Gullwing Mercedes auctioned for $4.62 Million
The 1955 was rare as it was one of 29 alloy-bodied examples built. These lightweight examples were originally intended for racing, but the example auctioned was claimed to have never been raced.
Believed to have been sold new in California, the Gullwing had detailed ownership history going back to 1980, and had been treated to an extensive restoration in the early 2000s.
Gooding & Co had put a pre-auction estimate of US$2.5 - US$3 million, but it sailed past that estimate realtively quickly. Including buyer's premium, the final sale price of US$4.62 million was the top seller across all the US auction houeses who held events through January.
Other big dollar sales from Gooding & Co's Scottsdale auction include US$3.9M for a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider, US$2.64M for a 1930 Duesenberg Model J convertible, and US$2.14M for a 1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre dual cowl sports tourer.
"Thirteen of our cars broke world records and our top lot, the $4.62 million sale of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing, showed us that collectors continue to seek rarity and provenance," says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company. "I am thrilled with the overwhelming enthusiasm and increased attendance of our guests this year in Scottsdale, as well as the exuberance our new and returning bidders demonstrated."
Gooding & Company achieved 13 remarkable world records over both Friday and Saturday, listed as follows:
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing (lot 27) at $4,620,000,
a world auction record for a 300 SL and for an Alloy Gullwing.
The 1930 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing-Top Convertible Coupe (lot 112) at $2,640,000,
a world auction record for a Murphy Roadster.
The 1929 Bentley 4 ½ Litre Dual Cowl Sports Tourer (lot 33) at $2,145,000,
a world auction record for a Bentley 4 ½ Litre.
The 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS (lot 10) at $770,000,
a world auction record for a 275 GTS.
The 1932 Packard Twin Six 905 Coupe Roadster (lot 146) at $737,000,
a world auction record for a 1932 Packard Twin Six Coupe Roadster.
The 1971 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS Spyder (lot 36) at $880,000,
a world auction record for a Ghibli.
The 1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S Cabriolet (lot 132) at $561,000,
a world auction record for a B24S.
The 1934 Packard Twelve 1107 Convertible Victoria (lot 145) at $506,000,
a world auction record for a 1934 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria.
The 1928 Bugatti Type 38A Tourer (lot 138) at $495,000,
a world auction record for a Type 38.
The 1968 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage (lot 129) at $489,500,
a world auction record for a DB6.
The 1933 Packard Twelve 1107 Seven-Passenger Touring (lot 149) at $473,000,
a world auction record for a 1933 Packard Seven-Passenger Touring.
The 1936 Packard Twelve 1407 Coupe Roadster (lot 147) at $451,000,
a world auction record for a 1936 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster.
The 1969 Iso Grifo 7 Litri (lot 18) at $352,000,
a world auction record for an Iso Grifo.
For full results and further details, go to www.goodingco.com
Photos by Pawel Litwinski (Mercedes 300SL & Duesenberg), Mathieu Heurtault (Maserati). Courtesy of Gooding & Co.
