Bonhams & Butterfields celebrated the 13th anniversary of its renowned motorcar auction at the sunny Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley with resounding success.
Comprising a very diverse selection of 102 cars, one airplane and one boat - of which 77 sold (a 74% sell rate) - the auction represented three major collections headlined by the Michael Amalfitano collection of competition cars.
The collection blew through all pre-sale expectations and set the tone for a buoyant two-day sale.
A World Record price for any Porsche sold at auction ever was achieved with the ex-Jurgen Neuhaus/Jurgen Barth 1972-73 European Interserie and David Hobbs/Mike Hailwood Gulf-JW Automotive team 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder neé 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Coupe.
 The 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder |
In the end the car (pictured above) realised an incredible $3,965,000.
Many other strong prices were attained for the rarest and freshest offerings, which included:
- The exceedingly rare 1930 Mercedes-Benz 7.1 Liter 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.
Furthermore, automobilia and spares posted the highest ever total at this venue with $1.185 million realised.
"We are very honored to have been selected to offer these incredible motorcars at auction," says Mark Osborne, head of Bonhams' Motoring Department.
According to Osbourne, the auctioneer was "very pleased with the results and the satisfaction of having met or exceeded the expectations of our discerning and growing clientele."
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