The start of 2025 is coupled with the beginning of an exciting new auction season. First on the lineup is Arizona Car Week, a staple for automotive enthusiasts from across the world. The weeklong showcase will feature a variety of events and auctions – chief among them the RM Sotheby’s auction, which will mark its 27th year at the Biltmore Hotel Resort & Spa. Also known as the ‘Jewel of the Desert’, the Biltmore Resort is a historic destination in Arizona that has hosted members of royalty, U.S. presidents, and celebrities. For bidders at the auction, it is a chance to enjoy a globally renowned event in prestigious surroundings. And for the consignors of the lots, this presents an unmissable opportunity for international exposure. Presented below are three of the most exciting classic cars that will be going under the hammer in Arizona.
1931 Bentley 8-Litre Convertible Victoria by Murphy
This vehicle holds the distinction of being the only 8-litre Bentley that had custom work done by an American coachbuilder, in an era when Bentleys were rarely found stateside outside of complete vehicles that had been imported by their European owners. The car was delivered to Walter H. Murphy in California, one of the most notable coachbuilders on the West Coast. Its owner, Conrad H. Matthiessen, Jr., was an heir to the family behind the ‘Sugar Trust’, which dominated the American sugar market at the time. The body was created by a young designer named Franklin Q. Hershey, who would find wider fame decades later as the mind behind the iconic 1955 Ford Thunderbird. Hershey crafted a design that was awash in sweeping curves with an imposing frame that was still very lightweight and embodied the clean look of a Murphy vehicle.
From Matthiessen, the car eventually found its way to Mexico and went through a few changes, including the installation of Mercedes wheels and a truck engine though fortunately, the original engine still accompanied it. In 1971, noted Bentley connoisseur Don Weber acquired the vehicle and sent it to Hofmann & Mountfort in the United Kingdom for an extensive restoration. The original engine was put back in and, in an intriguing detail, one of the original hammered door handles was replaced by a former employee at Murphy’s, who used the same hammer that was used for the original handles. The restored car was displayed to much acclaim in the UK before being shipped back to the United States, where it stayed under Weber’s ownership until 1986. Following that, it passed through a succession of collectors on the West Coast.
The current owner acquired it in 2012 and took it through a fresh restoration, conducted by the renowned R.C. Moss of Bedford, England. Every component of the car was restored to factory specifications, and the original livery was re-applied along with some intricate detailwork including mother-of-pearl accents and embossed leather upholstery. A full report highlights the restoration in complete detail, and the car also comes with a tool kit and the original owner’s manual.
As one of 100 original 8-litre models, one of only 13 surviving examples, and the only Bentley that can truly be classed as ‘American’ due to the design crafted by Hershey, this is not just a rare vehicle to own. It is an absolute must in any American car enthusiast’s collection.
1939 Bugatti Type 57 C Atalante by Gangloff
The Bugatti Type 57 was the successor to the popular Type 49, undergoing several upgrades in the mid-30s such as a reinforced chassis, strengthened rear axle, and hydraulic brakes by Lockheed. The Type 57 C featured an optional supercharged engine that delivered more than 160 horsepower, well beyond the standard Type 57.
The Atalante was a two-seater sports coupe conceived by Jean Bugatti with a price point that was twice as high as many of the other factory models. Only 33 pieces were produced as a result, with an additional 17 built on the Type 57 S chassis. This particular vehicle was a special order in 1939 when the Atalante had already been retired and the Bugatti factory was focused almost exclusively on the Galibier saloon. The job was given to renowned coachbuilder Gangloff, one of only five or six custom Atalantes built by them with slightly larger dimensions. This was one of the most expensive Bugattis produced that year and is a Type 57 C with a supercharged engine, making it a very sought-after piece.
Delivered to the buyer in Algeria, the car is believed to have remained there throughout World War II as it had its registration renewed there in 1952. Shortly after, it went to Paris and was reworked before selling to an owner who kept it in regular use until 1977. It was then passed to Hervé Charbonneaux, son of a renowned automobile collector and museum curator. It became part of the Charbonneaux museum and, from 1980 to 1981, was restored to its original colours and fitted with a replacement cylinder block.
In 1996, the car was sold again, moving between various owners before being acquired by LA’s Petersen Automotive Museum in 2006. It has been a part of the collection since and has been a regular exhibition piece over the past 14 years. It is in excellent restored condition, but there is potential for a new restoration that would elevate it to a concours competition standard.
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing continues to capture the interest of car lovers worldwide, as evidenced by the RM Sotheby’s ‘Junkyard’ auction in October, where a dust-covered Gullwing that had been tucked away in the Rudi Klein Collection for several decades fetched an incredible $9.35 million. It’s not hard to see the attractions, with its sleek silhouette, excellent engineering specs, and masterful performance on the road and the track.
This chassis number was ordered for a buyer who was stationed in Berlin with the US Army in 1956. The car features special competition-level upgrades including five Rudge wheels, sports suspension, and an upgraded racing engine. It also has a Fire Engine Red interior over black leather and red gabardine fabric. It was registered with a US Army Occupation plate and remained in Berlin for an undetermined period of time, making its way to California at some point in the 1960s. It was bought by an owner who kept the car until his passing in the 1990s, after which it was purchased by a friend, who is the current consignor.
It has been completely restored, undergoing a full disassembly to inspect and correct any issues with it. It is available in excellent condition, with most of its original components, and meticulous period-correct replacements where necessary.
Whether it is used as a racer, a display piece, or for regular driving, the Gullwing is an impressive vehicle in all aspects. A fully restored piece like this with its original colour and the upgrade options built into its factory design is bound to be the envy of many collectors and will be a proud addition to one lucky collection.
