Pininfarina Ferrari tops Arizona auction week

Across the four major auction houses – Bonhams, RM Sothebys, Barrett-Jackson and Gooding & Co. – in action at January’s Arizona auction week, Gooding & Co. led the field with the top-selling vehicle.

Presented as part of their 11th Annual two-day auction in Scottsdale, Gooding & Co’s top seller was a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Speciale. A desirable model in its own right, what made this unit extra special was that it was the only example bodied by Pininfarina (instead of Scaglietti) and had been originally owned by Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina of the famous Italian coachbuilders.

Built for Battista’s personal use, the 275 GTB Speciale featured numerous bespoke coachwork details, an Alfa Romeo paint colour, bespoke interior, electric windows and no driver’s side vent window.

Displayed at several European motor shows when new, the one-off 275 GTB was powered by Ferraris 3.3-litre V12 engine topped with six Weber carbs producing 265bhp (almost 200kW), matched to a 5-speed transaxle, with 4-wheel disc brakes and fully independent suspension amongst its other features.

The final price of US$8.08 million (AU$9.69 M approx.) was a new world record for the model, achieved at an event where 19 other model auction records were set. These included US$4.45 million (AU$5.34 M approx.) for a 1954 Ferrari Mondial, US$4.07 million (AU$4.88 M approx.) for a 1931 Bugatti Type 55 roadster, US$1.76 million (AU$2.11 M approx.) for Iso Grifo’s A3/L prototype from 1963 and US$616,000 (AU$739,300 approx.) for a 1951 Alfa Romeo 1900C Sprint.

Of the newer cars, a 2014 Pagani Huayra sold for US$2.09 million (AU$2.40 M approx.), a 2015 McLaren P1 made US$1.73 million (AU$2.07 M approx.) and a Lexus LFA with the Nurburgring Package sold for US$825,000 (AU$990,150 approx.). These were also new auction records for the model.

Total sales of more than US$49 million (AU$58.8 million approx.) were achieved at Gooding & Co’s Scottsdale auction, with an 85 per cent clearance rate. Full results and further details can be found at: gooodingco.com