RM Sotheby’s Scottsdale 2023

RM Sotheby’s will hold their first auction of 2023 in Scottsdale, AZ on January 26. As expected there will be a variety of awe-inspiring collector cars on offer that range from pre-War to modern supercars. A few highlights that are worth watching follow.

The Porsche 959 Komfort was released in 1986 and quickly became the most technologically advanced sports car of its time. It was powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.85L flat-6 engine that could reach a maximum output of 444 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It was also the world’s first production car to come with all-wheel drive, making it incredibly capable on the track. The suspension was specially designed with a wishbone arrangement in the front and a multi-link setup in the rear, allowing it to corner like no other car before. Inside the cabin, luxurious features such as leather and wood trim, power seats, and climate control were designed to provide the highest level of comfort. The Porsche 959 Komfort is a remarkable machine that stands out in the world of sports cars, even today.

RM Sotheby’s estimates this 959 Komfort to be worth $1,600,000 – $2,000,000.

The Bugatti EB110 was a mid-engine sports car produced by the famous French luxury car maker, Bugatti, between the years of 1991 and 1995. The EB110 was designed as a modern-day successor to the classic Bugatti Type 35, and was powered by a 3.5L quad-turbocharged V12. This example showcases a special-order interior with two-tone gray leather and is the 51st of only 85 production GT-specification models built. It includes a great deal of documentation and has had just four owners since new.

RM Sotheby’s estimates this will sell for $1,600,000 – $2,000,000.

The Ferrari 275GTB/4 is an iconic grand tourer with a long and fascinating history. First released in 1966, it was an immediate success and became the standard of excellence in the market. It featured a V12 engine with 300 horsepower, a five-speed manual transmission, and a mid-mounted engine design. The exterior design was very eye-catching, with sleek curves and a muscular stance. Inside, the Ferrari 275GTB/4 offered high-end luxury, with plush leather upholstery, wood trim, and a variety of features like a heated rear window, a radio, and air conditioning. Its powerful engine and sporty style made the Ferrari 275GTB/4 an unforgettable classic of the Italian auto industry.

The example offered here comes from a small number of owners since new, including 45 years spent in the care of one family. Its engine was rebuilt in 2017 and presents in its original color combination.

RM Sotheby’s estimates this will sell for $3,000,000 – $3,500,000.

Carroll Shelby struck gold with the original Cobra, especially once he switched from the 260 cid V8 to the better-known 289 V8, but he wasn’t done. No, he tested the limits of the Cobra by stuffing a 427 cubic inch V8 into its engine bay and, as the saying goes, a star was born.

The example on offer was part of Shelby American’s Cobra Caravan tour and was featured in the 1966 movie Spinout. Its original owner, following the Cobra Caravan tour, was noted race car driver Moisés Solana Arciniega. It has a fairly well-documented history and is being consigned by a collector who owned it for 13 years before selling in 1993, only to buy the car again in 2006.

RM Sotheby’s estimates this 1965 Shelby 429 Competition Cobra to be worth $3,000,000 – $3,600,000.

The third-generation Corvette was a revolutionary vehicle for its time, having been introduced in 1968. It was the first Corvette to feature an all-new body style and engine, as well as an independent rear suspension. The engine was a 5.4L 350 V8 that produced an impressive 300 horsepower and 360 lbs-ft of torque. The exterior was sleek and modern, featuring a smooth body lines and a dramatic long hood. Inside, the third-generation Corvette had an upgraded interior with improved seating, more comfortable materials, and a modern dashboard design. The third-generation Corvette was an iconic vehicle that set the precedent for future Corvettes.

This 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL-1 Convertible is one of just two factory-produced aluminum 427 ZL-1 Corvettes built. It was restored in 2014 and has held up extremely well since then. The ZL-1 option package added a shocking $4,718 to the price of a standard C3 Corvette, which goes some way toward explaining why only two were ever built.

Considering the rarity of this car, and the likelihood that this may be the first, and possibly last time one will hit an auction block in the foreseeable future, RM Sotheby’s estimates this to be worth $2,600,000 – $3,000,000.