A rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing, the 24th of just 29 manufactured from 1954 to 1956, sold for $6,825,000 at RM Auctions, leading all cars during Arizona Automotive Week, Jan.22–30, which returned in full strength to the Valley of the Sun following a pandemic-abridged event in 2021.
At Worldwide Auctioneers, a Pebble Beach award-winning 1929 Duesenberg Model J Berline, one of the first Model Js delivered when new, brought $2,260,000, and at Barrett-Jackson, celebrating its 50th anniversary in Scottsdale, a 2004 Porsche Carrera GT (Lot #1398) generated $1,980,000.
And, at Gooding & Company’s Geared Online Scottsdale Edition, a 1961 Maserati 5000 GT Coupe found new ownership for $924,000, and Bonhams sold a 1958 AC Ace Roadster for $516,500 –– an aluminum-bodied car an Air Force pilot had brought to the U.S. from France.
Barrett-Jackson topped the individual auction events with the most successful auction in its history, totaling $203,200,000, including $195,900,000 from the sale of 1,857 No Reserve collectible vehicles, a 100-percent sell-through rate; more than $8,800,000 raised for charity; and $7,300,000-plus in automobilia sales. RM generated $43,250,600 on the sales of 65 collector cars, a 94.2% sell-through and $120,600 from the sale of all automobilia/nostalgia lots.
And, at Gooding, online sales totaled $6,962,450 from 50 of 57 lots sold, an 88-percent sell-through, and at Worldwide Auctioneers, 82 automotive lots and automobilia totaled $10,500,000, a 91% sell-through. Bonhams was equally successful, posting a 96% sell-through at $11,600,000.
“Auto Week is one of Scottsdale’s signature events, traditionally attracting visitors from around the world and generating millions in economic impact for our community,” says Stephanie Pressler, director of community affairs for the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We were thrilled so many of the auctions took place this year, as they brought much needed visitors to our destination. Visitors who –– when they weren’t admiring and bidding on restored classics, muscle cars and other collector vehicles –– flew through Scottsdale Airport, stayed at our luxury hotels and resorts, played our award-winning golf courses and explored all that Scottsdale has to offer.”
Barrett-Jackson, A Record-breaking Golden Anniversary
During Barrett-Jackson’s landmark 50th anniversary, 190 world-record auction sales were achieved, and ten non-charity vehicles exceeded $1 million, the most in Barrett-Jackson history.
Following the Carrera GT, the top ten cars: 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (Lot #1415), $1,870,000; 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder (Lot #1405); $1,815,000; 2014 McLaren P1 (Lot #1413), $1,705,000; 2019 Ford GT Heritage (Lot #1389), $1,650,000; 2019 McLaren Senna (Lot #1419.1), $1,512,500; 2017 Ford GT ’66 Heritage Edition (Lot #1417), $1,430,000; 2020 Ford GT Carbon Series (Lot #1399), $1,375,000; 2014 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6 (Lot #1413.1), $1,210,000; and a 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 CSX 3356 (Lot #1397), $1,210,000.
“Our Scottsdale Auction set an unprecedented pace with record-setting prices and produced the energy that reengaged our hobby,” says Craig Jackson chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. Over the past week we saw incredible growth at every turn, even beating our own world auction records by double-digit percentages.” Established in 1971, Scottsdale-based Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™, also produces live collector car auctions every year in Palm Beach, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Houston, Texas.
Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson, added: “The prices reflected the excitement and quality of our vehicles. It was truly our most expansive docket to date, offering everything from million-dollar supercars to the very best Resto-Mods. We’re not just witnessing history, we’re making it.”
Bob Johnson’s 1936 Ford Roadster won the Barrett-Jackson Cup “Ultimate Best in Show.” Built by Pinkee’s Rod Shop, the pre-war classic was one of five finalists selected from 50 entries nationwide. And, at the new Autoshow 2.0, manufacturers introduced and exhibited cars, gave thrill rides and auctioned their vehicles.
The sale of ten charity vehicles was led by the record-setting $3,600,000 from the auction of the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 VIN 001 (Lot #3009). It was the highest selling charity car donated by a manufacturer in Barrett-Jackson’s history. Two 2022 Toyota Tundras, the Toyota Tundra Capstone VIN 001 and the Toyota TRD Pro 002, sold for $700,000 and $550,000, respectively. Paralympian Kaitlyn Verfuerth, who has benefitted from the Fund, was on the auction block for both sales. To date, Barrett-Jackson has helped raise more than $144 million for charity for organizations around the world.
Celebrities attending included Pitbull, Bret Michaels, Tim Allen, Renee Zellweger, John Paul DeJoria and Frankie Muniz; NASCAR stars Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney, as well as Hall of Fame members Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin; noted automotive and racing personalities Henry Ford III, Arie Luyendyk, Ken Lingenfelter and Chip Foose; retired racers Paul Tracy, Buddy Rice; other professional athletes such as DeAndre Hopkins and Bubba Watson; and former U.S. vice president, Dan Quayle.
“We’ve built something that is far more than a collector car auction; we’ve created a lifestyle experience,” says Davis. “We’re proud of the depth and breadth of our Scottsdale Auction docket because it reflected the interest of every type of enthusiast and collector.”
The automobilia sale was the company’s most successful ever. A total of 1,153 automobilia pieces sold at No Reserve, including a world auction record for a neon sign with the sale of a Ford Jubilee Neon Porcelain Sign (Lot #9491) that brought $460,000. Also a world auction record for a kiddie ride, a Disneyland Donald Duck Ride (Lot #9488.1) from the 1950s to the early 1960s, brought $172,500.
“We had so many special moments and historic milestones this week,” says Jackson. “I can’t thank our sponsors, consignors and guests enough for creating so many magical moments in Scottsdale as we celebrated our 50th anniversary. We look forward to returning to Palm Beach in April and building on the passion we all have for the collector car hobby.”
Bonhams Scottsdale Auction: Rain Man Stars
At the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Phoenix, nine of the top ten-selling collector cars came to the 11th Bonhams Arizona auction across the Atlantic, representing the finest European and British marques and models.
Still, an American classic took center stage. The 1949 Buick Roadmaster Convertible that was the “third character” in Rain Man, the 1988 film starring Dustin Hoffman, sold for $335,000, setting a new auction world record for a Roadmaster convertible.
A barn-find 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Roadsters, one of 141 produced, sold for $472,500, and, from years later, a 1961 Porsche 356B 1600 Super T5 Cabriolet, a matching-numbers example in the Reutter T5 body style, $226,240. And, a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series II Sports Saloon, Coachwork by Touring, realized $381,750.
More recent classics finding new garages included a low-mileage 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary, $445,000; a Pinnifarina-designed 1995 Ferrari F355 Spider, with fewer than 900 miles from new, $224,000; and a 1997 Porsche 911 ‘Type 993’ Turbo S Coupé, with just 14,000 miles since new, $467,000.
“We are so pleased to have started the year on such a high note, with a near perfect sell-through rate and strong prizes realized across the board,” says Jakob Greisen, vice president – Head of US Motoring for San Francisco-based Bonhams. “Bidders attended from all over the world, both in person, over phone or online via the Bonhams app.”
Gooding & Company: Geared Online Scottsdale Edition
The second Gooding & Company Geared Online Scottsdale Edition offered a selection of classic American cars and postwar sporty European offerings. The remaining top five vehicles were a black-on-black 2005 Ford GT, $423,500; a late-production 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, Rosso Chiaro over black leather, $374,000; a 2008 Porsche 997 GT2, $357,500; and a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/340 Split-Window Coupe, $335,500, the second highest price ever paid for the model at auction.
In addition, a very early-production 1972 Mercedes-Benz 350 SL set a new world auction record for the model at $108,900. And all ten cars in The Richard Donner Collection sold, led by the late filmmaker’s favorite 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible, which gaveled down for $121,000 after a keen bidding war.
“Our second consecutive Geared Online Scottsdale Edition sets a strong precedent for the capabilities of our online-only auctions against the backdrop of live and digital events in the industry,” says David Gooding, founder and president of Santa Monica-based Gooding & Company. “This online auction, coupled with our viewing in Scottsdale, allowed us to maintain a physical presence for our loyal and dedicated clientele who have supported our Arizona sales year after year, while also confirming our strength as an auction house in both the traditional setting and the booming digital space.”
RM Auctions: A Trio of 300 SLs
Two other Mercedes-Benz SL Roadsters sold during RM Auctions at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix: a 1964 Roadster (Lot #115) (CHASSIS NO. 198.042.10.003207), $2,315,000, and a second Gullwing (Lot #129) (CHASSIS NO. 198.040.5500243), $1,710,000.
A 1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster (Lot 152) (ENGINE NO. J-448) reaffirmed the high value of America’s greatest marque, bringing $3,415,000. And perhaps the world’s most recognized sports car, Ferrari, posted these two high sales: a 1965 275 GTB (134) (CHASSIS NO. 06609, $1,875,000, and a 1967 330 GTS (Lot 135 ) (CHASSIS NO. 9805) $1,957,500.
Porsches continued to fetch high dollar, include two selling at $1,600,000 each: 2015 918 Spyder (Lot 148) (SERIAL NO. 465) and a 1987 959 ‘Komfort’ (Lot 149) (CHASSIS NO. WP0ZZZ95ZHS900104). And, the one-off 1988 Cizeta-Moroder V16T (Lot 168) (CHASSIS NO. 001) attracted $1,363,500.
The automobilia sale featured a DMC DeLorean Motor Cars Sign (106), $20,400, and a 1958 Moss 1/4 Midjet (107), $32,400.
“The Arizona auction was an outstanding success thanks to our amazing team and a client base which is the finest in the industry. Our specialists consigned a great offering with high-quality examples,” says Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions at Blenheim, Ontario-based RM Auctions. “When you bring some of the best and rarest examples of collector cars to market, you know that those cars will find willing new owners prepared to pay strong prices to secure exceptional examples.”
Worldwide Auctioneers
Worldwide Auctioneers Scottsdale Auction offered a diverse selection of pre-war autos, sports, classics, customs and American muscle cars. A magnificent 1935 Delahaye 135M Competition Drophead Coupe, one of only four built by Figoni that year and the last known model survivor, sold for $1,430,000, and, from the same era, a 1932 Chrysler CH Imperial Cabriolet, the first car by famed European coachbuilders Bohman & Schwartz, generated $940,000. And, a Duesenberg Model J Engine restored by Brian Joseph’s Classic & Exotic Service, brought $775,000.
Other notable sales went to an expertly restored factory black, shaker hood 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T, $329,000; a survivor 1991 Lamborghini Diablo, $302,000; and a 1961 Chevrolet Impala “Double Bubble” custom, $252,000.
“Our hallmark at Worldwide is always variety,” says Rod Egan, principal of and auctioneer at the Auburn, Indiana-based company. “We set out to curate a line-up that reflects our shared passion for great cars of every genre and put forward a genuine representation of the very best of what the real classic world is all about –– whether that be a two-million-dollar Duesenberg or an outstanding everyday classic like a 1932 V-8 Ford.”
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