Gooding & Company is has
just announced the consignment of two extraordinary
collector cars for its annual Pebble Beach Auctions: a
winning 1956 Maserati 200 SI raced by Sir Stirling Moss
and an award-winning 1951 Ferrari 340 America from the
estate of devoted enthusiast Mr. Gil Nickel. Gooding &
Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach
Concours d’Elegance, will auction these cars and others,
on Saturday and Sunday, August 14 and 15.
“Cars with such
incredible history and pedigree truly capture the
market’s attention. These cars are supreme examples of
rarity and connoisseurship with connections to three
great marques,” says David Gooding, President and
founder of Gooding & Company. “We are particularly
pleased to offer cars that have rarely been seen in
public or previously available on the open market.”
Notably car number one
of Maserati’s 200 series, the 1956 Maserati 200 SI was
the factory works team and development car for many
years. Retaining an outstanding racing record to this
day, the 200 SI participated in all the great European
and South American events during its racing career,
capturing podium finishes at Nürburgring, Napoli,
Caraccas and Bari. It has been driven by Stirling Moss,
Jean Behra and Piero Taruffi and has competed in many
famed races including the Cuban Grand Prix, Mille Miglia,
Monza, Targa Florio and at that the Grand Prix of Rome.
Most recently, the car won its class at the 2010 Amelia
Island Concours d’Elegance and has proved successful in
all of the important historic events. With extensive
documentation, beautiful patina and its distinctively
exposed original bodywork, this desirable 1950s 2-litre
racing car will be a coveted motor sport offering at the
Gooding & Company auction.
From the estate of the
late Gil Nickel, a beautiful Vignale-bodied 1951 Ferrari
340 America will also be offered at the Sunday Auction.
The late Mr. Nickel re-established the renowned Far
Niente Winery and was known by many for being a devout
automotive enthusiast with impeccable taste for
thoroughbred cars. A fine example, this Ferrari 340
America, chassis no. 0140A, debuted at the 1952 New York
Auto Show and was of the fastest sports cars of its day.
During Mr. Nickel’s thirty year ownership, the Ferrari
participated in many internationally prominent events
including the Mille Miglia, Monaco Historics, Laguna
Seca Historics and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance,
and is still capable of driving in the world’s best
vintage racing events.
Today’s Pebble Beach
Concours d’Elegance continues to attract the best
automobiles in the world. In a recent interview, the
Pebble Beach Concours Chairman Sandra Button said, “The
Pebble Beach Auctions are now viewed as leading
indicators for the worldwide collector car and luxury
car markets. In recent years, the success of these
auctions has been due in large part to the high
standards of Gooding & Company.”
