MERCEDES-BENZ AND FERRARI STAR AT RM'S MONTEREY AUCTION

One of only 25 built for 1937, and featuring the even rarer "long-tail" spare wheel cover, the 540K Spezial on offer was immaculately presented and one of five pre-War Mercedes cars that featured amongst the top ten sellers at RM's Monterey auction, held on August 19-20. Super-exclusive when new, the 540K Spezial was super-expensive, too; at US$14,000 it cost around 40 percent more than the most expensive Cadillac you could buy. This spectacular Spezial was originally delivered to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1937. Prior to this, the car was first sent to Zurich and then Vienna. According to Mercedes-Benz Classic Germany, it is likely it was on display in Swiss and Austrian Mercedes-Benz agencies or the cities' respective car shows.

According to noted expert Rolf Wagner, the car remained in Argentina until the 1960s, when it was exported to the United States, where it was owned by well known collectors and dealers, including Rolls-Royce collector Millard Newman, M.H. "Tiny" Gould and Dr. Don Vesley. During his ownership, Vesley began a restoration before selling the car to Australian enthusiast, Kerry Manolas, in 1980. Manolas is arguably better known here in Australia for his immaculate Alfa Romeo racers, but he owned this 540K Spezial for several years until it went to Germany after being acquired by Axel Schuette, who commissioned the start of a complete restoration and engaged Wagner to conduct a rebuild of the car's original motor.

In 1998, Sam and Emily Mann acquired the car. The husband and wife team have owned some of the finest coachbuilt American and European prewar cars and, at last count, were four-time Best of Show-winners at both the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. Following acquisition, a collaborative effort completed the car's restoration. This work was done by two of the finest restoration shops in the United States - Stone Barn Restorations in New Jersey and Mann's own in-house team. Stone Barn ensured the running and driving chassis was completed to a show-quality standard, while the Mann team painted the body, assembled the chrome trim, completed the luxurious interior and finished final assembly. While the body and chassis match, the gearbox has been identified as non-original, but of the correct type.

Since completion, the 540K has been maintained in the Mann's private, climate-controlled collection. In 2010, the car was honoured with the Best of Show award and "Best Mercedes" at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. Most recently, it was featured at the gala opening of Mercedes-Benz's newest, 330,000-square foot corporate dealership in Manhattan.

Another 540K Spezial, a black 1939 model, was the next best-selling Mercedes at RM's Monterey auction, going for US$4.62 million. A 1935 500K roadster sold for US$3,767,500, while a pair of 1936 540Ks rounded out the top selling Mercedes lots. A one-of-seven 540K Spezial coupe sold for US$3,080,000, with a 540K Sport Cabriolet 'A' going for US$2,970,000.

The Ferrari lots from RM's Monterey event were just as impressive, with the top seller amongst the Maranello offerings being a 1960 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione. One of only 42 built for 1960, the alloy-bodied 250 GT had a long and successful competition pedigree before being allegedly "stolen" in 1978. When the matter was cleared by French police and the UK Fine Arts team, the car went to the UK and spent two decades in the possession of Stuart Passey. A passionate Ferrari enthusiast, Passey cared for the 250 GT for more than two decades while driving and displaying it at various UK-based events, including the Coys Historic Festival in 2001.

The Ferrari passed through a couple of other owners before it was consigned to the 2007 RM Auctions Maranello Ferrari Factory sale by Monteverde as an incomplete restoration. Noted American collector, Skip Barber, purchased the car under the proviso that the 'Ferrari Classiche Department' would complete the restoration and re-assembly. What was originally planned as a "quick re-assembly" evolved into a full restoration in the factory workshops and took more than a year to complete. Immaculately presented in the classic Ferrari "Rossa Corsa" racing color, the 250 GT SWB sold for US$5,280,000.

Next best seller amongst the Ferraris was a 1952 340 Mexico Berlinetta, which sold for US$3,685,000. Finished in 1952 Carrera Panamericana livery, the 340 was one of only three built for the event and boasted rich racing pedigree in the hands of Alberto Ascari and Carroll Shelby. The car was restored to Carrera spec and livery in the 1980s, and subsequently spent time on both sides of the Atlantic, before returning to the USA in the late 1990s. Still immaculate today, the 340 Mexico was a visual standout in its racing livery and is agreed to be the best of the trio of 340 Mexicos produced.

The other top selling Ferrari lots, which rounded out the overall top ten sellers from RM Monterey were: a 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spyder which sold for US$2,530,000; a 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupe which attracted US$2,090,000; and a 1953 Ferrari 375 America Coupe, which went for US $1,980,000.

The RM Auctions Monterey event was also notable in featuring the ex-Steve McQueen Porsche 911S. "Famous" for its role in the opening sequence of McQueen's classic 1971 racing film, Le Mans, the 1970 model 911S was one of several Porsches owned by McQueen over the years, and was offered in largely original condition. Billed as the world's best known, most significant non-racing Porsche, the ex-McQueen 911S sold for US$1,375,000. Other lots of note included a brace of Chrysler concept cars, an original Shelby Cobra, the revived Cobra in the form of the Shelby GR-1 concept, the 1969 "Stars & Stripes" Greenwood Racing Corvette racer, the intriguing Virgil Exner-designed 'Mercer Cobra' and even a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 'balloon car' recreation.