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The world’s fastest naturally aspirated production car, serial no. 018 is one of just two McLaren F1 examples
upgraded to Le Mans specification by the factory, equipped with the GTR engine and an extra high-downforce
package that went above and beyond the coachwork effects of the original five LM cars. Used on a handful of
tours and rallies, the fastidiously-cared-for McLaren was offered at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction in
exceptional condition, showing just 21,500 km; the best imaginable iteration of an already perfect machine.
Another record-setting moment came when a pop culture icon and “the most famous car in the world,” a 1965
James Bond Aston Martin DB5, sold for a final $6,385,000 (est. $4m/6m) during ‘An Evening with Aston
Martin,’ hosted in partnership with Aston Martin Works and Aston Martin Lagonda on a special Thursday
evening sale. The DB5, chassis no. DB5/2008/R, is one of just three surviving James Bond 007 DB5
examples outfitted with the legendary MI6 Q Branch specified gadgetry from new as seen in Goldfinger and
as used in the promotion of Thunderball. Recently fully restored by Roos Engineering in Switzerland, with all
gadgetry fully functioning as Q intended, the DB5 drew significant attention in the lead up to the Monterey
auction and during the pre-sale exhibition. The Bond car was the subject of a four-and-a-half-minute bidding
competition between interested parties in the room and on the phone, eventually selling to an enthusiastic
bidder present in the sale room to become the most valuable DB5 sold at auction.
On Saturday night, it was Ferraris that took top billing. Highlights were led by the late-production, matching
numbers, Classiche-certified1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, which was offered without reserve and
achieved a final $8,145,000 (est. $8m/10m. Bidding on the stunningly restored Ferrari was spirited throughout
the lot as it opened at $5,000,000 and proceeded to reach its hammer price in a few short minutes with bids
originating from the room and on the telephone.
Modern Ferraris were also in high demand on Saturday night, with the Ming Collection, an exceptional group
of seven all-red, incredibly low-mileage Ferrari performance and supercars bringing strong prices across the
group, with nearly all lots reaching or exceeding high estimate. The Ming Collection was led by the sale of a
rare 2006 Ferrari FXX in “time capsule” condition at a final $3,525,000 to set a new world record for the
model at auction (est. $2.85m/3.25m). There was spirited bidding across all cars offered out of the Collection
and it was certainly a strong indicator of the continued demand for modern performance cars in virtually
“as-new” condition. The beautifully preserved 1995 Ferrari F50 on offer in Monterey was also sold
immediately following the auction for a final $3,000,000.
Kenneth Ahn, President, RM Sotheby’s, commented following the sale:
“We were delighted to see an increased number of registered bidders with over 1,400 at this year’s Monterey
auction. However, it appears the macroeconomic concerns and headlines in the financial markets earlier in
the week were correlated with the observed softening of the collector car market in Monterey this weekend –
including total sales, sell-through rates, and average prices achieved compared to last year across all auction
houses. The team at RM Sotheby’s was proud to present an exceptional lineup of cars, and some of the truly
rare and desirable examples remained in high demand as evidenced by spirited bidding, often reaching record
prices. We remain cautiously optimistic about the strength of the collector car market and plan to work
diligently with our global clients to effectively navigate the market as it finds balance.”
Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s, adds:
“While there was an undertone of measured restraint throughout all the auctions over the weekend, it was
encouraging to see record-breaking results for many of the highlight consignments as well as for outstanding
collectable, lower value examples in the auction. In particular, seeing the as-new Ming Collection sell with
such broad enthusiasm and pre-auction interest, continues to show that client demand for near-perfect
late-model examples remains as strong as ever. Coupled with equally impressive results for historically
significant cars such as the Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype, the James Bond Aston Martin DB5, and the
Ferrari 250 GT SWB, we are confident that as long as the passion for collector cars remains, the market will
continue to support it with price-reflective transactions.”
Additional highlights witnessed by a packed auction room over the course of the three-night sale include: the
rare 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake, which garnered extensive pre-sale interest to sell for a final
$1,765,000, exceeding estimate (est. $1m/1.4m) and becoming the most valuable Shooting Brake bodied-car
of any marque sold at auction; the 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype, influential in the development of
Detroit’s first and legendary purpose-built prototype-class race car, which sold for $7,650,000 (est. $7m/9m);
a unique 2005 Porsche Carrera GT finished in paint-to-sample Arancio Boreallis, which sold for a final
$1,193,000 to set a new auction record for the model; an exceptionally rare and thoroughly original 1967
Porsche 911 S ‘Rallye’ which awed the crowded room as a sustained bidding competition brought it to a
final $912,500, nearly tripling high estimate (est. $250k/325k); and a diminutive and cheerful 1967 Ferves
Ranger, one of a believed 50 remaining, stole hearts as it climbed to a final $196,000 (est. $30k/40k, offered
without reserve).
Furthering the company’s efforts to give back to the city in which it has operated, and which has supported its
growth for the last 40 years, RM Sotheby’s offered a Richard Mille RM11-03 watch, donated by the
watchmaker himself with all proceeds to benefit the RM Children’s Treatment Center of Chatham-Kent Fund, a
cause near and dear to the hearts of the entire RM Sotheby’s team. The watch sold for a final $216,000 on
the third evening of sales to a generous bidder in the room (est. $125k/150k).
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