Italian classic sports cars, including evocative pieces from Alfa Romeo and Ferrari, were the stars of RM Auctions’ inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco at the Grimaldi Forum, helping it to become a resounding success, and achieve 33,235,917 euros ($45,101,139) in total sales and thus matching the highest dollar single-day collector car auction in history, also produced by RM. With 88 of the 105 pre- and post-war motor cars changing hands produced an 86 per cent sell through rate, with five automobiles fetching prices in excess of 2,000,000 euros along with setting two new world records.

The event’s top seller was a rare 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet Pininfarina SWB, chassic number 3309 SA, setting a new world record for a Superamerica when it sold for 2,800,000 euros ($3,799,600) and well exceeding its high estimate of 2,450,000 euros.

“RM’s inaugural Monaco sale has set a new standard for collector car auctions not only for the high quality of cars, but also for its impeccable presentation and client experience. Two world record prices, and seven lots achieving in excess of one million euro, aptly illustrate this achievement,” said Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe. “Our Monaco sales results underscore RM’s undisputed leadership position in the investment-grade segment of the collector car market.”

Additional star lots surpassing the two million euro mark include: a hugely desirable 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, s/n 3401 GT, selling for €2,632,000 ($3,571,624); a rare 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 ‘Birdcage’, s/n 2470, setting a new world record for a Birdcage at 2,464,000 euros ($3,343,648); the ex-Harrah 1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Tour de France, s/n 0925 GT, bringing €2,352,000 ($3,191,664); and, a beautiful 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder, s/n 1253 GT, fetching 2,072,000 euros ($2,811,704).

The impressive results of RM’s Sporting Classics of Monaco event were generated by the registered bidders from 33 different countries on the telephone, over the Internet and assembled in the standing-room-only venue. RM welcomed a number of first-time clients to its Monaco debut with new bidders representing 28 per cent of all registrations. In addition, approximately 3,300 people watched the live streaming video coverage of the sale over the Internet.

Other notable auction results on the day included a very rare alloy-bodied 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Berlinetta, s/n 07933, selling for 784,000 euros ($1,063,888), a fully-restored 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta, s/n 10045, selling for 767,200 euros ($1,041,090) and a matching-numbers 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Zagato Spider, s/n 8513064, fetching 879,200 euros ($1,193,074).