(Editor’s note: Up to now, results being reported from the Arizona Car Week auctions have been preliminary figures, based on Hagerty reporters at each of the seven sales venues. But the auction houses themselves have done their post-sales accounting and provide the following official results:)
Final accounting by the seven auction houses with sales during Arizona Car Week shows total sales of $262.8 million. Sales were up more than $12 million compared with 2016, and the 2017 sales total was the second-best sales week in Arizona auction history, exceeded only in 2015.
Below are final figures and comments from the various auction houses as reported to Classic Car News:
Barrett-Jackson’s 46th annual Scottsdale auction claimed 40 world auction records for individual sales (based on Hagerty Data) and $102.4 million in sales, with nearly $2.2 milli0n of that total going directly to charities. The auction docket included a record 1,719 vehicles, including 146 from the Charlie Thomas Collection. Those Thomas cars sold for a combined $1.7 million.
Barrett-Jackson also offered more than 1,800 lots of automobilia, which sold for more than $2.5 million.
Since Barrett-Jackson is primarily a no-reserve sale, the sell-through rate was 99.5 percent.
“This year’s Scottsdale auction was a tremendous success,” Craig Jackson, chairman and chief executive, said in the post-sale news release. “Despite the rain and colder temperatures, we had a phenomenal turnout (attendance for the week was 320,000 people).
“This year’s entertainment factor was through the roof. From Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steven Tyler and Grammy award-winning Justin Bieber, through undefeated pro boxing champion Floyd Mayweather and the most decorated Olympian in history, Michael Phelps, to two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, there was no shortage of entertainment and full-throttle excitement.”
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2017 Top 10 sales:
1964 Aston Martin DB5, $1,485,000
1960 Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle (CERV) I, $1,320,000
1930 Duesenberg J dual-cowl phaeton, $880,000
2005 Porsche Carrera GT, $616,000
1965 Shelby GT350 fastback, $445,500
1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/360 split-window “fuelie,” $385,000
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429, $385,000
1932 Rolls-Royce roadster, $341,000
2015 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, $330,000
1964 Chevrolet Corvette LT1, $330,000
Note: Top sales list does not include charity cars; Steve Tyler’s 2012 Hennessey Venom GT Spyder sold for $800,000, with proceeds going to Janie’s Fund.
Barrett-Jackson’s next auction is scheduled for April 6-8 at Palm Beach, Florida.
Bonhams had a spectacular Arizona auction, with total sales of $36.3 million, nearly double the sales total from the same sale the previous year. The 2017 total would have been higher but for the consignor of a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase California Spider turning down the first eight-figure bid in Arizona auction history.
As it was, Bonhams’ sale of a 1963 Jaguar E-type Lightweight for $7.37 million was the high-dollar transaction of the week. That sale was one of several setting world auction records at the event, Bonhams noted.
“We were applauded by the market for assembling one of the finest selection of cars ever seen at Scottsdale,” said James Knight, Bonhams group motoring director. “To have achieved a near sell-out of our highlight cars, backed up with an 82 percent sell-through-rate, is immensely satisfying.”
Bonhams Scottsdale 2017 Top 10 sales:
1. 1963 Jaguar E-type Lightweight, $7,370,000
2. 1952 Ferrari 340 America Competizione Spider, $6,380,000
3. 1928 Mercedes-Benz Type S Sports Tourer, $4,812,500
4. 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider, $2,805,000
5. 1964 Porsche 904 GTS Coupe, $2,310,000
6. 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/2 Coupe, $1,732,500
7. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SII Cabriolet, $1,430,000
8. 1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost London-Edinburgh Sports Tourer, $698,500
9. 1955 Austin-Healey 100 S Roadster, $539,000
10. 1956 Porsche 356A Speedster, $528,000
Bonhams next motorcar sale is scheduled for February 9 at Paris with the Retromobile celebration.
Gooding & Company reported more than $33.4 million in sales and claimed nine world auction records at its 10th annual Arizona auction. Specializing in the high end of the market, Gooding’s average sales price was $315,327, yet it also posted an 84 percent sell-through rate.
“Our clients understand the rare and important opportunity to own a significant car that is highly sought after, such as the three-owner 1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix and the one-owner 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing,” said David Gooding, founder and president of the auction company. “These types of cars, which are rarely seen at auction and boast incredible provenance, may not come up for sale again for many decades.”
Gooding & Company Scottsdale 2017 Top 10 sales:
1. 1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix, $3,300,000
2. 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast, $2,915,000
3. 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Series V Grand Sport Roadster, $1,595,000
4. 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta, $1,485,000
5. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, $1,457,500
6. 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra, $1,100,000
7. 1928 Bentley 4½ Litre Open Sports Tourer, $1,100,000
8. 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort, $1,089,000
9. 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL roadster, $1,034,000
10. 1969 American Motors AMX/3, $891,000
Gooding & Company’s next auction is scheduled for March 10 at Amelia Island, Florida.
RM Sotheby’s posted the highest average sales figure in Arizona — $378,248 — and with 89 percent of lots selling. Total sales for RM Sotheby’s 18th year in Phoenix were $53.8 million.
RM Sotheby’s also was the only auction to post an entire top-10 list of million-dollar sales.
“Our Arizona sale is consistently a bellwether for the collector car market, setting the pace for the auction season to come,” said Ian Kelleher, managing director of RM Sotheby’s West Coast division. “This year’s top 10 sales clearly indicate that demand for modern supercars remains strong, while exceptional pre-war classics— such as the 540 K — anchor the strength and resilience of the market.
“When it comes to specific marques, four decades of Ferrari production were represented in our catalogue, from the 400 Superamerica through to the Enzo, each of which attracted multiple bidders and achieved impressive results – a reflection of their outstanding provenance, restorations and condition.”
RM Sotheyb’s Phoenix 2017 Top 10 sales:
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special roadster, $6,600,000
1969 Ferrari 365 GTS, $3,602,500
1995 Ferrari F50, $3,135,000
1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Coupe Aerodinamico, $3,080,000
5. 2003 Ferrari Enzo, $2,695,000
6. 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS, $2,475,000
7. 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C, $2,117,500
8. 2013 2013 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport 300, $2,090,000
9. 1948 Tucker 48, $1,347,500
10. 2008 Lamborghini Reventón, $1,320,000
RM Sotheby’s next auction is scheduled for February 8 in Paris.
With a new auction venue — Salt River Fields (spring training baseball complex) at Talking Stick in Scottsdale – Russo and Steele reported sales of $22.1 million and a sell-through rate of 78 percent for its 2017 Arizona auction.
“Once again, our team has brilliantly demonstrated that our segment within the current collector car marketplace is highly robust, that true enthusiasts confidently perceive this and that they recognize Russo and Steele’s position as the resounding market leader within that segment,” said auction co-founder and chief executive Drew Alcazar.
“This year, with our move to our incredible, long-term new home at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the enthusiasm captured by Russo and Steele has never been higher. However, it still fundamentally demonstrates that our clients genuinely value our customer service focused philosophy of cars and camaraderie and that the most desirable core component of a successful automotive event in Scottsdale remains the cars.”
Russo and Steele Scottsdale 2017 Top 10 sales:
1. 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet, $423,500
2. 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Spider, $379,500
3. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback, $335,500
4. 2006 Ford GT Coupe, $261,250
5. 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Coupe, $253,000
6. 1969 Ferrari 365 GT Coupe 2+2, $209,000
7. 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 Holiday Coupe, $165,000
8. 2011 Ferrari 458 Challenge Coupe, $165,000
9. 1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Convertible, $154,000
10. 2013 Ferrari California 2+2 Coupe, $151,250
Russo and Steele’s next auction is scheduled for June 2-4 at Newport Beach, California.
Silver Auctions posted sales of $3.3 million for its entry-level, driver-type vehicles at Fort McDowell, where the average sales price was slightly more than $15,000.
Silver Auctions Fort McDowell 2017 Top 10 sales:Overall Top 10 Sales:
1. 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT GC, $70,200
2. 1952 Nash-Healey Pininfarina, $70,200
3. 1968 Dodge Hemi Charger, $68,580
4. 1966 Dodge Hemi Coronet, $67,500
5. 1956 Chrysler Windsor, $62,640
6. 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Woody Wagon, $62,640
7. 1941 Buick 51C Convertible Sedan, $54,540
8. 1961 Chevrolet Impala Custom Hardtop, $54,000
9. 2001 Aston Martin DB7, $50,760
10. 1968 Chevrolet Impala, $46,710
Silver’s next sale is scheduled for March 17-19 at Fort McDowell.
Worldwide Auctioneers made its Arizona debut in 2017 and was rewarded with sales of $11.5 million and a 79 percent sell-through, with two of the 64 vehicles sold reaching for more than $1 million.
“Starting the year with an Arizona sale had long been part of our plans and we felt the time was right to introduce a fresh and exciting sale to the mix,” said Rod Egan, Worldwide co-owner and auctioneer.”We are delighted to have helped grow the market out in Arizona in terms of overall sales and would like to sincerely thank all those who showed us such tremendous enthusiasm and support. We look forward to welcoming old friends and new to back to Scottsdale for many years to come.”
In addition to its auction, Worldwide shared its facilities with the NextGen AutoFest staged by the Arizona Concours d’Elegance and Hagerty.
Worldwide Auctioneers Scottsdale 2017 Top 10 sales:
1. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/430 convertible, $1,980,000
2. 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America, $1,100,000
3. 1966 Shelby GT350 convertible, $742,500
4. 1965 Shelby GT350 fastback, $379,500
5. 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Sedan, $374,000
6. 2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica convertible, $313,500
7. 1933 Packard Super Eight-Series coupe roadster, $308,000
8. 1955 Porsche 356A Speedster, $297,000
9. 1937 Bentley 4 1/4-Liter fixed-head coupe, $286,000
10. 1953 Porsche 356 cabriolet, $275,000
10. 2005 Ford GT coupe, $275,000
Worldwide’s next sale is scheduled for April 21-22 in conjunction with the Concours d’Elegance Texas at Arlington, Texas.
(All numbers reported above include buyer’s premium fees.)
