On May 21 Bonhams will offer the first carved ruby scale-model of a dragster to be featured at public auction during its Gems, Minerals & Lapidary Works of Art sale.
This unique vehicle is modeled after the famed Greer-Black-Prudhomme Dragster, which was raced by Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, built by Kent Fuller and tuned by Keith Black. Carved by designer Luis Alberto Quispe Aparicio from solid panels of ruby, the model is detailed with Obsidian tires, a gold vermeil engine and a polished rock crystal wind screen. The dragster measures approximately 60 centimeters in length and is estimated to bring $150,000-200,000.
The full-scale dragster was first raced in June 1962 at the Pomona Drag Strip in Southern California. Many credit this vehicle with launching the career of Prudhomme, who is one of the most winning drivers in the history of quarter-mile drag racing. He won more than 90 percent of the races that he entered between 1962 and 1964. According to many, this car played a key role in that success – it led drag racing during a time when consistent quarter mile times topped out at less than 8 seconds at more than 190 miles per hour.
Preview: May 17-21, Los Angeles
Auction: May 21 and 22, Los Angeles
