03.06.2010 MASERATI AND FERRARI SET TO HEADLINE GOODING & CO'S PEBBLE BEACH AUCTION

MASERATI 200 SI

Presented in bare aluminium and showing all the dents and repairs of a long and tough competitive life on the circuits, this rare Maserati 200Si prototype sports car racer stood out from the crowd at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance during the 2008 edition.

FERRARI 340

From the estate of the late Gil Nickel, a beautiful Vignale-bodied 1951 Ferrari 340 America sports car will be offered for sale during Gooding & Co's Sunday auction at Pebble Beach.

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.”
 

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