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29/01/2010
RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona, Jan 21-22 2010 - Review

1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT - Sold for $1,001,000
RM promised a ‘British invasion’ at its recent Arizona sale. Well, we Brits like to turn up on time and in good order, and the 1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT duly took top spot, selling for $1,001,000.

In fact, all the Astons did very well on the first, Union Jack-branded day of RM’s annual Phoenix sales. The 1965 Aston Martin DB5, a UK car converted to LHD, achieved an amazing $429,000, while the ‘matched pair’ of 1958 DB2 Mk IIIs sold for $330,000 (the Drop Head Coupé) and $275,000 (Saloon) - both way over estimate. The RS Williams-built 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Racing Car found a new buyer at $275,000, another impressive figure for a car appealing to a very specialised market.

1962 Aston Martin DB4 Racing Car - Sold for $275,000

1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupé - Sold for $429,000

It wasn’t all Astons on that first day. Both AC Aces comfortable cleared their estimates ($253,000 for the 1959 car, $192,500 for the ’56) and the very high quality, black 1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC achieved $107,250.

Come Friday, with a stormy night causing all manner of troubles to tented enclosures in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas, it was down to RM to sell 115 motor cars (including further British marques) from its customarily well-presented catalogue.

1933 Rolls-Royce PII Continental Three-Position Drophead Coupé by Gurney Nutting - Sold for $528,000
The fabulous ‘flip-top’ 1964 Shelby 427 Cobra was bid to $1,450,000 but failed to sell. However, another big-block Cobra, the ex-Otis Chandler Collection 1967 Shelby 427, went for $632,500, the second-highest selling car. Hot on the Cobra’s heels – well, you know what I mean – were three pre-War cars of the type that RM does so well with.

They were a 1932 Duesenberg Model J Tourster ($550,000), a 1933 Rolls-Royce PII Continental Three-Position Drophead Coupé ($528,000) and another ‘Duesie’, the 1930 Duesenberg Model J Arlington Five-Passenger Club Sedan for $506,000.

1954 Mercury XM-800 Dream Car - Sold for $429,000
Of the ‘dream’ or concept cars, the Mercury XM-800 Dream Car achieved $429,000, while the unique 1956 Cadillac 'Maharani Special' Motorama Show Car, at $225,500, comfortably exceeded its pre-sale auction estimate of $150,000.

Looking at some of the other results, prices were still holding up, despite today’s more considered trading environment. There were, though, just three ‘mainstream’ Ferraris entered – the gold standard marque of car collecting.

Better wait for Amelia Island in March for a verdict on that market.

1957 Porsche Speedster - Sold for $115,500	1967 Shelby 427 - Sold for $632,500
1937 Cord 812 SC 'Sportsman' Convertible Coupé - Sold for $198,000	1960 AC Aceca Bristol - Sold for $137,500

One of the Porsche Speedsters sold for $225,500 (the 1958), the other, 1957, example garnering $115,500. There’s still money in muscle, as both health club owners (post-Christmas) and Scottsdale sale-organisers will attest. At RM’s Friday auction, a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 sold for $187,000 and a 1970 Shelby GT500 Convertible for $126,500.

The 1973 Lamborghini Espada Series III tipped in our preview sold for $41,250.

1961 Jaguar E-type Series I 3.8 Roadster - Sold for $154,000
Finally, back to the British and mention has to be made of the Opalescent Blue 1961 Jaguar E-type Series I 3.8 Roadster selling for $154,000. A 99.76-point-concours car, it had the right engine, bodywork and colour. It shows that an E-type is not only a viable Aston, Ferrari or Maserati alternative, but that it can sell for good money, thus justifying money spent on restoration work.

To see the full results of the Jan 21-22 2010 Automobiles of Arizona auction, please CLICK HERE.

RM’s next sale will be the Automobiles of Amelia Island event on March 13. Early entries include the ex-Edsel Ford 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 'Daytona' Spyder and an ex-Ecurie Ecosse 1958 Tojeiro Jaguar. Entries are still being received, but you can CLICK HERE to see the latest list of RM’s Amelia Island cars in the Classic Driver car database.

On May 1, the company's European arm will hold its first Sporting Classics of Monaco auction. Classic Driver will preview this exciting event in the weeks to come.

RM Auctions
One Classic Car Drive
Blenheim
Ontario N0P 1A0
Canada

Telephone: +1 519 352 45 75
Fax: +1 519 351 13 37

Website: www.rmauctions.com

Email: ask@rmauctions.com.

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: RM Auctions

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