April 26, 2024

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Ferrari and Shelby Among Early Highlights Slated for RM Sotheby’s Arizona

Image: Lucas Scarfone, courtesy of RM Sotheby's

RM Sotheby’s is set to return to the Arizona Biltmore and Spa in Phoenix on January 26 for its first auction of 2023. A staple of Arizona Auction Week, the selection of cars offered are sure to be some of the best the collector car world has to offer and is confirmed with the early highlights consigned to the sale.

Image: Brendan Stouffer – Blue Chip Fleet, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Among the recent star cars announced is a beautiful 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari finished in Blu Elettrico over a Crema leather interior. The example of Ferrari’s latest hypercar was delivered new to Greg Whitten, a well-known collector of Ferrari models, and has covered just 3,185 miles.

Image: Lucas Scarfone, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

A one-time star of the silver screen with ties to an American icon, RM Sotheby’s is also offering a 1965 Shelby 427 Competition Cobra. The only example of the 19 initial competition cars produced that was not sold to a privateer racing team, CSX 3011 was used for publicity duties. First tested by “Sports Car Graphic” magazine, the car was then included on the Shelby Cobra Caravan publicity tour across the U.S. Before entering private hands, the Cobra was used in the 1966 movie “Spinout” which starred entertainment legend Elvis Presley. Painted white at the time, CSX 3011 was the hero car of the main character Mike McCoy, played by Presley. The car’s first owner — Formula One driver Moisés Solana Arciniega — would then race it on several occasions in Mexico and the United States.

Image: Robin Adams, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The third early highlight headed for Arizona — a 2017 Ford GT — is both a modern hypercar and an instant icon with Ford and Shelby heritage.  From the first year of production, the GT is finished in Liquid Grey with contrasting Ingot Silver racing stripes and features the gloss-finish carbon fiber exterior package. The interior was specified with the Dark Energy theme — a $25k option — and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. It has only covered 380 miles from new.

One of the more unique cars consigned is a 1952 Pegaso Z-102 Berlinetta by ENASA. The featured make at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, every Pegaso is a special machine and this Z-102 is no different. It is one of 83 Z-102 chassis produced and one of 11 featuring ENASA Berlinetta coachwork. The berlinetta was retained by the factory until 1955, used in motorsport and was a testbed for supercharging. It is currently fitted with its matching numbers aluminum-block dry-sump 2.8-L DOHC V8.

Image: Patrick Ernzen, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

“Last year, when RM Sotheby’s came to Arizona to kick off the auction calendar, the collector car community was closely monitoring how the sale would perform after the global turmoil of 2020 and 2021. RM Sotheby’s had a great sale, and the momentum only continued to build through the rest of 2022. We are excited to return to Arizona with the most knowledgeable and talented team in the business. From the stunning LaFerrari to a truly special Competition Cobra, Arizona 2023 will have an offering for every type of collector,” said Gord Duff, RM Sotheby’s Global Head of Auctions.

Check out the complete list of lots headed to RM Sotheby’s Arizona here

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