Porsche 917 Spyder breaks world auction record

Bonhams auctions opened the Monterey car week in the States with a new world record for any Porsche sold at auction. The 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder Le Mans Coupe achieved a staggering $3,965,000 USD at the recent auction. This Porsche 917 had a long racing history with the ex-Jurgen Neuhaus/Jurgen Barth 1972-73 European Interserie and David Hobbs/Mike Hailwood Gulf-JW Automotive teams.

Many other strong prices were attained for some of the rarest and freshest vehicles around, which included (prices shown in U.S dollars):

The exceedingly rare 1930 Mercedes-Benz 7.1 Litre SS Tourer that made $2,537,000 after spirited bidding.

The ex-works, Gerhard Mitter/Lucien Bianchi Nurburgring 1000 kms-leading 1967 Porsche 910 Endurance Racing Works Coupe that sold for $797,000.

The ex- J. Herbert Carpenter, Western Reserve Historical Society, Joe Tracy 1908 Thomas Flyer 4-60 Tourer that went for $733,000.

The ex-Ernst Loof racing team, Sandizell-owned 1937 BMW 328 Roadster that was bought for $667,000.

“We are very honored to have been selected to offer these incredible motorcars at auction,” says Mark Osborne, head of Bonhams’ Motoring Department. “We are very pleased with the results and the satisfaction of having met or exceeded the expectations of our discerning and growing clientele.”

1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic sells for $30-40 million USD record

An ultra-rare 1936 Bugatti 57SC Atlantic has broken all previous known records for the most expensive car to have ever been sold. The Italian classic is one of only two that survive in original condition out of the three made and apparently achieved a sales price of between US$30 million and US$40 million at an auction held by Gooding & Company. The Buggati was owned by the late Dr. Peter D. Williamson of New Hampshire, who passed away in 2008. The only other example lives in the garage of fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

The Buggati sale has smashed the previous record for a vehicle sold at a public auction held by a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa which went for about US$12.2 million a year ago.

Apart from its extreme rarity, another reason the Bugatti 57SC Atlantic is so special is because of the technological innovations which are displayed on the car. These include the low-slung body that was designed by the founder’s son Jean Bugatti and fashioned out of aluminium.

“This car has everything going for it,” said Leslie Kendall, curator of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. “In addition to technical sophistication, it was most avant-garde and futuristic car built up to that time. It’s beautiful, performs well, beautifully built, and rare.”