Sport Classic fetches half a million at RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale; Speedster sells for $423,000
A barely used 997 Sport Classic stole the headlines at RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale as the first auction of the year reignited the presitge Porsche marketplace.
No.2 of the 250 produced as part of a limited run by the Porsche Exclusive department, the Sport Classic had just 150 miles on the clock. The hammer price of $634,000 – some way past its estimate of $400,000 to $500,000 – comfortably set a new record for the model.
Lauded by enthusiasts for its extraordinary levels of hand-made craftsmanship, the 997 Sport Classic has long been considered one of the most desirable 911s to acquire despite it not featuring a Motorsport engine as in other low-number 997s such as the GT2 RS and RS 4.0, which have historically commanded greater premiums. The Arizona result puts the Sport Classic above those rare Rennsports, both of which witnessed a downturn in fortunes in 2018. Originally made for the European market, RM’s 997 Sport Classic found its way to the USA via a ‘show and display’ exemption.
The positive result of Lot 215 set the tone for an upturn in fortunes for rare Porsche at auction. Lot 234, another rare Porsche Exclusive car, delivered further good news: a PTS Metallic black 997 Speedster with just 12 miles on the clock, it sold for $423,000, up from its estimate of $350,000 to 375,000.
Another Porsche Exclusive model in the 991 Turbo S Exclusive Edition with just 50 recorded miles sold for $445,000, hitting the upper limit of its estimate. There were less favourable results at Gooding’s Scottsdale sale however, Lot 54’s 997 GT2 RS failing to sell at a $425,000 lower estimate, and a 997 GT2 and 991 R both selling for below their lower estimates of $300,000.
