RM Auctions Concorso Villa d’Este (2011) – Headline Cars

The inaugural RM Auctions Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este sale will be held 21st May 2011 on the shores of Lake Como, Italy.
The Villa d’Este auction will be headlined by the 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Pinin Farina Berlinetta, chassis number 0352 MM / 0239 EU, and a 1965 Ford GT Works Prototype Roadster, chassis number GT/111, one of just five prototype roadsters built, in addition to the previously announced 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Pinin Farina Berlinetta and 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C-SS Teardrop Coupé.
“In keeping with the theme of the celebrated Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, our upcoming sale in Cernobbio is set to showcase the ‘best of the very best’. Consignments represent a wonderful series of best of category cars from their respective genres – the epitome of motoring luxury, style and performance,” says Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe.
“With an average value per car approaching €1.000.000, the offering represents one of the most superb collections of automobiles assembled for auction in recent years,” adds Girardo.
The 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Pinin Farina Berlinetta, chassis number 0352 MM / 0239 EU, is one of just 32 built and one of only 17 examples bodied by Pinin Farina, with this competition coupé delivered new to Mexican collector, Efrain Ruiz Echeverria. A well-known privateer racer, Echeverria immediately entered the car in the gruelling 1953 Carrera Panamericana, recording a top 10 finish. The result was considered an outstanding achievement by a private owner, as the first six cars were factory-entered Ferraris and Lancias. Today, wonderfully presented and benefiting from a well-known history, which includes a string of prominent Mexican collectors, this example has been displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. In addition, it returned to competition at the 2004 Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca, California, driven by experienced vintage racer, Pablo Gonzalez. (Est. €2.600.000 – €3.200.000).
“We are truly honoured to have been entrusted with the sale of this historically important 250 MM at our debut sale in Cernobbio,” adds Girardo. “Combining great performance, a wonderful racing pedigree and fabulous livery, it is truly one of the best 250 MMs available.”
The 1965 Ford GT Works Prototype Roadster, chassis number GT/111, is one of only five prototype open GT Roadsters built by Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations in the UK during early 1965, of which just four survive. Chassis GT/111 was first tested at the 1965 Le Mans trials, driven by Sir John Whitmore, prior to it being selected as a Works entrant in the Targa Florio. Painted in Linden Green and with Sir John Whitmore joined by American driver Bob Bondurant behind the wheel, the car ran as high as third place in the Targa Florio before accident damage sidelined the car. After the race, a decision was made to strip the chassis and discard it, after which its whereabouts remained largely unknown for the next forty years. The chassis was rediscovered in 2006, its authenticity confirmed by the world’s leading authorities on GT40s, and following a painstaking restoration GT/111 reappeared on the race circuit in 2007 at the Goodwood Revival. It has since gone on to race competitively at some of Europe’s most prestigious events. (Est. €2.400.000 – €2.900.000)
“The Ford GT represents one of the world’s most iconic sports car designs,” notes Girardo. “Joining power with beauty, it is the perfect fit for our debut sale at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. As one of just four surviving examples and one of only three to have been raced by the Works, it presents an extraordinarily rare ownership opportunity for discerning collectors, deserving of close inspection.”
RM Auctions Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2011 – Headline Cars
— 1937 Bugatti Type 57 SC, one of only 17 Atalante Coupés built (Est. €3.250.000 – €4.250.000);
— 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet A (Est. €1.250.000 – €1.800.000);
— Pair of pre-war Figoni et Falaschi Delahayes, including a 1938 135 MS Coupé (Est. €950.000 – €1.170.000) and a 1939 135 MS Grand Sport Roadster (Est. €880.000 – €1.025.000);
— 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta, s/n 09495 (Est. €800.000 – €900.000);
— 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Competition Spider by Bertone, one of just three competition spyders built and the only Bertone-bodied Aston with racing history (Est. €725.000 – €825.000);
— 1955 Bentley R-Type Continental Coupé, the last R-Type Continental built and the last car personally designed by Marius Franay (Est. €590.000 – €750.000); and
— 1964 Alfa Romeo TZ 1, fresh to the market after 25 years of single-family ownership and with race pedigree that includes Le Mans, Tour de France and Targa Florio (Est. €475.000 – €575.000).
For more information, visit www.rmauctions.com or contact RM’s London Office at +44 20 7851 7070.
Event Details: RM Auctions at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
Sale date: 21 May, 2011 8:00pm – 11:00pm CET
Preview dates: 20 May, 2011 10:00am – 6:00pm CET and 21 May, 2011 10:00am – 6:00pm CET
Location: Spazio Villa Erba, Largo Luchino Visconti, 4, Cernobbio, Como, 22012, Italy
Admission: Admission to the event requires the purchase of an official auction catalogue for €70. The catalogue admits two and must be presented at the entrance to the sale to be granted entry.
[Source: RM Auctions]