$3.9 million Auction sale: A world record for a Porsche
Bonhams & Butterfields celebrated the thirteenth anniversary of its renowned motorcar auction at the sunny Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley with resounding success.
A world record for any Porsche sold at auction was achieved with the ex-Jurgen Neuhaus/Jurgen Barth 1972-73 European Interserie and David Hobbs/Mike Hailwood Gulf-JW Automotive team 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder neé 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Coupe realizing $3,965,000.
This Porsche, originally a 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Coupe numbered 026, made history when it was driven by David Hobbs and Mike Hailwood in the 1970 Le Mans. In the middle of a downpour in the 50th lap, Hailwood cruised past the pit stop where rain tires were readied and crashed into a parked car. What was left of the vehicle was repaired with the 031 chassis, but swapped numbering with the original 026 chassis to avoid complications.
The original 026 chassis, now numbered 031, was repaired and re-issued as a 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder. It was driven by Ernst Kraus in the 1972 European InterSerie Championship and by Jurgen Barth in the 1973 series.
This storied Porsche is equipped with a 5.4 liter, flat-12 cylinder, 630 horsepower engine and weighs approximately 1,600 lbs.
Many other strong prices were attained for the rarest and freshest offerings, which included:
- The exceedingly rare 1930 Mercedes-Benz 7.1 Liter SS Tourer that made $2,537,000 after spirited bidding.
- The ex-works, Gerhard Mitter/Lucien Bianchi Nurburgring 1000 kms-leading 1967 Porsche 910 Endurance Racing Works Coupe that sold for $797,000.
- The ex- J. Herbert Carpenter, Western Reserve Historical Society, Joe Tracy 1908 Thomas Flyer 4-60 Tourer that went for $733,000.
- The ex-Ernst Loof racing team, Sandizell-owned 1937 BMW 328 Roadster that was bought for $667,000.
Furthermore, automobilia and spares posted the highest ever total at this venue with $1.185 million realized.
“We are very honored to have been selected to offer these incredible motorcars at auction,” says Mark Osborne, head of Bonhams’ Motoring Department. “We are very pleased with the results and the satisfaction of having met or exceeded the expectations of our discerning and growing clientele.”
Bonhams’ annual sale at Quail Lodge – the longest running auction during the most famous collector car week in the world – has demonstrated yet again why the 217-year-old auction house is a leader in the international domain of automobiles and a cornerstone of the Monterey Peninsula Car Week.
