by Wallace Wyss –
I write about a lot of Italian prototypes. But how do you find these cars? It’s not easy, sometimes a barn hunter will hunt for years. But in this case they are offering one already done, a car with great potential.
The Alfa Romeo used as a show car basis for Pinin Farina. With a bubble top (remember when American dream cars had bubble tops?).
They are also offering an Early Production Ferrari LWB California Spider that is the more desirable body design with covered headlights. It has been authenticated by Gerald Roush and Tony Wang, the former a publisher of a Ferrari publication and the second a notable collector.
Gooding writes,
1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider
Coachwork by Scaglietti
Estimate: $11,000,000 – $13,000,000
In the prewar cars they are offering 1930 Duesenberg Model J Sport Berline. This was built for Captain George Whittell Jr. and Known as “The Mistress Car” (but alas in their press release don’t say why—Gee I wonder if the mistress got to ride in a better car than the wife?).
Gooding writes,
1930 Duesenberg Model J Sport Berline
Coachwork by Murphy
Estimate: $2,000,000 – $2,500,000
The Italian car is the 1953 Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM Superflow IV which is a race car chassis underneath but with a show car body. It was displayed at the Paris, Torino, and Geneva Motor Shows from 1956 to 1960.
Nobody has discussed going back to the race car chassis and rebodying it, but if you did you have a car that would be eligible for many world class events. But then it wouldn’t be a bubble top dream car anymore…
Gooding writes,
1953 Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM Superflow IV
Coachwork by Pinin Farina
Estimate: $6,000,000 – $8,000,000
Another Ferrari they will offer is a 250GT series I cabriolet that was one of the five out of forty built with factory side vents. And it belonged to a prince, the first owner was Prince Alessandro “Dado” Ruspoli and I for one, and just for fun, would, if I bought it, paint his coat of arms on the car (alas, my family’s coat of arms has been lost…)
Gooding writes,
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet
Coachwork by Pinin Farina
Estimate: $7,000,000 – $8,000,000
Now how about a full race car, that I presume could be vintage raced. They have a 1975 Ferrari 312T, a 1975 Formula 1 Championship Winner Driven by Niki Lauda one of five built. Now there’s a car that you could be a real name dropper with. You’re gridding up at Laguna Seca and someone walks by and says “Oh, a race car. Did anyone famous race it? “When you can answer with a name like “Lauda” then that’s good as gold.
Gooding writes,
1975 Ferrari 312T
Winner of the 1975 French Grand Prix, Driven by Niki Lauda | An Outstanding Example of Ferrari’s Championship-Winning 312T
Estimate: $6,000,000 – $8,000,000
If you are feeling James Bondian, there’s a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT, one of 75 built, and there’s only 30 in left hand drive. This car was actually run at the Bonneville Salt Flats, you don’t find too many British thoroughbred cars that have run there…
Gooding writes,
1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT
Coachwork by Touring
Estimate: $4,000,000 – $4,500,000
And for those who like something really old, like something the Lords and Ladies drove back before WWI, there’s a 1911 Rolls Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Limousine that will make you feel oh-so Edwardian.
Gooding writes,
1911 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Limousine
Coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly
Estimate: $1,000,000 – $1,500,000
I think the Gooding is one of the most classy auctions during Monterey Car Week so I suggest dropping by.
Read more about all of the Gooding cars up for auction at Pebble Beach this year at this link.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
THE AUTHOR: Wallace Wyss is the author of 18 automotive histories. As a fine artist, he will be at his Art & Books booth at Concorso Italiano.
The Gooding Auction location is called Parc du Concours, at the corner of Stevenson Drive and Portola road. It’s $40 for one and $100 for two (includes the catalog) and I think it’s a real fun time to see what the big cars go for. The auction starts Friday August 16th at 4 pm but on Saturday at 11 am.
Photos compliments of Gooding.
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