The RM Sotheby’s Villa d’Este 2015 sale was held 23rd May at Villa Erba on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, resulting in €26,714,530 ($29,920,273 USD) in total sales and an 89.75 percent sell-through rate. A roster of 37 of cars, along with two vintage Riva boats, were featured at RM’s biennial auction staged over the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este weekend. Bidders hailed from 26 countries, including Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong; 27 percent of bidders represented first-time clients at the two-and-a-half hour sale.
“We had another incredible collection of cars on offer at Villa Erba. It’s always a stylish and well-attended sale; the setting, the atmosphere and the quality of vehicles we consistently consign to this auction make it a clear highlight of the European auction calendar,” said Max Girardo, Managing Director RM Sotheby’s Europe. “From the auction preview through until the end of the sale, the energy was fantastic and translated into some great prices. It’s a great honour being the official auction house of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.”
Top sales honors at the RM Sotheby’s Concorso Villa d’Este 2015 sale went to a 1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta, chassis 0158ED. Bidding on the Touring-bodied Barchetta opened at €3 million before quickly climbing to final €6,720,000, a new auction record for the model. It led a string of 10 individual million-euro-plus sales recorded during the course of the evening.
Girardo added, “The Ferrari 212 Export embodies the kind of quality we aim to bring to our sales and its world record-breaking price demonstrates the enduring strength of the auction market.”
Highlighting ‘modern era’ supercars offered at RM’s 2015 Villa d’Este auction was a 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO that sold for €1,904,000, while the 1991 Ferrari F40 sold for €1,008,000. The group also included a 1996 Ferrari F50 for €1,232,000 and a 2002 Ferrari Enzo for €1,260,000. The car many regard as the world’s first true ‘supercar’, the 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S, also attracted significant interest, garnering €1,019,200.
RM Sotheby’s Concorso Villa d’Este 2015 – Top Ten Auction Results
1. 1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta (Chassis 0158 ED) – €6,720,000.00
2. 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta ‘Lusso’ (Chassis 4735 GT) – €2,016,000.00
3. 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO (Chassis ZFFPA16B000052475) – €1,904,000.00
4. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II (Chassis 2125 GT) – €1,568,000.00
5. 2002 Ferrari Enzo (Chassis ZFFCZ56B000129581) – €1,260,000.00
6. 1996 Ferrari F50 (Chassis ZFFTA46B000106570) – €1,232,000.00
7. 1953 Fiat 8V Cabriolet (Chassis 106.000050) – €1,120,000.00
8. 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S (Chassis 4827) – €1,019,200.00
9. 1991 Ferrari F40 (Chassis ZFFGJ34B000089693) – €1,008,000.00
10. 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Sport Lightweight (Chassis 9113600649) – €1,008,000.00
For complete auction results, visit rmauctions.com.
Among other notable results at the RM Sotheby’s Concorso Villa d’Este 2015 sale included:
- 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Villa d’Este Coupe sold for €784,000;
- 1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale, the first automobile purposely built for competition in the World Rally Championship, realized €431,200;
- 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB HGTE exceeded estimates at €358,400;
- 1959 Riva Florida “Nounours”, delivered new to screen siren Brigitte Bardot, also exceeded expectations at €146,250; and,
- BMW K1 motorcycle, which sold with 100 percent of all proceeds benefiting Caritas International in support of earthquake relief in Nepal, found a new home for €10,530, at least double its market value.
RM Sotheby’s continues its European auction calendar, 7 September in central London. The official auction partner of the Royal Concours of Elegance, the London sale will lift the gavel on approximately 75 cars at Battersea Evolution. For more information on upcoming RM Sotheby’s events, visit rmauctions.com or call RM’s London office at +44 20 7851 7070.
[Source: RM Sotheby’s; photos: Tim Scott / Fluid Images]
