Jaguar D-Types are likely to be the most-expensive cars sold at the 2018 Scottsdale, Arizona, classic car auctions that will include the oldest Alfa Romeo and many top Ferraris.
A 1954 Jaguar D-Type Works racing car, estimate $12,000,000 to $15,000,000, at RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2018 is likely to be the most-expensive car at the Scottsdale 2018 classic car auction week in January 2018. If the car falters, a second customer team 1956 Jaguar D-Type, estimate $10,000,000 to $12,000,000, at Gooding may claim top honors. Other top cars on offer include the 1921 Alfa Romeo G1 – the oldest car in existence from this Italian marque, a Le Mans Works entry 1958 Porsche 550 A Spyder and a 1931 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster. Up to 20 Ferraris could sold for over a million with the top results expected from Battista Pinifarina’s personal 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Speciale, a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet and a 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial.
Scottsdale, Arizona, Classic Car Auctions
The annual mid-January Scottsdale, Arizona, classic car auction series is after the mid-August Monterey Week, the biggest collector car auctions in the world. The Scottsdale week is big, according to Hagerty, the figures for all participating auction houses in 2017 (and 2016) were:
- Total Gains: $260 million ($250 million)
- Cars sold / offered: 2,900 / 3,486 (2,491 / 3,104)
- Sell-Through Rate: 83% (80%)
- Average Sale Price: $89,601 ($225,729)
RM Sotheby’s currently holds the Scottsdale classic car auction week record with a 1937 Mercedes Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster that sold for $9,900,000 in 2016.
This article considers the cars offered by these four auctioneers for the 2018 auctions:
- In 2018, Barrett-Jackson alone will sell over 1,700 cars at the Scottsdale and although some of these may go for over a million dollar, the top results are again expected from Gooding, RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams.
- Gooding & Co will hold its 11th annual Scottsdale classic car auction on January 19 & 20, 2018, at the Scottsdale Fashion Square, in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. Gooding has around 130 lots on offer and in 2018 have a wider range of top cars in the auction this year than its nearest competitors.
- RM Sotheby’s will hold its 19th annual Arizona classic car auction on 18 & 19 January 2018 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Around 150 lots will be on offer including a handful of (very expensive) children’s cars.
- Bonhams seventh annual Scottsdale auction is scheduled for January 18, 2018, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Bonhams has 111 lots on offer.
Top Million-Dollar Plus cars at Scottsdale 2018
In 2017, 35 cars achieved results over a million dollar each at the Scottsdale and Arizona auctions. RM Sotheby’s sold 15, Gooding 9 and Bonhams 7 cars for over a million dollar.
In 2018, around 50 cars on offer at the Scottsdale and Arizona auctions have million dollar potential. Although the top result is likely to come from the Jaguar D-Type at RM Sotheby’s, Gooding seems more confident that the market has recovered. Gooding not only has 20 cars on offer with upper estimates exceeding a million dollar, but also covers a wider range of price classes. Where RM Sotheby’s has a $10 million drop from the estimate of the top Jaguar D-Type to the Shelby 427 Cobra Semi-Competition, Gooding has five cars with lower estimate exceeding $4 million. Bonhams top car is a Le Mans works-entry 1958 Porsche 550A Spyder, estimate $4,500,000 – $5,500,000.
Top-10 Multi-Million-Dollar Cars at Scottsdale 2018
The ten cars with the highest presale estimates for the 2018 Scottsdale and Arizona classic car auctions are:
| Year | Car | Estimate | Auction House | |
| 1 | 1921 | Alfa Romeo G1 | Upon request | RM Sotheby’s |
| 2 | 1954 | Jaguar D-Type Works | 12,000,000 – 15,000,000 | RM Sotheby’s |
| 3 | 1956 | Jaguar D-Type | 10,000,000 – 12,000,000 | Gooding |
| 4 | 1965 | Ferrari 275 GTB Speciale | 8,000,000 – 10,000,000 | Gooding |
| 5 | 1958 | Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet | 7,000,000 – 8,500,000 | Gooding |
| 6 | 1954 | Ferrari 500 Mondial Series I | 5,000,000 – 5,750,000 | Gooding |
| 7 | 1958 | Porsche 550A Spyder | 4,500,000 – 5,500,000 | Bonhams |
| 8 | 1931 | Bugatti Type 55 Roadster | 4,000,000 – 5,000,000 | Gooding |
| 9 | 1967 | Ferrari 275 GTB/4 | 2,800,000 – 3,400,000 | Bonhams |
| 10 | 1972 | Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider | 2,400,000 – 2,800,000 | Bonhams |
Jaguar D-Types at Scottsdale, Arizona 2018
Sellers of expensive classic cars often show a herd mentality with similar cars being rushed to market after an unexpectedly good result for a model but even so it was a surprise when Gooding announced that it will also offer a Jaguar D-Type at Scottsdale 2018 weeks after RM Sotheby’s announced a Works Jaguar D-Type for its Arizona sale.
The more desirable car is clearly the 1954 Jaguar D-Type Works racing car, estimate $12,000,000 to $15,000,000, at RM Sotheby’s. Chassis XKD403, presented in British racing green, was the third of just six D-Types produced for the factory race team. It was Jaguar’s lead car for the 1954 Le Mans 24 Hours race with Stirling Moss and Peter Walker as drivers. The car had limited success when raced by the factory and was mostly used for development work in 1955 before being sold off.
The car was also raced in period by Ron Flockhart, Jack Fairman, Ivor Bueb, Reg Harris, as well as Peter Blond, who coincidentally was the first private owner of the red 1956 Jaguar D-Type on offer at Gooding. Chassis XKD518 was one of 51 D-Types produced for customers and thus has a more modest estimate of $10,000,000 to $12,000,000.
The two Jaguar D-Types will be sold on the same day – Gooding’s D-Type in the afternoon and RM Sotheby’s in the evening – and if sold will almost certainly set a new Scottsdale auction week record. It is hard to imagine that the reserve limit will be much below $10 million on either car.
This may be the second consecutive year that a Jaguar is the most-expensive car during the Scottsdale auction week. In 2017, Bonhams sold a 1963 Jaguar E-Type Light Weight Competition for $7,370,000 as the most-expensive car during the 2017 Scottsdale, Arizona classic car auctions.
The 1956 Le Mans-winning 1955 Jaguar D-Type Ecurie Ecosse team car sold for $21,780,000 at RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2016 auction remains the most-expensive Jaguar ever and the most-expensive Le Mans-winner, and the eighth most-expensive car ever.
Alfa Romeos at Scottsdale, Arizona 2018
The 1921 Alfa Romeo G1 at RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2018 is the only top car on offer without a presale estimate. The G1 was the first car model produced by Alfa Romeo and this car is the only known chassis to have survived making it the oldest Alfa Romeo in existence. Although the engine and chassis are original, the body is not making it even harder to value the car.
Following a full restoration after 2012, the 1921 Alfa Romeo G1 was shown at amongst others the Pebble Beach, Arizona and Amelia Island concours so the new owner will have to wait a few years before being able to show it again at the top events in the USA.
The 1921 Alfa Romeo G1 is offered without reserve so will sell. It is unlikely to break the Alfa Romeo marque record of $19,800,000 paid for a 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 29008 Lungo Spider by Touring at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2016 sale. This is also the record price for a pre-war car.
RM Sotheby’s is offering two further top Alfa Romeos with no reserve at the Arizona 2018 auction: a 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Speciale with coachwork by Boano, estimate $1,250,000 to $1750,000, and an elegant 1942 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Spider, estimate $900,000 – $1,100,000.
Top Ferraris at Scottsdale, Arizona 2018
Although one of the Jaguar D-Types are likely to set the highest price at the Scottsdale 2018 sales, half of the top ten most-expensive cars on offer are Ferraris.
The three really special ones are all on offer at Gooding:
The 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Speciale, chassis 06437, estimate $8,000,000 – $10,000,000, is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece built by Carrozzeria Pinifarina for the personal use of Battista Pininfarina. Although it largely resembles a standard 275 GTB, almost none of the coachwork details are the same as the standard production version. The premium expected over a regular 275 GTB is high.
The 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet, chassis 1079 GT, estimate $7,000,000 – $8,500,000, was the 35th of only 41 Series I Pinin Farina 250 GT cabriolets produced. The car was originally displayed at the Torino Motor Show before being delivered to Prince Mohammed bin Faisal Al Saud.
The Pinin Farina-bodied 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Series I, chassis 0434 MD, estimate $5,000,000 – $5,750,000), was sold new to racecar driver Herman Roosdorp. Roosdorp and second owner Hans Maasland successfully campaigned the car at numerous races between 1954 and 1956 in especially the Netherlands and Belgium. This 500 Mondial has been on static display and not shown in public for the past two decades.
The two top Ferraris at Bonhams are more standard for the model types:
- The 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, estimate $2,800,000 – $3,400,000, is a low-mileage US specification. The car has covered less than 32,000 miles from new and retained its original interior. The body paint color changed from the original grigio ferro to the magnificent Giallo Fly yellow during the 1990s.
- The 1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider, estimate $2,400,000 – $2,800,000, was the 72nd of 123 Daytona Spiders built. Barrett Jackson will offer a 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider Conversion by Straman to show how much more an original is worth.
Around 20 Ferraris on offer at the Scottsdale 2018 auctions have million dollar potential but surprisingly, given the trend at recent auctions, no LaFerrari or Enzo will be on offer. Although RM Sotheby’s will offer a 2017 Ferrari F12tdf, estimate $1,200,000 – $1,400,000, only Bonhams will have an F40 and F50.
At least six 250 GT models will be on offer but more surprising are probably the three 212 models. Barrett Jackson and Gooding each has a Ferrari 212 Europe Coupe on offer but the more interesting car is the 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe by Ghia, estimate $1,600,000 – $1,800,000, at RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2018. This car with bespoke one-off body by Ghia was originally delivered to Juan Peron, president of Argentina.
Top Porsches at Scottsdale, Arizona 2018
Porsches have been selling in huge numbers and high prices at recent auctions including a new marque record of $14 million for a 1970 Porsche 917K at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2017 sale.
The top Porsche at the Scottsdale 2018 is the 1958 Porsche 550A Spyder, chassis 0145, estimate $4,500,000 – $5,500,000 – the clear lead car for the Bonhams sale. It was the second last of 40 produced and as a works entry finished second in class and fifth overall at the 24 Horus of Le Mans race. A highest bid of $4.2 million was not accepted for this car at the Gooding Pebble Beach 2016 sale when the estimate was $5-6 million.
Three 2015 Porsche 918 Spyders will be on offer at the Scottsdale 2018 auctions:
- The guards red 2015 Porsche 918 at Gooding has the highest estimate of $1,800,000 to $2,200,000 as the car has covered less than 100 miles since new.
- Only $1,200,000 to $1,600,000 is expected for the black 2015 Porsche 918 at Bonhams – this car has already done 2,278 miles.
- In contrast, the rhodium silver metallic 2015 Porsche 918 at Barrett Jackson is already properly run in with 3,507 miles on the clock.
RM Sotheby’s will offer a 1987 Porsche 959, estimate $1,000,000 to $1,250,000, but the variety of 356s, 911s and Carrera GTs are unlikely to reach the million dollar mark.
Classic Bugattis at Scottsdale 2018
Gooding is bringing two classic Bugattis to the Scottsdale 2018 auction. The more desirable is the 1931 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster, estimate $4,000,000 – $5,000,000. This was the first Bugatti Type 55 produced out of a total of only 38. Unfortunately, the body is a later replica, as the last Bugatti Type 55 Roadster sold at auction set a new marque record of $10,400,000 at Gooding Pebble Beach 2016.
An older 1922 Bugatti Type 29/30, estimate $800,000 – $1,000,000, will also be offered at Gooding Scottsdale 2018. This car was the first eight-cylinder sporting Bugatti delivered and is the oldest known example of Ettore Bugatti’s two-seat configuration for Grand Prix cars.
The more modern 1993 Bugati EB110 GT is likely to fall short of a million and no VW-era Veyrons or Chirons will be available. RM Sotheby’s sold the first Bugatti Chiron at auction in December 2017 in New York for $3,772,500 while Mecum will offer one at Kissimmee 2018 just days before the Scottsdale auctions. A European specification Chiron will be available at RM Sotheby’s Paris in February 2018.
Seven Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadsters and Gullwings at Scottsdale 2018
Mercedes Benz 300 SL prices have been firmer at recent auctions after a difficult 2016 and early 2017 but Gooding seems set to jolt the market by offering five – three Roadsters and two Gullwing – a Scottsdale in addition to one Roadster each at RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams.
The 1963 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster, estimate $1,600,000 – $1,800,000, at Gooding is the clear pick of the bunch. As a late-production car, it is one of the 210 examples fitted with the desirable disc-break, alloy-block specification. It is matching numbers example that was recently returned to its original white gray paintwork with black leather interior and soft-top. It is sold with a factory-supplied black hardtop.
In contrast, the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, estimate $1,400,000 – $1,700,000, at Bonhams was the first 300 SL Roadster imported into the US and the fifth one built. It is a matching-numbers example with a detailed history file as could be expected from a car owned for five decades by one enthusiast. The 300 SL was restored after 2013 at a cost of nearly half a million dollar.
The 1954 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing, estimate $1,100,000 – $1,300,000, at Gooding is similarly an early production car: it was the 128th of 1,400 coupes produced. It is a matching numbers car and offered by the owner since 1965. The car is maintained but not in concours condition.
The 1956 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing, estimate $1,100,000 – $1,300,000, and the 1960 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster, estimate $1,100,000 – $1,300,000, at Gooding are sold from the same collection. Both cars are in a good maintained condition. The recently restored Roadster had only two private owners since 1961 and comes with a hardtop.
The 1957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster, estimate $1,000,000 – $1,200,000, at Gooding is in its original color scheme of light blue over cream. It is a matching numbers example and comes with a factory hardtop.
The 1957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster, estimate $950,000 – $1,050,000, on offer at RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2018 is the cheapest of seven 300 SLs on offer during the Scottsdale classic car auction week. It is probably also in not the best condition as the catalogue write-up is remarkable low on detail and describes the car as an “ideal candidate for touring”, which may be better than restoring it and locking it away in a garage.
Shelby Cobras at Scottsdale, Arizona 2018
Shelby 289 Cobras generally sell for around a million dollar and most auctions series in the USA usually have a few on offer. At least five Shelby 289 Cobras will be on offer with the 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Dragonsnake, CSX2093, probably the most desirable car. (A wide variety of continuation and reproduction Cobras will also be on offer at Barrett Jackson.)
However, the top Shelby at the Scottsdale Arizona 2018 sales is likely to be the 1966 Shelby 417 Cobra “Semi-Competition” at RM Sotheby’s. Its estimate of $2,000,000 to $2,400,000 is the second highest for any car on offer at RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2018. In the same auction, a 1965 Shelby GT350 R, estimate $1,000,000 – $1,200,000, will also be available.
Modern Hypercars at Scottsdale 2018
Despite the excellent reception of modern, near new hypercars at auctions in 2017, the number of 21st century supercars at the Scottsdale, Arizona, auctions are quite limited in 2018. In addition to the three Porsche 918 Spyders and the Ferrari F12tdf mentioned above, only three further 21st century supercars are likely to achieve a million dollar.
All three supercars are on offer at Gooding:
The 2014 Pagani Huayra, estimate $2,200,000-$2,600,000, was the 87th of 100 Huayras produced and is believed to be the only one in existence that was special-ordered in Carbonio Rosso, an exposed red carbon fiber body. This rare US-specification car has traveled less than 1,000 miles
The 2015 McLaren P1, estimate $1,800,000-$2,200,000, is one of only 375 examples built. It is a US specification car finished in a striking Special Carbon Black livery, and has traveled less than 1,700 miles since new.
The white 2012 Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package, estimate $900,000 – $1,200,000, was the 498th of the 500 LFA models produced. In addition, this example is one of only 50 equipped with the Nürburgring Package. It has covered less than 60 miles from new.
More Scottsdale / Phoenix, Arizona 2018 Auction Previews: Barrett Jackson, Bonhams, Gooding & RM Sotheby’s
