Tag Archives: RM Sotheby's

Auctions

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing “The Last One” is up for auction

In the mid-1950s, Mercedes-Benz launched a two-seater sports car inspired by the racing cars of the time, the 300 SL Coupe, and in 1957, the Roadster version of this model hit the market. It was produced until 1963, and 3,258 units left the production lines. One of them, the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing “The Last One”, is up for auction.

This 300 SL Gullwing is the last of the 1,400 Roadster units produced and is considered one of the most beautiful examples of this model. It is finished in a combination of Fire Engine Red (DB 534) over Crème leather (1060) and was produced by special order and was exhibited at the International Trade Fair in Poznań in 1957.

As one of the most stylish and desirable cars of the decade, it made many headlines. He was often a participant in amateur rallies, road races and endurance races, where he attracted attention with his designs, but also often connected with global companies, business tycoons, movie stars and royal families.

So far, it has changed just four owners, and it has been with the current one for the last 25 years. It should be noted that this example is in truly exceptional condition and has retained its numbers-matching chassis, engine, body, gearbox, and front kingpins. It is powered by a 3.0-L 6-cylinder engine with 218 hp that enables a top speed of 250 km/h.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing “The Last One” comes with copies of its factory data cards, historic imagery, matching luggage, and a full set of belly pans. The auction will take place on November 22 and the estimated value of the car is $2,500,000 – $3,500,000 USD.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing "The Last One" is up for auction
Auctions

2006 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-21 driven by Juan Pablo Montoya is up for auction

Pablo Montoya is a former Formula 1 driver and one of three drivers from this South American country. In his Formula 1 career (2001–2006) he had 7 wins, 30 podiums, 13 pole positions and 12 fastest laps. He was never world champion, but he was part of some of the best teams at the time (Williams and McLaren). One of the cars he drove, the 2006 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-21 is up for auction.

This car is one of the first to be tested by the seven-time Formula 1 champion, Lewis Hamilton. The MP4-21 was designed by legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey and was his last project for McLaren before joining Red Bull Racing. The car received new aerodynamics and a V-8 power unit, and debuted at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in early 2006.

The McLaren-Mercedes MP4-21 is powered by a Mercedes-Benz FO108S 2.4-liter naturally aspirated V-8 engine with 750 hp (559 kW) at 19,000 rpm, mated to a seven-speed McLaren transmission. With chassis 21A-03, the car was used in races in Bahrain, Malaysia and Australia, where the Colombian did not achieve a single podium. After that, the car was used as a spare in Monaco.

RM Sotheby’s claims that this car has been in storage since 2006 and that it was restored in 2019 by McLaren Racing Heritage and accompanied by McLaren Certificate of Authenticity. When it left the McLaren collection is unknown, but it is known to be one of the few cars that Hamilton drove that are no longer part of the McLaren collection.

The auction will take place August 15-17, 2024 in Monterey, and the estimated value of the car is $2,800,000 – $3,500,000 USD.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

2006 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-21 driven by Juan Pablo Montoya is up for auction
Auctions

1991 Ferrari F40 ‘Minty Forty’ is up for auction

The Ferrari F40 is a legend of the Italian and global automotive industry, which was produced from 1987 until 1992, and 1,311 cars left the production line. The desire of many that always attracts attention, especially if it is an utterly unique interpretation, such as this 1991 Ferrari F40 ‘Minty Forty’ that is up for auction.

This F40 left the factory in standard Rosso Corsa and was delivered to a customer in Germany, then later changed several owners until 2021 when the current owner bought it and decided to make it unique. Inspired by the Verde Pallido Ferrari 250 GTO famously built for Sir Stirling Moss.

Although Ferrari does not take kindly to modifications of its cars, this car, chassis 88538, has even been honored with an official Ferrari licensed product in exacting 1:8 and 1:18 scale form, by renowned model-maker Amalgam. It has been maintained by Schaltkulisse since 2022, and since then €43,000 has been spent on repainting to the current colour, replacing the fuel tank, and a major timing belt service.

Ferrari F40 is powered by a longitudinally-mounted 90-degree 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 478 hp (356 kW) and 426 lb-ft (578 Nm) of torque. That’s enough power to push the car up to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds with a top speed of 201 mph (323 km/h). Power is sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. At the time of cataloging, the odometer read just over 31,000 km (∼19,300 miles).

The auction will take place August 15 – 17, 2024 in Monterey, and the estimated value of the car is $1,900,000 – $2,500,000 USD.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

1991 Ferrari F40 'Minty Forty' is up for auction