The world’s biggest auction houses are hoping that 2013 will get off to a flying start in Scottsdale, as they bring their most prized lots to the season-opening sales extravaganza, which kicks off on Monday.
Gooding will be looking to secure the highest price as it leads with a 1958 Ferrari 250GT LWB California Spider (main picture) and a unique 1957 Maserati 150GT Spyder (above). The latter served as a prototype for cars such as the 300S.
Last year’s Scottsdale week brought in sales totalling nearly $182million as more than 2000 classics crossed the block, averaging £85,000 per vehicle. Gooding took the highest 'per-car' sale rate with an astonishing $343,000.
RM will be looking to serve up some highlights of its own, though. The Ontario-based auction house’s top lots include a 1965 Ford GT40, one of 31 Mk1s, and a 1960 Ferrari 250GT SWB Berlinetta ‘Competizione’. It has been exhibited at Pebble Beach, The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering and Villa d’Este.
Meanwhile, the Oldenburg Family Automobile Collection will star at Bonhams’ second year in Arizona, featuring a 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV and a Ferrari 365GTB/4 Daytona of the same vintage.
A restored ex-William ‘Bill’ Borchert Larsen 1930 Bugatti Type 46 Faux Cabriolet will head up the non-Oldenburg cars.
Finally, Barrett-Jackson will put US classics under the hammer, including the original Batmobile and The Green Hornet 1968 Shelby Mustang EXP500 prototype.
