Bonhams will hold their annual Scottsdale auction on Friday January 27, with a preview available the day before the sale. Bonhams has been making itself known in the collector car auction world recently and even has some exciting events scheduled not far after Scottsdale. These are a few notable cars that will be crossing the auction block on Friday.
The BMW 507 Series II was a luxurious grand tourer produced by German automaker BMW between 1959 and 1960. It featured a sleek, aerodynamic body designed by Albrecht Graf Goertz, and was powered by a BMW 3.2-liter V8 engine producing 150 hp. The car was equipped with an adjustable suspension system and a four-speed manual transmission, enabling it to reach a top speed of 125 mph. In addition to its stylish looks and performance, the BMW 507 Series II also featured luxurious amenities such as leather upholstery and power windows. Despite its impressive specifications, the BMW 507 Series II was a commercial failure, with only 252 units produced over two years of production. Today, the BMW 507 Series II is a highly sought-after classic, and its rarity and desirability makes it a valuable collector’s item.
Bonhams estimates this rare and classic BMW to be worth $2,100,000 – $2,400,000.
SIATA, short for “Società Italiana Auto Trasformazione Accessori” dates back to 1926 and originally built performance equipment for FIAT. The extra performance from cars equipped with SIATA components helped drive sales of FIATs with minimal effort on the part of FIAT.
In the post-War era Siata again worked to produce sports cars based on FIAT models, eventually bringing the brand to the attention of well-known American automotive enthusiasts such as Briggs Cunningham and Steve McQueen.
The 208S was born of convenience and fortunate timing. Following FIAT cancelling their Otto Vu project after building only 49 examples, Siata found themselves with a surplus of V8 engines, leading them to build to the 208S with coachwork by Motto.
The example offered by Bonhams was sold new in 1957 and, estimating by the delivery date, may have been part of the promotion of Ernie McAfee’s racing. Shortly after it was bought by its first owner, the engine was replaced with a Chevrolet V8 – at least 15 of the 37 examples of the 208S that were produced underwent similar engine replacements.
This car was restored by its owner in the mid-2000s, including a correct-type 8V engine – BS078 that started life in an earlier production 208S.
Bonhams estimates this to be worth $1,500,000 – $1,800,000.
This 1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR2 T-Top Coupe is an incredibly rare C3 Corvette, one of only 12 ZR-2 optioned examples ever built, and one of just two coupes that were equipped with the ZR2 configuration. It was ordered by ‘Toly’ Arutunoff to use in the 1971 Targa Florio and has an extremely well-documented history. Since 1975 the car has had just two owners.
The ZR2 option package, priced at $1,747, included the most powerful engine available, paired with a Muncie M22 “Rock Crusher” manual transmission, power disc brakes, and an upgraded suspension. It also meant the car was not equipped with power windows, power steering, a radio, air conditioning, and more with the goal of saving weight to perform better on track.
This ZR2 Corvette will be sold with no reserve and Bonhams estimates it to be worth $200,000 – $400,000.
The 1996 Dodge Viper GTS was an impressive sports car that was an instant classic. It featured an 8.0-liter V10 engine that was capable of producing 400 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, giving it the power to reach speeds of up to 180 mph. The engine was mated to a six-speed manual transmission and was connected to a limited-slip differential that made the Viper GTS an incredibly fun car to drive. The exterior design was sleek and muscular, with the iconic Viper stripe that ran across the hood and down the side of the car. Inside, the Viper GTS featured an array of modern-day amenities, including air conditioning, power windows, a premium audio system, and leather upholstery. The 1996 Dodge Viper GTS was a true classic that provided drivers with an exhilarating driving experience.
The Viper being offered by Bonhams will sell with no reserve and the auction company estimates it to be worth $80,000 – $120,000 when the hammer drops.
The Ferrari 275 GTS was an iconic Italian sports car that was produced by Ferrari in the mid 1960s. It was the first of the successful Ferrari 275 series, which included the 275 GTB/4 and the 275 GTB/C. The 275 GTS was designed as a two-seat roadster, featuring a sleek and aerodynamic shape, with a slightly longer wheelbase and a soft folding top.
The engine was a 3.3-liter V12, with 300 horsepower and a 4-speed manual transmission. This powerful engine enabled the 275 GTS to have a top speed of over 140 mph. It also featured an independent rear suspension, disc brakes, and iconic alloy wheels.
The 275 GTS was considered to be one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever produced, and it was very popular among collectors. The car was produced in limited numbers and today they are highly sought-after by collectors. It is one of the most iconic Ferraris of all time, and its timeless beauty makes it a must-have for any car enthusiast.
This 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS, with a matching numbers engine and the rare factory hardtop, showing less than 45,000 original miles started its life in the US, imported by Luigi Chinetti. Bonhams estimates this to be worth $1,650,000 – $1,950,000.