A place where people and cars meet

Tag: Mecum Auctions

Monterey Car Weak?

The numbers don’t look good. A paltry 61% overall sell-through resulting in a 20% drop in net sales over last year, falling short of the predicted $400 million+ mark. The majority of lots selling below—often drastically below—house estimates. And yet, we also saw the fifth highest result in the history of auction sales and while not as strong as 2022, the overall total was still the second highest ever (not accounting for inflation). With a similar sell-through to 2022 (78%), it likely would have approached or perhaps eclipsed half a billion dollars. That’s a staggering sum to think about, over the course of three days. While the market as an aggregate has softened over its post-pandemic peak, it appears to remain healthy.

So why the weak sell-through? In some cases it’s a simple case of supply and demand. For instance, of the 11 Siata 208 CS Berlinettas with Fiat 8V engines and Balbo bodies, two were on the block this year, one at Broad Arrow; the other at RM Sotheby’s. Neither sold (but both are now available for post-auction offers). This was in addition to two 1953 Fiat 8Vs. There were a number of Porsches with significant competition provenance on offer. All but one sold, whereas road cars like this 918 Spyder and this 959 Komfort met or exceeded their estimates.

Some of the more surprising non sales:

  • 1967 Toyota 2000 GT – A rare (one of 98) left-hand-drive 2000 GTs in highly original condition and 41,000 original miles and documented history including 45-years with a single owner. Estimated to sell at $900,000 – $1,100,000, it barely kept pace with the youngster, a 1995 Honda NSX R that sold for $632,000. The 2000 GT is now available for post-auction sale for $750,000
  • 56 Porsche 550A Prototype ‘Le Mans’ Werks Coupe – The sole surviving example of the fastback roofed 550A, the car finished 1st in class and 5th overall at the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans as a Porsche Werks factory entry. Bidding stalled at $5,000,000, over a million shy of a 550 Rennsport Spyder that had never seen any competitive action, which sold at Bonhams Goodwood sale seven years ago.
  • 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Daytona” – Another indicator that the Daytona market may have peaked, this is a GTB/4 in a gorgeous Rosso Nearco that had undergone a high quality restoration while paying attention to its originality, including the numbers matching motor. It has a known history and retains its factory books. What at one time looked to be a dependable million-dollar investment, the Daytonas now look to have taken a back seat to their six-cylinder stablemates, the Dino 246. Huh.
  • 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 – Aston Martins did not do well this year. There were a few DB5s and even a Bond car, the 1973 V8 from “The Living Daylights.” Neither of which sold. One of the most appealing lots, a mechanically restored DB2/4 that otherwise retained a fabulous patina, has a rare sliding sunroof, and has a known history including 40-year ownership, stalled after some early enthusiasm. It’s now available post-sale with an asking price of $230,000.

ON THE BLOCK: Steve McQueen’s Last Special-Order Porsche at Mecum Monterey

unnamed(300)

WALWORTH, Wis. – July 14, 2015 – The very last car special-ordered by The King of Cool—the late mega movie star Steve McQueen—will be offered for sale at the Mecum Daytime Auction in Monterey this Aug. 13-15 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa – Del Monte Golf Course. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the 1976 Porsche 930 Turbo Carrera will be donated to McQueen’s alma mater, the reform school Boys Republic.

“This car is rich in history,” says McQueen’s son Chad. “This is the last of the McQueen cars, really. That’s known. That’s real.”

McQueen’s untimely death in 1980 at age 50 made this 1976 Porsche 930, chassis 9306800408, the very last of his special-order cars. His insatiable and notorious need for speed and his affinity for fine automobiles meant always having the best sets of wheels, and his Porsche 930 is no exception. Capable of producing 234 HP at 5,500 RPM, the matching-numbers four-speed car came equipped with the rare early production non-intercooled 3.0 liter engine, no. 6860413, with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and was special ordered from Bob Smith Porsche in Hollywood. McQueen specified that the car be delivered wearing Slate Gray with a sunroof, dual mirrors, limited-slip differential and black sport seats. But as fine as the car was when delivered, McQueen had even more in mind for it.

“My dad had little things done to it,” Chad says. “Like on the dashboard, he had a switch put on so it would kill the rear lights in case he was being chased on Mulholland Drive.”

Whether being used to outrun police or not, the 930 was and still is a desirable vehicle, and McQueen wasn’t the only notable owner of this handsome Turbo; it also passed through the hands of other Hollywood successes including movie producer and writer Floyd Mutrux, as well as singer Dean Martin’s son—actor Dean Paul Martin.

Offered with a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, extensive service records, the original owner’s manual, original tools and original sales brochures, this 1976 Porsche 930 Turbo—the last of the McQueen cars—will serve as an excellent centerpiece in the collection of its next caretaker. And not only will the new owner be obtaining a stunning piece of automotive and movie-icon history, they will also be giving back to a school that’s changed the lives of countless troubled youth, including the King of Cool’s.

To view the complete description of McQueen’s Last Special-Order Porsche or to register as a bidder, visit Mecum.com. Bidder registration is $100 and can be completed in advance online or on-site at the auction. The Mecum Daytime Auction in Monterey is open to buyers, sellers and spectators with general admission tickets available at the gate for $25; children 12 and younger are admitted free of charge. Portions of the auction will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network with a stream of the entire event presented on Mecum’s website. For more details on the auction, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder for this and all Mecum auctions, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.

ON THE BLOCK: Miami Vice Ferrari Testarossa Targets Mecum Monterey After eBay Fizzle

unnamed(292)

WALWORTH, Wis. – July 7, 2015 – The star of the ‘80s-era television series “Miami Vice” is coming to the Mecum Daytime Auction in Monterey this Aug. 13-15. No, not Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs—the flashy detectives played by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas who fought episode-after-episode against the seedy underworld of Miami—but their 1986 Ferrari Testarossa. This iconic supercar with its signature side strakes was one of the quintessential poster cars that found itself plastered on many a teenager’s bedroom wall in the 1980s, and it will now be offered for sale at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa – Del Monte Golf Course this Aug. 15.

It was rumored that Enzo Ferrari himself proposed that the Ferrari factory could supply two black Testarossas for use on the show. From that day forward, it was this Testarossa that became the show’s signature car. The only significant change came when the Ferrari was repainted white at the behest of Director Michael Mann for better visibility in night scenes. This Testarossa quickly moved into cult status along with other series props such as Ray Ban sunglasses, Armani jackets, Scarab speedboats and enough firearms for a small army.

The Testarossa sports a 4.9 liter, 390-horsepower flat-12 engine, a traditional five-speed manual gated shifter, beige leather, power windows, power locks, power seats, cruise control and air conditioning. After “Miami Vice” ended its series run in 1989 the car was placed into storage until earlier this year.

Now showing 16,124 miles and authenticated by both Ferrari North America and Ferrari Classiche, with documented service records from Shelton Ferrari in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., this exotic recently received an engine-out service at a cost of $8,000. The sun may have set on Crockett and Tubbs, but the “Miami Vice” Testarossa remains an enduring icon.

To view the “Miami Vice” Ferrari Testarossa or to register as a bidder, visit Mecum.com. Bidder registration is $100 and can be completed in advance online or on-site at the auction. The Mecum Daytime Auction in Monterey is open to buyers, sellers and spectators with general admission tickets available at the gate for $25; children 12 and younger are admitted free of charge. Portions of the auction will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network with a stream of the entire event presented on Mecum’s website. For more details on the auction, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder for this and all Mecum auctions, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.

© 2024 moto+match

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑