One of the most highly anticipated auction lots in recent times, the Type 64 designed by Ferdinand Porsche, fell short of its reserve in confusing circumstances during RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale on Saturday (17 August).
Dubbed the original Porsche, the Type 64 was the blueprint for the groundbreaking Porsches that followed and the only example to survive WW2 was expected to fetch more than $20 million.
But it appeared to be heading far, far beyond, with bids leaping rapidly to $70m on the screen – only for the auctioneer to clarify: the number should have been $17m, and the fervent room seemed to swap excitement for disbelief.
Bidding failed to stretch further and the car remains unsold.
In reaction to the sale, RM Sotheby’s has said: “As bidding opened on the Type 64, increments were mistakenly displayed on the screen, causing unfortunate confusion in the room. We take pride in conducting our world-class auctions with integrity and we take our responsibility to our clients very seriously.
