Twenty-twenty will go down in automotive history as the year in which collector car auctions finally went online. Pressured by a global crisis, all the major players have taken their business online, often with surprisingly positive results. As we approach August – traditionally the month of the big American flagship sales where the multi-million-dollar cars change hands – auctioneers will have to prove that they can hammer away blue-chip Porsches and Ferraris without relying on billionaire peer pressure, the automotive inspiration of Monterey Car Week and the champagne-infused atmosphere. Gooding & Company is the first of the ‘big three’ auction houses to offer its consignees online, from 3–7 August. And we’re very impressed with the lots assembled for the sale.
Spearheading the catalogue is a magnificent 1970 Porsche 911 ST, one of five rally cars constructed by the Works to contest the 1971 East African Safari Rally, a gruelling 4,000-mile contest that traversed the toughest roads of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Having been carefully researched and restored by noted marque specialist Gary Kempton, the factory 911 ST is among the most important Porsches to be auctioned this year. Our eyes will be glued to the screen when this significant car crosses the virtual block.
Although the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has been postponed until 2021, Gooding is not missing the all-time classics that make the August sales such an important gauge for price trends and the collector car market in general. There’s a wonderfully patinated 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’ that’s remained in the same family for more than 40 years. Furthermore, Gooding is offering a beautiful white 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster with coachwork by Reutter and charming patina. It could be the perfect car in which to cruise along Highway 1 on a clear summer’s day. While browsing the catalogue we were also taken with the Tudor Grey 1962 Facel Vega Facel II, a well-driven car that’s spent the majority of its life in Southern California.
Moving into modern supercar territory, Gooding has managed to secure two outstanding ‘garage queens’ – a pristine 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II that’s covered just 10,000km from new and a highly original 1992 Ferrari F40 with just 4,589 miles on the clock and from single family ownership. Continuing the Maranello super car legacy, Gooding is also offering an F50 and an Enzo, both sporting unusual and elegant silver paintwork.
You can find our favourites from Gooding & Company’s Geared Online sale listed below or, alternatively, browse the entire catalogue in the Classic Driver Market. Remember, you can bid on the dream car of your choice from 3–7 August.
