Prewar classics, modern hypercars and supercars will be sold at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba classic car auction in Italy in May 2017.
A 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde with coachwork by Saoutchik is the lead car for the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 classic car sale. Just over 60 lots will be on offer with 20 classic motorcycles joining a superb collection of cars and the odd motorboat. Nearly half of the cars on offer are expected to sell for over a million dollar with three trios attracting much attention:
- Three 1930s masterpieces – 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS ‘Goute d’Eau’, 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Prototype, 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Spider 4th Series – are very much in keeping with the spirit of the Villa Erba Concorso d’Eleganza.
- Three late 20th-century supercars – a 1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 ‘Periscopio’, 1988 Porsche 959, 1990 Ferrari F40 – are usually good for a million dollars.
- Three modern hypercars – a 2016 McLaren P1 GTR, 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari, 2015 Porsche 918 – are still rare at auction and this is the first time ever where all three will be on sale at the same event.
A 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8 with 10 km on the clock – and factory cosmoline still on the body – is also an interesting lot.
RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba Sale 2017
RM Sotheby’s traditionally holds it very exclusive Villa Erba classic car auction every odd year as part of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy at the end of May.
In 2017, the classic car auction will be held on May 27. As in previous years, only around 40 cars will be offered but this year will be joined by around 20 motorcycles from a top private collection.
In 2015, the top result set a new model record when a 1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta sold for €6,720,000 ($7,400,736). In 2013, the auction record was set when a 1953 Ferrari 340/375 MM Berlinetta ‘Competizione’ by Pinin Farina sold for a record €9,856,000 (US $ 12,812,800).
Million-Dollar Cars at RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 Sale
The following twenty cars on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 classic car auction have upper estimates exceeding a million dollar:
| Year | Car | Estimate (€) |
| 1928 | Mercedes Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde | 6,500,000-8,000,000 |
| 1937 | Talbot-Largo T150-C SS Goutte d’Eau | 3,200,000-3,800,000 |
| 2016 | McLaren P1 GTR | 3,200,000-3,600,000 |
| 1935 | Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Prototype | 2,800,000-3,200,000 |
| 2014 | Ferrari LaFerrari | 2,750,000-3,200,000 |
| 1930 | Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Grand Sport Spider 4th Series | 2,200,000-2,600,000 |
| 1993 | Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8 | 2,000,000-2,200,000 |
| 2004 | Ferrari Enzo | 1,900,000-2,200,000 |
| 1957 | BMW 507 Roadster Series I | 1,700,000-2,000,000 |
| 1965 | Ferrari 275 GTS | 1,600,000-1,800,000 |
| 1964 | Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso | 1,400,000-1,600,000 |
| 1948 | Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Cabriolet | 1,200,000-1,500,000 |
| 2015 | Porsche 918 Weissach Spyder | 1,200,000-1,400,000 |
| 1953 | Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon | 1,000,000-1,300,000 |
| 1970 | Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder | 975,000-1,100,000 |
| 1988 | Porsche 959 Komfort | 925,000-1,050,000 |
| 1975 | Lamborghini Countach LP400 Periscopio | 900,000-1,100,000 |
| 1990 | Ferrari F40 | 850,000-950,000 |
| 1961 | Maserati 3500 GT Spyder | 750,000-950,000 |
| 1959 | W.R.E.-Maserati | 750,000-950,000 |
1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde
The 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde with coachwork by Saoutchik, chassis 35949, estimate €6,500,000 to €8,000,000, is the undisputed star attraction of RM Sotheby’s upcoming Villa Erba 2017 sale.
The 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde is the sole survivor of just three examples constructed. Carrosserie Saoutchik masterfully blended German engineering with French Avant-Garde styling.
The Mercedes Benz was originally shown at the 1929 New York Auto Salon, where Frederick Henry Bedford Jr., the director of Standard Oil, purchased it new. It remained in the family for 75 years.
The Mercedes Benz received a complete and meticulous, body-off restoration in 2010. Subsequently, it was awarded 100 points at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and claimed the coveted Best of Show trophy. It was extensively displayed and won amongst others ‘Restoration of the Year’ at the 2012 International Historic Motoring Awards, First in Class at the 2013 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, and the Mercedes-Benz Star of Excellence at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. These awards confirmed the quality of the restoration but of course limit to what extent the new owner will be able to show the Mercedes Benz at top events.
The 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Torpedo Roadster by Carrosserie J. Saoutchik achieved $8,250,000 at the RM Auctions Monterey 2013 sale – the tenth highest price paid for a car at public auction in 2013.
For more on this car see also 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo-Sport Avant-Garde Announcement.
1930s Masterpieces at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 Sale
Three 1930s cars on offer at Villa Erba espouse the spirit of the Villa d’Este Concorso like few others:
1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS ‘Goute d’Eau’
The 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS ‘Goute d’Eau’ Coupé by Figoni et Falaschi, chassis no. 90110, estimate €3,200,000 to €3,800,000, known as the ‘Teardrop’, is considered by many as one of the most attractive, aerodynamically inspired automotive designs of all time.
The “Teardrop” on offer at RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 sale was one of only two cars built with fully enclosed front fenders. In all, only 16 of the Goute d’Eau cars were ever made.
RM Sotheby’s sold a 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C SS ‘Goutte d’Eau’ Cabriolet by Figoni et Falaschi for a marque-record $7,150,000 at the Art of the Automobile Sale in New York in 2013. RM Auctions also sold a 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C SS for €3,136,00 ($4,475,00) at the Villa Erba 2011 sale.
See 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS ‘Goute d’Eau’ Announcement for more on this lovely car.
1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Prototype
Another coach-built masterpiece on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 sale is the 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Prototype, chassis no. 57254, estimate €2,800,000 to €3,200,000.
Bugatti built only around 34 Type 57 chassis but the car on offer was only the third Atalante ever built and features a very rare Molsheim in-house coachwork. The car originally belonged to Bugatti works-driver Meo Costantini, who had the engine upgraded. The highly original car has matching engine and coachwork panel numbers. The Bugatti has covered only 25,733 km since new – sadly, only around 700 km were added in the last sixty years.
1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Spider 4th Series
The 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Spider 4th Series, chassis no. 8513001, estimate €2,200,000 to €2,600,000, was the first 4th series car (of just over a hundred) produced and one of only two sporting coachwork by Carrozzeria Sport S.A.
It was extensively campaigned in period with it first driver, Baron Horst Von Waldthausen, racing the Alfa in the 1932 Swiss Car Championship. The car was restored in the 2000s and retained its original engine.
Three Hypercars at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 Sale
RM Sotheby’s becomes the first auctioneer to offer three of the most-important contemporary hypercars in a single auction: a McLaren P1 GTR, a Ferrari LaFerrari and a Porsche 918 Weissach Spider. In contrast to the pre-war classics, these modern hypercars are often easier to sell at current auctions:
2016 McLaren P1 GTR
The 2016 McLaren P1 GTR, estimate €3,200,000 to €3,600,000, on offer at RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 sale is one of only 58 ever built and thus the rarest of the three hypercars on offer. Furthermore, this car is one of only 27 that have been converted to road legal specification.
The P1 GTR is a stripped out, track-only version of the P1 introduced to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the company’s groundbreaking victory at Le Mans. Only existing P1 owners could buy the car new.
The 2016 McLaren P1 GTR is offered by its original owner. It has raced only once and has covered only 360 km since new.
2014 Ferrari LaFerrari
The 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari, estimate €2,750,000-€3,200,000, is an early example of the 500 cars built. The LaFerrari is being sold by its second owner but the car has covered only 200 km since new.
Only two used LaFerraris had been sold at public auction thus far achieving $3.7 million and $5.17 million respectively during the Monterey Week 2016 sales. RM Sotheby’s also sold the 500th LaFerrari new for $7 million at a special charity sale in 2017.
2015 Porsche 918 ‘Weissach’ Spyder
The 2015 Porsche 918 ‘Weissach’ Spyder, estimate €1,200,000-€1,400,000, is far more common with 918 built. The car on offer is the only one ever painted to order in Arrow Blue.
In contrast to many other hypercars on offer at auctions, the owner of this Porsche 918 actually enjoyed driving the car. The car has covered almost 11,000 km since new. It should affect the result: the three 918 cars sold at auction thus far were lower mileage samples and achieved $1.6 to $1.8 million.
Three Supercars at RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 Sale
In addition to the three modern hypercars on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 sale, three supercars from an earlier era will also be on the block in the same sale: a Lamborghini Countach, Porsche 959 and a Ferrari F40.
1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 ‘Periscopio’ by Bertone
The 1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 ‘Periscopio’ by Bertone, estimate €900,000 to €1,100,000, was the 31st of the 150 LP400 Periscopios built. It is offered in its original colorscheme of Giallo Fly yellow over tobacco leather. The Lamborghini has only been driven for 6,000 km since new.
A later 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV by Bertone will be on offer in the same sale but expected to fetch only half the price despite sporting 14-karat gold interior trim.
1988 Porsche 959 Komfort
Few major classic car auctions proceed without one of the 337 Porsche 959s built on offer. The 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort, estimate €925,000-€1,050,00, is a fine example but without any special specification or history.
This 959 had two owners and driven for less than 12,500 km since new. It is offered with a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and was serviced in 2015 – at a cost of €8,000.
1990 Ferrari F40
The F40 is the highest volume Ferrari ever but still manage to sell for more than a million dollar at most current auctions. The 1990 Ferrari F40, estimate €850,000-€950,000, on offer at Villa Erba in 2017 is a standard car without any special features.
This F40 is a single owner car with 18,600 km on the clock. However, it was last serviced in 2013 so the new owner will presumable face a garage bill soon after purchase.
Other Million-Dollar Cars at RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017
Several further cars are expected to sell for more than a million dollar at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 classic car auction:
1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8
The top result for a Porsche at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 sale is not expected from a 918, 959 or a racing car but from an as-new 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8, estimate €2,000,000-€2,200,000.
The 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8 has covered only 10 km since new. The car is on offer as it was originally delivered – still covered with the factory-applied Cosmoline (and some dust). It is one of only 51 Carrera RSRs ever produced and one of only two delivered with a fully trimmed interior – the car was based on the La Means winning racing cars.
The problem with buying an as-new car that is more than two decades old is that value may drop like a stone with every mile added.
2004 Ferrari Enzo
The 2004 Ferrari Enzo, estimate €1,900,000 to €2,200,000, is one of 400 cars built.
In contrast to many other supercars, the Enzo was usually delivered in factory specification. However, the Enzo on offer at Villa Erba had its trim finished in Rosso Scuderia rather than the standard black. The car has covered 13,500 km since new.
1957 BMW 507 Roadster Series I
The 1957 BMW 507 Roadster Series I, estimate €1,700,000 to €2,000,000, at Villa Erba 2017 is one of only 252 produced. The car is highly original including an original red leather interior. The car has covered 73,000 km by five owners since new.
This BMW failed to sell at the 2016 Monterey RM Sotheby’s sale – the estimate has thus fallen a bit.
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS by Pininfarina
The 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS by Pininfarina, estimate €1,600,000 to €1,800,000, on offer at RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 was the 10th of 200 Ferrari 275 GTS produced.
The car is Ferrari Classiche certified and offered in its original color scheme of nero black over nuvola (light blue). The car has a known ownership history from new and has covered 54,000 km.
1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso
The 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti, estimate €1,400,000 to €1,600,000, on offer at RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 was the 306th of 350 built.
The matching numbers car is finished in a rarely seen dark brown over beige. It was formerly in the Aldo Cudone collection, as his father owned one in the same color combination.
1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Cabriolet by Franay
The 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Cabriolet, estimate €1,200,000 to €1,500,000, is a one-off convertible coachwork by Franay. Only 29 of the T26 chassis were built and all were fitted with unique coach-built bodies.
The 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Cabriolet by Franay was used as a show car that won the 1er Grand Prix at the Paris Salon in 1949 and displayed with body and detail variations at various shows until 1953. The car was restored in 2010 and has its original Hermes interior and luggage.
1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner
The 1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner, estimate €1,000,000 to €1,300,000, on offer at Villa Erba 2017 is the latest large Bentley from the 1950s aiming at a million dollar result at auction.
At least eight R-Types have sold for over a million dollar since 2014. The car was shown at the 1953 Geneva Auto Salon and is a factory right-hand drive model with manual gearbox.
Maseratis at RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 Sale
Three Maseratis are expected to sell near a million dollar at the 2017 RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba classic car auction:
1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder by Ghia
The 1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder by Ghia, estimate €975,000 to €1,100,000, is one of only 83 cars built. It is a late production model with factory air conditioning and power steering. The period Borrani wire wheels were fitted later.
Although the Ghibli has its original engine, the color scheme was changed from giallo yellow to black.
1961 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale
The 1961 Maserati 3500 GT Spyder by Vignale, estimate €750,000 to €950,000, is one of only 242 Vignale spyders built.
The car was originally delivered to the UK but is left-hand drive and fitted with a five-speed gearbox and Borrani wire wheels. The restored, matching numbers car has a Maserati Certificate of Origin and was a former Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance class winner.
1959 W.R.E.-Maserati
The 1959 W.R.E.-Maserati, estimate €750,000 to €950,000, is one of only a few racing cars on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erba 2017 sale.
This was the second of just three examples built by World Racing Enterprises and scored an overall victory at its race debut at the 1960 Agnano-Cappella dei Cangiani hill climb. The car retained its original Maserati engine.
See Villa Erba for more on this Italian auction.