2017 Bonhams Scottsdale Classic Car Auction Results

Bonhams’ Scottsdale 2017 top results were record prices for a Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition, a Ferrari 340 America Competizione and a 1928 Mercedes Benz Typ S.

1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition
1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition © Bonhams

The highest price paid at the Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 classic car auction was $7,370,000 for a 1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition making this low-mileage, three-owner car with in period competition history the most-expensive E-Type ever. The second highest result was $6,380,000 for a 1952 Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione, also a new world record for the model. A 1928 Mercedes Benz Typ S 26/120/180 Supercharged Sports Tourer sold for $4,812,500 while a 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 5th Series Supercharged Gran Sport Spider sold for just above estimate at $2,805,000. Seven cars achieved results above a million dollar at the auction.

Top Ten Results at Bonhams Scottsdale 2017

Bonhams held its sixth annual collector car auction during the Scottsdale Car Week in 2017 on 19 January 2017 at the Westin Keiland Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Bonhams earned more than $36 million from the just over 100 cars that were on offer with relatively high 82% sell-through rate.

The ten highest results at the 2017 Bonhams Scottsdale classic car auction in Phoenix, Arizona, were:

Year Car Price ($)
1 1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition 7,370,000
2 1952 Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione 6,380,000
3 1928 Mercedes Benz Typ S 26/120/180 Supercharged Sports Tourer 4,812,500
4 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 V Series Supercharged Grand Sport Spider 2,805,000
5 1964 Porsche 904 GTS 2,310,000
6 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB 1,732,500
7 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet 1,430,000
8 1913 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP London-Edinburgh Silver Ghost Sports Tourer 698,000
9 1955 Austin-Healey 100S Sports Racing 539,000
10 1956 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster 528,000

The three highest unsuccessful bids at the auction were:

  • $10,650,000 for a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
  • $2,350,000 for a 2003 Ferrari Enzo
  • $1,250,000 for a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder

Million-Dollar Cars at Bonhams Scottsdale 2017

Although the 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, the headline car at the Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 auction, failed to sell, the other million-dollar cars mostly performed near expectations.

1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition

1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition
© Bonhams

The top result at the Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 auction was $7,370,000 for a 1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition – anew world-record for an E-Type at public auction. It was the tenth of only 12 Lightweight E-Types made by Jaguar and the first one to come to public auction since 1999.

This 1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition was successfully race in Australia in period by Bob Jane. It is considered one of the most original examples, as it had only three previous owners and covered only 4,000 miles since new.

For more on this car also see: 2017 Bonhams Scottsdale Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Competition Announcement.

Bonhams will offer a 1962 Jaguar E-Type E 2.8-litre Semi-Lightweight Compétition built in 2015/16 by Classic Restoration Services at Paris 2017 – estimate €250,000-€350,000.

1952 Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione

1952 Ferrari 340 America Vignale Spider
1952 Ferrari 340 America Vignale Spider © Bonhams

The 1952 Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione was at $6,380,000 the top result for a Ferrari in the Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 auction. Although the result was a million below the $7.5-$8 million estimate, it still set a new model record.

This 1952 Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione is a rare car – only 22 Ferrari 340 America Spider were built of which only three were Competizione cars. It was a Ferrari works entry into the 1952 Mille Miglia, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Targa Florio but retired in all of these races. The car was driven by amongst others Piero Taruffi, Maurice Trintignant, and Giovanni Bracco.

For more on this car also see 2017 Bonhams Scottsdale Ferrari 340 America Spider Competizione Announcement.

1928 Mercedes Benz Typ S 26/120/180 Supercharged Sports Tourer

1928 Mercedes Benz Typ S 26/120/180 Supercharged Sports Tourer
© Bonhams

The Car for Kings, a 1928 Mercedes Benz Typ S 26/120/180 Supercharged Sports Tourer sold for $4,812,500 – the top result for a Mercedes Benz and pre-war car at the Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 auction.

Only 174 of these large cars designed by Ferdinand Porsche were ever made. The car sold was originally delivered to the USA and still has its original Erdmann & Rossi body and original engine.

1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 5th Series Supercharged Gran Sport Spider

Another large pre-war, supercharged car achieved a top result at Bonhams Scottsdale 2017: $2,805,000 for a 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 5th Series Supercharged Gran Sport Spider. The car has a known history from new and still has its original Zagato coachwork.

These Alfa Romeos are not always easy to sell and Bonhams did well to achieve $5,000 above lower estimate. A further A 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 5th Series Gran Sport Roadster is on sale at Gooding Scottsdale 2017.

1964 Porsche 904 GTS

1964 Porsche 904 GTS
© Bonhams

A 1964 Porsche 904 GTS sold for a strong $2,310,000. The result set a new world record for the model at public auction – similar models mostly sold just below $2 million at recent auctions. This Porsche was only lightly raced in period and considered a very original example. It has covered only 8,000 km since new.

See 2017 Bonhams Scottsdale Porsche 904 GTS Announcement for more on this car.

1966 Ferrari 275 GTB

1966 FERRARI 275 GTB
© Bonhams

A 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB sold for $1,732,500 – well below the $2.5-$3.5 million estimate. This was the second last of the 200 cars produced. Four Ferrari 275 GTBs are on offer at the various classic car auctions in Arizona in January 2017.

1960 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet

A 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet sold just above estimate for $1,430,000. Prices for this model have been trending downwards after several failed to reach too high reserve margins at auctions in 2016. A highest bid of $1,550,000 was rejected for this specific car at Gooding Scottsdale 2016.

Top Cars Failing to Sell at Bonhams Scottsdale 2017

Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 CatalogueThe headline car of the Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 auction, a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider, failed to sell with a highest bid of $10,650,000. This would have set a new Scottsdale record. However, the highest bid was around $5 million below results achieved for California Spiders at recent auctions.

Seven of the 37 cars ever sold for more than $10 million at auction are California Spiders – the most recent result for a non-competition version set the Amelia Island record at Gooding in 2016: $17,160,000 for a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider.

A yellow 2003 Ferrari Enzo attracted a highest bid of $2,350,000. (A few hours later, Tommy Hilfiger’s red 2003 Ferrari Enzo sold for $2,695,000 at the RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2017 auction.)

A 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder failed to sell at a highest bid of $1,250,000. This was well below results and bids achieved on the model in 2015 but very close to the lower estimate of $1,300,000. Post sale deals were certainly possible.

Neither of the two Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytonas sold. With four on offer at the Scottsdale, Arizona auctions, and a further four at the Paris auctions in February, it is currently a buyers market.

Bonhams next major classic car auction is the 2017 Paris Grande Marques du Monde au Grande Palais sale during Rétromobile week on 9 February 2017.

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