1955 Porsche 356 A Speedster (80697) sold at $100,620.
Photo: Bonhams
Scottsdale, Arizona
January 19-20, 2012
When Bonhams opened for business in 1793, Eli Whitney had just invented the cotton gin and the automobile was almost a century distant. In the world of Scottsdale, however, this venerable company is very much new to the party with its inagural desert offering held at an impeccable location with grand variety in both automobiles and automobilia. While the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet C hammered at $667,000 after spirited bidding from around the world, all eyes were on the 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Transformable Phaeton formerly owned by Marlene Dietrich which sold for $524,000. The entirety of the automobilia collection owned by the late David E. Davis, Jr., was sold with several items attaining world record prices including a stunning 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Pennant which fetched $10,625. With a great location and strong sales of $6.7 million it is safe to assume that this British stalwart will return to Scottsdale next year to even greater acclaim.
Photo: Michael Rietveld
Photo: Bonhams
Photo: Bonhams
Photo: Ben Colman
