Barrett-Jackson Celebrates Best Auction Ever At Scottsdale

By Tyler Rampersaud –  February 02, 2022

Barrett-Jackson Celebrates Best Auction Ever At Scottsdale

With the help of Mr. Worldwide, Barrett-Jackson had their best auction ever. With nearly 2,000 vehicles sold at a 100% sell-through rate, this past Scottsdale auction was the best one that Barrett-Jackson has ever had. Nearly $200 million worth of cars were sold, and nearly 9 million dollars was raised for charity. The highest seller was a rare and legendary 2004 Porsche Carrera GT, which sold for nearly $2 million, and other appearances on the top ten list included a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, three Ford GTs, and even a 6x6 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG. Pitbull came along with a “Mr. 305 Edition” Karma GS-6, and the proceeds from its sale were donated to the SLAM and Selfless Love Foundations, while the very first 2023 Corvette Z06 was sold for an incredible $3.6 million, and the proceeds were given to Operation Homefront. Other cars sold for charity included a De Tomaso Pantera, the first 2022 Shelby GT500KR, the Pope Francis Center Edition Ford Bronco, and a 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback. With such a high bar set by the Scottsdale Auction, Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach Auction, from April 7-9, bears the responsibility of continuing Barrett-Jackson’s incredible year. If it’s anything like the Scottsdale Auction, we are excited to see what crosses the block. Top 10 Non-Charity Sales 2004 Porsche Carrera GT – $1,980,000 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing – $1,870,000 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder – $1,815,000 2014 McLaren P1 – $1,705,000 2019 Ford GT Heritage – $1,650,000 2019 McLaren Senna – $1,512,500 2017 Ford GT ’66 Heritage Edition – $1,430,000 2020 Ford GT Carbon Series – $1,375,000 2014 Mercedes Benz G63 AMG 6×6 – $1,210,000 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 CSX 3356 – $1,210,000 Source: Barrett-Jackson

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RM Sotheby's Arizona Auction Marks Most Expensive 300 SL Ever Sold

By Tyler Rampersaud –  February 02, 2022

RM Sotheby's Arizona Auction Marks Most Expensive 300 SL ...

RM Sotheby’s 2022 Phoenix Auction was a once-in-a-lifetime show. Starting strong for 2022, RM Sotheby’s sold $43.3 million in cars at their Phoenix, Arizona event, with 95% percent of all lots sold. Nearly a quarter of all bidders were first-time bidders for RM Sotheby’s and that’s thanks to there being some truly incredible cars crossing the block. The star of the show was a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, which set a price record for the model by selling at nearly $7 million, with its original alloy body and original engine. Another 300 SL, this time a Roadster, took the place of the third biggest seller at $2.3 million, with a rare set of specifications, a full cosmetic restoration, and one owner between 1971 to 2013. The car, manufactured in 1964, was the third to last 300 SL ever produced. Other cars sold at auction included a Duesenberg Model J Tourster, which sold for $3.4 million, yet another 300 SL Gullwing that sold for $1.7 million, a Porsche Carrera GT that sold for $1.5 million, and the original Cizeta-Moroder V16T, owned and created by disco legend Giorgio Moroder, which sold for $1.3 million. With such an exciting start to the year for RM Sothebys, we look forward to the Paris sale on February 2, and the Amelia Island sale on March 5. The 10 Sales From RM Sotheby's Arizona Lot # 159 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing $6,825,000 Lot # 152 1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham $3,415,000   Lot # 115 1964 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster $2,315,000   Lot # 135 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina $1,957,500   Lot # 134 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB by Scaglietti $1,875,000   Lot # 129 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing $1,710,000   Lot # 148 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder $1,600,000   Lot # 149 1987 Porsche 959 'Komfort' $1,600,000   Lot # 143 2005 Porsche Carrera GT $1,545,000   Lot # 168 1988 Cizeta-Moroder V16T $1,363,500 Source: RM Sotheby's

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first c8 z06

By Edward Jones –  January 31, 2022

1st C8 Corvette Z06 Sells For $3.6 Million at Barrett-Jac...

Pitbull's Karma also sold big for charity as well. The 2022 edition of the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction has come and gone, and that means results are starting to roll in. Without a doubt, the most exciting result has to be that of the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 VIN 001 (also the first retail production 70th Anniversary Edition). When the hammer was struck, the winning bid was an astonishing $3.6 million. That entire hammer price, and an additional $100,000 donated by Michelle Mauzy, are all going to benefit Operation Homefront, a charity dedicated to helping military families in need. Another exciting charity lot was Pitbull’s 2022 Karma GS-6 EV “305 Edition” that sold for $500,000. That winning bid, and an additional $200,000 donated by Michelle Mauzy, benefits the Selfless Love Foundation and The SLAM Foundation. In total, Barrett-Jackson raised more than $8.8 million for charity during the Scottsdale event. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Barrett-Jackson (@barrett_jackson)

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Judge 01

By Edward Jones –  January 29, 2022

1971 Pontiac GTO Judge Tribute Car For Sale by The Market...

Presented by The Market by Bonhams. The outside of this 1971 Pontiac GTO Judge Tribute car is finished in a bright, glossy, yellow, and features multi-colored blue, red, and pink stripe decals over each wheel. Calling this color scheme bold is certainly an understatement, but it looks fantastic when paired with the muted gun metal gray American Racing wheels at each corner. Flaws in the paint are minimal if any, and it should be noted that the chrome rear bumper is sporting a couple spots with corrosion. The beige half-cloth half-leather interior has been kept in excellent condition over the years. The front and rear seats look as if they’ve never been sat in. The chunky, leather-wrapped steering wheel looks great although the emblem in the center is cracking. The dash pad shows no signs of aging and the dashboard and instrument cluster are without imperfections. This is quite possibly one of the loudest color combinations ever put on a GTO. It looks fantastic. The yellow pairs fantastically with the gray American Racing five spoke wheels. The interior looks completely untouched, as if it’s been preserved in a museum for the past 51 years. This GTO looks ready to go straight out of the box. If you’re in search of a classic muscle car that doesn’t need any work done on it, then this is the GTO for you. View Listing The Market by Bonhams, the online classic and collectible motorcar marketplace, is now live across the US. How it Works - The bidding process is simple: would-be bidders register with their credit card details and are immediately able to bid. Automatic bidding is offered where bidders enter their maximum bid in advance. Winning bidders pay a 5% deposit to The Market by Bonhams and then agree payment terms with the seller before collecting their new vehicles.No Buyers fees and a flat 5% Sellers' Commission - the lowest in the industry - are the key benefits offered by The Market by Bonhams to US clients from launch. The Market by Bonhams US will be headed by General Manager Caroline Cassini supported by US-based consigners and the wider Bonhams motoring team.Bonhams Motoring 24/7 - The introduction of The Market by Bonhams in the US marks the latest development in Bonhams Motoring's 'always on' strategy, with its highly successful and prestigious live sales at Amelia Island, Quail Lodge and Scottsdale, complemented by the platform's daily online auctions, allowing clients to buy and sell collectors' cars on a 24/7 and global basis.

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1971 Ferrari 365 GTS 4 Daytona Spider by Scaglietti 0

By Edward Jones –  January 23, 2022

RM Sotheby’s Arizona: 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spid...

Presented by RM Sotheby's. The genesis of the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona is so well known that it almost requires no introduction. Nicknamed for the manufacturer’s 1-2-3 sweep at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona, the 365 GTB/4 was initially conceived as a stopgap model while a planned rear-engine car with a horizontally opposed 12-cylinder engine underwent further development. Gioacchino Colombo’s classic short-block V-12 was further bored to displace 4.4 liters, but the new type 251 engine was fitted with dual-overhead cam valve actuation, making the Daytona model Ferrari’s first DOHC road car. The powerful mechanical elements were clothed in an aggressive new coachwork design penned by Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti, and the shark-nosed body style remains one of the most singular forms ever to grace a roadgoing Ferrari. The Daytona coupe proved to be so popular that the development of an open variant was inevitable, and at the 1969 Frankfurt International Auto Show the 365 GTS/4 was unveiled. The ultimate expression of Ferrari’s longstanding grand touring tradition, the Daytona Spider was also endowed with great rarity when production ceased after just 121 examples had been built. These crown jewels of Daytona production now stand as the centerpieces of many Ferrari-focused collections, offering exhilarating performance and beautiful open-air styling in the last, and most highly developed, variant of the manufacturer’s great tradition of front-engine V-12 touring models. Once owned by a famous Hollywood director, and later the center of a cross-border drama worthy of a Hollywood plot itself, this beautifully restored Platinum Award-winning 365 GTS/4 is one of the most desirable examples of Maranello’s celebrated spider. According to the research of Rosso Corsa Consulting, chassis number 14779 is the 31st of 121 examples built. Factory-equipped with air conditioning, and specified with instruments in miles, the Daytona was originally finished in Argento Metallizzato paint over a Nero interior, exactly as the car presents today. It is important to note that only 14 Daytona Spiders were finished in Argento Metallizzato, and in a field of cars often dominated by rosso or giallo, this distinguishing feature endows the car with significant rarity and distinctive character. Completed in December 1971, the Ferrari was distributed by Luigi Chinetti Motors in June 1972, distributed to Carl A. Haas Automobile Imports of Highland Park, Illinois. Shortly thereafter the 365 GTS/4 was purchased by its first owner, H.J. Hoff, an enthusiast residing in Norfolk, Virginia. Around this time the car was displayed in the paddock at Road America during a Trans-Am race at the famed circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Three years later the Daytona Spider was sold to Sydney Pollack, the famed Hollywood director whose 50-year resume included numerous Oscar nominations, as well as Academy Awards for best picture and best director for the 1985 film Out of Africa. In 1979 the Ferrari was purchased by Alberto Amezcua of Mexico City, and he reportedly evaded import tariffs by paying an American tourist from Texas to drive the car over the border. Amezcua unfortunately encountered trouble in 1981 when the car was essentially stolen after he was forced to sign over the title in a strong-arm tactic by a powerful local pawn shop owner with ties to the Mexican president. In spring 1983 the Daytona was confirmed to be back in the United States when it was submitted for repairs to European Auto Restoration in Costa Mesa, California. By 1984 the Ferrari was purchased in good faith by the Ohio-based collector Ed Zamarelli, and two years later he advertised it for sale, at which point the odometer showed 34,000 miles. After becoming aware that his stolen Ferrari was being offered on the open market, Amezcua took legal action and successfully sued Mr. Zamarelli to regain possession of the fine Daytona Spider. Amezcua went on to keep the car for at least ten more years, refinishing the coachwork in black, and presenting the car at the 1993 FCA Vintage Ferrari Concours d’Elegance at the Quail Lodge and the 1996 Vintage Ferrari Concours d’Elegance, held in concert with Concorso Italiano. After passing through three California-based collections over the following two years, the Ferrari was purchased in 1999 by Ron Bridges of Longwood, Florida, and he commissioned a show-quality restoration by Vantage Motor Works, including a repaint in the original factory color of Argento Metallizzato. In 2004 Mr. Bridges sold the car to David Nagle of Oakland Park, Florida, and when Nagle offered the Daytona a year later the odometer still displayed a desirably low figure of 39,306 miles—an indication of how sparingly the car was driven. In 2006 the Daytona was acquired by the noted collector Gordon Apker of Scottsdale, Arizona, and he presented the car at the 2007 Concorso Arizona, winning a FCA Platinum Award. The 365 was then sold in January 2008 to Chris Cox of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, before being purchased in 2009 by the esteemed collector Steve Adler of New Vernon, New Jersey. Mr. Adler retained Steve Babinsky’s Pebble Beach award-winning firm Automotive Restorations to further restore the car, including reconditioning the interior to concours standards. In 2011 the spider passed to Haines “Chip” Marshall of Broussard, Louisiana, although the car was reportedly maintained within a Texas-based collection through January 2020. Currently displaying 40,150 miles, this modestly driven 365 GTS/4 is accompanied by a tool roll and owner’s manuals. In preparation for the current offering the car has been treated to a bout of freshening work, including the performance of a compression/leak down test and the installation of a new Ansa exhaust system. The rare Daytona Spider is beautifully refinished in its original factory color combination of Argento Metallizzato over Nero, and it bears repeating that this unusual one-of-14 exterior finish further bolsters the car’s rarity and distinctive character. Most Maranello-focused collectors, whether they are just beginning their journey or have assembled a deep collection over the course of many years, have seen fit to build around a Daytona Spider, as it is undeniably the quintessential blue-chip Ferrari. For the collector in search of a dynamic and exceptional example, chassis number 14779 offers a nearly unparalleled opportunity. Still benefiting from a proper mechanical restoration and subsequent upkeep as needed, this 365 GTS/4 is a striking example of the developmental zenith of Maranello’s celebrated open front-engine grand tourers that retains its numbers-matching engine and gearbox. The spider is equally suited for presentation at FCA events and major concours d’elegance, or enjoyment of its powerful and refined drivetrain, inviting serious tifosi to indulge in a living legend. RM Sotheby’s is set to kick off the collector car auction calendar once again by returning to the stunning grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix on 27 January for its 23rd annual Arizona sale. View all lots and register to bid online at RMSothebys.com. View Listing

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1965 Ferrari 275 GTB by Scaglietti 0

By Edward Jones –  January 22, 2022

RM Sotheby’s Arizona: 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB by Scaglietti

Presented by RM Sotheby's. By 1963, it had become increasingly apparent to Ferrari’s engineering team that the long-running and highly successful 250 GT series of road cars had reached the end of its development potential. Despite the fact that Ferrari was drifting toward a more luxurious base V-12 car, the company still wanted to maintain its fine tradition of dual-purpose sports/racing berlinettas, which had cemented its tremendous sporting reputation. Renowned British racer Michael Parkes, at the time a Maranello works driver, participated in considerable testing to assist in the development of a replacement model for the 250 GT platform. The new car would ultimately continue the traditional features that made the preceding berlinetta models so successful: front-engine architecture punctuated with a long front hood and short rear deck. The resulting 275 GTB debuted to great acclaim at the 1964 Paris Motor Show, setting a new standard for design and power in a Ferrari road car. As the gran turismo Berlinetta nomenclature suffix suggested, the 275 GTB retained the dual-purpose sporting identity of prior Ferrari sports/racers, and the delectable new coachwork built by Scaglietti was undoubtedly an extension of the legendary 250 GTO. The 275 was powered by a further enlargement of Gioacchino Colombo’s classic short-block V-12, which now displaced 3,286 cubic centimeters. Optimal weight balance was achieved by fitting the gearbox directly to the rear axle, in a rear transaxle design that would become a standard practice in many ensuing Ferrari road cars. The 275 GTB is also notable as the first Ferrari for the street to feature an independent suspension on all four wheels, an innovation that eventually took hold across automobile manufacturing. A year after the 275 GTB’s 1964 debut, a second series was unveiled that featured a longer nose, a modification intended to aid aerodynamic downforce at high speeds. Despite the technical improvements, many enthusiasts prefer the first-series cars’ proportions and purity of design. Early short-nose Series I examples remain the rarest of all iterations of the 275 GTB non-competition cars, with only approximately 250 examples built. SHORT-NOSE CHASSIS NUMBER 06609 Claiming over 36 years of single-family ownership, and displaying an impressive degree of unrestored originality, this Ferrari is a highly desirable example of Maranello’s early short-nose 275. According to the research of marque expert Marcel Massini, chassis number 06609 completed assembly in early February 1965, specified with instruments in miles. The coachwork was finished in Rosso and the interior was upholstered with Nero Vaumol leather made by Connolly. The Ferrari was soon delivered to Luigi Chinetti Motors in Greenwich, Connecticut, for retail in the United States. Though the first owner is currently unknown, by 1969 the 275 was owned by Craig Newton of Santa Barbara, California, who was a preferred client of the well-known marque specialist FAF Motorcars in Tucker, Georgia. After retaining possession for at least 15 years, Mr. Newton sold the Ferrari in August 1984 to an Arizona-based dealer, as clarified by a period title. Within a year the 275 was purchased by Dr. Terry Maxon of Glendale, Arizona, in a joint purchase undertaken with the well-known Modern Classic Motorcars of Phoenix, Arizona. MCM divested any interest in the GTB in March 1985 by selling its share to Dr. Maxon, at which point he owned the car in its entirety. He would go on to keep the berlinetta through the remainder of his life. Dr. Maxon reportedly drove the Ferrari rather sparingly while striving to maintain the car’s originality to the highest possible degree. In August 1994 he displayed the berlinetta at the Ferrari Club of America International Concours d’Elegance at Monterey, California. Largely domiciled for the ensuing years, the 275 made an appearance in January 2015 when the owner exhibited it at the Arizona Concours d’Elegance held at the Biltmore hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. The car’s striking originality was recognized there with a first-in-class award in the Preservation Class. Seven months later the GTB again competed for preservation class honors when it was presented at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Dr. Maxon went on to retain possession of the desirable 275 through his passing in early 2021, and the beautiful car is now offered by his estate, concluding a remarkable period of 36 years of uninterrupted ownership. Currently emitting a warm patina that is commensurate with many years of fastidious but unrestored care, the 275 GTB also features a well-worn interior. It is worth noting, however, that Dr. Maxon always kept his cars mechanically well-sorted for driving enjoyment, and the 275 GTB was no exception, as it is currently prepared for use at any time. The berlinetta would make an ideal candidate for a sympathetic restoration that would properly complement its originality. Or the car may be left in its present state to continue a campaign in preservation-class competition, where its originality might be further recognized. Believed to retain its original matching-numbers engine (although the original gearbox has been replaced with a correct type 563 transaxle), it is documented with the Massini report, a 1985 bill of sale from Modern Classic Motors, parts invoices and service records dating from 1985 to 2019, and a handwritten logbook dating back to 1985. Further, the Ferrari is accompanied by two sets of spare wheels and a partially complete toolkit. It offers marque aficionados and broader collectors alike the opportunity to acquire a pure expression of the earliest variant of the 275 GTB—a Ferrari sure to be a strong complement to any sporting collection. RM Sotheby’s is set to kick off the collector car auction calendar once again by returning to the stunning grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix on 27 January for its 23rd annual Arizona sale. View all lots and register to bid online at RMSothebys.com. View Listing

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1966 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale by Pininfarina 0

By Edward Jones –  January 21, 2022

RM Sotheby’s Arizona: 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale by Pi...

Presented by RM Sotheby's. The unique relationship between Ferrari and Pininfarina has yielded many fascinating and captivating designs since the coachbuilder became Maranello’s preferred carrozzeria for road cars in the mid-1950s. In addition to the better-known series-built production models, Pininfarina has built numerous one-offs and show cars, even further distinguishing its legendary resume. But relatively few of those cars claim to be design studies that were personally owned by a member of the Pininfarina family, as does this exceptional 330 GTC Speciale. According to the combined research of marque expert Marcel Massini and GTC specialist/author Maurice Khawam, chassis number 8727 is the fourth of 600 330 GTC examples built. Following its July 1966 completion as a standard 330 GTC, the car was purchased by Sergio Pininfarina to be the subject of a developmental design study for future variants of the GTC model. Focused exclusively on the cosmetic aspects and interior functions, Pininfarina incorporated a host of subtle modifications on the 330, many of which would go on to become regular production features in ensuing examples. Primarily he removed the car’s original Bleu Vaumol leather and replaced it with light blue cloth upholstery, in an aim to make the car more comfortable during hot Italian summers. Cloth upholstery later became an option for 330 GTC buyers. The interior windshield vents were relocated to the top of the dashboard, and heater controls were divided into discreet right- and left-side dual levers, modifications that were later adopted in the 365 GTC. Most significantly, Pininfarina eliminated the fender vents that had been a carryover from the 330 GT 2+2, replacing them with dual hood vents that were far superior in releasing engine heat. Again, this design proved to be successful enough to implement in the forthcoming 365 GTC. Other changes remained experiments that were never translated into any production form, such as a new mechanism to open the vent windows, and different clothes hooks. More conspicuous one-off features included a unique steering wheel and hub, a recessed ashtray, different window switches, and a countersunk Cavallino Rampante hood badge. The most unusual modification was the addition of circular pop-up fog lamps on the nose, which were activated by a driver’s switch. Dubbed “Supervis” (standing for super vision), these lights were originally penned by Aldo Brovarone for the Superfast I concept car and were used in production in the rare 365 California Spider. After serving as Pininfarina’s design study, the Speciale was sold in July 1967 to a Milan-based enthusiast, and it passed to at least two more Italian owners before being exported to the United States in the late 1970s. Owned in the early 1980s by John Mason of San Francisco, the Ferrari was sold in September 1983 to California resident James Hampton, who in 1987 sold a fifty-percent interest in the car to John Ratto. Together the two men set about researching the unusual 330’s history and embarking on a comprehensive restoration, as the car had been repainted in silver, upholstered with black leather, and the unique foglamps had been removed. By 1996 the owners had rebuilt the engine and transmission, but employment assignments overseas forced them to temporarily halt the refurbishment. In mid-1999 the project recommenced, and coachbuilder Steve Moal assisted in rebuilding the front end with new pop-up foglamps, using a 365 California as an exemplar. With Pininfarina supplying the original paint code, they were able to refinish the coachwork in the original factory color of Blu Scuro, but they decided to complement the exterior with a tan leather interior, making for a striking color combination. Following the restoration’s completion in 2002, the owners kept the GTC for another six years before selling it to current ownership in 2008. The car was exhibited for some time at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum in Danville, California, before subsequently being the subject of a color feature in the August 2017 issue of Forza magazine, where Mr. Khawam detailed the results of a long research process that illuminated just how special the Ferrari was. Publicly available for the first time in 14 years, and restored to the glory of Sergio Pininfarina’s experimental vision, this unique 330 GTC would distinguish any gathering of Ferraris, perfect for marque collectors and aficionados of rare Speciale examples. Sure to be a hit on concours fields and special exhibits, the fetching coupe is a tribute to the unique relationship between Ferrari and Pininfarina, offering its future caretaker a one-of-a-kind opportunity. RM Sotheby’s is set to kick off the collector car auction calendar once again by returning to the stunning grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix on 27 January for its 23rd annual Arizona sale. View all lots and register to bid online at RMSothebys.com. View Listing

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First 800HP Apocalypse Warlord 6x6 Being Auctioned by Barrett-Jackson

By Tyler Rampersaud –  January 20, 2022

First 800HP Apocalypse Warlord 6x6 Being Auctioned by Bar...

With a name like that, this isn’t a truck to be trifled with. There’s a certain 'je ne sais quoi' about a six-wheeler truck. Something about the extra two wheels in the back makes a truck just that much more intimidating, ferocious, and ridiculously cool. The new Apocalypse Warlord is no exception, rather it’s the biggest example. With 800 horsepower, a 264-inch length, and six-wheel drive thanks to its six wheels, calling the Apocalypse Warlord a unique truck is a grave understatement. It’s got a Hellcat engine, and every luxury tech and creature comfort feature you’d ever need, and it’s going to be sold at auction by Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale with no reserve on January 29. Better yet, it’s going to be sold at primetime with bidding estimated to commence between 6 and 8 pm, meaning that the bidding will be an exciting, chaotic, and fiercely competitive event. After all, who wouldn’t want a 6-wheel truck built for anything and everything that could happen? See 6x6 Trucks For Sale " width="680">

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1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing 0

By Edward Jones –  January 20, 2022

RM Sotheby’s Arizona: 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing

Presented by RM Sotheby's. A GULLWING UNLIKE ANY OTHER Of the 1,400 examples of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing coupe built from 1955–1957, a plurality—some 530 cars—were finished by the factory in Silver, making it effectively the “default” color. The choice was quite logical: Silver was the traditional color of German racing machinery, and the high-performance 300 SL was a direct descendent of the company’s successful motorsport program (most obviously the gullwing door-equipped, Carrera Panamericana-winning W194). The model featured a race-derived 3.0-liter inline-six with mechanical fuel injection and lightweight tube-frame construction, further underscoring its competition pedigree. Buyers of the 300 SL could in fact choose from a range of 10 standard colors, however, as well as a virtually limitless palette of sonderfarben, or special colors, and the celebrated Gullwing design is particularly striking in some of these seldom-seen shades. This 1955 300 SL is one of just two cars known to have been finished in Dunkelgrau, or Dark Grey; according to Eric Le Moine’s Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe/Gullwing Register, it is the sole example to have been finished in Dunkelgrau with a red plaid cloth and fawn vinyl interior, making for a unique and highly appealing combination. Completed on 26 April 1955, according to a copy of the factory data card on file, this 300 SL was built to United States specification and dispatched for delivery via New York. Its first owner of record is a Dr. Anthony M. Puled of Cleveland, Ohio, who purchased the car in March 1959. Dr. Puled would retain the 300 SL until November 1971, when he sold it to The Car People, Inc., a dealership located in North Royalton, Ohio. It would remain in the possession of the dealership until 1987, when it was bought by Engelwood, New Jersey collector Frank Gallogly. Under Gallogly’s stewardship, the Mercedes-Benz’s engine was rebuilt, and it was repainted. Fastidious maintenance continued under its next owner, John Vought of Ridgefield, Connecticut, who acquired the car in 1992. He would enjoy the Gullwing until 2001, when it was obtained by Peter Weinberg of Monkton, Maryland. Under Gallogly’s stewardship, the Mercedes-Benz’s engine was rebuilt, and it was repainted. Fastidious maintenance continued under its next owner, John Vought of Ridgefield, Connecticut, who acquired the car in 1992. He would enjoy the Gullwing until 2001, when it was obtained by Peter Weinberg of Monkton, Maryland. CHASSIS NUMBER 5500243, REBORN While this Gullwing clearly benefitted from a lifetime of care by devoted enthusiasts, its next caretaker, who acquired the car from Mr. Weinberg in 2014, decided to undertake a total restoration. This comprehensive job involved a team of predominantly California-based craftsmen, with numerous important components obtained directly from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine. As documented in a substantial file of restoration invoices, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL specialist David Grant of Santa Clarita, California headed the work on this uniquely configured car; certain tasks were sublet to experts for completion, with Van Nuys Sports Cars of Sherman Oaks assembling its numbers-matching engine and performing transmission work on its four-speed manual gearbox. Tony Castellano Classic Car Restoration of Palmdale did body work and repainted the car in its rare, factory-correct color. Bumpers, fuel system components, and more were obtained from Germany’s HK-Engineering, and the car’s exterior brightwork was also re-chromed and polished at this time. The car’s wheels were refinished and wrapped in Michelin XVS tires. Equal care was paid to the Mercedes-Benz’s interior. The factory-correct upholstery colors were retained, but the original fawn vinyl material was replaced with high-quality leather by Quality Auto Upholstery of Marina Del Rey, California; a new headliner was purchased from 300 SL restoration legend Rudi Koniczek of British Columbia, Canada. Red tartan seat material was sourced from Hjeltness Restoration of Fallbrook, California, who also supplied a set of alternate leather cushions (which accompany the car today). Finally, a correct set of luggage, color-matched to the tan leather of the interior, was obtained, and it is currently fitted behind the seats. The car was acquired by the present consignor in 2015, not long after the completion of its total restoration. Most recently, it was detailed by RM Auto Restorations, further burnishing the well-maintained Mercedes-Benz’s already appealing state of presentation. It is accompanied by fitted luggage and leather seat cushions, tool roll and jack, a copy of the factory data card, and a file documenting its ownership history, maintenance, and restoration. The 300 SL Gullwing is notable for being one of the few cars of its era that is as wonderful to drive as it is to simply admire. Boasting a unique, factory-correct color combination and history of expert restoration and careful maintenance, this Dunkelgrau example offers its next owner innumerable opportunities for on-road enjoyment, exhibition, and participation in club activities. RM Sotheby’s is set to kick off the collector car auction calendar once again by returning to the stunning grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix on 27 January for its 23rd annual Arizona sale. View all lots and register to bid online at RMSothebys.com. View Listing

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1979 Ferrari 308 GTB Club Racer 0

By Edward Jones –  January 19, 2022

RM Sotheby’s Arizona: 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB Club Racer

Presented by RM Sotheby's. Offered Without Reserve From The Dr. Terry Maxon Collection The late 1980s witnessed a surge of interest in racing Ferrari’s rear-engine 308 GTB, which was never campaigned by the factory but had enjoyed uneven results through privateer efforts in rallying, SCCA, and IMSA GT racing. Inspired by the twin-turbocharged Group B-intended 288 GTO, and taking advantage of a dip in market value, a spate of builders began modifying older 308 examples into capable racecars, closely matching many of the flagship supercar’s design cues. By the early 1990s Dr. Maxon was firmly in this camp, and he began searching for a 308 GTB to purchase, while studying other race-modified examples for ideas. In May 1993 Dave Zumstein and Bill Freeman sold chassis number 26953 to Dr. Maxon, and he began a long and arduous process of transforming it into a competitive club racer. As confirmed by a deep file of documentation including dozens of parts and service invoices spanning from 1993 to 2019, the owner retained the legendary mechanic Bob Wallace (best known for test driving and developmental work at Lamborghini) to rebuild the V-8 into a race-ready engine. The 308 was treated to a rebuild of the brakes and suspension with racing components, including custom-built shocks. The carburetors and intake manifold were overhauled, and a Holley fuel pump was installed, among other mechanical measures. A roll cage, racing seats, and fire extinguisher were installed in the interior, which was stripped down to a spartan lightweight condition, and crowned with a purpose-built instrument panel with competition gauges and switches. The coachwork, later repainted in an unusual shade of forest green, was modified with a new front grille and chin spoiler, and an adjusted rear end featuring 288-style exhaust vents and an upturned decklid edge. The build was completed with Gotti wheels shod with Avon racing tires. As revealed by a detailed log of racing and test notes, Dr. Maxon began putting the 308 GTB on the track in June 2012. Over the following six years he enjoyed the car at SCCA and FCA events on circuits like Firebird International Raceway, Chuckwalla Valley, Palm Springs, the Inde Motorsports Ranch, and the Wildhorse and Bondurant Mondo Sunday. During this period he consistently continued to rebuild and modify aspects of the car, and a detailed accounting of his invoices declares that the build cost in excess of $102,000. This well-documented 308 club racer now awaits its next caretaker, offering thrilling laps on the track, and the opportunity to further modify the project into a vintage class winner. It is a testament to Dr. Maxon’s passion for Ferrari racing, and a unique 288-styled interpretation of the 308 GTB competition car. RM Sotheby’s is set to kick off the collector car auction calendar once again by returning to the stunning grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix on 27 January for its 23rd annual Arizona sale. View all lots and register to bid online at RMSothebys.com. View Listing

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