Tag Archives: auctions

Ford RS200

Posted on by
1

1988 Ford RS200

Offered by Silverstone Auctions | Silverstone, U.K. | May 16, 2012

Photo – Silverstone Auctions

Ford was a little late to the Group B Rally party in the mid-1980s. Audi and Peugeot had been dominating the series for years by the time Ford rolled in with their RS200. By the time it was introduced in 1984, it had been 20 years since Ford built a vehicle as awesome and performance-capable as the RS200 (the GT40). This car has a space frame chassis, four-wheel drive and a mid-mounted 1.8-liter turbocharged straight-four making 250 horsepower on the road and somewhere between 350 and 450 in race trim. Later, the displacement would be bumped up to 2.1-liters and horsepower would go upwards of 650!

Unfortunately for Ford, shortly after their arrival on the scene, things would go horribly wrong. At the 1986 Portuguese Rally, an RS200 would go careening into the crowd, killing three spectators. Another RS200 would crash at a later event, killing the co-driver. So after only one year of serious competition, the RS200 – and Group B Rallying in general – were finished.

However, fortune shines on the enthusiast as Group B rules dictated that the cars must be homologated for the road with construction of 200 road-going versions of whatever outlandish car the manufacturers decided to race. Sources differ on how many actually were sold as street models but it seems to range from 140 to 220. It is known that 24 of these cars were upgraded to “Evo” specs, which are a bit more powerful (580 horsepower, and 0-60 mph in about 3.0 seconds).

This is one of the road cars, chassis 118, and it has a few rally-inspired extras on it. When it was freshened in 2010, the engine was upgraded to 2.0-liters and 550 horsepower, closer to the Evo’s specs of 580. It only has 1,850 original miles. These are rare and awesome cars – dare I say Ford has not built a car this awesome since – the GT included. The pre-sale estimate is between $185,000-$210,000. For the complete catalog description, click here. And for more of Silverstone’s Spring Sale, click here.

Update: Not sold.

Bonhams RAF Museum Highlights

Posted on by
Reply

The top sale of Bonhams’ April 30, 2012, sale that took place at the RAF Museum in Hendon, London was a 1957 Bentley S1 Continental. It brought $311,000. Not my favorite Bentley, but the H.J. Mulliner fastback bodywork definitely makes it the looker among S-Type Bentleys.

The two cars we featured, the 1901 Darracq and the 1910 Gladiator, both failed to sell (this is becoming a bad habit). Other top sales included this 1969 AC 428 by Frua. These wonderful British sports cars stand right there with their Italian contemporaries when it comes down to looks (possibly having something to due with it being styled in Italy). It sold for $126,000.

Another car, one that I almost featured, is this 1935 Talbot BA105 Tourer. I’m starting to think Bonhams gets such solid prices because many of their top dollar cars are photographed on lavish English estates. Where cars like this belong. This one sold for $107,000.

About the next car: “What’s this?” you say, “It looks like a dilapidated Mini.” And that’s what it is. But, it is the oldest unrestored Mini. It is the 8th Mini to roll off the line and is technically a 1959 Austin Mini Se7en De Luxe. History has a price and it is $65,000.

For complete results, check out Bonhams’ website.

Alfa Romeo 33/3

Posted on by
1

1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3

Offered by RM Auctions | Monaco | May 12, 2012

Unfortunately, this is the final car we can feature prior to the great sales taking place this weekend in Monaco. There were at least 10 other cars from RM Auctions’ sale alone that I wanted to feature, but just didn’t have the time. Oh, well. There’s always the chance that they’ll come up for sale again.

One reason I chose this car is that I don’t recall ever seeing one for sale and therefore do not expect to see one for sale again anytime soon. Thus, its being feature today. The first car from this sale that we showcased was the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona from 1968. Well, this was the next iteration of the Tipo 33. The 1960s were a very competitive period in sports car racing and cars were not necessarily competitive from year to year. Autodelta (Alfa’s works racing team) realized they needed to step it up for 1969. New, sleeker bodywork was wrapped around the also-new 3.0-liter V8 making 440 horsepower at a screaming 9800 rpm.

The 33/3 had a handful of podium finishes but no wins of note, placing third in the 1969 championship even though it didn’t take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans after factory driver Lucien Bianchi was killed in a testing crash. Competition history for this car, chassis no. 23, is unknown – as, apparently, no one at Autodelta ever wrote anything down.

It was restored in 2006 – at the same time as “being left as original as possible.” So I guess that means it was restored where needed. Since 2006 it has not been raced and has accrued only test miles. The pre-sale estimate is $950,000-$1,100,000. For the complete catalog description click here. And to see the entire lot list for RM Auctions’ Monaco sale click here. Motorcycle fans should take a look as there is a giant Ducati collection going under the hammer.

Update: sold $1,595,440.

Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport

Posted on by
3

1950 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport

Offered by RM Auctions | Monaco | May 12, 2012

A few weeks ago we talked about the partial history behind Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq (specifically, the Darracq history leading up to “STD Motors”). Well, when STD fell apart in 1935 and Darracq went its own way, Talbot was re-organized by Antonio Lago, a Venetian sent to save Talbot from the scrap heap of history.

In addition to rejuvenating the company – and building some of the most desirable coachbuilt French automobiles in existence – he took the company racing. Talbot-Lago cars competed in Formula One and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – where they scored an improbable 1-2 finish in 1950. The competition history on the car offered here includes:

  • 1951 24 Hours of Le Mans – 42nd, DNF (with Louis Rosier & Juan Manuel Fangio)
  • 1952 Monaco Grand Prix – 12th, DNF (with Rosier & Maurice Trintignant)
  • 1952 Grand Prix de Reims – DNF (with Eugène Chaboud)
  • 1952 Coupè du Salon – DNF (with Georges Grignard)
  • 1952 12 Hours of Casablanca – DNF (with Grignard & Lino Fayen)
  • 1954 Coupè de Paris – Withdrawn after Guy Mairesse was killed driving this car in a practice crash

Not exactly a spotless record, but Fangio drove this car. After Mairesse’s death at Montlhèry in April of 1954, the car was locked in a garage (still sitting on the transporter). In 1958, the present owner bought the car and had it back on track by 1961 and by 1963 was competing solely in historic events. In 1968, the body was restored to the style you see here (it had been fitted with fendered sports car bodywork in 1952). In 1989 the car underwent a more comprehensive restoration but it has remained competitive in historic races, basically since it left competition of the less-historic and more current type. It retains the 200+ horsepower 4.5-liter straight-six.

It’s an amazing opportunity: buy a car that was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s kind of a big deal. The estimate is $1,310,000-$1,975,000. For the complete catalog description, click here. And for more on RM in Monaco, click here.

Update: did not sell.

A Pair of European Prototypes

Posted on by
2

1972 Citroen SM Prototype Coupe

Offered by Bonhams | Monaco | May 11, 2012

The Citroen SM grand tourer was introduced in 1970. This coupe version using the same mechanicals – mid-front-engined layout with front-wheel drive – was built by Frua for the 1972 Geneva Auto Show. It has the same 2.7-liter V6 making 170 horsepower. The engine was designed with help from Citroen-owned Maserati (which they acquired in 1968).

This car is one-of-a-kind and in original, un-restored condition with about 26,000 miles on the odometer. It has been privately owned since it left the auto show circuit in 1972. This is a rare chance to acquire a one-off prototype. The pre-sale estimate lists this car at $180,000-$240,000. For the complete catalog description, click here.

Update: did not sell.


_________________________________________________________________________

1964 Lancia Sport Prototipo Zagato

Offered by RM Auctions | Monaco | May 12, 2012

Double post! This wickedly-bizarre looking car was a Lancia works race car with one-off Zagato styling. It was entered by Lancia in the 1964 Targa Florio (where it DNF’d). The engine is 1.8-liter flat-four making 148 horsepower.

Again, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a car unlike any other. It was sold from Lancia to one of its drivers in 1967. In the early 1990s, it was acquired by the current owner. Like the Citroen prototype above, it is also estimated to sell for between $180,000-$240,000. For the complete catalog description, click here.

Update: sold $246,568.

Citroen SM Prototype

Posted on by
Reply

1972 Citroen SM Prototype Coupe

Offered by Bonhams | Monaco | May 11, 2012

Photo – Bonhams

The Citroen SM grand tourer was introduced in 1970. This coupe version using the same mechanicals – mid-front-engined layout with front-wheel drive – was built by Frua for the 1972 Geneva Auto Show. It has the same 2.7-liter V6 making 170 horsepower. The engine was designed with help from Citroen-owned Maserati (which they acquired in 1968).

This car is one-of-a-kind and in original, un-restored condition with about 26,000 miles on the odometer. It has been privately owned since it left the auto show circuit in 1972. This is a rare chance to acquire a one-off prototype. The pre-sale estimate lists this car at $180,000-$240,000. For the complete catalog description, click here.

Update: did not sell.

Lancia Sport Prototipo Zagato

Posted on by
Reply

1964 Lancia Sport Prototipo Zagato

Offered by RM Auctions | Monaco | May 12, 2012

Photo – RM Auctions

Double post! This wickedly-bizarre looking car was a Lancia works race car with one-off Zagato styling. It was entered by Lancia in the 1964 Targa Florio (where it DNF’d). The engine is 1.8-liter flat-four making 148 horsepower.

Again, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a car unlike any other. It was sold from Lancia to one of its drivers in 1967. In the early 1990s, it was acquired by the current owner. Like the Citroen prototype above, it is also estimated to sell for between $180,000-$240,000. For the complete catalog description, click here.

Update: sold $246,568.

Ferrari 225 by Vignale

Posted on by
2

1952 Ferrari 225 Sport Spyder ‘Tuboscocca’ by Vignale

Offered by RM Auctions | Monaco | May 12, 2012

When production of the Ferrari 212 ended in 1951, Ferrari introduced the interim 225 model – an enlarged 212 that was produced for one year, 1952, before the Ferrari 250 was introduced in 1953. Mainly sold to privateer sportsmen, the 225 was a successful racer in many parts of the world. This particular example was bought by an Alfa Romeo dealer who split his time between Milan and Buenos Aires. The car remained in South America until 1980 when it was brought back to Italy and restored.

Since its restoration, it has been campaigned in vintage races, but in its day, it also had a few victories. It’s competition history includes:

  • 1952 Bologna-Raticosa Hill Climb (first race) – 1st (with Pietro Palmieri)
  • 1953 Argentine Sports Car Championship – 1st (with José Maria Ibañez, where it won two races and placed on the podium fives more times)

Of all of the super-rare and early Ferraris offered at RM Auctions’ Monaco sale, this is my favorite. It’s not the fastest and it’s not the rarest, but that Vignale coachwork is near-perfect. It’s well-proportioned and don’t even get me started on those portholes.

The 225 features a 210 horsepower 2.7-liter V12 and “Tuboscocca” refers to the frame layout. Just 12 Sport Spyders were produced (and seven Berlinetta coupes) – all by Vignale. There was also one non-Vignale 225S. While fairly rare, a 225 will pop up for sale every now and then. The estimate on this one is $2,380,000-$2,900,000. For the complete catalog description, click here. And for more on RM in Monaco, click here.

Update: sold $3,263,400.

Auctions America Spring Carlisle Highlights

Posted on by
Reply

Auctions America’s Spring Carlisle auction featured quite a number of cars. Some of them sold. The International Travelall we featured here, did not. Here are some of the highlights of those that did sell.

Top sale was the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster pictured above. It brought $99,000 and is one of only 10 built in 1957 with this color combination. The next largest sale was a 1969 Buick GS 400 Convertible, bringing $78,650.

Other interesting sales included this 1968 AMC AMX which brought $18,590.

And finally, this special edition 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Le Mans Commemorative Edition built to, well, commemorate Corvette’s back-to-back class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It sold for $28,600.

For complete results, check out Auctions America’s website.

Peugeot 908 HDi FAP

Posted on by
2

2007 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP

Offered by RM Auctions | Monaco | May 12, 2012

The 24 Hours of Le Mans has had some historic battles between manufacturers since it began back in 1923. The latest of these battles has been between Audi and Peugeot. Beginning in 2007, Peugeot took Audi head on with this car, the 908 HDi FAP. Like its competitor, it is diesel-powered – a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V12 making in excess of 700 horsepower.

I should probably come clean and admit that I am a massive Audi fan. However, I will also admit that these cars are far more attractive than any of the Audi prototypes they raced against. They are gorgeous – and those wheels! The 908 was a worthy competitor to Audi’s R10 and R15, but it only got the better of them at Le Mans once – in 2009 when they finished 1-2.

The competition history of this car includes:

  • 2007 1000km Monza – 1st, in it’s debut race (with Nicolas Minassian and Marc Gené)
  • 2007 1000km Valencia – 36th, DNF (with Minassian and Gené)
  • 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans – 30th, DNF (with Minassian, Gené and Jacques Villeneuve)
  • 2007 1000km Nürburgring – 2nd (with Minassian and Gené)
  • 2007 1000km Spa – 46th, DNF (with Minassian and Gené)
  • 2007 1000km Silverstone – 1st (with Minassian and Gené)
  • 2007 Mil Milhas Brasil – 1st (with Minassian and Gené)
  • 2008 12 Hours of Sebring – 11th (with Minassian, Stéphane Sarrazin and Pedro Lamy)
  • 2008 1000km Catalunya – 1st (with Minassian and Gené)
  • 2008 1000km Monza – 5th (with Minassian and Gené)
  • 2008 1000km Spa – 1st (with Minassian, Gené and Villeneuve)
  • 2008 24 Hours of Le Manes – destroyed in practice crash (with Gené)

Peugeot suddenly cancelled it’s LMP program in 2012. If you never had a chance to see these cars come whistling by you at Tertre Rouge or come flying at you at the Indianapolis and Arnage corners, well you’ve missed something beautiful. When a gasoline-powered prototype car races past, they are burbling and popping and spitting fire at an incredible volume. Not so with these cars. They are eerily quiet and you can hear them punch a hole in the air. It’s amazing. If you missed out on it, I’m sorry – but here’s your chance to buy one – and it’s the first time one has been offered for public sale.

It is expected to bring $2,000,000-$2,400,000 and is being sold directly from Peugeot. It comes with a commitment to three years of technical support from Peugeot Sport, as modern race cars are technology-laden. But it isn’t free. For the complete description, click here. And for more on RM in Monaco, click here.

Update: sold $2,175,600.