Bonhams announce the Scottsdale Sale of Exceptional Motorcars on January 19th, 2012 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
For its first-ever automotive sale during the famous Scottsdale Car Week, Bonhams has teamed up with the exclusive AAA Four Diamond Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in the heart of Scottsdale, near Phoenix.
Highlights of the sale include Marlene Dietrich’s former 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Transformable Convertible Sedan that is estimated to sell for $300,000 – 400,000. The screen goddess’ personal car was a gift to her by director Josef von Sternberg of Paramount Studios in likely tribute to her role as ‘femme fatale’ Lola Lola in the classic German/English film Der Blaue Engel. Von Sternberg also collaborated with Dietrich in the movie Morocco, in which this very car is featured.
A 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow owned by pop culture icon Andy Warhol is estimated to sell for $40,000 – 60,000. Warhol, perhaps the most famous artist of the 20th Century, whose paintings can command $100-million, purchased the Silver Shadow new and owned it until his untimely death, 13 years later, in 1987. Sold by the artist’s family approximately a year after his passing, the Rolls-Royce has only had two subsequent owners and comes with a copy of the original New York Certificate of Title bearing Warhol’s name.
Further highlights include a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan (est. $650,000 -750,000), a 1924 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 Torpedo Tourer with custom coachwork by Carrozzeria Sala that has been the subject of a professional 4,000-hour restoration (est. $425,000 – 525,000) and a 1932 Packard Model 904 Custom Convertible Victoria with coachwork by Dietrich ($600,000 – 700,000).
Adding to their roster of successful motorcar auctions in the US – not to mention around the world – is a natural succession for Bonhams’ renowned motoring department. Malcolm Barber, Bonhams CEO in New York comments, “The new Scottsdale sale will be a worthy and welcome addition to our worldwide portfolio of blue ribbon sales and has been much anticipated by international collectors for quite some time. It is a pleasure indeed to make this announcement and we look forward to working with the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.”
