Porsche 917 K stars in RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale

Monterey Car Week is host to some of the biggest car auctions in the automotive calendar, and after a hiatus last year, 2021 promises to be bigger and better than ever. This year’s RM Sotheby’s sale hasn’t disappointed, and features everything from an ultra-exclusive Ferrari F60 America, to a paint-less Lamborghini Miura and Porsche’s iconic 917 K.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the Gulf-liveried 1970 Porsche 917 K, initially delivered to UK-based Porsche Works team J.W Automotive Engineering. Piloted by David Hobbs and Mike Hailwood in the 1970 Le Mans 24 Hours, the car went on to star in the Steve McQueen film Le Mans, giving it on-screen precedence beyond most 917s. As you’d expect, any example of a 917 will always fetch a high price, but RM Sotheby’s expects bids to climb to anywhere between ​​$16m and $18.5m.

> Aston Martin Valhalla makes debut at Monterey Car Week

Coincidentally, this unique Lamborghini Miura P400 S was built just a year after the 917, and has its own interesting back story. Its first owner was a 19-year-old Iranian student attending the University of California. Upon its arrival to the US, the plan was to immediately sell the vehicle to unlock the funds which had come from Iran, however the student decided to drive the car for a whole two years before an incident took it off the road. After four decades of collecting dust, the car was acquired by a preservation specialist who brought it back to its current state. Though originally finished in grey-white, the decision was made to remove its paint entirely to give it a unique bare-metal finish. This car is offered without reserve and is expected to sell for up to $2.2m.

Something a little more modern is this 2016 Ferrari F60 America, one of just 10 examples of the V12-powered soft-top GT manufactured by Ferrari’s bespoke department. Under its bonnet is the same 730bhp 6.3-litre naturally-aspirated V12 as a F12 Berlinetta, but its bodywork is entirely new, with dual roll hoops aft of the cabin a distinguishing feature. Finished in Blu Nart, this particular example is a modern tribute to the 275 GTB/4 NART Spider and is expected to sell for up to $4.5m.

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Koenigsegg's recent creations are fascinating showcases of technology, but its less sophisticated models of the past still have plenty of charm. This exposed-carbonfibre 2008 CCX is one of just 30 examples produced, and like few other CCXs, pairs its 800bhp 4.7-litre twin-supercharged V8 with a six-speed manual transmission. RM Sotheby's expects it to fetch up to $1.4m when it goes under the hammer, a reasonable figure considering the cost of a new model.

Aston Martin announced the production of a modern DB4 GT Zagato continuation in 2019, but if you failed to secure a slot, you could place a bid for this Sanction II example instead. Finished in the marque's trademark 'Richard Williams Green' shade, it's one of only four Sanction II cars and comes equipped with a 4.2-litre straight-six, a slight increase in capacity over the original car of the '60s. Expect it to fetch up to $3.5m.

The 2021 RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale is host to reams of interesting machinery, so tune in to watch it live until it comes to a close early on Sunday morning. Click here to browse all lots.