Huge prices were achieved at RM's Amelia Island auction on 8 March, with many lots besting their estimates. Top of the pile, though, was a 1939 Delahaye 135 Competition Court Torpedo Roadster that made a colossal $6,600,000.
The 135 Competition Court was only built for around two years and this example is one of just two short-chassis survivors. It was clothed by eminent French coachbuilder Figoni et Falaschi, and is the only car with its Geo-Ham nameplate in place – a late nod to illustrator Georges Hamel's influence on the design.
The car was part of the Pray Collection and had remained in the same ownership for more than half a century. It boasts a straight-six 3557cc engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox.
Big figures featured across the board, with a 1957 BMW 507 Series II selling for $2,420,000, despite its upper estimate being $1.8m. Also part of the Pray Collection, it sported its original engine, Rudge wheels and removable hard-top. The car was bought by Pray in 1972, but before that it had been used extensively in competition. Its previous owner, Alan Friedland, campaigned the BMW in many SCCA races in Ohio. Among the spares was a set of straight-cut gears.
