Gooding Christie’s unveils a selection of desirable postwar blue-chip classics from the world’s most prestigious marques, including Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Siata, Frazer Nash, Bentley, and Shelby for its upcoming Amelia Island sale.

Santa Monica, Calif. (January 22, 2025) — Gooding Christie’s has announced a lineup of highly desirable blue-chip classics from some of the world’s most prominent marques in motoring for its upcoming Amelia Island Auctions, including show winners, long-lost discoveries, and rare one-offs sure to provide their next custodians entry into the most prestigious concours and driving events. The auctions will feature several significant Ferraris, a stunning pair of Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs, and marvelous custom-bodied Italian offerings from Siata and Cisitalia. Also offered are a pair of exceptionally outfitted, coachbuilt Bentleys, a Frazer Nash that won the inaugural 12 Hours of Sebring, and a sleek black-on-black Shelby Cobra with fascinating Hollywood provenance. Registration to bid for the upcoming two-day sale, taking place on Thursday, March 6 and Friday, March 7 at the Omni Amelia Island Resort, is now available through goodingco.com.

“Our Amelia Island Auctions offer an incredible selection of sporting cars, ranging from those that have already been in the limelight and won multiple awards, such as the Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series II Coupe, to fresh unseen examples of popular sports marques,” says Gooding Christie’s Senior Specialist, Rupert Banner. “These include cars that have either just emerged from restoration, as with the Siata and Cisitalia, offering limitless tour and show potential, or the Ferrari 330 GTS and Bentley R-Type Continental, which have recently been discovered and are ready to make their debut on the global auction stage.”

Gooding Christie’s is proud to present a 1963 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Series II Coupe Aerodinamico (Estimate: $2,500,000 – $3,000,000) by Pininfarina, chassis 4251 SA, one of approximately just 35 examples built. This long-wheelbase, Series II Superamerica was publicly unveiled at the 7th New York International Auto Show in 1963, where it was displayed on the Luigi Chinetti Motors stand. Powered by the tipo 163 engine, 4251 SA features the highly desirable covered-headlight treatment, and was originally finished in the tasteful combination of Oro Longchamps over black Connolly leather upholstery. In 2003, under the ownership of noted Ferrari collector Peter McCoy, 4251 SA underwent an extensive, Platinum Award-winning restoration by marque specialists Motion Products Inc. Throughout its lifetime, 4251 SA has successfully participated in leading international concours and driving events, and has taken home multiple Platinum and special awards at Cavallino Classic, the Ferrari Club of America Annual Meet, Pebble Beach, and Villa d’Este. Most memorably, this Superamerica was awarded First in Class at the 2007 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Accompanying this incredible offering at auction are copies of factory build sheets on file confirming its matching-numbers engine and driveline components.

Additional selections from the Prancing Horse marque include an unrestored, garage-find 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS (Estimate: $1,750,000 – $2,250,000) and a 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Low-Roof Berlinetta(Estimate: $700,000 – $850,000). The Pininfarina-bodied 330 GTS, chassis 9513, is a rare and exclusive open Ferrari with known provenance from new. Finished in Rosso Cina (China Red) with beige Connolly leather upholstery and red carpets, this 330 GTS presents in impressive unrestored condition, showing just over 63,500 km. After time with its first two owners in Naples then Milan, 9513 was purchased by 22-year-old Richard Warinner of Northern California in 1969 as a honeymoon gift for his wife. The car was then sequestered away in their modest two-car garage for over 55 years, and today presents in true time-capsule condition, still wearing its black Italian license plates and retaining its matching-numbers engine, per a report on file by Marcel Massini. Never before restored, displayed, or offered at public auction, this 330 GTS is an ideal candidate for sympathetic recommissioning or preservation-class exhibition. The 250 GT Low-Roof Berlinetta is one of just 68 GT Coupes built by Carrozzeria Boano, and was originally finished in Grigio with a Rosso interior. Accompanied with a Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification verifying its matching-numbers engine and drivetrain, this 250 GT Coupe spent most of its life in Europe and the UK before relocating to the US in 2018. Most recently, this handsome Low-Roof Berlinetta was shown at The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering, in 2022.

A Vignale-bodied 1953 Siata 208 CS Coupe (Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,000,000) and a beautifully restored 1949 Cisitalia 202 SC Gran Sport Cabriolet (Estimate: $500,000 – $700,000) bring mid-century Italian flair to the Amelia Island Auctions catalogue. As one of just three custom-bodied Siata 208 CS chassis to feature sensational Michelotti-designed Vignale coachwork, the coupe on offer, chassis CS070, is a unique example of the legendary 8V-powered Siata 208 CS. Displayed at the 1953 Paris and 1954 Geneva Motor Shows upon debut, the Siata remained in Italy until 1960, when it was exported to the US to join the collection of Los Angeles-based sports car dealer Larry Reed. Recently restored to concours quality by Perfect Reflections of Hayward, California and Epifani Restorations of Berkeley, California, CS070 comes to public auction for the very first time. The Cisitalia, chassis 062 SC, features coachwork by Stabilimenti Farina, and is one of only about 60 examples of the exceedingly rare 202 SC Cabriolet. It was originally owned by Carlo Ponti, legendary Italian film producer and husband of actress Sophia Loren. In 2016, the 202 SC Cabriolet was imported into the US, where it underwent an exacting restoration by Rare Classics Restorations, LLC of Boca Raton, Florida, a process which entailed the car being repainted a nonmetallic light grey and fitted with a stunning cognac interior. This Cisitalia has not been shown since its restoration, and with its matching-numbers engine per its data tag, stunning presentation, and distinguished provenance, offers its next custodian the opportunity to make waves on the international concours circuit.

German engineering is represented with a gorgeous pair of Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs: a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (Estimate: $1,300,000 – $1,500,000) and a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (Estimate: $1,100,000 – $1,400,000). Built as a US-specification model, this Gullwing, chassis 5500654, was originally finished in the special-ordered combination of White (DB 50) over Black (DB 953) leather. In the late 1980s, under the ownership of David Chow, the Gullwing was the recipient of a multiple-award winning restoration by Hjeltness Restorations. Jerry Hjeltness and his team completed the Gullwing in midnight blue with light gray leather upholstery and a matching set of fitted luggage. The resulting work was spectacular; the Gullwing would go on to successfully exhibit at various concours under its next owner, Bob Sirna, including taking Best of Show at the June 1993 edition of the Le Cercle Concours d’Elegance in Los Angeles. Presented in a complimentary color combination, the 300 SL Roadster, chassis 002507, retains its striking factory original color scheme of White (DB 050G) over a correct Dark Blue leather interior, crafted by master upholsterer Jon Cumpton. It comes accompanied with a matching German Blue canvas soft top.

English excellence is highlighted by a pair of coachbuilt Bentleys from the 1950s, including a 1959 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupe (Estimate: $1,200,000 – $1,500,000) by Park Ward Ltd. and a 1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback (Estimate: $800,000 – $1,200,000) by H. J. Mulliner. The S1 Continental is an extremely rare Park Ward Drophead Coupe, style no. 700, as one of just 94 built in total and one of fewer than 40 configured in left-hand drive. Delivered new to the US with factory air-conditioning, power steering, and top, the S1 Continental possesses other late-production features, including the preferred taillamp arrangement. Presented in the original colors of Sand over Sable with beautifully preserved leather upholstery, this Drophead Coupe boasts well-documented provenance, including over three decades in the stable of famed collector Robert M. Lee of Reno, Nevada. The R-Type Continental Fastback by H.J.  Mulliner, chassis BC17LB, is a one-of-one Bentley originally delivered to the US. Built with extremely rare specifications, including left-hand drive, the desirable 4.5-litre engine, and central, manual floor-shift gearbox, it wears elegant Green paintwork over a “House of Commons” Green leather interior and comes luxuriously appointed with individual seats equipped with personal tables. Purchased by famed American Bentley collector Bill Klein from J.S. Inskip in 1956, BC17LB has remained in single family ownership ever since, passing to his brother-in-law in 1972, and in turn, his son. With approximately 50,000 miles from new on the odometer, this R-Type is offered in exceptional unrestored, time-capsule condition. A preservation class candidate, it is among the finest surviving examples of this landmark model and a must have for any Bentley enthusiast.

A 1951 Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica (Estimate: $700,000 – $900,000) represents British racing prowess as the overall winner of the inaugural 12 Hours of Sebring race, where it was driven to victory by Harry Grey and Larry Kulok. One of just 34 factory-built examples, chassis FN160 features the tubular aluminum body and aerodynamic design that made these cars among the most agile racers of their time, with precise steering and nimble handling. After its brief but successful racing career, this Frazer Nash was stowed away for nearly 60 years, only to emerge from hibernation upon discovery in 2018. Freshly restored by marque expert Patrick Blakeney-Edwards to its 1952 Sebring livery, FN160 has yet to be shown or raced since its glory days in the 1950s, presenting a world of opportunity for foremost vintage competition events to its next owner.

Rounding out this selection of postwar icons is an absolute classic with fascinating provenance, the 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra (Estimate: $900,000 – $1,100,000, Without Reserve). This late-production, rack and pinion example, chassis CSX2220, was purchased new by noted Hollywood hair stylist Jay Sebring, well-known for his star-studded roster of clientele including the likes of Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Paul Newman, and Jim Morrison. In later ownership, CSX2220 underwent work by specialists Mike McClusky and Rare Drive Inc. Resplendent in black over black, having had just five owners from new, and offered without reserve, this Cobra is an icon of American motoring with distinguished provenance and a gorgeous presentation.

Amelia Island Auctions
Date: Thursday, March 6 at 3 p.m. EST, and Friday, March 7 at 11 a.m. EST
Location: Racquet Park, Omni Amelia Island Resort
Public Preview: Wednesday, March 5 through Friday, March 7
Auction Catalogue: $100, includes admission for two to the viewing and the auctions
General Admission: $40, includes admission for one to the viewing and the auctions
Bidder Registration: www.goodingco.com/register
Live Auction Broadcast: www.goodingco.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoodingandCompany
X: @goodingandco
Instagram: @goodingandcompany
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/GoodingandCompany
Phone: +1.310.899.1960