RM Sotheby’s Driven by Disruption Top Sellers

Destroying their own benchmark, RM Sotheby’s Driven by Disruption Auction closed with a staggering $73.5 million in sales; $10.5 million more than their auction debut in 2013. All entries which displayed the extremes of motoring history were, according to Sotheby’s, handpicked for their rarity, significance to design, engineering, and outstanding achievements garnered in automotive history. Over the 6-day event, of the exclusive selection of vehicles present, these icons—in descending order—were the top sellers:

 

5. 2003 Ferrari Enzo, Sold for $3,300,000

2003 Ferrari Enzo

Arguably the most important Ferrari produced under Luca di Montezemolo, this 2003 Enzo, chassis 135440, is the 295th of 400 produced, and is two owners and 560 miles from new. The Enzo produces 660-hp on a 6L V12 and was the successor to the F50.

 

4. 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow, Sold for $3,740,000

1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow

Offered for the first time in three decades, the Silver Arrow comes to us from car collectors Henry Austin Clark Jr. and D. Cameron Peck. It is the only one of three known survivors of the original five built. At the time of production, the Silver Arrow was ahead of the game with its 12-cylinder chassis, automatic clutch and power assisted brakes. In addition, its coachwork encompassed a roof that in one smooth plane covered to the rear of the car. Flush–fitting doors with handles inset were also key attractions in the design. The Silver Arrow produces 160-hp on a 429 cu. in side-vale L-head V12 on a three speed manual transmission.

 

3. 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I by Pininfarina, Sold for $5,720,000

1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet

Perpetually characterised by exclusivity, Ferrari produced only 40 of this marque, and of that total, this car is number 14. The 250 GT Cabriolet Series I, at the time of production, was the quintessential gentleman’s car. With this car, Ferrari showed the world that they produced posh cars as expertly as they did race cars. The 250 GT Cabriolet produces 240-hp from a 2, 953cc SOHC V12 with a triple Weber 36 DCL/3 carburettor on a four speed manual transmission.

 

2. 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Sold for $14,300,000

1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

While our minds continue to reel from the expert display of power from the DB10 in Spectre, consider for a moment another car that captured the attention of many for weeks prior to the auction. This DB4GT Zagato, chassis DBG4T/0186/R, is 14th of 19 DB4GT’s fashioned by Zagato. It is considered to be the coachbuilder’s finest design. This car produces 314-hp on a 3,670 cc DOHC twin-plug alloy inline six with triple Weber 45 DCOE carburettors, on a four-speed synchromesh alloy cased manual transmission with overdrive.

 

1. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti, Sold for $28,050,000

1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti

The belle of the ball and not surprisingly at the top of the list is the 1956 Ferrari 290 MM. The 290 MM, chassis 0620, is unquestionably an integral part of racing history and popular car culture. The 290 MM produces 320-hp from a 3,490 cc SOHC 60-degree Type 130 dry-sump V-12 engine, with triple Weber twin-choke 46 DCF3 carburettors on four-speed manual transmission. The 290 MM, with its extensively documented racing history, was designed for Juan Manuel Fangio to drive in the 1956 Mille Miglia; he finished 4th place overall.