Blue-Chip Automobiles Set for RM’s Ocean Front Sale at Amelia Island

RM Auctions, the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, announced today its latest series of blue-chip automobiles set to cross the auction podium at its Amelia Island sale, March 10 in Florida.

Held in conjunction with the famed Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, the single-day sale will lift the gavel on more than 100 high-caliber automobiles, including ten examples expected to exceed $1 million.

“We’re thrilled to be returning to Amelia Island and continuing our strong track record in Northeast Florida. Being the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and hosting our event at the magnificent Ritz-Carlton—there is tremendous heritage and prestige we are proud to be a part of,” says Rob Myers, Chairman & Founder, RM Auctions.

“This year’s offering represents the finest collection of motor cars we’ve ever brought to Amelia Island, second to none. In addition, we’re changing things up this year, hosting our sale on the ocean-front lawns at the Ritz-Carlton to take advantage of the magnificent scenery Amelia Island has to offer,” Myers adds.

Continuing its reputation for offering the world’s finest automobiles, RM has placed a strong emphasis on best-of-category examples for its upcoming Amelia Island sale, with consignments hand-sourced by RM’s expert team of specialists from around the world.

In keeping with RM tradition, important and historic Ferraris are a key focus, with no less than eight examples from the Modenese Prancing Horse poised for the auction podium. Headlining the offering is an exceptional 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale, s/n 0465 GT, featuring rare 410 Superamerica-style, Pinin Farina Berlinetta coachwork (pictured top). One of just four examples built, 0465 GT remains unique among its peers thanks to numerous special-order items including gauges, telescopic steering wheel, high bolster seats, twin fuel tanks with twin fillers and a custom lowered driver’s window crank. Immaculately presented, it carries Ferrari Classiche certification and is a multiple award-winner, most recently receiving a ‘First in Class Platinum’ award and judged ‘Most Elegant Ferrari’ at Cavallino in January 2012 (Est. $1,300,000 – $1,600,000).

“This 250 GT Pinin Farina Coupe Speciale epitomizes the quality and breathtaking aesthetics of Ferrari’s early coachbuilt cars. Spectacular in presentation, it is a true work of art, deserving of close inspection,” says RM’s West Coast specialist Shelby Myers.

Other notable Ferraris on offer include a beautifully restored 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet, s/n 1755 GT, featuring rare covered headlights and finished in its original Avorio (Ivory) color (Est. $600,000 – $800,000); a highly desirable, Ferrari Classiche certified 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder, s/n 15417 (Est. $1,100,000 – $1,300,000); and a well-documented, matching numbers 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta, s/n 09721, with recent cosmetic freshening and engine overhaul (Est. $1,200,000 – $1,400,000).

Blue-chip American marques are also well-represented. Joining the previously announced 1934 Packard Twelve Dietrich Convertible Victoria and 1929 Cord L-29 Special Coupe, likely the most important Cord in existence, is a majestic, well-documented 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline, J103. The first LWB chassis built, this example was one of seven publicly unveiled at the 1929 New York Auto Show (Est. $800,000 – $1,000,000). Another great example and no stranger to the spotlight is the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Riley & Scott Racing Car. One of three Corvettes on offer, it holds a special place in the history books as the late Paul Newman’s 2003-2007 SCCA racer in which he won his last race. In addition to his exploits in the racing world, Newman was widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most talented A-list actors.

“It is a terrific testament to Paul Newman’s extraordinary racing career and eye for competitiveness and perfection,” comments Donnie Gould, RM specialist. “Finished in its #83 livery, it is not only a fitting tribute to a Hollywood legend but a superb racing car.”

Other notable entries for RM’s upcoming Amelia Island sale include:

– a beautifully appointed, show-quality 1930 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe (Est. $1,250,000 – $1,750,000);

– a 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Convertible, one of seven original Vantage-powered DB5 Convertibles produced (Estimate available upon request);

– a concours quality 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster featuring original hardtop, tool roll and desirable Rudge wheels (Est. $850,000 – $1,000,000);

– a pair of rare and highly collectible Hispano-Suizas, including a 1913 Hispano-Suiza “King Alfonso XIII” Double Berline (Est. $750,000 – $1,000,000) and 1918 Hispano-Suiza Type 32 Collapsible Brougham (Est. $350,000 – $400,000);

– an ultra-rare, supercharged 1937 Squire 1½-Liter Drophead Coupe, the only Squire bodied by preeminent English Corsica coachworks and an exceptional prewar sports car (Estimate available upon request); and

– a historic 1941 Chrysler Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton, the actual pace car of the 1941 Indianapolis 500 race and subsequently owned and driven by Walter P. Chrysler Jr. (Est. $1,500,000 – $2,000,000).

For those with a penchant for more recent automotive design, the sale will lift the gavel on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Coupe, the 2007 New York Auto Show car, boasting just 5,700 miles from new (Est. $220,000 – $260,000); and a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, the awesome pinnacle of modern Porsche road car performance, just one private owner from new (Est. $300,000 – $350,000).

Beyond the automobiles the sale will feature a select range of motorcycles and collectibles, including the distinguished and highly desirable Lalique Mascot Collection of Ele Chesney, accompanied by custom display cases, and a Ferrari 250 GTO Bronze Sculpture which will be sold to benefit Spina Bifida of Jacksonville. One of only three known complete collections, the Lalique Collection includes 30 individual mascots to be sold as a single lot. The offering is headlined by the rarest Lalique of all, Le Renard (The Fox), one of only seven known to exist.

RM’s Amelia Island auction follows on the heels of the Company’s highly anticipated sale of the Milhous Collection, February 24-25 in Boca Raton, Florida, rounding out an exciting two weeks of auction activity in Florida.

For further information or to view the digital catalogue, please visit www.rmauctions.com or call RM Auctions at +1 519 352 4575. For further information on the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, please visit www.ameliaconcours.org or call +1 904 636 0027.

Event Details – RM Amelia Island

Sale date:                     March 10, 2012  11:00AM ET
Preview dates:              March 8, 2012 9:00AM – 6:00PM ET
                                     March 9, 2012 9:00AM – 6:00PM ET  
                                     March 10, 2012  9:00AM – 11:00AM ET

Location:                      The Ritz-Carlton,
                                     4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, Florida, 32034

Admission:                  An official auction catalogue is available for $120 US and admits two people to the preview and auction.

For those unable to attend the event in person, Internet, absentee and telephone bidding options are available and the auction will stream live online at www.rmauctions.com to provide real-time coverage of the event.