9 Of The Finest Rare Cars From Gooding & Company Auction

How do you feel about car auctions? It seems like there is a never ending supply of good stuff. This year,  Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach auction had an ample offering of very desirable cars. Here are nine of the finest rare cars we found particularly worthy of making a call to the banker.

1988 Porsche 959 Komfort – $1,320,000

The true porschephile dream car, a sculptural Porsche 959. This rare, low-mileage, un-molested 959 is in finely detailed yet completely original condition.

1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 ‘Periscopica’ – not sold

Another iconic modern car, the Periscopica, named for its periscope style rearview mirror, had a limited production of only 160 cars. Restored to its original condition in Blue Tahiti with striking white and blue  upholstery. Pure eye candy.

1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza – $11,990,000

With a extensive race history in private hands, this is the one of the last factory built 8C 2300 Grand Prix cars, which makes it one of the most covetable automobiles ever produced.

1960 Fiat-Abarth 1000 Monoposto Da Record ‘La Principessa’ – not sold

This purpose built space age streamliner was built for speed and breaking records, and it did at Monza. Abarth’s main 1000cc car powered by the new Fiat based Bialbero engine had a top speed of 220km/h. But it is the heroic efforts of driver Umberto Maglioli which must be some sort of record. During the run for the 72-hour record, which it achieved 186.687 km/h, the car hit a puddle and skidded off the track. Maglioli got out but noticed the car could not move under its own power. He recalled the rules whereby the car could continue pursuing the record if it was able to cross the finish line without outside help. Maglioli was inside, he pushed the car along the track achieving a new 72-hour record.

1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Berline – $1,760,000

One of my favorite things about auction catalogs are reading about the stories and pedigree which go along with each car. As a little girl I would scour the Rolls-Royce and Bentley classified sections in Hemmings searching for cars with a royal lineage. No wonder this very special Phantom by Figoni et Falaschi caught my eye, it was built for the Prince of Nepal while he was in exile in England. It did not get the moderne Figoni & Falaschi treatment until 1936 when the prince was living in Paris. This was largest body the coach builder ever produced and the only Rolls-Royce Phantom II.

1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Spider – $3,080,000

You may have heard of Stanley “Wacky” Arnholt, the man who imported foreign cars in the 50s, had them re-bodied and modified to resell as something totally different. In 1953 he bought five sequential DB4/2s and sent them to Italian coach builder Bertone to be customized by Franco Scaglione one of the most talented designers of the time. Only three cars had this particular body and this car was the most luxurious and Arnholt showed it at the 1954 New York Auto Show. Aston Martin apparently was not thrilled. This remains a rare coach built Aston Martin.

1957 Maserati  A6G/54 Spider – $3,300,000

Considered by many as one of designer Peter Frua’s masterpieces with his characteristic front bonnet stripe which color coordinated with the interior upholstery and brightwork detailing including the beautiful script work. This special car was deputed to the press in March 1957 driven by none other than Juan Manuel Fangio, Maserati’s new factory driver

1950 Ferrari 166 MM Berlinetta – $5,445,000

Something looks familiar but different about this car, because it started life as number 18 of 25 Barchettas built by Carrozzeria Touring and specifically built for racing, but now its a coupe? Yes, a Zagato coupe. After a few years of successful racing the car was sold in 1953 to a 28 year old Milanese man who preferred racing in a closed car. The man joined Scuderia Sant’Ambroes, a new racing team who mentioned this dilemma to fellow member Elio Zagato. Elio told him, his father could make his open car into a closed car before the season began.

1932 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster – $10,400,000

Gooding & Company set a new record for the highest price ever paid for a French car at public auction with this Mille Miglia racer. Stories exist that this car may have been used by Jean Bugatti and may have been owned by artist and friend of Matisse, Andre Derain. Regardless, documentation shows this as the second Type 55 built and its participation in the 1932 Mille Miglia, though it did not finish.