Final Countdown Underway To Rm Auctions Multi-Million Euro Lake Como Sale

11 May 2011

rm-auctions

·RM Auctions, the world’s largest collector car auction house, hosts debut sale at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, 21 May, 2011
·Offering features a handpicked selection of the world’s finest sports, racing and coachbuilt motor cars including ten examples with pre-sale estimates over €1 million
·Latest addition: an exceptional 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider, s/n 0670 MDTR, joins no less than seven important and historic Ferraris set for the sale
·Additional highlights include six unique concepts from the official collection of Bertone S.p.A.

LONDON (11 May, 2011) – RM Auctions, the official auction house of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, will lift the gavel on an unparalleled selection of 32 of the world’s finest automobiles when its debut sale in Cernobbio, Italy gets underway, 21 May.

The exclusive evening auction – an integral part of this year’s official Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este event program – features one of the most significant collector car offerings presented in recent auction history, with 10 examples expected to garner over €1 million. Representing the ‘best of the very best’, the peerless selection of sports and racing cars and coachbuilt automobiles have been hand-sourced by RM’s expert team of specialists from six countries around the world. In keeping with the theme of the prestigious concorso, the offering focuses on motoring luxury, style and performance.

“The collector car hobby is thriving, with a very strong start to the 2011 auction season. RM has hosted two record-setting sales in North America in the first quarter, and we look forward to continuing this momentum in Italy as we officially kick off our 2011 European event schedule,” says Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe.

Describing the upcoming sale, Girardo adds, “Without doubt, our debut Lake Como sale features one of the most exciting offerings RM Auctions has ever assembled. The response to the sale has been very positive with early bidder registrations representing 13 countries. We look forward to welcoming discerning collectors to what promises to be a not-to-be-missed event.”

Sports and Racing

Sports and racing cars are prominently featured at RM’s debut sale at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Building on the company’s reputation as the global leader in the presentation of important and historic Ferraris at auction (RM holds seven of the top 10 records for the marque), the sale features seven examples from the Modenese Prancing Horse. The latest addition to the group is an ultra-rare and desirable 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider, chassis 0670 MDTR. The sixth – and arguably the finest – of just 19 examples built, 0670 MDTR boasts a well-known history and was successfully campaigned in period, including five entries at the legendary Targa Florio road race and a win at the famous Monte Pellegrino hillclimb in Palermo. Out of a total of 16 period races on record, 0670 MDTR finished on the podium (overall and in class) a total of 11 times. Beautifully restored and well-documented by marque experts, 0670 MDTR is eligible for almost every historic event in the world, be it an open road, closed racecourse or manicured show field. (Est. €2.600.000 – €3.300.000)

“The 500 TRC is one of the most beautiful Ferrari sports racing cars ever built,” says Girardo. “It is the last four-cylinder Ferrari sports racer, making it rarer than the 250 TR and the 250 GTO, and thus making the upcoming sale of 0670 MDTR an incredibly rare opportunity to purchase an important piece of Ferrari history.”

Other important Ferraris on offer include: a spectacular and unique 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder, s/n 1307 GT, previously owned by the Prince Alvise Hercolani of Bologna and racing driver Wolfgang Seidel (Est. €1.600.000 – €2.000.000); the previously announced 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta, s/n 0490 AM (Est. €3.200.000 – €4.200.000); and a 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta by Pinin Farina, s/n 0353 MM / 0239 EU (Est. €2.500.000 – €3.000.000).

Additional race-bred offerings include:
- A long-lost 1965 Ford GT 40 Works Prototype Roadster, chassis number GT/111, the famous works prototype roadster and the ex-Bob Bondurant / Whitmore Targa Florio entry (Est. €2.400.000 – €2.900.000);
- a fully-restored, fresh to the market 1964 Alfa Romeo TZ Coupe, chassis number 750006, with outstanding period racing history including Targa Florio and Le Mans 24 Hours (Est. €475.000 – €575.000); and
- a rare, unrestored 1954 Aston Martin DB 2/4 Competition Spyder, chassis number LML/507, the only Bertone-bodied Aston Martin with known racing history (Est. €700.000 – €910.000).

Coachbuilt classics

RM’s 21st May sale also places a strong emphasis on elegance and sophistication in styling, as represented by a stunning selection of coachbuilt automobiles. Master French coachbuilders Figoni et Falaschi are responsible for a number of the sale highlights, including the breathtaking and previously-announced 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C-SS Teardrop Coupé, chassis number 90112 (Est. €3.100.000 - €3.800.000).

Also featuring coachwork by Figoni et Falaschi are an exquisite pair of pre-war Delahayes, which will make their first public appearance at the sale following a faithful, comprehensive two-year restoration by marque experts in France with the assistance of Claude Figoni. Built during the pinnacle of the French streamlined design movement, each boasts an intriguing history, having been hidden from public view during World War II.

Perfectly proportioned and resplendent in vibrant Andalouse Red with stunning chrome accents, the eye-catching 1939 Delahaye 135 MS Grand Sport Roadster, chassis number 60158, was enthusiastically campaigned by its second owner in numerous international vintage rallies during the ’80s and ’90s (Est. €800.000 – €980.000). The 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe, chassis 60112, finished in light Ivory with a deep red interior, was displayed on the Figoni et Falaschi stand at the 1938 Paris Salon (Est. €900.000 – €1.100.000). Offered from the same private collection, both examples – like the other coachbuilt automobiles on offer – are wonderful representations of the automobile as an art form.

Additional notable highlights include:
- A flawless, well-documented 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante Coupé, one of only 17 built and recipient of ‘Best of Show’ at the 26th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (Est. €3.250.000 – €4.250.000);
- A stunning, multi-award-winning 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A, built for the 14th Maharajah of Indore (Est. €1.250.000 – €1.800.000); and
- A handsome 1929 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Riviera Town Brougham, one of just 10 bodied by Brewster & Co. and featuring magnificent gold-plated exterior trim and original exterior cane work (Est. €490.000 – €700.000).

Spectacular Concepts

Rounding out the catalogue, RM’s upcoming sale also features six unique and historically significant Bertone design statements from the official collection of Bertone S.p.A. Each a trendsetting and historically significant concept, they not only reveal the design trends of their era but foreshadow the stylistic direction the manufacturer would take in years to come. The offering is headlined by a sensational 1967 Lancia Stratos HF Zero, the first prototype of the mid-engined Stratos production supercar and the hugely successful rally car (Est. €1.000.000 – €1.800.000), and the wild 1967 Lamborghini Marzal Prototype, the predecessor to the Espada, driven by Prince Ranier and Princess Grace at the start of the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix (Est. €1.000.000 – €1.800.000). The sale represents the very first time that any of these six vehicles have been offered for sale on the public market.

Event Details: RM Auctions at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

Sale date:
21 May, 2011 8:30pm - 11:00pm CET

Preview dates:
20 May, 2011 10:00am - 5:00pm CET
21 May, 2011 10:00am - 5:00pm CET

Location:
Spazio Villa Erba,
Largo Luchino Visconti, 4
Cernobbio, Como, 22012, Italy

Admission:
Admission to the event requires the purchase of an official auction catalogue for €70. The catalogue admits two and must be presented at the entrance to the sale to be granted entry.

About RM Auctions
RM Auctions is the world's largest auction house for quality automobiles. With over three decades of experience in the collector car industry, RM's vertically integrated range of services, from restoration to private treaty sales, auctions, estate planning and financial services, coupled with an expert team of car specialists and international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM proudly holds four of the top five all-time records for the most expensive motor cars sold at auction. RM’s restoration division has achieved unprecedented accolades earning “Best of Show” honours at the world’s top concours events.

Sports and Racing