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RM Auctions: Amelia Island, March 12 2011 - Preview

1953 Ferrari 212 Inter Coupé - $375,000 - 550,000

Rare cars from the ‘brass’ and ‘Great Gatsby’ eras, and a top-notch selection of classic Ferraris are some of the highlights of RM’s 2011 Amelia Island sale.

The Ontario-based auctioneer is the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. On March 12, the Ritz-Carlton hotel will once again be the venue for a one-day, 104-car catalogue, with many of the entries to be offered with that magic suffix ‘No Reserve’...

The sale actually starts with five motorcycle lots, and I particularly like the ‘Servi-Car’ Harley trikes from the late-40s used by Police Departments throughout the States, mainly for parking enforcement. The tricycle design was a stable one for non-bike-riding cops, and featured a left-hand throttle so that “policemen could shoot as they rode”, according to RM. Both are ‘No Reserve’ and are estimated around the $20,000 - 30,000 mark.

1934 Rolls-Royce PII Continental Drophead Sedanca by J. Gurney Nutting - $150,000 - 200,000 1948 Chrysler Town & Country - $90,000 - 110,000

Back to things four-wheeled and the two, early 1950s Ferraris are impressive. The carefully preserved 1952 340 Mexico coupé ($2,750,000 - 3,500,000) is a genuine 1952 La Carrera Panamericana entry (third place overall, driven by Luigi Chinetti/Jean Lucas). Quite amazingly, it still has its original engine and is coming out of long-term ownership by Larry Nicklin of Leo, Indiana, a founding member of the Ferrari Club of America.

The 1953 212 Inter coupé ($375,000 - 550,000) is another ex-Nicklin entry. This time, however, time has taken its toll on the car and either a full restoration or – even better, I would say – extensive but sympathetic mechanical refurbishment is needed to get the car back on the roads. What an opportunity, though, as the matching-number GT can be, as the catalogue puts it, “only original once.”

1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster - $475,000 - 550,000 'No Reserve'

Other Ferraris include a 1957 GT 'Low Roof' Boano Berlinetta ($550,000 - 650,000), a 1968 275 GTB/4 ($1,100,000 - 1,300,000) and period colour scheme frenzy in the form of the white 1962 250 GTE for $130,000 - 160,000, and the Oro Chiaro 1967 330 GTS ($650,000 - 800,000).

The latter looks as if it’s driven straight off a Scorsese film set, and I love it.

1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico - $2,750,000 - 3,500,000 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Roadster $125,000 - 175,000 'No Reserve'

A sizeable section of the auction is devoted to the early, pioneering days of American motoring. So, in addition to the 1904 Locomobile Steam Runabout ($90,000 - 120,000, ‘No Reserve’) and the 1901 Toledo Steam Runabout ($90,000 - 120,000, ‘No Reserve’), there’s a classic ‘Brass Car’ 1909 Thomas-Flyer 6-40 7-Passenger Touring ($150,000 - 250,000), and a 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Open Drive Landaulette, with bodywork by F.R. Wood of New York, for $350,000 - 500,000.

1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupé by Murphy - $850,000 - 1,000,000

Moving into America in the inter-war years, for quality and imposing presence, one manufacturer stands head and shoulders above the rest: Duesenberg. Two cars are from the Estate of John M. O’Quinn. The 1933 Model J Torpedo Victoria ($800,000 - 1,100,000) was a one-off design by Gordon Buehrig, while the 1930 Model J Convertible Coupé, at $850,000 - 1,000,000, is a highly desirable Murphy-designed roadster – pretty much as good as it gets for a ‘Duesie’ enthusiast.

1965 Jaguar E-type Series I 4.2 Roadster - $125,000 - 140,000 1932 Cadillac Sixteen Special Phaeton - $150,000 - 200,000 'No Reserve'
1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 - $1,100,000 - 1,300,000 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Spider - $1,100,000 - 1,500,000 'No Reserve'

Also of this era are the 1934 Packard Twelve Convertible Sedan ($275,000 - 375,000), the 1935 Auburn 851 SC Boattail Speedster ($375,000 - 475,000) and the 1932 Cadillac Sixteen Special Phaeton ($150,000 - 200,000, ‘No Reserve’).

It’s not all 1930s Americana, though, as from Europe comes the ‘No Reserve’ 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Spider estimated at $1,100,000 - 1,500,000.

1953 BMW 327/2 Sport Cabriolet - $175,000 - 225,000 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler - $15,000 - 20,000

The rest of the catalogue is a well-chosen mix of classics from the post-War era. Shelby Cobra? Check: a 1965 289 for $500,000 - 600,000. AC Ace? The LHD 1956 Ace Bristol looks a nice buy at $135,000 - 175,000. Two 300 SL Mercedes are present and no doubt very correct, too (a 1961 ‘No Reserve’ Roadster for $475,000 - 550,000 and a red, 1955 ‘Gullwing’ for $575,000 - 675,000), and everyone likes a well turned-out Jaguar E-type.

The very early (1961, the 53rd built, please note) car looks superb and is estimated accordingly: $120,000 - 140,000.

1957 DeSoto Adventurer Replica Convertible with Duofoil Boat - $100,000 - 140,000

Finally, how about three disparate entries to appeal to most of you out there?

First of all, there’s a keenly priced ($80,000 - 120,000, ‘No Reserve’) 1986 Ford RS200 Evolution. Then, I do have a fondness for early 1950s Grand Routiers and they don’t come much better than the 1954 Talbot-Lago Grand Sport Coupé, at $125,000 - 175,000. And, as befits the watery Florida location, why not bid on the 1957 DeSoto Adventurer Replica Convertible with Duofoil Boat? It’s all very ‘Batman’ and, for $100,000 - 140,000, it won't be just the Speedos they'll be talking about on the beach.

You can view all the entries in the Classic Driver car database.

Please click HERE to see a full lotlist.


ADMISSION:
An official auction catalogue is available for $US100 and admits two people to the auction and previews. Bidder registration is $US200 and includes an official auction catalogue and admission for two to the previews, reception (March 11, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM by invitation only) and auction.

AUCTION LOCATION:
The Ritz-Carlton
4750 Amelia Island Parkway
Amelia Island,
Florida 32034
USA

SALE DATE:
March 12, 2011 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM (viewing starts at 9:00 AM)

PREVIEW DATES:
March 10, 2011
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
March 11, 2011
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

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

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