• RM Auctions announces stunning early roster of blue-chip Italian exotics for its flagship Monterey sale, August 16–17 in California 
• No less than 21 Ferraris already consigned alongside two spectacular Maseratis
• Eight Ferraris offered without reserve from the Estate of William H. Tilley
• Additional early highlights include a fabulous 1931 Duesenberg Model SJ Murphy Convertible Coupe and a 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6 Brandone Cabriolet
• Frequently updated list of entries available online at rmauctions.com

BLENHEIM, Ontario (May 22, 2013) – RM Auctions, the world’s largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles, is delighted to announce a selection of the early highlights for its annual flagship sale in Monterey, California, August 16-17. With no less than 21 Ferraris already secured alongside other handpicked cars from such renowned marques as Maserati, Duesenberg and Mercedes-Benz, the sale is already shaping up to be yet another incredible event to match the achievements of past years.

Headlining the exciting docket of Ferraris consigned to date are eight spectacular cars from the Estate of the late William H. Tilley, a well-known Beverly Hills based collector and Ferrari aficionado. All cars in the collection are offered without reserve, and the highlight of the group is a rare 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Series I, chassis 0418 MD. The sixth of just 22 examples built, 0418 MD left the factory in April 1954 and competed in the Mille Miglia before being sold on by the factory to an Italian customer in July of the same year. It was then privately entered into a number of events before being exported to Venezuela, where it continued a prolific racing life, contending events such as the Grand Prix of Venezuela in 1955, 1956 and 1957. 0418 MD was brought to the USA in 1964, remaining in competitive use throughout the following decades both in North America and in European events including the Mille Miglia. It has been shown at various exclusive concours events over the years, including the Palm Beach Cavallino Classic, and is offered in outstanding condition. The subject of numerous magazine articles, this historic sports racing Ferrari represents a rare and exciting opportunity to collectors from around the world (Est. $2,750,000 – $3,250,000). The magnificent Tilley Collection, which spans more than 56 years of Ferrari production, also features a 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta, a 1973 Ferrari 365 GTC/4, a 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS, a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa, a 1990 Ferrari F40, a 2002 Ferrari 360 Spider F1,  and a 2010 Ferrari California.

Other notable Ferraris handpicked for RM’s Monterey sale and offered alongside the William H. Tilley Collection include a 1995 Ferrari F50, chassis 99999, the actual car unveiled to an eager audience on March 6 at the 1995 Auto Museum in Geneva, Switzerland, in conjunction with the city’s 63rd annual auto show (Est. $1,250,000 – $1,600,000). The 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II, chassis 3427GT, is another rare and hugely desirable car expected to attract immense interest in Monterey. Undoubtedly one of the most desirable convertible Ferraris of all time, the exceptional example on offer carries a pre-sale estimate of $1,200,000 – $1,500,000.

“Once again, we are demonstrating that collectors are consigning some of the world’s greatest cars to our care,” says Shelby Myers, Managing Director, RM Auctions – California. “We have built a reputation as the global leader in the presentation of Ferraris at auction, having offered more important Ferraris than any other auction house, and many owners recognize that there is no better place to sell investment-grade cars than at our Monterey sale. To still be several months out from the auction and to have so many fantastic cars already consigned is a great achievement.”

Maserati is another renowned Italian marque that has made some of the finest and most desirable sports and racing cars ever built. One of the true ‘racing greats’ is Maserati’s distinctive Type 61 ‘Birdcage’ and RM is honored to offer a legendary example of this fabulous model in Monterey. Chassis 2461 is one of only 16 original Birdcage Maseratis produced, and the most distinguished Camoradi ‘semi-works’ team car. It boasts an impressive racing history that includes 1st overall in the grueling 1960 Nürburgring 1000 Kilometres, a heroic victory that saw Stirling Moss and Dan Gurney overcome mechanical difficulties, dense fog and rain to take the win. The car also started in the 1960 Le Mans 24-Hours in that year and secured 2nd place at the Sweden Grand Prix driven by Jo Bonnier. With a continuous, uncontested ownership history from 1960, this example has enjoyed an incredible racing life at the pinnacle of the sport, driven by some of the world’s finest drivers. Most recently, it has been regularly seen at the Monterey Historics as well as competing in the Goodwood Revival and Festival of Speed. It is presented in superb condition with FIA papers (Est. $3,000,000 – $4,000,000).

Joining the ‘Birdcage’ in Monterey is one of the most desirable of all the road-going Maserati sports cars, a coveted 1953 A6G/2000 Spyder with exquisite coachwork by Frua. The only A6G Frua Spyder fitted with a side exhaust system, this particular car won ‘Best Maserati’ at the Concorso Italiano in 2003 as well as being a two-time Colorado Grand participant. Truly a car for the connoisseur, it presents another very exclusive ownership opportunity for collectors (Est. $800,000 – $1,200,000). 

For enthusiasts of pre-war touring cars, RM is delighted to offer two of the most magnificent examples of the breed, a 1935 Hispano-Suiza K6 Cabriolet, chassis 16035, and a 1931 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Coupe, J-345. The Hispano-Suiza represents one of the Spanish marque’s most coveted models, a car built in period for only the wealthiest in society and a true great of the pre-war era. With stylish coachwork by Brandone, 16035 has an extraordinary history which includes winning the 1936 Cannes Concours Prix d’Honneur, as well as being judged Best in Class, nominated for Best of Show and a two-time Alec Ulmann Trophy winner—an award bestowed on the most exciting Hispano-Suiza present—at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (Est.$1,500,000 – $2,000,000). Duesenberg is the pinnacle of fine 1930s American design and engineering, and the finest examples are very much in demand by collectors around the world. The Model SJ Convertible Coupe offered at Monterey is a matching-numbers car which features the very rare ‘disappearing-top’ coachwork by Murphy and is offered in beautiful, restored condition (Est. $2,000,000 – $2,500,000).

Other notable early entries secured for RM’s Monterey sale include:

• 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L (Est. $1,100,000 – $1,400,000)
• 1986 Porsche 962 Racing Car (Est. $900,000 – $1,100,000)
• 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS (Est. $800,000 – $1,000,000)
• 1969 Ferrari 365 GTC ( Est. $750,000 – $900,000)
• 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster ( Est. $900,000 – $1,100,000)

A longstanding tradition for collectors spanning more than 25 years, RM’s Monterey sale returns to the Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Convention Center in downtown Monterey, California, August 16-17. In 2012, RM’s Monterey auction generated a remarkable $96 million in sales and established numerous world records in the process. This year’s event is set to feature yet another exclusive selection of ‘best of category’ automobiles, with more than 100 blue-chip motor cars slated for the auction podium.
For further information or to discuss limited consignment opportunities, please contact an RM specialist at +1 519 352 4575 or visit rmauctions.com.