This beautiful Lamborghini will be auctioned by Gooding & Co.
By David Seielstad
The August Monterey automobile extravaganza is fast approaching. What has now become a weeklong event of shows, vintage racing and parties will have five different classic and sports car auctions this year comprising nine days of sales.
The quality and variety of rare and beautiful automobiles up for auction is always amazing. All of these sales will have stunning marquee cars. As in the past several years, many will be watching the Monterey auction results and trying to discern whether there are signals about the world economy in general. If nothing else these auctions display a wide variety of great cars in addition to the amazing cars on the fields, especially at The Quail
and Pebble Beach.
Ferrari California S/N 0937GT will be auctioned by Gooding & Co.
The five auction companies vying for the collector’s interest are RM Auctions on the 13th to 15th; Russo & Steele on the 14th and 15th; Bonham’s & Butterfields on the 14th; newcomer Mecum on the 15th and Gooding & Co. on the 15 and 16th. For those with two wheel interests there is also a motor cycle auction this year Mid America Bikes is located next to RetroAuto at the Equestrian Center.
This year Gooding is especially rich with Italian and French marques, including Ferraris. Among the auction lots are seven Ferrari. Again this year Gooding will offer both a long wheelbase and short wheel base California spyder. In addition a 1969 Formula One 312 is for sale.
This SWB California, S/N 3163GT was restored by Paul Russell.
The LWB California is one of the first, being serial number 0937 GT, it is the seventh built out of 51 total. This California has the early type carburetor scoop without chrome trim, covered headlights and a factory hardtop. An unusual feature is that the spare is behind the seats, instead of in the trunk. It was delivered new to Jean-Claude Simon in Paris in July 1958. Rob Box found it in 1970 and sold it to an owner in Japan. It remained with its Japanese owner for 28 years and was restored. In 2005 it was sold to a new owner who again restored it. Since then it scored 3rd in class at Pebble Beach in 2007 and the Honorary Judges Cup at Cavallino in 2008.
The Gooding SWB California is a late example. Serial 3163 GT is the 34th built of 54 total. It was completed in January 1962 and sold to a Roman owner. In 1968 it came to the United States where it has remained. It too is a covered headlight example with a hardtop. In 1999 Paul Russell completed a stunning restoration of 3163 GT in gallo fly and it placed at Pebble Beach then went on to capture the Coppa Dodici Cilindri or Best 12 Cylinder Ferrari at Cavallino Classic. It has since changed hands, been repainted silver metallic and has continued to win awards.
Ex-Cris Amon 312 F1 car, S/N 0017 will also be on the block at Gooding & Co. in Monterey.
A completely different type of Ferrari is the 1969 312 grand prix car 0017. This formula car is the next to last built and has four valves with the inlets in the V and the exhaust valves placed laterally. Chris Amon raced 0017 to little success then Pedro Rodriguez closed out the 1969 season with a 5th and 7th. Ferrari abandoned the V 12 and launched the flat 12 engined Formula car in 1970.
Below is a list of all the Italian and French automobiles that Gooding & Company has on offer:
Year Make, Model & Coachbuilder
1901 Panhard et Levassor 7CV Rear-EntranceTonneau
1922 Hispano Suiza H6B Labourdette Skiff
1924 Hispano Suiza H6B by Kellner
1924 Delage GL Labourdette Skiff-Torpedo
1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Third Series Turismo Drop Head Coupe
1924 Alfa Romeo RLSS TF
1930 Bugatti Type 49 Cabriolet, Demoulin & Pritchard
1932 Delage D8-SS Cabriolet, Henri Chapron
1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Long Chassis Drop Head Coupe
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante
1938 Bugatti Type 57C Special Coupe
1938 Alfa-Romeo 6C 2300 B Mille Miglia, Touring
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Galibier
1939 Delahaye 135MS Competition Drop Head
1954 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT Series IV
1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Coupe, Ghia
1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial
1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 SS Cabriolet, Ghia – Aigle
1955 Ghia Streamline X “Gilda”
1956 Talbot-Lago T14 LS
1957 Facel-Vega FV2B Convertible
1957 Ferrari 250 GT “Low-Roof” Berlinetta, Boano
1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider
1961 Maserati 3500 GT Spider
1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider
1962 Facel-Vega Facel II
1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
1965 Bizzarini 5300 GT Strada
1966 Ferrari 275 GTS
1966 Lamborghini 400GT 2+2
1967 Maserati Mistral 4000GT
1969 Ferrari 312 Formula One
1969 Autobianchi Bianchina Cabriolet
1972 Maserati Ghibili Coupe
1973 Maserati Bora