25 stars of the 2022 Scottsdale sales

All eyes on Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona, plays host to the annual kick-off for the auction season and 2022 is no different, with six auction houses presenting a tantalising selection of lots.

Between 22 and 30 January everything from European exotica to American muscle – and everything in between – will go under the hammer.

Spanning that entire period it’s the big Barrett-Jackson sale, while the Worldwide Auctioneers event is on 26 January, Gooding & Company’s online sale runs from 26-28 January, and Russo and Steele’s is on 26-30 January, then two of the biggest in terms of values are both single-day auctions on 27 January, from Bonhams and RM Sotheby’s.

We’ve picked 25 standout lots from 2022’s Scottsdale catalogues, from automotive unicorns to ex-celebrity favourites, plus the weird and the wonderful. And, because these auctions are in the USA, all prices are in dollars. Enjoy!

1. 1988 Cizeta-Moroder V16T, RM Sotheby’s (est: $900,000-1.2m)

Some say more isn’t necessarily more – but then there’s the Cizeta V16T

Designed by a disgruntled Marcello Gandini, whose Diablo concept was toned down by Lamborghini’s then owner General Motors, the extravagance of the V16T’s exterior is matched by its mechanicals. The engine is based on two Lamborghini Urraco V8s, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

This particular car is chassis 001, and was the personal car of Giorgio Moroder, who was originally part of the development project for the car but parted ways just after it was revealed at the 1989 Los Angeles and Geneva motor shows.

2. 1961 Maserati 5000GT, Gooding & Company (est: $700-900,000)

The Maserati 5000GT was a truly exclusive car. Just 34 were built, each clothed by the leading lights in Italian coachbuilding: Allemano, Pinin Farina, Bertone and Ghia Touring.

Twice the price of a 3500 Touring, only the very wealthy could commission one, such as the Shah of Iran, Briggs Cunningham, Gianni Agnelli and Karim Aga Khan.

This example is the last of three Touring-bodied cars, and was displayed on Maserati’s 1960 Geneva motor show stand. It remained with Maserati for a few years, then sold to the Orsi family, and later rebuilt to special order by Prince Abdel Majid bin-Saud of Saudi Arabia.

3. 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Roadster, Bonhams (est: $375-475,000)

The Scottsdale auctions are often all about the very best restored or preserved cars, but here’s one for you if the idea of a restoration excites you.

This barn-find 300S Roadster is one of just 141 ever built, and after some time in Europe it wound up in Venezuela.

In the 1970s it was brought to New York, and laid up in a New Jersey garage for nearly 50 years, before making its way to California recently.

4. 1986 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible, Barrett-Jackson (est: not given)

This Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible is one of several lots in Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale 2022 catalogue with a sprinkling of celebrity stardust. And this has to be the most prestigious of the lot – The King of Cool’s Corniche.

Dean Martin’s name can be found on the insurance card, as well as a leather, glass and silver flask, bottle openers and four Tudor crystal shot glasses.

It’s covered just 22,228 miles at the time of writing. 

5. 1966 Ferrari 330GTC Speciale, RM Sotheby’s (est: $700-900,000)

This Ferrari 330GTC was the fourth of 600 built – but its low production number is only the start of its special story.

It was purchased by none other than Sergio Pininfarina and would be used as a test bed to develop designs and concepts for future versions of the GTC model. He focused his efforts on cosmetic and interior functions, such as fitting cloth upholstery to make it more comfortable during hot Italian summers.

Pininfarina also installed dual hood vents to improve engine cooling, and this proved so successful it was adopted into series production.

The circular pop-up foglamps on the nose were another change, designed by Aldo Brovarone for the Superfast I concept car and used for the 365 California Spider.

6. 1932 Chrysler CH Imperial Cabriolet, Worldwide Auctioneers (est: not given)

This Chrysler CH Imperial Cabriolet is the first car crafted by Bohman & Schwartz. It was created on-spec by the coachbuilder to demonstrate its talents, which proved highly effective.

Hollywood actor Lincoln Perry soon came calling, and it would form the centrepiece of his car collection for many years.

Interestingly, the woodwork is asymmetrical from one side of the car to another – it is believed that Bohman and Schwartz worked on each side of the car individually…

7. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Alloy, RM Sotheby’s (est: $7-9m)

Any Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is special, but this particular car is even more eye-opening.

It’s one of just 29 examples built with alloy bodyshells and panels, and with all the cabin windows other than the windscreen replaced by Plexiglass. Designed for privateer sports racers, the alloy 300SL would prove highly competitive against the Maserati, Ferrari and Aston Martin opposition.

This car was originally sold to Casablanca, Morocco, for the Mercedes-Benz agent and handy racer Joseph F Weckerle. It was imported to the USA in the 1970s, and spent 30 years in the possession of Mercedes-Benz Club of America luminary Hyatt Cheek.

8. 1964 Porsche 356C Carrera 2 Coupé, Gooding & Company (est: $575-650,000)

This Porsche 356 Carrera 2 Coupé has been owned by the same person for the past 40 years – and this month will cross the (virtual) block at the Gooding & Company Scottsdale 2022 sale.

It’s one of the most highly sought-after versions of the 356, and back in the day was twice the price of a 1600cc coupé.

Its 2.0-litre four-cam engine produced 130hp, which was good for 130mph, having kissed goodbye to 60mph in around 9 secs.

9. 1961 Jaguar E-type S1 External Bonnet Latch, Bonhams (est: $380-480,000)

Among Jaguar E-type enthusiasts, the most prized are the early flat-floor, external-bonnet-latch examples.

Such cars are worth a significant premium over later models, and that’s what you’re looking at here.

It’s the 180th built out of 385 external-bonnet-latch models for the US market, and dates from 6 July 1961.

A major restoration in 2007 saw its original cream exterior changed to British Racing Green, and it’s covered 1550 miles since.

10. 1987 Buick Grand National, Barrett-Jackson (est: no reserve)

This Buick Grand National is one of several examples among Barrett-Jackson’s selection, including the last one ever made.

This particular car, however, had a starring role in Fast & Furious 4, and was driven by Vin Diesel. It’s actually a Grand National recreation, and has a fake passenger seat attached to the rollcage.

It’s also been customised so that someone could stand on the floorboard; in the film this allowed Michelle Rodriguez to crawl out of the window onto the bonnet.

11. 1964 Volkswagen Type 2 Deluxe 21 Window Microbus, RM Sotheby’s (est: $100-150,000)

The VW Type 2 Microbus is an enduring classic, and 21-Window examples like this with a Samba canvas roof are highly sought after.

As soon as it left Germany, this one took up residence in San Francisco, finished in two-tone Turquoise and Blue-White with a Como Green interior. It was also specified with seatbelts and mounting points, six pop-out side windows, cargo doors on the right-hand side, a short middle seat, US-specification bumpers and a synthetic resin paint finish.

It will cross the block this month with RM Sotheby’s in Arizona, and it now has a blue and white exterior paint scheme over a parchment interior, and has a larger 1.7-litre VW engine.

12. 1935 Delahaye 135M Competition Drophead Coupé, Worldwide Auctioneers (est: not given)

This Delahaye 135M Competition Coupé is one of just four Delahayes created by Figoni in 1935, and the last built before the partnership began with Falaschi.

It would debut on Figoni et Falaschi’s 1935 Paris show stand, and is the first to feature Figoni’s patented disappearing top.

It’s believed to be the only surviving 1935 Figoni Delahaye, and was subjected to a five-year research and restoration effort before it was exhibited at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It is certainly one of Scottsdale 2022’s most eye-catching lots.

13. 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort, RM Sotheby’s (est: $1.2-1.5m)

The Porsche 959 was designed to develop a follow-up to the 911, and the useful introduction of Group B rules would provide the motorsport focus to encourage product development.

Well, that was the plan – Group B would be disbanded and the 959’s competition life took on a different form; the 911 would continue to live on.

The 959, however, became a legend in its own right – it could breeze past 60mph in 4 secs and on to nigh-on 200mph. However, it was a technical tour de force, too – it has special run-flat tyres, tyre-pressure monitoring and electrically adjustable ride height and damping; all things standard on a lot of cars these days.

Just 292 stock versions were built, and this one is a Komfort model, which means it has leather trim, heated seats and more.

14. 1962 Lancia Flaminia Sport 3C, Gooding & Company (est: $275-350,000)

The Flaminia lived a long life between 1957 and 1970, with Pininfarina, Touring and Zagato all offering their take on Lancia’s advanced mechanicals.

The Sport seen here was styled by Ercole Spada at Zagato, using the short-wheelbase chassis as seen on the GT.

It’s powered by Lancia’s famed V6, which delivers between 140 and 152bhp, depending on engine size.

15. 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Series 2, Bonhams (est: $250-300,000)

The Aston Martin DB4 was one of the cars to be seen in – and if you were a Los Angeles socialite, then a Goodwood Green over Fawn Connolly hide example would be perfect.

William Winans was the first owner of this car, and with wife Mignon, hosted parties for the likes of Nancy and Ronald Reagan, Jimmy and Gloria Stewart, Janet and Adrian Gaynor, David Niven and Merle Oberon.

Winans drove this car for 6000 miles in the first 18 months of ownership, and kept it until 1972. 

16. 1976 AMC Pacer Coupe, Barrett-Jackson (est: no reserve)

This AMC Pacer might look familiar – it’s the exact car used for the film Wayne’s World.

Modifications made for the big screen included baby-blue paint over the original yellow exterior and brown interior, tow hooks welded to the front subframe and ¼-inch steel plates welded to the rocker panels for camera support, plus a hole was drilled in the roof for the famous liquorice dispenser.

17. 1998 Bentley Continental T Mulliner RSE, Bonhams (est: $100-130,000)

Bonhams is auctioning several Continentals, and this has to be one of the most sought after.

Not only is one of just 182 short-wheelbase and wide-bodied T models built for the US market, this is one of 14 examples of the RSE.

The Regional Special Edition featured chrome 18-inch wheels, stainless-steel headlight surrounds, body-coloured bumper undertrays and finishing strips, sports seats with Alcantara inserts and more.

You also got an extra 20bhp and 60lb ft, bringing the total to a thumpingly pleasing 420bhp with 650lb ft of torque.

18. 1939 Packard Darrin ‘Hollywood’ Victoria Convertible, Worldwide Auctioneers (est: not given)

Packard was well known for providing luxury machines, but it took Howard ‘Dutch’ Darrin to bring the Hollywood glamour.

Using a fake French accent and all manner of subterfuge to get his cars photographed in all the right places, his creations became famous among the Hollywood elite. Just 14 Hollywood Darrin Packard Victorias were built in his Darrin of Paris workshop on the Sunset Strip in California.

Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Rosalind Russell, Al Jolson and Preston Foster all wanted a piece of the action, and it is the latter’s car you see before you. Foster had his upgraded to the 1941 Packard front end and updated the performance, too.

It would later have more Hollywood glamour sprinkled on it – actress Diane Barrymore and actor Edwin Rand were later custodians of this glamorous machine.

19. 1971 Ferrari 365GTS/4 Daytona Spider, RM Sotheby’s (est: $2.4-2.8m)

This Ferrari 365GTS/4 Daytona Spider is the 31st of 121 built, and one of only 14 finished in Argento Metallizzato.

Its history is extensive – it can count among its owners the late Sydney Pollack, an acclaimed actor and Academy Award-winning director of Out of Africa.

It also spent a tumultuous time in Mexican ownership, before coming back to the USA in the 1990s. It’s covered just 40,150 miles.

20. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/340 Split-Window Coupe, Gooding & Company (est: $200-250,000)

The C2 version of the Corvette was quite a departure from the original car – it was the first fastback body, and first-year cars had a raised window that ran the length of the roof and down the back on a pillar that split the window in two.

Designer Bill Mitchell said he was inspired by the Bugatti 57SC Atlantique, though a similar design was seen on the Oldsmobile Golden Rocket show car and Harley Earl’s C2 Corvette design studies.

Because the Split Window motif only lasted one year, such cars are now highly sought after.

21. 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500KR Fastback, Bonhams (est: $160-210,000)

The Shelby Mustang GT500KR was the result of one dealership’s desperation in the face of being outgunned by Chevrolet’s Camaro SS 396.

Tasca Ford in Rhode Island dropped a 428 Police Interceptor short block into a 390 GTA Coupe and sniffed around the Ford parts bin for 427 bits, creating a performance masterpiece that could do the quarter-mile in 13.39 secs at 105mph. Ford’s own engineers loved it but the top brass didn’t, however Hot Rod magazine’s readers demanded the Blue Oval build it – which it did, restoring some street cred.

This car, being sold by Bonhams at Scottsdale 2022, is one of just 97 completed from the factory with Special Order paint and trim codes, and ordered under 'Home Office Reserve’, implying that it was intended for a Ford executive or VIP.

22. 1977 Pontiac Firebird TransAm SE, Barrett-Jackson (est: no reserve)

This Pontiac Firebird isn’t just any ‘flying chicken’. This is the late Burt Reynolds’ own car, gifted to him as a thank you for helping to popularise the car in Smokey and the Bandit.

Reynolds didn’t put many miles on it, keeping it until 2014. Its second owner restored it to as-new standard, revitalising the extensive gold striping and gothic lettering.

In 2019, Reynolds was reunited with the car and signed the glovebox door.

23. 1949 Buick Roadmaster Convertible, Bonhams (est: $150-250,000)

This 1949 Buick Roadmaster is one of two cars that featured in Rain Man, and as Dustin Hoffman’s character, Raymond Babbitt recounted, it’s a straight-eight, fireball eight – one of 8095 production models.

After filming on the eventual Academy Award-winning movie ended, this car was acquired by Hoffman himself. It was restored in the late 1980s, but has spent much of the following decades in storage.

“The Buick’s been in storage too long,” says Hoffman. “It should be driven, enjoyed and cherished.” Are you the one to do that?

24. 1929 Duesenberg Model J Berline, Worldwide Auctioneers (est: not given)

This Duesenberg Model J is believed to be one of the first examples to be fitted with Derham Coachworks bodywork.

Its first owner kept the car until the mid-1930s; it fell off a boat into the Santa Barbara Channel and rather than fix the damage, he sold it to Coca-Cola president MK Barbee.

Barbee had the mechanicals rebuilt, and sent it to Bohman & Shchwartz to modify the car with a lowered roof, skirted rear wings, an apt waterfall grille and bullet-shaped lights. Since then it’s been a regular at concours events across America, with several best in show wins in 2021.

25. 1967 OSI 20M TS, Bonhams (est: $60-80,000)

OSI was the brainchild of Ghia and Fergat, a way for the former to put its designs into production.

In 1965, Ford asked OSI to build a successor to its Taunus Coupe, with the brief of seating four people in comfort on a fourth-gen Taunus chassis. The resulting car was largely credited to Sergio Sartorelli of Karmann Ghia and Fiat 2300 S fame.

Just 2000 handbuilt cars were produced, and it’s believed only 10 per cent still exist. This example is described as an excellent choice for a rolling restoration – let’s hope someone at Bonhams’ Scottsdale 2022 sale gives it the second chance it surely deserves.