2018 Auctions at Amelia Island

Words by Keith Bluemel

As a prelude to the main event, the 2018 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, three major auction companies hold significant auctions, the official auction company of the concours, RM Sotheby’s on site at the Ritz-Carlton, Gooding & Company at the nearby Amelia Island Plantation, together with Bonhams at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club, with others from Motostalgia and Hollywood Wheels also taking place in the locality.

$1.71 million "as-new" McLaren P1 under plush Bonhams hospitality area as always

1968 330 GTC was the 19th from last built

Bonhams auction took place on the Thursday afternoon preceding the concours, and they reported an 87% sell-through rate with a total sales figure of US$13.5 million, with the top sale being a 2015 McLaren P1 supercar, which sold for US$1.710 million. A 1959 Porsche 356A 1600 Carrera GS Coupe, claimed to be one the best examples in the world, achieved US$632,000, while other strong sales included a 1968 Ferrari 330 GTC that made US$545,100 and a 1936 Horch 853 Roadster that sold for US$544,000.

Appel Klassiker took six years to recreate this Horch 853 "Spezialroadster"

“Simply Refined”—one-off Delahaye 135MS Coupé with early Pinin Farina coachwork will set you back $478,000

World auction record prices were claimed for two Porsche models, a 1992 911 Turbo 3.3 Coupé and a 1989 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa, which achieved US$343,800 and US$169,120, respectively. Other world auction records were for a 1947 Delahaye 135MS Coupé by Pinin Farina, which sold for US$478,000, and a rare 1919 Pierce Arrow Series 51 4-Passenger Tourer which achieved US$280,000

This 1976 Porsche 934 raced for over ten years both in Europe and Stateside (including Daytona and Sebring) made $1.32 million at the Gooding & Co. auction

Ultra-rare Ghia-bodied Ferrari 212 Europa Cabriolet 1952 Geneva Auto Show car achieved $1.6 million

The Gooding & Company auction was held on the Friday, and they realised the highest overall total sales of the “Big Three” at US$35,937, with a 95.4% sell through rate, and with 14 cars achieving US$1 million plus figures. They had significant Porsche offerings, including a 1993 Porsche 964 Turbo S Leichtbau, which sold for US$1.760 million, a 1990 Porsche 962C which made US$1.595 million, a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder achieved US$1.540 million, and a 1996 Porsche 993 GT2 sold for US$1.485 million.

Much anticipated alloy-body 275 GTB "Long Nose" recently discovered in a garage after 26 years went for a record $2.53 million

As-found since 1972, the 356 A 1500 GS Carrera Coupé finished at $506,000

Amongst their other offerings were a “barn find” pair, which had lain together since being garaged in 1991, and had remained untouched since then. These were a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB “Long Nose” model with the rare and desirable alloy bodywork, and a 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra. Both cars attracted strong bidding, with the Ferrari eventually selling for US$2.530 million, and the Cobra sold for US$1.045 million. Another “barn find” that made strong money was a 1957 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS Carrera Coupé, that had been hidden from public view since 1972, which made US$506,000.

For just over $2.2 million, you can drive away this matching-numbered Ferrari 275 GTB over at RM Sotheby's

1993 964 Carrera 3.8 RS, part of the "Speed Yellow" collection that RM Sotheby's offered this year, achieved a staggering $1.655 million

RM Sotheby’s posted US$27.7 million in total sales including buyer’s premium, with an 86% sell through rate at their 20^th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance sale. The top number was claimed by a “matching numbers” 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB, which sold for US$2.205 million, this was closely followed by a 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.8 RS (1 of 55), which achieved US$1.655 million, with the top three rounded out by a 1930 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Boat Tail Cabriolet which was hammered at US$1.270 million. Another strong pre-war sale was a 1931 Marmon Sixteen LeBaron Coupe, which sold for US$1.050 million against a pre-sale estimate of US$700,000 – 900,000.

All Photos by Keith Bluemel