Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to dream a little, and there are certainly plenty of dream classics set to be offered as part of RM Sotheby’s next two auctions

RM Sotheby’s kicks off its 2023 sales in Arizona on January 26 with an eclectic mix of high-end classics ranging from pre-war vehicles to modern, era-defining supercars, followed on February 1 by its 10th anniversary Paris sale at the new location of Salles du Carrousel in Louvre Palace, right in the heart of the French capital.  

Clearly these are sales for those with deeper pockets; in Arizona, 15 cars carry estimates at or over $1,000,000, with 28 estimates at or over $500,000. A 1965 Shelby 427 Competition Cobra is expected to sell for as much as $3,600,000 (£2,950,000), with a 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV close behind with a top estimate of $3,500,000 (£2,900,000).  

However, it’s a quartet of modern-era supercars that really stand out, with a 1992 Ferrari F40 that’s covered a mere 12,239 miles carrying an estimate of $2,200,000-$2,800,000 (£1,800,000-£2,300,000), and a fellow Italian in the shape of a 1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition showing only 155 miles set to make $750,000-$1,000,000 (£600,000-£850,000). In addition, a 1994 Bugatti EB110 GT could sell for as much as $2,000,000 (£1,650,000), with a stunning 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort set to do likewise. In contrast, a short-chassis 1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by LeBaron represents pre-war prestige, and is estimated at $1,000,000-$1,300,000 (£850,000-£1,050,000). 

At the other end of the price scale, there are several rather more modest no-reserve entries. These include a 1977 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9, a 1936 MG NB Magnette and a 1975 Volkswagen Type 2 Westfalia, though all are expected to go for more than $50,000 (£41,000). 

In the Paris sale, headliners include a 2020 McLaren Senna LM, a 2022 Bugatti Chiron and a 1991 Ferrari F1 car driven by Jean Alesi, but there’s a host of older classic exotica too. These include a quartet of Italian-designed beauties: a 1972 Iso Grifo Targa Series II, a 1964 Lamborghini 350 GT by Touring, a 1970 Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Spyder by Ghia, and a 1963 OSCA 1600 GT by Zagato.  

However, it’s not just Italian marques set to star, with an ex-Works 1982 Renault 5 Turbo Group 4 being offered at an estimated €350,000-€400,000 (£310,000-£340,000). You’ll also find an iconic 1964 Aston Martin DB5 in the ‘007’ specification Silver Birch over black, estimated at €680,000-€780,000 (£600,000-£650,000), plus a delightful 1951 Porsche 356 ‘Split-Window’ Coupe that could make as much as €550,000 (£470,000). 

The no-reserve entries this time out include a 1975 Range Rover, a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and a 1978 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser, amongst others. For both auction catalogues, see rmsothebys.com – even if it’s just to ponder what you might spend a lottery win on.

  • Joining a host of Italian cars offered in Paris is this distinctive 1992 Alfa Romeo SZ, which is number 78 from 1036 examples produced, and shows a mere 7869km. The one-family-owned example is offered with no reserve, but is guided at €75,000-€95,000 (£65,000-£80,000)
  • Offered in Paris, this 1976 BMW Alpina B2 is an early car based on the E12 528 and is one of a handful of naturally aspirated examples, boasting the 230bhp engine also used in the Alpina 3.0 CS. The Alpine White example was subject to a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration from 2008 to 2014, and is expected to command €150,000-€175,000 (£130,000-£150,000).
  • Finished in the marque’s trademark blue over a special-order two-tone grey leather interior, this quad-turbocharged 1994 Bugatti EB110 GT is in stunning, concours condition. It’s expected to change hands at the Arizona sale for a mammoth $1,600,000-$2,000,000 (£1,300,000-£1,650,000)
  • Another star lot in Arizona will be this 1992 Ferrari F40, which is a two-owner example showing just 12,239 miles. It’s recently been subject to a no-expense-spared service and is estimated at $2,200,000-$2,800,000 (£1,800,000-£2,300,000).
  • In the Arizona sale and estimated at $1,100,000-$1,300,000 (£900,000-£1,050,000), this unique 1953 Fiat 8V Coupe by Ghia wears one-off aluminum alloy coachwork designed by Virgil Exner and Felice Mario Boano. It’s one of just 15 8V chassis distributed to Ghia and the only one not completed as a Supersonic.
  • Also offered in the Arizona sale is this 1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary. Thought to be the lowest-mileage example among the 657 produced, it shows just 155 miles and is expected to sell for $750,000-$1,000,000 (£600,000-£850,000).
  • An unlikely rally car in its day, this 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 5.0 'Rallyewagen' is a genuine Works car driven in period by Swedish ace Björn Waldegård to a couple of podium finishes. It’s been with its vendor for more than three decades and is expected to sell in Paris for €800,000-€1,100,000 (£700,000-£950,000).
  • Porsche is well represented in Paris, with the selection including this stunning 1951 356 ‘Split-Window’ Coupe by Reutter. A fine example of the Model 51 variant of Porsche’s legendary sports car, it’s been fully restored and carries an estimate of €450,000-€550,000 (£385,000-£470,000).