BLENHEIM, Ontario, 6 January, 2022

RM Sotheby’s is thrilled to kick off the 2022 collector car auction calendar once again by returning to the stunning grounds of the Arizona Biltmore & Spa in Phoenix on 27 January for its 23rd annual Arizona sale. The auction will play host to a wide variety of marques and eras, with sports cars and a single-owner collection leading the early highlights.

Continuing as the established market leader in single-owner collection sales, The Tenenbaum Collection is an early highlight that will go under the hammer in Arizona. This outstanding collection of European sports and supercars represents some of the very finest examples of Porsche supercars and European classics. The nine cars hold desirable specifications, low production numbers, originality, and unique color combinations.

Heading the collection is one of the most iconic and technically advanced cars of its era, a 1987 Porsche 959. The model, which was developed for the fearsome Group B homologation class in the 1980s, wears a Guard Red exterior over black leather. Boasting around 14,000 km and recent restoration work, this 959 will cross the block accompanied by a tool kit and books (Estimate: $1,200,000 - $1,500,000). The collection also features two further examples of peak Porsche sports car development from subsequent eras.

Related Material

·

·

·

·

The 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, in classic GT Silver over Ascot Brown leather, has had only three owners from new. With 5,482 miles at the time of cataloguing, this well-maintained example will go under the hammer without reserve and to its new home with a seven-piece luggage set (Estimate: $1,000,000 - $1,300,000). The most modern of the trio, the 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, again represents the peak of sports car technological development available at the time of production. With a mere 1,396 miles on the clock at the time of cataloguing and only two registered owners, this limited-production Spyder is stunning in Liquid Chrome Metal Blue over Onyx Black with Acid Green piping (Estimate: $1,200,000 - $1,400,000).

One of just three cars invoiced in 1964, the 1964 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster offered in Arizona was the third-to-last 300 SL to be delivered and is presented today in the original colors of Gray Blue over red interior. The late production model car remained in single ownership from 1971 to 2013 and was a recipient of a full cosmetic restoration upon the consignor’s purchase in 2014. Complete with fitted luggage, books, tools, and hardtop, this 300 SL will lead the roster of sports cars across the block in Arizona (Estimate: $2,200,000 - $2,500,000).

Proving that unique treasures still exist amongst a thriving classic car scene, the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is the only example to leave the factory in the striking combination of Dunkelgrau paint over an interior upholstered in beige with red-and-green plaid fabric seats. The car received regular attention and maintenance over its lifetime, and before being purchased by the current owner, it received extensive restoration and refinishing work to bring it back to its original luster. It is, without exaggeration, a star of the auction (Estimate: $1,450,000 - $1,650,000).

Without a doubt, the 1988 Cizeta-Moroder V16T will turn heads as it crosses the block. It is the original Cizeta-Moroder prototype and show car, the most famous example of the model, and the only chassis to wear the Cizeta-Moroder nameplate. Chassis 001 received full mechanical restoration by Canepa Design in 2018 and is now offered by its illustrious original owner, music producer, and original Cizeta-Moroder investor, Giorgio Moroder. This car is an undoubted icon of the 1980s, where exotic sports car design was elevated to a new level and is an unrepeatable opportunity for collectors (Estimate: $900,000 - $1,200,000).

Additional European sports cars to join the early highlights in Arizona include a 1967 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2. Fully restored by marque specialist Gary Bobileff and certified by Lamborghini Polo Storico, this example is presented in its striking original colors of Blu Note over Tobacco (Estimate: $450,000 - $550,000). Possessing a bespoke build guided between its original owner and Alois Ruf himself, this 1985 Porsche RUF BTR III will cross the block accompanied by a series of handwritten letters, signed under Ruf’s nickname, “Luis.” Instead of the four-speed transmission that typically accompanied a first-generation Porsche 930, this example advanced from a four-speed Stage I build to a five-speed Stage II and finally achieved its current six-speed Stage III status – all added with guidance from Mr. Ruf himself. The sum of the overall modification adds up to a serious car for Porsche collectors and driving enthusiasts alike (Estimate: $325,000 - $375,000).

Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s said: “We have a wonderful initial offering for our Arizona sale, which is always a highlight of the year and will clearly show the way to a fantastic 2022. These early lots show the quality and variety we always look for when bringing exotic and rare supercars from across the eras to market. From the RUF to the Lamborghini to the entire Tenenbaum Collection, we are confident these high-quality cars will garner the attention they deserve from enthusiasts and collectors around the world.”