RM Sotheby’s adds more Zagatos to Villa Erba Sale 

Posted: 01.05.2019
Source: RM Sotheby’s

THE BEST OF PRE-WAR, ‘60S ROADSTERS, AND MODERN HYPERCARS ALSO JOIN THE LINEUP

  • RM Sotheby’s secures additional Zagato-bodied cars for biennial Villa Erba sale, with Maserati A6G/2000 Berlinetta and Aston Martin V12 Zagato leading the group
  • Latest entries also include the best of all categories; a 1931 Bugatti Type 50 Roadster, 1965 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante, and 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss
  • Further event information and frequently updated list of entries available at rmsothebys.com 

LONDON (1 May 2019) – RM Sotheby’s is delighted to announce an additional group of rare, Zagato-bodied collector cars set for the auction house’s biennial Villa Erba auction, due to take place on the shores of Lake Como on 25 May. Held during the exclusive Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este weekend, the auction will also feature a fine selection of pre- and post-war European touring and racing cars, iconic 1960s roadsters, and modern hypercars, creating an exceptionally diverse offering for discerning collectors of all types.

Leading the expanded Zagato-bodied offering, a 1955 Maserati A6G/2000 Berlinetta will go under the hammer at Villa Erba, one of just 20 such cars by Zagato and the first in Berlinetta configuration. Likely used by Maserati for testing in 1955, the A6G/2000 raced in numerous prestigious Italian events in period. Chassis no. 2102 was driven in practice by Sir Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson for the 1956 Mille Miglia, subsequently entering the race piloted by Italian driver Arnaldo Bellini with journalist Nicolo Carosio as co-driver. Now offered from 20 years of single-ownership, the Maserati is estimated to bring €3.000.000 – €3.500.000 later this month. 

Additional cars penned by Zagato and set for RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba sale include a unique, removable targa-roof 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC, clothed in a striking, angular Zagato body in 1974 and displayed at the Geneva International Motor Show that year (Est. €425,000 – €475,000). Joining the 330 GTC is a single-owner 1990 Ferrari 348 TB Zagato Elaborazione, the prototype of just 10 examples outfitted with the conversion, which included a new front bumper, enlarged cooling strakes, a triple rear light configuration, a lower roofline with the marque’s traditional “double bubble” arrangement, and a glass engine cover (Est. €180.000 – €220.000). Zagato-bodied Aston Martins are also in abundance at the sale, including the very first 2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato, offered with custom touches by Aston Martin’s ‘Q’ division (Est. €650.000 – €700.000), alongside a 1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato, one of 14 left-hand-drive examples fitted with a manual transmission and showing a mere 15,500 km from new (Est. €300.000 – €375.000). These entries join the previously announced Fiat 8V Coupé, Fiat-Abarth 750 GT ‘Double Bubble’, Lancia Flaminia Super Sport 3C 2.8, and Aston Martin Vanquish Shooting Brake to complete a lineup of vastly different, yet distinctly Zagato cars for the Villa Erba sale in celebration of the coachbuilder’s 100th anniversary year.  

Looking ahead to the sale, Augustin Sabatié-Garat, Sale Manager, RM Sotheby’s Europe, said: “Our auction at Villa Erba is always a highlight on the collector car calendar, so the nature of entries we have on offer reflects the status of this sale. We are proud to present what can only be regarded as one of the rarest and most diverse groupings of Zagato-bodied cars to be offered in a single sale, all of which boast intriguing histories and distinct designs from throughout the coachbuilder’s century-long history.”

The high caliber of consignments continues with pre- and post-war European greats readied for sale, led by an immaculate 1931 Bugatti Type 50 Roadster, one of two remaining examples with original Jean Bugatti-designed factory coachwork and documented with factory records including the original bill of sale (Est. €1.400.000 – €1.800.000). A pair of Delahayes also feature in the sale; a 1936 Delahaye 135 S Compétition Court with fascinating period race history, including participation in the 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans (Est. €1.000.000 – €1.300.000), and a 1948 Delahaye 135 M Sport Coupé wearing beautiful coachwork by Hebmüller (Est. €250.000 – €350.000).

The shores of Lake Como also present the perfect venue for the offering of three of the most iconic 1960s roadsters. Bringing the ultimate in post-war style is a late-production, Fire Red 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, equipped with factory disc brakes and an alloy engine block, and one of the most original, well-maintained examples offered in recent years (Est €1.400.000 –  €1.600.000); a rare 1965 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante, one of the final examples of a mere 37 built and offered from over 25 years of single ownership (Est. €1.300.000 – €1.500.000); and, a beautifully restored 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder in its rare original configuration with Weber Carburettors, a five-speed ZF gearbox, and Borrani wheels (Est. €625.000 – €700.000).

Bringing the sale offering up to date are two modern hypercar legends, led by a seldom-seen 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss, one of just 75 built and inspired by Sir Stirling Moss’ 1955 Mille Miglia victory and offered with less than 8,400 km from new (Est. €1.850.000 – € 2.200.000). The SLR is joined by a virtually as-new 2015 McLaren P1, finished in Supernova Silver with the desirable Stealth Pack (Est. €1.100.000 – €1.300.000).

The official auction of the revered Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, RM Sotheby’s exclusive Villa Erba sale will lift the gavel on a carefully curated roster of more than 50 of the world’s finest automobiles along with a selection of memorabilia and collectibles. To speak with a car specialist, please call RM Sotheby’s London office at +44 (0) 20 7851 7070 or visit rmsothebys.com for further information, a frequently updated list of entries, and to register to bid. The complete digital catalogue will be available next week.

 

RM Sotheby’s 2019 Villa Erba Auction – The Ferrari Lots

S/N 
Ferrari 348 tb Zagato Elaborazione
  • Lot: 123
  • Estimate: 180.000 – 220.000 EUR
  • Result: Sold for … EUR
  • Remarks:
S/N 
Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato
  • Lot: 126
  • Estimate: 425.000 – 475.000 EUR
  • Result: Sold for … EUR
  • Remarks:
S/N 
Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider Pinin Farina
  • Lot: 148
  • Estimate: 4.250.000 – 4.750.000 EUR
  • Result: Sold for … EUR
  • Remarks:
S/N 
Ferrari 250 GTE Series II
  • Lot: 153
  • Estimate: 320.000 – 400.000 EUR
  • Result: Sold for … EUR
  • Remarks:
S/N 
Ferrari F12tdf
  • Lot: 155
  • Estimate: 750.000 – 850.000 EUR
  • Result: Sold for … EUR
  • Remarks:
S/N 
Ferrari Superamerica
  • Lot: 160
  • Estimate: 280.000 – 360.000 EUR
  • Result: Sold for … EUR
  • Remarks:
S/N 
Ferrari 330 GTC
  • Lot: 161
  • Estimate:  495.000 – 600.000 EUR
  • Result: Sold for … EUR
  • Remarks:
S/N 
Ferrari 250 GT Coupé Pinin Farina
  • Lot: 165
  • Estimate:  420.000 – 540.000 EUR
  • Result: Sold for … EUR
  • Remarks:

 

RM Sotheby’s lines up 1950s Sporting Greats at Villa Erba

Posted: 10.04.2019
Source: RM Sotheby’s

RARE FERRARI 500 MONDIAL AND PORSCHE 550A SPYDER TAKE POLE POSITION

  • RM Sotheby’s adds iconic sports racing cars to biennial Villa Erba sale, to take place on shores of Lake Como, Italy on 25 May, with 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider and 1957 Porsche 550A Spyder
  • Rare models join already announced 1931 Aston Martin 1.5-litre International ‘LM5’ and lineup of Zagato-designed collector cars
  • Further event information and frequently updated list of entries available at rmsothebys.com 

LONDON (10 April 2019) – RM Sotheby’s is delighted to announce the addition of two important sports racing cars ahead of the company’s highly anticipated biennial Villa Erba sale, due to take place on 25 May during the revered Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este weekend. At the auction on the shores of Lake Como, an original, matching-numbers 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider will join a 1957 Porsche 550A Spyder, one of 40 cars made by the German marque exclusively for racing and with a documented global competition history.

The 500 Mondial – chassis no. 0448 MD – was completed by the factory in October of 1954, the 12th of only 13 Pinin Farina Spiders built and one of only five with covered headlights, placing it in the first series of cars. It was sold new to Anthony “Tony” Parravano of Inglewood, California. Parravano quickly made himself known as an entrant of numerous exotic Italian sports cars in Californian racing circles. In February 1955, at Willow Springs, it placed 4th overall and 1st in class with Bob Drake at the wheel. In March of 1956, at the same venue, 0448 MD was driven to a 3rd place finish by Pat O’Connor.

The car has been lovingly owned by a number of North American collectors and has enjoyed periods of long-term ownership, although it has seldom been seen since leaving the race track in the late 1950s, making it highly eligible for historic racing and concours events. More recently, the car has returned home to Maranello, where it was inspected by Ferrari Classiche and granted red-book certification. Furthermore, the car’s certification binder confirms that it retains its original engine, gearbox, and bodywork, truly affirming its status as one of the finest 500 Mondials in existence. The car is estimated to achieve between €4.250.000 to €4.750.000 at auction next month.

With an equally impressive racing pedigree, the 1957 Porsche 550A Spyder is offered at Villa Erba with a fascinating ownership and competition history, having been entered in events all over the world. Chassis no. 550A-0121 was first delivered to Denmark in 1957 and would become the only 550A Spyder delivered to that country, where it raced in a number of events before it was sold to an owner in Kenya, where it also ran as a competition car. In the late-1970s, the Porsche was sold to Giuseppe Freschi in Italy, who entered the car into many iterations of the famous Mille Miglia endurance race for classic cars.

In 2011, the Porsche 550A Spyder was sold to its current owner, and the car has undergone a complete, body-off restoration led by Porsche specialists, returning the Spyder to its original configuration and livery. With its recent restoration work, the 550A Spyder is ready for vintage racing or concours events, having only covered 100km on the road since returning from the workshop. This incredibly rare and sought-after Porsche is estimated to achieve between €3.400.000 to €3.800.000 at auction.

Augustin Sabatié-Garat, Auction Manager, RM Sotheby’s Europe, said: “Each of these consignments adds to the high sense of occasion we have come to associate with RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba auction, which always attracts the finest collectible sports and racing automobiles in the world. The rare Ferrari 550 Mondial Spider is fitting of an exclusive bracket of prestige collector car, from its charming condition to its considerable history and recent blessing by Ferrari itself. Similarly, the Porsche 550A Spyder is presented as it would have been delivered new in the 1950s, complete with its reimagined livery that is true to the car’s competition pedigree.”

Ahead of the Villa Erba auction on 25 May, RM Sotheby’s has already consigned a selection of world-class automobiles. A 1931 Aston Martin 1.5-litre International ‘LM5’ was announced along with four Zagato-designed collector cars, including a 1955 Fiat 8V Coupe by Zagato, a 1959 Fiat-Abarth 750 GT ‘Double Bubble’ by Zagato, a 1966 Lancia Flaminia Super Sport 3C 2.8 by Zagato and a 2019 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake.

The official auction house of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, RM Sotheby’s exclusive Villa Erba sale will lift the gavel on a carefully curated roster of 40 of the world’s finest automobiles. To speak with a car specialist, please call RM Sotheby’s London office at +44 (0) 20 7851 7070 or visit rmsothebys.com for further information, to view a frequently updated list of entries, and to register to bid.

 

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