Let battle commence: The 2019 Arizona auctions

16th January 2019

‘Subdued but purposeful’ sums up the final preview day of the Big Three’s Scottsdale sales before proceedings start in earnest at 11:00 on Thursday, when Bonhams fires the opening salvo of a three-day, 404-car selling frenzy.

We spent a day looking round the auction tents. Tents? Those used to RM’s usual position in the ballroom at the Arizona Biltmore were in for a surprise. The Canadians have been moved from their regular inside slot to a large marquee opposite the lobby, in order to cater for a medical supplies company's sales conference.

With £STG on its knees against the $USD it was hardly surprising to see few visitors from the UK, something we commented on last year – and a devaluation of a further 10% has not helped. Scottsdale remains, though, a predominantly home-grown affair, dominated by local outfit Barrett-Jackson.

Looking at the line-ups offered by the international Big Three today, what caught our eye?

Bonhams at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

The arguments will rage about its Ferrari Classiche-stamped replacement block, but there’s no denying the sexy allure of the blue Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spider – it looks fabulous.

Alongside the aggressive Ferrari in Bonhams’ premier cru lobby area stands the green Porsche 904, a ‘car to buy’, and the blue Miura SV, a US-spec example crying out for a new owner in North America willing to commission a sympathetic – ideally Italian – restoration, returning it to as-delivered Argento Indianapolis Metallizzato.

The 1951 Maserati A6G/2000 Spider (above) is a fine-looking early post-War sports car, with an even finer estimate: $2.8m to $3.4m might be a big ask.

Outside, the standard of the ‘stock yard’ awaiting its fate reflects the highest percentage (80%) of No Reserve cars on offer by the Big Three this week. But as we always say, it’s an auction, not the Pebble Beach concours.

RM Sotheby’s at the Arizona Biltmore

As usual, RM filled one floor of the multi-storey car park, the overflow standing in bright Arizona sunshine outside. With no ballroom, the top-tier entries are confined to the marquee, a factor that unavoidably takes some of the gloss off the headliners, presented without the themed backdrops RM does so well. Which is a shame.

The ‘Royal’ Ferrari 250 GT by Pinin Farina (pictured, top) looks even more alluring in the metal, a delicate ‘Pinin Farina S1 Cabriolet with a roof’, as someone put it. Estimated at double the value of an S1 Cab', it will need at least two deep-pocketed admirers to sell for top dollar.

No such challenges for the two Vectors, in which RM reports a high level of interest. Both estimated at $450k to $550k, the extravagant green prototype (above, right) was a magnet for visitors all day. As we saw at Bonhams, a fair proportion of the catalogue is standard auction fodder – Porsches, Americana and collections such as the special-bodied post-War Rolls-Royces that will not appeal to all, but most are No Reserve.

Finally, after last year’s terrific display of Tuckers at Pebble Beach, we await with interest how well RM’s nice-looking car (above, left) does on Friday. It’s estimated in the zone – RM sold one at Monterey for $1.8m in 2018.

Gooding in Fashion Square

Last stop of the day was at David Gooding’s familiar blue and white marquee set up next to the Fashion Square mall.

The big Ferraris – the red SWB in particular – have attracted the most interest pre-sale. As Simon commented in our preview, this car (pictured, bottom) “deserves to find a long-term home in Scottsdale”. Seeing it today, I’d agree. And the yellow 275 GTB is a stunner in the metal – this car or a showroom-fresh LaFerrari Aperta for the same money? It makes you think (but not for long).

With these entries, the interesting early Porsches and E-type Jaguar Roadsters, Gooding clearly has the edge over its rivals in Arizona. One element of this is having the lowest number of cars at No Reserve – quality needs to be sold. Over to you, auctioneer Charlie Ross...

January 2019 Scottsdale Auction Schedule:

Click here for a complete lot listing sorted by make and model

Barrett-Jackson – event from Saturday 12 January to Sunday 20 January. Sales from Monday 14 January to Sunday 20 January. Gates open at 08:00. 16601 N. Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. See www.barrett-jackson.com

Worldwide Auctioneers – sale Wednesday 16 January at 17:00. Viewing from 09:00. Event address: 6460 E McDowell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85257. See www.worldwide-auctioneers.com

Russo & Steele – sales Thursday 17 January to Sunday 20 January. Gates open at 09:00. Event address: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 (off 101 Freeway and Indian Bend/Talking Stick Way). See www.russoandsteele.com

Bonhams – sale Thursday 17 January at 11:00. The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, 6902 East Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale AZ 85254. See www.bonhams.com

RM Auctions – sales Thursday 17 January and Friday 18 January. Auctions at 17:30. Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, 2400 East Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016. See www.rmauctions.com

Gooding & Co – sales Friday 18 January and Saturday 19 January. Auctions at 11:00. Scottsdale Fashion Square, 4700 N. Scottsdale Road. Corner of N. Scottsdale Road and E. Highland Ave. See www.goodingco.com