EXCEPTIONAL // AUTOMOBILA H
eld during Pebble Beach Car Week in the picturesque location of Carmel Valley, California, the Exceptional Motorcars,
Motorcycles and Automobilia auction is renowned for drawing in collectors from around the world to bid fiercely on their chosen motors. However, this year’s sale had a slightly different edge, as motorcycles had also been added into the eclectic mix. Ben Walker, Bonhams’ International Director
of Motorcycles, said: ‘Motorcycles are consistently attracting the interest of discerning motor vehicle enthusiasts and collectors, and their rising values confirm this.’ He added: ‘The addition of rare motorcycles at Quail Lodge is highly complementary to rare motorcars.’ Attendees at the sale clearly approved of the additional motors, with total spending reaching
an impressive $11 million (£6,850,800). It evidently showed that, even though we may be in troubled economic times, bidders were not afraid to part with their money for quality investments. Despite the excitement surrounding the
motorcycles, it was always going to be the sports cars that caused the biggest buzz within the room, with bids for the 1957 BMW 507 Roadster realising just over $1 million (£622,800). Although popular during its heyday with celebrities like Hans Stuck and Elvis Presley, sales figures of the 507 were never profitable and BMW ceased production of the car after just 252 models have been made. The 507’s rarity and that each model was superbly hand-made led to the car being a popular choice for collectors. The biggest shock in the racing car section
came in the form of the 1957 BMW M1 Pro Car. Part of the ‘Art Car’ series, the M1 impressed the packed sales floor by blowing out all pre-sale estimates, with the final sale figure reaching $852,000 (£530,710.80.) The ‘Art Car’ series began in 1975 when Alexander Calder was commissioned to paint a car that was to be used during the 24 Hours of Le Mans race (the world’s oldest race sports car race). The series has since evolved with other modernists joining in, including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg. However, it was Frank Stella who put paint to car to design the M1. Specially ordered by world champion IMSA racer Peter Gregg, the car was painted as a tribute to the memory of his and Stella’s mutual friend, Formula 1 Grand Prix winning driver, Ronnie Peterson. Since 1999, the M1 has been kept at Guggenheim
The 1957 BMW 507 Roadster exceeded Bonhams’ sale expectations, realising just over $1 million (£622,800)
www.artsandcollections.com COLLECTIONS INTERNATIONAL 41
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