An Elegant Lineup of Prewar Classics are Unveiled for Gooding & Company’s 2020 Scottsdale Auctions

SANTA MONICA, CA – December 13, 2019 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Gooding & Company, the auction house acclaimed for selling the most sought-after and valuable twentieth-century European and American motorcars, has announced an outstanding lineup of prewar classics ahead of Gooding & Company’s annual Scottsdale Auctions in January 2020. These legendary automobile manufacturers provided the blueprint for the future luxury and sports cars we enjoy today.

1937 BMW 328 (Estimate: $350,000 – $450,000 Without Reserve)

BMW’s 328 is recognized as one of history’s most important sports cars, and examples are proudly displayed in leading museums such as the Revs Institute and the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. The model emerged victorious in its debut race at the Nürburgring in 1936, won its class at the 1938 Mille Miglia and the 1939 Le Mans, and won the Mille Miglia outright in 1940. With over 200 victories, 328s were competitive until well into the 1950s. This incredible 328 was purchased in 1945 in Germany by decorated fighter pilot and American Air Corps Commander Edward B. Giller, who was stationed there shortly after the war. Retaining its matching-numbers engine, the 328 here has remained in the Giller family for over 75 years and has never undergone a comprehensive restoration. Offered for sale for the first time since 1945, it is a remarkable piece of history that enthusiasts of preservation-class cars will admire and respect.

1932 Hispano-Suiza J12 Dual-Cowl Phaeton (Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,000,000)

In 1931, celebrated manufacturer Hispano-Suiza introduced their masterpiece, the J12. The magnificent and highly exclusive model set new standards of acceleration, handling, braking, and overall performance. The J12 chassis was a triumph of engineering, well ahead of its time, besting rivals such as Alfa Romeo, Bugatti and Isotta-Fraschini. Just 120 were made over eight years, with many carrying formal closed coachwork. A small number of customers, however, recognized the J12’s highly advanced performance capabilities and had their cars built with open, sporting bodies from the most revered carrosseries of Europe. This example, one of as few as ten open J12s surviving, was bodied as a rakish sports phaeton by the renowned Henry Binder of Paris. In 1954, Chassis 13016 was purchased by famed collector Briggs Cunningham, and remained in his collection for 35 years. Today, it is dramatically finished in black with red leather, its dual windshields and rear cowl providing protection during open motoring. Much has been written of the J12 over the ensuing decades; it is considered by many experts and historians as the ultimate prewar car, a true pinnacle of design and engineering. Noted Hispano-Suiza historian Johnnie Green aptly described it, stating that the J12, “Had no peer, and we shall never see her like again.”

1930 Stutz Series M Boattail Speedster (Estimate: $450,000 – $650,000)

The Stutz Motor Company was largely responsible for producing some of the most desirable American sports cars of the prewar era. The car manufacturer campaigned their first production vehicle at the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911, after only five weeks of design and build. This gamble paid off as the car finished in 11th Place and thus created the advertising slogan, “Stutz – The Car That Made Good in a Day.” This immediate success set the company up to design and produce more competitive models in the years that followed and paved the way for the iconic Bearcat model, a sports car that stayed in production until 1925. In 1929, Stutz introduced the Series M and referred to the model as the most European of the US auto designs and featured driving lights that turn in harmonization with steering. This particular Series M Boattail Speedster, underwent a striking restoration, comes from a prestigious west coast collection, and is ready to join its new home in January.

1937 Cord 812 S/C Cabriolet ‘Sportsman’ (Estimate: $350,000 – $450,000 Without Reserve)

Less than 3,000 Cord 812s were built in the manufacturer’s history and thanks to the industry-leading combination of engineering and aesthetics, this car is unquestionably one of the most iconic vehicles of the 1930s. The example presented here, is one of only 64 originally Supercharged Cabriolets. It includes advanced features such as hidden headlamps, seating for two with a convertible top that disappears beneath a flush deck, and its signature 7-louver coffin-nose hood. This 812 recently underwent a meticulous restoration with an emphasis on authenticity and was the recipient of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® Awards in 2001 and 2014. This Cabriolet is a timeless model that will be sure to catch the eye of collectors and aficionados alike.

The Scottsdale Auctions

Dates: Friday, January 17 at 11:00am and Saturday, January 18 at 11:00am
Location: Scottsdale Fashion Square, 4700 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | Corner of N. Scottsdale Road and E. Highland Ave.
Public preview: Wednesday, January 15 – Saturday, January 18
Auction catalogues: $100, includes admission for two to the viewing and the auctions
General admission: $40, includes admission for one to the viewing and the auctions
Live auction broadcast: www.goodingco.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoodingandCompany
Twitter: @goodingandco #goodingscottsdale
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Phone: 310.899.1960

Passion of a Lifetime Auction

Gooding & Company is honored to present an exclusive auction event, “Passion of a Lifetime,” featuring selections from one of the world’s most revered private collections, to be sold at Somerset House in central London on 1 April 2020. These stunning motorcars are the culmination of decades of research, dedication, and a meticulous commitment to bring together the most coveted and valuable examples of European sports and racing automobiles of the 20th century. London’s historic and majestic Somerset House will provide a superb backdrop for the vehicles in this unique auction. This 18th century Neo-classical building is one of London’s best loved public spaces and a global platform showcasing ground-breaking contemporary culture. Gooding & Company’s constant adherence to the highest quality offerings at the pinnacle of the collector car business is in perfect harmony with this unparalleled collection, and there is no better backdrop for such a momentous auction than the world-class setting of Somerset House.

About Gooding & Company

Gooding & Company is celebrated for its world-class automotive auctions and unparalleled service in the international collector car market, achieving over $2 billion in sales since the company’s inception. The auction house continues to deliver market-leading results, while setting new trends and selling best-of-category cars across numerous collector car verticals. Gooding & Company consistently presents the highest-quality consignments while operating with openness and integrity, which have earned the company a reputation of trust and respect unmatched in the industry. Offering a wide range of services including private and estate sales, appraisals and collection management, the auction house is ready to assist you with numerous collector car services.

Source: Gooding & Company