WORDS: NATHAN CHADWICK | PHOTOS: RM SOTHEBY’S
A feast of modern and modern-classic hypercars make up the majority of the lots at RM Sotheby’s Dubai sale, which takes place in Dubai on March 8, 2024.
Although the majority of the lots are cars, there are some automobilia highlights, too. A Michael Schumacher Ferrari Formula 1 race suit from 2000, and a helmet he wore for his win at the European Grand Prix in 2004, are the star attractions, but you’ll also find high-end watches from the likes of Rolex, Franck Muller and Heuer, plus scale models and children’s cars.
However, it’s the cars that are the stars – we’ve picked out a few of our favourites…
This 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss leads the sale on pre-sale estimate, with between $3m and $3.5m believed to be needed to take home this example. One of just 75 built based on the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, it was ordered to European specifications and delivered to Luxembourg. It later went to the Middle East, and has covered 9233km, having taken part in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz 1000 Miglia Challenge.
This 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie is believed to be the first of the 150 built to appear at auction. Specified by Aston’s Q branch for personalisation, it features a satin and gloss graphic package over the Scintilla Silver and Speed Red paintwork. Inside, there’s black Alcantara with red highlights, exposed carbonfibre twill and titanium toggle switches. Having covered just 123km, it’s up for grabs at between $2.9m and $3.3m.
This 2016 Koenigsegg Agera RSR is one of just three built for the Japanese market as an exclusive model variation of the RS, of which 27 were produced. Although it shares the same twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre V8 and power output as the standard car, it has a bespoke aerodynamic set-up for extra downforce, and a relocated air scoop. It’s covered 993km, and is estimated at between $2.8m and $3.4m.
Other modern hypercar highlights include a one-of-20 2017 Lamborghini Centenario LP770-4 Coupé (estimated at between $2m and $2.5m), a 2022 Ferrari 812 Competizione (estimated at between $1.1m and $1.3m) and a 2022 Ferrari SF90 Stradale (estimated at between $500k and $550k).
Dubai loves Mercedes-Benz G-Wagens, and RM’s sale has three to choose from. However, the most eye-catching has to be this 2018 Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet. One of 99 built, it saw the first use of the Mercedes-Maybach name, and bid a fond farewell to the W463 platform that had lived in the Three-Pointed Star’s range for decades. The G650 featured a 6.0-litre V12, widened body and luxury-trimmed interior. First delivered to France, this example has custom AMG carbon trim pieces and smoked rear glass. It’s estimated at between $700k and $800k.
Other G-Wagens include a one-of-65 2018 G65 AMG Final Edition (estimated at between $250k and $330k), and one of 13 1993 500GEs officially converted by AMG to receive a 6.0-litre M117 V8 engine and other drivetrain and chassis upgrades, which is estimated at between $150k and $200k.
With the new-car world enamoured with the release of the new electric Renault 5, our attention was drawn to this 1985 Renault 5 Turbo 2. This particular example was built for the US, and imported by Bavarian Motors Inc for road registration in Wenham, Massachusetts in October 1989. It changed owners ten years later, remaining in the state until 2015, when it headed to the United Arab Erimates. With 15,603 miles on the clock, it’s estimated at between $100k and $120k.
Other modern-classic highlights include an ex-Japan 1993 Ferrari 512 TR (estimated at between $250k and $300k), an Argento Nürburgring ‘no-stripe’ 2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale (estimated at between $200k and $250k), and a one-of-138 Topaz Blue over cream leather 2000 BMW Z8 (estimated at between $180k and $200k).
For those looking for something unique, this 2015 Rolls-Royce Silver Spectre Shooting Brake by Carat Duchatelet offers an intriguing opportunity. Based on a Rolls-Royce Wraith, the conversion to shooting brake was envisioned by Niels van Roij Design, and built by Carat Duchatelet over 2500 hours. The roof is hand-made from a large piece of lightweight carbonfibre composite, with a custom headlining inside designed to mimic an ‘endless starlit sky’. It was originally a Rolls-Royce-retained car, before being sold to Germany in 2017; the conversion began a year later and took 18 months to complete, at a cost of more than €300k. With 17,965km on the odometer, it’s estimated at between $275k and $325k.
Further details
The event takes place at the Concrete venue at Alserkal Avenue in the Al Quoz district of Dubai, on Friday, March 8, 2024. Public preview is 12:00–18:00pm, with the auction commencing at 20:30pm. More details are available here.
