RM sets new world record for Mercedes-Benz sale

MONTEREY, Calif. - RM Auctions, the world’s largest collector car auction house, continued its strong track record in Monterey on Aug. 20, 2011, setting a new world record for a Mercedes-Benz sold at auction and selling 12 automobiles for individual million-dollar-plus results.

The star of the night, a spectacular 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster, chassis number 154140 (pictured), attracted spirited bidding in the room and on the phones, selling for an impressive $9,680,000 to applause from the crowd - a new world record for a Mercedes-Benz sold at auction.

The stunning 540 K was joined by a magnificent series of four other supercharged eight-cylinder Mercedes-Benz automobiles from the 1930s, each fetching multi-million-dollar results before the packed house.

Other highlights included a superb roster of historic Ferraris, led by the sale of a rare alloy-bodied 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione for $5,280,000.

Unofficial million-dollar-plus sales from Saturday, August 20, 2011:

Lot 229: 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spyder - $2,530,000

Lot 232: 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster - $4,620,000

Lot 236: 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Coupe - $3,080,000

Lot 237: 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinetta - $3,685,000

Lot 238: 1958 BMW 507 Roadster - $1,072,500

Lot 242: 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Roadster - $9,680,000

Lot 244: 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione - $5,280,000

Lot 247: 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Roadster - $3,767,500

Lot 248: 1953 Ferrari 375 America Coupe - $1,980,000

Lot 249: 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sport Cabriolet A - $2,970,000

Lot 251: 1924 Mercedes-Benz 28/95 Sport Phaeton - $1,017,500

Lot 252: 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupe - $2,090,000

The Saturday night sale marked the conclusion of RM’s biggest ever Monterey sale, which attracted record bidder registrations from 20 countries, including Argentina, Japan and United Arab Emirates.

Complete official results for RM’s Monterey sale will be posted online at www.rmauctions.com early next week.

(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and include the 10 percent buyer’s premium)
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