All-time Top 20 Maserati Sales at Auction
Issue 1 - July 2008

Maserati's rare, desirable cars have always been coveted within the collector car marketplace. Sports Car Market magazine has been tracking that marketplace for 20 years, and of the 70,000 cars we've tracked in our database, nearly 700 wear the Trident.

This list represents the cream of Maserati's crop, the Top 20 sale prices of all time achieved at auction.

- Keith Martin, Publisher, Sports Car Market

#1/  $2,204,235 - 1940 8CL Monoposto
Sotheby's lot #125, Maranello, ITA, 6/28/05

Inspired by Wilbur Shaw's 1939 Indy 500 victory in a Maserati Tipo 8CTF. Number 1 of 2 constructed, painted in the racing colors of Argentina. Body and mechanicals restored to as-new, race-ready condition by Phil Riley. Semi-regular exercise at Monterey and Lime Rock.

This car crashed out of Indy in 1940, was rebuilt, and enjoyed a good postwar South American racing history in minor and major events, including a victory in the hands of Giuseppe Farina against the likes of Fangio. This was strong money for a rare car, but exclusivity does have a price.

#2/   $2,194,318 - 2006 MC12 Corsa
Coy's lot #252, Monte Carlo, MCO, 5/10/08

#3/   $2,055,942 - 1960 Tipo 60 Birdcage
Christie's lot #62, London, UK, 3/26/01

First production 2-liter Birdcage. Lovely period race history Vendorn-owned since 1966 & exactly as raced for the last time in 1964. Dashto panels covering spaceframe tubing only changed from standard spec. Many little dents to faded body; equally fantastic engine said to have run not that long.

Fantastic time-warp racer and equally fantastic result a $333,190 above top estimate. A car can be restored many times, but is only original once. And collectors will step up for the originality.

Maserati produced the legendary 450S sports racing car in small numbers from 1956 to 1958.  With a 4.5l V8 engine that comfortably exceeded 400bhp and a chassis derived from everything learned with the superb 300S, the 450S was campaigned by the greatest drivers of its era including Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss and Jean Behra.  An easy victory in the 1957 Sebring 12 Hours was the highlight of the season in which Maserati nearly won the Sports Car World Championship with the 450S.

#5/   $1,925,000 - 1955 300S
RM lot# 171, Phoenix, AZ, USA, 1/20/06

One of 30 built. Restored over two years in the early 1990s to factory specs, using many original parts. Very good panels and excellent paint, with polish swirls only. Mark-free Borrani wheels. The spartan interior shows well, with clean aluminum and gauges, and a very nice wood wheel. Fitted with a correct, but non-original 300S engine that shows well. A stunning car inside and out. Five pounds of documentation from 1955 to present.

The mid-1950s were the Trident’s golden years, with 150S, 200S, 300S, and 450S sports cars winning all over Europe. Chassis #3057 was raced successfully from new by Belgian privateer Benoit Musy until his death in 1956. After discovery in Angola, where it had been fitted with an American V8, it was overhauled, and is now vintage-raced. Fantastic presentation, romantic history, and plenty of paperwork brought this car correct money, perhaps even a bit light.

#6/   $1,676,167 - 1962 Tipo 151 Berlinetta
Bonhams lot#204, Gstaad, CHE, 12/17/06

Claimed to be the sole survivor of 3 Maserati 151s tailor-made for Le Mans privateers, this one issued to the Briggs Cunningham Team. Led Le Mans in Dick Thompson's hands, Augie Pabst driven in Bridgehampton 400k and LA Times Grand Prix at Riverside. Joined Kaus Collection in 1983. Eight hi-rise inlet trumpets beneath Perspex bubble, Alfa SS screen, gullwing doors, Kamm tail, large gas tank with Monza cap behind internal fire wall. Unmarked recent repaint with no dents or flubs. Borranis fair, woodrim new.

Genuinely historic and unique. A bidding battle between European collector and U.S. private buyer resolved in favor of latter, who had to pay more than $500,000 over estimate to win the car. This sale established a new open market value and brought with it much applause from the crowd.

#7/   $1,656,000 - 1928 Tipo 26B/M 8C 2800 Monoposto
Christie's lot#75, Pebble Beach, CA, USA, 8/19/00

Coolant leaking into #8 cylinder. Great patina throughout; wonderful combination of original and partially restored. Fantastic, documented racing history from new. Possibly oldest running Maserati.

Go out and find another one for less money. When it comes to these kinds of cars, the right money is the latest money paid for them.

#8/   $1,374,948 - 1933 8CM Monoposto
Brooks lot# N/A, London, UK, 11/17/86

#9/   $1,145,804 - 1956 150S Barchetta
Coys lot#261, Monte Carlo, MCO, 5/20/06

#10/   $1,100,000 - 1962 5000 GT Frua Coupe
Gooding lot#45, Pebble Beach, CA, USA, 8/19/07

#11/   $1,100,000 - 1960 Tipo 60/61 Birdcage
RM lot#152, Amelia Island, FL, USA, 3/19/99

#12/   $1,072,500 - 2004 MC12 Coupe
RM lot#460, Monterey, CA, USA, 8/18/06

One of 50 built in 2004 and 2005. The first example imported into U.S. Built on an Enzo Ferrari platform. List price of $799,000. Naturally asperated, paddle shifter, carbon fiber body. In as-new condition with little sign of use.

Top end speed of 205 mph. Zero to 60 in 3.8 secconds. MC12Rs have won two of three FIA GT Championship races. If you want a street legal race car, this is it. More rare than an Enzo, but not legal in California—so you don't have to worry about letting a guy named Dietrich drive it and wreck it.

#13/  $1,028,500 - 1957 300S
Christie's lot#122, Pebble Beach, CA, USA, 8/17/91

Red/black; chrome Boranni wire wheels, side exhaust, twin-plug engine, full belly pan; interior, shields and under painted hammertone silver; can't reasonably fault its condition; Brazilian car with modest racing history there.

#14/   $1,000,000 - 1972 Boomerang Concept Prototype
Christie's lot#119, Paris, FRA, 2/12/05

Starred in Turin, Geneva, Paris, London, and Barcelona motor shows, then stayed in Spain until 1980 when \"rediscovered\" outside Benidorm night club. Restoration completed in 1990, then shown from Bagatelle to Pebble Beach. Excellent panel fit, very good paint with few visible flaws- some bubbling at corner under right taillight, small drip on right side vent behind door. Worn window felts, some curb rash on rear alloy wheels. Very good interior, with some scratches on dashboard and instrument binnacle. Some sun-fading on door panel leather.

Stunning Giugiaro designed showcar that influenced the Lotus Esprit, first VW Golf, and a host of others. Sold at Christie's February 2002 Retromobile sale for $627,923. Seems like a healthy profit, but when viewed in Euros, about the same price in 2002 as now. Since '02, has reportedly seen $37k worth of mechanical and electrical work to bring to full roadworthy condition. More likely to be displayed than driven, however. A good investment on the seller's side, a unique piece of automotive history for the buyer.

#15/   $990,000 - 1959 Tipo 60/61 Birdcage
RM lot#152, Monterey, CA, USA, 8/26/99

Extensive known history in Europe, England, and the U.S. Original Tipo 60 engine bored to 2.6 liter Tipo 61 specs. Largely original including body, restored to a high standard some time ago, now showing some age and several dormant years.

Bid to $900,000 on the block and declared unsold, RM hustled and made the deal work resulting in the car's sale being announced on Saturday at this price, which is representative for good Birdcages in today's market.

#16/   $937,500 - 1959 Tipo 61 Birdcage
Christie's lot#89, Pebble Beach, CA, USA, 8/15/98

Silver wire wheels, silver frame tubes. Original body and drivetrain; correct type engine replaced used-up original during excellent Drake, Krause, and Miles racing history. Restored to front-line racing condition with excellent paint and interior.

A historically important Birdcage (1st built) with superb history and remarkably original for a successful race car. At 1/4 the price of a Ferrari TR59/60, this Birdcage is faster, easier to drive and will appreciate as fast.

#17/   $917,665 - 1953 A6GCS53 Coupe
Bonhams lot#1036, London, UK, 12/2/02

Superbly restored to closed Berlinetta coupe spec. Lovely condition, slightly worn through eventing. Full cage with sidebars. Vendor commissioned removable sunroof panel to accommodate his height. Full harnesses. Fire system with extinguisher in trunk.

Having been unsold at $847,800 under hammer, declared sold postblock. Drop-dead gorgeous and quite rightly the most viewed auto of all the end-of-season sales.

#18/  $850,000 - 1956 250F Formula One Monoposto
Brooks lot#811, London, UK , 12/3/97

Successfully raced by Spanish gentleman driver Paco Godia, who seems to have lent it out almost as often as he raced it. Drivers include Menditeguy, Moss, Bonnier, and Phil Hill. Factory modified to '57 Lightweight configuration.

Fair price for one of the best driving cars ever built, if it has its correct engine. 2523 sold a year ago for $950k with the wrong engine (2522), but better history.

#19/   $819,825 - 1935 4CS 1100/1500 Roadster
Bonhams lot#172, Monte Carlo, MCO, 5/20/06

First supplied to Turin-based Scuderia Subalpina, who ran it in the 1935 Mille Miglia. Likely to have gained the current 1500-cc motor for the 1938 race. Uniquely rebodied without cycle fenders and with a wider body before 1969, when Briggs Cunningham acquired it. Restored at some time, then static in the Rosso Bianco Collection for years; full re-commissioning is required. Various paint marks, drab interior, and disappointing engine bay presentation.

Despite its completely changed appearance, the car's long-ago race history is sufficiently gilt-edged to justify the bid, a figure at least one other person was also nearly prepared to match on sale day. Will the new owner leave this car as it is today... or want to be a time traveller and re-enact its 1935 Mille Miglia appearance as recorded in period race photos? Either way, more money is due to make it go properly.

#20/  $764,188 - 1965 Tipo 65 Prototype
Bonhams lot#214, Gstaad, CHE, 12/17/06

Coachwork by Drogo. Thought to be the first and only such T65 built for the 1965 Le Mans, when it crashed at the hands of Jo Siffert during lap 2. Different nose, twin headlamps, additional air-scoops to front and rear fitted in 1968. Accquired by Kaus in 1978, color changed at some time. Paint marked, cockpit only fair. Engine impressive, with four ignition coils, two distributors, and four oil coolers.

I witnessed a very high number of in-depth inspections of this remarkable and grand finale to the Orsi years of Maserati competition artistry, so it's not surprising that the near top estimate price was achieved. The bodywork and color would benefit greatly from a return to original, and a nut and bolt rebuild will have to be funded before any retro-action can be attempted. Even so, one very serious big boy's toy.