SANTA MONICA, Calif. (February 5, 2013) – On the heels of its successful $52.5 million Scottsdale Auctions in January, Gooding & Company prepares for its next annual Amelia Island Auction taking place on Friday, March 8. Acclaimed for selling the world’s most significant and valuable collector cars, the auction house will return to the Omni Amelia Island Plantation in northeast Florida to once again present a long list of extraordinary collector cars for sale, including a 1928 Bentley 4 ½ Litre Semi- Le Mans Tourer, 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic, 1965 Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante, 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS and 1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster.
“Amelia Island is a significant venue for international collectors because of its charming setting and prestigious Concours weekend festivities,” says David Gooding, president and founder of Gooding & Company. “We are thrilled to build on the momentum of our tremendous success in Scottsdale and present more of the exciting consignments Gooding & Company is known for to our savvy clients in Amelia Island.”
1928 Bentley 4 ½ Litre Semi- Le Mans Tourer (MF3153) Of all the original Le Mans Spec Tourers, this pre-war Bentley is one of the best, with an extraordinary provenance beginning with an order placed by a well-regarded dealership in Buenos Aires. In an interesting twist, the car returned to the UK after a year and was subsequently sold to Gerald Bevan, a respected and influential Bentley enthusiast. Bevan had close ties to Captain Henry Birkin, Le Mans team driver and revered Bentley Boy whose company developed the factory team’s racing and supercharged cars. In a unique and rare offer to Captain Birkin’s trusted client, the 4 ½ Litre Sports Tourer was upgraded to Le Mans spec, an enhancement that likened the car in many ways to a proper Le Mans Team Car. It received a heavy crank, magnesium Blower crankcase, large capacity Le Mans petrol tank and a large diameter rev counter, in addition to many other features and, as a result, stands as the ultimate-specification, un-supercharged 4 ½ Litre. Since that time, MF3153 has been enjoyed by several caring owners, received a complete restoration by experts Richard Cresswell, Graham Moss and Tim Houlding, and won Best of Show at the 2005 Bentley Drivers Club Concours. Estimate: $2,000,000–$2,500,000.
1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic (Chassis No. 106.000035) One of the most spectacularly designed automobiles to leave Italy’s Carrozzeria Ghia during the 1950s was the Fiat 8V Supersonic, an extremely rare sports car embodying the best of the era’s Jet Age design. This car was the first Supersonic of only 12 models created and has always been specifically regarded as the finest, most original example in existence. Cherished for 55 years by one owner, this phenomenal car returns to the market after being sold by Gooding & Company in 2011. Having received Best in Class honors in the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Post-War Preservation category, this 8V remains in exceptional, well-preserved condition with approximately 20,000 original miles, its original engine, metallic maroon paint, complete light tan interior and original Pirelli tires. Estimate: $1,100,000–$1,400,000.
1965 Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante With just 37 unused DB5 chassis remaining, Aston Martin created its first Volante, a luxury drop-head, short-chassis sports car, to bridge the interim sales period between the DB5 and DB6. As a result, the Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante is the marque’s shortest duration production model to this day and is highly sought after by collectors. Built during the same period as the DB6, the Short-Chassis Volante is equipped with similarly-upgraded features. Delivered new to the UK, this extraordinary example was discovered in excellent condition in Capetown, South Africa after more than 40 years in storage without use. Since discovery, this ultra-rare Aston Martin received a spectacular and complete restoration by a noted marque specialist. No expense was spared, and today the Volante is an ideal concours and touring entrant. It will be presented to the public for the first time at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island Auction. This exciting Winchester Blue over blue leather Aston Martin will be offered with its owner’s manual, factory tools, jack and complete record of all restoration receipts. Estimate: $1,500,000–$1,800,000.
1966 Ferrari 275 GTS (Chassis 08005) Created for the sports car-hungry American market, this Ferrari 275 GTS is one of only 200 examples built between 1964 – 1966. Combining the sporting 3.3-liter V-12 of the GTB and chic Pininfarina styling, the 275 GTS offered the finest in open motoring. This specific example was delivered new to the West Coast in the Spring of 1966, and it has remained in the region ever since. Highly-restored and certified by Ferrari Classiche, the Rosso Corsa 275 GTS has received numerous concours honors including a FCA Platinum Award and Best in Class at Ferrari’s 60th Anniversary Concours at Fiorano. One of the finest examples of the 275 GTS to appear at auction in many years, this car is sure to attract interest from serious Ferrari collectors. Estimate: $850,000–$1,100,000.
1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster (Chassis 670025) One of the first XK120s delivered to the United States, this rare Alloy Jaguar was originally dispatched to Hoffman Motors in New York. After many years of privateer competition, it has since been prepared for prestigious rallies and tours, including the Colorado Grand and the California Mille. Under the care of the current owner, this XK120 was recently restored by marque specialists, Mike Wilson and Terry’s Jags, creating an ideal event car and a wonderful concours contender. This striking Battleship Grey over saddle Brown example has been shown at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and won its class at the Carmel-by-the-Sea concours. Estimate: $250,000–$280,000.
Gooding & Company will be conducting its annual Amelia Island Auction on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 11 a.m., at the Racquet Park located at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation at 6800 First Coast Highway in Amelia Island, one mile south of the Amelia Island Parkway. Guests may preview the cars on Wednesday and Thursday, March 6th and 7th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, March 8th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. An auction catalogue for $75 admits two to the viewing and auction. General admission to the viewing and auction can be purchased at the tent for $30 per person. Bidder registration forms, press credentials and additional auction information are available at www.goodingco.com or by calling (310) 899-1960. Auctions are broadcast live at www.goodingco.com/auction
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