Automobiles hand-picked for their rarity, design and engineering and automotive-themed paintings and sculptures will go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s this November.
The unique 2006 Lamborghini Concept S. Photo credit – Darin Schnabel © 2015 Courtesy RM Sotheby’s.
In 2013, RM Auctions had organised Manhattan’s first major collector car auction in over a decade. The outstanding sale generated an amazing $63 million within the first two hours of bidding. That pioneering event is now being followed by the exclusive Art Automobiles sale, which will take place in Manhattan at Sotheby’s global headquarters on 18th November, 2015. A celebration of the RM Sotheby’s partnership, it will present 30 blue-chip automobiles as well as paintings and sculptures with an automotive theme.
RM Sotheby’s is the world’s largest collector car auction house offering investment-quality automobiles. For the November sale it is featuring vehicles selected “for their rarity, significance to design, engineering, and for the outstanding achievement they represent in their respective category.”
The early entries for the Art Automobiles sale are led by an exceptional 2006 Lamborghini Concept S, chassis 001. An extreme interpretation of the open-top Lamborghini Gallardo, it was conceived by the marque’s then head of design, Luc Donckerwolke, and presented as a non-running design study at Geneva in 2005. The overwhelming public interest drove the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer to build a functional version to more correctly gauge customer demand.
The Concorso Italiano debuted the next year and it was even more extreme and radical than the concept car. Meanwhile, high costs and time-consuming production of Concept S limited its production to only the first example – chasis 001. This very vehicle will be auctioned at the Art Automobiles sale in November. A true, production-ready, one-off Lamborghini, it has remained in single ownership from the time it was unveiled. It was routinely invited back by Lamborghini to be exhibited around the world. The car is completely operable and street-legal. It has been driven only for 180 km, much of which was accumulated during initial testing and the remainder on the show field. It is estimated to sell for USD 24,00,000 – USD 30,00,000.
Ian Kelleher, Managing Director of RM Sotheby’s West Coast division adds, “The Gallardo Concept S is downright wild and an absolutely perfect car to be featured within the 10th floor galleries at Sotheby’s. The Lamborghini’s blend of avant-garde style and uniqueness sets the tone for what will be a theme carried throughout the entire catalogue. As we carefully curate the 2015 New York offering, we will continue to place a strong emphasis on significant design contribution throughout automotive history. It will undoubtedly be another watershed event.”
For more information on RM Sotheby’s Art Automobiles auction in New York City, please click here.