The value of specific collectable cars took a rather serious turn in the past five to ten years. During this period, stock markets haven’t always been the ideal investment choice, which made wealthy individuals increasingly turn to classic cars for worthwhile investment. Analyse the well-known auction houses’ results during the past few years and not a year has gone by where there hasn't been a new overall record for a car at an auction, or at least a new record for a specific car or a specific manufacturer.
On 17 August one of the leaders in the automotive auction industry, RM Auctions, will hold its annual Monterey auction, and it is been a while since the auction lot offered such a historically colourful and interesting field as this.
Below follows some of the highlights.
1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR
Estimate R10 – R12 million
Sold for R9,11 million
In the late-1990s Mercedes-Benz had to built 25 road going versions of the CLK GTR for homologation purposes. The result was the 6,9-litre V12 super car. But, this specific car (number 1 of 25) received upgrades from AMG’s sister company (H.W.A.) which replaced the engine with the more powerful 7,3-litre V12 delivering 537 kW. Also, it should basically smell like new since it has covered only 2 150 km.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Competizione Speciale by Carrozzeria Allegretti
Estimate R9 – R13 million
Sold for R12,3 million
As with other cars in this article, this is a very special one-off. We don’t have the space to go into detail about this car’s extensive history, but it certainly looks the part, especially with that steeply protruding tail. The five-speed manual gearbox is connected to a 224 kW 3,3-litre V12 engine.
1938 Talbot-Lago T23 Teardrop Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi
Estimate R20 – R28 million
Sold for R21,89 million
Talbot-Lagos are all about the soft and circular design. Without a doubt beautiful enough to bring grown men to tears. This car is the sole Jeancart-style, four-litre T23 Teardrop Coupé and delivers 86 kW from an inline six-cylinder engine.
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing Coupé"
Estimate R7 – R8 million
Sold for R7,25 million
What would an auction be without a Gullwing. An extensive documented history, the rare “sport” engine and a 4.11 rear end all add to this Fire Engine Red Coupé’s appeal. It has already received a full restoration and comes with the original Rudge wheels and belly pans.
1963 Porsche 904/6 Carrera GTS Factory Works
Estimate R15 – R18 million
Sold for R13 million
To an extent the current Porsche Cayman’s predecessor, this 904/6 is one of only five surviving six-cylinder Works Team 904s. The Carrera GTS was designed to compete in the FIA’s GT class while client racing and street-legal versions debuted in 1964. The car comes with full documentation, numerous spare parts and was also completely restored.
1981 Porsche 935 JLP-3 IMSA Racing car
Estimate R10 – R15 million
Sold for R9,32 million
Powered by a 3,2-litre, flat-six engine developing 560 kW, the 935 is one of the best-known 911-based race cars ever. This car’s extensive racing history from 1981 to 1983 – including 16 podium finishes – makes it an even more enticing proposition.
1998 Porsche 911 GT1 "Strassenversion"
Estimate R10 – R11,5 million
Sold for R9,7 million
Being a homologated road version of the 1997 GT1 Evolution race car, the GT1’s history is a little different than the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR. Since the GT1 took a one-two victory at the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans, it makes this street version’s want factor even higher.
2001 Audi R8 Le Mans Prototype Racing Car
Estimate R8 – R12 million
Sold for R8,56 million
It is not often the one get to purchase a real Le Mans racer. This 3,6-litre twin-turbocharged V8-engined R8 develops 455 kW and is only one of 16 R8 Sports Prototypes to be built, and one of five in private hands. It finished in seventh place at the 2002 24 Hours of Le Mans race and last raced in 2007.
2001 Bentley Speed 8 Le Mans Prototype Racing
Estimate R10 – R20 million
Sold for R21 million
Unquestionably one of the most fluidly designed Le Mans racers ever, this Bentley is powered by 3,9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine developing 500 kW. This car finished in third place at the 2001 24 Hour of Le Mans race (driven by Andy Wallace, Butch Leitzinger, and Eric van der Poele) and is the only one in private ownership.
Click here for more information of this auction.