Gooding & Company Uncovers Rare 1960’s Era Road and Track ‘Time Capsule’ Collector Cars

Gooding & Company, the internationally-celebrated auction house, announces five spectacular 1960s-era road and racing cars for its upcoming 2011 Scottsdale Auctions. These new stars include a barnfind 1964 Shelby Cobra, a 1964 Porsche 904, a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB, a B-Production National Champion 1965 Shelby GT350 R and what is believed to be the lowest-mileage unrestored Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster in existence. These highly-anticipated consignments will be auctioned both Friday and Saturday, January 21 and 22; both auctions commence at 11 a.m.

“Our market today is ripe with exciting cars that are surfacing after years in private storage because there is a growing demand around the world for quality and originality,” says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company. “From the ‘time capsule’ 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster and barnfind Cobra to a significant, racing Porsche 904, all these spectacular cars will be major highlights of this year’s world class Scottsdale Auction Week.”

1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

With only 7,367 miles from new, this remarkable 300 SL Roadster is believed to be the “lowest-mileage Roadster in existence,” says David Gooding and “an exciting discovery for Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts around the world.” After nearly 50 years spent in its original owner’s care, Chassis 198.042.10.0003020 surfaces from the depths of this family’s garage as an unparalleled ‘time capsule’ for today. Time and storage have not robbed this beautiful Roadster of its original paint, interior, Continental white wall tires, and factory hardtop. A superb and authentic example from 1962, complete with coveted disc brakes, tools, books, records and the original Bill of Sale, this car’s estimate is Available On Request.

1964 Shelby Cobra 289

A genuine Cobra barnfind back on the road after 33 years in storage, this example is “quite possibly one of the last, unrestored Cobras in existence and the only unrestored example with its striking blue and red livery color scheme,” says Gooding & Company Specialist Paul Hageman. An impressive show car having been featured in the Postwar Preservation Class at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, CSX 2289 had originally been used as a demonstrator for Shelby’s promotions at Riverside Raceway and other venues. Devoted enthusiasts will appreciate that it still retains its original California black plate and Hi-Performance Motors license plate frame, and that it is the only Cobra with “289” in the chassis number. This Shelby’s estimate is $525,000 – $625,000.

1964 Porsche 904

Porsche’s 904 was the manufacturer’s first sports racing car to utilize fiberglass construction and the last to feature the famous, race-bred four-cam engine, created to serve both the track and the road. One of approximately 108 models ever produced, this special example was sold new to the Monterey-based race car driver and Porsche dealer Don Wester, who raced the car with great success in West Coast SCCA and USRRC competition. This exciting car’s most significant racing victory took place at Candlestick Park in 1965 when it beat Phil Hill driving a Cobra, and today it functions as an accomplished and eligible vintage racer with experience at the Monterey Historics, Wine Country Classic and Le Tour Auto. Its estimate is $1.2 – $1.6 Million.

In the words of Gooding & Company’s Porsche Specialist, David Brynan, this Porsche 904 is “one of the best surviving examples we have today due to its impressive racing history and high level of originality.”

1965 Ferrari 275 GTB

A beautiful example that has been well-maintained by a prominent collector for some time, this car was one of the first short nose-bodied 275 GTBs produced. It has been kept in the United States ever since it left the factory and its history has officially been documented by leading Ferrari Historian Marcel Massini. Dressed in Fly Yellow paint over a Palomino interior, it is in excellent working condition following a full restoration by the respected New Jersey-based Ferrari specialist, Classic Coach. Its estimate is $700,000 – $800,000.

1965 Shelby GT350 R

One of only 26 GT350 Rs ever made, this example (Chassis 5SFM5R108) “has one of the most significant race histories of its peers,” says Gooding & Company Specialist Jakob Greisen. Among these successes, it achieved a B-Production Championship winner title with Freddy van Beuren behind the wheel. On another occasion, renowned Mexican Grand Prix driver Pedro Rodriguez drove this car at the SCCA national meeting in Green Valley, where he won a B-Production race beating the factory prototype of Jerry Titus. This GT350 R returns to Gooding & Company’s auction stage for a second time, following its sale at the auction house’s 2006 Pebble Beach Auction. Its estimate is $650,000 – $850,000.

The annual Scottsdale Auctions will be held on Friday, January 21 and Saturday, January 22, 2011, commencing at 11 a.m. Guests may preview the cars on Thursday and Friday, January 20-21, from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturday, January 22 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., at 68th Street and East Camelback Road adjoining Scottsdale Fashion Square. An auction catalogue for $80 admits two to the viewing and auction. General admission to the viewing and auction can be purchased at the tent for $30 per person. Bidder registration forms, 2011 press credentials and additional auction information are available on www.goodingco.com. For additional vehicle information and up-to-the-minute results, follow Gooding & Company on Facebook and Twitter @GoodingCompany. All Gooding & Company automotive auctions are webcast live on www.goodingco.com.