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Automobiles | RM Sotheby's

A Century of Sports Cars

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Highlighting RM Sotheby’s 19th annual Arizona sale is a spectacular private collection, entitled “A Century of Sports Cars,” comprised of eleven automobiles offered entirely without reserve, ranging from one of the oldest known Alfa Romeos – the 1921 G1 – to a more recent offering from Ferrari – the 2015 California T. What unifies this collection, offered from a private California collector, is above all its penchant for design, performance and rarity, with many of these cars presenting an opportunity to own the best possible examples of their particular model. Click ahead to preview these eleven exceptional vehicles. –Jake Auerbach

RM Sotheby’s: Arizona
18–19 January

A Century of Sports Cars

  • 2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello. Estimate $350,000–450,000.
    The 575M Maranello brought a host of upgrades over its wildly popular predecessor, the 550 Maranello, making an already capable enthusiast car even more potent. This rare six-speed manual transmission example shows just 4,524 miles and is finished in a brilliant combination of Blue Tour de France of Cuoio leather.  

    RM Sotheby’s: Arizona
    18–19 January
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  • 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pinin Farina. Estimate $1,400,000–1,800,000.
    Ferrari built only 200 examples of the Series II Cabriolet. Featuring four-wheel disc brakes and the competition-derived 250 engine, it was the most powerful and usable 250 GT to date. Known for their fine road manners as much as for their elegant Italian design, the more modern mechanical underpinnings of the mid-production Series II cars offer the best of both ends of the spectrum and make the cars particularly well suited for pleasure cruising or vintage touring events.  

    RM Sotheby’s: Arizona
    18–19 January
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  • 1921 Alfa Romeo G1. Estimate Available Upon Request.
    Discovered on a farm in the late 1940s, the G1 was hidden away once again until 1965 when acquired by Alfa Romeo enthusiast Ross Flewell-Smith. Painstakingly restored in the 1970s and early 2000s, the G1 has been twice awarded at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, most recently in 2013. This event-ready G1 is the oldest running and driving Alfa Romeo and has since participated successfully in numerous events. It was also displayed at Museo Enzo Ferrari in 2015. The only complete G1 in existence today, the offering of 6018 is a rare opportunity to acquire the earliest piece of Alfa Romeo history. 

    RM Sotheby’s: Arizona
    18–19 January
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  • 2015 Ferrari California T. Estimate $160,000–200,000.
    Not only was the California T a massive leap in performance over its predecessor, the Ferrari California, but it was also Ferrari’s first turbocharged engine in nearly a quarter century. This one-owner car is finished in Nuovo Blu Pozzi over two-tone Blu and Nero leather with Bianco stitching and shows just 6,661 miles from new. 

    RM Sotheby’s: Arizona
    18–19 January
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  • 1969 Ferrari Dino 206 GT by Scaglietti. Estimate $625,000–825,000.
    Just 153 examples of the first-series 206 GT were built before the introduction of the 246 model. The 206 GT is now prized for its rarity and unique aesthetic elements, which are seen as more pure to the original Dino design ethos. With only three collector-owners since new, this spectacular late-product (no. 140) 206 GT was displayed for decades in the Midglen Studio estate, one of California’s most influential architectural centres. 

    RM Sotheby’s: Arizona
    18–19 January
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  • 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Speciale by Boano. Estimate $1,250,000–1,750,000.
    Representing a more advanced period in Alfa Romeo design is this 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900C SS Speciale with striking one-off coachwork by Boano. A masterpiece of Italian design, the 1900C was Boano’s 1955 Torino Motor Show car and would reprise its role on the stand at the 2014 Retromobile in Paris and once again in 2015 as part of the invitation-only Preservation Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The Boano Speciale has recently been expertly restored and returned to its original colour combination, after which it was again presented at Pebble Beach in 2017, where it won its class. 

    RM Sotheby’s: Arizona
    18–19 January
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  • 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti. Estimate $1,800,000–2,200,000.
    This spectacular ‘Lusso’ is the 275th of just 350 examples built. Boasting a three-year cosmetic restoration, documented with invoices, photos and a history report by marque expert, Marcel Massini, the car was awarded Best in Class at the inaugural 2014 Arizona Concours d’Elegance. Currently displaying 44,073 miles, this spectacular 250 GT/L would be an ideal candidate for presentation at FCA gathering, Ferrari events or the open road.    

    RM Sotheby’s: Arizona
    18–19 January
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  • 1975 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB. Estimate $450,000–550,000.
    One of only 387 examples built, this Ferrari Classiche certified 365 GT4 BB is one of the most remarkably original examples extant and shows matching date codes throughout. The rare early example is documented by Marcel Massini, with a copy of the original SEFAC purchase order on file. With 8,000 km indicated at time of sale, and 36 years in prior ownership, this is an example for the true connoisseur.  

    RM Sotheby’s: Arizona
    18–19 January
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  • 1942 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Spider. Estimate $900,000–1,100,000.
    Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful 6C 2500s in existence, this exquisitely restored pre-war Alfa boasts well-known early history and a Best of Show win at Concorso Italiano. Acquired by the current consignor after winning two awards at the San Marino Motor Classic, it is superbly presented and offered with a collection of detailed restoration photographs and historical information.  

    RM Sotheby’s: Arizona
    18–19 January
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  • 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT ‘Chairs & Flares’ by Scaglietti. Estimate $500,000–700,000.
    This extremely rare Dino 246 GT is one of just five known US-specification coupes optioned with Daytona Chairs and Wheel Flares, consider today to be the most desirable configuration for any Dino. US Air Force Major Alfred Thomas, a noted enthusiast himself, bought this example new. He fastidiously maintained the car for 41 years and ensured that it was never exposed to inclement weather. Acquired in 2014 from this original owner, the car shows less than 34,000 miles and portends a warm welcome at concours events globally.  

    RM Sotheby’s: Arizona
    18–19 January
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  • 2005 Ford GT. Estimate $275,000–325,000.
    Designed and built to celebrate Ford Motor Company’s 100th anniversary, the GT was an instant classic the moment it was unveiled to the public. Not only was the car a true homage to the original GT40 that took the checkered flag at the 24 Hours of Le Mans four years in a row, but it also was a true world-class supercar. This three-owner example shows just 2,000 miles from new and is most importantly fitted with all four available options: Alloy Wheels, McIntosh Sound System, Painted Calipers and Racing Stripe.  

    RM Sotheby’s: Arizona
    18–19 January
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