Turns out disruption isn’t just the latest technocratic buzzword.
In the auto world, it’s business as usual.
Very, very expensive business.
This week, Sotheby’s Driven by Disruption auction will celebrate seven decades of automotive mavericks.
Held this Thursday in New York, Disruption features 31 unique vehicles and rare pieces of car memorabilia spanning more than 70 years, all designed to “showcase the extremes of motoring history and the molds that were broken by engineers and designers in pushing the automotive envelope.”
Meaning: lots of forward-thinking, multi-million-dollar pieces of automotive history, with 16 of the available lots boasting pre-sale estimates of over $1 million.
Some of the highlights:
A 1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti, built for driver Juan Manuel Fangio for the 1956 Mille Miglia. Expected to fetch more than $28 million.
A rare, restored 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, one of just 19 ever built. Going for an estimated $15–$17 million.
Rocker Janis Joplin was once behind the wheel of this 1964 Porsche 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet, customized by the singer with a psychedelic “History of the Universe” mural. Estimated price tag of $400,000-$600,000.
This streamlined 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow, is only one of three remaining (of the five originally built). Originally showcased at the 1933 World’s Fair. Estimated at $2.5-$3 million.
And for something a little different: a 1963 Pontiac Bonneville “Roy Rogers” Nudie Mobile, created by fashion designer “Nudie Cohn, the Rodeo Tailor.” It’s a little bit country: every surface is decorated in collectible silver dollars (and firearm-inspired art) and the car features a saddle for a third passenger.
Besides vehicles, the auction also features an array of fascinating automobilia, including pint-sized children’s cars, paintings, posters, sculptures and engine models.
Auction starts Dec. 10. Online, phone and absentee bidding available.
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