Bonhams Scottsdale 2026: Blue-Chip Classics and Celebrity Provenance
As Arizona Car Week enters another year as the premier kickoff to the global collector car auction season, Bonhams returns to the prestigious Westin Kierland Resort & Spa on January 23, 2026, for what promises to be another curated sale showcasing the auction house’s signature blend of thoroughbred classics, modern supercars, and culturally significant automobiles. Set against the backdrop of the Valley’s most anticipated automotive gathering – running January 16 – 25 across multiple venues – Bonhams positions itself as the connoisseur’s choice, emphasizing provenance, authenticity, and historical scholarship over sheer volume.
The Scottsdale auction traditionally draws enthusiasts and collectors from around the globe to witness rare metal cross the block, and this year’s catalog reflects Bonhams’ specialist-first approach. With preview days scheduled for Thursday, January 22 (9 AM to 6 PM) and Friday, January 23 (9 AM to 6 PM), the auction itself begins at 4:00 PM MST on January 23. Last year’s event achieved $5.2 million in total sales with a 68% sell-through rate, focusing on well-preserved smaller classics and rare editions rather than high-volume blockbusters.
Headlining the Sale: The Bugatti "Éléphant Blanc"
The undisputed star of the 2026 Scottsdale catalog is the 2024 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport “Éléphant Blanc,” a one-of-one Sur Mesure commission that pays homage to Bugatti’s legendary Type 41 Royale. Estimated at $4,500,000 to $5,000,000, this modern hypercar connects Bugatti’s prewar heritage to its contemporary vision through a factory-applied Glacier White exterior paired with a bespoke French Racing Blue interior – a color combination never before seen on a Chiron Super Sport. Delivered new to Canada and showing just 2,750 original miles while retaining its original finish, the “Éléphant Blanc” represents the apex of Bugatti’s coachbuilding tradition reimagined for the 21st century.
The 1989 Porsche 930 Turbo Coupe: A Time Capsule with 408 Miles
Among the auction’s most compelling lots is an extraordinarily preserved 1989 Porsche 930 Turbo Coupe with only 408 original miles – a figure so low it essentially qualifies as a new car frozen in time. Completed at the Porsche factory on June 22, 1988, and delivered new to San Antonio, Texas, this Guards Red example holds exceptional significance in Porsche’s turbocharged lineage.
The 1989 model year represents a watershed moment for the 930 Turbo. It was the final year of production for the iconic platform before transitioning to the 964 generation, and crucially, it was the only year the 930 was equipped with the Getrag G50 five-speed manual transmission and hydraulic clutch – a significant upgrade over the previous four-speed Type 915 gearbox that had long been a source of complaints. This single-year specification makes 1989 examples particularly desirable among collectors who prize both the raw character of the air-cooled 930 and the improved drivability of the stronger, more modern transmission.
With just 857 Turbos produced for the U.S. market in 1989, and this example being among the final 51 units manufactured, its rarity is beyond question. The car features matching engine and transmission as affirmed by the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, along with original factory documentation including the broadcast sheet chronicling its features and optional equipment. The recorded and detailed ownership history traces back to its Texas origin, where it was delivered through the European delivery route to bonafide Porsche enthusiast William Dexheimer.
The 930 Turbo’s performance credentials remain impressive even by modern standards: the turbocharged 3.3L flat-six produces over 300 horsepower, propelling the car from 0-60 mph in approximately 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 160 mph. However, the 930’s reputation extends beyond raw numbers – it’s the driving experience that defines the model. Period road testers praised its acceleration while acknowledging the severe oversteer that could be easily induced, earning the 930 its legendary “widowmaker” reputation among enthusiasts who appreciate cars that demand respect.
Current market data suggests strong collector interest in 930 Turbo models, with median prices hovering around £105,904 ($132,000 USD) and a robust 78% sell-through rate. However, ultra-low-mileage examples command significant premiums – particularly final-year G50 models. A comprehensively restored 1977 example with 11,000 miles and $594,991 in documented restoration receipts recently garnered significant attention heading into Barrett-Jackson’s 2026 Scottsdale sale, while this 408-mile survivor represents an even rarer proposition: a virtually undriven, factory-fresh example from the most desirable production year.
The 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster: Stuttgart's Golden Age
Bonhams is also presenting a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster – one of the most celebrated sports cars of the 20th century and a fixture of blue-chip collector car portfolios. The Roadster succeeded the iconic Gullwing coupe, sharing its advanced fuel-injected 3.0L straight-six engine producing 215 horsepower paired with a four-speed manual transmission. While the Gullwing grabbed headlines with its dramatic upward-opening doors, the Roadster offered more conventional access and improved handling dynamics, making it the preferred choice for those who actually drove their 300 SLs.
Production numbers underscore the Roadster’s rarity: 1,858 examples were built between 1957 and 1963, with 554 units produced in the inaugural 1957 model year alone. The example heading to Bonhams Scottsdale was originally delivered in 1957 from Stuttgart, accompanied by factory delivery documentation and invoice. Presented in Ivory with a Dark Red leather interior – a departure from its original rare green with yellow leather special-order combination – this early Roadster embodies the elegance and engineering excellence that defined Mercedes-Benz’s golden era.
The 300 SL Roadster market has remained remarkably robust, with recent auction results demonstrating consistent seven-figure valuations. A 1962 example sold for $1,831,000 at Broad Arrow’s Las Vegas auction in October 2025, while a 1963 Roadster achieved $2,150,000 at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach sale in August 2025. Multiple 1957-1961 examples have traded hands in the $1.0 to $1.5 million range throughout 2025, with the market showing particular strength for well-documented, matching-numbers cars with comprehensive provenance. The most exceptional example – dubbed “The Last Gullwing” – sold for a staggering $2,400,000 at RM Sotheby’s amfAR auction in late 2024, demonstrating the extraordinary premiums commanded by cars with singular historical significance.
Additional Highlights: Maranello and More
The catalog extends beyond these two marquee lots to include several noteworthy consignments that reflect Bonhams’ eclectic curation philosophy.
The 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Low-Roof Coupe by Boano represents Ferrari’s elegant grand touring tradition from the marque’s golden era. One of only 68 examples completed by Felice Boano’s coachbuilding firm, this car was delivered new to Italy and retains its original engine per factory records and marque expert Marcel Massini. Recently restored, it boasts exceptional provenance, having once belonged to Giorgio Billi, a pivotal figure in Ferrari’s history and principal of ATS Automobili. Previous Boano coupes have appeared at major auctions with estimates reaching $1.5 million, reflecting the rarity and desirability of these coachbuilt Ferraris.
Perhaps the most culturally significant lot is the 1996 Hummer H1 Four-Door Hard Top Pickup previously owned by legendary rapper Tupac Shakur. Listed in Tupac’s estate inventory, this vehicle represents the last car he purchased – acquired brand new in August 1996, just one month before his fatal shooting in Las Vegas that September. The diesel-powered H1 underwent extensive customization reflecting Shakur’s distinctive style, including oversized off-road tires, custom wheels, diamond-plate bumpers, a front brush guard with auxiliary lighting, a 12,000-pound winch, and roof-mounted spotlights.
The interior features cream leather upholstery, a Clarion audio system with CD changer, Sony navigation unit, and even a PA system with sirens and loudspeaker. Showing just over 10,000 miles and exceptionally well-maintained, the Hummer previously sold at auction in 2016 for nearly $340,000 (though the winning bidder defaulted). Bonhams is projecting bids in the mid- to high-six-figure range, reflecting both the vehicle’s cultural significance and the enduring legacy of one of hip-hop’s most influential artists.
Also crossing the block is a 2003 Lamborghini Murciélago Coupe, one of only 424 examples produced in 2003 equipped with the desirable six-speed manual transmission and showing just over 9,000 miles.
Bonhams' Boutique Positioning
What separates Bonhams from its larger competitors is a 230-year history and a “specialist-first” approach that prioritizes deep historical scholarship and fresh-to-market discoveries, particularly in pre-war and vintage categories. Unlike high-volume auctions that emphasize spectacle and celebrity, Bonhams focuses on technical transparency and provenance, creating an intimate, refined atmosphere where the cars remain the stars.
This philosophy is evident in the 2026 Scottsdale catalog: a one-of-one Bugatti commission celebrating prewar heritage, a 408-mile Porsche time capsule, an early-production Mercedes-Benz Roadster with factory documentation, a Ferrari with coachbuilder pedigree traced by Marcel Massini, and a celebrity-owned Hummer with estate documentation. Each lot tells a story beyond mere specifications – provenance, authenticity, and historical context drive valuations in Bonhams’ world.
For serious collectors attending Arizona Car Week 2026, Bonhams offers a counterpoint to the high-energy theater of Barrett-Jackson and the premiere positioning of RM Sotheby’s: a curator’s auction where knowledge, scholarship, and the pursuit of automotive significance take center stage. With bidder registration available through the Bonhams website and previews beginning January 22, the stage is set for another chapter in Scottsdale’s collector car legacy.
Whether the 1989 Porsche 930 Turbo Coupe finds a new custodian willing to preserve its astonishing 408-mile originality, whether the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster commands the seven-figure premium its pedigree suggests, and whether the Bugatti “Éléphant Blanc” achieves its multi-million-dollar estimate – these outcomes will be determined on the grounds of the Westin Kierland on January 23, as another Arizona Car Week writes its annual market verdict.