Cars sell for big money in Arizona.
A huge car event was held just a couple of weeks ago at Arizona Auction Week, with the total price of all cars being sold rising to $182M. Another couple of auctions include one held in Scottsdale by RM Sotheby’s while Bonhams held one at the Westin Kierland Resort.
Adapting to the coronavirus pandemic, these auctions now have an online competent as well, meaning that you don’t have to physically attend to be a part of the action. Supercars, often barely touched by their previous owners, go for the biggest prices.
It’s worth saying that it’s not only supercars that go on auction in Arizona, meaning that you can just as easily snap up a Hyundai Kona as a vintage Ferrari. Nonetheless, it is the supercars that take up the big headlines, usually at Arizona’s prestigious Arizona Auction Week, one of the hottest events for the super-rich in the state (and even from out of the country). Here are five of the most eye-watering ones.
Mercedes Benz 540 K Special Roadster
Price: $9.9 million
Auction House: RM Sotheby’s
Date: 2016
The record for most-expensive sale goes to this vintage 1937 car, which achieved the third-highest price ever offered for a Mercedes Benz in auction history. Designed by Sindelfingen, it is a classic car with a long tail and high door configuration, and decked out in classic red.
1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Coup
Price: $7.6 million
Auction House: Gooding & Company
Date: 2019
Descended from the classic Le Mans racing car, the Ferrari 250 is known for its stylish 50s and 60s look and is considered one of the best Ferraris of all time. That’s why this one was snapped up for such a remarkable price.
Jaguar D-Type
Price: $6 million
Auction House: RM Sotheby’s
Date: 2021
This Jaguar D-Type is highly coveted thanks to its classic red livery, making it one of only two possibly remaining in the world. Its first owner was none other than the famous driver Peter Blond, who bought it off Bernie Ecclestone. It was presented in 2018 for $8.85 million but rejected at the time.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe
Price: $3.0 million
Auction House: Barrett-Jackson
Date 2020
Sold to raise money for the Detroit Children’s Fund, an organization growing schools in Detroit, the price of the car boomed to its $3 million price in just the space of a few minutes. Originally placed at just a mere $250,000, the winning bid was placed by Rick Hendrick, a car collector who is also the owner of NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports.
1995 Ferrari F50
Price: $3.2 million
Auction House: Gooding & Company
Date: 2020
One of the first cars of this edition produced by Ferrari between 1995 and 1997, and only one of 339 in the world, it is coveted for its sleek beauty and incredible power, making it the closest companion to a Formula 1 car cleared for commercial use, with a whopping top speed of 325km/h.
