A Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss, Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy and Fiat 8V Coupé are highlights for the RM Sotheby’s Online-Only Open Roads, the European Summer Auction 2020.
RM Sotheby’s Online-Only Open Roads The European Summer classic car auction will include nearly a hundred cars, Gianni Agnelli’s speedboat, and a range of automobilia. Four cars have a presale estimate exceeding a million dollars: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss, estimate €1,900,000 – €2,200,000, a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy by Scaglietti, estimate €1,700,000-€1,900,000, a 1954 Fiat 8V Coupé, estimate €1,200,000 – €1,400,000, and a 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Rally, estimate €875,000 – €1,100,000. Many cars on offer are without reserve but of course not these four.
RM Sotheby’s Open Roads The European Summer Auction 2020
The RM Sotheby’s Open Roads, The European Summer Auction 2020 is an online-only sale that will run from 14 to 22 July 2020. The auction follows RM Sotheby’s system of closing bids in stages through online-bigging only.
The cars and automobilia (and a very expensive speed boat) must be collected in different locations in Europe. Personal inspection is mostly not possible but comprehensive condition reports accompany the lots.
The European Sale is separate from the Open Roads, North America online auction that will follow end July and the Shift / Monterey 2020 sale in mid-August, which will be online-only too.
Million-Dollar Cars at RM Sotheby’s European Summer Auction 2020
Four cars with pre-sale estimates exceeding a million dollar are on offfer at the RM Sotheby’s Open Roads The European Summer Auction 2020:
2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss
The most expensive car on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Open Roads The European Summer Auction 2020 is a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss, Est. €1,900,000 – €2,200,000, one of the rarest supercars ever created — only 75 were built. The SLR Stirling Moss serves as a modern homage to the truly exceptional Mercedes 300 SLR that Sir Stirling Moss piloted to victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia and offers all the visual drama of the original 300 SLR. The 5.5-liter supercharged AMG V-8 used in the SLR 722 produces an astounding 641bhp resulting in a 354km/h top speed. This car, delivered new in special-order Antimony Grey Crystal over black leather interior, has been meticulously cared for throughout its life and has followed in the footsteps of its ancestors by taking part in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz 1000 Miglia challenge.
For the smaller budget, a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster, estimate €650,000 – €750,000, is on offer in the same auction. Bonhams sold a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss for €2.3 million ($2.6 million at the time) at the Mercedes Benz Museum Sale in Stuttgart in 2016.
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy
The leading Ferrarin in the sale is a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy by Scaglietti, (Estimate: €1,700,000-€1,900,000), from the Richoz Collection. The 275 GTB is offered for sale with factory-fitted electric windows, original interior, manuals, and tool kit. It is one of just 60 Alloy variants of the beautiful Ferrari 275 GTB built. With its 3.3-liter V-12 engine and incredible performance, it is also widely accepted to be one of the greatest dual-purpose Ferrari’s ever made. Delivered new in Rosso Rubino, it is presented for auction with 47,506km on the odometer and finished in Rosso Corsa paintwork with Nero leather interior.
More Ferraris at RM Sotheby’s European Summer Auction 2020
A further top Ferrari is an exquisitely restored 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Coupé by Pinin Farina (Est. €550,000 – €650,000). Ferrari’s first pure road car targeted at achieving commercial success, the 3.0-liter Columbo V-12 took the 250 to just shy of 150mph and could reach 60mph from a standing start in just seven seconds. The example was the 180th of 353 examples built and is a desirable Italian-delivered example. The vehicle benefits from a comprehensive restoration and is Ferrari Classiche certified.
Other Ferraris from the Swiss Richoz Collection include:
- The 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, (Estimate: €400,000-€500,000), delivered new in Grigio Ferro and now presented in Rosso Corsa with original red and black leather interior. Created as Ferrari’s answer to the revolutionary Lamborghini Miura, the Daytona’s 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona earned the beautifully appointed machine a well-deserved place in the marque’s history books.
- The 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB (Estimate: €200,000-€300,000) is one of only 387 examples of the rarest, lightest and purest Berlinetta Boxer Ferrari’s. Famed for being the first in a long line of flat-12 Ferrari supercars, this entirely original car is finished in Rosso Chiaro with Beige interior with 30,947 km from new.
1954 Fiat 8V Coupé
The rare and majestic 1954 Fiat 8V Coupé, (Est. €1,200,000 – €1,400,000) is one of just 114 examples of the small but seriously stylish coupes produced, which built a reputation in motorsport and as an exclusive road car. The only Fiat ever to sport a V-8 engine, its relatively modest 2.0-liter displacement was more than made up for by its lightweight construction and aerodynamic profile. Offered for sale in exceptional condition, this lovely example is fitted with its original engine and a specially fabricated synchromesh gearbox, with the original gearbox also included with the sale of the vehicle. Brought to the UK in January 1965, the car has remained there ever since and has made frequent appearances at classic race meetings, including the 2015 Goodwood Revival’s Fordwater Trophy.
1985 Lancia Delta S4 Rally
The 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Rally, estimate €875,000 – €1,100,000, was campaigned in period in by both Lancia and Jolly Club in Martini livery. It won the 1986 Halkidiki Rally in Greece where it campaigned in Esso Black-Gold delivery as a Scuderia Griffone car. However, more notable was the second place overall at the 1985 Lombardy RAC RAlly where it was raced by Lancia in Martini livery and driven by Finnish drivers Markku Alén and Ilkka Kivimäki.
1968 Sonny Levi Designed Power Boat – the “G. Cinquanta” G50
European classic car auctions often include special powerboats and yachts, and although these rarely sell during the auction themselves, they do add a bit of glamour and Mediterannean feeling to the car auction. The boat on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Open Roads The European Sale 2020 is a unique 1968 Sonny Levi designed powerboat – the “G. Cinquanta” G50, created new for charismatic Fiat boss, Gianni Agnelli.
Elegant yet monstrously powerful, the sensational “G. Cinquanta” was the product of the very latest in powerboat engineering and design of its day. Commissioned by the much revered then President of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Ferrari, Giovanni (Gianni) Agnelli, his passion for sea-faring craft saw him establish a collection of modern and vintage yachts, fast motor cruisers and racing speedboats. With a brief that demanded the boat to be quick and reliable while being able to negotiate mixed weather conditions on the ocean, whilst also offering comfort, prestigious marine designer, Renato “Sonny” Levi, created the 37ft “G. Cinquanta” G50 as the answer to Agnelli’s desires.
Built to its exacting specification by Cantiere Delta in Anzio, Italy, the craft features a luxurious cabin penned by the iconic Sergio Pininfarina, with power courtesy of four legendary BPM 8.0-liter V-8 Vulcano engines totaling 1,280hp. Now updated with four new BPM V-8 Vulcano engines, producing even more power than the originals and perfectly capable of taking the G50 to its top running speed of 50 knots (92 km/h). (Estimate Available Upon Request).
Major Online Classic Car Auctions in 2020
Some of the major classic car online-only sales by major auctioneers in 2020 include:
- May: RM Sotheby’s Driving into Summer – Results
- June: RM Sotheby’s European – Results
- July: RM Sotheby’s Open Roads: European & North American
- August:
- RM Sotheby’s Shift/Monterey
- Bonhams California Streamin — Results
- Gooding Geared Online — Results
- September: Gooding London — Results, Bonhams Brussels Sale, RM Sotheby’s Auburn Fall (Sales from September onwards may be traditional auctions if conditions allow.)
- October: Gooding (Geared Online)
