The Masterworks of Design car collection including the Tulipwood Hispano-Suiza and a 540 K Special Roadster is on sale at the RM Sotheby’s 2022 Monterey classic car auction.
RM Sotheby’s announced the Masterworks of Design — a collection of 48 cars from longtime private ownership — to be sold on a special third day during the Monterey 2022 classic car auction. The two most expensive cars in this collection are the 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C “Tulipwood” Torpedo by Nieuport (Estimate: $8,000,000 – $12,000,000) and a 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen built for the King of Afghanistan (Estimate: $9,000,000 – $12,000,000). Other million-dollar cars include a 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet by Saoutchik and a 1926 Daimler 45 HP Salon Cabriolet “Star of India” by Barker (Estimate: $1,000,000 – $1,500,000).
RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2022 Classic Car Auction
RM Sotheby’s flagship Monterey classic car auction during the annual Monterey / Pebble Beach motoring week: 18, 19 & 20 August 2022 at the Monterey Conference Center in California, USA.
The Monterey sale is traditionally the most important car auction of the year:
- In 2022, RM Sotheby’s set a new auction total record of $239,258,340 selling 52 cars for over a million dollar and a 95% sell-through rate.
- In 2021, RM Sotheby’s earned $148.5 million at Monterey selling 43 cars for over a million dollar and an impressive 90% sell-through rate.
- RM Sotheby’s earned $30,412,810 from the Shift / Monterey 2020 online-only sale.
- In 2019, RM Sotheby’s earned $107 million, in 2018 $158 million (including $48,405,000 for the most expensive car ever sold at auction, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, and in 2017 $133 million.
- RM Sotheby’s three-day Monterey 2016 auction remains the highest-grossing classic car auction ever with $173 million earned and 35 million-dollar cars sold.
Masterworks of Design Car Collection at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2022
RM Sotheby’s announced the Masterworks of Design, a collection of 48 significant one-off and limited-production motorcars now offered out of long-term private ownership, to be sold in a special third day during the Monterey 2022 classic car auction.
In a field of exceptional automobiles, there are a select few that rise to the rank of Masterwork. From the very first glimpse—whether on the concours green, on a museum plinth, or even in the pages of an enthusiast magazine—these are the cars that you remember forever and only rarely become available for public acquisition. The 48 lots on offer encompass the grandest and most exclusive marques in automotive history, and each has spent considerable time, in many cases over three decades, in private ownership.
1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C “Tulipwood” Torpedo by Nieuport
Headlining the collection is one of the most legendary pre-war coachbuilt cars ever constructed. The 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C “Tulipwood” Torpedo by Nieuport (Estimate: $8,000,000 – $12,000,000) is a unique automobile. The sole example produced, commissioned by aperitif heir and gentleman racer André Dubonnet for the 1924 Targa Florio, it is undoubtedly the most famous Hispano-Suiza in the world and has been part of several famed private collections.
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen
Prominently featured in the collection is what is arguably one of the finest examples of a Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster extant, sure to entice collectors throughout the world. Built for the King of Afghanistan, this 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen, estimate $9,000,000 – $12,000,000, is the ultimate long-tail, covered-spare variant, a low-mileage example presented in incredibly original condition. Cosmetically refinished in the 1950s but never truly restored and retaining an astonishing degree of originality throughout, this 540 K Special Roadster is the purest and most desired of all Special Roadsters.
This is the first time this car has ever been offered at a public auction and it will cross the block in Monterey with an estimate of $9,000,000 – $12,000,000. The model record is $11,770,000 paid for a 1936 Mercedes Benz 540K Spezial Roadster at Gooding Pebble Beach 2012. It was the first, and only, Mercedes-Benz passenger car to have sold for over $10 million.
1926 Daimler 45 HP Salon Cabriolet “Star of India” by Barker
Sporting an unforgettable nickel-and-silver-plated open-top body by London’s Barker & Co., this one-of-a-kind 1926 Daimler 45 HP Salon Cabriolet “Star of India” by Barker (Estimate: $1,000,000 – $1,500,000) was commissioned by Gulab Singh, the Maharaja of Rewa. Reserved for use by His Royal Highness in exclusive hunting trips called shikar, this evocative British salon cabriolet offered all-weather touring from its advanced engine as well as essentially camouflaged transportation thanks to the mirror finish on its body. Known as the “Star of India,” this example has been showcased at some of the world’s most prestigious concours and automotive museums.
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet by Saoutchik
Another highlight of the collection is the stunning 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet by Saoutchik (Estimate: $1,750,000 – $2,250,000). The organic shapes of Parisian coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik are, without exaggeration, unlike the efforts of any of their European rivals. Adorned with Art Deco details from its streamlined side-mounted spare tire covers to its sunburst-style door cards and retractable rear windshields that disappear into the front seatbacks, this example is evidence of the expertise of pre-war French coachbuilders and the innovative design sensibilities of Saoutchik. Powered by a supercharged, inline eight-cylinder engine, this CCCA Full Classic pairs German engineering with Parisian styling.
Other notable lots in the Masterworks of Design collection are:
- 1928 Chrysler Imperial Series 80L Touralette by Locke
- 1931 Bucciali TAV3 Torpedo-Sport ‘Cannes’ by Saoutchik
- 1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith All-Weather Tourer by Freestone & Webb
- 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Cabriolet by Figoni
Monterey Week 2022 Classic Car Auctions
Top classic car auctioneers with sales during Monterey Week 2022 include Gooding (Pebble Beach), Bonhams (Quail Lodge), RM Sotheby’s, Broad Arrow, and Mecum.
Monterey Week 2022 Auction Results:
Monterey Week 2022 Auction Previews:
Monterey Week 2022 Pre-Auction Announcements
- Bonhams: 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante
- Bonhams: 1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition (ex-Brigg Cunningham)
- Gooding: Top Bugattis (incl: Type 57SC Atalante & Type 35 Grand Prix)
- Gooding: Top Ferraris — classics and modern supercars
- Gooding: Top British Cars (incl: Bentley Blower and Eight Litre Sports Tourer)
- Gooding: Wonder Collection including 1999 Ferrari 333 SP
- Gooding: 1930s Classics from the Vincent Estate
- Mecum: Ferrari Prototypes and Marmon Classics
- RM Sotheby’s: 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider by Scaglietti
- RM Sotheby’s: Schumacher 1998 Ferrari F300
- RM Sotheby’s: Masterworks of Design Collection (1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C “Tulipwood” Torpedo, 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster)
- RM Sotheby’s: 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing
- RM Sotheby’s: 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C
- RM Sotheby’s: The Oscar Davis Collection of 27 vehicles valued at $100 million
Previous Monterey Week Auction Results