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“For the collector car community, March is synonymous with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
weekend. We’re proud to not only be the official auction house of the event, but also one of its longest running
sponsors,” says Gord Duff, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s. “Last year’s event was certainly one for the books,
launching our new partnership with Sotheby’s in spectacular fashion. 12 months on, we’ve assembled another
fantastic group of automobiles with an emphasis on fresh-to-the-market, exquisitely restored examples – a
great fit for the concours setting.”
Top billing at this year’s RM sale goes to a 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Cabriolet A, chassis no.
408371; a special one-off design that combines breathtaking lines with an exceptional provenance, highlighted
by former ownership by some of the most famous names in the hobby. The earliest known post-war owner of
this 540 K was American operatic tenor James Melton, widely considered as the best-known American car
collector of the time. A cherished part of Melton’s collection, it is understood the Cabriolet A was regularly
and extensively used by Melton, who lovingly recounted his adventures with his ‘supercharged beast’ in his
1954 autobiography, Bright Wheels Rolling. Reflective of the car’s importance in his life, even as Melton
began selling his collection in the 1950s, the 540 K remained; one of the final cars in his stable, it was only
sold shortly before his passing in 1961. The next renowned collector in this 540 K’s illustrious history was
none other than Otis Chandler, who promptly commissioned an expert restoration, debuting the work to ‘Best
of Show’ honors at the 1973 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The featured Mercedes-Benz later passed
through the hands of other distinguished owners, including Axel Wars and General William Lyon, prior to
landing with the current vendor two decades ago. Eye-catching in bright scarlet with tan leather upholstery
and a tan cloth top, it comes to Amelia Island as the only known example of its type, certain to command
strong attention from the world’s most discerning collectors (Est. $3,000,000 - $4,000,000).
Jonathan Sierakowski, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s comments: “This car has all that a superb automobile
should have: memorable lines, superb engineering and abundant power. Add in its exceptional ownership
chain and its bevy of special one-off features, from the raked vee’d windshield to the louvered front hood,
special fitted luggage and the five-speed transmission, a feature only seen on the later examples, and it can
be rightfully considered one of the most superlative and unique 540 Ks.”
Fast-forward to the 1950s and RM’s Amelia Island catalogue includes a truly stunning 1954 Bentley R-Type
Continental Fastback Sports Saloon, chassis no. BC2LD. Arguably the ultimate R-Type Continental, this
magnificent example is completed in the most desirable configuration of factory LHD, 4.9-liter engine,
center-shift transmission and the famous “seats and spats”. Completed on August 21, 1954, the featured
R-Type was shipped from London to New York aboard the SS American Producer and promptly sold to its
original owner, Mary Thurston Horn, a member of one of New York’s oldest families. Just four private owners
from new, it was acquired by its current enthusiast owner in 2009 and promptly restored – the caliber of work
honored with a ‘Best in Class’ at Amelia Island in 2010. Frequently driven and enjoyed since, it combines all
that the knowledgeable buyer seeks: the best possible options and equipment, the most powerful engine, an
iconic body style, known history with only a few careful keepers, and a well-maintained restoration, ranking it
among the most sought-after Continentals to come to market in recent years (Est. $1,200,000 - $1,400,000).
Other superlative automobiles slated for the March 12 sale include the well-known 1911 Rolls-Royce 40/50
HP Silver Ghost Tourer, chassis no. 1544, and the 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB Coupe
Aerodinamico, chassis no. 3949 SA. For Rolls-Royce enthusiasts, the 1911 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver
Ghost Tourer is surely one of the most significant “parallel bonnet” Silver Ghosts offered in recent memory.
An extraordinary example with attractive open coachwork, it is especially noteworthy as an exceptionally pure
car—one of approximately only 20 surviving examples sporting their original body, engine and chassis—and
enjoys a thoroughly documented provenance, restoration and show history, including accolades in both AACA
National and Rolls-Royce Owners Club competition. It comes to Amelia Island following two decades in single
ownership (Est. $2,500,000 - $3,500,000). The 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB Coupe
Aerodinamico leads a group of no less than 13 Ferraris included in the Amelia Island catalogue. A factory
covered-headlamp example with numerous special-order features, the car on offer was the 1962 Turin
Automobile Show Car, and like aforementioned feature cars, boasts a well-known, limited ownership. It was
originally delivered new to American sportsman Erwin Goldschmidt, who specified many one-off
characteristics, remaining in the family’s care through 2003. Acquired by the vendor in 2012, it has been
freshly restored and comes to auction as not only a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, but one of the most significant
400 Superamericas extant (Est. $2,700,000 - $3,300,000).
True to RM form, the Amelia Island sale features wonderful breadth, with entries spanning the spectrum of the
market. Additional standout lots include:
· a 1931 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Victoria, chassis no. DV-PC-1294, the first of five examples built to this
design and the recipient of an exquisite restoration, as confirmed by multiple Best of Show and Best in Class
honors (Est. $800,00 - $1,000,000);
· a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, chassis no. 7500378, offered from enthusiast ownership for the
last 42 years and twice driven from coast to coast (Est. $1,000,000 - $1,300,000);
· a 1968 Chevrolet Sunoco Camaro Trans Am, the first of two examples built for Penske’s 1968 season,
and raced by Mark Donahue and Sam Posey to considerable success, including numerous podium finishes
(Est. $900,000 - $1,200,000);
· a 1985 Ford RS200 Evolution, chassis no. 070, upgraded by the factory to 600 brake horsepower and
showing less than 450 original kilometers (Est. $475,000 - $675,000); and,
· a highly optioned 2014 Pagani Huayra, delivered new to the United States and showing less than 400
miles (Est. $1,900,000 - $2,200,000).
In addition to its traditional automobile offering, RM Sotheby’s is proud to support the fundraising initiatives of
the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance via the presentation of a series of charity lots at the start of its March
12 auction. From a pair of children’s cars, including 1956 Bimbo Racer 12V, to an exclusive Monaco Grand
Prix F1 experience and a General Motors Design Center Experience, proceeds from the sale of these
select lots will benefit Spina Bifida of Jacksonville.
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