Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Auctions
RM Auctions classic car sale at Amelia Island in Florida mid-March 2015 will feature a 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet and historic racing cars. RM Auctions will offer around 90 cars at a classic car sale at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. In addition to the Superamerica, other early entries expecting to achieve over a million dollar include a 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Cabriolet by Gangloff, a 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Spider, a 1930 Duesenberg Model J and the Daytona-winning Works Jaguar XJR-9. A 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 from single ownership is also attracting keen interest.
RM Auctions Amelia Island 2015 Sale
RM Auctions the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, is offering an exceptional series of European Sports-Touring cars for its Amelia Island, Florida, sale, March 14 at the Ritz-Carlton. Around 90 cars will be on offer at the single-day sale.
The sale will be headlined by a 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet, one of the most valuable automobiles ever offered during the Amelia Island weekend. The current Amelia Island auction record was set in 2014 when a 1937 Delahaye 135 Competition Court Torpedo Roadster by Figoni et Falaschi sold for $6,600,000 at the RM Auctions Amelia Island 2014 auction.
1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet
Top billing at this year’s sale goes to one of the greatest grand touring Ferraris of all time: a rare, matching-numbers 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet, chassis no. 1945 SA. Powered by a potent 4.0-liter V-12 engine producing 340 bhp and sporting stunning Pinin Farina coachwork, the example on offer is the third of only seven short wheelbase Superamericas built.
A left-hand-drive example and fitted with open headlights, it was finished in the unique color combination of Verde Bottiglia over a Rosso Connolly leather interior – an unusual color scheme the car still wears today. Over the years, 1945 SA has passed through a string of respected collectors, including noted sports car enthusiast, Oscar Davis. Its current owner commissioned a full, no-expense-spared restoration by marque experts, resulting in an exceptional, flawless presentation and rendering the car on-the-button mechanically.
It has yet to be shown following the completion of its restoration, making 1945 SA an ideal entrant for the world’s most prestigious events. Significantly, proceeds from the car’s sale will support the owner’s foundation for the education of children (Est. $6,000,000 – $7,000,000).
“It’s an absolute privilege to have been entrusted with the sale of 1945 SA at our upcoming Amelia Island sale. As our recent Arizona sale showed, there’s a continued strong appetite for great open-top Ferraris, and this 400 SA is certainly among the best of its breed,” says Gord Duff, Car Specialist, RM Auctions. “The true definition of sporting elegance, 1945 SA combines stunning design with high performance. Visually, it is beautiful in every respect. Its unusual and striking color combination helps distinguish it from its peers, enhancing its desirability, not to mention its various other unique details, from the chrome trim on the hood to its flush-mounted door handles. I’ve had the pleasure of driving the car and can attest it is a fantastic, turnkey driving example.”
1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Spider
The Superamerica is joined by another superlative example of Italian design, a handsome 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Spider, chassis no. 10814313. With stunning coachwork by Zagato, this particular Alfa Romeo is a correct, fifth-series example with matching body stampings throughout. Like the Superamerica, it also benefits from a comprehensive restoration, completed in 2009 – an exercise that left the car exceptional in every respect.
Imported to the United States for first time in 2011 and exhibited the following year at Pebble Beach, its offering presents a unique opportunity to purchase a superb example one of the most important sports touring cars from the early 1930s (Est. $2,300,000 – $2,600,000).
1988 Works Jaguar XJR-9
Tim Scott ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions
The 1988 Works Jaguar XJR-9, chassis 388, which won the Daytona 24 hours in 1990, #388 is the third of just three cars constructed for the 1988 IMSA GT Championship, run by Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR), and the only remaining example of just two XJR-9 chassis ever manufactured as purpose-built IMSA specification cars.
Prior to its most famous victory in 1990, #388 enjoyed two highly successful seasons in 1988 and 1989. In 1988, predominantly in the hands of Davey Jones and Jan Lammers, the car achieved four podium finishes and never finished a race outside of the top seven, a superb achievement that helped the Jaguar team secure third place in the IMSA constructor’s championship, stamping its authority in both IMSA and Group C racing.
During the 1989 season, #388 was an equally strong contender, achieving three front-row starts including a pole position, four second-row starts and eight overall podium finishes. The ‘89 season saw Price Cobb and John Nielsen join the car’s driver roster, leading it to a remarkable record that saw it finish on the podium for two-thirds of all the races it competed in.
By the start of 1990 season, #388 was fully developed into XJR-12 specification and went on to famously win the season’s headline event, the 24 hours of Daytona, in the hands of Davey Jones, Jan Lammers and Andy Wallace. The victory was an unquestionable high point in Jaguar’s illustrious endurance racing history, especially after having finished second overall with this car at Daytona in 1989. #388 also secured a podium finish at Sebring in 1990.
“We’re thrilled to have been entrusted with the Works Jaguar XJR-9 for our Amelia Island sale. Its offering is made all the more special given 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of its win at Daytona,” says Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Auctions Europe. “It is a true work of art that effortlessly blends great design and engineering with incredible performance. The lines are fantastic – it appears fast even when standing still – and then there’s the massive V-12 engine that can help propel it to a blistering 240 mph. Despite all this, it is not an intimidating car. Having driven it recently, I can attest that it is a delight to drive and easy to handle.”
Single-Ownership Classic Cars
Two cars that will probably fall short of a million dollar but exceed average prices for the models due to single-ownership records are a 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Mk II and a 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.
“In today’s market, vehicles boasting single ownership from new are the epitome of automotive connoisseurship,” comments Duff. “These vehicles are often purchased new by individuals for whom it is love at first sight. It’s quite easy to understand why the Aston DB6 has been treasured by its current owner for more than four decades. Combining great looks with comfort and performance, it is the ultimate iteration of the DB6 platform, checking all the boxes.”
A stunning 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Mk II, chassis no DB6MK2/4214/LC.A Canadian example and one of 71 original Vantage-specification DB6s constructed, was picked up by the original owner from the factory and was a treasured part of his collection in the Toronto area for some 45 years, during which time it was regularly exercised and carefully preserved. This highly original example, including its original interior and matching numbers drivetrain, features numerous optional accessories, including rare factory air-conditioning (Est. $650,000 – $850,000).
The DB6 Mk II joins a 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Condo Find” Daytona, chassis no. 14385, also offered fresh to the market following single Canadian ownership from new.
This all-original 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta, which recently emerged from 25 years in storage in a downtown Toronto parking garage, will make its auction debut at RM’s Amelia Island, Florida sale.
Affectionately dubbed “The Condo Find Daytona,” or “the Disco Daytona,” in reference to the eight-track tape of “Disco Rock” still stuck in its K-Tec player, the Daytona was an impulse buy for Toronto businessman, Patrick Sinn. A delayed flight from Geneva to Toronto in 1971 saw Sinn take the chance visit to the Geneva International Motor Show, where he instantly fell in love with the Ferrari. Such was his desire to purchase an example of his own that Sinn postponed his return trip and immediately travelled to the Ferrari factory, where he ordered a closed version of the popular model, finished in Rosso Rubino over Nero.
Sinn took possession of chassis 14385 in the summer of 1971 and spent a month touring in his Ferrari Berlinetta in Europe before bringing the car back to North America on board the Queen Elizabeth II. Over the ensuing 18 years, he derived great enjoyment from driving the car, accruing more than 90,000 kilometers. Then, in 1989, a family emergency required Sinn to urgently travel to Asia for business – a trip he anticipated would originally last a few months, but stretched into six years. Before departing, he put his beloved Daytona up on blocks and covered it, before leaving it hidden in plain sight, tucked away in the corner of his condominium parking garage.
Although he returned to Toronto in 1995, business pursuits kept him from driving the car; as such, Sinn’s Daytona remained in this position up until November 2014. (Est. $600,000 – $750,000).
More Million-Dollar Cars RM Auctions Amelia Island 2015
Additional highlights recently secured for the official auction of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance include:
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1938 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Cabriolet – Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Auctions a spectacularly restored 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis Cabriolet by Gangloff, chassis 57710, which returns to Amelia Island after receiving ‘Best of Show’ honors at the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance (Est. $2,500,000 – $3,250,000);
- a highly original 1955 Austin-Healey 100S, chassis no. AHS-3504, one of only 50 competition Healey 100s, was built specifically for Hollywood actor/director Jackie Cooper (Est. $975,000 – $1,375,000); and,
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1930 Duesenberg Model J ‘Sweep Panel’ Dual-Cowl Phaeton – Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Auctions a one-of-a-kind 1930 Duesenberg Model J ‘Sweep Panel’ Dual-Cowl Phaeton, engine no. J-487, the one and only long-wheelbase LeBaron ‘Sweep-Panel’ Dual-Cowl Phaeton built and boasting outstanding provenance, including some of the greatest names in modern collecting (Est. $1,200,000 – $1,400,000);
In addition to RM Auctions, Gooding & Co traditionally also has a sale during the Amelia Island weekend. In 2015, Bonhams will hold its first classic car auction at Amelia Island.
For More on Amelia Island Classic Car Auctions:
- 2015 Amelia Island Auction Previews: RM Auctions, Gooding, and Bonhams
- 2015 Amelia Island Auction Pre-Sale Press Releases: RM Auctions, Gooding (Maserati & Ferraris)
- 2014 Amelia Island Auction Results
