The single-owner auction of the Sáragga Collection in Comporta, Portugal, generated €10,191,425 (nearly $11.2 million) in sales after eight hours of what RM Sotheby’s called “enthusiastic bidding” this past weekend.
The auction house reported that bidders from 38 nations were in the venue, the consignor’s estate, and that 52 percent of those bidding in person or online were new clients.
Topping the sale were a 1931 Bentley 8-Liter Tourer that sold for €680,000 ($747,155) and a 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring that brought €603,375 ($662,961). Prices include buyer’s fee.
“We enjoyed a remarkable afternoon here in Portugal,” Paul Darvill, RM Sotheby’s car specialist said of the company’s first collector car sale in the country. “This was a very large collection of diverse collector cars, and we have conducted a significant sale in a completely new market for RM Sotheby’s.
“We are truly delighted with the results, as many lots far exceeded pre-sale estimates, and overall the sale performed admirably, delivering a healthy performance across the board.”
Maarten ten Holder, head of Europe, RM Sotheby’s adds: “We are delighted Mr. Sáragga entrusted his remarkable collection to us and it has been a delight to conduct our first ever sale in Portugal alongside our local market colleagues at Sotheby’s.
“The room was packed and there was standing room only throughout the entire sale. “Attendance was beyond our expectations and we had multiple bidders on every lot, with more than half being completely new to RM Sotheby’s, which is an amazing statistic for any auction.”
The auction house noted that the Sáragga Collection “was distinctive for featuring many cars with outstanding Portuguese provenance, drawing local market enthusiasts. In particular, a rare and highly desirable 1939 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Chapron was on offer, a car delivered new to Delahaye’s Lisbon showroom and presented in its original colours, this former concours winner made a final €331,250.
“The rare 1955 WD Denzel 1300, believed to be one of only 30 in existence, and again boasting Portuguese provenance, brought €314,375. Another notable car to garner significant pre-sale interest was the one-of-a-kind 1966 Mercedes-Benz 600 Sedan, featuring a unique custom-made glass roof and coachbuilt by Henri Chapron of Paris. Having resided in Portugal since 1972 and in single ownership for 30 years, the car found a new home for €342,500.”
Top 10 sales, RM Sotheby’s Sáragga Collection, Portugal
- 1931 Bentley 8-Litre Tourer, € 680,000 ($747,155)
- 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring, € 602,375 ($662,961)
- 1966 Mercedes-Benz 600 sedan, € 342,500 ($376,323)
- 1939 Delahaye 135M cabriolet, € 331,250 ($363,963)
- 1955 WD Denzel 1300, € 314,375 ($345,421)
- 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, € 241,250 ($265,085)
- 1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S convertible, € 231,125 ($253,950)
- 1972 Alpine-Renault A110 1300, € 195,500 ($214,806)
- 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, € 174,800 ($192,062)
- 2001 BMW Z8, € 165,600 ($181,954)
(Prices include buyer’s fee.)
RM Sotheby’s next auction is another single-vendor event, the Taj Ma Garaj Collection in Dayton, Ohio, where the sale is scheduled for September 28.
