Last weekend, RM Sotheby’s made history with the first-ever classic car auction to be hosted in Abu Dhabi, and the first to take place at an F1® Grand Prix TM race. Perhaps the most exciting auction room to date – the Formula 1® Yas Marina Circuit starting grid played host to a sale that amassed a total of $31.3 million from an exceptional line-up of 40 collector cars.
Supercar icons and motorsport legends take centre-stage
The list of cars for sale in Abu Dhabi was filled with iconic supercars, hypercars and high profile former race cars. Leading the list of high-value sales was a 2017 Pagani Zonda Aether, bought by its new owner for $6.8 million. The rare, one-off hypercar is fitted with a desirable six-speed manual transmission and a host of unique features, sparking a bidding war as the auction played out on the F1® starting grid.
Next to cross the auction block was the highly anticipated 2002 Ferrari F2002, driven by Michael Schumacher to three Grand PrixTM victories during the ’02 season, also helping the legendary German driver to secure his fifth Drivers’ World Championship title. The iconic car sold for $6.6 million, making it the second-most valuable Formula One® car ever sold at auction, second only to the Schumacher Ferrari F2001 that RM Sotheby’s sold for $7.5 million in 2017. A portion of proceeds from the same will go to the Schumacher family’s Keep Fighting Foundation.
Two more Ferrari models stole the show on the night of the auction, with a 2015 Ferrari FXX K selling for $4.2 million to set a new benchmark for the model. Then another Scuderia F1 racer – a pivotal 1982 Ferrari 126 C2 that was victorious with Patrick Tambay at the German Grand Prix. – It is the sole surviving example of the model and changed hands for $2.1 million to applause from the crowd.
Star-studded and rare cars prove popular
Additional highlights included a striking 2011 Aston Martin One-77, which was driven across the block by former Formula One racing driver and current commentator, David Coulthard. Selling for a final $1,440,625, all proceeds from the sale of the car will be donated by consignor Markus Jebsen on behalf of Auction4Wildlife to benefit African Parks. Representing the classic cars on offer, an iconic 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing with rare optional sport suspension and the NSL engine was coveted on the night, selling for a final $1,581,250. Finally, one of the quirkier cars in the sale, a one-off 1996 Zagato Raptor built in conjunction with Lamborghini as a modern coach-built concept, sold for a final $1,086,250.
This story was written by automotive PR specialists Torque Agency Group.
