The pinnacle of early US sporting cars, a 1912 Simplex 5
Passenger Torpedo Tourer first owned by legendary American
sportswoman, Eleonora Sears, a gift from Harold Vanderbilt, was
the ace of the Bonhams Scottsdale Auction today, selling for
$4.8 million, a world record for both a Simplex and a car of
that era.
Bonhams’ US season-opener at Scottsdale realized a total of $30
million, with 84% sold and 97% by value. Ranging from pre-war
to 21st racing cars, the 125-lot sale presented a wide spectrum of
the highest caliber of collector cars for the 11th edition of the
Bonhams Arizona auction.
A top result for supercars this week, was the ultimate track day car from the 21st century, a 2006 Maserati
MC12 Corse, developed from the GT1 racing car.One of only a dozen Corses produced,this box fresh
example, which had only covered 123 miles from new, raced away for $4.1 million.
Rupert Banner, Bonhams Group Motoring Director, said: “This has been a promising start to the year.
We were proud to have presented such a strong sale, of such high-quality material spanning pre-war material
to supercar content.”
Other highlights include:
1958 BMW 507 Series II Roadster, sold for $2 million
This is the 110th of only 253 BMW 507 series made, and is further distinguished by the factory color
"Silbergrau" metallic silver, with only 21 examples ever made.
1953 Siata 208S Spider, sold for $1.5 million
This exquisite V8-powered sportscar, with coachwork by Motto, restored to factory-specification, was a
Pebble Beach class winner and was eligible for the Mille Miglia Storica.
2005 Porsche Carrera GT, sold for $1million
This powerful Porsche Carrera GT, finished from the factory in stealth Basalt Black Metallic over a black
leather interior. The car was manufactured at Porsche's bespoke Carrera GT facility during October of 2004,
as a 2005 model-year, US-market car.
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS, sold for $1.5 million
This remarkable, matching numbers example of the timeless Ferrari 275 GTS with Coachwork by and Design
by Pininfarina, also benefits from a concise and well-researched chain of ownership - including a documented
33-year period of care by one devoted owner - in addition to a spectacular restoration performed by the Ferrari
specialists at Motion Products (MPI) and North Coast Exotics.
Also commanding attention before the sale and at the rostrum was the late John White’s prestigious
Ramshead Collection, which registered white glove results, selling collectively for $3 million. Highlights
from the collection was a transatlantic trio of mid-century Chrysler Ghia show cars, which had all
enjoyed later success at Pebble Beach. Leading the way was the futuristic one-off concept 1957 Chrysler
Ghia Super Dart 400, which achieved $819,000. Its stablemate 1954 Chrysler Ghia GS-1 Coupé, one of
only five survivors of nine produced made $802,000, while a 1962 Chrysler Ghia L6.4 sold for $577,000.
Looking ahead, the Bonhams Collector Cars team is currently preparing for a major 2023 global season. Next
up is Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris in February, followed by the Amelia Island Auction in
March,highlighted by a 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Sports Tourer, a No Reserve1966 Ferrari 500 Superfast
Series 2, and acollection of rediscovered Jaguars, including one of three works built lightweight XK120
racers, campaigned by US Formula 1 World Champion Phil Hill.
