2017 RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica Auction Announcement

Highlights of the 2017 RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica sale include a Mercedes Benz 300 SL, Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline and a Ferrari F40.

Karissa Hosek © 2017 Courtesy RM Sotheby's
Karissa Hosek © 2017 Courtesy RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica classic car auction on 24 June 2017 will feature around 170 lots including several desirably cars including classic American automobiles, European convertibles and supercars, as well as a few cars of stars. A 1960 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster and a 1992 Ferrari F40 are both expected to sell for over a million dollar but arguably the most exiting car in the sale will be the 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy (estimate $800,000 to $950,000). Cars owned by stars include Steve McQueen’s 1965 Lincoln Continental Executive Limousine by Lehmann-Peterson (estimate $100,000 to $150,000) and Michelle Phillips’ 1970 Mercedes Benz 250 C (estimate $20,000 to $30,000).

RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica 2017 Sale

RM Sotheby’s recently announced that it will hold the Santa Monica sale on 24 June 2017 at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California.

The Santa Monica auction is held for the fifth year but was previously arranged by RM’s sister company Auctions America. Around 170 cars and automobilia lots will be on offer.

Top Cars at the RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica 2017 Auction

Although only two cars at the RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica 2017 classic car auction are expected to sell for over a million dollar, several exciting cars are on offer:

Top Mercedes Benz Cars at RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica 2017

1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Karissa Hosek © 2017 Courtesy RM Sotheby’s

A staple in SoCal car culture, a pair of iconic European convertibles also highlight the single-day Santa Monica sale, led by a recently restored 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (Est. $1,100,000 – $1,300,000). The ultimate in style and performance, the 300 SL is finished in the unique combination of Light Green Poly over a Dark green interior, and is ready for reliable road use on vintage rallies, long-distance tours, or even as a daily driver. Although Mercedes Benz 300 SL prices are well noticeably lower than in 2014 and 2015, these cars remain highly desirably and rarely change hands for below a million dollar. (Two original and unrestored examples will be on offer at Gooding Pebble Beach 2017 in mid-August.)

The 300 SL is joined at the auction by another icon of 1960s luxury, a matching-numbers 1967 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Cabriolet. The preferred choice of well-heeled American buyers in period, this particular 300 SE is one of fewer than 100 U.S.-spec examples for 1967, and comes to auction stunning in its original Dark Blue, wearing a recently refreshed restoration (Est. $240,000 – $280,000).

1992 Ferrari F40

1992 Ferrari F40
Karissa Hosek © 2017 Courtesy RM Sotheby’s

A 1992 Ferrari F40, estimate $900,000-$1,100,000, is the other car in the RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica sale expected to sell for more than a million dollar. Although the F40 was produced in higher numbers than any other Ferrari model, these cars usually sell for around a million depending on condition. This F40 has an upgraded Tubi stainless steel exhaust and aftermarket turbos fitted, which may put some collectors off but may hinder drivers less.

American Classics at RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica 2017

Six handsome American Classics and customs offered from a prominent private collection, entirely without reserve, are among the highlights of the RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica 2017 sale.

1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy

1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy
Karissa Hosek © 2017 Courtesy RM Sotheby’s

The star of the group is a fully correct, pure, California Duesenberg. The 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy, J-259, was delivered new to Singer Sewing Machine heir Arthur K. Bourne, who spotted one of the first Model Js while golfing at Pebble Beach.

Bodied by Murphy coachbuilders of Pasadena, the Duesenberg was equipped with numerous features specified by Bourne, including a full-size home radio installed in the back of the front seat, a secret compartment under the driver’s seat for stowing valuables, and Mercedes-Benz-style Zeiss headlights. The wealthy playboy also equipped the car with a police siren, which remains present today. Bourne had Bohman & Schwartz modify the car in 1934 with lowered, skirted fenders, a metal trunk, redesigned running boards, and a long radiator to accommodate mountain and desert driving, which he enjoyed until 1947, when the car was placed in storage.

The Model J then passed through a handful of owners, including former CCCA president Richard Gold, who retained the car for over three decades before it was sold to its current owner. Never fully restored, the ACD Club Category-One certified Duesenberg comes to Santa Monica with its original chassis, engine, firewall, and body— a truly unique Murphy-bodied Model J, treasured since new (Est. $800,000 – $950,000).

Additional highlights from the private collection include an authentic 1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster, body no. 73, which still wears its coveted original Fleetwood two-passenger roadster body. The CCCA Full Classic’s older restoration presents well in attractive Brewster Green and black over brown leather upholstery, and it is well-accessorized with Pilot Ray driving lights, cowl-mounted spotlights, dual horns, Goddess mascot, proper luggage rack, and more. With well-known, enthusiast ownership history, this is one of the most desirable Classics in today’s market (Est. $450,000 – $550,000).

Rounding out the group is a largely original 1948 Chrysler Town & Country Convertible, showing less than 65,000 miles (Est. $100,000 – $140,000); a beautifully restored 1940 Ford Deluxe Convertible (Est. $50,000 – $70,000); a high-quality 1932 Ford V-8 Roadster Street Rod (Est. $50,000 – $70,000); and, a high-performance 1932 Ford V-8 Deluxe ‘Three-Window’ Coupe Street Rod (Est. $35,000 – $40,000).

Cars of the Stars at RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica 2017

No auction within a stone’s throw of Hollywood would be complete without a few cars of the stars. RM Sotheby’s Santa Monica auction presents a 1970 Mercedes-Benz 250 C purchased new by Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas from Hollywood Mercedes and owned by the singer-turned-actress ever since. The well-equipped Mercedes-Benz saw Phillips through the filming of several movies, as well as early morning call times on the set of Knots Landing. Offered out of single-ownership and still wearing its original California blue plate, the car comes complete with its original service manual bearing Michelle Phillips name (Est. $20,000 – $30,000, without reserve).

Also set for the Barker Hangar auction podium is a 1965 Lincoln Continental Executive Limousine by Lehmann-Peterson. One of just 15 produced for the model year, the Lehmann-Peterson limousines were favored by celebrities and government officials alike; this particular example was owned by none other than Steve McQueen in the 1970s, as evidenced by a copy of the title. A well-maintained reliable driver in original condition, what better way to arrive in style (Est. $100,000 – $150,000).