Celebrity cars added to Auctions America Burbank sale

As the California sale nears, Auctions America has added several new highlights for its second annual Burbank auction, July 31-Aug. 2, including a stunning 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra, once owned by British Touring Car Champion Frank Sytner, a highly desirable 1990 Ferrari F40, formerly owned by rock legend Rod Stewart, and a 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396 delivered new to “King of Cool” Steve McQueen. With only a week until the sale officially gets underway, all 400 consignments slots have been filled, providing potential bidders with an outstanding variety of collector cars to choose from, including rare European collectibles, American muscle, hot rods, and customs.

For Shelby enthusiasts, a beautifully restored 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra is the latest headline attraction for the sale. Unquestionably one of the most important American performance icons of the 20th century, the example on offer enjoys both excellent history and outstanding preparation and presentation. The recipient of a no-expense-spared restoration, it displays superb fit and finish throughout, and is equipped with a thundering 520-horsepower 427 cu. in. V-8 with Weber carburetors, along with a fully polished engine bay and trunk. An incredibly fast and exceptionally well-documented car – former ownership includes 1988 British Touring Car Champion Frank Sytner – it is accompanied by maintenance and restoration paperwork dating back nearly 40 years.

Another recently confirmed highlight for the sale is a 1990 Ferrari F40. Equipped with a V-8 twin-turbo engine capable of producing a monstrous 478 horsepower, the F40 holds a place in the history books as the first production car to break 200 mph. A modern automotive icon, it also pioneered the use of carbon fiber for its chassis, making it a feather-light 2,400 pounds. The example on offer is the 60th of just 213 U.S.-specification F40s produced and shows less than 7,900 original miles. It is reported to have been formerly owned by legendary rock star and car enthusiast Rod Stewart and is known among many in California as the “Rod Stewart Car” because of his ownership. Mechanically flawless, it is accompanied for sale by its factory F40 luggage set, all books and manuals, factory tool roll, tire inflator and car cover.

Another superb Ferrari poised for the Burbank podium is a 1966 330 GTC. One of the most enjoyed, well-balanced models Ferrari has ever produced, the example on offer is presented in immaculate condition, having been regularly exercised by its Southern California enthusiast owner. A matching-numbers car, it recently received its Ferrari Classiche certification and is also accompanied by various special items, including partial tool kit, jack and books.

Joining the Cobra and the Ferraris on the California auction block is a 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396 formerly owned by Hollywood icon Steve McQueen. Believed to have been gifted to McQueen by General Motors for promotional reasons, the legendary actor and racing car driver owned the El Camino from new until his untimely death in 1980. The vehicle’s second owner purchased the El Camino from McQueen’s estate in the early 1980s and was able to keep the actor’s name on the title to preserve its ownership provenance. One of the finest El Caminos available, it is presented for auction resplendent in Hugger Orange paint (the only known 1970 El Camino delivered in this color) with black hood stripes, a high-compression 396 big-block, a 4-speed transmission, an 8-track stereo, and its original gold keys. To this day, the vehicle title still bears McQueen’s name.

“We’re thrilled to offer a genuine 427 Cobra, Ferrari F40 and the ex-Steve McQueen El Camino at our upcoming Burbank sale,” says Ian Kelleher, Managing Director of Auctions America’s West Coast Division. “Last year our California sale bested all estimates and set a new benchmark for a collector car auction in Los Angeles. As a result, we’ve welcomed unprecedented interest in this year’s event, filling all 400 slots more than a month before the event. With a series of fantastic collections on offer and some incredibly rare and historic vehicles crossing the block, Burbank will be very exciting this year.”

Reinforcing Auctions America’s reputation as an auction house of choice for the sale of private and estate collections, the Burbank sale will also lift the gavel on a number of notable single-vendor collections. Joining the previously announced ex-Bob Pond Collection of Palm Springs is a second significant Southern California collection.

Featuring some 49 vehicles, many of which are offered fresh to the market following long-term ownership, this second private Southern California Collection is headlined by a stunning, ruby red 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster (above) and a 1962 Volkswagen Camper (below), beautifully finished and equipped with numerous special options, including sub-hatch roof, safari windows and luggage rack.

The sale also features a selection of vehicles from the J.C. Sparkman Collection, led by a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Fuel-Injected Coupe and a 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible.

For further information on Auctions America’s upcoming California Collector Car Auction or to download the newly released digital catalog, visit auctionsamerica.com or call toll-free 888.990.3910 (or +1 310.842.3910 outside North America).

As part of Auctions America’s multi-year agreement with NCBSN (NBC Sports Network), select highlights from the auction will telecast Aug. 1-2. A full coverage schedule is available here: http://www.auctionsamerica.com/NBCSports/.