RM Auctions will hold its fifth annual Automobiles of London auction on October 26, 2011 at Battersea Evolution in London.
The RM Auctions London 2011 sale will feature approximately 100 automobiles, in addition to a select range of classic bikes also set to go under the hammer during the single-day auction. Headline offerings at the fall London sale include a 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Tour de France, 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Scaglietti Spyder, 1972 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/TT/3, 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV, 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT and 1930 Bugatti T46 Petit Royale.
“Over the past five years, our London sale has established a reputation as a ‘must attend’ event on the global collector car calendar. This year’s sale has all the ingredients to continue the grand tradition: a fantastic roster of motor cars, a great venue and the unparalleled client service for which RM is known,” says Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe.
“Our specialists have worked hard and travelled to the four corners of the world to select and assemble a magnificent collection of motor cars and, in addition, a great assortment of classic two wheelers for motorcycle enthusiasts. There is truly something for all automotive tastes,” Girardo adds.
Continuing the company’s strong track record for offering important and historic Ferraris at auction, the upcoming London sale is highlighted by a wonderful series of no less than 11 examples from the Modenese Prancing Horse.
RM Auctions has assembled a selection of 11 Ferraris for the 2011 London Battersea auction, headlined by the matching-numbers 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Tour de France, serial number 1039 GT. Powered by an alloy block-and-head 3-litre V-12 engine, 1039 GT is one of just 36 competition 250 GT LWB Berlinettas originally produced by Ferrari with the single vent and desirable covered headlamp configuration. Delivered new to California in November 1958, 1039 GT boasts a well-documented chain of ownership, having spent the vast majority of its life in the United States and later Switzerland. It was restored by marque experts in Italy in 2005 before being purchased by its current owner in 2006. A matching-numbers, Ferrari certified example, it is estimated to sell for £2,000,000 to £2,400,000.
“Truly rare, superbly presented and capable of performance that remains very impressive to this day, this 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta is steeped in Ferrari’s rich competition legacy,” describes Girardo.
Another featured car from Maranello is the 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Scaglietti Spyder, chassis number 0502 M and one of just 29 examples built. It was also delivered new by the Ferrari factory to California, where it was successfully campaigned in period by Ernie McAfee and, later, by Masten Gregory and others. It is the only example of a 750 Monza constructed without a headrest and fairing, a feature which gives the car a unique aesthetic. In 2000, 0502 M was restored in Italy to original specifications and later received its Ferrari Classiche certification. The 750 Monza carries a pre-sale estimate of £1,550,000 to £1,800,000.
“With its superb combination of a great provenance, well-documented history and Ferrari certification, 0502 M remains one of the best examples of its kind, eligible for every historic racing event, tour or concours worldwide,” Girardo adds.
Other important examples from the famed Italian marque up for bids include a Ferrari-certified 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast, s/n 6659 SF, one of only eight Superfasts built in right-hand drive (Est. £580,000 – £650,000); a long-nose 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy Berlinetta (Est. £640,000 – £700,000); a unique 1980 Ferrari Pinin Prototipo, s/n 99788, the one and only four-door Ferrari ever built (Est. £480,000 – £550,000); and, a 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, s/n 5167 GT, offered for the first time in over two decades (Est. £400,000 – £480,000). Also set to cross the podium, a highly-equipped, custom 2001 Iveco Domino HDH Orlandi Scuderia Ferrari F1 Driver’s Coach, used by the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team during the Schumacher / Barrichello years (Est. £200,000 – £300,000, offered without reserve).
In addition to the Ferraris, Alfa Romeo will also be well-represented at the 2011 RM London sale, with six examples featured in the catalogue. Joining the headline 1972 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/TT/3 (Est. £525,000 – £575,000) is a competitive 1980 Alfa Romeo Tipo 179 Formula One Monoposto, chassis 03, designed by Autodelta boss Carlo Chiti as Alfa Romeo’s comeback weapon following a long absence from Formula 1 and raced by Bruno Giacomelli during the 1980 season (Est. £110,000 – £140,000); and a 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Berlinetta, one of only 39 berlinettas built and featuring iconic Zagato “double bubble” coachwork (Est. £280,000 – £340,000).
Other entries at the 2011 RM Auctions London Battersea sale include a 1907 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Limousine, the unique 1947 Pagani Lancia Sport and a 1938 Jaguar SS 100 3.5-Litre Roadster formerly owned for over 40 years by the family of American antiques experts, authors and television hosts, Leigh and Leslie Keno.
Also notable is the 2008 Force India ‘Art Car’ that will be auctioned for charity at the sale. Force India racing chassis VJM1-05 has been hand-painted by motorsport artist Dexter Brown and signed by a collection of Formula One figures and dignitaries. The car was raced at 16 of the 18 2008 Formula One World Championship races in 2008, with driver Giancarlo Fisichella at the wheel.
Event Details – RM Auctions London 2011
Sale date: 26 October, 2011
Preview dates: 25 & 26 October, 2011
Location: Battersea Evolution, Chelsea Bridge Entrance, Battersea Park
London, United Kingdom, SW11 4NJ
Admission: Admission to this event requires the purchase of an official auction catalogue for £50. The catalogue admits two and must be presented at the entrance to the sale to be granted entry.
For full event details, visit www.rmauctions.com or call RM London at +44 20 7851 7070.
[Source: RM Auctions]
