Six cars to watch at RM Sotheby's Amelia Island auction

Six cars to watch at RM Sotheby's Amelia Island auction

This 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica 

PHOTO BY RM SOTHEBY'S

FERRARI 400 SUPERAMERICA SHORT-WHEELBASE CABRIOLET HEADLINES SALE

RM Sotheby's is returning to Amelia Island for their annual sale, marking the first sale since Sotheby's took an ownership interest in RM Auctions. Last year's auction brought just under $36 million in sales, with an impressive 97 percent sell-through rate that moved 91 classic cars in the single-day sale held at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. The top sale ended up being a1937 Delahaye 135 Competition Court Torpedo Roadster that brought $6.6 million on auction day, hailing from the Malcom Pray collection that saw a significant paring-down that year. That result actually set a single-car record for all auctions held in conjunction with the annual concours event. The second highest sale in 2014 was a 1958 BMW 507 Series II Roadster that brought $2.42 million, reflecting a hike in interest for the model. That BMW also came from the Malcolm Pray collection, which was resposible for a lion's share of the top ten results.

The lineup heading into this weekend has no shortage of cars from well-known collections, with RM Sotheby's once again valuing quality over quantity when it comes to the number of lots.

Here are six cars to watch this weekend.

The last variant of the Testarossa, the Ferrari F512 M has always been tough to spot at auctions as collectors are still "aging" them, but the upcoming Amelia Island sale will offer an example from 1995. Powered by a 4,943 cc flat 12-cylinder engine with Bosch Motronic fuel injection producing 440 hp, this F512 M is one of just 75 cars that were completed for the U.S. market, and it is also an examle of the marque's last flat-twelve engine.

This particular Ferrari shows a claimed 11,000 miles from new, and is said to be well-preserved. It had a timing belt service just 150 miles ago, in 2012, if you're concerned about such things, though we have trouble seeing this car racking up thousands of miles immediately after it changes hands this weekend. RM Sotheby's estimates this example to bring between $325,000 and $375,000 on auction day.

One of the stars of the auction will undoubtedly be this 1955 Jaguar D-Type. An example of one of the most beloved Le Mans cars, this is one of fifty four produced for privateer racers in the mid-1950s, and is powered by a 3,781cc DOHC inline six-cylinder producing 300 hp. Finished in British Racing Green, this car was originally sold to a customer in Helsinki, Finland. A car that enjoyed a long racing history in Finland, this example was disassembled in the 1960s and was eventually put back together from two cars that bore its components. Now restored, RM Sotheby's estimates this example to bring between $3,750,000 and $4,250,000, as it is believed to be one of the most original examples of the D-Type remaining.

A rare model that does not come to market often, the BMW 302 Cabriolet by Baur is powered by a 3,168 cc alloy V8 engine producing 120 hp. A sedan that was first introduced by BMW in 1951, the 502 was built in coupe and cabriolet form by Baur starting in 1956. Just 57 examples of the two-door cabrio were made, and this example is stated to be one of two known to be in the U.S. RM Sotheby's estimates this example to bring between $250,000 and $350,000.

One of the most-watched pre-war cars at the weekend sale will likely be this 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500/540 K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen. One of just 33 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A examples built, this model was first shown at the Berlin Motor Show in 1934, Powered by 5,410 cc inline-eight, the Cabriolet combined a long wheelbase with a rakish, elegant headline. Brought to the U.S. in 1961, this example was eventually restored and has been successfully campaigned in the Colorado Grand. Believed to be one of just 11 in existence, this Mercedes-Benz is estimated to bring between $2.9 million and $3.5 million.

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 Porsche 911 Speedsters from 1989 have been climbing in value, and we have seen a number of examples trade hands in recent months at the Scottsdale auctions and other venues. RM Sotheby's will offer a wide-body turbo-look example with optional sport seats that displays a claimed 6,417 miles from new at Amelia Island this weekend. This example is finished in Guards Red over tan leather and was originally supplied to California. One of 823 U.S.-specification Speedsters made for 1989, this 911 is estimated to bring between $200,000 and $250,000 on auction day. Air-cooled 911 values have been surging lately, and collectors will be keeping their eyes on just about every example prior to the 993 generation cars -- although 933-generation cars are making moves of their own.

Heading into the sale, the all eyes will be on this 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet by Pinin Farina, estimated to bring between $6 million and $7 million. Powered by a 3,967cc V12 engine with three Weber 46 DCF carburetors producing 340 hp, this Ferrari is one of just seven short-wheelbase Superamericas produced. When it comes to this model, the 400 Superamerica SWB cabriolets have been valued by collectors above other models, and this example with chassis number 1945 SA is finished in a rare Verde Bottiglia over a Rosso Connolly leather interior.