Automotive Icons Take Center Stage at RM Auctions Arizona.

TGR Staff - 11/29/2012

RM Auctions, the world’s largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles, is delighted to announce the addition of two multi-million-dollar entries to its eagerly awaited Arizona sale: an outstanding 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta ‘Competizione’, chassis 1905 GT, and an ultra-rare 1965 Ford GT40, chassis P/1034. Handpicked by RM specialists for the January 18 sale, the pair of 1960s automotive icons headlines a superb roster of more than 80 blue-chip collector cars set for RM’s Arizona auction podium.

“Our Arizona sale boasts a strong track record for presenting exceptional quality and pedigree automobiles,” says Shelby Myers, Managing Director, RM California. “Continuing this theme in 2013, our upcoming sale at the Arizona Biltmore features the finest offering in the event’s 14-year history. With an emphasis on ‘best of category’ examples, the catalog spans the spectrum of the market, from important and historic sports and racing cars, such as the 250 GT SWB and the Ford GT40, through to elegant coachbuilt automobiles and American muscle.”

Widely revered by collectors as one of Ferrari’s most prized berlinettas, the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta ‘Competizione’, chassis 1905 GT, is set to be one of the star attractions of this year’s Arizona auction week. Designed by Pinin Farina and clothed by Scaglietti, 1905 GT is the 17^th of just 74 Competizione-specification SWB examples produced, of which it is considered among the purest and most well-documented—a ‘no stories’ car with just four owners from new. Featuring alloy coachwork and a race-tuned Colombo V-12, its rakish design combines numerous early and mid-SWB characteristics, including non-sleeved brake cooler ducts under the front bumperettes and unadorned side and hood vents.
Sold new to Renato Bialetti of Omegna, Italy in May 1960, 1905 GT was exported to the United States in 1967, coming into the ownership of noted Ferrari collector Norman Blank, who carefully maintained the car for the next 37 years. Its current owner—its mere fourth caretaker since new—purchased the car in June 2004. Over the past eight years, 1905 GT has been exhibited at the world’s most prestigious events, including Cavallino, the Quail, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, as well participated in numerous vintage racing and touring events, including the Monterey Historics, the Colorado Grand, and the Tour Auto Lissac in France. A multiple FCA Platinum award winner, it was treated to a 2010 freshening by Wayne Obry and is presented for auction in extraordinary condition, both cosmetically and mechanically (Estimate available upon request).

“There is nothing that trumps the magnificent style, drivability, and sound of the 250 SWB Berlinetta. Ultra-exclusive, it is certainly one of the most desirable Ferraris ever produced; its irresistible combination of superb design and thrilling performance make it the car of choice for gentleman drivers and racers,” comments Myers. “Outstanding in every respect, 1905 GT is, without question, one of the finest of its class. A true dual-purpose automobile, on the road it performs flawlessly while its magnificent styling has been widely admired at the world’s top events and makes it a fantastic candidate for further exhibitions. Rarely do such important cars come to the public market. We expect it will be a top performer of this year’s Arizona auction week.”

The 250 GT SWB will be joined on center stage at RM’s Arizona sale by another iconic sixties sports car: an ultra-rare, well-documented 1965 Ford GT40, chassis P/1034. Finished in Pine Green, it was completed with numerous special options including a heated windscreen, reverse lights, fender mirrors, an electric clock, two fuel gauges, and mufflers.

The first GT40 production road coupe delivered to the UK, P/1034 was initially purchased by James Fielding, chairman of Heenan and Froude, the manufacturers of the dynamometers on which the GT40s were tested. Second owner Paul Wheldon acquired the car in 1971 and immediately went about testing its ability on the track, participating in numerous events on England’s burgeoning historic racing scene, including the six-hour relay at Silverstone in 1973, as well as exhibiting the car at various events, including Le Mans. P/1034 was eventually exported to Australia in the mid-1970s, where it was frequently campaigned up until 1982. It was later presented at the inaugural Australian Grand Prix in 1985 before spending brief periods in both the US and Germany. P/1034 returned to Australia in 1999 and competed at the International Supersports Cup Race at the 2000 Melbourne Grand Prix, where Kevin Bartlett drove it to its limits, beating out a seven-liter Mark IV GT40. Today, sympathetically restored, beautifully maintained, and finished in its original factory shade of Pine Green, although now with silver Le Mans stripes as a subtle hint to its racing prowess, P/1034 is presented for auction as an excellent candidate for vintage touring and racing, as well as a display at the world’s top events (Est. $2,400,000 – $3,000,000).

“The Ford GT40 holds an important place in American racing history as the car that gave Enzo a run for his money, repeatedly, and remains highly sought after in collector circles,” says Gord Duff, Specialist, RM Auctions. “Exceptionally rare, well documented, and boasting an unblemished history from new, P/1034 is arguably one of the best road-going GT40s in existence, deserving of close inspection.”

Other notable recent entries for RM’s Arizona sale include:

a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Tourster, J-423. Found in Italy in the late 1930s, J-423 is one of just eight original Toursters built by Derham during the classic era and is offered by the Pascucci family, its caretakers for the last 45 years (Est. $1,200,000 – $1,600,000);

a 1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S America Spider, chassis B24S-1131, arguably the most desirable post-war Lancia in its highest most desirable specification, including the desirable Nardi package (Est. $800,000 – $1,000,000);

a matching-numbers 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe, chassis 194378X419258, boasting a known ownership history from new (Est. $450,000 – $550,000);

a 1966 Lamborghini 350 GT, chassis 0436, offered from expert, long-term ownership of 35 years (Est. $345,000 – $425,000); and

a 1941 Cadillac Series 60 Derham Special Town Car, chassis 6343167, originally owned by Bette Davis and one of only two in existence (Est. $150,000 – $250,000).

For full event details on RM’s Arizona sale or to view a frequently updated list of entries, visit rmauctions.com or call toll free 1 800 211 4371 (or +1 519 352 4575 outside North America).

Event Details – RM Arizona
Sale date: January 18, 2013; auction commences at 11 a.m. MST
Preview dates: January 17, 2013 (from 10 a.m. MST) and January 18, 2013 (from 9 a.m. MST)
Location: Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, 200 East Missouri Ave, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016

Admission: An official auction catalog is available for $120 US and admits two people to the preview. Admission to the auction is open to registered bidders, consignors, and qualified media only.

For those unable to attend the event in person, RM offers a broad range of remote bidding options, including Internet, absentee, and telephone bidding, and the auction will stream live online at rmauctions.com to provide real-time coverage of the event.

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