Photos courtesy of Bonhams, Gooding & Company, and RM Sotheby’s
The auction weekend began with an announcement from Bill Warner, by way of Bonham’s auctioneer Rupert Banner that, with the expected arrival of a significant storm to the area on Sunday, Warner changed the concours date from its traditional Sunday to Saturday, 11 March, in order to beat the weather.
Bonhams
The Amelia Island Auction
Fernandina Beach Golf Club
3990 Amelia Island Parkway
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Sale: Thursday, 9 March 2017, 1:00 P.M.
Prices are listed at auction gavel price without 10% buyer’s premium. Cars also were subject to a 7% Florida state sales tax, and some were subject to a 2.5% import duty. Rupert Banner handled the automobilia and first 30 auto lots, and Malcolm Barber took over from there; Rupert resumed the podium at lot 161 and moved steadily to the end. They started promptly at 1:00 P.M. E.S.T and finished at 6:45 P.M.
- Lot 105 – 1965 Porsche Typ 356 C Coupe – (updated with 912 engine and disc brakes) – Without reserve – Estimate: $65,000 – 85,000 – Sold for $40,000.
Bidding began in the room at $30,000 but, as Banner put it, bidding in the room, on the phone, and on line, was “inching along” to its sale price to a buyer in the room.
Lot 113 – 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale Berlinetta – Without reserve – Estimate: $90,000-130,000 – Sold for $77,000.
Bidding alternated between buyers in the room and one on the internet; sold to a buyer in the room.
Lot 114 – 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Normale Spider – Without reserve – Estimate: $80,000-100,000 – Sold for $73,000.
Bidders came from the room and on the phone in one and two thousand dollar increments; buyer was in the room.
Lot 116 – 1963 Lancia Flaminia 2.5 3C Cabriolet – Estimate: $220,000-260,000 – Sold for $177,500.
Bidding in the room; sold in the room.
- Lot 117 – 2005 Porsche Carrera GT – one owner, with luggage. Estimate: $600,000-700,000 – Did not sell at $520,000.
Bidding opened rapidly from $330,000 to $480,000 from Banner’s desk and then in the room where it stalled briefly, finally stopping at $520,000.
Lot 118 – 1979 Toyota HJ45 Land Cruiser Overland (crewcab pickup) – Without reserve – Estimate: $90,000-120,000 – Sold for $105,000.
Rapid bidding in the room and on phones from $50,000 up to its selling price. This was the first vehicle to exceed its low estimate price.
Lot 118 – 1989 Mazda Miata – Without reserve – Estimate: $15,000-20,000 – Sold for $15,000.
Rapid bidding to its final sale price, achieved in the sale room.
- Lot 122 – 1965 Porsche Typ 911 Coupe – titled as a 1966 with sunroof – Without reserve – Estimate: $170,000-240,000 – Sold for $205,000.
Opened at $110,000 at the desk, advancing quickly at first but then slowing to its sale price in the room, rendering it the first Porsche of the day to surpass its low estimate.
- Lot 124 – 1994 Porsche Typ 964 Turbo 3.6 – Estimate: $180,000-240,000 – sold for $176,000.
Bidding delayed while phones connected yet first bidding came from inside the room; phones came in to take the car to its sale price.
- Lot 137 – 1978 Porsche Typ 930 Turbo 3.3 – Without reserve – Estimate: $80,000-120,000 – Sold for $78,000.
Bidding opened at $40,000 and alternated between internet and buyers in the room to its selling price by an on-site bidder.
Lot 139 – 1990 Toyota 4×4 pickup – Without reserve – Estimate: $25,000-35,000 – Sold for $15,000.
Under the heading of boldly going where no one has gone before…. Barber, starting at $10,000, kept pitching this to Toyota dealers in the crowd in hopes they saw value for a showroom time-capsule attraction.
- Lot 140 – 1987 BMW M6 coupe – Estimate: $100,000-120,000 – Sold for $95,000.
Bidding started at $50,000 and, with Barber calling it “a future classic”, the price bounced steadily but slowly between the room and a phone caller till the end.
- Lot 143 – 1973 Porsche Typ 911 S Coupe – factory air conditioning and sunroof – Without reserve – Estimate: $130,000-170,000 – Sold for $150,000.
Started at $80,000 and quickly rose to $120,000 between room and internet bidders. More sluggishly, it reached its sale price to a buyer online.
Lot 144 – 1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Alloy – one of two manufactured for the Mille Miglia – Estimate: $2,300,000 – $2,600,000 – Sold for $2,025,000.
Bidding began at $1,200,000 and rose steadily. Upon reaching $1,750,000 Barber announced he could sell the car. The number rose haltingly in the sale room from there to its selling price and applause.
- Lot 148 – Lancia Aurelia B20 GT series VI coupe – Estimate: $110,00-140,000 – Sold for $92,000.
Bidding began at $55,000 in the room and remained there. Bonhams noted that inspectors had discovered corrosion on the car; this may have dampened enthusiasm, though bidding continued steadily in ones and twos to its end.
Lot 153 – 1904 Knox 16/18HP “Tudor” 5-passenger Touring – Estimate: $200,000-225,000 – Sold for $266,000.
Barber vigorously encouraged this car as a London-Brighton run competitor, reminding everyone Bonhams is a major event sponsor and promising who ever bought the car support in the event. Three bidders in the room – clearly anticipating the experience – took the car well above its high estimate to finishing applause.
- Lot 157 – 1997 Porsche Typ 933 Turbo S – Estimate: $300,000-400,000 – Did not sell at $220,000.
Bidding started and $160,000 and jumped by tens to $210,000 from internet and phone bidders as well as one in the room. But then it stalled. Then stopped dead.
- Lot 158 – 1957 Alfa Romeo 1900C Super Sprint coupe – Estimate: $200,000-250,000 – Did not sell at $175,000.
Started at $100,000 and marched by internet and in the room to its ignominius end.
- Lot 159 – 1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto 1600 Spider – Estimate: $40,000-60,000 – Sold for $33,000.
This opened at $20,000 and inched its way up by ones to in in-room sale.
- Lot 162 – 1964 Porsche Typ 356 C 1600 Coupe – Without reserve – Estimate: $70,000-90,000 – Sold for $84,000.
Starting at $40,000, then slowly rising with in-room and internet bidders. It stalled at $55,000, and then crept forward a thousand at a time, encouraged by Rupert’s incredible patience, surpassing its low estimate. This sale, too, drew applause.
- Lot 165 – 1973 BMW 2002 Turbo – Without reserve – Estimate: $75,000 – 95,000 – Sold for $102,000.
Started at $40,000 on the desk and the price in the room jumped quickly above low estimate and then steadily past its high figure.
- Lot 166 – 2011 Porsche Typ 997 Speedster – Estimate: $250,000-300,000 – Sold for $225,000.
Bidding began at $150,000 in the room and advanced steadily but sedately from room and on-line bids.
Lot 169 – 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C “Lago Spéciale” Cabriolet – Estimate” $1,200,000-1,500,000 . Did not sell at $800,000.
First bid from the desk at $680,000. While a freshly restored car that has not yet been shown anywhere – and therefore is prime for a “debut” – it did not strike Bonhams bidders. It crept to $800,000 where Banner suggested one more bid might take it. No one responded. This was five hours into a long afternoon.
- Lot 177 – 1959 Porsche 356 A Cabriolet – Without reserve – Estimate: $80,000-120,000 – Sold for $82,000.
Bids remained in the room from the start steadily climbing past the low estimate.
- Lot 182 – 1969 Porsche Typ 912 Coupe – Without reserve – Estimate: $40,000-60,000 – Sold for $32,000.
This “souped-up, hot-rod” 912 was not offered with the matching engine, and seats and interior parts originally listed in the catalog. Bidders were initially reticent, starting at $20,000, stalling, and then proceeding slowly to its sale.
- Lot 187 – 1957 Porsche Typ 356 A 1600 Coupe – Without reserve – Estimate: $100,000-120,000 – Did not sell for $75,000.
Banner started with $65,000 at the desk and stopped well shy of what its consignor had hoped. This was the absolute last lot Bonhams offered. Those remaining in the sale tent may have been done much earlier than the five hours forty-five minutes and sale ran.
Gooding & Company
The Amelia Island Auction
Racquet Park, Omni Amelia Island Plantation
6800 First Coast Highway
Amelia Island, FL 32034
With the inimitable Charlie Ross in his familiar position on the rostrum, the auction commenced at 11:07. Gooding charges a buyer’s premium of 10%, plus applicable taxes (and/or duties).
Sale: Friday, 10 March, 11:00 A.M. E.S.T.
- Lot 001 – 1986 Porsche Typ 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupe – Without reserve – Estimate: $60,000-$80,000 – Sold for $49,000.
Bidding began at $20,000 with Charlie cajoling the audience to wake up and start bidding! When a bidder added a single thousand, Charlie praised him as “Oh, you generous person!” That took a slow climb to $30,000 and quickly moved it to its sale price.
- Lot 003 – 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione – Estimate: $325,000-375,000 – Sold for $300,000.
Bidding started at $200,000 in the room and climbed in fits and starts. At $260,000 Charlie announced he was selling. After a long moment, it climbed to its sale price to a bidder in the room.
- Lot 007 – 1989 Porsche Typ 911 Carrera 3.2 Speedster – 500 miles from new – Estimate: $275,000-$325,000 – Sold for $247,000.
Starting at $150,000 in the room, offers climbed quickly to $240,000 between phone callers and those on site. When a room bidder advanced the price to $246,000, Charlie asked David “Where do these people come from?”
- Lot 010 – 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale – ex-Bill Jackson and Chuck Stoddard – Without reserve – Estimate: $140,000-180,000 – Sold for $115,000.
Previously owned by two Porsche legendary collectors who caught on to Alfa’s mystique early on. Bidding started at $50,000 in the room where it remained until Charlie hammered the car sold.
- Lot 014 – 1989 Porsche Typ 930 Turbo Coupe – Without reserve – Estimate: $175,000-225,000 – Sold for $220,000.
Starting at $50,000 and alternating between a bidder in a red shirt and another in green, offers remained in the room with late entry new phone bidders taking it from $120,000 where it had stalled. As numbers climbed in 2.5 thousand increments, Charlie joked that they might get to a million. It was the first sale of the day that exceeded low estimate. “Oh! Do join in,” Charlie shouted as yet another new bidder made an offer. “At this pace, we could have built another by now!”
- Lot 015 – 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Saloon – One of 25 left-hand drive – Estimate: $1,100,000-1,300,000 – Sold for $1,000,000.
Charlie asked to start at a million, but accepted $500,000 and the price jumped in fifty-thousand increments within 90 seconds to $900,000 with on site and telephone offers. When one million came from a phone bidder, Charlie celebrated the “rapturous applause.”
- Lot 017 – 1967 Maserati Mistral 4000 Spider – “barn find” – Estimate: $350,000-400,000 – Sold for $435,000.
Coated with dust and blessed with a dented rear bumper and visible rear fender corrosion, this Spider is a candidate for restoration or clean up as a preservation class entry. Offers in the room began at $100,000 and, with phone bidders, climbed steadily to its low estimate, at which point Charlie quipped “livestock is included” in this purchase. That seemed to encourage the crowd.
- Lot 019 – 1997 Porsche Typ 993 Turbo S – Estimate $350,000-400,000 –
Did not sell at $310,000.
Charlie looked at the car and commented “Guard’s Red,” and repeated it, though with his English Public School accent, he may have been saying “God’s red.” Offers started at $100,000 in the room and instantly doubled and then climbed rapidly in tens to $300,000 and stopped short. continued
- Lot 020 – 1971 Porsche Typ 911 S 2.2 – Without reserve – $180,000-220,000 – Sold for $150,000.
Bidding started at $80,000 and shot to $120,000 from buyers in the room.
- Lot 023 – 1989 Mazda 767B – Le Mans class winner – Estimate: $1,800,000-2,400,000 – Did not sell for $1,625,000.
Offers began at $1,000,000 in the room and, with phone bidders, accelerated sedately until it stalled and pulled off the course.
- Lot 026 – 2015 McLaren P1 – Without reserve as a charity offering – Estimate $2,000,000-2,300,000 – Sold for $2,175,000.
Opening bid for “the game-changer” was $1,000,000 and it climbed steadily in hundreds (and an occasional two-hundred jump) and then fifties and finally twenty-fives past $2,000,000, its low estimate. It sold to a buyer in the room.
- Lot 027 – 1964 Porsche Typ 356 Carrera 2 Coupe – Estimate: $550,000-$650,000 – Sold for $470,000.
Starting at $200,000 in the room, the price quickly jumped to $300,000 and then $400,000, still in the room.
- Lot 028 – 1995 BMW M3 Lightweight – Without reserve – Estimate: $150,000-180,000 – Sold for $132,500.
Starting at $50,000 in the room, it advanced steadily to its selling price.
- Lot 029 – 1990 Ferrari F40 – Estimate: $1,300,000-1,600,000 – Sold for $1,350,000.
Starting at $1,000,000 in the room, alternating with a phone bidder drove the price past its low estimate.
- Lot 033 – 1997 Porsche Typ 993 Cup 3.8 RSR – Estimate: $750,000-$950,000 – Did not sell at $520,000.
Starting at $300,000, it climbed rapidly past $500,000 before stalling short.
- Lot 036 – 1969 Porsche Typ 911 E 2.0 – with factory rollbar – Without reserve – Estimate: $100,000-125,000 – Sold for $89,000.
Bids started at $50,000 and crept up among several bidders in the room.
- Lot 037 – 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America – Estimate: $1,500,000-1,700,000 – Did not sell at $1,225,000.
Starting at $500,000, the car accelerated in 100,000s past $1,100,000 from in-room and phone bidders. From there it limped along in $25,000 increments.
- Lot 038 – 2002 BMW Z8 – Without reserve – Estimate $180,000-$220,000 – Sold for $165,000.
Starting at $50,000, this car advanced steadily in tens by in-room bidders past $150,000 then in fives.
- Lot 041 – 2011 Porsche Typ 997 GT2 RS – first of a collection – Estimate: $550,000-650,000 – Sold for $510,000
Offers started at $300,000 and shot in twenties past $400,000 by bidders in the room and on the telephone. Tens took it the rest of the way. When Charlie announced the car would sell at $450,000, bids “accelerated just like the car!”
- Lot 042 – 1998 Porsche Typ 996 GTR1 Strassenversion – second cacr in a collection, one of 20 GT1s – Estimate not published – Sold for $5,150,000.
Charlie asked $3,000,000 to start. And got it in the room. From where it jumped to $3.5, $3.75, $4, and then $4.25, all in the room. Then 4.5, and 4.75, still among bidders in the room. At $5,150,000 Charlie announced he was selling the car “and I’m not going to wait all day….” Then he stretched out the count down. “Sold,” David said, looking down at the front row, “to a friend!”
- Lot 043 – 2011 Porsche Typ 997 GT3 RS 4.0 – third of the collection – Estimate: $650,000-750,000 – Sold for $680,000.
Starting at $300,000 and marched reliably past its low estimate.
- Lot 044 – 1993 Porsche Typ 964 Turbo S Leichtbau – fourth of the four cars from the private collection – Estimate: $1,300,000-1,600,000 – Sold for $1,400,000.
Bidding in the room began at $500,000 and jumped in fifties past $1,000,000 when a phone bidder took over and wrestled with a single bidder in the room advancing past the low estimate before the phone bidder won that match.
- Lot 046 – 1955 Pegaso Tipo Z-102B – one of seven – Estimate: $600,000-800,000 – Did not sell at $500,000.
Started at $300,000, and jumping up in twenties before stalling short of a sale.
- Lot 048 – 1970 Porsche Typ 911 ST 2.2 – one of six – Estimate: $750,000-900,000 – Did not sell at $500,000.
Stated at $300,000. It jumped quickly to $400,000 in the room.
- Lot 050 – 2005 Porsche Carrera GT – three owners, just 900 miles. Estimate: $875,000-1,100,000 – Did not sell at $750,000.
Starting at $500,000 in the room.
- Lot 056 – 1977 Porsche Typ 934/5 – Nürburgring class winner – Estimate: $1,400,000-1,600,000 – Sold for $1,250,000.
Opened at $500,000 and rocketed at fifties past $1,000,000.
- Lot 058 – 1966 Porsche Typ 911 – Without reserve: $180,000-200,000 – Sold for $130,000.
Starting at $50,000 in the room, the price rose haltingly to its sale price.
- Lot 061 – 1957 Jaguar XK-SS Roadster – one of 16 – Estimate: (revised) $13,000,000-16,000,000 – Did not sell at $11,900,000.
The car entered the stage with a round of applause. Fitted with 3.8-liter for racing, Jaguar offered for sale a number-matched 3.4-liter correct engine. Charlie started bidding at $5,000,000. It jumped by millions, Charlie saying “These are the kind of increments I like!” In-room and phone bidders got it to $9,500,000 where the energy slowed. At $10,000,000, shouts emerged from the crowd. At $11,000,000, there was silence even though the two bidders were in the room. “Don’t think of your bank account,” Charlie suggested to one bidder, “think of the car!” At $11,900,000, he admitted, “I’m a bid away and you’ll never see a faster gavel.” But it didn’t happen. “I’ve never been closer to a sale, and never more disappointed,” he concluded. Perhaps what held back bidders was the reality that a $12,000,000 purchase also carried a $1,200,000 buyer’s premium.
- Lot 063 – 2003 BMW Alpina V8 Roadster – Estimate: $275,000-350,000 – Sold for $250,000.
Straight in at $200,000. It climbed in tens in the room and a successful phone bidder.
- Lot 064 – 1981 Porsche Typ 924 GTR – Estimate: $250,000-300,000 – Sold for $200,000.
“Goes like a rocket, that’s a technical expression, David,” as Charlie started the sale at $100,000. Phone bids brought the price to its selling point.
- Lot 066 – 2011 Porsche Typ 997 GT3 RS 3.8 – Proceeds to charity – Without reserve – $175,000-250,000 – Sold for $154,000.
This is Caitlin Jenner’s car. Jenner came onto the platform to explain ownership history. All proceeds go to the Caitlin Jenner Foundation funding LGBT education and support programs. Charlie asked $100,000 to start and the bids advanced sluggishly in the room.
- Lot 067 – 1958 Porsche Typ 356 A Speedster – Estimate: $475,000-550,000 – $430,000.
Started at $200,000 and jumped quickly to $350,000 where it slowed considerably but continued with bidders in the room.
- Lot 073 – 2015 Ferrari La Ferrari – only 130 miles – Estimate: $3,800,000-4,500,000 – Did not sell at $3,400,000.
Bidding began at $2,000,000. That enlivened bidders. The price climbed to $3,350,000 as bidders in the front row sat calculating fees and other obligations. “Madame, could you give him a nudge,” Charlie asked, but didn’t get what he needed.
- Lot 074 – 1954 Porsche Typ 356 Pre-A Cabriolet – Estimate: $250,000-350,000 – Did not sell at $180,000.
Bidding started at $100,000 and shot to $180,000, where it stumbled to a halt. By this point, almost five and a half hours in, Charlie began rigorously pushing bidders, giving them none of the luxury of think-time he offered those contemplating the XK-SS.
- Lot 075 – 1993 Porsche Typ 964 Carrera 3.8 RSR – Estimate: $1,200,000-1,400,000. – Did not sell at $875,000.
Bidding quickly began at $500,000 and shot up in fifties and then twenty-fives, the offers ran out of gas. This was another quick lot.
- Lot 077 – 1962 Porsche Typ 356 Carrera 2 Coupe – factory electric sunroof – Estimate: $500,000-600,000 – Did not sell at $350,000.
Bidding began at $200,000 and shot past $300,000 quickly where it slowed and then stopped.
- Lot 078 – 1988 Porsche Typ 959 Komfort – one of three in black – Estimate: $1,000,000-$1,250,000 – Did not sell at $800,000.
In at $500,000 and on past $800,000 with two bidders, where, again, the momentum in the room sagged.
- Lot 080 – 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider – one of 35 for U.S. Estimate: $375,000-425,000 – Sold for $355,000.
Bidding began at $200,000. Bidding buzzed along past $300,000 and continued as Charlie asked his audience not to leave yet! Yet the nearly six hours of calling prices was taking its toll on Charlie’s voice.
- Lot 082 – 1992 Porsche Typ 964 Carrera RS – A Bilstein shock absorber development car – Estimate: $250,000-300,000 – Sold for $180,000.
“Wake up, ladies and gentlemen! Can we start at $100,000? Our only bid, in the front row….” And that started its slog up to its low selling price to the initial bidder in the front row.
- Lot 086 – 1997 Porsche Typ 993 Turbo – slightly more than 1,000 miles – Estimate: $300,000-350,000 – Sold for $280,000.
Started at $150,000 and climbed at twenties and then tens in the room and on the phone past $250,000 and on to its hammer price.
- Lot 087 – 1991 BMW E30 M3 Convertible – Without reserve – Estimate: $70,000-90,000 – Sold for $80,000.
An absentee bid started the price climb at $30,000, rapidly ascending by twos past $50,000. Charlie’s absentee kept up the pressure on to $60,000 and bidders in the room took it to its selling price. “Right to the bitter end,” Charlie commented, “can this go on?” Two more bids. “Don’t you want to go home,” he asked.” Another bid. And then done. A 1957 Ford Thunderbird wrapped up the sale, selling at $62,500, just off the low estimate.
David wrapped up the day, minutes before the end of the sixth hour, announcing they had sold more than $29,000,000 in automobiles and set 13 world records in their sale.
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island Auction
The Ritz-Carlton
4750 Amelia Island Parkway
Amelia Island, FL 32034
RM Sotheby’s assessed a 10% buyer’s premium plus applicable taxes and import duties. Martin Tennholder and Alain Squinder managed the sales.
Sale: Friday, 10 March, 5:00P.M. E.S.T. This sale consisted of the entire collection of the late Orin Smith.
- Lot 105 – 2001 BMW Z8 – Without reserve – Estimate: $150,000-200,000 – Sold for $210,000.
- Lot 108 – 1956 Alfa Romeo 1900C Coupe – Without reserve – Estimate: $200,000-275,000 – Sold for $160,000.
- Lot 122 – 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic – Without reserve – Estimate: $1,600,000-1,900,000 – Sold for $1,250,000.
- Lot 139 – 1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante – Without reserve – Estimate: $1,600,000-2,000,000 – Sold for $1,550,000.
- Lot 150 – 1953 Lancia Aurelia PF200 C Spider – Without reserve – Estimate: $1,100,000 – 1,400,000 – Sold for $1,135,000.
- Lot 155 – 1966 Jaguar XKSS “recreation” – Without reserve – Estimate: $150,000-200,000 – Sold for $255,000.
- Lot 162 – 1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Coupe – Without reserve – Estimate: $700,000-850,000 – Sold for $800,000.
- Lot 163 – 1936 Lancia Astura Pininfarina Cabriolet III “Tipo Bocca” – Estimate: $2,000,000-2,600,000 – Sold for $1,950,000.
* * *
Saturday, 11 March, 11:00A.M.
This auction commenced precisely at 11:00 A.M. E.S.T. even as the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance went on outside. Martin Tennholder, with his rapid-fire presentation and instant transitions to Italian, French, German, and other languages, and Alain Squinder, making the lot introductions, managed the sales. Martin advised the audience that he was taking no small bids “under my boss’s orders! He said if I don’t behave I can’t come back up here.” Later…, “I was told, ‘don’t cut the bid, Martin!’” Of course, he did. Some of the auction sale prices proved the wisdom of RM Sotheby’s specialists as they guessed where estimates belonged: a good number of their sales landed right in the middle between low and high numbers. Adding in the buyer’s premium put many of these cars over their highest estimate. However, some of the Ferraris did not attract the interest their consignors had hoped.
- Lot 211 – 1987 Porsche Typ 924 S – Without reserve – Estimate: $20,000-30,000 – Sold for $18,000.
The second automobile and first Porsche of the day stated off at $10,000. Room bidders advanced the price steadily in one thousand dollar increments.
- Lot 212 – 1998 Ferrari 550 Maranello – without reserve – Estimate: $125,000-150,000 – Sold for $150,000.
RM Sotheby’s first lot to crack the lower estimate and touch the upper end.
- Lot 213 – 1959 Devin D Porsche Special – Inventor Bill Devin’s personal car – Without reserve – Estimate: $70,000-90,000 – Sold for $80,000.
Bidding started at $35,000. Offers quickly advanced above the lower estimate with one single jump of $15,000. Sold in the room.
- Lot 215 – 1988 Porsche Typ 944 Anniversary – Without reserve – Estimate: $30,000-40,000 – Sold for $24,000.
Hoping to start the bidding at $15,000, Tennholder dropped back to $10,000 from which it rose steadily from offers in the room.
- Lot 218 – 1995 Ferrari F50 – ex-Mike Tyson – Estimate: $2,200,000-2,400,000 – Sold for $2,400,000.
Starting at $1,500,000 with Tennholder on the table. Offers rose steadily in the room and phones. Within 90 seconds, the bids crossed the lower estimate and 90 seconds later, they reached the upper estimate where it sold to applause in the room.
- Lot 219 – 1989 Porsche Typ 911 Carrera 3.2 Speedster – Without reserve – Estimate: $180,000-220,000 – Sold for $140,000.
Starting at $85,000, with in-room and on-line bids advancing quickly to $120,000 where it stalled before reaching its sale price.
- Lot 222 – 2004 Saleen S7 – one of one – Estimate $390,000-450,000 – Sold for $430,000.
Bidding started at $150,000 and offers in the room and from the phone rose quickly past $200,000 and $300,000. Passing the lower estimate in the room, ultimately selling to a phone bidder.
- Lot 224 – 2011 Porsche Typ 997 Speedster – the 356th of 356 – Estimate: $275,000-350,000 – Sold for $330,000.
Following a $1,000 incremental bidding war over the previous lot – an Austin Healey coupe – Tennholder wiped his brow and then started bidding at $140,000. In-room offers rocketed to $240,000 within 60 seconds and $300,000 one minute later. He broke a sweat again. “Don’t look away, look at me,” Tennholder told one bidder. When the car drove off the stage before sale, another bidder rose to watch it. “Don’t worry, it’s going to a safe place,” Tennholder said. That bidder lost to another one in the room.
- Lot 227 – 2011 Porsche Typ 997 GT2 RS – Estimate: $375,000-450,000 – Sold for $395,000.
Opening at $180,000 bids passed $320,000 within the first minute. An on-line bidder passed the low estimate and, after in-room counter bids, the remote buyer took it to its sale price.
- Lot 232 – 1929 Stutz Model M Supercharged Lancefield Coupe – ex-Le Mans racer – estimate $1,000,000-$1,250,000 – Sold for $1,550,000.
Starting at $400,000, the car climbed steadily with phone and in-room bids past low and high estimates to reach its selling price.
- Lot 232 – 1937 Bugatti Typ 57S Vanvooren Cabriolet – Excellent provenance, original – Estimate: $8,500,000-10,000,000 – Sold for $7,000,000.
Tennholder started bidding with a commission bid at $4,000,000. Offers in the room raced his commission bidder past $6,000,000 where it reached applause and again at the price point at which he announced he was selling to a bidder in the room.
- Lot 234 – 1991 Porsche Typ 964 Turbo – Without reserve – Estimate: $180,000-220,000 – Sold for $152,000.
Starting at $80,000, bidding was slow, rising in twos. Tennholder worked for this sale, taking longer for in-room offers to accomplish its first $20,000 increase than he needed to get the 997 Speedster and 997 GT2 RS to double their opening bids.
- Lot 244 – 1970 Nissan Fairlady Z 432 – Japanese home-market only – Without reserve – Estimate $150,000-200,000 – Sold for $155,000.
Opening at $75,000, bids in the room and on the phone doubled the price within two minutes.
- Lot 250 – 1973 Porsche Typ 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring – Estimate: $550,000-650,000 – Did not sell at $520,000.
Starting at $280,000, offers quickly rose another $100,000 within the first minute and to $480,000 a minute later in the room before stalling.
- Lot 254 – 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Short-Wheelbase Berlinetta – Alloy panels, one of 10 or 11 “Semi-Competition” cars – Estimate: $9,000,000-10,000,000 – Did not sell at $8,200,000.
Bidding began at $5,000,000 and climbed steadily past $8,000,000 from bidders in the room before it stopped short.
- Lot 255 – 1961 Jaguar E-Type series 1 3.8 liter Roadster – Estimate: $250,000-325,000 – Sold for $375,000.
Bidding began at $50,000 and marched steadily to its price well above the high estimate.
- Lot 256 – 2005 Porsche Carrera GT – without reserve – Estimate: $750,000-850,000 – Sold for $700,000.
Starting at $350,000. Bidders in the room and on the phone alternated the offers up to and beyond $500,000 and further, topping out with two phone bidders adding more than $100,000 in five thousand increments to the final sale price.
- Lot 257 – 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 C SS Zagato Coupe – 1955 and 1956 Mille Miglia entrant and retro Mille eligible – Without reserve – Estimate: $800,000-1,200,000 – Sold for $1,000,000.
Beginning at $400,000 with some bids coming in by text message, the price climbed rapidly past $650,000 before slowing. Then a “big boy bid” raised the price $50,000 in a single offer and that got the ball rolling quickly past the low estimate to its sale price achieved following a match race upward from $800,000 between a bidder in the room and the successful buyer on the phone.
- Lot 258 – 1954 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing – Estimate: $1,200,000-1,400,000 – Sold for $1,235,000.
From an emphatic in-room starting bid of $500,000, offers raced above a million from phone bidders and several others in the room; one on-site buyer claimed the car.
- Lot 260 – 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Frua coupe – one of two, only survivor – Without reserve – Estimate: $1,600,000-2,000,000 – Sold for $2,150,000.
Opening at $600,000, bids rose very tentatively, with Tennholder energetically reminding bidders he can sell this car so far below its lowest estimate. Then in-house bidders started throwing $50,000 increments onto the offers taking the car to $1,000,000. And then bidders countered one another to $1,200,000 in fifties and hundreds and then to $1,600,000, nipping at its low estimate for a no-reserve car, and then climbing on past that to its sale price. The in-room $2,000,000 bid earned cheers and applause in the room. “The room is alive,” Tennholder said with a broad smile on his face and his applause to the buyer in the room for paying nearly 10% over high estimate It’s likely a Maserati record.
- Lot 261 – 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America – Without reserve – Estimate: $1,400,000-1,800,000 – Sold for $1,200,000.
Starting at $650,000, Tennholder reminded bidders this was another car offered without reserve. Again, that set the bidders on fire again, reaching and passing $1,000,000 quickly before selling to a phone bidder.
- Lot 262 – 1974 Porsche Typ 911 Carrera RS 3.0 – factory demonstrator with original paint – Without reserve – Estimate: $900,000-1,100,000 – Sold for $1,250,000.
Starting at $450,000, Tennholder again reminded bidders this is a car without reserve, surely hoping the frenzy might continue. Offers rose from in-room and on-phone bidders less energetically than the Maserati or Lancia but progressed in tens and twenties past its low estimate and then by fifties as two phone bidders argued the car to its selling price and more applause. Clearly Rob Meyer’s advice to consignors to trust “without reserve in achieving above estimate results.
- Lot 263 – 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB – without reserve – Estimate $1,800,000-2,000,000 – Sold for $1,675,000.
Opening “at one half the reserve,” Tennholder started at $900,000 and it rose rapidly on phones and in the room, closing in on the low estimate within two minutes.
- Lot 264 – 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight – Without reserve – Estimate: $800,000-1,000,000 – Sold for $790,000.
Opening at $400,000, it took a moment to get that bid. This was work for Tennholder, as phones and in-room bidders seemed cool to the Signal Yellow coupe. After a burst to $650,000, the car edged hesitantly toward its low estimate in excruciatingly slow five thousand increments between one in-room and a telephone bidder who won.
- Lot 266 – 1928 Bentley 4 1/2-Liter Le Mans Sports “The Bobtail” – factory two-time Le Mans entrant – Estimate: $6,500,000-7,500,000 – Did not sell at $6,400,000.
Starting at $4,000,000, bidding jumped in two hundred thousand dollar increments as the car rumbled loudly onto the stage. Within three minutes, bids passed $6,000,000. Tennholder spoke softly, almost conspiratorially, as he enticed bidders to keep the price advancing. He came very close.
- Lot 270 – 1997 Porsche Typ 993 Turbo S – (with import duty of 2.5% due from a U.S. buyer) – Without reserve – Estimate: $400,000 – 450,000 – Sold for $280,000.
Starting at $200,000 at the desk, Tennholder jockeyed between his absentee bidder and those in the room to its selling price to the absentee.
With 70 of 95 lots accomplished, Tennholder’s voice grew rougher, just as Charlie Ross’s had done at Gooding the day before. The job requires nearly continuous talking for hours to keep energy alive in the room.
- Lot 273 – 2005 Porsche Typ996 Turbo S Cabriolet – Without reserve – Estimate: $70,000-90,000 – Sold for $95,000.
Entered at $30,000. In room bidders and on-line advanced offers in five thousand increments very quickly past the low and the high estimates.
- Lot 275 – 2005 Porsche Carrera GT – Without reserve but with 2.5% import duty if the buyer is U.S. – Estimate: $575,000-650,000 – Sold for $550,000.
Starting at $300,000 with an absentee bid that kept going against a bidder in the room up to near the low estimate where it sold to the absentee.
- Lot 277 – 2011 Porsche Typ 997 GT3 RS 4.0 – Estimate: $475,000-550,000 – Sold for $525,000.
Opening at $240,000 and charging in twenties up past $420,000 within the first minute in the room. Bids continued past the low estimate and then past $500,000.
- Lot 278 – 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta – two-time Mille Miglia entrant – Estimate: $8,000,000-10,000,000 – Did not sell at $6,900,000.
Tennholder started at $3,800,000 and reached $5,000,000 in 20 seconds! Then $6,000,000 before the first minute had passed with phone and in-room bidders competing at a bristling pace. Bidding lapsed into cruise mode at this point and went slower from there before stalling.
One could argue that Tennholder’s brisk pace may have shut down bids where a more leisurely one (such as at Bonhams or even Gooding) might have brought a sale. But there was a concours going on outside and he knew bidders – who moved in and out of the room like the tides – had other preoccupations.
- Lot 279 – 1965 Porsche Typ 911 – Without reserve – Estimate: $275,000-325,000 – Sold for $175,000.
Opened at $150,000 in the room.
- Lot 280 – 1994 Porsche Typ 964 Speedster – Mint green – Without reserve – Estimate: 120,000-150,000 – Sold for $$95,000.
Starting at $60,000, its color may have dampened enthusiasm for this car and its price rose slowly with atypical pauses while Tennholder waited.
- Lot 281 – 1963 Porsche Typ 356 B Carrera 2 Sunroof Coupe – electric sunroof – Estimate: $600,000-750,000 – Did not sell at $575,000.
Started at $325,000, bidding advanced very slowly while Tennholder spoke more softly in his attempts to keep things going. He came close.
- Lot 282 – 1988 Porsche Typ 944 Turbo S – Without reserve – Estimate: $40,000-50,000 – Sold for $42,000.
- Starting at $20,000, in house bidders made offers in small increments as the car crept toward and past its low estimate.
- Lot 283 – 1989 Porsche Typ 930 Turbo Flatnose Cabriolet – Estimate: $275,000-325,000 – Did not sell at $260,000.
Starting at $180,000, bidders showed somewhat greater interest and the car reached $250,000 within a minute but there it faltered.
- Lot 286 – 1986 Porsche Typ 944 Turbo – Without reserve – Estimate: $30,000-40,000 – Sold for $30,000.
Starting at $10,000 before Tennholder even began and rose steadily toward the low estimate where it sold to a buyer in the room.
- Lot 287 – 1968 Porsche Typ 911 Sportomatic – Estimate: $225,000-275,000 – Sold for $260,000.
Starting at $110,000, the price rose rapidly past $170,000 in the first minute with those in-room and an absentee bidder attracted to the car, and ultimately with two in-room bidders passing the low estimate.
- Lot 288 – 1992 Porsche Typ 964 America Roadster – a report of an accident in 1993 – Without reserve – Estimate: $100,000-120,000 – Sold for $68,000.
Starting at $50,000, an on-line bidder provoked others in the room. The price crept up, finally selling well short of its low estimate, perhaps due to the accident report.
- Lot 290 – 2016 Porsche Typ 991 Carrera GTS Rennsport Reunion Edition – one of 25 – Estimate: $200,000-250,000 – Sold for $195,000.
Starting at $110,000, the price advanced slowly but steadily as Tennholder modulated his somewhat gravely voice and the car came very close to its low estimate.
- Lot 294 – 1963 Myer’s Manx Dune Buggy – Estimate $30,000-40,000 – Sold for $62,500.
Bidding started at $10,000 as Tennholder and Squinder agreed the best reason to buy this car was the winner could immediately take the car out onto the Amelia Island beaches. That struck a note as bidding shot past low and high estimates following vigorous bidding among buyers in the room. Both auctioneers commented on the beautiful weather outside – in advance of the anticipated storm for Sunday.
- Lot 295 – 1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal – Without reserve – Estimate: $90,000-110,000 – Sold for $66,000.
The second from last car on auction during the weekend started at $30,000. In room, phone, and on-line bidders moved the price up steadily if not rapidly despite Tennholder’s vigorous pacing while allowing his on-line bidder time to catch up with clicks. “You have to click now!” he said looking straight into the video camera, as an in-room buyer won the race.
The final lot, a 1976 Triumph TR6, sold a low estimate ($20,000) to a phone bidder, and wrapping up 95 lots in five hours fifteen minutes. The difference between this auction and others was pacing: Bonhams luxuriously spent five hours forty-five minutes to move 87 cars; Gooding ran through 87 automobiles in minutes shy of six hours; RM auctioned 95 cars in five hours fifteen minutes. Analysts will theorize over the coming weeks whether one pace or another led to better results and happier sellers and buyers.