If you're feeling sorry for the rich guys due to the recession stop right here. RM Auctions' inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco has just achieved $45,101,139 in total sales, matching the highest-dollar single-day collector car auction in history, which was also produced by RM. (A little flag waving from this north-of-the-49th blogger, folks, as RM is a remarkably successful Canadian firm.)
The event's top seller was a rare 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet SWB by Pininfarina, which achieved a new world record for a Superamerica when it sold for $3,799,600.
Other record-breaking highlights included a stunning 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Competition Cabriolet, achieving $2,431,744; an historic 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Le Mans Racer, going under the gavel for $1,010,694; and a very famous 1934 Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp Phantom II All Weather Cabriolet known as The Star of India. The latter went for a mere $873,908.
Most intriguing was story behind the sale's cover car, the 1937 BMW 328 MM "Buegelfalte," considered one of the world's most significant pre-war sports racing cars. It had reached a high bid of $5,835,100 but staggering though that may be, it wasn't enough to meet the owner's minimum. And yet the car exchanged hands less than 24 hours later for a confidential sum. Oh, to have been a fly upon the wall when that happened!
Following the sale the crowd took to their reserved grandstand seats to watch the Monaco vintage Grand Prix, then returned to their villas to await the 2010 F1 race on the 16th. Okay, perhaps they didn't, but that's what I would have done if I were among the wealthy. Only then would I drive my Star of India to the docks in Marseilles for shipment back to Canada.
Wonderful commentary Philip. Makes me wish I was there, in at all the events. Perhaps some day Sigh……
May 6, 2010 @ 9:37 am