The Market

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2023 Scottsdale sales snapshot: Bonhams at the Westin Kierland

2023 Scottsdale sales snapshot: Bonhams at the Westin Kierland 28th January 2023

Bonhams conducted a marathon 125-car sale today. With a gross exceeding $29m the event was the best for the Brits since 2017. Although a Brass Era car took top spot, the biggest surprise was that the 2006 Maserati MC12 Corse found a new owner, and that it went for a respectable $3.8m all-in.

Continuing the trend set on preview days and over at the Biltmore yesterday, the venue was packed throughout. One hundred and twenty-five cars were a lot to offer in one day, but interest was maintained right to the end.

The much-fancied veteran 1912 Simplex (pictured, below) – another vying for the title ‘McLaren F1 of its day’ – generated strong bidding in the room, finally going for $4,845,000 gross. Which puts RM’s $4.075m LaFerrari, and the 111-year difference in ages into perspective.


It was a terrific performance for a car with links to the Sears and Vanderbilt families. Bonhams declares it a world record for a machine of that era. It is also the top lot across the 2023 Scottsdale auctions.

At the same event in 2017, Bonhams sold several multimillion-dollar cars including a $7.37m Jaguar Lightweight E-type. Other than in that year, today’s gross comfortably bests every other sale held at the Westin Kierland by some margin.

At a glance:
 
* Gross, motor cars: $29,217,380 (2022, $11,734,160)
* Percentage sold by number: 82% (2022, 93%)
* Top-selling car: 1912 Simplex 50HP 5 Passenger Torpedo Tourer $4,845,000 gross, $4,400,000 net (est. $2.5m to $3.5m)

The big story of the day was the battle between two telephone bidders after the track-only Maserati MC 12 Corse. Few expected it to sell, but sell it did, for $3,460,000 net/$3,811,000 gross† vs. an estimate of $3.9m to $5.5m.

 


Other results of note (all prices gross):

* 1975 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA 1300 Junior Stradale, Not Sold. Another Alfa GTA going home to its owner.
* 1953 Siata 208S Spider, $1,572,500. Looked even better in the metal. A jewel.
* 1958 BMW 507 Series II Roadster, $2,067,500. Silver did not look right and a sale was in the balance, but it just sneaked over the line.
* 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, $1,033,500. Fabulous bidding technique by Asian buyer started at $888k, then went to [Porsche] $918k, winning the car with a [Porsche] $935k. The celebrations were just as enthusiastic – it was a lovely moment.
* 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC, Not Sold. “Beautifully presented” was stretching it; the car needed to be put back to Verde Scuro over Beige.
* 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster, $489,000. Not being one of Bonhams regular clear-out entries, this had a reserve. But the mileage of fewer than 400 miles from new was a big plus. US car but would have made more in Europe.
* 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS, $1,650,000. Bidding was drawn out to an eternity to get it sold. Non-standard six-carb set-up and non-original blue did not aid its cause, but went for probably the right money.

2023 Scottsdale auctions overview with all results to follow…

†For reasons unknown, Bonhams declares this as $4,115,000 with premium.

Photos by K500