An example of one of BMW’s most collectible and coveted
models, a 1959 507 Series II Roadster, was the top lot as well
as the cover star of the 10th anniversary Bonhams Scottsdale
Auction on 21 January, selling for US$1,809,000 following a
tense bidding battle.
Bonhams Motor Cars’ first sale of the year used the successful
Bonhams Live and Online format, introduced in 2020 in
response to the global pandemic, and had an impressive
sell-through rate of 78 per cent.
From the start the tone was set when a 1993 Land Rover
Defender 110 NAS doubled its low estimate to sell for
$123,200 - one of numerous cars being the subject of long
battles between bidders around the country and the world.
The example offered, fitted with an extremely rare and original Becker Mexico Radio, had been in the USA
since new, with previous owners including the grandson of RKO studios founder Shane O’Neil. It was sold
following 30 years in the possession of its vendor, a prominent private collector.
Further highlights from the sale were:
Alfa Romeo-based 6C 2300 Monza Replica. A recreation of the 1930s racing legend, which was four
years in the making, sold for US$406,500.
Rünge RS010, sold for US$240,800. A one-off aluminium mid-engined sports racer, inspired by sports
cars and aircraft of the 1950s.
1992 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione 1 – a well-preserved, low mileage example of this recognised
modern classic, with desirable Martini 6 livery. Sold for US$182,000.
Meanwhile, Bonhams New York’s Fine Motoring Mascot Online Auction, also finished yesterday, with a
100 per cent sell-through rate and total exceeding the pre-sale estimate by 25 per cent.
The sale attracted bidders from around the world with stand-out sales including the top lot, a 1920s
nickel-plated bronze ‘A girl in a Cape’ mascot which achieved US$5,100, ten times its pre-sale
estimate.
The Bonhams US motors team is now actively consigning for The Amelia Island Auction which has been
rescheduled to May 20, in line with the deferred Amelia Island Concours d’Elégance.
Jakob Greisen, Vice President, Bonhams US Motoring, said: “We’re very happy to have got our year off
to such a good start in Arizona. We had a lot of interest before and during the sale, reflected in a very
satisfactory sell-through rate.”
Other cars shining in the Arizona sun at the Westin KierlandResort included another desirable continental
convertible of the 1950s, a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Roadster, one of just 53 Roadster variants
produced, which made $698,000.
A third collectible convertible from another era, a 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante, the very
first of the 99 Zagato Volantes, sold for US$538,500.
1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster
Inspired by the American market and designed by the noted Count Graf von Goertz,the 507 was BMW’s
flagship sportscar of the 1950s and its most expensive – just 253 cars were sold to the likes of Elvis
Presley and the Aga Khan.
