RM Sotheby’s Announces Gene Ponder Collection Auction

RM Sotheby’s is once again headed to East Texas later this year to present lots from the Gene Ponder Collection. The Ponder Collection is comprised of over 140 cars, motorcycles and boats, as well as an impressive selection of automobilia. The sale — scheduled for September 22-24 — will be held at the Ponder estate located in Marshall, Texas, and is being offered entirely without reserve.

This is the second time RM Sotheby’s has offered lots from the Ponder Collection — the first was a sale held in April of 2007, which realized $11.7m from 49 cars. This time, the entire collection is up for auction.

One of this auction’s many star cars is a beautiful 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster. Sporting a previous restoration by Paul Russel and Company, the roadster is finished in Dark Red over a Cognac leather interior with both a matching hard and soft top. The Mercedes retains its original engine, gearbox, front spindles, rear axle, steering box and hardtop. Furthermore, it is fitted with Rudge wheels, matching luggage, Europa Mexico radio, Talbot mirror and factory-type lap belts. Mr. Ponder drove the 300SL regularly in tours across the US.

Headlining the Italian offerings is a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC finished in Rosso Rubino over a beige leather interior. The sporty coupe is fitted with its original, matching-numbers V12 engine and Pininfarina body. It sits on polished Borrani wire wheels and is equipped with a Ferrari air conditioning system of the correct type. The 330 was in the custodianship of one owner for 30 years before being added to the Ponder Collection.

Also crossing the block is a rare 1935 MG PB Airline Coupe by Carbodies. The two-tone red example is one of 14 Airline Coupes built and is mounted to one of just 526 PB chassis produced. Tucked under the hood is the last and most-refined of the overhead-valve crossflow midget engines. The car is also fitted with Borrani wire wheels and an MG “Midge” radiator mascot.

Find the complete list of offerings for the Gene Ponder Collection here