San Francisco, CA – April 16, 2010 – Bonhams is very pleased to announce its appointment in offering the prestigious Michael L. Amalfitano collection of sports and sports-racing cars, including significant competition Porsches.
World-class racing cars featured in this well-known collection include a fine example of the mighty Porsche 917. While currently configured as an Interserie racing (European Can-Am) Spyder, this 5.4-liter flat 12-cylinder, air-cooled projectile began life in Porsche 917K Coupe form sporting the illustrious blue-and-orange Gulf Oil livery of the JW Automotive Racing Team. It was campaigned by them in the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans race, co-driven by David Hobbs and multiple World Champion-winning motorcycle racer Mike “The Bike” Hailwood. During the race the car was crashed by Hailwood who walked back to the pits carrying the steering wheel. He was greeted by the Gulf-JW Team’s famously forbidding principal John Wyer, who asked, “Hello Michael, is that what came off or is that all that’s left?” Hailwood never drove for the team again.
The damaged Porsche 917 was returned to the factory in Stuttgart, Germany, where its chassis frame was repaired and subsequently re-issued into private customer hands in its present, open Spyder form for Interserie racing.
Also featured from the Amalfitano collection will be:
• The 1967 Porsche 910 Prototype Coupe driven by Gerhard Mitter to lead the 1967 Nurburgring 1000 km
• A rare 3-liter flat-8, 1969 Porsche 908 “Flounder” Spyder
• A 1975 Porsche RSR
• A 1988 Porsche 962 Prototype
Additionally, hard-to-find Porsche-related spare parts and memorabilia will be offered for sale without reserve.
Mark Osborne, Bonhams’ Head of Motoring Department, says: “Year after year at Quail Lodge we strive to present the most exciting cars attainable to our discerning and loyal clientele. The consignment of unmolested automobiles and collections fresh-to-the-market-place is a Bonhams signature, and this year will be no different. If you are considering the consignment of a pedigree motorcar, there is a no more knowledgeable or more professional team than our specialists at Bonhams, and there is a no more opportune forum than our auction in Carmel.”
In addition to the Amalfitano Porsches, early consignments include an exceedingly rare 7.1-liter 1930 supercharged Mercedes-Benz 38/250 SS Sports Tourer and a 1908 Thomas Flyer 4-60 Model F Tourer.
For the first time in its 13-year history, Bonhams’ annual Auction of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia will take place over two days, August 12-13, at Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, California.
Visit www.bonhams.com for more.