RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2025 Highlights

RM Sotheby's Arizona 2025 Preview

Highlights from RM Sotheby's Scottsdale

RM Sotheby’s will start their year at the Arizona Biltmore on January 24 with an impressive lineup including a 2007 Saleen S7 LM and a 2020 McLaren Senna GTR. Other cars set to be offered at this sale include an E36-series BMW M3, a very rare Audi Sport quattro, and a 1973 Porsche Carrera RS 2.7 Touring finished in a very rare special-order paint, to name just a few.

The 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, known for its significance in Porsche’s lineage of sports cars, was created as a special model to compete in FIA Group 4 racing. Built on the foundational 911 platform, it prioritized lightness, superior handling, and performance. The goal was to craft a vehicle that would excel on the race track while remaining suitable for everyday use.

Under the hood, the Carrera RS boasted a 2.7-liter flat-six engine delivering 210 horsepower, an impressive output at the time. This power came with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, and the car’s reduced weight (down to about 2,150 pounds in the “Lightweight” version) contributed significantly to its nimbleness and speed. It could accelerate from 0-60 mph in roughly 5.5 seconds and achieve top speeds exceeding 150 mph, establishing it as one of the era’s swiftest road vehicles.

Notable features of the Carrera RS included broader rear fenders for larger tires, enhancing grip, along with lightweight components like thinner glass and body panels. A standout design element was the iconic “ducktail” rear spoiler—the first of its kind on a production 911. Beyond being visually striking, this spoiler played a crucial role by lessening lift at the rear during high-speed driving, thereby boosting stability.

Originally intended to produce just 500 units to satisfy homologation standards, strong demand prompted Porsche to manufacture 1,580 examples across three variations: the base Touring model, the more stripped-down Lightweight (Sport) version, and a limited number of RSR race cars. Each variant offered different balances between performance and comfort, with the Touring model leaning towards road usability and the Lightweight version tailored for the racetrack.

The example being offered by RM Sotheby’s at their Arizona Auction is the more refined Touring model and is one of only 25 finished in Gulf Orange. It comes from long-term ownership and is a matching-numbers example.

Estimate: $450,000 – $550,000

The 1984 Audi Sport quattro, often called the “Ur-Quattro” (with “Ur” meaning “original” in German), is a legendary vehicle designed to excel in Group B rally racing. Released as a homologation special, it utilized Audi’s revolutionary quattro all-wheel-drive system to redefine rallying and establish new performance benchmarks. Under Group B rules, manufacturers needed to produce at least 200 street-legal versions of their rally cars. Audi created 214 units of the Sport quattro, making it an exceptionally scarce and sought-after model.

Central to the Sport quattro was its 2.1-liter inline-5 turbocharged engine, generating 306 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine featured a 20-valve cylinder head, cutting-edge for its era, along with a KKK turbocharger that provided explosive acceleration. Paired with a 5-speed manual transmission and the quattro all-wheel-drive system, the car offered outstanding traction and performance under various conditions, achieving a 0-60 mph time of approximately 4.8 seconds—a remarkable feat for the mid-1980s.

To enhance handling and reduce weight, Audi shortened the wheelbase by nearly 12 inches compared to the standard quattro coupe, giving the Sport quattro a unique, compact appearance. The body incorporated lightweight materials like Kevlar and carbon fiber for the fenders, hood, and roof, contributing to a total weight of around 2,870 pounds. This aggressive approach to saving weight, coupled with its powerful engine, made the Sport quattro both nimble and formidable on and off the rally stages.

The Audi Sport quattro became renowned not only for its road-going capabilities but also for its success in Group B rallying. It played a crucial role in securing victories for Audi in some of the toughest rally competitions, including the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. However, due to the extreme nature of Group B and the tragic accidents associated with it, the category was banned after the 1986 season, immortalizing the Sport Quattro as emblematic of this exhilarating yet perilous period in motorsport history.

Today, the Audi Sport quattro is celebrated as one of the most influential performance vehicles ever produced. Its innovative use of all-wheel drive, advanced turbocharging technology, and lightweight construction had a lasting influence on both motorsport and mainstream automotive engineering, reinforcing Audi’s status as a leader in performance and innovation.

The one being offered by RM Sotheby’s has a very well-documented competition history and quite the backstory that involves a skydiving driver and putting the Ferrari F40 to shame. This looks to be one of the best examples of the Sport quattro we’ve seen at auction and will be watching this one very closely when it hits the block.

Estimate: $375,000 – $475,000

The Ferrari Dino 246 GT, designed by Pininfarina and crafted by Scaglietti, is a key model in Ferrari’s history. Launched in 1969 as the follow-up to the Dino 206 GT, it holds the distinction of being the first Ferrari-branded car with a V6 engine, marking the brand’s shift towards producing more accessible sports cars alongside its renowned V12 models. The name “Dino” pays tribute to Enzo Ferrari’s late son, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari, who advocated for V6 engines before passing away in 1956.

Equipped with a 2.4-liter DOHC V6 engine delivering 192 horsepower, the 246 GT features this power unit mounted transversely behind the driver in a mid-engine layout. This setup provides superior balance and handling, making the vehicle enjoyable on both winding roads and racetracks. It comes with a 5-speed manual transmission, allowing the Dino to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under seven seconds and reach top speeds around 146 mph—remarkable figures for that era.

Scaglietti constructed the body, which showcases flowing, sensual lines celebrated as one of Pininfarina’s finest designs. Its compact size, pronounced wheel arches, and curvaceous silhouette give the car an unmistakable look. Available in coupe form, the 246 GT also offered a targa-top version named the GTS for open-air driving experiences.

Between 1969 and 1974, 3,761 units were produced, surpassing the output of its predecessor. The car was released in three series (L, M, and E), each featuring gradual enhancements in performance, handling, and reliability throughout its production span.

Initially sold without Ferrari badges to differentiate it from the brand’s V12 offerings, the Dino 246 GT gained significant respect for its inventive engineering, stunning design, and exhilarating drive. Today, it stands out as one of the most beautiful and essential vehicles in Ferrari’s legacy. The Dino set the stage for subsequent mid-engine Ferrari models, laying the groundwork for a line of iconic sports cars.

RM Sotheby’s will offer a 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT by Scaglietti finished in factory-correct Rosso Rubino with a beige interior coming from 22 years in the care of the same enthusiast. This matching-numbers example took at Ferrari Club of America regional events in 2016 and 2017 and includes a Dino-badged key fob and an original sales brochure.

Estimate: $350,000 – $450,000

The 1988 Porsche 911 Turbo “Flat-Nose” Coupe, referred to as the “Flachbau” in German, stands out as a particularly unique and uncommon version of the renowned 911 Turbo (930) lineup. This special edition emerged from Porsche’s Sonderwunsch (Special Wishes) program, which enabled customers to order highly personalized vehicles directly from the factory. Drawing inspiration from Porsche’s 935 race cars, known for their flat-nose design that enhanced aerodynamics, the Flachbau catered to those seeking exclusivity and a bolder look.

Its most notable characteristic was its redesigned front end, where the usual round headlights were replaced with pop-up units set into a flattened, wedge-shaped form. This change not only improved aerodynamic efficiency but also gave the vehicle a sleeker and more exotic profile. The Flat-Nose also included custom side air vents positioned before the rear wheels to aid cooling of the turbocharged engine.

Powered by a 3.3-liter turbocharged flat-six engine, this model delivered 282 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. It came equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission, offering exhilarating performance with a 0-60 mph time around 5 seconds and a top speed over 160 mph. Wide rear fenders, an imposing “whale-tail” rear spoiler, and staggered Fuchs alloy wheels contributed to its distinctive appearance and bolstered high-speed stability.

The Flat-Nose was available as a factory-optioned upgrade rather than a standard production model (option code M505 for the U.S. market), making it rare. Of approximately 948 units produced globally, only a 145 were built for the U.S. market.

The example being offered by RM Sotheby’s is finished in factory-correct Guards Red paint with a special-order red and black interior. It includes a Porsche Classic Technical Certificate that confirms it to be a numbers-matching car and shows just 5,310 miles.

Estimate: $275,000 – $325,000

The BMW E36 M3, produced from 1992 to 1999, represented a pivotal shift for BMW’s Motorsport division. This model transformed the M3 from a car primarily designed for homologation purposes into a more polished performance vehicle. Building on the success of the original E30 M3, the E36 M3 aimed to attract a wider audience while preserving the driving characteristics and capabilities that had made its predecessor iconic.

Introduced in 1992, the E36 M3 featured a new 3.0-liter inline-six engine known as the S50B30, which delivered 286 horsepower (in European models). The engine incorporated cutting-edge technologies such as individual throttle bodies and VANOS variable valve timing, resulting in smooth and progressive power delivery. In 1995, the engine was updated to a larger 3.2-liter version called the S50B32, boosting output to 321 horsepower and enhancing overall performance. For the U.S. market, engines were slightly detuned for emissions compliance: the 240-horsepower S50B30US and S52 (1996–1999), featuring simpler valve timing and fewer high-performance components.

Offered in multiple body styles—coupe, sedan (starting in 1994), and convertible—the E36 M3 became the first M3 available in various configurations. This versatility increased its appeal by attracting customers seeking both high performance and everyday usability. Its chassis included enhanced suspension elements, stiffer springs and dampers, and upgraded braking systems, providing precise handling and excellent feedback. The E36 M3 balanced track precision with road comfort.

Throughout its production run, several special editions and variants emerged, including the M3 Lightweight (E36 LTW) in the U.S., which reduced weight through aluminum use and omitted luxury features to emphasize performance. In Europe, the M3 Evolution models and limited-production GT variant offered heightened performance and exclusivity.

RM Sotheby’s will offer this Dakar Yellow 1995 BMW M3 with no reserve this weekend. It comes from single-family ownership since it was new and shows just 4,832 miles. It’s equipped with the Luxury option package, heated front seats, sunroof, and a five-speed manual transmission. It’s one of the lowest mileage E36 M3s we’ve seen at auction in quite some time and should have no trouble reaching the auction company’s pre-sale estimate.

Estimate: $50,000 – $70,000