It was a busy weekend of auctions with the three major international companies staging their traditional Scottsdale sales. Both Gooding and Bonhams had good results, but it was RM Sotheby's that topped the order with their $35 million sale. Leading the way was this Jaguar D-Type, which had originally been sold to Bernie Ecclestone. It is a little unusual in that it was originally finished in red as Jaguar tried to tap into the Italian market. It was offered several years ago but did not sell but now with a more reasonable reserve, XKD 518 found a new owner for $6 million.
While going through the results, our attention was also caught by the 'Homologation Collection', which consisted of several late 1980s and early 1990s road legal racers and sold very well. The BMW M3 Sport Evolution for example, found a new owner for nearly twice the low estimate for a stunning $212,800. Also selling well above the top estimate were this Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II and Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo 2.

On Saturday, RM Sotheby's will host their Arizona sale with a live feed from the sales room in Scottsdale. One of the most interesting cars in the star-studded lot list is one of less than a dozen Cizeta V16Ts built between 1991 and 1995. Created by a former Lamborghini test-driver and development engineer and funded by legendary music producer Giorgio Moroder, this Italian supercar features a unique, transversely mounted V16 engine. Achingly expensive, it had a very limited appeal and only the likes of the Brunei Royal Family were interested. They ordered no fewer than three including the example on offer. It was never actually delivered and remained on the floor of the Singapore dealership until it was acquired by the current custodian in 2020. Recommissioned, the very rare Cizeta has a pre-sale estimate of $600,000 - $700,000.
A more recent supercar due to cross the block is this Ferrari Enzo, which sold new to prominent Ferrari collector Bob Rapp. The only Enzo delivered in this colour combination of yellow and with a brown leather interior, it is expected to sell for well over $2 million.
Another rare car consigned to this sale is this Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante. One of just three dozen examples built at the very end of the DB5 production run, chassis DB5C/2305/R comes with a matching hard-top and a recent rebuilt engine that was enlarged to 4.7 litres by specialists R.S. Williams.

The 2021 auction season will kick off this week with the various sales staged in and around Scottsdale, Arizona. The first of the 'live' sales is the Bonhams Scottsdale Auction that is scheduled for Thursday. As a preview, we have taken a closer look at three of the star lots. With an estimate of close to $2 million, this BMW 507 Roadster is one of the most valuable machines consigned. It was sold new to the United States and now comes from a single ownership of close to three decades.
Another great 1950s German Roadster available from the British auctioneer is this Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Roadster. The 16th of 53 examples built, it was delivered new to the New York area. It has benefited from a complete restoration during the 1990s and has seen little use since. The matching numbers example has a pre-sale estimate of $775,000 - $875,000.
Like the rival auctioneers, Bonhams also have a virtually brand-new, limited production sports car. In this case, it is the very first Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante built. Finished in a striking blue with a brown leather interior, it benefits from a $50,000 option package, which brought the total price close to the $900,000 mark. The lovely Vanquish Zagato Volante can now be yours for an estimated $500,000 - $700,000.

Toyota Gazoo Racing have revealed the all-new Le Mans racer, dubbed the GR010 Hybrid. It is built to the new-for-2021 Le Mans Hypercar regulations. As per the rules, the GR010 combines a conventional internal combustion engine that drives the rear wheels and a front-mounted electric motor with a maximum system output of 670 bhp. As the electric motor can only be used from speeds of up to 120 km/h, the twin-turbo V6 alone can produce 670 bhp and is then tuned down once the electric motor kicks in. Compared to the TS050, it replaces, the GR010 is heavier and less powerful to keep the speeds at Le Mans in check. It should debut at Sebring in March and the two cars will be driven by the same crew of six drivers that raced the TS050 last year.
To mark the occasion, we have also taken a renewed look at Toyota Le Mans racers from the Group C era. The earliest is this 85C, which was used in Toyota's first factory Le Mans effort back in 1985. Now owned by a Japanese historic racer, it was campaigned in the 2016 and 2018 edition of the Le Mans Classic. The last Group C car raced at Le Mans was this 92C-V, which made no fewer than three appearances at La Sarthe. Now in private hands, it was restored to its 1992 configuration when it finished fifth overall and first in class.
Porsche celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Boxster with this limited edition Boxster 25 Years. Based on the top-of-the-range GTS 4.0 model, it features a unique paint finish, which is a nod to the original Boxster Concept first shown to the world in 1993. Only, 1,250 examples of the 394 bhp, 25th anniversary Boxster will be built.

Californian auctioneer Gooding & Co. have published the full lot-list of the upcoming online-only Scottsdale Auction, which opens for bidding on Monday. Today we take a closer look at three of the most interesting cars consigned to this sale. Among them is this early Ford Shelby Mustang GT350. Completed at the end of May in 1965, it still features the desirable trunk-mounted battery. Raced by its first owner, it was later restored while in the ownership of Mustang Club of America Concours judge, chassis SFM5S291 is offered in the exact specification as it was built back in 1965.
Like rival RM Sotheby's, Gooding will also offer a Koenigsegg Regera. Only completed last year, it comes equipped with $710,000 worth of options that result in increased horsepower and downforce numbers compared to the 'standard' model. Still virtually brand new, this Regera is the most valuable car consigned to the sale with a pre-sale estimate of $2.75 - $3.5 million.
Another high performance, modern sports car due to cross the virtual block is this Porsche 911 GT2 RS. It is one of just 500 examples of the 997-generation model built. Finished in black over black, the GT2 RS should find a new owner for just over $300,000.

California-based Porsche enhancer Singer have collaborated with Tuthill Porsche in England to create this truly wild All-terrain Competition Study or ACS. Like the other Singer creations, the ACS is based on the 964 generation Porsche 911. It is a tribute to the German manufacturer's off-road racers that were successful in events like Dakar during the 1980s. Commissioned by a very enthusiastic customer, two examples have been built. Both run on a considerably heightened suspension and sport exterior cues reminiscent of the 959 Dakar winner. The white one is designed to run on rougher surfaces while the red ACS is more suited to tarmac rally stages. Among our favourite retro nods on the ACS is the graphic applied to the inside of the engine cover.
Bonhams will kick off their 2021 auction season with the The Scottsdale Auction scheduled for January 21st. Consigned to the sale is an eclectic mix of road and racing cars. Today we take a look at two of the most interesting cars on offer. The earliest is this Kurtis 500KK SR-100, which combined the Kurtis 500KK chassis kit with the SR-100 type body built by Byers. Powered by a mighty DeSoto Firedome HEMI engine this early 1950s sports racer is estimated to sell for $130,000 and $160,000.
Also grabbing our attention was this lovely Lancia HF Integrale Evo on offer. Completed late in 1992, this is one of the Martini 6 special models that was built to celebrate the six consecutive World Rally Championships won by the Martini liveried Deltas. The example on offer has survived in highly original condition and has just 27,000 km on the odometer.