MPH.com’s Guide to RM Sotheby’s Year-End Auction Lineup

February 17, 2024 3:34 PM

As we approach the final months of 2023, RM Sotheby’s is set to captivate the automotive world with a series of auctions that showcase exemplary vehicles and embody the cultural and historical essence of their venues. Each event is a meticulously curated experience, appealing to connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike.

 

London: November 4, 2023

 

As autumn colors London's streets, Marlborough House transitions from historical landmark to a stage of grandeur. It's here that the esteemed RM Sotheby’s auction will take place in early November, in conjunction with the spirited London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Following a year that paraded an eclectic mix of supercars and collectible treasures, this season’s auction is set to tantalize enthusiasts with everything from vintage British marques to legendary Italian design.

 

The auction's top selections feature a pair of standout vehicles:

 

 

A 1929 Bentley 4½-Litre Supercharged Le Mans Tourer, echoing the style of Vanden Plas, stands with a valuation of £750,000 - £900,000 GBP. This vintage powerhouse is arguably the swiftest Bentley racer of its era, having been reconstructed to ‘Blower’ specifications in 1990. It boasts a formidable racing history, with extensive campaigns in historic races from 2006 to 2023 and an impressive performance by Derek Bell at the 2012 Le Mans Classic. With the honor of being the first Supercharged Bentley to claim victory at an international meeting, it carries a legacy as rich as its unbroken ownership lineage, coming from 17 years of dedicated custodianship.

 

 

 

The 1994 Ferrari 512 TR Spider, part of The Factory Fresh Collection, is expected to fetch between £2,100,000 - £2,700,000 GBP. This remarkable vehicle is one of only three Ferrari 512 TR Spiders built by the marque in 1994, and it boasts an unmatched Blu Cobalto exterior with a Blu Scuro Connolly leather interior. A singularly owned marvel since its creation, it registers merely 570 kilometers on the clock. Nestled under its hood is the original 4.9-liter flat-12 engine. Displayed at the 50th Anniversary of Ferrari in 1997, this car represents the zenith of the Testarossa's evolution into the 512 TR during the early 1990s.

 

Las Vegas: November 17, 2023

 

Set against the backdrop of the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix, the Wynn’s Awakening Theater emerges as a bastion of innovation and affluence, hosting a collection of transcendental automobiles, celebrated sports memorabilia, and horological masterpieces.

Within this exclusive enclave, collectors will lay eyes on machines that have not only traversed tracks but also the very frontiers of automotive engineering and motorsport heritage:

 

 

 

 

The 2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W04, with an estimated value of $10,000,000 - $15,000,000 USD, represents more than just a vehicle; it's the progenitor of the modern Silver Arrows, driven to glory by Lewis Hamilton. This car is the touchstone of the most triumphant era in recent motorsport history and serves as a poignant tribute to the legends like Caracciola, Moss, and Fangio. As the only one released from Mercedes' private collection and the harbinger of Hamilton's storied career, it's a veritable piece of F1 lore, capturing the final symphony of the V-8 engine's roar in the sport.

 

 

 

 

The 2021 McLaren Elva represents a confluence of rarity, performance, and design artistry, estimated at $1,800,000 to $2,400,000 and poised to claim its rightful place as a centerpiece in the esteemed collection. As the lightest and most radical road car to come from the storied marque, it offers an undiluted driving experience that is second to none. This particular example, chassis number 122 of only 149 ever produced, arrives in an impeccable showroom condition with a scant 93 miles displayed on its odometer, suggesting a life less ordinary, dedicated more to adoration than to the asphalt. Embellished with the stunning, iridescent Pacific Colourstream—a lavish $37,898 MSO feature—the Elva's appearance is as dynamic as its performance, with hues that dance and shift in the light. The vehicle's bespoke nature is accentuated by over $102,000 in customizations courtesy of McLaren Special Operations (MSO), ensuring its distinction as a truly one-of-a-kind supercar.

 

 

 

The exceptional 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, priced between $10,500,000 - $13,000,000 USD, captures the spirit of Mercedes-Benz’s legendary racing prowess. This is the third of only six examples ever created, making it an extraordinary collectible. Housing a powerful 6.9-liter V-12 engine and accompanied by a suite of fitted luggage, this vehicle presents a rare opportunity to own a slice of Mercedes-Benz’s championship-winning legacy. 

 

With just 170 kilometers on the clock, this automotive jewel has transitioned seamlessly from competition-grade performance to concours-level grandeur. It is a direct heir to the racing triumphs of the 1990s, a time when the C-Class coupes, particularly the 190 E Evo models, left competitors in the dust and withdrew in deference to Mercedes-Benz’s motorsport mastery.

 

 

 

 

The White Collection (Houston, Texas): December 1 - 2, 2023

 

 

 

"The White Collection" is dedicated exclusively to the veneration of Porsche, one of the most storied brands in automotive history. Assembled meticulously over a decade, this collection's remarkable focus on a single color—the iconic white of Porsche—sets it apart, with the event itself shrouded in the same level of mystique, held at a secret location in Houston, Texas.

Featuring 63 automotive lots, the heart of the collection includes 56 exquisite Porsche sports cars, complemented by a pair of Porsche tractors and other remarkable motorized treasures. Beyond the vehicles themselves, the auction promises a treasure trove of Porsche collectibles, impeccably preserved, with over 500 individual items available. This collection stands as a rare embodiment of the collector's vision, providing a sensory experience unlike any other.

 

 

The crown jewel of "The White Collection" is undoubtedly the 2015 Porsche 918 'Weissach' Spyder, a breathtaking and entirely unique rendition of Porsche’s modern hypercar. This particular vehicle is the epitome of individuality, having been customized with a paint-to-sample Grand Prix White exterior and matching color-magnesium wheels, combined with a Yachting Blue leather interior detailed with Bianco Leda piping. The accompanying Porsche Design Chronotimer and other accessories further enhance its uniqueness and collectibility.

 

 

 

The 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S X85 'Flat-Nose' represents another rare gem. As one of only 39 units tailored for the United States market, its 'Flat-Nose' design pays homage to the legendary 935 race car. With a mere 39 miles logged, it stands as a pristine example of Porsche's air-cooled era, a period revered by enthusiasts and collectors alike. Its Grand Prix White exterior and a lavish interior adorned with Rootwood and Cashmere Beige leather assert its rarity and the meticulous level of care it has received.

 

New York: December 8, 2023

 

Amidst the dynamic rhythms of New York City, RM Sotheby’s completes the year with an auction that marries automotive artistry with cinematic legend. A decade since its cinematic debut, the 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition by Bertone, which starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Wolf of Wall Street," is poised to steal the spotlight once more, among  five other supercars awaiting new stewardship.

 

 

 

Crafted to perfection with inputs from none other than Horacio Pagani, this iconic Countach boasts not just a 5.2-liter V-12 engine and a top speed of 183 mph, but also a vivid history that only a few vehicles can claim. Dressed in the exclusive Bianco Polo over Bianco, it's one of the dozen U.S.-spec models that carry this distinction, along with its original front bumper and rear wing.

 

As it prepares to change hands in New York, with an estimated valuation set between $1,500,000 and $2,000,000, this Lamborghini stands as a confluence of cinematic heritage and automotive excellence.

 

 

 

 

Whether you find yourself in the states or across the pond this holiday season, seize the opportunity to elevate your car collection with these exclusive offerings from one of RM Sotheby's curated events.

 

 

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