RM Sotheby’s Announces Early Highlights for Monterey

Monterey Car Week 2022 may seem like a long way away, but in just over four months, the world’s largest celebration of collector cars will again have California’s central coast rocking. RM Sotheby’s is already preparing to hold its next record-breaking Monterey auction, slated for August 19 and 20, and has announced some fabulous early highlights, including a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C and 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing.

Image: Darin Schnabel, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The Ferrari, chassis 09067, is number nine of 12 Series III competition 275s produced. Finished in Rosso Chiaro over a Nero interior with grey cloth seat inserts, the car was only entered in two races during 1969 — taking first place in both.

In the hands of a few dedicated European collectors through the 1980s and early ’90, it was driven in many events, including the 1988 AvD-Oldtimer Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, the 1996 Ferrari 275 Reunion and the 40^th Anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GTO Tour in 2002. Chassis 09067 was awarded Ferrari Classiche Certification and the accompanying Red Book in 2004.

Imported to the United States in 2014, the car was immediately sent to Rare Drive, Inc. of East Kingston, NH to be restored. Following completion of the restoration in 2017, 09067 was displayed at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance as part of Ferrari’s 70^th Anniversary and shown twice at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance — in 2021 and ’22.

Today, chassis 09067 is thought to be one of the most original competition 275 Ferraris in existence, retaining its matching numbers engine, gearbox and most of its original aluminum body panels as noted by Rare Drive during restoration. The Ferrari will be offered in Monterey with a complete set of tools, an extra set of alloy Campagnolos wrapped in Michelin tires and a host of documentation, including the factory build sheets, Marcel Massini and Rosso Corsa Consulting history reports and Ferrari Classiche Red Book.

RM Sotheby’s is also offering the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing, which is hot on the heels of the example they sold in Arizona this year for an astounding $6.8m.

The 300SL headed to Monterey was built to U.S.-specification from the factory and is thought to have been delivered new to Cleveland, Ohio. The car’s history over following four-plus decades remains a mystery, but by the 2000s, it had been sent to Europe. In 2008 the Gullwing was purchased by Johannes “Hans” Kleissl, owner of HK-Engineering, the 300SL specialty shop. He restored the car at his shop and then enjoyed in on vintage touring events, including the Mille Miglia Storica.

The consignor purchased the car in 2015 following its return to the U.S. It was then entrusted to 300SL expert Robert Platz and his shop, Precision Autoworks, for restoration. The work included rebuilding the engine, suspension and brakes, and refinishing the car in its original color scheme of Silver Gray Metallic over red leather. It was also decided to configure the car to that of a period endurance racer, removing the bumpers, fitting Marchal driving lights and adding Alfred Baisch racing harnesses.

Retaining its original NSL engine, transmission, aluminum body, the Mercedes is accompanied by front and rear bumpers, an extra set of chromed Rudge wheels, and tool kit. Accompanying documentation includes an owner’s manual, factory build sheet, Gullwing Group Registry entry and much more.

Keep an eye out for all of RM Sotheby’s latest Monterey 2022 additions here