Bonhams & Butterfields celebrated the thirteenth anniversary of its renowned motorcar auction at Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley this year. Comprising of a very diverse and newsworthy selection of 102 cars, an aeroplane and a boat (with a 74% sell rate), the auction represented three major collections headlined by the Michael Amalfitano collection of competition cars, which blew through all pre-sale expectations and set the tone for a buoyant two-day sale.
 
A world record for any Porsche sold at auction was achieved with the ex-Jurgen Neuhaus/Jurgen Barth 1972-73 European Interserie and David Hobbs/Mike Hailwood Gulf-JW Automotive team 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder neé 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Coupe realizing $ 3,965,000.
 
Many other strong prices were attained for the rarest and freshest offerings, which included:

• 1930 Mercedes-Benz 7.1 Liter SS Tourer that made $ 2,537,000 after spirited bidding.
• The ex-works, Gerhard Mitter/Lucien Bianchi Nurburgring 1000 kms-leading 1967 Porsche 910 Endurance Racing Works Coupe that sold for $ 797,000.
• The ex- J. Herbert Carpenter, Western Reserve Historical Society, Joe Tracy 1908 Thomas Flyer 4-60 Tourer that went for $ 733,000.
• The ex-Ernst Loof racing team, Sandizell-owned 1937 BMW 328 Roadster that was bought for $ 667,000. 

Mark Osborne, head of Bonhams’ Motoring Department commented: 'We are very honored to have been selected to offer these incredible motorcars at auction. We are very pleased with the results and the satisfaction of having met or exceeded the expectations of our discerning and growing clientele.'