'000 | 1'188'000 | 1'386'000 | |
| 125 | AMG-Mercedes 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II DTM Gruppe A | 1992 | 450'000 | 550'000 | 445'500 | 544'500 | |
| 126 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1958 | 1'000'000 | 1'400'000 | 990'000 | 1'386'000 | |
| 127 | Bugatti Chiron | 2019 | 2'800'000 | 3'300'000 | 2'772'000 | 3'267'000 | |
| 128 | BMW M4 GTS | 2016 | Yes | 100'000 | 150'000 | 99'000 | 148'500 |
| 129 | BMW M4 CSL | 2022 | Yes | 170'000 | 230'000 | 168'300 | 227'700 |
| 130 | BMW M3 Sport Evolution | 1990 | Yes | 180'000 | 220'000 | 178'200 | 217'800 |
| 131 | BMW M3 GTS | 2010 | Yes | 150'000 | 200'000 | 148'500 | 198'000 |
| 132 | BMW M3 CSL | 2003 | Yes | 120'000 | 160'000 | 118'800 | 158'400 |
| 133 | Lamborghini Miura P400 by Bertone | 1968 | 1'300'000 | 1'500'000 | 1'287'000 | 1'485'000 | |
| 134 | Ferrari F40 | 1989 | Yes | 2'200'000 | 2'800'000 | 2'178'000 | 2'772'000 |
| 135 | Facel Vega Facel II Prototype | 1959 | 700'000 | 1'000'000 | 693'000 | 990'000 | |
| 136 | Aston Martin DB5 'Project' | 1964 | 450'000 | 550'000 | 445'500 | 544'500 | |
| 137 | Jaguar XK 120 Roadster | 1952 | 350'000 | 500'000 | 346'500 | 495'000 | |
| 138 | Ferrari 250 GT Coupé Series II by Pinin Farina | 1960 | 450'000 | 500'000 | 445'500 | 495'000 | |
| 139 | Lancia Astura Cabriolet Series III 'Tipo Bocca' Pinin Farina | 1936 | 1'200'000 | 1'600'000 | 1'188'000 | 1'584'000 | |
| 140 | Ferrari 312 PB | 1972 | 14'000'000 | 18'000'000 | 13'860'000 | 17'820'000 | |
| 141 | Bentley Speed Six Le Mans Tourer in the style of Vanden Plas | 1930 | 550'000 | 900'000 | 544'500 | 891'000 | |
| 142 | Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner | 1952 | 750'000 | 1'000'000 | 742'500 | 990'000 | |
| 143 | Ferrari 550 Maranello | 1997 | Yes | 100'000 | 150'000 | 99'000 | 148'500 |
| 144 | Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti | 1973 | Yes | 2'500'000 | 3'000'000 | 2'475'000 | 2'970'000 |
| 145 | Ferrari 275 GTS | 1965 | Yes | 1'300'000 | 1'700'000 | 1'287'000 | 1'683'000 |
| 146 | Ferrari 500 TR Spider Scaglietti | 1956 | Yes | 4'000'000 | 4'500'000 | 3'960'000 | 4'455'000 |
| 147 | Ferrari 360 Spider | 2002 | Yes | 75'000 | 125'000 | 74'250 | 123'750 |
| 148 | Ferrari SA Aperta | 2011 | Yes | 1'000'000 | 1'400'000 | 990'000 | 1'386'000 |
| 149 | Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Roadster | 1956 | Yes | 600'000 | 800'000 | 594'000 | 792'000 |
| 150 | Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina | 2001 | Yes | 250'000 | 320'000 | 247'500 | 316'800 |
| 151 | Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II Pininfarina | 1961 | Yes | 1'000'000 | 1'400'000 | 990'000 | 1'386'000 |
| 152 | Ferrari Testarossa | 1986 | Yes | 150'000 | 200'000 | 148'500 | 198'000 |
| 153 | Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta by Scaglietti | 1961 | Yes | 7'500'000 | 8'500'000 | 7'425'000 | 8'415'000 |
| 154 | Ferrari Monza SP1 | 2019 | Yes | 2'500'000 | 3'000'000 | 2'475'000 | 2'970'000 |
| 155 | Ferrari 275 GTB/4 by Scaglietti | 1967 | Yes | 2'800'000 | 3'300'000 | 2'772'000 | 3'267'000 |
| 156 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1955 | Yes | 1'200'000 | 1'500'000 | 1'188'000 | 1'485'000 |
All information is provided without guarantee.
Legend: Column NoR = No Reserve (no minimum price), Column S = Status (V = Sold, N = Not sold, Z = Withdrawn, U = Under reserve)
Est = Estimate, HP = Hammer Price, SP = Sale Price
