Santa Monica, Calif. (July 20, 2021) – The official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, Gooding & Company, has unveiled its catalogue for its live Pebble Beach Auctions, featuring an additional lineup of major, show-stopping consignments. Throughout its two-day sale on August 13 and 14, 2021, the auction house will present historic cars of top value and provenance from legendary marques including Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, Maserati, and BMW.
“We are humbled to have the privilege of presenting cars as valuable and remarkable as these, and are confident that they will garner the attention of all enthusiasts and collectors at our upcoming sale,” states Gooding & Company Founder and President, David Gooding. “We look forward to seeing these star cars on the auction stage and are thrilled to provide our clients with the rare opportunity of acquiring such delightful automotive icons.”
1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione (Estimate: $10,000,000 – $12,000,000) The Ferrari 250 GT California Spider is, without a doubt, among the most recognizable, admired, and collectible sports cars of all time. Initially developed at the behest of Ferrari’s West Coast representative, John von Neumann, the California Spider was envisioned as an open-air counterpart to the dual-purpose 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta and was aimed at the all-important North American market. Between 1957 and 1962, Ferrari built just 106 California Spiders: 50 examples of the original long-wheelbase (LWB) model, and 56 of the later short-wheelbase (SWB) variant. Further, of the 50 LWB California Spiders built, only about 10 were prepared new from the factory with competition features.
These factory hot-rodded California Spiders pulled their weight in racing, garnering wins in the SCCA’s B- and C-Production classes at major venues such as Bridgehampton, Nassau, Watkins Glen, and the 12 Hours of Sebring between 1959 and 1961. In Europe, where only a few LWB California Spiders were delivered, the model’s competition record was more limited. In fact, much of the model’s racing record in Italy can be directly traced to this particular example, chassis 1235 GT, which Ferrari built on special order for amateur racing driver Dott. Ottavio Randaccio. As documented in Ferrari’s build sheets, 1235 GT was originally intended for competition use, and came factory equipped with the latest, high-performance components.
At the heart of chassis 1235 GT is a tipo 128D engine, the latest version of the classic Colombo V-12, which served as the basis for the engine fitted to the 250 Testa Rossa. Not only did 1235 GT feature exceptional mechanical specifications, but its stylish body, produced by Carrozzeria Scaglietti, was also bespoke. This California Spider came fashioned with the beautiful and now highly sought-after covered headlamps, as well as a competition-type, quick-release external fuel filler. To top it all off, Randaccio fittingly had this Italian thoroughbred finished in the traditional tricolore (tricolor) livery, red with a white and green central stripe. After it was campaigned in several Italian circuit races and hill climbs, Randaccio entered the car in the final race of his career, the Coppa Inter-Europa di Monza. After this important race for GT cars, where Randaccio placed 5th overall, this example went on to pass through the hands of several Italian owners before making its way to the US in 1995.
Since 2004, this one-of-a-kind example has been cherished in a private collection, and under the current owner’s care underwent a high-quality restoration by leading Bay Area specialists, including the renowned Phil Reilly & Company of Corte Madera, California. Throughout the past 17 years, this Ferrari has been put to good use on numerous local tours and organized rallies, such as the Colorado Grand – always performing flawlessly in each event. Recently, the consigner decided to return this California Spider to its original livery, entrusting Moal Coachbuilders in Oakland, California with its cosmetic restoration. As a result, in the past year, 1235 GT has received an exacting bare-metal repaint, new upholstery, and fine detailing, all presented in its classic Italian tricolore livery as it appeared new in 1959.
In addition, the consignor’s efforts to research the history of this well-documented example has culminated in a robust history file, including a Marcel Massini report, period photos, registration documents, and restoration records. This sale also includes a rare accessory hardtop in wholly unrestored condition. This incredibly unique California Spider, never before seen at auction, presents serious collectors an incomparable opportunity to acquire an iconic, historically proven Ferrari.
1998 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR Strassenversion (Estimate: $8,500,000 – $10,000,000) Since its inception in 1967, AMG became an ever-present organization in the story of Mercedes-Benz’s performance and racing efforts, complementing the marque’s status of producing some of the world’s finest motorcars. When the FIA and promoter Stéphane Ratel introduced a new series called the FIA GT Championship in 1997, Mercedes-Benz and AMG were tasked with creating a car for the event based on the new CLK coupe. In just 128 days, AMG had test mules on the track, developing what would become one of Mercedes-Benz’s most iconic racing cars of the century – the CLK GTR.
With a mid-engine built on a chassis developed by Lola Composites of the UK, the GTR came powered by a modified, six-liter version of the M120 V-12 that was offered in numerous Mercedes-Benz road cars. The 1997 season went well for the German marque’s new creation, with the team winning six of the series’ 11 rounds and claiming the FIA GT championship against stiff competition. 1998 ushered in utter domination in the GT1 category for Mercedes-Benz, with the marque winning every round of that year’s championship. One of the unique requirements of the FIA GT series was that to homologate a model for inclusion in the championship, manufacturers had to build no fewer than 25 road-going versions of the cars to be raced, resulting in some of the most collectible and desirable cars of the era, including the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR offered here.
The ninth of 25 built, including 20 coupes and five roadsters, this GTR capably demonstrates the sheer power and perfection of this era of motor sports. Based on the same architecture of the racing cars, but with subtle changes that make it more roadworthy, this GTR boasts a 6.9-liter engine that produces the same level of horsepower as the racing GTR. Its interior is also trimmed like that of any Mercedes-AMG road car, with leather and Alcantara or suede cloaking all necessary surfaces. The dashboard is typical of 1990s Mercedes-Benz, with the analog gauge cluster looking peculiarly pedestrian in such a wildly powerful machine.
This CLK GTR overall presents as a pure race car in its truest essence, and it makes an incredible impression on all who are lucky enough to witness it. Intensely purposeful and relentlessly attractive, and, although it is festooned with scoops, vents, and aerodynamic appendages, the car still remains a true Mercedes-Benz, through and through. Sold new in 1997 to a buyer in Germany, this example has switched very few hands, being purchased by the consignor in 2018. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer displayed just 1,442 km, making it an exceedingly special automotive treasure. It also comes accompanied by a plethora of important items originally delivered with the car, including manuals, the original carbon front undertray, which was at some point replaced, its hard shipping case containing its numbered battery charger, a torque wrench and socket for the wheels, and wooden blocks to rest the car on while using its onboard hydraulic jacks.
This seminal Mercedes-Benz comes to auction at a time when enthusiasm for homologation specials could not be stronger. This CLK GTR exceeds expectations, capturing the essence of a legendary racing series while offering the qualities of an exemplary road-going car. Whether it is driven or displayed, this Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR could not be any more enticing or attractive to enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
1957 Maserati 200 SI (Estimate: $4,000,000 – $4,500,000) Introduced in 1955, the Maserati 150, 200, and 250 series of sports racers were geared towards privateer owners, featuring a four-cylinder engine connected to a four-speed, and later five-speed, gearbox. In 1956, a larger-displacement variant was offered, called the 200S, which had a corresponding increase in capacity to just under two liters, and increased horsepower by 45 bhp, now standing at 185. Soon after, a variant named the 200 SI was introduced, with the “I” standing for Internazionale, denoting the model’s compliance with new FIA Appendix C regulations. 200 SIs were generally fitted with five-speed gearboxes, larger brakes, and an additional five horsepower. The 200S and SI were bodied by Fantuzzi, and the sleek shape featured the coachbuilder’s long and low nose.
The 200 SI offered here, chassis 2423, was completed on June 13, 1957 and sent by Maserati Corporation of America to Houston. It was delivered new to Gaylord Jackson of Chattanooga, Tennessee, who entered it in races for up-and-coming driver Joe Sheppard from Tampa, Florida. Sheppard raced the brand-new Maserati in a number of important races, and in 1958, he traveled to New Smyrna Beach to partake in the Paul Whiteman Trophy race. Sheppard won the race with chassis 2423, and wonderful photos of the driver posing with the Paul Whiteman trophy are included in the car’s history file. After its brief but significant racing career, this Maserati was stored as a static car until it was purchased in the early 1970s for $6,000 by Dale Powers. Mr. Powers cleaned the car and rubbed out the dull paint, selling it shortly thereafter to a buyer through well-known dealer Stanley Nowak for $16,000.
After a number of owners, in 2000, the car was raced by then-owner Brian Brunkhorst in the Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge before it was sold to Charles Wegner of Chicago. Wegner campaigned the car extensively, winning the Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge Drum-Brake Championship circa 2004. In 2008, the Maserati’s engine block was replaced with a new 2.5-liter engine sourced by Vintage Restoration Services and built by the renowned Rick Bunkfeldt. The older engine, which includes the cylinder head stamped 2423, is included with the car at auction in a disassembled state.
In 2014, the current owner purchased this example and made it a prized part of his collection of significant Italian sports racers. The 200 SI has been used sparingly on the road since then, and comes accompanied by an extensive history file and large cache of spare parts, including the original riveted fuel tank and two sets of Borrani wheels. An alluring choice for both collectors and racers alike, this rare and capable 200 SI is eminently eligible for a number of important road rallies, including the Mille Miglia, possibly the world’s greatest vintage motoring event. As an exceptionally desirable Maserati 200 SI with known history from new, 2423 represents a rare opportunity to buy a gorgeous, versatile, and potent 1950s Italian sports racer.
1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT (Estimate: $3,400,000 – $3,800,000) Launched at the 1958 Paris Salon, the DB4 ushered in an exciting new era for Aston Martin and its road models. It would also serve as the basis for the competition-oriented DB4 GT, which was crafted to defeat the Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France. Developed under Aston Martin racing manager John Wyer, the DB4 GT debuted at the London Motor Show in 1959 and was shorter, lighter, and more powerful than the standard DB4. Of the 75 standard DB4 GTs built by Aston Martin between 1959 and 1962, 45 were right-hand-drive cars and 30 were specified in left-hand drive for export markets.
Not only is this car, chassis DB4GT/0154/L, one of the exclusive left-hand-drive examples, but it also possesses a remarkable pedigree, having been delivered new to one of the greatest motor sports personalities of the era and then campaigned in a variety of races, rallies, and hill climbs by its second owner. This example was completed in June 1961 and finished in the sophisticated color scheme of Goodwood Green with red Connolly leather upholstery. Chassis DB4GT/0154/L was equipped with Dunlop RS5 tires and a 3.54:1 rear axle with Powr-Lok limited-slip differential. It was delivered new to its first owner, the Geneva-based Georges Filipinetti, who was well known in racing circles for establishing one of Europe’s most successful private racing teams – Scuderia Filipinetti. Wealthy and well-connected, Filipinetti’s team always campaigned the latest, most competitive machinery, fostering up-and-coming talent including some of the best Swiss drivers: Jo Siffert, Herbert Müller, Heinz Schiller, Dieter Spoerry, and Rico Steinemann.
In 1962, the DB4 GT was sent to its second owner, Dr. Gwer E. Reichen of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, who prepared the car for future competition use with shorter gears and a Bosch brake servo. Dr. Reichen regularly drove the DB4 GT in countless events, hill climbs, and slaloms, and over the next three decades, the car accumulated nearly 100,000 km on the road, as displayed on the odometer in the early 1990s. After transferring hands just one more time, the car was acquired in 2016 and imported into the US by the consignor, who is only the fourth owner in 60 years of the car’s existence. Under his ownership, the DB4 GT was driven on a tour in France’s Provence region and maintained by noted Aston Martin specialists Steel Wings of Ivyland, Pennsylvania.
Today, this highly attractive, comprehensively restored DB4 GT is presented in its original livery and equipped with a period Motorola radio. As a factory left-hand-drive DB4 GT with superb provenance and period competition history, 0154/L must be considered among the most desirable of all Aston Martins ever produced. Undoubtedly one of the finest dual-purpose GT cars of its generation, its fortunate fifth owner will surely be acquiring an Aston Martin of extraordinary quality and distinction.
1958 BMW 507 Series II (Estimate: $2,400,000 – $2,800,000) Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in late 1955, the BMW 507 roadster, designed by Count Albrecht von Goertz, stole the show. So pure and perfect from every angle, the new BMW roadster immediately took its place among the greatest automotive designs of all time. Not only did the 507 look like a true sports car, it also performed like one, too. With a rigid box frame, upgraded suspension, four-speed synchromesh gearbox, and large Alfin drum brakes, the 507 possessed an ideal foundation for BMW’s robust twin-carb V-8 engine. Production of the 507 commenced in 1956 and ended in 1959, with just 254 examples built. The limited-production V-8 roadster quickly became the most desirable postwar model produced by the Munich-based marque.
The BMW 507 presented here, chassis 70110, is a desirable Series II model, of which 218 examples were built. 70110 was completed in 1958 and finished in Silbergrau (Silver Grey), and came factory equipped with a hardtop and exhaust tips. Upon completion, this example was displayed in the BMW Pavilion in Munich. It was then shipped to Caracas, making it one of just 13 BMW 507s delivered new to oil-rich Venezuela. After its brief appointment in South America, the car returned to Europe, where it remained for the next five decades. In May 2014, 70110 returned to BMW Classic for an extensive inspection and factory expertise report, and a bound copy of the report is included with the car at auction. Owned by American collectors for the past five years, this BMW has only been displayed once, at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in August 2016. With its factory-correct Silver Grey finishing, red leather upholstery, and contrasting dark hardtop, this 507 is sensational in appearance and is highlighted by its ultra-rare Rudge knock-off wheels and period-correct whitewall tires.
Among the most iconic, beautiful, and desirable European sports cars of the 1950s, the BMW 507 is a highly sought-after model by discerning collectors. These exceedingly rare examples are eligible for the most exclusive concours d’elegance and driving events, including the Mille Miglia and Colorado Grand. As the ultimate representation of achievement from BMW, a high-quality 507 is a rare find – let alone a desirable Series II example such as this one. The beautifully restored and carefully maintained 70110 is surely among the finest 507s in existence.
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (Estimate: $2,000,000 – $2,500,000) Mercedes-Benz introduced the 300 SL Roadster in 1957, building a total of 1,858 examples until production ceased in 1963. Only 26 were built during the SL’s last year of production, with the final six completed in the first week of February. Due to the efforts of Gull Wing Group member Dr. Frank Spellman, these late-production Roadsters were all carefully documented with factory- and owner-supplied records, representing the culmination of the extraordinary 300 SL project –– the most advanced and sophisticated expression of an iconic model.
The 300 SL presented here is among the exclusive group of Roadsters built in February 1963. Chassis 3255 was the fourth-from-last car assembled, and was elegantly finished in Weissgrau DB 158 (White Gray) with a Graphitgrau DB 190 (Graphite Gray) hardtop and black leather upholstery – a unique specification among this rare breed. Today, this 300 SL Roadster presents beautifully in all respects. Completed in its attractive original color scheme and properly equipped with preferred European lighting, 3255 is outfitted with some of the most sought-after options and accessories available for the model, including: the optional factory hardtop, tool kit, Hepco luggage, serial-numbered Alfred Baisch seat belts, and ultra-rare Rudge-style hubcaps produced in period by Bullock Accessories International of California. Of all the 300 SL Roadsters ever produced, few special examples are as rare and renowned as the car presented here with its unique specifications, original engine, and “hen’s teeth” period accessories.
In addition to this strikingly remarkable group of consignments, the catalogue for Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach Auctions also highlights a well-documented 1952 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback (Estimate: $1,000,000 – $1,250,000) featuring coachwork by H.J. Mulliner, an extensively restored 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight (Estimate: $900,000 – $1,100,000), and a rare 1965 Aston Martin DB5 (Estimate: $800,000 – $900,000) featuring coachwork by Touring. Interested parties are encouraged to contact specialists and inquire about the auction house’s in-person and online bidding capabilities for the upcoming sale.
The Pebble Beach Auctions Dates: Friday, August 13, at 5 p.m. PDT, and Saturday, August 14, at 11 a.m. PDT Location: Pebble Beach Parc du Concours Public preview: Wednesday, August 11, through Saturday, August 14 Auction catalogues: $100, includes admission for two to the viewing and the auction General admission: $40, includes admission for one to the viewing and the auction Live auction broadcast: www.goodingco.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoodingandCompany Twitter: @goodingandco #goodingpebble Instagram: @goodingandcompany #goodingpebble YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/GoodingandCompany Phone: 310.899.1960
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