A lot of distinguished vintage cars will come under the gavel at Gooding’s Amelia Island auction on March 9th, but none is likely to be more valuable than a 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder. Billed as “the most powerful road-racing car ever built,” the thoroughly restored 1,200 HP Porsche participated in such races as the Rennsport Reunion and the Monterey Historics. One of only six examples produced, it carries an estimate of $3.25m-$4m.
Three other racing Porsches are also expected to be big sellers. One is a 1974 Porsche RSR Carrera Turbo 2.14. The second of only four examples, it enjoyed top ten finishes at Nurburgring and Osterreichring. Gooding anticipates a price of $1.75m-$2.23m. The second is a 1984 Porsche 962, is the most successful one in history. With such drivers as Derek Bell, Al Holbert, and Al Unser Jr. at the wheel, it enjoyed 15 wins between 1984 and 1987, including firsts at Daytona in 1986 and 1987. With only two owners from new, it’s expected to sell for $1.75m-$2.25m. Finally, there’s a 1955 Porsche 550/1500RS Spyder with coachwork by Wendler. Similar in appearance to the car in which actor James Dean died, the legendary four-cam racer is estimated at $2.2-$2.6m.
