2021 Scottsdale Arizona Auctions Results Overview

The top results at the 2021 Scottsdale, Arizona, classic car auctions were for a 1955 Jaguar D-Type and a 1937 Bugatti Type 57 SC Open Tourer. Ten cars achieved million-dollars results.

Side profile red 1955 Jaguar D-Type on Offer at RM Sotheby's Scottsdale sale 2021
Patrick Ernzen © 2020 RM Sotheby’s

In 2021, the traditional Scottsdale, Arizona, collector car auctions in January were scaled down or postponed. However, at ten cars sold for over a million dollars in the sales arranged by Bonhams, Gooding, and RM Sotheby’s. The top result was $6 million paid for a bright red 1955 Jaguar D-Type at the RM Sotheby’s sale. A 1937 Bugatti Type 57 SC Tourer by Corsica sold for $4,750,000 hinting that the good run classic Bugattis had in 2020 may continue. A 2020 McLaren Speedtail achieved $3,277,500 while the two Koenigsegg Regeras on offer both went unsold.

Million-Dollar Results at Scottsdale Auctions in 2021

The following ten cars achieved million-dollars-plus results at the Scottsdale, Arizona, classic car auctions in 2021:

YearCarPrice ($)EstimateAuction House
11955Jaguar D-Type6,000,0005,750,000 – 7,500,000RM Sotheby’s
21937Bugatti Type 57 SC Tourer by Corsica4,735,0004,750,000 – 6,500,000RM Sotheby’s
32020McLaren Speedtail3,277,5003,500,000 – 4,500,000RM Sotheby’s
41954Ferrari 375 America Coupe by Vignale2,557,0002,400,000 – 3,400,000RM Sotheby’s
51966Ferrari 275 GTB1,936,0002,000,000 – 2,400,000Gooding
61959BMW 507 Series II Roadster1,809,0001,900,000 – 2,300,000Bonhams
71956Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Coupe by Boano1,352,5001,200,000 – 1,400,000RM Sotheby’s
81957Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster1,066,5001,000,000 – 1,200,000RM Sotheby’s
92019McLaren Senna1,044,0001,000,000 – 1,300,000RM Sotheby’s
101932Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe1,022,500750,000 – 850,000RM Sotheby’s

Results as observed during auctions or reported by Hagerty. Not yet confirmed with published results and exclude post-hammer deals. Including results from the sales by Bonhams, Gooding, RM Sotheby’s, and Worldwide Auctioneers. Barrett-Jackson postponed its sales to March 2021.

Top Four Results at Scottsdale 2021

Red 1955 Jaguar D-Type on Offer at RM Sotheby's Scottsdale sale 2021
Patrick Ernzen © 2020 RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s sold eight of the ten million-dollar cars at the 2021 classic car auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona, in January 2021. This also included the four most-expensive cars sold the week, as well as the most-expensive car sold at public auction thus far in 2021. Significantly higher bids for the two most-expensive cars sold were rejected at auctions in recent years.

1955 Jaguar D-Type

from above 1955 Jaguar D-Type on Offer at RM Sotheby's Scottsdale sale 2021
Patrick Ernzen © 2020 RM Sotheby’s

The top result at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona classic car auction in 2021 was $6,000,000 paid for the 1955 Jaguar D-Type, XKD 518. The result was just within the estimate of $5,750,000 to $7,500,000. It was the second outing to the Scottsdale, Arizona, auctions in three years for this Jaguar D-Type: in 2018, it was offered by Gooding with the highest bid of $8.85 million rejected — the presale estimate was $10,000,000–$12,000,000. 

It is one of only two (possibly three) D-Types delivered in a dramatic red livery. The first private owner was famed British racing driver Peter Blond, who purchased the car from motorsport icon Bernie Ecclestone. Blond raced XKD 518 until 1957, with highlights including a 5th Overall at the Aintree 100, a top 10 finish in the Goodwood Trophy, and a win at the Snetterton National Race. After Blond sold the Jaguar in 1957, XKD 518 had several prominent owners including famed racer Ms. Jean Bloxham and Led Zeppelin band manager Peter Grant.

1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica

1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica three quarter
Patrick Ernzen © 2020 RM Sotheby’s

The second highest result at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2021 sales was $4,735,000 for a 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica, estimate $4,750,000 to $6,500,000.

The rare car is one of just over 40 Type 57S chassis produced, of which only 16 were fitted with open coachwork. Corsa fitted coachwork to only eight of which only two were the four-seater tourer bodies that the Bugatti on offer is wearing.

This 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica was the lead car for the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2019 classic car auction where the highest bid of $5.7 million was not accepted. The estimate then was a slightly higher $6,000,000 – $7,500,000.

The five most-expensive cars sold in 2020 were all classic Bugattis and it seems as if the popularity of these cars will continue in 2021. Several Bugattis will be on offer at the Paris auctions in February / March 2021 while a 1937 Bugatti Type 57S with Grand Routier coachwork by Corsa (estimate $6,500,000 — 9,000,000, no reserve) is the car around which Bonhams arranged the Legends of the Road classic car auction in London on 19 February 2021.

Goodings’ third-highest Scottsdale 2021 result was also for a classic Bugatti — a 1926 Bugatti Type 37A that sold for $935,000 — well above the estimate of $650,000 — $850,000.

2020 McLaren Speedtail

2020 McLaren Speedtail on offer in the RM Sotheby's Arizona Scottsdale 2021 auction
Ted Seven aka Ted7© 2020 RM Sotheby’s

The 2020 McLaren Speedtail at RM Sotheby’s sold for $3,277,500 — just below the estimate of $3,500,000 to $4,500,000. This Speedtail was the 36th of only 106 produced. It is fitted with over $170,000 in options, of which almost a third was spent on the bespoke shade of MSO Heritage Atlantic Blue, further enriched by a set of Bespoke Exterior Painted Pinstripes which are color-matched to the lightweight alloy wheels.

2019 McLaren Senna in the same sale failed to sell with a highest bid of $975,000. It was soon after sold for $1,044,000 all in.

1954 Ferrari 375 America Coupe

1954 Ferrari 375 America Coupe by Vignale
Darin Schnabel © 2020 RM Sotheby’s

Really high-end Ferraris have been noticeably in short supply at classic car auctions in 2020 and at the start of 2021. However, several fine examples, especially less-known models have been offered and still achieved relatively strong results.

The 1954 Ferrari 375 America Coupe sold for $2,557,000, as the top Ferrari result during the Scottsdale 2021 auction series. This 375 America Coupe was one of only two bodied by Vignale. It was restored to its original color scheme of burgundy and silver-grey over beige and retained its original V12 engine.

Million-Dollar Cars at the Scottsdale 2021 Sales

1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster on offer at Bonhams Scottsdale Auction 2021
© Bonhams

The other million-dollar-plus results at the Scottsdale 2021 collector car auctions were for a mixed bunch of cars:

Goodings top and only million-dollar result at Scottsdale 2021 was $1,936,000 for a late-production 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose, estimate $2,000,000 to $2,400,000. This car is in a well-preserved original condition and has never been restored. The 275 GTB remains one of the most popular classic Ferrari models and continue to sell reliably well at auctions. Gooding will offer another one in the London auction in February 2021.

Bonhams similarly had only one million-dollar result at Scottsdale 2021: $1,809,000 paid for a black 1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster, estimate $1,900,000 – 2,300,000. The Roadster 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.

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

The remaining three million-dollar results were all at RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2021 sale:

  • $1,352,500 paid for a “low roof” 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Coupe that was one of just 14 alloy-bodied coupes produced by Felice Mario Boano.
  • $1,066,500 paid just within estimate for a green 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster. (Two 300 SLs already sold at Mecum Kissimmee 2021 while more will be available in the various European auctions in February and March 2021.)
  • $1,022,000 paid, and well above the $750,000 to $850,000, for a 1932 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe by Fisher. One of 14 built, of which only four survived.

Top Cars Not Sold During Scottsdale Auctions 2021

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet A on offer at Bonhams Scottsdale Auction 2021
© Bonhams

The following cars failed to sell in the various Scottsdale 2021 auctions despite bids that would have achieved million-dollar results:

YearCarHighest Bid ($)EstimateAuction House
2020Koenigsegg RegeraHB 2,560,0002,800,000 – 3,500,000Gooding
2019Koenigsegg RegeraHB 2,450,0002,600,000 – 2,900,000RM Sotheby’s
2003Ferrari EnzoHB 2,200,0002,250,000 – 2,500,000RM Sotheby’s
1939Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet AHB 1,900,000Upon RequestBonhams
1965Aston Martin Short-Chassis VolanteHB 1,300,0001,500,000 – 1,750,000RM Sotheby’s
2019 Koenigsegg Regera on offer at RM Sotheby's Scottsdale Arizona classic car auction 2021
Jessica Lynn Walker © 2020 RM Sotheby’s

Only 80 Koenigsegg Regera cars were built but the first two to ever appear at auction turned up only two days apart and both failed to sell. The higher unsuccessful bid was at Goodings — $2,560,000 — but the difference to the $2,450,000 bid for the car at RM Sotheby’s hardly makes up for the nearly half-million-dollar options on the car versus “only” $217,000 options on the RM Sotheby’s car. The latter has only 200 miles on the clock while the Goodings car had already done 369 miles and is listed as available for $2,950,000.

The top car not sold at Bonhams was the 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet A, estimate upon request.  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.

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