Record-baiting Ferrari heads Gooding line-up – and 15 other star lots

Ready to make history?

We’ve been saying how history is being made with the pandemic-prompted shift to online auctions – and Gooding & Company hopes it is about to raise the bar yet higher.

Its Geared Online auction is just around the corner (3-7 August), and its star lot is this 1966 Ferrari 275GTB Long Nose.

When the virtual hammer falls, this could set a new record for the most expensive car ever sold online. So let’s take a closer look at it and 15 other standout lots in Gooding’s August sale.

1966 Ferrari 275GTB Long Nose (est: $2.75-3.25m)

Yes, that is an eye-watering pre-sale estimate, but with a target of $2,640,000 – achieved by another Ferrari, a 2003 Enzo that sold with RM Sotheby’s in May – this 275GTB Long Nose could well steal the crown, if that guide price is, quite literally, on the money. 

1966 Ferrari 275GTB Long Nose (cont.)

This unrestored example, finished in Bianco with a tan-coloured, leather-wrapped interior, has the rare racing-style, external fuel-filler cap option.

Originally sold to Italy and imported to the US in 1969, it has remained there ever since and has been well cared for, amassing only around 50,000 miles.

But this isn’t all that caught our eye – let’s check out 15 other classics we’re finding it hard to resist, and not just the multi-million dollar ones…

1971 Porsche 911 ST rally car (est: $950,000-1.25m)

This looks very special – and it is. This is one of five works Porsche 911 ST rally cars constructed to take on the 1971 edition of the East African Safari Rally – and one even finished fifth overall.

The green livery of Björn Waldegård’s car might be more famous, but this car is finished in its period-correct shade of Light Ivory, because it was a trainingwagen, one of two practice cars which, with the three rally cars, made the five-strong team.

1971 Porsche 911 ST rally car (cont.)

As you might expect, these ST rally cars, known as ‘STRs’, featured numerous modifications to prepare them for the rigours of one of the world’s toughest motorsport challenges.

These included strengthened bodyshells, a 40% locking differential, revised gear ratios, 10 inches of ground clearance, underbody guards and more.

And this car has been faithfully restored to its original 1971, rally-ready spec – and it is road-registered as well as eligible for numerous events. It has also been shown at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (est: $1.2-1.4m)

We all know that Mercedes’ iconic 300SL Gullwing is no stranger to high-end classic car auctions, but this differs from many because despite its pre-sale estimate of over $1m, it is in need of some TLC.

A US-market example that left the factory in the red over grey scheme it still wears, with the optional Rudge knock-off wheels you can see here and, crucially, the engine that still powers it, it heads to auction after a long period in a collection, hence some recommissioning work is on the cards for its lucky winning bidder.

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (cont.)

Apparently, early in its life it lived in Napa Valley and when crossing the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, someone working overhead accidentally dropped a bucket of the bridge’s paint onto the Gullwing! Unsurprisingly, it is understood that the owner didn’t pay for the subsequent repaint.

It has since been maintained but never fully restored and has been in a Californian collection since 1979.

1938 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet (est: $1.3-1.6m)

We said we’d preview some rather more affordable lots from Gooding’s Geared Online August sale and we will, but we couldn’t pass over this eye-catching Bugatti.

If its sweeping lines weren’t enough to turn your head, there’s that dazzling, two-tone paintwork that adorns the original Letourneur et Marchand coachwork.

1938 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet (cont.)

And it just keeps on giving – this car was also a Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance award winner back in 2018.

But it’s not just for looking at. Since its nut-and-bolt restoration that resulted in concours glory, it has also been campaigned on a few American Bugatti Club rallies.

1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk (est: $45-55,000)

Our next pick is no less colourful or eye-catching, but it should be rather less hard on your wallet, if its pre-sale estimate is on the money.

And, perhaps surprisingly, it has something in common with that Bugatti – it has been restored to concours-winning specification.

In fact, the auction house describes it as ‘among the finest of all surviving Golden Hawks’, plus it has appeared on TV show Jay Leno’s Garage.

1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk (cont.)

Its Canyon Cooper and Parchment White exterior sits perfectly with its tan and white, pleated-leather interior that also has an engine-turned dashboard.

And it’s from here that its next lucky custodian will command that supercharged 289cu in V8 – what a treat!

1937 Cord 812 S/C Phaeton (est: $200-250,000)

It is hard to believe that the sweeping lines of this Cord were formed 83 years ago – just look at it!

An original factory supercharged phaeton, its previous owners have lavished serious money on it, and even back in the ’60s and ’70s, this car was winning concours trophies. 

1937 Cord 812 S/C Phaeton (cont.)

For wind-in-your-hair motoring in a classic that is always going to turn heads, this is surely right up there.

And having been owned by enthusiasts throughout its life, it is now looking for another to take it forward.

1953 Chrysler Special (est: $550-650,000)

Our third US-born selection on the bounce and this lot is rather, errr, special. Never seen one before? There’s a reason for that…

This Virgil Exner-penned classic is one of about 16 built, of which it is thought eight remain. Making Gooding’s Geared Online sale a rare opportunity to buy (or even just see!) one.

1953 Chrysler Special (cont.)

These Specials were produced by none other than Italian carrozzeria Ghia and almost all, including this one, were sold through Chrysler’s dealer in the French capital, Paris – and this one headed Stateside with its first owner, jockey Johnny Longden, in September ’53.

With just over 58,000km on the odometer, this unrestored Chrysler Special really is quite a find.

1949 MG TC (est: $35-45,000)

Built for US export, this late-model MG TC has been consigned from a private collection, its previous owner having loved and enjoyed it – and let’s hope its winning bidder feels the same.

Described as ‘well loved’, this isn’t a concours queen, but a classic that’s in great order, that you shouldn’t be afraid to use.

It is rather easier on your bank balance than some other lots here, too!

1949 MG TC (cont.)

Black over tan is an attractive combination and with its fold-flat windscreen, this looks to be a lovely place from which to enjoy the open road.

A post-war car loaded with pre-war charm, the in-line ‘four’ isn’t the last word in high performance, but that is most definitely not the point of TC motoring.

1971 Lancia Fulvia Coupé 1.3S (est: $30-40,000)

Another lot with a pre-sale guide price that doesn’t make us fall off our chair is this ’71 Fulvia, finished in a distinctive, and we think rather becoming, shade.

It was brought to the US from Italy around three years ago and has been used and cared for ever since.

1971 Lancia Fulvia Coupé 1.3S (cont.)

You get around 90bhp from this Series II’s V4 engine which is plenty to get this little coupé happily motoring along.

And its plush-looking, tan-leather-trimmed interior looks very inviting, indeed.

1962 Facel Vega Facel II (est: $250-300,000)

Now that’s a two-door profile to be proud of – and if we had a spare few hundred thousand dollars, we would most definitely be tempted by this.

And we’re glad it once again wears the wonderful Tudor Grey colour it had when it left the factory, rather than the orange a previous owner decided to paint it…

1962 Facel Vega Facel II (cont.)

It is thought that only around 180 of these were built, and this example has spent much of its life in the hands of loving enthusiasts in America.

One lucky bidder will get to experience this rare blend of a Chrysler V8 and crisp French styling.

1967 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser (est: $60-80,000)

We’re big fans of these FJ40s, and this cute-as-a-button soft-top finished in period-correct Light Olive looks awfully charming.

What’s more, it’s the recipient of a major restoration by a specialist who spent around 1000 hours bringing it back to best.

1967 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser (cont.)

Step inside and it just gets better! That coral interior is the ideal shade, while the roll-up side windows will provide perfect ventilation for your rear-seat passengers.

And with a few thoughtful upgrades including power steering and a new exhaust system, this Toyota looks ready for its next adventure.

1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II (est: $225-275,000)

The values of these limited-run homologation specials are only going in one direction – but, then, there’s nothing quite like Mercedes’ 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II.

The ultimate iteration, there is nothing shy and retiring about the bodykit and rear wing, is there?

1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II (cont.)

This example was sold new to Japan and has done just over 10,000km, plus earlier this year it received TLC at Mercedes’ revered Classic Center in Irvine, California.

More than ready for its next owner, this dramatic-looking four-door is apparently in fantastic condition.

1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce (est: $120-140,000)

This gorgeous, Pininfarina-styled roadster’s delights are lost on none of us – and when it’s a car that between 2009 and 2011 was the subject of a comprehensive restoration and, more recently, has been serviced and detailed, even better.

But a big attraction of this car is that its beauty is much more than skin deep.

1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce (cont.)

By which we don’t just mean its cabin, although it does present very well.

No, despite its restoration and subsequent concours success, this car has been used and enjoyed on long-distance rallies – let’s hope the winning bidder with Gooding does this, too.

1992 Ferrari F40 (est: $1.25-1.5m)

We know this is dream-car territory and out of almost everyone’s reach, but an F40 owned by the same family from new isn’t something we can overlook.

A US-spec car, it has always been cared for by marque specialists, and it has gained Ferrari Classiche certification, too.

1992 Ferrari F40 (cont.)

Yet despite all that care and attention, this F40 is yet to hit the 5000-mile mark.

Whether you see that as perfect preservation or sacrilege is a separate issue, but it definitely makes this a special find.

1960 Dodge Polara Station Wagon (est: $40-55,000)

This brilliantly outrageous slice of Americana might not have a six-plus figure price-tag, but it’s rarer than some of those that do.

While 1768 nine-passenger Polara Station Wagons were built, it is believed a mere five survive – and of that quintet, surely few are in as amazing condition as this Cocoa Metallic example with its Fawn roof.

1960 Dodge Polara Station Wagon (cont.)

It just gets better when you slip inside, the Cocoa interior and its fabulous, futuristic dashboard echoing the exterior’s radical design cues.

And then there’s the glinting metal flake in the Lucite steering wheel, a detail that still delivers as much ‘wow factor’ today as it did when new, 60 years ago.

1962 Ferrari 250GTE Series II (est: $375-425,000)

Let’s finish how we started… Yes, we know this is another stunning classic Ferrari but, although very expensive for us mere mortals, this 250GTE’s guide price isn’t counted in millions, and with a stonking V12 and just 2500 miles on the clock, we had to share it.

However, when it left the factory in July 1962, it was finished in Blu Sera with a grey-leather upholstered interior…

1962 Ferrari 250GTE Series II (cont.)

By 1988, this car was in need of some serious attention, so then-owner, Neil Jones, embarked on a seven-year, nut-and-bolt restoration.

A true labour of love, then, and its original engine still lies beneath the bonnet, however its original bodywork was in such a poor state that it had to be replaced with that from another Series II GTE.

These cars and many more will cross the block at Gooding & Company’s Geared Online sale that runs between 3-7 August. Get full details here.