The lead cars for the Bonhams Scottsdale 2021 classic car auction include a BMW 507, a Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Cabriolet A, and a 300 Sc Roadster.
Three German open-top cars are the top lots on offer at the Bonhams Scottsdale classic car auction 2021. A 1959 BMW 507 Series II, estimate $1,900,00 – 2,300,000, is arguably the most collectible and coveted BMW to date. The other top cars are even rarer: a 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet A with coachwork by Sindelfingen (estimate on request) and a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Roadster (estimate US$775,000 – 875,000).
Bonhams Scottsdale Classic Car Auction 2021
Bonhams scheduled its tenth annual Scottsdale, Arizona, sale on 21 January 2021 at the Westin Kierland Resort, as a live auction with bidding possible on-site by registered bidders, online, by phone, or commission bidding. Most cars could be inspected on-site by appointment on the days prior to the auction.
In 2021, Bonhams earned $5,896,400 with a sell-through rate of 78%.
In 2020, Bonhams’ top result was $1,93 million for a 1951 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Cabriolet.
In 2019, Bonhams earned $16.1 million at Scottsdale from selling 107 of 120 lots on offer for a high 90% sell-through rate. Hagerty calculated an average sale price of $144,762.
In 2018, Bonhams earned $25.2 million at Scottsdale with 94 of 108 lots offered sold – a sell-through rate of 87% and an average price of $267,649 per car. In 2017, Bonhams earned $36 million from just over 100 cars with a sell-through rate of 82%.
Top Cars at Bonhams Scottsdale 2021 Auction
Only two cars on offer at the Bonhams Scottsdale 2021 classic car auction are expected to achieve results of over a million dollar. However, many further interesting cars are also on offer.
1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster at Bonhams Scottsdale 2021 Auction
Designed to rival the Mercedes Benz 300SL, the 507 was BMW’s flagship sports car of the 1950s and, at the time, the most expensive produced by the Bavarian firm. BMW was reported selling the cars at a loss, which kept production numbers to a low total of just 253. (Mercedes-Benz produced 1858 of the competing 300 SL cars.) Its exclusivity and price tag appealed to celebrities and car aficionados with Elvis Presley, Ursula Andress and the Aga Khan among its owners.
The 1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster, estimate $1,900,000 – 2,300,000, on offer in the Bonhams Scottsdale 2021 sale, was probably originally silver-blue metallic but has been finished in black since is at least the 1980s. The engine is probably a factory replacement but the rare Becker Mexico Radio is original.
The BMW has been in the USA since new, with previous owners including the grandson of RKO studios founder Shane O’Neil. It has been kept by its vendor, a prominent private collector, for more than 30 years.
The BMW marque record is $5,031,683 paid for the 1957 BMW 507 of John Surtees at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018 sale.
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet A
The 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet A, estimate upon request, is a rare and very special automobile. It was one of only 69 Cabriolet As built in 1939 and one of two fitted with a raked vee’d windshield similar to that of the Special Roadster, as ordered new by its original Parisian owner.
The 540 K was imported to the USA after the war. A series of pioneer car collectors owned the Mercedes-Benz in succession. The first American owner was the operatic tenor James Melton. The 540K was the cornerstone of his renowned collection and was sold only shortly before his death in 1961.
He was followed as custodian of the 540K by Otis Chandler, publisher of the Los Angeles Times, who oversaw its first restoration, which was rewarded by the car winning Best in Show at the 1973 Pebble Beach Concours. The cabriolet then joined the esteemed collections of Alex Wars and General William Lyon before forming part of the vendor’s collection for more than two decades. Estimate on request.
Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A cars have sold for around $3 million in 2014-16. Although prices at more recent auctions were markedly weaker, the 540 K remains amongst the most desired cars in the world.
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Roadster
In many ways the successor to the 540K, the 300 series was one of the first all-new post-war designs from Mercedes-Benz. The epitome of luxury, the 300Sc was a more expensive model than the 300SL. Furthermore, with only 200 examples of the range-topping fuel-injected Sc model produced, of which only 53 were in the most desirable Roadster configuration, these cars are far more exclusive than the SL Gullwing or Roadster.
From launch, the 300Sc was popular with the American market – notable owners included film stars Gary Cooper and Cary Grant. This 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Roadster, estimate $775,000 – 875,000, is a matching numbers example that was newly delivered to New York. Extensively restored 25 years ago, this elegant Mercedes has covered a mere 500 miles since.
The model record is $1,100,000 paid for a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc sold by RM Auctions at Amelia Island 2015. Further assaults at the million-dollar mark have failed but a few good results were achieved at recent auctions, so it is probably not surprising that RM Sotheby’s will offer another one of the 53 at the Arizona 2021 sale a day after the Bonhams auction.
Further Top Cars at Bonhams Scottsdale 2021 Auction
The Bonhams Scottsdale 2021 Auction will offer 37 carefully curated collectors’ cars, representing more than a century of European and American automotive history. A few further interesting cars include:
1958 Porsche 356A 1600 T2 Speedster
Another 1950s German sportscar aimed at the US market was Porsche’s limited production 356 Speedster. With its low raked windshield, lightweight bucket seats and 100 mph performance, it was an instant success in the growing American sports car racing scene.
The 1958 Porsche 356A 1600 T2 Speedster, estimate $475,000 – 550,000, has the desirable T2 specification with mechanical and cosmetic upgrades and coachwork by Reutter. It is also the subject of an award-winning six-figure, 54-month restoration by marque specialists completed in 2019. It is presented in its factory-delivered livery of Ruby Red paintwork and tan leatherette interior, offset by period-correct Rudge wheels.
2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante
Leading the more contemporary fare is an as new 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante, estimate US$500,000 – 700,000, which would enhance any modern supercar collection. This car is the very first of the 99 Volantes produced in the most recent collaboration between the British manufacturer and the Italian Carrozzeria Zagato.
Following the tradition of high performance first seen in the DB4GT Zagato, the Vanquish is powered by a 6-litre, 580bhp V12 engine. Offered by its original owner, who selected several exclusive optional features such as the limited edition Q option walnut facia and bespoke seats, the Vanquish has only covered 1,400 miles.
Scottsdale and Arizona Car Auctions 2021
Scottsdale & Arizona Auctions 2021
Many auction houses have sales (live, online, or a combination) during the annual Scottsdale week in mid-January (and end March 2021), including amongst others:
- Barett-Jackson: Postponed until the week of 22 March 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona — live auction.
- Bonhams: 21 January 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona — live auction.
- Gooding & Company: 22 January 2021 — online only.
- RM Sotheby’s: 22 January 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona — live auction.
- Russo and Steele: 23 January 2021 in Scottsdale, live but private event with restricted admission.
- Worldwide Auctioneers: 23 January 2021 in Auburn, Indiana (but keeping the Scottsdale auction name!)
Scottsdale & Arizona Sales 2021 — Auction Results
- Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale March 2021 Auction Results
- Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale March 2021 Charity Lots Auction Results
- 2021 Scottsdale, Arizona, January Auctions Results Overview
- Bonhams Scottsdale 2021 Auction Results
- Gooding Scottsdale 2021 Auction Results
- RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2021 Auction Results
Scottsdale & Arizona Sales 2021 — Auction Previews
Scottsdale & Arizona Sales 2021 — Pre-Auction Announcements:
- Barrett-Jackson: Carroll Shelby’s Personal Cobra 427 Super Snake
- Barrett-Jackson: Reschedule Announcement
- Barrett-Jackson: First Cars Announced
- Bonhams: Early Highlights
- Gooding: Ferrari 275 GTB
- RM Sotheby’s: Early Highlights
Scottsdale & Arizona Sales 2020 – Auction Results