16 stunners at 2021’s Scottsdale sales

Deals in the desert

Each January, the Arizona desert city of Scottsdale is home to hundreds if not thousands of classic car sales as the world’s biggest auction houses swoop in for their season-opening bonanzas.

Of course, 2021 looks rather different, but as the world continues to battle COVID-19 the auction houses have honed their online offerings and there is still a mouth-watering array of classics set to cross the block. A few firms have postponed their sales, but with Bonhams (21 January), RM Sotheby’s (22 January), Gooding & Company (18-22 January) and Worldwide Auctioneers (23 January) still holding online or in-person Scottsdale sales – albeit the latter in Indiana! – there is a lot to get stuck into.

These 16 left us wanting more and wishing we had bigger bank balances, but they’ve also provided some much-needed escapism. Enjoy!

1. 1926 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix (est: $650–850,000)

Gooding & Company achieved some impressive results with Bugattis last year, including several that made our countdown of the biggest sales of 2020.

This patina-heavy stunner might not quite hit those heights, but chassis 37227 is still a fabulous prospect – and is for sale for the first time in more than six decades.

1926 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix (cont.)

It was was ordered on 2 December 1926 by a gentleman in France and remained in the country until the mid-’50s, when Tony Award-winning Broadway set designer, New York-based Peter Larkin, bought it and hung onto it.

A passionate owner, he said in 2016 he still drove it every Sunday, weather permitting!

He passed away in 2019 and his family is now offering it for sale.

2. 1954 Fiat 1100/103 Turismo Veloce Charmant Coupé (est: $175-225,000)

You can be forgiven for wondering what this classic from Bonhams’ Scottsdale catalogue is – that is because it is one of only 12 built with this Vignale bodywork.

None other than the late Giovanni Michelotti designed the coachwork and it was delivered new to its first owner, on the island of Sicily, on 28 April 1954.

1954 Fiat 1100/103 Turismo Veloce Charmant Coupé (cont.)

Scroll forward all the way to 2012, and Fiat fan Daniele Spataro unearthed it in Palermo with just 6012km on its odometer.

This rare and elegant Fiat was then stripped and much of it was found to be in good condition, considering its age. Now reconditioned, it heads to auction this month with its original factory service manuals, photos and more.

3. 1934 Cadillac Model 370D

Worldwide Auctioneers isn’t sharing pre-sale estimates for its Scottsdale sale in Auburn, Indiana, on Saturday 23 January, but this Fleetwood-bodied convertible sedan caught our eye – and it is not hard to see why.

It is one of fewer than five thought to have been built for 1934, and offers slick, chrome-laden lines, serious road presence and, of course, V12 power thanks to its 368cu in, 135hp engine.

The auction house explains that 18 different body styles were offered by Cadillac for its V12, all crafted by Fisher or, as here, the more upmarket Fleetwood.

1934 Cadillac Model 370D (cont.)

Inside, occupants can enjoy fresh red leather and grey carpeting, plus there is a wind-up/-down window between the front and rear benches.

Simple, elegant and oozing style, this example has been cosmetically restored and would surely be wonderful for long-distance classic tours.

4. 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz (est: $200-225,000)

Another Cadillac that caught our eye was this dashing pink Eldorado Biarritz in RM Sotheby’s Arizona catalogue.

Originally finished in Argyle Blue Metallic with a blue interior and a pale blue top, the current keeper took ownership more than two decades ago and in restoring it selected this eye-catching exterior colour, plus the white interior and convertible roof.

1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz (cont.)

Today, the individual front seats this car was supplied with when new are a sought-after feature, and being restored to a high standard and since properly stored, seldom driven and lovingly maintained, it is surely a special example.

And then there is its 345hp V8, powered brakes and steering, electric windows, remote boot release and more.

5. 1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC AMG 6.0 Widebody (est: $175-225,000)

Another showstopper from RM Sotheby’s Arizona catalogue is this big coupé that was delivered new to Japan and once there was treated to period modifications courtesy of AMG.

Its 5.5-litre M117 V8 has been bored out to 6.0-litres and among the other modifications are hotter cams, a ported intake manifold and a freer-breathing exhaust.

1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SEC AMG 6.0 Widebody (cont.)

But just look at it – this is no wallflower. Check out those deep, three-piece wheels, the brilliantly aggressive bodykit and its bootlid spoiler.

What’s more, it will cross the block on 22 January with no reserve.

6. 1959 BMW 507 Roadster (est: $1.9-2.3m)

Coming out of nearly 30 years with one owner to go under the hammer at Bonhams’ 10th-anniversary Scottsdale sale at the city’s The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is this ‘stunning’ BMW.

Thought to be a US-market car from new, it has not always been the colour it is today, this believed to have happened during its restoration in the late ’80s.

1959 BMW 507 Roadster (cont.)

Since the ’90s this BMW has been stored in a climate-controlled environment.

It retains desirable details such as its original Becker Mexico radio, and any prospective bidder is going to have to dig deep, if the pre-sale guide price is anything to go by.

7. 1966 Ferrari 275GTB Long Nose (est: $2–2.4m)

This Scaglietti-bodied Ferrari consigned to Gooding’s Scottsdale 2021 sale will also require very deep pockets.

Delivered new to Oregon, it stayed with the family of its first owner for more than half a century – well, you’d not want to let it go, would you?

1966 Ferrari 275GTB Long Nose (cont.)

This is a special example. It has never been restored and never before been offered for public sale, and it has covered just over 40,000 miles in its 55 years.

Its Rosso Chiaro paintwork sits nicely with the red-leather upholstery with cloth inserts, and we think the V12-powered 275GTB number 08863 is a seriously exciting proposition. If we had a spare few million dollars.

8. 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer (est: $4.75-6.5m)

However, you’re likely to need several million more to secure this car when it crosses the block on 22 January.

Corsica only bodied eight examples of the Type 57S, and only this and one other were four-seat tourers – and in total, just 16 Type 57S Bugattis were sold with open coachwork.

You get the picture, this is special.

1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer (cont.)

The chassis of the car you see here, number 57512, was delivered to London on 8 March 1937 and its first owner was Maurice Fox-Pitt Lubbock, a friend of Jean Bugatti. From new it was a Type 57S, later upgraded to SC spec.

Still with its original engine, chassis, gearbox and differential, this is quite a machine.

9. 1991 Lancia Delta HF Integrale (est: $160-190,000)

This 16,888-mile/c27,000km Integrale’s iconic paintjob should make it stand out at Bonhams’ sale.

It is number 145 of 310 ‘Martini 6’ special-edition models produced by the manufacturer to mark its sixth straight World Rally Constructors’ Championship victory in 1992 – and this example appears to have been cherished its entire life.

1991 Lancia Delta HF Integrale (cont.)

Having lived in its Italian homeland for almost a decade, the car was then bought by a British collector, then in 2018 was exported to the US to join an American collection – who knows where its winning bidder will take it later this month.

It is described as being in ‘outstanding original condition’, with items including its factory-applied decals and the original turquoise Recaro Alcantara seats remaining intact.

10. 1956 Jaguar XK140 MC

This North American-market XK140 certainly jumped out at us from Worldwide’s Scottsdale lot list, finished in this dazzling shade of Carnival Red.

A concours award-winner, it will come as little surprise to learn that it has been the subject of a thorough restoration, which started in 2010.

1956 Jaguar XK140 MC (cont.)

The Jaguar’s body was removed from the frame and rotisserie bead-blasted to bare metal, such was the comprehensive nature of this work.

All the original chrome was removed and refitted, the engine and all mechanicals were rebuilt, the interior has been retrimmed, and it will be sold with its factory toolkit and original jack.

11. 1954 Ferrari 375 America Coupé (est: $2.4-3.4m)

This curious-looking Ferrari is one of a trio of 375 America Coupés to be bodied by coachmaker Vignale, and this one was exhibited at both the New York and Geneva shows in 1954.

What’s more, its first owner was Bob (Robert) Wilke, who led one of America’s most successful motor-racing teams – Leader Card, Inc cars were triple Indianapolis 500 winners and claimed six United States Auto Club National Championship car owner titles between 1959 and ’68.

1954 Ferrari 375 America Coupé (cont.)

Of the three Vignale-bodied 375 America Coupés, this is one of two built to a similar design, however this example’s front and rear lights are unique, as is its striking two-tone paintwork – the Amaranto and metallic grey it wears today are its original colours.

RM Sotheby’s notes that this isn’t a pristine, concours-ready example, but being a super-rare Prancing Horse with its original V12 powerplant, if you can stretch to its hefy price-tag maybe you can bring it back to best and we’ll see it on a concours lawn in the future?

12. 1968 Lamborghini Islero (est: $200-250,000)

The 104th of 125 Isleros built before the introduction of the ‘S’ model, this Argento example has lived in Italy, the UK and the US, and has taken home concours silverware.

It has been restored twice in its 53 years and today is said to be ‘mechanically well sorted and a pleasure to drive’.

1968 Lamborghini Islero (cont.)

Its tobacco leather interior appears to present well, too. Plus in 2018, power steering was fitted, as documented in the accompanying receipts.

Perfect for those long, lazy, post-pandemic road trips we’re all dreaming of.

13. 1952 Allard J2 Roadster

A racer with intact bodywork means this Allard J2 is surely something of a rarity – probably even a rarity amongst rarities!

Sold new to Michigan in the USA, it was delivered to its first owner on 31 August 1951 as a left-hand-drive model with items including knock-off wire wheels, twin fuel pumps and headlamp stone guards.

This keeper, a Mr Lee, then had a competition-prepped Cadillac engine fitted and went racing!

1952 Allard J2 Roadster (cont.)

More recently it has been restored and today presents in its original colours.

A few upgrades to enhance driving pleasure include a Muncie M21 gearbox and triple Strombergs, and it will be sold with a packed history file, including period photos and its Vintage Sports Car Club of America logbook.

14. 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupé (est: $90-120,000)

The V8-powered flagship of Mercedes’ W111 range, the 280SE 3.5 Coupé has long been a sought-after classic and this sunroof-equipped example is set to go under the hammer with Gooding & Company during its 18-22 January online Scottsdale sale.

It certainly is an attractive prospect in the year this car marks its half century.

1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupé (cont.)

The slender cream steering wheel is a stylish contrast to its deep-red interior, and looking at the odometer, it has been enjoyed over almost 97,200 miles – well, you would, wouldn’t you?

It will be sold with a spare tyre and toolkit, and looks ready to hit the road for many more miles of pleasurable classic motoring.

15. 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet A

From one three-pointed star to another, and Bonhams invites you to get in touch if you’d like to know the pre-sale estimate of this example, which tells you all you need to know, really.

But then any 540K is a very special car indeed, and this one wears unique bodywork and is a former Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Best of Show winner.

1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Cabriolet A (cont.)

US-bound after WW2, its owners have included American opera singer and well-known car collector James Melton, who held onto it almost until his death in 1961.

It has since graced other collections, being with its latest keeper for more than 20 years, and the auction house describes it as ‘one of the superlative 540Ks’.

16. 1955 Jaguar D-type (est: $5.75-7.5m)

We finish where we started with the car which could achieve the highest price of any at this month’s Scottsdale auctions.

And while this red paintwork – and red-trimmed cabin – might not seem correct, this is indeed how it left the factory, one of what’s thought to be a handful of D-types finished like this.

1955 Jaguar D-type (cont.)

Chassis number XKD 518’s first keeper was then-future-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who ‘took it on’ because the supplying dealer, Henlys of Manchester, couldn’t sell it.

Its first proper owner was racer Peter Blond who campaigned the D-type, including scoring two wins at Snetterton in June and September 1956, with further entries at Aintree, Oulton Park and Goodwood during that year and into ’57.

Later owners included Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant.

1955 Jaguar D-type (cont.)

Here’s a bonus photograph of this car to enjoy simply because it is so beautiful.

At one point it was repainted British Racing Green, but is now back in its original colours, its bodywork, engine and cylinder head all original.

No wonder it could achieve more than $7m, if its pre-sale prediction is accurate, with RM Sotheby’s on 22 January, during the classic car world’s annual Scottsdale sales.