A little Porsche race car achieved a huge result during the Bonhams Quail Motorcar Auction, a live and online sale held August 14 at the company’s Los Angeles showroom.
The rare 1959 Porsche 718 RSK Spyder sold for more than $2.23 million, including auction fee, to take first place at the Bonhams sale, which achieved an overall total of $12.8 million with a sales rate of 65 percent.
The LA auction replaced Bonhams’ customary live sale held annually at the Quail Lodge adjacent to The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in Carmel, California. Both events along with all other major Monterey Car Week events were canceled this year because of the ongoing pandemic.
The Porsche Spyder, with a reputation as a “giant killer” among competitors, was raced with great success by the legendary Porsche driver Bob Holbert in numerous SCCA and international events. The car was sold after 50 years possession by its third owner.
Bonhams called its second-highest seller a “classic of the future,” a special-edition 2004 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse that sold for nearly $1.9 million. The Bugatti, which has been driven just 400 miles, is the only U.S.-spec version of three Meo Costantini examples built, “honouring the head of the firm’s factory team and winner of the Targa Florio and paying homage to the fabled Type 35,” the London-based auction company said in a news release.
The next top seller was a “beautifully restored” 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SC Roadster, sold for $951,000, followed by a spectacular pre-war classic, a 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GTC “Coupe Royale” by Carrozeria Touring, which sold for $582,500.
Two other Porsches reached the ranks of the top sellers of the auction, a 1957 356A 1500 Carrera GS that achieved $428,500 and a 1964 901 Coupe, sold for $340,500.
The ersatz Quail auction was held as part of the Petersen Automotive Museum’s collector car week that helped stand in for the Monterey events.
“This sale shows that the interest in collectors’ motorcars is as strong as ever and good examples of rare and pedigreed vehicles from all eras are attracting strong bids from passionate collectors around the world,” said Jakob Greisen, Bonhams vice president and head of US Motoring.
“We are delighted to have played a part in the virtual Petersen Car Week and are grateful to the Petersen Automotive Museum for their support in facilitating our Los Angeles previews.”
The top-10 highest sellers are Bonhams’ Quail auction were:
1. 1959 Porsche 718 RSK Spyder, $2.233 million
2. 2004 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, $1.875 million
3. 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SC Roadster, $951,000.
4. 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GTC “Coupe Royale,” $582,500
5. 1958 Ferrari 250 GT coupe, $456,000
6. 1972 Ferrari 375 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta, $434,000
7. 1957 Porsche 356A 1500 Carrera GS, $428,500
8. 2017 Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce coupe, $417,500
9. 1964 Porsche 901 coupe, $340,500
(All result include auctions fees)
The final two Bonhams auctions in the U.S. Calendar will take place at the Simeone Foundation Auto Museum on October 4, and the Barber Motorsports Museum on October 10. Sales scheduled for the U.K. and Europe include the Autoworld Autumn Sale on September 6, the Bonmont Sale on September 20, the Zoute Sale on October 9 and the Goodwood Speedweek Sale on October 17.
For more information and a list of all remaining 2020 Bonhams sales, visit the company’s website.
