Over August 13-14, during the prestigious Concours D’Elegance at Pebble Beach, Mecum Auctions will be hosting its event at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa in Monterey. And headlining will be this, a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT long wheelbase Tour de France. This particular car, (chassis number 1321) is significant in that, firstly, it’s un-restored and secondly, that it has racing pedigree. It won the gruelling Nurburgring 1000 km in 1959 and later that year finished third overall at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Belgians Jean Blaton and Leon Dernier. The car has been meticulously maintained since its winning days and has seldom changed hands, the last owner purchasing the car sometime in the 1970s. Prior to being showcased at the Del Monte Golf Course recently, the last time it was seen in public was at Road America, almost two decades ago, so anticipation for the sale is particularly high.

Mecum’s Monterey auction is currently shaping up to be a memorable one. Dana Mecum, President of the auction house, stated, “the list of vehicles continues to grow for our upcoming auction and as a result, we’ve now expanded it to two days, as more than 400 investment grade collector cars, exotic vehicles and ultra rare boats are scheduled to cross the auction block.”  It will be interesting to see how 25o GT Tour de France (chassis# 1321) will fare, especially given that high profile vintage Ferraris (especially those with significant racing pedigree) tend to go for serious money at the Monterey auctions.

[Source: Mecum Auctions]

Whenever one of the original 21 Scaglietti designed Testa Rossas comes up for sale, it’s usually very big news. Last year at the third annual Ferrari Leggenda e Passione auction; held at the Ferrari factory in Maranello and hosted by RM in conjunction with Sotherby’s, the car shown in this blog, a 1957 Testa Rossa (chassis 0714TR), sold for a record 9,020,000 Euros (approximately $12.4 million). This amid one of the worst economic slumps in recent memory.

Now at the upcoming Sporting Classics of Monterey auction, to be held from August 12-14th at the Portola Hotel and Spa, yet another Testa Rossa is slated to cross the auction block. The car, 0738TR, was built in 1958 and delivered brand new, to Brazilian Jean-Louis Lacerda Soares. During the course of its history the car has been extensively raced – it was campaigned by Lacerda Soares under the Esquadari Largatixa banner  for a number of years and  for the past 14 seasons has garnered a number of wins and podium finishes at historic road racing events around the world. Painted in the national Brazilian colors of yellow and green it’s also a very eye catching example and the racing pedigree is likely to mean the car will bring top dollar at the auction. It will be interesting to see, that given the slow economic recovery, if this car will top the record set by 0714TR last year.

The Sporting Classics of Monterey is one of the most prestigious auctions of its kind anywhere in the world and the caliber of vehicles has to be seen to believed. Besides the T-R, other rare and desirable Ferraris up for grabs include a 1959 covered headlamp California Spyder (one of the original long wheelbase cars – delivered new to Prince Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia – the only son of Umberto II, the last King of Italy); a 1959 410 Superamerica and a 1966 500 Superfast. Current estimates place all these cars selling in the $800,000 to $3-million plus range.

[Source: RM Auctions]

At it’s past Palm Beach auction, Collector Car Auction powerhouse Barrett-Jackson experimented with a free app for the iPhone and iPod touch, in an effort to make the events, news and featured vehicles more accessible than ever before. The trial proved a success and now; Barrett-Jackson has officially released its own app.

One of the neat features about B-J’s app for the iPhone and iPod, is that it presents users with real time updates, with a regularly updated list of vehicle lot numbers, so they can see which vehicle will cross the block next. Combined with maps that direct the user to each sale, the app also allows for easier navigation of Barrett-Jackson’s auctions, which traditionally could be overwhelming at times. The app is also able to provide such features as online ticket sales and program scheduling on Speed TV.

Hit the link below to get more info and download the app.

[Source: Barrett-Jackson]

Kruse Inc., recognized as one of the pioneers in the field of collector and special interest car auctions, has had its licenses revoked in its home state. The Indiana Auctioneer Commission, recently ruled to take away both Kruse’s auctions that have allowed it to operate in the Hoosier state. To add further insult to injury, the auction house will not be able to re-apply for new licenses for at least another seven years.

Dean Kruse, president of the Auction house, has also  had his own license suspended indefinitely and both he and his company have been fined $70,000.

This comes on the heals of reported financial troubles at Kruse Inc., which were first noticed last year, when a number of consignors (vehicle sellers), reported that they weren’t getting paid and that the buyers weren’t getting the cars they’d purchased. An official statement from Kruse himself last year mentioned that the auction house had been affected by the economic downturn.

Kruse Inc. is perhaps best known for selling the famous William Harrah car collection over the course of three separate auctions which brought over $41 million, including a 1934 Dusenberg which was bought for cool $1 million in cash. However, with the suspension of licenses it’s unclear what the immediate future might bring for the auction house, though it is reported that Dean Kruse is in talks to repay the money owed and apply for re-instatement of licenses, under specific turns and conditions laid out by the Commission.

[Source: Autoweek]

The last Aston Martin DB5 used in the original James Bond movies will go up for auction at an auction being held in London at the end of October.

The iconic silver sports car comes with all of the usual gadgets, including machine guns, rotating license plates, an oil slick, ejector seat and bulletproof shield. The car was purchased from the Aston Martin factory by Jerry Lee, an American broadcaster. Lee paid $12,000 for the car, a hefty sum in those days, and the vehicle has remained in his collection for 40 years.

RM Auctions, the firm selling the vehicle, expects the Aston to go for roughly $5,000,000, with all proceeds going to the Jerry Lee Foundation, a charity designed to help combat crime and social problems brought on by poverty.

[Source: Auto Express]

GM might have dealt Pontiac a quick and undignified death, but the late performance oriented marque lives on. In classic car circles Pontiacs represent some of the most desirable vehicles of all, especially those from the muscle car era. And if perhaps to illustrate the point, on June 19th, RM Auctions will host it’s Classic Muscle and Modern Performance sale, at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, CA;. the highlight of which will be an impressive number of primo Pontiac muscle cars, including a select number of GTOs and Firebird Trans Ams being offered for sale from the private collection of Jim Wangers.

For anybody with even a passing interest in muscle era Pontiac power; Wangers needs no introduction. Working at the Advertising Agency of McManus, John and Adams in the 1960s; Wangers, via his now legendary promotion techniques, helped cultivate a performance image for the Pontiac brand that resonates with enthusiasts to this very day. Among the cars up for auction from his personal collection, include a 1965 GTO hardtop, a 1966 GTO convertible; two Carousel Red 1969 GTO Judge coupes, one of which is an original Drag Race dealer program car; a 1967 Firebird 400 magazine project car “Greenbird,” an original 1969 Trans Am (one of just 697 ever built) a 1979 10th Anniversary Trans Am; 1989 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am and a 1999 30th Anniversary Trans Am that was featured in Car & Driver and Motor Trend magazines, back when it was new. The Auction is one of the most highly anticipated of the year and is likely to draw substantial crowds and a ready number of potential buyers for these rare and desirable Pontiacs. Check out our gallery below or hit the link for full details and specs on all the cars. Plus, make sure you stick with AutoGuide for our follow up report to this one-of-a kind auction.

GALLERY: RM Auction Jim Wanger’s Pontiac Collection

[Source: geetotiger.com]

RM Auctions’ inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco, held over the Weekend of May 1-2, proved a resounding success. Held at the Grimaldi Forum, within the confines of the tiny principality, the auction drew €33,235,917 ($45,101,139) in total sales, with 88 of the 105 historical vehicles finding new owners (an 86 percent sell-through rate). Five of those cars fetched prices of over €2,000,000 each.

The top selling automobile of the auction, was a super rare 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica short wheelbase cabriolet with bodywork by Pininfarina, which achieved a new record for a Superamerica – selling for €2,800,000 ($3,799,600), significantly more than it’s original sale estimate of €2,450,000.

Additional sales that surpassed the two million euro mark included a highly desirable 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Gran Turismo, selling for €2,632,000 ($3,571,624); a rare 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 ‘Birdcage’, that set a new world record for a Birdcage, by selling at €2,464,000 ($3,343,648); plus the ex-Harrah 1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Tour de France, that sold for €2,352,000 ($3,191,664) and a stunning 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder, that brought in €2,072,000 ($2,811,704).

Other notable auction results included a stunning 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Competition Cabriolet that sold for €1,792,000 ($2,431,744); plus a significant 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II “Special Town Car” by Brewster, the only one of it’s kind to retain its original coachwork. The Rolls sold for  €1,456,000 ($1,975,792). Further high profile sales included a rare alloy-bodied 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Berlinetta, that went for €784,000 ($1,063,888); a fully-restored 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta, that gaveled for €767,200 ($1,041,090); plus a matching-numbers 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Zagato Spider, that fetched an impressive €879,200 ($1,193,074) and a genuine 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster Le Mans racer, that brought in €744,800 ($1,010,694).

The sale’s cover car, the 1937 BMW 328 MM ‘Buegelfalte’ (above), considered to be one of the world’s most significant pre-war sports race cars, exchanged hands within less than 24 hours of the sale’s conclusion for a confidential sum and was therefore not included in the final sale results. However, the Buegelfalte had reached a high bid of €4,300,000 ($5,835,100)  prior to its final sale and, added to the final auction results, it helped result in the most successful collector auction in history.

Besides the record sales for RM, there were some interesting observations at Sporting Classics. For example, many top bids were registered by telephone from 33 different countries and first time bidders represented 28 percent of the total number of registered entries. A sign of things to come? Perhaps. But such a high proportion of new buyers, along with the high sales tallies, indicates that the interest in blue chip classic and collectible cars remains healthy, even in the midst of slow economic growth.

[Source: RM Auctions]

This past winter has been an interesting one. The effects of El Nino spared much of the Midwest and parts of the North Eastern United States and Canada, while down south cold temperatures and fierce storms wreaked havoc. At the prominent Arizona classic car auctions in January, high winds and rain did their best to put a damper on things. At Russo Steele, on January, 21st, two huge tents, holding several hundred collectible and special interest vehicles, collapsed, causing one of them to blow across a nearby freeway and the other to land on and damage a number of classic vehicles.

The company that supplied the tents, Tri-Rentals, said to the auction house that it had reinforced the tents due to the bad weather, but the damage was still extensive. The Scottsdale Fire Department closed the auction grounds for two days to clear up the mess and when they finally opened again, Russo Steele had to use semi-trailers, concrete blocks and other methods to protect the auction site. Perhaps in view of the lost revenue, it probably isn’t surprising that the auction house is now suing Tri-Rentals. A statement was issued on Thursday, April 29th from Russo Steele, citing a lawsuit against the tent company that includes charges of gross negligence, negligence, fair dealing and breach of faith among other things. The statement did not mention the amount in damages, nor what else R-S is seeking from Tri-Rentals.

If the suit is successful, it might bring about new regulations and requirements for building and tent construction at future Scottsdale auctions.

[Source: Autoweek]

Hollywood may claim itself as the center of glitz and glamor, but as far as auto aficionados go, it is likely to be upstaged on May 1st by RM Auctions’ first ever Sporting Classics of Monaco. Held at the Grimaldi Forum, within the tiny principality, the event coincides with the 7th annual Historic Grand Prix of Monaco, which brings together some of the most famous and desirable race cars in history, running on one of the most storied and prestigious circuits in the world.

The Sporting Classics auction, will also bring together some of the most desirable and sought after European motorcars in the world and at present, eight of the featured cars have already brought in pre-sale estimates in excess of €1,000,000.

A total of 105 cars are slated to cross the auction block on May 1-2, with a strong focus on British, French, German and Italian marques. Among the featured vehicles up for grabs, is a stunning 1938 Delahaye 135 MS cabriolet, sporting one-off coachwork by famed builders Figoni et Falaschi, custom red leather interior and performance that endowed it with true Gran Turismo prowess, both on the road and racetrack.

Other significant vehicles including a multiple (six) race winning 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 “Birdgcage,” one of 17 ever built, plus a one-off 1937 BMW 328 “Bugelfalte,” built for the company’s racing division (which won it’s class in the 1938 Mille Miglia). Yet another is a 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II “Special”, with body by Brewster -recognized as one of the most historically significant Rolls-Royces ever produced and the only one out of three ever built to retain its original coachwork.

Besides cars, the auction will also feature a diverse assortment of memorabilia, including the world’s largest single-owner collection of Shell Petroliana. The result of some 35 years of judicious collecting by passionate Dutch collector and long-term Shell employee, Mr. Gilles Warning, the collection was amassed during Mr. Warning’s 30-year career at Shell and his many travels around the world. Today, the impressive collection comprises 1,000 different items, which will be sold as a single lot. From porcelain and enamel signs to oil cans and tins, glass pump globes and oil bottles, the collection spans Shell’s history and global presence with many items displayed in English, Dutch, French and Arabic languages.

[Source: RM Auctions]

For all the doom and gloom that’s still been circulated about the economy, you’d think sales of classic and collectible vehicles would be in the tank. However, the market for such vehicles, although a far cry from the heady days of 2005-06, appears to be demonstrating remarkable resilience. Recently, Mecum held it’s Kansas City Auction on April 9-10 at the city’s Bartle Hall/Convention Center complex. Over 300 collectible and special interest vehicles crossed the block, resulting in a total amount of $6,375,000 in sales generated over the course of the weekend.

According to Auction President Dana Mecum, “our total gross sales for the Kansas City auction, nearly tripled the dollar value from our previous one held here. The Bartle Hall venue continues to be a great location, and when combined with our live television program ‘Mecum Auto Auction: Muscle Cars & More,’ we were able to draw a very strong crowd to the event.”

Mecum had a 62% sell-through rate at the Spring Kansas City Auction, which is robust by most any standards. Below is a list of the 10 top selling vehicles and their winning bids. There’s at least five cars on the list this author wouldn’t have minded taking home.

[Source: Mecum Auctions]

See the list after the jump:

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