Grossing over $21m last year, Ontario-based auctioneers RM have assembled another stellar catalogue with 101 motor car entries, many of which are from the very ‘top drawer’, such as this 1971 Porsche 917 Spyder, estimated at $850,000 - 1,000,000.

Starting life as a coupé in 1970, the 917 Spyder was converted to open form in the winter of ‘70/71 and was Finnish driver Leo Kinnunen’s mount for his European Interserie championship win in 1971. Since then, it has passed into mainly US collecting circles, has been restored to a very original set-up with a fresh 5.4 litre flat-12, and with due preparation would make a fantastic historic entry in 2007.

The 917’s not the only rare competition Porsche in the sale. There’s also one of the famous John L. Paul Jnr. and Snr. Light blue/yellow Porsche 935s, one that finished first overall in both the Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours classic marathons. It’s estimated at $750,000 - 950,000, while the fabulous ex-Joest Racing 1981 Porsche 935/78 "Moby Dick" will cost a prospective Le Mans Classic competitor between $400,000 and $500,000. A brave man would be required behind the wheel, as in-period the factory car saw 221 mph on the (pre-chicane) Mulsanne straight at Le Mans and these motors were capable of producing 800 HP...

1932 Bentley 8-Liter Short Chassis Fixed Head Coupe - $1,000,000 - 1,300,000	1965 Shelby GT350 "Supercharged" - $500,000 - 600,000
1981 Porsche 935/78 "Moby Dick" Race Car - $400,000 - 500,000	1963 Shelby King Cobra Cooper Type 61M Monaco-Ford - $600,000 - 900,000

Be-winged and slick-shod racers apart, the sale features a good selection of cars from the classic periods RM are so good at concentrating on: pre-War super luxury includes the 1932 Bentley 8-Liter Short Chassis Fixed Head Coupe ($1,000,000 - 1,300,000), the 1939 Lagonda V12 Drophead Coupé ($300,000 - 400,000) and the 1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton ($1,600,000 - 2,000,000), while 1960s’ mainly Shelby racing and sports cars number the 1963 Shelby King Cobra Cooper Type 61M Monaco-Ford ($600,000 - 900,000), the 1966 Shelby GT350 "R" Model Conversion ($175,000 - 190,000) and the 1965 Shelby GT350 "Supercharged", at $500,000 - 600,000 a car described by the vendor as "the most historic and original 1965 GT350 that he has ever seen".

1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton - $1,600,000 - 2,000,000

1981 Porsche 935 IMSA Group 5 Race Car - $750,000 - 950,000

He should know what he’s talking about as he has owned some 20 of these early Shelbys!

Other significant entries include a 1939 Delahaye 135MS Grand Sport Roadster, $1,000,000 - 1,400,000, a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Michelotti Nart Spyder, $500,000 - 700,000, and a cute little 1965 Fiat Jolly 500 Beach Car at $25,000 - 36,000. The latter, like many entries is ‘Offered Without Reserve’.

The Sale will be held on 11.00 am on Saturday March 10 at The Ritz-Carlton, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, Florida 32034, USA.

Please CLICK HERE for a full lotlisting.

Editor's Note: As if you didn't know, a date for your diarys - RM Auction in association with Sotheby's will be holding the Legenda e Passione Auction at Maranello on May 20th this year, surely likely to be one of the events of 2007. Do contact the European team on the numbers below for details on registration, travel planning and car consignment.

RM Auctions in association with Sotheby's 34-35 New Bond Street London W1A 2AA UK UK Telephone: +44 (0)207 293 6336 Fax: +44 (0)207 293 6337 North America Telephone: +1 800 211 4371 Website: www.rmauctions.com Email: [email protected].

Text - Steve Wakefield
Photos - RM Auctions

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