Glenmarch auction highlights – March 2022

US sales continued the strong trend seen at Scottsdale in January, once again establishing multiple auction records. Star of this year's Amelia Island auctions was the 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupe that now holds the title of the most valuable French automobile sold at auction when it was hammered away for $13,425,000 at Gooding & Company (Photo: copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company, image by Mathieu Heurtault). Other records were set with a 1967 Toyota 2000GT, one of three prepared by Shelby for SCCA racing, that raised the bar for the highest price achieved for a Japanese car at auction at $2,535,000, while a 1,500km 1998 RUF Turbo R Limited comfortably exceeded its $1.4-1.8m estimate at $2,040,000 – a record for the marque at auction.

Jaguar XK 120 SE Coupe – © Bonhams

A 1955 Porsche 550 that had been owned by the consignor since 1972 headed the results at Bonhams' Amelia Island sale, changing hands for $4,185,000 (est. $4.5-5.5m), with a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Victoria at $1,066,500 and a 1954 Jaguar XK 120 SE Coupe at $940,000 rounding off the top three. Bonhams' XK, featuring unique bodywork by Pinin Farina, picked up an award at the Pebble Beach concours in 2017, after a nut-and-bolt restoration at renowned marque specialist CMC.

Bugatti Chiron Sport – South Valley Photography ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

RM Sotheby's followed Bonhams two days later, generating $46.6 million in total sales and an impressive 89% sell-through rate. Pre-war classics and hypercars dominated the big-ticket entries, with a 1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Victoria posting the top result at $4,130,000, while a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan made a whopping $1m over its high estimate, taking $3,525,000. RM's line-up also saw the first Bugatti Chiron Sport sold at auction in North America, its 3,950-mile example fetching an above-estimate $3,360,000.

Ferrari 275 GTB/4 – Courtesy of Mecum

The main attraction at Mecum's Glendale sale didn't disappoint on the day, the 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 with Ferrari Classiche certification finding a new home at $3,025,000 (est. $2.9-3.2m). Notable highlights included a barely-used 2005 Porsche Carrera GT with only 182 miles on the clock that drew $2,200,000 (est. $2-2.3m) – a new high-water mark for the model – and a 5,671-mile 1995 Rolls-Royce Corniche S Convertible, one of 25 produced solely for the US market, going for $412,500.

Porsche 907 – Photos © Peter Singhof

Rétromobile finally got underway in Paris after last year's pandemic-induced cancellation and further worries this year delaying it by a month. Artcurial returned with its headline sale split over two days, overall honours going to the ex-works Porsche 907 which had been in Ernst Schuster's collection for the past four decades. A three-time entrant at Le Mans with the Wicky Racing Team in the early 1970s, it sold for €4,390,400 (est. €4-6m). Highlight for many were the four Ferrari halo cars owned from new by 'The Ferrari Lawyer' Maître Étienne Léandri. Stored in garages under the Monaco defence lawyer's offices, the 1,318-km 1996 F50 smashed its €2.7-3.5m pre-sale estimate bringing €4,161,600 – a new auction record for an F50. The 2003 Enzo showing 4,760km took €2,846,000 (est. €2.2-2.8m), the 2013 LaFerrari with less than 1,000km from new raised €2,714,440 (est. €2.2-2.8m), while the 13,284-km 1989 F40 with little use since its last service at Ferrari Monaco in 2015 achieved €2,102,400 (est. €1.3-1.6m).

Bentley Speed Six Le Mans-style Tourer – Courtesy of H&H

In the UK, H&H opened its 2022 calendar at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford where British machinery led the success; a 1929 Bentley Speed Six Le Mans-style Tourer, restored in the early 2000s, commanding the top price of £438,750.

Ford Focus WRC – Courtesy of Silverstone Auctions

Silverstone Auctions held its first sale at The RAF Museum London, an ex-Colin McRae 2001 Ford Focus WRC making the headlines when it headed to new owners at £423,300 – well above its £300-350k guide. 'Y4 FMC' brought a maiden win for McRae and co-driver Nicky Grist on its debut at the 2001 Acropolis Rally, before a spectacular crash while leading the final round at the Rally of Great Britain cost the legendary Scot his second World Championship. Rebuilt by the factory M-Sport team, it had further WRC outings in 2002 before being sold and used in the BTRDA rally championship.

Full Q1 results here: