HomeCar CultureCommentaryWhat’s Andy likes at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island auction

What’s Andy likes at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island auction

March 10, 2017

1955 ALFA 1900CSS COUPE — Zagato-bodied 1955 Alfa 1900CSS among Andy's picks at RM Sotheby's auction | Andy Reid photos

Zagato-bodied 1955 Alfa 1900CSS among Andy’s picks at RM Sotheby’s auction | Andy Reid photos

Due to mechanical issues with the collector car I drove down the East Coast to attend the activities at Amelia Island this weekend, I’m a little late in sharing my favorites among the cars available at RM Sotheby’s auction, which begins today with the selling of the Orin Smith collection.

But the auction continues Saturday, and features more cars than RM Sotheby’s has ever offered at Amelia, so there really is something for every taste.

Here are the ones I’d so love to own:

1951 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta This car represents the origin of the species for the Ferrari brand and these are cars that I think will forever increase in value. This multiple-period Mille Miglia car is what the story of Ferrari is all about, and even though I do not fit in the car, I still desperately want it.
1951 Bentley Continental R fastback This model is my all-time favorite. This example is likely one of the best in the world and has a great story behind it as well. If i could own a single car, it would be this one.
1970 Nissan Z432 The 432 is the absolute top of the heap for Z cars and this one is correct in every way. I love the history of the Z and the way in which it completely changed the small sports car market. Owning this 432 would be a great way to celebrate my enthusiasm for this era. In addition, these cars drive amazingly well and the engine is simply glorious.
1987 Porsche 924S The ultimate expression of the Porsche 924 with the original 924 body married to the much more potent 944 engine. Sadly, these cars are almost all used up, with many converted to race cars for club events. This has to be the cleanest and nicest 924S I have seen. It has been driven only 43,000 miles from new and is fully serviced.
1955 Alfa Romeo 1900CS SS by Zagato This car ran the 1955 and 1956 Mille Miglia events, is one of only 39 built, and somehow sounds even better than it looks. Eligible for every event you can imagine and a beautiful example of both Alfa Romeo and Zagato. What’s not to love? This is a car that if I had it I would keep forever.
1967 MGB The MGB is possibly the easiest to own British roadster and offers classic styling combined with great reliability and parts support. This car was restored to a very high level and had to cost considerably more to restore than the car is worth. That makes it to me to be a seriously great potential buy and likely to be bought for a bargain price at an RM Sotheby’s sale.
1976 Triumph TR6 This is another anomaly at at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale, but I am so happy to see it here. These are the Triumph alternatives to the MGB and offer increased performance and more purposeful looks. The TR6 is as well supported as the MGB and is another great way to enter the Brittish car hobby. I love that RM has brought some more easily obtainable cars to the Amelia Island sale and this TR6 is an excellent example.
1970 Iso Griffo GL Series 2 Now this Iso is not in any way a perfect car. It has lots of needs but it also has a great story. This is the 1970 Turin Motorshow car and is believed to be the personal car of Piero Rivalta himself. It is also one of only 23 built with a 5-speed gearbox, making a great car even better. Buy this one and leave the cosmetics alone and you become the caretaker of a piece of automotive history, not bad work if you can get it.