1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupé: $1,750,000 - 2,250,000

As a mainstay of the January Arizona auction scene, for 2012 RM has catalogued more than 140 motor cars that should appeal to any visitor determined to enjoy both a little winter sun and add to his or her collection.

The lotlist certainly ticks all the boxes. For Ferrari enthusiasts there are ten cars, maybe a little less than usual (and no 275 GTBs or Cal’ Spiders, note) but still packed with quality. The headlining 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupé ($1,750,000 - 2,250,000) is a car we’ve previewed recently in Classic Driver and is surely a ‘given’ at any top-level concours.

And the 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso ($900,000 - 1,100,000) has the honour not only of having been an entry in the 1964 Targa Florio (Taormina and Tacci finishing a creditable 14th out of 64), but the Ferrari Classiche-certified car has also won a trophy at Pebble Beach as well as its multiple Ferrari Club of America Platinum Awards.

1957 Maserati 3500 GT Berlinetta: $170,000 - 200,000	1954 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé: $75,000 - 100,000

There’s also a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta ‘Ellena’ for $450,000 - 525,000 and an ever-popular Ferrari F40, a 1991 car with less than 30 miles from new at $650,000 - 750,000.

Ferrari’s arch-rivals for favour with the international jet-set in the 50s and 60s, Aston Martin and Maserati, are represented by some definitive models. From the British company there’s a 1958 DB Mk III Coupé ($250,000 - 300,000), a LHD 1968 DB6 ($225,000 - 275,000), a couple of DB 2/4s and a brace of DB4s.

1993 Jaguar XJ220S: $225,000 - 300,000

The Modenese Trident supplies three cars, a 1963 3500 GT Vignale Spyder at $300,000 - 375,000, a 1957 3500 GT Berlinetta ($170,000 - 200,000) and surely an example of one of the greats in the making, a 1971 Ghibli Spyder estimated at $325,000 - 425,000.

No RM Scottsdale sale would be complete without a Shelby Cobra, and this year’s example is CSX3228, a 1966 427 estimated at $750,000 - 850,000. The potent, aggressively styled car is a highly original example with just three owners from new, having been in single ownership for 30 years. It’s also covered less than 11,000 miles since new and is documented in the all-important Shelby American World Registry.

1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster: $300,000 - 375,000	1968 Jaguar E-type Series 1 1/2 4.2-litre Roadster: $120,000 - 130,000

Another fabulous design – this time from the aristocratic pen of Count Albrecht Goertz – is the 1959 BMW 507 Roadster. A desirable Series II (with more much-needed legroom for the taller driver), the RM Auto Restoration-restored car is estimated at $900,000 - 1,200,000.

Going back to an earlier era, the sale caters for enthusiasts of the ‘earlies’ (cars such as the $125,000 - 175,000, 1913 Pathfinder 5-Passenger Touring) as well as super-luxurious and stylish 1930s models from Cadillac, Duesenberg, Cord and Packard.

1959 BMW 507 Roadster: $900,000 - 1,200,000

There’s also a 1931 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupé finished in a discreet grey with coachwork by LeBaron. Carrying an estimate of $475,000 - 650,000, it’s one of just eight Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupés in existence and has won not only its class at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, but also the Primary Production Class at the 2000 CCCA Annual Meeting (with a 100-point score).

1937 Cord 812 SC 'Sportsman' Convertible Coupé: $325,000 - 425,000	1958 Aston Martin DB Mk III Coupé: $250,000 - 300,000

Scottsdale being Scottsdale, no sale would be complete without a good selection of home-grown ‘hi-po’. ‘Po’ does not come much higher than under the hood of a 1971 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T. And this is no ordinary (still very collectible) R/T. Ordered new with some rare options (one of only about 12 Challenger R/Ts for 1971 originally equipped with the Code E-74 426 ‘Hemi’ V8, it also has a four-speed manual and a ‘Shaker’ hood), the car was soon shipped to the famous Chicago-based ‘Mr. Norm’s’ Grand-Spaulding Dodge dealership for upgrading. The result is the $300,000 - 475,000 car offered by RM this coming January.

1972 Porsche 911 T 2.4: $65,000 - 85,000	1966 Shelby 427 Cobra: $750,000 - 850,000

If that’s slightly out of your reach, fans of the irresistible hodda-dodda-blaar! attraction of American V8s should look at more affordable entries such as the 1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible ($75,000 - 95,000) or the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 for $95,000 - 125,000. That said, with the 1967 Chevrolet ‘Nickey’ Camaro SS ($400,000 - 500,000) and the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster ($450,000 - 650,000), perhaps muscle cars are enjoying a resurgence?

1958 Chevrolet Corvette: $90,000 - 110,000	1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback: $175,000 - 225,000

One marque that is always popular in the USA is Porsche. Seven cars are in RM’s catalogue, ranging in price from a $65,000 - 85,000, 1972 Porsche 911 T 2.4 to a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT for $350,000 - 400,000. And yes, there are a couple of 356 Speedsters. The multiple-award-winning 1958 356A 1600 Speedster is estimated at $300,000 - 375,000 and the eminently usable 1957 356A Speedster at $120,000 - 150,000.

Please click HERE to see a full lotlist.

1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Stingray Roadster: $225,000 - 300,000

To see all the entries to the 19 - 20 January 2012 'Automobiles of Arizona' auction in the Classic Driver Marketplace please CLICK HERE.

ADMISSION:
Admission to this sale requires the purchase of the offical auction catalogue for $120. The catalogue will admit two and must be presented at the entrance to the sale to be granted entry.

AUCTION LOCATION:
Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa
24th Street & Missouri
Phoenix, Arizona 85016 USA

AUCTION:
January 19, 2012
7:00 PM MST (Auction will run approx. 2-3 hours)
January 20, 2012
12:00 PM MST (Auction will run approx. 5-6 hours)

PREVIEW DATES:
January 18, 2012
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM MST

January 19, 2012
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM MST

January 20, 2012
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM MST

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: [email protected].

Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: RM Auctions