RM Sotheby’s will expand its annual Monterey auction this summer, adding an opening-day, single-marque sale Thursday, August 15, in partnership with Aston Martin. The docket for the opening event will include more than 30 Aston Martin sports cars, RM Sotheby’s announced.
The evening also will celebrate the anniversary of Aston Martin’s 1959 victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and the sports car maker’s Second Century Plan, under which it promised to produce a new model every year for seven years as well as two “specials” per year.
“Early interest in the inaugural auction from would-be owners around the world is an extremely positive sign,” Paul Spires, president of Aston Martin Works, was quoted in the news release.
“The market for historic cars is constantly evolving and it is vital that, with its remarkable heritage and growing appeal worldwide, Aston Martin is represented by the best auction house in the business. RM Sotheby’s give us at Aston Martin Works – the global heritage division of Aston Martin – the opportunity to reach a first class international clientele.”
“We are honored to partner with Aston Martin as the marque’s official auction house and for what is set to be an incredible evening in Monterey,”
“RM Sotheby’s has long been the auction house of choice for the sale of important Aston Martin models,” added Gord Duff, RM Sotheby’s global head of auctions.
“Our Monterey auction has proven time and again to be the best venue for the most exceptional examples, exhibited by the sale of the one-off DP215 last year, and the DBR1/1 in 2017 – the most valuable British car ever sold at auction.”
Duff also announced that the docket for the August 15 sale includes a “very early, long-term ownership DB5 we’ve consigned is a fantastic example of the fresh-to-market cars that collectors can expect.”
That car is a 1964 Aston Martin DB5, a left-hand-drive example and, as chassis DB5/1305/L, just the fifth DB5 produced. It was sold new through British Motor Car Distributors in San Francisco to the Washington Fruit & Produce Corporation. It was purchased by the consignor in 1981 off the street in Sausalito, California, and has remained in his private ownership ever since.
RM Sotheby’s said it will be presented in Monterey in” highly original, never fully restored condition,” and retains its original engine, is finished in its original colors, and features interesting factory options including an overdrive transmission and 3.77 rear axle ratio.”
The auction house has set a pre-sale estimated value of $700,000 to $900,000 for the car.
This Aston Martin is one of the most beautiful cars ever built.An Aston Martin is always special.This is simply the very best of them.