শনিবার, ১৯ জানুয়ারী, ২০১৩

Auction Action: Scottsdale Teaser

The frenzy has begun. Auctioneers are at this moment cajoling bidders to raise the paddle and add something new and interesting to their collections. How will Arizona 2013 shake out?

Auction Action
Scottsdale Teaser

No, I will not be hanging out in Scottsdale this year but rather will concentrating on my immediate projects not the least of which is to be able to receive a number of recent purchases. See this month?s Chasing Classics article for our car buying escapades. We should nevertheless have a quick look at a few notable Mercedes-Benz offerings in Arizona. My detectives on site will fill me in on all the drama next week.

RM Lot #165 1958 190SL: Here's another Strawberry Red 190SL that appears similar to the Strawberry Red example that stunned the 190 community by selling for $200k last August in Monterey. I say 'similar' because this car is vastly more interesting due to it being a single owner, unmolested 40k mile zero rust car prior to a an extensive but partial sympathetic restoration. The result is a blend of some superb preserved original aspects and correctly restored areas. The car was so well preserved that that the dashboard paint and chrome remain original as does the steering wheel. Trunk mats remain original and the original spare tire still sits in the trunk. All mechanical items were properly addressed by Wayne Carini as were the cosmetics. The seller, a friend of ours, is the same fellow who realized $200k for his prototype 280SE Low Grille Cabriolet last August. Will his gorgeous 190SL eclipse that figure? We'll know in a few days.

Gooding & Co Lot 110: This breathtaking 1957 300SL roadster could well set a new benchmark for steel block, drum brake roadsters. I was contacted by an interested bidder to see if I had any data on the car. I had no knowledge beyond what was contained in the Roadster Registry but noticed Thomas Taffet listed as a recent owner. Taffet is our trusted pre-war MB/Gullwing-Roadster expert so I gave him a call. "Spectacular and a bargain at $1m" he responded and "no, I have no vested interest in the car." He purchased the car in 2003 as a 40k mile weathered but unmolested original car in its original Ivory/Red paint and trim combination. What followed was a comprehensive "body-on" restoration and a color change to the current dramatic midnight blue. It is one of only 29 roadsters originally fitted with Rudge wheels. Contrary to what a SF Bay Area dealer told the potential bidder, Taffet noted the car having zero accident damage. Once completed, Taffet sold the car for $700k circa 2006 and it was subsequently re-sold for $850k. Gooding estimates the car between $1m-$1.3m. We'll keep an eye on this gorgeous roadster.

Barrett-Jackson Lot #1638: 2001 SL500 White/Java 61k miles. Let's come back down to earth and take a look at something most of humanity can actually afford. This late 129 series SL is nicely optioned with Zenon headlamps and heated seats. Documentation is not bad and includes the handbooks and the original window sticker. Under appreciated and hence excellent values, the late R129s are great buys. This 'no-reserve SL could bring $15k-$16k. We'll keep an eye on the results.

Barrett-Jackson Lot #5000 2007 SLR McLaren 722: If, and it's a fairly remote if in today's SLR market, you were after one of these thugs, the 722 coupe is the most interesting of the various SLR iterations. Yes, the MSRP was $485kish and according to the Mercedes/AMG exclusive vehicles brass, the entire run of 150 were spoken for shortly after the introduction with negligible if any discounts. Because they rarely come to market, I've seen asking prices close to the original sticker price. I have no idea what actual sales prices have been but maybe we'll find out IF this particular car sells. The seller has wisely insisted on a reserve for his/her 641 hp 209mph swingwing brute. Miles are refreshingly high at 6,300 but will hold the bidding down somewhat. We'll be anxious to see how this lot fares.

Gooding & Co Lot #121 1971 220D8L Limousine: Wow! How does a 57 hp 115 series diesel sedan end up amongst countless million dollar offerings? I'm pleased Gooding placed rarity, character and provenance above iconic status and sporting character. This stretched - not only in length but in power output as well - 220D was quite likely constructed by Binz. (See this month's article: Wagons!) What a fabulous and quirky lot. Of course, the fact it was owned by Prince Rainer lll and was occasionally occupied by the revered Princess Grace eased its entry into Gooding's selection. What a fabulous car and I regret not being able to see it in person. I have a feeling that this quirky limo just may surprise us and eclipse its $50k upper estimate. We'll have to see.

We?ll follow-up in the next newsletter with an analysis of these? five interesting lots. We wish each seller good luck.

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Source: http://www.mercedesheritage.com/2013/auction-action-scottsdale-teaser/

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