luxury car RM Sotheby’s
RM Sotheby’s is delighted to announce The Connoisseur Collection, a wonderful offering of German and Italian sports and touring cars.

A highlight of the collection is undoubtedly the beautiful 1955 BMW 501 Sechszylinder Cabriolet with coachwork by Baur, a rare example which was dispatched to BMW dealer Hepstein & Kaiser of Cologne, Germany, and finished in Ivory with green leather. Having gone through an extensive bare-shell restoration between 2005 and 2006, this fine example is accompanied by manuals, invoices, and its 1960s German logbook (Estimate: €230,000 – €300,000).

Also offered is a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 220 Coupé,the final and most exclusive variant of the Mercedes-Benz W187, with only 85 examples leaving the Sindelfingen works. This German-market example was one of only a handful equipped with an optional sliding steel sunroof and is finished in its factory-correct Grey over Grey leather (Estimate: €180,000 – €200,000).

Simon Clay ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Two iconic Porsche 911s will also feature in the collection, including a beautiful 1967 Porsche 911 ‘Soft-Window’ Targa. The Targa was the first open version of the 911, with this example being a rare ‘Soft-Window’ variant featuring a flexible rear screen. Retaining its matching-numbers chassis, engine, and gearbox, this 911 has undergone an all-encompassing bare-shell restoration and is finished in its factory-correct Irish Green over Black leatherette. It will be offered without reserve and carries an estimate of €160,000 – €200,000. The second 911 to feature is a 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet, which was first destined for the US when it left the factory. It has also been subject to a comprehensive restoration to factory specification and retains its matching-numbers engine and gearbox. It will be offered without reserve and has an estimate of €100,000 – €150,000.

Simon Clay ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

This is followed by a duo of 1950s Mercedes-Benzes, with the first being a 1951 Mercedes-Benz 170 S Cabriolet A, which, in Cabriolet A form, makes it the most rare and exclusive of all the 170 Ss built. It was first delivered to Sweden, where it remained for the next 66 years, with three registered owners but, fascinatingly, all were believed to be from the same family. This example will be offered without reserve (Estimate: €140,000 – €180,000). The 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A, with coachwork by Sindelfingen, is a very fine car, offered in the attractive and factory-correct combination of Blue with a contrasting Grey interior, and will be offered without reserve (Estimate: €130,000 – €160,000).

Simon Clay ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

One of the most refined and advanced of all pre-war sports cars is the 1939 BMW 327/28 Coupé, powered by the excellent six-cylinder engine which powered the famous 328 roadster. This example left the factory for Portugal on 2 March and was driven in the II Rallye Nacional de Miramar in 1949. It will be offered without reserve and is estimated to sell for between €140,000 – €180,000. This is complemented by its precursor, a 1936 BMW 319 Two-Seat Sport Cabriolet. This example was specified as a desirable Sport Cabriolet and finished in two-tone Black and Silver and is believed to have undergone a 3,000-hour restoration in 2018. It will be offered without reserve and is estimated to sell for between €120,000 – €160,000.

Simon Clay ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 3200 CS is a beautiful Giugiaro-designed machine, with this 1963 BMW 3200 CS by Bertone example being no exception. Boasting optional leather upholstery, whitewall tyres, and a Becker Grand Prix radio, it will be offered without reserve and is estimated to sell for between €100,000 – €130,000. The 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupé is the epitome of sophisticated motoring, and the example on offer is finished in the classic colour combination of Silver with sumptuous Black interior trim. It will be offered without reserve and is estimated to sell for between €70,000 – €90,000

Two beautiful Alfa Romeos round off the collection, both of which will be offered without reserve. The first, a 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spider, has been the subject of considerable work, including a repaint and retrim in its factory colours (Estimate: €50,000 – €80,000). The second, a 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint, benefits from a history file that includes build data from Centro Documentazione Alfa Romeo (Estimate: €50,000 – €80,000).

About RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s is the world’s largest collector car auction house by total sales. With over 40 years of proven results in the collector car industry, RM’s vertically integrated range of services, from auctions (live and online) and private sales to estate planning and financial services, coupled with an expert team of Car Specialists and an international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM Sotheby’s is currently responsible for seven of the top ten most valuable motor cars ever sold at auction.

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