August 18, 2002

CHRISTIE’S HAILS SUPERB MOTOR CARS FROM THE DAWN OF THE MOTORING ERA, TO LUXURIOUS TOURERS AND SPECTACULAR SPORTS CARS AT THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL PEBBLE BEACH CAR AUCTION

Exceptional Motor Cars at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center

Pebble Beach, CA –   Christie’s International Motor Cars will offer a superb selection of rare veteran, brass era, vintage and sports automobiles at the firm’s 13^th annual sale of Exceptional Motor Cars in Pebble Beach on August 18 at 6 p.m.  Complementing the weekend of the 52^nd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Christie’s will auction the historic 1894 Duryea, the magnificent 1914 Silver Ghost Skiff, as well as the phenomenal racers, the 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix and the “All-American Racers” 1966 Gurney Eagle-Weslake Formula 1 Racecar.  Further highlights include an 1895 Benz Velo, 1960 Chevrolet Camoradi Corvette and two stunning Aston Martins, all with excellent provenance.

The Dawn of the Motoring Era

The 1894 Duryea (estimate on request), considered a cornerstone of American automotive history, embodies the true pioneering efforts of the famous Duryea brothers and their successful and revolutionary concept of gas-power.  The earliest known Duryea, which resides in the Smithsonian, dates back to 1893, but was actually a Smiths carriage with an engine fitted into the frame.  The 1894 Duryea is the first motor car the brothers fully manufactured, including the coachwork.  This automobile served as the pre-production prototype for the famous Duryea that won America’s first automobile race in Chicago in 1895.

Also featured in the auction and dating back to the late 1800s is a rare 1895 Benz Velo (estimate: $120,000-150,000).  Karl Benz is recognized as the man who designed and built the first workable motor car driven by an internal combustion engine.  The Benz Velo was a development of Benz’s original theme and includes a similar single cylinder horizontal engine of 1.5 horsepower. This particular motor car was released from the factory in 1895 and remains in highly original condition.

Luxurious Tourers

Christie’s is pleased to offer the ten-car Collection of the late Bob Barrymore, President of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club from 1984-86.  His Collection, lead by the exquisite 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, reflects his discerning taste and love for the revered British marques of Rolls-Royce and Bentley.  The skiff bodied 1914 Silver Ghost, chassis 54PB (estimate: $500,000-700,000) displays the unique boattail coachwork by Schapiro-Schebera of Berlin.  This amazing automobile was discovered unrestored in Egypt in the mid-1950s under the former ownership of King Faud’s brother Muhammed.  Through a chain of ownership, including King Farouk and a British officer, the car joined Mr. Barrymore’s collection in 1978.  The Silver Ghost is featured in the acclaimed Brindle and May book entitled 20 Silver Ghosts -The Incomparable Pre-World War I Rolls-Royce.

The beautiful 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk I Spyder with coachwork by Bertone and design by Scaglione (estimate: $360,000-380,000) was one of three such cars to be custom built to the special order of S.H. ‘Wacky’ Arnolt.  Arnolt was a Chicago-based motor car dealer who had a penchant for ordering flamboyant coachwork for his own cars and creations.  The brilliant designer Franco Scaglione was one of the first designers to investigate the aerodynamics of the automobile.  The 1954 model was the first “real” Aston Martin produced under David Brown’s stewardship and thereby acquired the excellent twin overhead camshaft and 2.5 litre engine designed by W.O. Bentley, later to serve as the benchmark for Aston Martin engines for years to come.  

A second Aston Martin, the 1964 DB5 Convertible (estimate: $160,000-200,000), was first built to the special order of King Hussein of Jordan.  King Hussein made two visits to the Newport Pagnell factory to order the car and monitor its progress.  The car was shipped to Jordan outfitted with left-hand drive, a Radiomobile 530 TB short/medium wave radio, five-speed transmission, and what is considered now to be an extremely rare detachable hard top.  Only 123 convertibles were produced and most were built in right-hand drive form.

American Sports Racing

The 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix (estimate: $700,000-900,000) offered from the Collection of the late Bill Serri, Jr. represents the final development of the classic Grand Prix racing Bugatti that was first introduced in 1924.  From 1930 to the conclusion of the 1933 racing season, the Type 51 was a perennial contender for top Grand Prix honors.  With high-profile drivers, such as Louis Chiron, Achille Varzi and ‘Williams’ Grover, the Bugatti team secured outright wins in Tunis and Monaco, as well as the French, Belgian and Czechoslovakian Grand Prix.

One of the top racing attractions in the sale is the exclusive and landmark single-seater racing car, the 1966 F1 Eagle-Weslake T1G, chassis AAR 103 (estimate on request), widely considered to be the most beautiful Formula 1 car of its era and one of only three known examples.  An ambitious project, built by Dan Gurney’s well-known outfit, the “All-American Racers” in Santa Ana, California, the car was designed by Len Terry who adapted the already existing Indycar chassis and incorporated the engine from a design by Aubrey Woods and Harry Weslake.  This engineering masterpiece was the second of only four Eagles to be outfitted with the Weslake 3 Litre V12 powerplant.  The car was driven during the 1967 season by Ritchie Ginther, Ludovico Scarfiotti and team-owner Dan Gurney, who also achieved a third place podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Another superb example of true American sports racing is  the 1960 Chevrolet Camoradi Corvette (estimate: $350,000-450,000).  This Corvette has a remarkable U.S. and European racing history, receiving the top honor at the Gran Premio de la Habana.  The Corvette also boasts an 8^th overall placement and a 1^st in the GT class at the Gran Premio de la Cuba, 10^th in the 14 Hours Le Mans and 26^th in the 12 Hours of Sebring.  This car is the only survivor of two straight axle Corvettes that were raced in Castro’s Cuba.

Other Highlights

The 1939 Lagonda V12 Rapide Two-Seat Roadster with coachwork by Vanden Plas (estimate: $280,000-320,000) was ordered brand new by Oscar-nominated actor Robert Montgomery, who starred in the MGM thriller Night Must Fall (1937) and Columbia Pictures comic fantasy Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941).  The stunning pre-war roadster, capable of breaking 100 mph, complemented the fast-paced lifestyle of the dashing Hollywood socialite. The Lagonda V12 is considered to be one of the finest designs by Lagonda’s chief designer, W.O. Bentley, and only 129 were constructed before the Second World War terminated production. 

Another entry with a Hollywood history is the 1948 Tucker Sedan (estimate: $200,000-250,000). Originally touted by Preston Tucker  as the “Car of Tomorrow” in just 51 examples of the “Tucker Torpedo” were built and only 47 survive today.

The William B. Ruger Collection of 19 Exceptional Motor Cars Will be Offered

Without Reserve

Pebble Beach, CA –  Christie’s International Motor Cars is pleased to announce the collection of 19 Exceptional Motor Cars from the Estate of William B. Ruger, founder and Chairman Emeritus of Sturm, Ruger & Company, the largest firearms manufacturer in the United States that is widely recognized as one of America’s greatest gun designers.  This nationally recognized car collection will be featured in a separate catalogue and will be offered without reserve at the firm’s 13^th annual sale of Exceptional Motor Cars at Pebble Beach on August 18 at 6 p.m.

Considered a legend in American industry, William B. Ruger was involved in the original design and time-honored styling of every firearm his company produced.  Sturm, Ruger & Company has manufactured more than 20 million firearms for hunting, target shooting, collecting, self-defense, law enforcement and government agencies.  Mr. Ruger was a firearms genius who mastered the disciplines of inventing, designing, engineering, manufacturing and marketing.  When not involved with his firearms operations, Mr. Ruger indulged his life-long passions, including collecting antique cars, antique firearms and 19^th century Western American art as well as supporting charities in communities where his factories were located.

The collection originates with the legendary 1913 Mercer Type 35 J Raceabout, chassis no. 1281 (estimate: $400,000-600,000).  This remarkable T-head Mercer Raceabout was one of the most significant cars produced during the glorious Brass Age and the enthusiasm for these pioneering sports cars has reached mythical status.  Chief Engineer Finley Robertson Porter followed instructions outlined by the young Washington A. Roebling, one of the Mercer Company’s founders, and created the first mass produced dual purpose sports and racing cars.  The Mercer dominated the American racing scene from 1911-1915, attracting star drivers of the era, including Ralph DePalma, Spencer Wishart, Caleb Bragg, Eddie Pullen, Hughie Hughes and Barney Oldfield.  The Mercer’s brilliant, purposeful design and stark exposed features gave the driver security, stability and confidence.  There are thought to be only 17 existing genuine T-head raceabouts and this Mercer chassis no. 1281 is considered to be one of the most original and is one of the most coveted ‘four speed’ cars.

The youngest motor car offered from the collection is the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT long wheelbase Spyder California, coachwork by Scaglietti, chassis no. 1581 GT in remarkable original condition (estimate: $500,000-700,000).  The solution for an open version of the highly successful competition 250 Berlinetta, the ‘Spyder California’ is an elegant two-seater sports car built by Scaglietti to the incredible Pinin Farina design.  Supplied by Chinetti, the U.S. Ferrari agents, the car is an original long wheelbase model with all-round disc brakes and covered headlights.  The 1959 Ferrari is virtually a one-owner car, travelling 25,546 miles since new— a testament to its lovingly preserved and rewarding life.

A highlight from the mid-1920s is the 1927 Bentley 6 ˝ litre Short Chassis Tourer, with coachwork in the style of Vanden Plas, chassis no. KD 2115 (estimate: $200,000-300,000).  Considered to be one of the grandest of all grand-touring cars, the Bentley 6 ˝ tourer provides a combination of power, flexibility and mechanical silence with powerful brakes and unrivaled handling.  From 1920 is the roaring Stutz Series H Bearcat roadster, chassis no. 5959 (estimate: $80,000-100,000).  The audacious Bearcat was based on Harry Stutz’s first Indy race car and was similarly fitted with a powerful T-head, Wisconsin built engine and the Stutz three speed transaxle with sparse but attractive coachwork and fenders.  The Bearcat has been beautifully and fully restored under the ownership of Mr. Ruger and has only covered 41 miles since restoration.