2017 RM Sotheby’s New York Icons Sale (Auction Preview)

A Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione and Jaguar C-Type are the lead cars for the RM Sotheby’s New York 2017 classic car auction.

1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione side
Cymon Taylor ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s New York Icons sale 2017 will feature around 30 cars with two thirds having million-dollar plus estimates. The 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione, estimate $14,000,000 – $17,000,000, is the undisputed leading car on offer while a 1952 Jaguar C-Type, estimate $5,500,000 – $7,000,000, with a successful in period racing history in the USA should also attract interest. Several modern hypercars in a virtually unused condition including a Bugatti Chiron, Ferrari LaFerrari, and a Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach are likely to bring strong returns for the first owners.

RM Sotheby’s New York Icon 2017 Classic Car Auction

1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti
1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti (Tim Scott ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

RM Sotheby’s third New York sale, entitled ICONS, is scheduled 6 December 2017 at Sotheby’s Manhattan headquarters. Only around 30 cars will be offered in addition to around 20 other lots that include art, expensive wines and children’s cars.

At RM Sotheby’s 2015 New York Driven by Disruption sale, a magnificent $73.5 million was realized from 31 cars on offer. The top results were $28 million for a 1959 Ferrari 290 MM – the third highest price for a car at auction at the time – and $14.3 million for a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato – at the time an Aston Martin and British-made car record.

Million-Dollar Plus Cars at RM Sotheby’s New York 2017 Sale

Two-thirds of the cars on offer at the RM Sotheby’s New York Icons 2017 sale have pre-sale estimates of more than a million dollar:

YearCarEstimate ($)
1959Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione14,000,000 – 17,000,000
1952Jaguar C-Type5,500,000 – 7,000,000
2018Bugatti Chiron3,500,000 – 4,000,000
2014Ferrari LaFerrari3,250,000 – 3,750,000
1965Aston Martin DB5 Convertible2,450,000 – 2,650,000
2014Pagani Huayra1,900,000 – 2,300,000
2015Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach1,700,000 – 1,900,000
1961Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II1,500,000 – 1,800,000
1969Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona1,400,000 – 1,700,000
1955Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing1,300,000 – 1,500,000
1958Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster1,250,000 – 1,500,000
1990Ferrari F401,200,000 – 1,400,000
2016Ferrari F12tdf1,100,000 – 1,400,000
1996Porsche 911 GT21,100,000 – 1,400,000
1954Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon1,000,000 – 1,300,000
1932Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupe1,000,000 – 1,200,000
1952Chrysler D’Elegance by Ghia900,000 – 1,100,000
1948Cadillac Series 62 Cabriolet by Saoutchik850,000 – 1,000,000
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione front quarter
Cymon Taylor ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione

Diana Varga ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione, chassis 1451 GT, estimate $14,000,000 – $17,000,000, is the clear lead car of the RM Sotheby’s New York 2017 sale. Only eight of these cars were produced with alloy bodies in full racing trim and they fetch a considerable margin over the standard cars that generally sell for just below $10 million.

The 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione was raced by owner driver Bob Grossman with co-driver Fernand Tavano to fifth place overall at the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hours race. It successfully raced in North America in period and frequently at historic races in recent years.

See 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione Announcement for more on this car.

1952 Jaguar C-Type
Ryan Merrill © 2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

1952 Jaguar C-Type

1952 Jaguar C-Type Rear
Ryan Merrill © 2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 1952 Jaguar C-Type, chassis XKC007, estimate $5,500,000 to $7,000,000, is one of only 53 produced and the first example imported to the USA. This C-Type won its first race in the US and was actively and successfully campaigned by Philip Hill for Charles Hornburg in races in North America. In the mid to late 1950s the car was mostly raced by Carlyle Blackwell.

Jaguar C-Type cars are rare and seldom come to auction. Bonhams sold one in 2013 for $5 million while RM Sotheby’s sold one of the three Works Lightweight cars for $13.2 million a the Monterey 2015 sale – a marque record at the time of sale.

Auction Classics Cars at RM Sotheby’s New York 2017

The RM Sotheby’s New York Icons sale 2017 will include three classic cars that seem to be almost a requirement these days when scheduling classic car sales:

1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona

First 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Ryan Merrill © 2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

It is very rare for a Ferrari Dayton a Berlinetta to sell for over a million dollar but the 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, chassis 12301, at the RM Sotheby’s New York 2017 sale comes with a model-record potential estimate of $1,400,000 to $1,700,000.

This 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, chassis 12301, is considered to be simultaneously the final prototype and first production Daytona. Although instantly recognizable as a Daytona, almost no body parts are identical to the final production car and the chassis is also different from the final 365 GTB/4 standard.

This 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona was first owned by television producer Greg Garrison, who had the car registered in California despite the engine being European specification.

Mercedes Benz 300 SLs at RM Sotheby’s New York 2017

Mercedes Benz 300 SL prices rose fast during the early 2010s but have been noticeably weaker and unpredictable since 2015. At recent auctions, prices seemed again firmer and in line with several recent auctions, RM Sotheby’s will have both a Gullwing and Roadster on offer in the same sale:

1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing

Red 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing
©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing, estimate $1,300,000 to $1,500,000, was restored around two decades ago and well maintained since. Originally finished in medium blue over light gray, it is currently in fire brigade red over tan. It is an original engine car with a period correct Becker Mexico radio.

At least nine Gullwings sold at auction for over a million dollar thus far this year with the best result $1,677,500 paid at Gooding Pebble Beach 2017.

1958 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster

Silver 1958 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster
©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Confidence in the rebound of 300 SL prices are shown with the 1958 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster, estimate $1,250,000 to $1,500,000, being offered without reserve at the RM Sotheby’s New York 2017 sale. This 300 SL was the last complete restoration by Rudi & Company in Victoria, B.C., with the car finished in the original livery and having matching chassis, body, engine and drivetrain numbers.

At least 11 Roadster sold at auction for over a million dollar thus far this year with the best result $1,670,000 paid at the Mercedes Benz Sale of Artcurial in Paris in October 2017.

Modern Super / Hyper Cars at RM Sotheby’s New York 2017

The inclusion of several new, or near new, modern hypercars at the RM Sotheby’s New York Icons 2017 auction reflects a trend in recent years where limited production number exclusive cars are brought to auction by the lucky first owners – they can hardly be described as drivers – who could secure a purchase at list price with the hope of a big return on the open market.

2018 Bugatti Chiron

2018 Bugatti Chiron
Patrick Ernzen ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 2018 Bugatti Chiron, estimate $3,500,000 – $4,000,000, is likely to be the most expensive of these modern supercars on offer at the RM Sotheby’s New York 2017 sale. This is the first Chiron ordered for the US market, has never been registered and comes with only 250 test miles on the clock.

Bugatti is planning a production run of only 500 Chirons and only a handful has been delivered thus far. This will be the first Chiron offered at auction. However, with a base list price of $3 million, the return after costs may not be that significant if it sells within the guide price.

2014 Ferrari LaFerrari

Red 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari
Theo Civitello © 2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The seller of the 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari, estimate $3,250,000 – $3,750,000, is likely to make a bigger profit. The LaFerrari had a base price of around $1.3 million. At least three have sold within the estimate price range thus far this year and several others attracted similar unsuccessful bids.

This red 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari has only 53 miles on the clock.

2014 Pagani Huayra

2014 Pagani Huayra Open Doors
Ryan Merrill © 2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 2014 Pagani Huayra, estimate $1,900,000 – $2,300,000, is in contrast to the above two cars not only rarer with only 100 produced but also well run in with nearly 5,000 miles on the clock.

This Huayra was the 78th of the 100 made and had a single US-based owner from new.

The original list price was around $2 million.

2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach

2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Martini
Matthew Jones ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach, estimate $1,700,000 – $1,900,000, on offered at RM Sotheby’s New York 2017 is another single-owner low mileage car. Porsche produced only 918 of these cars of which 306 are in US specification. The car on offer is one of around 230 with the Weissach low weight option. It is finished in a paint to sample Metallic Oryx White that goes unseen as it features a factory-applied Matte Black wrap with Martini livery.

Although the car had recorded only 270 miles, it was recently serviced (at a cost of $7,000). The base price of a Porsche 918 was around $850,000, so a handsome return is still possible.

2016 Ferrari F12tdf

Orange-red 2016 Ferrari F12tdf
Patrick Ernzen ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 2016 Ferrari F12tdf, estimate $1,100,000 – $1,400,000, is another single-owner, low mileage hyper car. This F12tdf has covered only 398 miles since new despite coming with a Ferrari Genuine Maintenance program until 2023. It is finished in a striking orangey-red Rosso Dino.

The original base price of an F12tdf was around $500,000 without options. Mecum broke the million-dollar barrier for this model, of which Ferrari produced only 799 models, by selling a yellow 84-miles car for $1,250,000 (hammer price) at Monterey 2017.