Fabulous Ferraris and beautiful Bugattis take centre stage at RM AUctions' London sale

1938 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux. Chassis no. 57701. Engine no. 494. Est. £595,000-715,000. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

LONDON.- Now in its ninth year, RM Auctions’ annual London sale, has gained a reputation for bringing a world-class collection of cars to market, offering a broad selection of vehicles to cater to a diverse range of automotive tastes and budgets. From imposing Edwardians to modern era supercars and modest market investments to magnificent million-pound automobiles, RM’s London sale is well established as one of Europe’s finest and most comprehensive collector car auctions. 

Reinforcing RM’s position as the world’s pre-eminent specialist in the sale of classic Ferraris, the upcoming sale is led by a roster of no less than 20 examples from the famed Italian marque, 12 of which come from a single private collection in Switzerland. With models spanning more than three decades of production, enthusiasts of the legendary marque can choose from a stylish 1961 250 GTE (Est. £180,000–£240,000) through to another of the great 2+2 V-12’s of the modern era, a 1995 456 GT (Est. £40,000-£60,000).

1961 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2 Series I by Pininfarina. Est. £180,000–£240,000. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1995 Ferrari 456 GT. Est. £40,000-£60,000. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions. 

The undoubted star of all the Ferraris consigned to date is the 1966 275 GTB, chassis 8199, which is a wonderful example of this rapidly appreciating and much-in-demand 1960s GT car, featuring the highly desirable long-nosed, alloy-bodied configuration (Est. £1,900,000–£2,200,000). 

1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy by Scaglietti. Est. £1,900,000–£2,200,000. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

Other notable early Ferrari highlights represent a broad cross-section of the marque’s road going models from the 1960s through to the 1990s, including beautiful examples of such iconic models as a 1968 330 GTC (Est. £400,000–£500,000), a 1972 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta (Est. £450,000–£550,000), and a 1989 F40 (Est. £395,000-£495,000). 

1968 Ferrari 330 GTC by Pininfarina. Est. £400,000–£500,000. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti. Est. £450,000–£550,000. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1989 Ferrari F40. Est. £395,000-£495,000. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Auctions, Europe, says: “RM is the world’s leading seller of classic Ferraris, and it is fantastic to be able to feature such a broad selection of the marque’s finest road cars at our London sale. We have a strong reputation for quality, and it’s important to note that the Ferraris on offer are of a particularly high standard, with many being incredibly low mileage examples and presented in almost ‘as new’ condition. The market loves the best, and we are certainly offering the best in London”. 

The London auction is not only about Ferraris, and nothing contrasts better with post-war Italian exotica than the pre-war glamour of French Bugattis. RM will present three glorious examples at the upcoming sale, from an early sporting Type 13 through to the splendour of two Type 57s, the ultimate 1930s grand routier. The 1920 Bugatti Type 13 ‘Brescia’, chassis 981, was manufactured in Molsheim before being delivered to its first owner. With its low weight and technically advanced 16-valve, overhead-camshaft engine, the Type 13 was considered state of the art for its time, as illustrated by the model’s exceptional period competition history. Well-documented, and benefitting from a meticulous specialist restoration, chassis 981 has been a well-loved and much campaigned car, and is expected to fetch between £285,000 and £330,000. 

The Bugatti Type 57s of the 1930s are truly worthy of the term “iconic”. With their magnificent straight eight-cylinder, supercharged engines, which were derived from Bugatti’s highly successful Grand Prix cars of the period, the Type 57 boasted exceptional performance, which owners could combine with a number of different, and invariably beautiful, coachbuilt bodies. Two such cars will be offered in London, a 1937 Type 57C with Stelvio coachwork by Gangloff and a 1938 example clothed by Ventoux. 

In the tradition of coachbuilt cars, Ventoux-style cars differed from one another in certain respects, and chassis 57701 was delivered new in 1938 to Bugatti’s Swiss agent having been purchased at a “special” price of 82,000 French Francs. Offered today in exceptional yet highly original condition, it carries a pre-sale estimate of £300,000–£335,000. The other car, chassis 57467, sports the lovely drophead Stelvio bodywork from the famous Gangloff Works. Commissioned by the Bugatti factory, it was completed in 1937 and delivered to Bugatti’s Lyon agent, where it soon found a home with a local customer. Much in demand in today’s market, it is estimated to achieve between £595,000 and £715,000 at the upcoming sale. 

And also  my favourites: 

1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Piccadilly Roadster by Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Tourer by Barker. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1929 Auburn 120 Eight Speedster. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sports Saloon by Thrupp & Maberly. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1939 Daimler DB18 Drophead Coupé by Carlton. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1947 Bentley Mark VI Fixed Head Coupé by Figoni et Falaschi. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1948 Bentley Mark VI Three-Position Drophead Coupé by James Young. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1951 Bentley Mark VI Two-Door Saloon by Hooper. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1954 Aston Martin DB2/4. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America by Pinin Farina. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1958 Mercedes-Benz 220 S Cabriolet. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 D Presidential Cabriolet. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1960 AC Ace 2.6 'Ruddspeed'. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1962 Porsche 356 B Super 90 Cabriolet by Reutter. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 'Pagoda'. Photo: Neil Fraser ©2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions.

Balenciaga

Balenciaga Dress with Scarves- 1951.

1952 - Sunny Harnett in Balenciaga Photo by Richard Avedon for Vogue,

Bague diamant

Bague diamant. Photo Tajan.

Elle est ornée d'un diamant coussin dans un entourage de très petits diamants. Anneau partiellement serti de petits diamants taille brillant. Monture en or gris 18K. Poids brut : 6,2 gr. Poids du diamant : 3,18 carats. TDD : 53. Estimation : 28 000 € / 35 000 €

Le diamant est accompagné d'un rapport du laboratoire HRD énonçant selon son opinion : couleur H, pureté VVS2.

A 3,18 carats diamond and gold ring.

TAJAN. Importants Bijoux. le 28 Juillet 2014 à 15h. CAFÉ DE PARIS - SALON BELLEVUE - MONTE CARLO. Contact: Romain Monteaux-Sarmiento au +33 (0)1 53 30 30 30.

Bague rubis

Bague rubis. Photo Tajan.

Elle est ornée d'un rubis de forme ovale dans un entourage de diamants taille brillant et baguette. Monture or jaune 18K. Poids brut : 12,9 gr. Poids du rubis : 12,96 carats. TDD : 54. Estimation : 28 000 € / 35 000 €

Le rubis est accompagné d'un rapport du laboratoire GRS énonçant selon son opinion : origine Mozambique, sans trace de traitement thermique.

A 12,96 carats ruby, diamond & gold ring.

TAJAN. Importants Bijoux. le 28 Juillet 2014 à 15h. CAFÉ DE PARIS - SALON BELLEVUE - MONTE CARLO. Contact: Romain Monteaux-Sarmiento au +33 (0)1 53 30 30 30.

Cartier. Années 1900. Rare bracelet rubis et diamants

Cartier. Années 1900. Rare bracelet rubis et diamants. Photo Tajan.

Il se compose de deux grands maillons hexagonaux à décor de fleurons, encadrant un rubis rond entouré de diamants taille brillant (TA). Le tour de bras est également composé de rubis ronds dans de fins entourages de diamants. La monture est en platine. Travail français. Signé CARTIER Paris Londres. Poids brut : 27,7 gr. Poids du rubis central : 1,80 carat environ. Dimensions : 16,7 x 2,5 cm. Estimation : 30 000 € / 35 000 €

TAJAN. Importants Bijoux. le 28 Juillet 2014 à 15h. CAFÉ DE PARIS - SALON BELLEVUE - MONTE CARLO. Contact: Romain Monteaux-Sarmiento au +33 (0)1 53 30 30 30.

Bague diamant ovale

Bague diamant ovale. Photo Tajan.

Elle est ornée d'un diamant ovale monté d'un chaton à griffes. Monture en or gris 18K. Poids brut : 3,5 gr. Poids du diamand : 4,06 carats. TDD : 49. Estimation : 32 000 € / 38 000 €

Le diamant est accompagné d'un rapport du laboratoire LFG énonçant selon son opinion : couleur G, pureté VVS2.

A 4,06 carats diamond and gold ring.

TAJAN. Importants Bijoux. le 28 Juillet 2014 à 15h. CAFÉ DE PARIS - SALON BELLEVUE - MONTE CARLO. Contact: Romain Monteaux-Sarmiento au +33 (0)1 53 30 30 30.

Van Cleef & Arpels. Années 1930. Bague diamant coussin solitaire

Van Cleef & Arpels. Années 1930. Bague diamant coussin solitaire. Photo Tajan.

Elle est ornée d'un diamant coussin en chaton à griffes. Monture en platine. Signé VAN CLEEF & ARPELS et numéroté. Poids brut : 5,2 gr. (soudures au chaton). Poids du diamant : 6,14 carats. TDD : 51. Estimation : 75 000 € / 100 000 €

A 6,14 carats diamond and platinum ring by VAN CLEEF & ARPELS circa 1930.

TAJAN. Importants Bijoux. le 28 Juillet 2014 à 15h. CAFÉ DE PARIS - SALON BELLEVUE - MONTE CARLO. Contact: Romain Monteaux-Sarmiento au +33 (0)1 53 30 30 30.

Desk on Stand, China for export, ca. 1730, ivory and zitan wood

Desk on Stand, China for export, ca. 1730, ivory and zitan wood. Peadody Essex Museum © 2001-2014 The Peabody Essex Museum.

Wallpaper Panel, China, 18th century

Wallpaper Panel, China, 18th century, gouache on paper. Peadody Essex Museum © 2001-2014 The Peabody Essex Museum.

Tingqua's (active 1830s-1870s) Studio, China, mid-19th century, gouache on paper

Tingqua's (active 1830s-1870s) Studio, China, mid-19th century, gouache on paper, gouache on paper. Peadody Essex Museum © 2001-2014 The Peabody Essex Museum.