Four Ferraris – 275 GTB Prototype, 250 GT SWB, 250 GT Tour de France, 250 MM Spider – are the lead cars for the Gooding Scottsdale 2019 classic car auction.
The top six cars on offer at the Gooding Scottsdale 2019 classic car auction are all Ferraris and all are offered with surprisingly reasonable presale estimates hinting at consignors eager to sell. The 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB Prototype and 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta both have presale estimates of $6,000,000 to $8,000,000 – a result at the lower end of the estimate will be considered relatively cheap. The 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta and 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Spider are both expected to sell for near $6 million. Also on offer are four Mercedes Benz 300 models including Herbert von Karajan’s Gullwing, two SL Roadsters and a rare Sc Roadster. Almost all of the top cars on offer at Gooding Scottsdale 2019 were produced during the 1950s and 1960s – the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 and the 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO are the only outliers.
Gooding Scottsdale 2019 Classic Car Auction
Gooding & Co scheduled its 12th annual Scottsdale classic car auction on January 18 & 19, 2019, at the Scottsdale Fashion Square, in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
In 2019, Gooding earned $48 million by selling 105 of the 124 lots on offer for a sell-through rate of 85% and an average price of $459,417 per car.
In 2018, Gooding earned $49.2 million in Scottsdale by selling 110 out of 129 cars offered – a sell-through rate of 85% and an average price of $447,415. In 2017, Gooding gained $33.4 million at the Scottsdale auction by selling 106 of the 126 lots on offer – a good 84% sell-through rate. In 2016, Gooding grossed $43 million from 113 cars and in 2015 it achieved $51.5 million from 126 cars on offer.
Million-Dollar Cars at Gooding Scottsdale 2019
The following cars have pre-sale estimates of a million dollar at the Gooding Scottsdale 2019 classic car auction:
| – | Year | Car | Estimate |
| 1 | 1964 | Ferrari 275 GTB Prototype | 6,000,000 – 8,000,000 |
| 2 | 1963 | Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta | 6,000,000 – 8,000,000 |
| 3 | 1958 | Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta | 5,750,000 – 6,500,000 |
| 4 | 1953 | Ferrari 250 MM Spider | 5,500,000 – 6,500,000 |
| 5 | 1985 | Ferrari 288 GTO | 2,500,000 – 3,000,000 |
| 6 | 1952 | Ferrari 212 Europa Cabriolet | 1,900,000 – 2,200,000 |
| 7 | 1963 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1,750,000 – 2,250,000 |
| 8 | 1963 | Ferrari 250 GT Lusso | 1,600,000 – 1,800,000 |
| 9 | 1955 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1,100,000 – 1,400,000 |
| 10 | 1966 | Shelby 427 Cobra | 1,100,000 – 1,400,000 |
| 11 | 1967 | Aston Martin DB6 Mk I Volante | 1,000,000 – 1,300,000 |
| 12 | 1960 | Maserati 3500 GT Spider Prototype | 1,000,000 – 1,200,000 |
| 13 | 1956 | Mercedes Benz 300 Sc Roadster | 900,000 – 1,300,000 |
| 14 | 1957 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster | 900,000 – 1,200,000 |
| 15 | 1964 | Shelby 289 Cobra | 950,000 – 1,100,000 |
| 16 | 1936 | Bugatti Type 57 Two-Light Ventoux | 900,000 – 1,100,000 |
| 17 | 1965 | Shelby 289 Cobra | 900,000 – 1,100,000 |
| 18 | 1993 | Bugatti EB110 GT | 850,000 – 950,000 |
Top Ferraris at Gooding Scottsdale 2019
The top cars on offer at the Gooding Scottsdale 2019 classic car auctions are all very special Ferraris. The pre-sale estimates seem surprisingly low (or realistic given the current state of the market?) with consignors clearly intending to sell and not repeat failures to close the deal due to too high reserves as seemed to have happened at several auctions in 2018.
1964 Ferrari 275 GTB Prototype
The 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB Prototype, chassis 06003, was the very first 275 GTB built and the development car for what would become a very popular Ferrari series.
As part of the development process, Ferrari took 06003 rallying. It wore No 43 in the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally with Ferrari support rather than an official factory entry (DNF with driveline issues). Its present condition resembles the car as it was in the rally but it will require mechanical attention if not simply used for static display. Enticingly for the new owner, the car has not been displayed for more than two decades.
The top result at the Scottsdale 2018 auctions were also for a unique Ferrari 275: the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Speciale that was the personal car of Battista Pininfarina. It sold for $8,085,000 – a record for a steel-bodied 275 Berlinetta and the 7th most-expensive car sold in 2018.
1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta
The 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta with coachwork by Scaglietti, chassis 4037 GT, was the fourth to last of 166 SWB produced and one of only 96 Lusso SWB Berlinettas built. It had a string of owners including Nicolas Cage in 2006.
The car is Ferrari Classiche certified with matching-numbers engine and gearbox.
The 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta is offered with a clear come-buy-me estimate – well below recent results (and bids) for similar cars.
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta
The 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta, chassis 1037 GT, was the 19th of 36 single-louver Tour de France Berlinettas produced (out of a total 78 made).
The car was originally delivered in Venezuela where it was raced successfully for several years. During the 1990s, the car was restored to its original appearance although the color scheme was changed from white over black to red over tan. The current two-tone arrangement seems more recent.
The car is Ferrari Classiche certified to having amongst others its original body, chassis, engine and gearbox and is sold with a spare 250 GT engine.
1953 Ferrari 250 MM Spider
The 1953 Ferrari 250 MM Spider, chassis 0348 MM, is one of just 12 Vignale Spiders built on the 250 MM chassis.
The 250 MM Spider was originally delivered to the USA where it was extensively and successfully raced. However, it survived in a very good condition with its original engine, gearbox, chassis and coachwork.
Other than the Cavallino Classic (2008 & 2011), the Ferrari 250 MM has not been displayed since 2004.
1985 Ferrari 288 GTO
The 1988 Ferrari 288 GTO is one of 272 produced – another one is available at RM Sotheby’s Arizona. It was built to comply with homologation regulations for the FIA Group B rally but the series was cancelled before the 288 GTO could compete. Although built in much lower numbers than later Ferrari supercars, the 288 GTO seems to attract less attention and prices remain stuck around $2.5 million. One sold for $4 million at RM Sotheby’s Maranello 2017 and that result probably entice a few sellers to the market.
1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Cabriolet
The 1952 Ferrari 212 Europa Cabriolet, chassis 0235 EU, was the original 1952 Paris Auto Salon and 1953 Brussels Motor Show car. More significantly, it participated in the first ever Nürburgring 1000 Km in 1953 where it finished 9th overall and 3rd in class.
It is Ferrari Classiche certified to have its original chassis, engine and gearbox, which is no mean feat as the V12 was replaced by an American V8 during the 1960s. The original engine and gearbox were only reunited with the car in 1995.
1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
The 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, chassis 5141 GT, was the 133rd of only 350 Lussos ever built. It is Ferrari Classiche certified to have its original gearbox and engine.
Top Mercedes Benz Cars at Gooding Scottsdale 2019
Although Mercedes Benz 300 SL prices are still well below the peak of around 2015, these cars again frequently sell for above a million dollar at auctions and more are again on offer. The Scottsdale, Arizona, 2019 auctions will have at least three Gullwings and three Roadsters on offer with Gooding offering the bulk of these cars:
The 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (Estimate: $1,750,000 – $2,250,000) is the pick of the bunch and comes with the highest estimate. It is one of only 210 final year examples built with the desirable alloy-block engine and disc brakes. The car has less than 16,000 miles on the clock and had only three owners since new. It is finished in white over its original red leather upholstery.
The second 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (Estimate: $900,000 – $1,200,000) is an earlier model and has had just three owners since 1963. It is finished in a rare color combination of ivory over green leather and in show-ready condition. It also has a relatively low 44,000 miles on the odometer. It is a matching-numbers car and the engine was completely rebuilt in 2018.
The wonderfully preserved 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (Estimate: $1,100,000 – $1,400,000) was sold new to famed Austrian conductor and passionate car enthusiast Herbert von Karajan, who famously lead the Berliner Philharmoniker for decades. He ordered the Mercedes with a very rare and unusual specification – it is finished in Weissgrau (DB 158) with tan vinyl upholstery with red plaid fabric inserts. Most importantly, the car was ordered with Rudge knock off wheels – a very rare and desirable option for the 300 SL. According to Hagerty, Rudge wheels add around $50,000 to the value of a Gullwing (and $100,000 to a Roadster).
With only 53 Sc Roadsters ever built, the 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Roadster (Estimate: $900,000 – $1,300,000) is far rarer than the 300 SL cars. New, the Sc was more expensive and more comfortable than the sportier versions. The Sc Roadster, in contrast to the Cabriolet, featured a fold flat top that disappeared completely into the coachwork, under a simple leather boot.
Shelby Cobras at Gooding Scottsdale 2019
Three original Shelby Cobras will be on offer at Gooding Scottsdale 2019. Further continuation and recreation versions are on offer at other Scottsdale auctions, especially at Barrett Jackson’s high volume auctions.
The 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra (Estimate: $1,100,000 – $1,400,000), chassis CSX3107, is an early production example of a true 427 Cobra. Among the earliest of just 260 built, the car is equipped with the original low-rise 427 motor sporting dual four-barrel Holley carburetors.
The late-production rack-and-pinion 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra (Estimate: $950,000 – $1,100,000), chassis CSX2246, has a well-documented provenance and a beautiful restoration by Cobra specialist Dave Wagner.
One of only 30 independently prepared competition Cobras, the 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra (Estimate: $900,000 – $1,100,000), chassis CSX2448 was successfully campaigned at numerous SCCA regional and national races throughout the 1960s. The current owner spent nearly half-a-million dollars on its restoration.
Other Million-Dollar Cars at Gooding Scottsdale 2019
Further cars with million-dollar result potential at Gooding Scottsdale 2019 include:
- 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Mk1 Volante – one of only 140 produced and one of only 30 in left-hand drive,
- 1960 Maserati 3500 GT Spider Prototype – one of 242 produced; the 1959 Torino Auto Show car.
- 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Two-Light Ventoux – a beautiful classic Bugatti with documented provenance from new. A 1993 Bugatti EB110 GT is likely to fall just short of the million-dollar mark.
More on Scottsdale 2019 Collector Car Auctions
The first major collector car auction series of the year is traditionally the Scottsdale and Phoenix auctions in Arizona, USA, in mid-January.
Most major car auctioneers have sales in Arizona including Barrett-Jackson, Bonhams, Gooding and RM Sotheby’s. A notable exception is Mecum that start the auction year a few weeks earlier at Kissimmee in Florida.
Scottsdale, Arizona, 2019 Auctions Sale Results
- Scottsdale Arizona 2019 Classic Car Sales – Auctions Results Overview
- Bonhams – 2019 Scottsdale Auction Results
- Gooding – 2019 Scottsdale Auction Results
- RM Sotheby’s – 2019 Arizona Auction Results
- Barrett-Jackson – 2019 Scottsdale Auction Results
- Barrett-Jackson – 2019 Scottsdale Auction Charity Lots Results
Scottsdale, Arizona, 2019 Auctions Sale Previews:
- Top Ten Ferraris at Scottsdale, Arizona 2019
- Bonhams – 2019 Scottsdale Auction Preview
- Gooding – 2019 Scottsdale Auction Preview
- RM Sotheby’s – 2019 Arizona Auction Preview
Scottsdale, Arizona, 2019 Auctions Pre-Sale Announcements:
- Bonhams – Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider
- Bonhams – Team Cunningham 1959 Lister-Jaguar Sports Racer
- Bonhams – Miura, Porsche 904 & 356 Carrera Cabriolet
- Gooding – Four Mercedes Benz 300 Classics
- Gooding – Top 1960s Ferraris – including a 275 Prototype & 250 GTB SWB
- Gooding – Top 1950s Ferraris – including a 250 GT Tour de France, 250 MM Spider & 212 Europa Cabriolet
- Gooding – American Muscle Cars – including three Shelby Cobras
- Barrett Jackson – 2019 Ford GT Heritage Edition VIN001
- Barrett-Jackson – 2020 Toyota Supra VIN20201
- Barrett-Jackson – 14 Charity Lots, including four Bumblebee Camaros.
- RM Sotheby’s – Top Ferraris
