Monterey, 19th of August, 2011
The Friday is usually on of the most busiest day of the week. Two
major events are held on the last day before the weekend and
should be visited.
In the morning the Quail features a media preview that is held
before the opening of the gates at 10 o´clock. Unfortunately the
weather was still not very good today and so many owners kept
the covers on the car for a long time. Just after the gates opened
for the public it is getting crowded very fast. People come in to
have a look at the spectacular display of cars both old and new
by the sponsors and enjoy a rich selection of food in one of the
buffet tents representing international kitchen. The featured
classes this year featured the Ferrari-link to North America with
several models bearing the America in their name as the 375
America or 400 and 410 Superamerica. Beside another class of
Ferrari the Jaguar E-Type celebrated its 50th birthday, other
classes featured the Riverside International Raceway or pre- and
post-war sports cars. The special display for Phil Hill was rather
small with just 2 cars but the 1959 works Testarossa was well
worth a closer look.
After the preview on could drive over to the Concorso Italiano that
represents all Italian cars, lined up by brand and type on the
green. The field was packed with cars this year and one had to
hurry up if he wanted to see all the Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini
and Alfa Romeo. Although most of the Italian cars have plenty of
power one of the smallest one was voted Best of Show by the
Public: a Stanguellini with Special Bertone Body from 1953.
After lunch time it was time to go back to the Quail to see the
winners ceremony there with the ex-Agnelli 375 America winning
BoS. As not unusual for American events the field cleared up
early as the event officially ended at 4 pm.
The evening saw the first day at RM Auctions with the highlight of
the day, the Porsche 911 driven by Steve McQueen in the movie
LeMans. The sports car was sold at a hefty 1.25 Mio$ plus
commission showing that the name of Mr.Cool is still very
valuable.
Unofficial Highlights from Friday, August 19:
Lot 152: 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta - $ 1,485,000
Lot 148: 1970 Porsche 911S - $1,375,000
Lot 163: 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt Concept Car - $935,000
Lot 121: 1953 Dodge Firearrow III Concept Car - $852,500
Lot 139: 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio - $693,000
Lot 144: 1969 Chevrolet BFG ‘Stars & Stripes’ Factory L88 ‘ZL-1’
Greenwood Racing Corvette - $638,000
Tomorrow it is track time again with the Rolex Monterey
Motorsport Reunion races at Laguna Seca and the two auctions
of Gooding and RM in the evening. Whereas Gooding tries to
break the all time auction record for a single car with the 250 TR,
RM tomorrow features several highlights especially from
Mercedes what might become one of the most successful auction
days ever for the Canadian auction house.
Text&Images Peter Singhof www.ClassicCarPhotography.de
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