RM Sotheby’s will present a diverse group of modern and future classics dubbed “The Forests Collection” at its annual London sale, with all proceeds going to the Trillion Trees initiative, a charitable partnership whose mission is to connect funders with forest conservation ventures, and inspire the world to protect and restore one trillion trees by 2050. The Trillion Trees initiative combines the efforts of the World Wide Fund for Nature, BirdLife International, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, three of the world’s largest conservation organisations with a presence in over 100 countries. The Forests Collection, generously donated by single benefactor, will be […]
RM Sotheby’s will present a diverse group of modern and future classics dubbed “The Forests Collection” at its annual London sale, with all proceeds going to the Trillion Trees initiative, a charitable partnership whose mission is to connect funders with forest conservation ventures, and inspire the world to protect and restore one trillion trees by 2050.
The Trillion Trees initiative combines the efforts of the World Wide Fund for Nature, BirdLife International, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, three of the world’s largest conservation organisations with a presence in over 100 countries. The Forests Collection, generously donated by single benefactor, will be presented on 24 October at Olympia in West Kensington, a new venue for the RM Sotheby’s London auction. A stunning Porsche 911 GT3 and a classic Meyers Manx dune buggy join two icons of British design, a Mini Cooper and a Land Rover Defender, in addition to a sought-after BMW E30 M3 as highlights of the charity collection.
It is hoped that the generous charitable gesture of the owner will raise in excess of $590,000 when the cars go under the hammer in London, allowing the restoration of over 400 hectares of forests across Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda which will result in an estimated 300,000 mature trees. RM Sotheby’s is delighted to be supporting Trillion Trees and its mission to secure a sustainable future for forthcoming generations, and as such, every single pound of the winning bid will be pledged to the cause, including the seller’s premium. The Forests Collection represents the latest consignments for the London sale, which will offer in excess of 80 fine collector cars.
The Forests Collection is headlined by a stunning 2018 Porsche 911 GT3, a sensational homage to Porsche’s competition heritage, with the example on offer presented in Paint-to-Sample Sepia Brown, a color made famous on 911s of the 1970s. Delivered to its first and only owner in April 2018, this 991.2-generation GT3 boasts a number of desirable options, including a manual gearbox, Alcantara upholstered lightweight bucket seats, Clubsport package, and black 20-inch GT3 centre-lock wheels. Since leaving the Porsche factory in Stuttgart last year, the GT3 has covered just under 1,500km and is presented for sale in ‘as new’ condition (Estimate: $160,000-$196,000). Completing a trio of lovely 911s to be offered from the collection is a 996-generation 2000 Porsche 911 GT3 finished in silver and with only 70,000km covered from new (Estimate: $61,000-$74,000) and an amazing 2001 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Race car, built to N-GT specification, presented as the perfect track day tool (Estimate: $172,000-$221,000).
An American icon, the 1970 Meyers Manx embodies the go-anywhere, do-anything Southern California spirit of its creator, Bruce F. Meyers. Based on Volkswagen Beetle underpinnings, the combination of purpose-built off-road ability and lightweight construction allowed the Manx to dominate the overland racing scene of the 1960s. This Manx, presented in a vibrant metallic orange, stays true to the brightly coloured examples of the period. Thanks to a remarkable $60,000 restoration, no expense has been spared to ensure that this buggy is one of the finest in existence. A three-spoke EMPI steering wheel and original Gene Berg short-shifter, linked to a new four-speed rancho transmission, make driving enjoyable, spirited, and direct. The EMPI skid plate, sand seal-protected flywheel, and seatbelts for all passengers mean that this buggy is ready to play in the dunes, while the wiring for lights makes the Manx compliant for road use as well (Estimate: $43,000-$55,000).
In addition, the collection includes a 1998 Mini Cooper, finished in turquoise and having covered fewer than 50,000km from new (Estimate: $18,400-$24,500). A 2013 Land Rover Defender 90 is presented in red with a canvas roof covering the rear and fewer than 12,000km since it left the factory (Estimate: $50,000-$74,000). A 1991 BMW E30 M3, regarded as one of the finest performance saloon cars ever made, is in a sensational specification, sporting a white exterior complemented by a black interior, and just 55,000 miles recorded from new (Estimate: $55,200-$79,800). The 1993 Mazda RX-7 on offer boasts its famous rotary engine and a classic design, enhanced by beautiful black paintwork. This US-spec example is for sale with fewer than 50,000 miles (Estimate: $18,400-$24,500).
Will Smith, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s, said: “The addition of the Forests Collection to our London auction is an absolute delight and it is RM Sotheby’s pleasure to support the generosity of our client to help safeguard our planet and make a contribution to ensuring we all take responsibility for creating a sustainable future for generations to come. The wide-ranging and on-trend selection of vehicles available means that there will be something for everyone, from the latest high-performance Porsches to classic designs from Land Rover, Mini, Harley Davidson and of course, the Meyers Manx dune buggy. With all proceeds going towards this great cause, this collection presents bidders with the perfect opportunity to acquire a special vehicle while doing their bit to conserve our environment.”
Anna Kitulagoda, Head of Trillion Trees at WWF, adds:“We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation to support Trillion Trees. The outcome of the funds donated will enable us to restore over 400 hectares of degraded land to healthy native forest ecosystems across four countries in East Africa. Our goal for a trillion trees is a big one, but it’s achievable and necessary. We want to ensure that we have more of the right trees in the right places and protect our forests. We know that this can make a major contribution to achieving our global commitments on human development, biodiversity and climate change. This is an urgent priority, and we hugely value and appreciate the support that enables more critical work to get rapidly underway.”
(Image: Tom Gidden ©2019 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)