Posted on March 2, 2012 by Robert
The auctions in Scottsdale Arizona were very interesting to watch. The highlight, as suggested by the title, is a car I watched being restored over the past year and a half at Rudi & Company here in Victoria, British Columbia. Prior to restoring #6, he restored the very first alloy Gullwing. A white and red beauty. I assume it has since gone to Germany. A photograph is all he has left and it was before my time. We’re working with Rudi to create a new website for him and specifically a blog to cover the restoration of alloy Gullwing #21. It has been stripped to bare metal and removed from the frame. The entire process is being documented by local photographer Russ Heinl. He has put together some time lapse slide shows to show all of us exactly what happens to one of these cars once Rudi gets his hands on it. I happen to have the first two days worth here on my laptop, but I promised I wouldn’t share until the blog was ready. So be patient!
Back to Arizona, I wish I could have spent more time. I think I’ll drive down next year. I spent nearly a week hanging around at the various auctions and hotels, touring the local hangouts. I also enjoyed a marvelous dinner at a fellow member of the Gullwing Group’s home. I lost count at around 70 cars at his home. The eighteen Mercedes-Benz were the highlight for me. I loved seeing a very low mileage 190E 2.3-16V hiding amongst a 300S Coupe , 300SL Roadster, a Gullwing, and many other beauties from the past 60 odd years. If you do own a 300SL and aren’t currently a member of the club, I suggest joining. The technical info and stories are worth the membership fee. It is an excellent group of people to socialize with and to drink with at the auctions.
The first was Barrett-Jackson. They had George Lucas’ 560SL up for auction (what a hoot that was), a Tucker, and everything from gas pumps to a highschool scoreboard. I was very surprised to see the Blackhawk Gullwing at Barrett. What an unusual place, yet what a perfect play. The other auctions had wrapped up and the 300SL lovers made the pilgrimage up north (it is at least 30 min driving from Gooding) to see the 4000 odd mile Gullwing cross the stage. This is the first year Barrett added a “reserve” section, designated by the 5xxx lot numbers. It was well done, but a circus, definitely worth the visit.
RM Auctions covet the most beautiful of venues, the Biltmore. I didn’t know the history of the hotel, or area, or architects… but wow. Anyone who has been will say the same thing. It is marvelous. The line-up was good, but no world record breakers this round. I had a good long look at the the F40 with just 300 miles. What do you do with a car like that? Drive it? Keep it? I know the previous owner and he diligently ran the car through full heat cycles. It should be ready to go, but would you add miles?
Won’t be attending Amelia, but excited to see one of our Roadsters up for auction. Will post some photos.
In other news, alloy Gullwing #21 will soon have a blog highlighting progress of the restoration. To satiate the appetite for photographs I’m going to post a few here first for all to see.
