by Mike -
Every January Arizona becomes the center of the collector car world, for a weekend at least, as many of the top auction companies in the US gather to sell their best cars.
Here are my favorites at RM Auctions on January 19 and 20, 2012.
1971 Maserati Ghibli Spyder
Estimate: $325,000-$425,000 US – OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
1971 Maserati Ghibli Spyder
The view right before you jump over the door into the drivers seat.
Here is what RM has to say:
“330 bhp, 4,719 cc DOHC V-8 engine, five-speed manual transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 100.4″
• Authentic late 4.7-liter Spyder
• Only 28,000 miles from new
• Delivered new with power steering, A/C and Borrani wire wheels
• Recent complete service”
This is a real Spyder with an estimate that is three to fours times the price of an equivalent coupe. This seems like a steep premium, however, it is a bargain compared to a Ghibli Spyder at Gooding the same weekend with an estimate of $700,000 to $900,000.
The Gooding car is green, which is good in my book, and it is a 4.9 liter SS model, also good. But how to justify a premium of more that two to one over this red RM car?
1966 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster
Estimate: $750,000-$850,000 US
1966 Shelby 427 Cobra
Here is what RM has to say:
“427 cu. in. Ford V-8 engine with dual four-barrel carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel coil spring independent suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 90″
• A highly original example with three owners from new
• Single ownership for three decades
• Carefully maintained with fewer than 11,000 original miles
• Documented in Shelby American World Registry; copy of original invoice”
One has to read the description very carefully to figure out that this car seems to not have the original engine that came with the car from the factory which was a 428 cid. At some point in its life the engine was changed to a 427 cid. The catalog makes this sound like a positive feature.
1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe by Scaglietti
Estimate: $1,750,000-$2,250,000 US
1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica by Scaglietti
Look at those fins!
Here is what RM has to say:
“340 hp, 4,962 cc SOHC V-12 engine, three Weber 40 IF4C four-barrel carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with double wishbones and coil springs, rear live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase 102.4″
• One of only 34 Ferrari 410 Superamericas produced, the only one originally bodied by Scaglietti
• A Series II example, built specifically for longtime Ferrari patron Dottore Enrico Wax
• Stunning one-off design, restored by ex-Ferrari and Scaglietti craftsmen
• Pebble Beach class-winning restoration, previously owned by movie and television producer Greg Garrison”
This is a special one of a kind car for the serious Ferrari collector. The fins were part of the era and should be viewed in that light.
1965 Shelby GT350 Fastback
Estimate: $225,000-$275,000 US – OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
This is my favorite of the event and would be my choice to take home.
1965 Shelby GT350
Here is what RM has to say:
“306 bhp, 289 cu. in. K-Code V-8 aspirated via 715 CFM Holley four-barrel carburetor, Borg-Warner four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with unequal-length A-arms, coil springs and stabilizer bar and live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, hydraulic front disc, rear drum brakes. Wheelbase: 108″
• Matching-numbers example
• One of 562 built in desirable 1965 model year”
The RM catalog gives the impression that this car is a strong driver that also looks great. That is the perfect GT350 to buy because you do not pay for an over restored car that you may not drive for fear of a paint chip, or dirt in the engine bay.
View all of the RM Auction lots.
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