As the clock ticks down to the various Scottsdale, Arizona, collector-car auctions that will start the 2019 slate of events, the star cars are beginning to be announced. Bonhams impressive lineup, for example, will include a rare 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV and an even rarer 1964 Porsche 904 GTS once owned by actor Robert Redford.
The Lamborghini Miura SV, chassis no. 4976, is one of approximately 150 cars built and carries the desirable split-sump specification. This Miura was one of just 21 U.S.-spec cars to be produced and the engine was replaced with that from another SV soon after being delivered to America. The original owner sold it to the current consignor after just one year, and they had the Miura’s color changed from the original Silver Metallic to Blue Notte in 1979.
Today, the car shows just 18,200 miles. Claimed to be in “time capsule” condition by Bonhams, the car’s is estimated to bring $1.7 million to $2.1 million. We’d venture that figure may be a little light, with this less-desirable single-sump car hammering at $2.2 million at RM Sotheby’s recent Petersen Automotive Museum auction.
Meanwhile, the Porsche 904 GTS on offer (chassis no. 904 012) is an early example and is painted a period-correct shade of Irish Green, though it originally wore Silver Metallic. Ordered new by Steve Earle, the founder of the Monterey Historic Races, the car was immediately sold back to importer Otto Zipper when Earle purchased a Ferrari 250 LM instead. The car then spent two years racing throughout California with multiple drivers behind the wheel until it was sold to actor Robert Redford, who kept the car for nearly 10 years.
Following Redford’s ownership, the car changed hands several times. It was during this turnover that it was repainted green and had the original four-cam, flat-four Carrera engine swapped out for a 2.0-liter Porsche flat-six, as Porsche itself had done for the final 904s to roll out of the factory. Bonhams suggests that its next owner might want to return the car to its original color for originality’s sake, and that the original four-cam engine may well still exist—somewhere. As it stands, this car should be an excellent vintage racer, if not a concours winner. Its pre-sale estimate is $1.4 to $1.6 million.
Be sure to return here in January for plenty of 2019 Scottsdale auction news and results.
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