Coinciding with the 8th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, the May 2012 auction follows a record-setting debut performance in 2010 which saw the company achieve over €33 million in sales with a successful 89% of all lots sold. The 2012 sale is set to continue the grand tradition, presenting an elite, handpicked selection of 80 automobiles. In addition, the sale will also cater to discerning motorcycle collectors with the consignment of the acclaimed Saltarelli Ducati Collection, the world’s most significant private Ducati collection. The addition of the motorcycles to the auction program has seen the 2012 event extended to two sale days (11th – 12th May), with an auction preview planned for the 10th May.

“Our inaugural Monaco sale in 2010 set a new standard for collector car auctions with its high quality consignments, impeccable presentation and unparalleled client experience,” says Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe. “We are thrilled to be returning to Monaco in 2012 and look forward to bringing another exceptional roster of automobiles, and for the first time, motorcycles, to the auction stage. The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique weekend is a ‘must attend’ on the global collector car calendar and a wonderful celebration of the hobby. We are delighted to be part of the weekend festivities once again and look forward to building on our strong debut results,” Girardo adds.

Leading early automobile entries for the sale is a competition-bred 1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 ‘Daytona,’ chassis number 75033-029. One of a select few built for the 1968 international season, this superb and highly-original example boasts one of the few vetted racing histories by marque experts, who contend it was driven to victory at the 500-km Imola race by racing luminaries Nino Vaccarella and Teodoro Zeccoli, in addition to performances at Monza, Targa Florio and Zeltweg, among other events. Described as one of the best and most original examples in existence, it is ‘on the button’ and ready to go, both road registered and an active participant in a variety of leading historic events in recent years (Estimate: €900,000-€1,100,000).

Bikes will also be in the spotlight. The Saltarelli Ducati Collection represents one of the largest private collections of Ducati motorcycles ever to be offered at auction. Spanning the marque’s full history from road to racing machines, the 100-bike collection was carefully selected over the past 30 years by lifelong enthusiast Carlo Saltarelli, an ex-Ducati factory test rider, racer and owner of a Ducati dealership. Among a long list of highlights on offer is a terrific series of racing bikes, headlined by an immensely-desirable works 1972 Ducati 750SS 200 Miles Imola Racer, otherwise known as the ‘Green Frame,’ built and prepared in 1972 as a reserve bike for the world-famous 200 Miles of Imola race and sister bike to the winning entry that year (Estimate: €150,000-€200,000). Other highlights include a rare, factory-entry 1990 Ducati 888 SBK from the golden era of Ducati racing (Estimate: €80,000- €100,000) and a 1974 Ducati 750SS Racer Number 23, which boasts an illustrious racing history, having scored a number of victories and podium finishes during the 1974 and 1975 seasons, often in the hands of Carlo Saltarelli himself (Estimate: €40,000-€60,000). The impressive bike collection will be offered ‘without reserve’ on the 11th May; its presentation represents RM’s first dedicated single-day, single-vendor sale in Europe.

“We’re delighted to have been entrusted by Mr. Saltarelli with the sale of his important collection as we continue to expand our expertise in the collector motorcycle market,” Girardo adds. “The addition of motorcycles to the Monaco sale is in direct response to our client interests and requests, and we can think of no better fit to the sale’s focus on exclusivity, style and performance. Ducati is arguably the world’s leading exotic motorcycle manufacturer and represents the pinnacle of Italian two-wheeled desirability.”