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RM at Amelia Island 11th March 2006 - Review

Held to coincide with the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, RM’s sale produced another bumper result for the Ontario-based company. Top seller was the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Alloy Berlinetta Comp at $2,750,000.

Skilled amateur driver, and faithful Ferrari customer Vittorio de Micheli took delivery of 250GT SWB chassis number 1757, an alloy ‘Competizione’ version, on May 11, 1960. Painted in Rosso Corsa, as it is today, and featuring rare early SWB series body details, it was one of only 29 cars in this early series (actually the 5th car built). Vittorio de Micheli was by all accounts a very skilled driver since he managed to win over half of the hillclimbs and circuit races he contested in the 1960 to 1962 period. It was then sold to the Prince of Liechtenstein who repainted the car silver during his 5-year period of ownership.

The car was then owned by a succession of wealthy Ferrari enthusiasts around the globe before being offered by RM at Amelia in 2006. $2,750,000 was the price the buyer paid, pretty well high market average for the most desirable (alloy, competition) version of one of Ferrari’s most attractive cars.



1931 Bentley 8-Litre Sportsman Coupé


1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster Le Mans
In a catalogue that featured a significant proportion of pre-war cars, other major sellers included a 1931 Bentley 8-Litre Sportsman Coupé, $1,485,000 and a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Clear Vision Sedan at $693,000. The 1938 Talbot-Lago T23 Teardrop Coupé sold for $2,145,000.

RM always do very well with original racing Cobras and this occasion was no exception with a 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster Le Mans (signifying the run of six cars built after the model's successful FIA debut at the 24 Hours that year) car selling for $1,650,000. Also ‘in the family’ were the 1966 Shelby Hertz GT350 Fastback, $214,500, 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350R Fastback Race Car, $990,000 (Wow! - Ed), and the 1968 Shelby GT500 KR Fastback, $225,500.

On the European front other interesting sellers included a 1962 Jaguar Series I E-Type Roadster for $90,200, and a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SB Coupé for $134,200.

Only three lots out of 105 failed to sell.

Please CLICK HERE to see the complete results.



1966 Shelby Hertz GT350 Fastback


1965 Shelby Mustang GT350R Fastback Race Car
Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - RM Auctions


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