2021 RM Sotheby’s Scottsdale Arizona Sale (Ferraris Announced)

A 2003 Ferrari Enzo and a 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Coupe are early highlights announced for the RM Sotheby’s Scottsdale, Arizona sale 2021.

Profile 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Coupe RM Sotheby's Arizona (Scottsdale) 2021 Sale
Darin Schnabel © 2020 RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s announced the first high-profile cars for the forthcoming Arizona sale in Scottsdale in January 2021. The early highlights are a yellow 2003 Ferrari Enzo (Est. $2,250,000 – $2,500,000) and a Boano-bodied 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Coupe (Est. $1,200,000 – $1,400,000). Around 80 cars will be on offer in the planned live auction — although the venue for 2021 moved to Scottsdale (from previous Phoenix) the name Arizona is kept for the sale for now.

RM Sotheby’s Arizona (Scottsdale) Sale 2021

1937 Mercedes Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen
Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s Arizona classic car auction: 22 January 2021 at a new venue — OTTO Car Club, in Scottsdale itself and no longer in Phoenix. Around 80 cars will be on offer.

The format for 2021 is a live auction with admission only to registered bidders. Telephone, internet, and commission bidding will also be possible. Cars may be viewed by appointment at the OTTO Car Club in the days leading up to the auction.

In 2021, RM Sotheby’s earned $35,065,900 with a sell-through rate of 90%.

In 2020, RM Sotheby’s earned $30.4 million at Arizona with a 90% sell-through rate. According to Hagerty, the average sale price was down to $238,507.

In 2019, RM Sotheby’s earned $37 million with a sell-through rate of 85% of 154 lots on offer. According to Hagerty, the average sale price was $273,710 per car. 

In 2018, RM Sotheby’s grossed $35.8 million by selling 109 cars of 127 offered for a sell-through rate of 86% and an average $328,404 per car. (Hagerty calculations)

In 2017, RM Sotheby’s earned $54 million from 141 cars offered with a sell-through rate of 89%. RM Sotheby’s sold 15 cars for more than a million dollars.

The Arizona / Scottsdale auction record is $9,900,000 paid for a 1937 Mercedes Benz 540 K Special Roadster by Sindelfingen at the RM Sothebys Arizona 2016 sale.

Early Highlights for the RM Sotheby’s Arizona (Scottsdale) Sale 2021

Early top cars announced for the RM Sotheby’s Arizona classic car auction 2021 in Scottsdale, USA, include:

2003 Ferrari Enzo

Yellow 2003 Ferrari Enzo with doors open RM Sotheby's Arizona (Scottsdale) 2021 Sale
© 2020 RM Sotheby’s

An outstanding example of Ferrari’s next step in its hypercar evolution following the F50, the 2003 Ferrari Enzo (Est. $2,250,000 – $2,500,000), chassis no. 131919, was delivered new to its original owner via Foreign Cars Italia in Greensboro, North Carolina, and was promptly featured as the cover car for Car and Driver’s July 2003 issue, the willing subject of the first official testing review available to the United States audience.

The Ferrari’s original owner was also known for enjoying his cars on the road and his time with 131319 was no different. After logging several thousand miles on the road during his stewardship, he elected to sell the Enzo in 2006. The Ferrari subsequently changed hands however always remaining well cared for and in excellent condition. Now showing just under 12,000 miles from new and presented in its original Giallo Modena over tan leather interior, the Enzo benefits from a recent mechanical service.

1956 Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Coupe

1956 Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Coupe RM Sotheby's Arizona (Scottsdale) 2021 Sale
Darin Schnabel © 2020 RM Sotheby’s

Joining the Enzo in Arizona is a genuinely rare, “low roof” 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Coupe (Est. $1,200,000 – $1,400,000), coach-built by Felice Mario Boano in 1957. One of just 14 alloy-bodied coupes produced by Boano between 1956 and 1958, chassis no. 0613 GT benefits from a rich and well-documented provenance, including its factory build records, in-period race victories, and more recently, certification by Ferrari Classiche.

Originally owned by NART financier, George Arents, 0613 GT was raced by Arents just once at Maryland’s Marlboro Speedway in 1957 before it was sold to noted privateer Bob Grossman, who navigated the car in several races, including the Speed week’s famous ‘All-Ferrari’ race, where he finished sixth overall. In 1960, 0613 GT was exported to England and passed through the stables of several English owners.

The car was exported to the United States in 2002, and by 2004, a concours preparation regiment and engine rebuild was executed, which resulted in a Gold Award at the 2004 FCA International Concours d’Elegance in Monterey. Between 2011 and 2016, a previous owner spared no expense keeping 0613 GT in peak mechanical form for a regular rallying calendar, with the car being a regular and successful fixture at both the California Mille and Colorado Grand. Attesting to its Ferrari Classiche Certification, 0613 GT retains its original V-12 engine, gearbox, rear differential, and alloy body.

Further Highlights for RM Sotheby’s Arizona Sale 2021

1938 SS 100 Jaguar 3½-Litre Roadster at RM Sotheby's Arizona (Scottsdale) 2021 Sale
Darin Schnabel © 2020 RM Sotheby’s

Additional early highlights for the slightly smaller budget at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona (Scottsdale) 2021 sale include:

  • An as-new 2019 Ford GT ‘Lightweight’ showing just six miles on the odometer and presented in a rare color combination of Liquid Blue over black interior (Est. $900,000 – $1,000,000);
  • 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, the 92nd of just 448 examples built, wearing attractive Argento Nürburgring finish over black interior and showing less than 8,600 miles(Est. $300,000 – $350,000); 
  • Accompanied by JDHT certificate, a rare and significant 1938 SS 100 Jaguar 3½-Litre Roadster, one of 118 3 ½-Litre examples produced and finished in Gunmetal over red interior(Est. $500,000 – $600,000);
  • One of just 14 examples built and four known survivors, a CCCA Full Classic 1932 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe by Fisher, retaining its original chassis, engine, and coachwork and boasting a meticulously maintained restoration by Fran Roxas(Est. $750,000 – $850,000).

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

Scottsdale & Arizona Sales 2021 — Auction Previews

Scottsdale & Arizona Sales 2021 — Pre-Auction Announcements:

Scottsdale & Arizona Sales 2020 – Auction Results