Bonhams
1958 Porsche 550A Spyder (Lot 44)
1991 Ferrari F40 (Lot 28)
B ONHAMS S COTTSDALE A UCTION — J ANUARY 18
by David M. Brown
A multiple podium-placing works Porsche, four
Ferraris and the first Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
imported into the United States: These classics lead a
stellar docket of 100-plus classic sports and racing cars
for the seventh-annual Bonhams Scottsdale Auction,
which returns to the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa,
6902 E. Greenway Parkway, January 18.
The auction, including automobilia, begins at
11 a.m. on January 19. The preview days are Tuesday
and Wednesday, January 17 and 18, 9 a.m.−6 p.m.
The 1958 Porsche 550A Spyder, chassis number
0145, is one of just 40 built, participated in four world
championship races and is believed to be the only 550A
to compete in a Grand Prix. The racing pedigree in-
cludes a second in class and fifth overall at the 24 Hours
of Le Mans and class wins at the Nürburgring 1000
Km, 12 Hours of Reims, Zandvoort NAV, and Class
Winner at the Dutch Grand Prix, among others.
Actor James Dean loved the original 550 for its
beauty, speed and nimbleness and this, its successor,
bettered that. Its 1.5-liter, four-cam, flat-four engine
sits on a space-frame chassis instead of the previous
ladder frame and features trailing-arm suspension
instead of swing axles, for example.
“The weight reduction and superior stability
allowed the 550A to punch far above its weight class
and compete successfully against much bigger-dis-
placement Ferrari and Aston Martin race cars, mak-
ing it the ‘The Giant Killer,’” says Jakob Greisen, vice
president of Bonhams U.S. Motoring Department. “It’s
one of the best original examples extant. Simply put,
it’s among the most important cars of its kind in the
world.”
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All Pinanfarina designed and Ferrari Classiche
Certified, the four Prancing Stallions are a 1967 Ferrari
275 GTB/4, 1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider,
1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS and a 1991 Ferrari F40.
The matching-numbers 275 GTB/4 has fewer than
32,000 original miles and, also matching-numbers, the
Dino has even fewer, 28,000, and retains its original
interior and largely factory paint. Also matching num-
bers, the Daytona Spider features a superb restoration
by Junior Conway and Junior’s House of Color and is
a Ferrari Club of America Platinum Award-winning
example. And the completely original, U.S.-specifi-
cation 1991 Ferrari F40 remarkably carries fewer
than 2,500 miles from new and was tended to by a
factory technician.
Finally, the classic 300SL Roadster, confirmed by
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center as the first imported to
the United States, received a full restoration by marque
expert Mark Allin Rare Drive Inc. and has had just
three owners.
“This matching numbers Mercedes-Benz features
more than 60 unique prototype details throughout
the bodywork and chassis,” Greisen says. “It’s really
the best of the best.”
Entry to the auction is $20, which includes a
gallery guide. For $100, guests receive a full catalog
and admission for two. Bidder registration is $150,
including two admissions.
For more information, see Bonhams.com/Scottsdale
or e-mail, [email protected] or call 415.391.4000.
Social media: Instagram, @BonhamsMotoring; Face-
book, @Bonhams1793; Twitter, @Bonhams1793; and
hashtag: #BonhamsMotoring.
2018 Arizona Auction Guide www.Highline-Autos.com