The first D-Type supplied by Jaguar to a privateer team, XKD 501 was sold new to the famed Scottish Racing
team, Ecurie Ecosse, who campaigned it to victory at the grueling 1956 Le Mans 24 Hours. It was offered at
tonight’s sale following almost two decades in one of America’s leading collections. The record-setting Jaguar
is only the fourth British car to have sold for more than $10 million at auction and eclipses the previous record
by over $7 million. That was set by a $14.3m 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato sold by RM Sotheby’s in
New York in December 2015.
Closely following the sale of the legendary D-Type was an American legend - CSX 2000, the very first Shelby
Cobra, which also roared into the record books, commanding a final price of $13,750,000 - a new auction
benchmark for an American automobile. One of the most highly anticipated lots of this year’s Monterey
auction week, the original Shelby Cobra was constructed and kept from new by the legendary Carroll Shelby
and never left his care. Offered by the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust, CSX 2000’s strong sales price represents a
new record for an American car sold at auction, besting the previous record ($11m for a 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf /
Mirage), which was set at the same sale in August 2012.
Rounding out the top three sales for the evening was a 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider, chassis no. 0510M,
driven by the big three of American racing in period: Phil Hill, Carroll Shelby and Jim Hall. Presented by its
owner of 60 years, Jim Hall, who addressed the standing-room only audience, it commanded $5,225,000 to
establish a new auction record for the model.
“Tonight’s records for any British car, any American car, and for a Ferrari 750 Monza demonstrate that
collectors remain prepared to part with significant sums to secure the rarest, fresh-to-the-market
automobiles,” says Ian Kelleher, Managing Director, RM Sotheby’s West Coast Division. “These outstanding
prices achieved at our flagship sale are a reassuring sign that the market remains healthy and vibrant.”
RM Sotheby’s continues its flagship Monterey sale tomorrow evening from 7pm PT.
Images ... Peter Singhof
www.ClassicCarPhotography.de
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