November 21, 2024

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Broad Arrow to Offer 1959 Porsche 718 RSK Spyder in Amelia Island

Amelia Island has traditionally been a haven for Porsche lovers, with numerous coveted examples of Porsche-branded racers and street cars on offer at the handful of March auctions that set up shop in northern Florida.

Broad Arrow is continuing that tradition with the addition of a 1959 Porsche 718 RSK Spyder to its Amelia Island auction, held at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island from March 1-2.

The car, known as “Lucybelle III,” is chassis 718-024. It was originally sold to American race car driver and Le Mans Winner Ed Hugus, who raced the car in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans. Later, he ran the car in a number of USAC and SCCA events, as well as at the Pikes Peak hillclimb in 1962, where he took fourth in class.

“The 1959 Porsche 718 RSK is a hugely significant example of a purebred Porsche Le Mans race car, and we are truly honored to be offering it at the official auction of The Amelia on behalf of its gentleman owner,” said Jakob Greisen, Senior Car Specialist, Broad Arrow Auctions. “Chassis 024 is an impressively restored example with outstanding provenance and certainly one of the most genuine and best-documented examples of the few 718 RSK examples remaining worldwide.” 

Ed Hugus / Ray “Ernie” Erickson, #37, 1959 Le Mans 24 Hours 20 June 1959/Courtesy of Motorsport Images

The car carries an estimate of $3.5m to $4.5m. It’s been restored to its Le Mans specifications by Mark Allin and his team at Rare Drive, Inc. Since restoration, the car has been shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it won a class award, and at the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week, where it took first in its class. It’s also been run on the Colorado Grand.

Interestingly, this car has appeared at Amelia Island before — Gooding & Company presented it in a silver livery in 2018, where it sold for $3,740,000 against a $3.6m to $4.1m estimate. At that time, it had spent years as a static display piece and was in need of the recomissioning that it clearly has since been given. 

So what is strong restoration work, a proper historic livery and on-the-button usability worth in this Porsche market? We’ll find out in March.

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