The US auctions kick-started the year with some impressive sell-through rates, even though ongoing COVID restrictions saw scaled-back catalogues and live-streamed events replacing the mass gatherings of previous years. RM Sotheby's topped the month with a 1955 Jaguar D-Type hammered away for $6,000,000 at the OTTO Car Club in Scottsdale (est. $5.75-7.5m). Chassis XKD 518 was purchased new by Peter Blond for £3,500 from Bernie Ecclestone and raced throughout 1956 and '57, with Blond picking up two wins at Snetterton.
McLaren Speedtail - Ted Seven aka Ted7© 2020 RM Sotheby's
RM's line-up also featured the first McLaren Speedtail offered for sale at auction. The 36th car built out of a planned 106 units, it came with over $170,000 in extras, just 30 miles on the clock, and changed hands for $3,277,500 (est. $3.5-4.5m) – helping RM post a $35 million sale total and a 90% sell-through rate.
RUF Turbo R - Patrick McCullagh ©2020 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
Other contemporary collector cars finding new homes at RM's sale included a 500-mile 2019 McLaren Senna at $1,044,000 (est. $1-1.3m) and a 2019 Ford GT 'Lightweight', unused with only 8.2-delivery miles, at $967,500 (est. $900k-1.2m); while a 37,400-mile 1998 RUF Turbo R smashed its $525-575k estimate, making $764,000.
Shelby Cobra 427 - © Mecum
A 1965 Shelby Cobra 427, owned from new by Carroll Shelby until his passing in 2012, crossed the block at Mecum's Kissimmee sale on 15 January, going for $5,940,000 – a new auction record for a 427 Cobra. Mecum's mammoth 10-day 2030-car sale generated an 89% sell-through rate and a $122.8 million sale total.
Ferrari 275 GTB - Mike Maez © Gooding & Co
Gooding & Company held an online only auction in place of its traditional Scottsdale event, where the star performer was an unrestored 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB 'Long Nose' with 43,000 miles that fetched $1,936,000 (est. $2-2.4m).
Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante - © Bonhams
Highlights at Bonhams' Scottsdale auction included the catalogue cover car, a 1959 BMW 507, that commanded a winning bid at $1,809,000 (est. $1.9-2.3m), and a 1,400-mile 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante, number 1 of 99 produced, selling for $538,500 (est. $500-700k).
Full January results here:
