2015 RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba Auction (Preview)

1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione – © Tim Scott / RM Sotheby’s

Two Ferrari 250 GTs headline the RM Sotheby’s classic car auction at Villa Erba during the 2015 Villa d’Este Concorse d’Eleganza on Lake Como in Italy: a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione by Scaglietti (Estimate: Available Upon Request) and a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti (est. €11,000,000 – €13,000,000). This biannual auction is often the most prestigious European sale for RM Sotheby’s and in 2015 will feature a select 37 classic and collector cars including 17 Ferraris. Around a third of the cars on offer are expected so sell for in excess of a million dollar.

See also: 2015 RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba Auction Results

RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba Classic Car Auction in 2015

1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione
© Tim Scott / RM Sotheby’s

Every second year, RM Sotheby’s arranges a classic car auction at Villa Erba to coincide with the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este weekend on Lake Como in Northern Italy. This bi-annual auction, which rotates with Monaco, is usually the elite European event of the year for RM Sotheby’s with some of the most remarkable cars on offer.

The RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba is scheduled for May 23, 2015. In 2015, 37 cars will be on offer including 17 Ferraris. The Ferraris range from a 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter Berlinetta to a more recent 2002 Enzo.

In 2015, no fewer than 15 of the cars on offer have upper estimates exceeding a million euro. These include nine Ferraris.

Million Dollar Cars at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba Sale 2015

The following cars on offer at the 2015 Sotheby’s Villa Erba classic car auction have upper estimates exceeding a million dollar each:

Year Car Estimate
1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione by Scaglietti Upon Request
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti €11.000.000 – €13.000.000
1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta by Touring €5.500.000 – €7.000.000
1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta ‘Lusso’ by Scaglietti €1.800.000 – €2.200.000
1985 Ferrari 288 GTO €1.600.000 – €2.000.000
1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pinin Farina €1.400.000 – €2.000.000
1950 Ferrari 195 Inter Berlinetta by Ghia €1.250.000 – €1.650.000
1953 Fiat 8V Cabriolet by Vignale €1.100.000 – €1.400.000
1930 Minerva AL Cabriolet by Van den Plas €1.100.000 – €1.390.000
1996 Ferrari F50 €1.050.000 – €1.350.000
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Sport Lightweight €950.000 – €1.350.000
1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S by Bertone €900.000 – €1.400.000
1955 Austin-Healey 100S €900.000 – €1.100.000
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster €850.000 – €1.000.000
2002 Ferrari Enzo €800.000 – €1.000.000

1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione

Yellow 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione
© Tim Scott / RM Sotheby’s

The stunning 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione by Scaglietti (Estimate: Available Upon Request) will headline the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba sale. This car is one of around 45 aluminum-bodied competition versions produced in 1960 as dual-purpose grand tourers: owners could race it, simply use it as a blistering fast road car, or do both.

The early owners of this 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione preferred not to race the car. This contributes to its excellent condition but this is balanced out by the premium that a successful racing history can bring to the value of these cars. It is only in recent years that this Ferrari has participated on the vintage racing circuit

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti
© Tim Scott / RM Sotheby’s

The second headline car at the auction will be a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti (est. €11,000,000 – €13,000,000). It was the 18th of only 56 short-wheelbase California Spiders produced and one of only 16 open-headlight versions. Rare for a California Spider, this Ferrari remained in Europe rather than being exported to the USA.

Blue 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti
© Tim Scott / RM Sotheby’s

Ferrari 250 GT California Spiders are amongst the most desirable, and most-expensive, cars ever produced. A buyer paid $18 million for a battered example at the 2015 Artcurial auction in Paris.

In contrast, this 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider is fully restored and certified by Ferrari Classiche. It was displayed at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello and received a Mention of Honor at the 2013 Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza.

1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta by Touring

1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta by Touring
© Tim Scott / RM Sotheby’s

The 1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta by Touring (est. €5,500,000 – €7,000,000) was the final race-ready “Export” model produced of the 212 series. It was successfully raced during its earlier years including participating in the 1956 Mille Miglia. The car is thus eligible for many of the greatest historic racing events including the Mille Miglia, historic Monaco GP and the Le Mans Classic.

1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta ‘Lusso’ by Scaglietti

1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta 'Lusso' by Scaglietti
© Jason Dodd / RM Sotheby’s

The 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta ‘Lusso’ by Scaglietti (est. €1,800,000 – €2,200,000) was the 84th of 350 produced. It is in its original color scheme of Pino Verde over beige leather with the interior believed to be original. Although the luxurious version of the 250 GT, the Lusso was still capable of a top speed of 240 km/h and a 0-100 km/h sprint in eight seconds.

1985 Ferrari 288 GTO

Red 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO
© Remi Dargegen / RM Sotheby’s

The 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO (est. €1,600,000 – €2,000,000) was built for road-use to allow entry into the FIA Group B rally racing. Although the series was cancelled, Ferrari produced 272 examples of the new GTO. At the time of its launch it was with a top speed of 189 mph the fastest road car ever produced. Although one of the first 288 GTOs produced, this car has covered only 31,000 miles since new.

1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pinin Farina

1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pinin Farina
© Tim Scott / RM Sotheby’s

The 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II by Pinin Farina (est. €1,400,000 – €2,000,000) is the fourth 250 GT on offer at Villa Erba and the only one with body by Pinin Farina. This car was the 89th of 201 Series II cabriolets produced. It was originally owned by French billionaire Pierre Schlumberger, who kept the car for around 25 years while living in France, the USA, and Portugal. The car is in an unrestored but very well maintained condition and comes with its original tool kit.

1950 Ferrari 195 Inter Berlinetta by Ghia

1950 Ferrari 195 Inter Berlinetta by Ghia
© Tom Wood / RM Sotheby’s

The 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter Berlinetta by Ghia (est. €1,250,000 – €1,650,000) was the 4th of only 36 Ferraris bodied by Ghia. This car was originally shown at the 1951 Brussels Auto Show before being purchased by Leon Sven, the manager of the Spa Francochamp race circuit. The car participated in the 1957 Liège-Rome-Liège rally and in recent Mille Miglia Storica races.

1953 Fiat 8V Cabriolet by Vignale

1953 Fiat 8V Cabriolet by Vignale
© Tim Scott / RM Sotheby’s

The 1953 Fiat 8V Cabriolet by Vignale (est. €1,100,000 – €1,400,000) will be another attempt by a Fiat owner to obtain Ferrari money at an auction. The car on offer is the only cabriolet of the 10 8V chassis fitted with coachwork by Vignale. A 1953 Fiat 8V Coupe received a highest bid of $1,2 million at the Gooding 2015 Amelia Island sale, well short of the $1.6 – $2 million estimate.

1930 Minerva AL Cabriolet by Van den Plas

1930 Minerva AL Cabriolet by Van den Plas
© Erik Fuller / RM Sotheby’s

The 1930 Minerva AL Cabriolet by Van den Plas (est. €1,100,000 – €1,390,000) is the only surviving Minerva AL cabriolet and one of only eight known ALs. The beautifully restored car won amongst others Best of Class in 2007 at both the Pebble Beach and Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. It is arguably the finest car ever produced in Belgium.

1996 Ferrari F50

Red 1996 Ferrari F50
© Remi Dargegen / RM Sotheby’s

The 1996 Ferrari F50 (est. €1,050,000 – €1,350,000) on offer was the 215th of 349 F50s produced. The F50 was built to give wealthy customers a driving experience as close as possible to driving a Formula 1 car on a regular road. The strict limit on production – one less than Luca di Montezemolo believed the market demanded – contributes to the higher prices demanded for F50s. In contrast, a Ferrari F40, of which 1311 were made, generally needs a special provenance to achieve a million dollars. A 1991 Ferrari F40 on offer at Villa Erba has an estimate of €700,000 to €900,000.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Sport Lightweight

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Sport Lightweight
© Tim Scott / RM Sotheby’s

The 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Sport Lightweight (est. €950,000 – €1,350,000) will be at least the seventh 911 on offer this year at public auctions aiming to sell in excess of a million dollar. Thus far in 2015, only one has managed it while three had bids in excess of a million dollar rejected. The Porsche on offer is one of 200 M471 lightweight sport version produced. It had only four previous owners and is freshly restored.

1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S by Bertone

1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S by Bertone
© Bernard Canonne / RM Sotheby’s

The 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S by Bertone (est. €900,000 – €1,400,000) was one of the last Miura P400 S cars produced. It was recently refurbished and has covered only 30,000 km from new. In recent months, several Miuras have sold for more than a million and as usual that encourage more owners to test the market.

1955 Austin-Healey 100S

1955 Austin-Healey 100S
© Dom Romney / RM Sotheby’s

The 1955 Austin-Healey 100S (est. €900,000 – €1,100,000) is one of 39 surviving examples of the 50 built. It was originally raced in California and is eligible for many historic events including the Mille Miglia Storica, Le Mans Classic, Goodwood and the Colorado Grand. A similar Healy sold for just over a million dollar at the RM Sotheby’s 2015 Amelia Island auction.

1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
© Tim Scott / RM Sotheby’s

The 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (est. €850,000 – €1,000,000) comes with a more realistic estimate than has been seen at some recent auctions. While the 300 SL is still one of the most desirable cars in the world, they are not particularly rare, as is confirmed by having at least one on offer in virtually every major classic car auction. The car on offer at Villa Erba is a matching-numbers example with a rare factory removable hardtop and a great color scheme.

2002 Ferrari Enzo

Yellow 2002 Ferrari Enzo
© Tim Scott / RM Sotheby’s

The 2002 Ferrari Enzo (est. €800,000 – €1,000,000) is the only 21st-century car on offer at Villa Erba with a chance of selling for more than a million. This Ferrari Enzo was the 2002 Paris Auto Show car where the Enzo was launched as the successor to the F50. Only 400 Enzos were produced and all were sold before production started.

See also: 2015 RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba Auction Results