1956
See also : Freud Zao Wou-Ki Sanyu Eastern Europe Chagall Belgium Magritte Cars Cars II Post war cars Post war cars II Ferrari Early Ferrari Porsche British cars Movies Movies II Instrument and equipment
1956 A Ferrari for the Use of Fangio
2015 SOLD for $ 28M including premium
Mercedes-Benz stopped its involvement in competition at the end of the 1955 season. Ferrari watched around the corner and managed to sign a contract with Juan Manuel Fangio. Aged 45 in 1956, the Argentine champion felt that his future was unassured due to the fall of Peron and could not any more consider to retire.
The World Sportscar Championship arouses a similar interest as Formula 1. Faced with the formidable challenge from the Maserati 300S, Ferrari prepares the 290 MM, certainly with some recommendations by its new driver. As usual for Ferrari at that time, the race for which the model is specifically prepared is indicated in the description: MM means Mille Miglia. Four cars are built.
The 1956 Mille Miglia are disturbed by heavy rain that causes no less than three fatalities. The competition is won by a 290 MM driven by Castellotti. Fangio is fourth with his car of the same model.
That 290 MM will not be reused later by Fangio but will have a significant history with other top drivers from the Scuderia Ferrari such as Portago, Phil Hill and Gendebien. Sold to a US private owner in the middle of the 1957 season, it is raced until 1964 without any crash.
This car has retained all its original features: chassis, engine, gearbox and its body by Scaglietti. It is for sale by RM Sotheby's in New York on December 10, lot 221.
Fangio failed to cooperate permanently with Enzo Ferrari and came back to Maserati just after his one-year contract. The Ferrari cars driven in competition by this champion are indeed extremely rare and the example for sale has an amazing authenticity. It is estimated $ 28M.
The World Sportscar Championship arouses a similar interest as Formula 1. Faced with the formidable challenge from the Maserati 300S, Ferrari prepares the 290 MM, certainly with some recommendations by its new driver. As usual for Ferrari at that time, the race for which the model is specifically prepared is indicated in the description: MM means Mille Miglia. Four cars are built.
The 1956 Mille Miglia are disturbed by heavy rain that causes no less than three fatalities. The competition is won by a 290 MM driven by Castellotti. Fangio is fourth with his car of the same model.
That 290 MM will not be reused later by Fangio but will have a significant history with other top drivers from the Scuderia Ferrari such as Portago, Phil Hill and Gendebien. Sold to a US private owner in the middle of the 1957 season, it is raced until 1964 without any crash.
This car has retained all its original features: chassis, engine, gearbox and its body by Scaglietti. It is for sale by RM Sotheby's in New York on December 10, lot 221.
Fangio failed to cooperate permanently with Enzo Ferrari and came back to Maserati just after his one-year contract. The Ferrari cars driven in competition by this champion are indeed extremely rare and the example for sale has an amazing authenticity. It is estimated $ 28M.
1956-1957 The Primordial Chaos
2018 SOLD for HK$ 183M including premium
By his abstract art of the mid-1950s Zao Wou-Ki expresses specific feelings detached from a figurative support and gives the key in his short titles. He sees the wind, the night, the dawn, the pond, the dust, the lightning.
He works in Paris but is increasingly nostalgic with his Chinese origins. He is tempted by the synthesis of the mystical beliefs of East and West. An oil on canvas 200 x 162 cm titled Et la Terre était sans forme, dated 1956-1957, is the culmination of this creative impulse.
The title in French is therefore associated with the West and paraphrases the second verse of Genesis just before the appearance of light. In this phase the Earth is uninhabited but cannot be empty. Its creation is an explosion of colors.
The primordial world of Yin and Yang is another interpretation of the creation of forms. Since 1954 Zao was sprinkling his works with an illegible calligraphy inspired from the Oracle Bones, these earliest witnesses of Chinese paleo-scripture which were undoubtedly an attempt at communication with the heavens and anticipated the symbols on the Shang ritual bronzes. The well-centered fireball of Et la Terre était sans forme is patterned with the Oracle bones signature signs of the artist but they are too small and too tight to invite for an understanding in the modern world.
This painting was sold for HK $ 29.4M including premium by Christie's on November 25, 2007, a very high price for a work by Zao at that time. It is estimated HK $ 90M for sale by Poly in Hong Kong on March 29, lot 164.
The mystical crescendo of Zao Wou-Ki is halted by his break in early 1957 with his wife Lan Lan. The hypersensitive artist is in shock. He leaves for a long stay with his brother near New York City where he discovers the spontaneity of abstract expressionism. A new phase of total abstraction will begin.
Please watch the video shared by Poly HK.
He works in Paris but is increasingly nostalgic with his Chinese origins. He is tempted by the synthesis of the mystical beliefs of East and West. An oil on canvas 200 x 162 cm titled Et la Terre était sans forme, dated 1956-1957, is the culmination of this creative impulse.
The title in French is therefore associated with the West and paraphrases the second verse of Genesis just before the appearance of light. In this phase the Earth is uninhabited but cannot be empty. Its creation is an explosion of colors.
The primordial world of Yin and Yang is another interpretation of the creation of forms. Since 1954 Zao was sprinkling his works with an illegible calligraphy inspired from the Oracle Bones, these earliest witnesses of Chinese paleo-scripture which were undoubtedly an attempt at communication with the heavens and anticipated the symbols on the Shang ritual bronzes. The well-centered fireball of Et la Terre était sans forme is patterned with the Oracle bones signature signs of the artist but they are too small and too tight to invite for an understanding in the modern world.
This painting was sold for HK $ 29.4M including premium by Christie's on November 25, 2007, a very high price for a work by Zao at that time. It is estimated HK $ 90M for sale by Poly in Hong Kong on March 29, lot 164.
The mystical crescendo of Zao Wou-Ki is halted by his break in early 1957 with his wife Lan Lan. The hypersensitive artist is in shock. He leaves for a long stay with his brother near New York City where he discovers the spontaneity of abstract expressionism. A new phase of total abstraction will begin.
Please watch the video shared by Poly HK.
1956 Aston Martin targets Le Mans
2017 SOLD for $ 22.6M including premium
When David Brown buys Aston Martin and Lagonda in 1947, his ambition is to lead Aston Martin to win at the 24 hours of Le Mans by relying on the innovative achievements of both brands. Twelve years of stubborn efforts will follow.
The valiant DB3S manages to sneak into the podiums of the endurance competitions but is not powerful enough against Ferrari, Jaguar and Maserati. The changes in Le Mans regulation for limiting the volume in the prototype category are favorable to Ferrari and Aston Martin. The two brands launch ambitious developments : the 250 TR in 1957 for Ferrari and the DBR1 (David Brown Racing 1) in 1956 for Aston Martin.
The first DBR1 car (DBR1/1) is assembled in 1956 with a 3-liter engine sometimes replaced until 1958 by a 2.5-liter engine to comply with the new regulations of some competitions. In 1957 a second DBR1 is made, along with two DBR2 equipped with a larger engine that will be upgraded in two phases to 4.2 liters. Three additional DBR1 will follow.
This model is perfect for the 1000 Km Nürburgring won in 1957 by DBR1/2, in 1958 by DBR1/3, and in 1959 by DBR1/1 with Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman. Taking advantage of Ferrari's misfortune, DBR1/2 realizes at last its boss's dream by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. After a final DBR1/2 victory at Goodwood, Aston Martin stops the competition probably due to financial difficulties and the cars continue their careers with private teams.
Painstakingly maintained as close as possible to its 1959 configuration with the cooperation of the former chief designer of the DBR project, DBR1/1 will be sold by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 18, lot 148. It is equipped with a replica engine of the correct configuration and accompanied by its 3-liter engine of 1959. The press release of June 23 expects a price in excess of $ 20M.
Wikipedia and several sources on the web since 2013 indicate that DBR2/1 was sold for £ 9.2M in a private sale.
Please watch in the RM tweet the very short video shared by the auction house.
Wikimedia shares an image of DBR1/1 driven by Carroll Shelby at Sebring in 1958. Attribution : By C5813 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The valiant DB3S manages to sneak into the podiums of the endurance competitions but is not powerful enough against Ferrari, Jaguar and Maserati. The changes in Le Mans regulation for limiting the volume in the prototype category are favorable to Ferrari and Aston Martin. The two brands launch ambitious developments : the 250 TR in 1957 for Ferrari and the DBR1 (David Brown Racing 1) in 1956 for Aston Martin.
The first DBR1 car (DBR1/1) is assembled in 1956 with a 3-liter engine sometimes replaced until 1958 by a 2.5-liter engine to comply with the new regulations of some competitions. In 1957 a second DBR1 is made, along with two DBR2 equipped with a larger engine that will be upgraded in two phases to 4.2 liters. Three additional DBR1 will follow.
This model is perfect for the 1000 Km Nürburgring won in 1957 by DBR1/2, in 1958 by DBR1/3, and in 1959 by DBR1/1 with Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman. Taking advantage of Ferrari's misfortune, DBR1/2 realizes at last its boss's dream by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. After a final DBR1/2 victory at Goodwood, Aston Martin stops the competition probably due to financial difficulties and the cars continue their careers with private teams.
Painstakingly maintained as close as possible to its 1959 configuration with the cooperation of the former chief designer of the DBR project, DBR1/1 will be sold by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 18, lot 148. It is equipped with a replica engine of the correct configuration and accompanied by its 3-liter engine of 1959. The press release of June 23 expects a price in excess of $ 20M.
Wikipedia and several sources on the web since 2013 indicate that DBR2/1 was sold for £ 9.2M in a private sale.
Please watch in the RM tweet the very short video shared by the auction house.
Wikimedia shares an image of DBR1/1 driven by Carroll Shelby at Sebring in 1958. Attribution : By C5813 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
1950s Demoiselles from Montparnasse
2011 SOLD 128 MHK$ including premium
Based in Paris since 1923, Sanyu wanted to live the life of an artist. Leaving the official teachings, he became fascinated with the drawing of naked women, an occupation that was not unusual in Europe but seemed extraordinary to that young Chinese.
Success did not come, and Sanyu sought another reason for pride in inventing and trying to promote a new sport inspired by tennis and ping pong.
Embittered, increasingly isolated, he devoted himself to oil painting, showing in the 1950's an extreme ability to give life to flowers. He was to die unknown.
Flower, horse, landscape, nude woman are then for him no more than an interchangeable excuse for studies of lines and forms containing solid colors like by Matisse or Léger.
The drawings of his early art deformed bodies in excess. Groups of female nudes from the 1950s do not have this defect, but are extremely rare.
On November 27, 2005, Christie's sold HK $ 16.3 million including premium an oil on masonite, 100 x 122 cm, showing four lying naked women, three of them on the belly and one on the back. The bodies are stylized but the European heads are well differentiated. It was at that time the highest price recorded for a work by Sanyu.
It took more than five years to welcome at auction a work of comparable theme. Now, five naked women are standing, four full front and one from the back, in a slightly down-up view. This oil on masonite, 120 x 175 cm, is very large for this artist. It is for sale by Ravenel in Hong Kong on May 30.
Five female nudes pictured together? The catalog reminds us that there was a famous precedent: Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.
POST SALE COMMENT
The sales of modern and contemporary art by Ravenel are interesting and can include real treasures: HK $ 128M including premium for this group of nudes.
Success did not come, and Sanyu sought another reason for pride in inventing and trying to promote a new sport inspired by tennis and ping pong.
Embittered, increasingly isolated, he devoted himself to oil painting, showing in the 1950's an extreme ability to give life to flowers. He was to die unknown.
Flower, horse, landscape, nude woman are then for him no more than an interchangeable excuse for studies of lines and forms containing solid colors like by Matisse or Léger.
The drawings of his early art deformed bodies in excess. Groups of female nudes from the 1950s do not have this defect, but are extremely rare.
On November 27, 2005, Christie's sold HK $ 16.3 million including premium an oil on masonite, 100 x 122 cm, showing four lying naked women, three of them on the belly and one on the back. The bodies are stylized but the European heads are well differentiated. It was at that time the highest price recorded for a work by Sanyu.
It took more than five years to welcome at auction a work of comparable theme. Now, five naked women are standing, four full front and one from the back, in a slightly down-up view. This oil on masonite, 120 x 175 cm, is very large for this artist. It is for sale by Ravenel in Hong Kong on May 30.
Five female nudes pictured together? The catalog reminds us that there was a famous precedent: Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.
POST SALE COMMENT
The sales of modern and contemporary art by Ravenel are interesting and can include real treasures: HK $ 128M including premium for this group of nudes.
1956 Le Grand Cirque by Chagall
2007 SOLD for $ 13.8M including premium by Sotheby's
1956 Deceptively Simple
2017 SOLD for $ 13.6M including premium
René Magritte plays with day and night and their transitions, dawn and twilight. Acclaimed as a masterpiece of surrealism, L'Empire des Lumières conceived in 1949 has no fantastic elements. The career of Magritte is launched since the previous year by his contract with Iolas and this supreme subtlety escapes the art critics.
Magritte is also playing with Sun and Moon. By ignoring the third dimension, the crescent moon appears as posed on the character's hat. One of the simplest variants is titled Le Maître d'Ecole. A small gouache 33 x 25 cm made in 1955 was sold for $ 6.8M including premium by Sotheby's on November 5, 2015 over a lower estimate of $ 3M.
In 1956 the artist has a new find, a "trouvaille" in his own words. Why are Moon and Sun always in the background at the risk of being hidden by the landscape ?
Le Banquet shows a common wood edge in front of the redness of sunset. The bright red Sun of great sharpness is at the exact center of the picture ahead of the big tree. In the same year the Moon performs a similar feat in Le Seize Septembre.
One of the earliest examples of Le Banquet, painted in 1956 or perhaps in 1957, oil on canvas 75 x 121 cm, was sold for $ 6.8 million including premium by Christie's on May 9, 2007. It is estimated $ 12M for sale by Sotheby's in New York on November 14, lot 36.
Magritte is also playing with Sun and Moon. By ignoring the third dimension, the crescent moon appears as posed on the character's hat. One of the simplest variants is titled Le Maître d'Ecole. A small gouache 33 x 25 cm made in 1955 was sold for $ 6.8M including premium by Sotheby's on November 5, 2015 over a lower estimate of $ 3M.
In 1956 the artist has a new find, a "trouvaille" in his own words. Why are Moon and Sun always in the background at the risk of being hidden by the landscape ?
Le Banquet shows a common wood edge in front of the redness of sunset. The bright red Sun of great sharpness is at the exact center of the picture ahead of the big tree. In the same year the Moon performs a similar feat in Le Seize Septembre.
One of the earliest examples of Le Banquet, painted in 1956 or perhaps in 1957, oil on canvas 75 x 121 cm, was sold for $ 6.8 million including premium by Christie's on May 9, 2007. It is estimated $ 12M for sale by Sotheby's in New York on November 14, lot 36.
1956 Tour de France with Portago
2015 SOLD for $ 13.2M including premium
By bringing the FIA to revise the competition regulations, the terrible accident at Le Mans in 1955 paves the way for the greatest period of Ferrari. The Ferrari 250 GT Europa, released in the previous year, is perfectly matching the new requirements. Ferrari manages its overwhelming dominance in the category Grand Touring by enhancing this product line.
The first series of the new 250 GT berlinetta in 1956 is primarily devoted to competition. Seven cars are bodied by Scaglietti on a design by Pinin Farina. After a few more units, this model will also receive significant improvements including the signature vents called louvers on the sides of the bodywork.
The fifth of these first seven 250 GT LWB (a designation made after the development of the SWB chassis in 1959) is one of the most glorious cars in all the history of Ferrari. It is for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 15, lot 332.
It was sold by Ferrari on 23 April 1956 to the Marquis de Portago who led it to victory in all competitions in which it participated. Its most spectacular achievement is the Tour de France in 1956 where, driven by Portago and Nelson, it won five of the six circuits of the event. In the following year, the victory of Gendebien with another 250 GT LWB consolidated the moniker Tour de France (TdF) now attributed to these berlinettas.
This undefeated car survived without any damage to Portago, the most extreme driver in the history of motor racing, killed with Nelson in the Mille Miglia in 1957 by the explosion of a tire of their Ferrari 335 S. When they recruited Portago in early 1956 among the official pilots of the brand, Ferrari had taken the challenge to demonstrate the exceptional strength of their new cars.
I invite you to watch the video shared by the auction house.
The first series of the new 250 GT berlinetta in 1956 is primarily devoted to competition. Seven cars are bodied by Scaglietti on a design by Pinin Farina. After a few more units, this model will also receive significant improvements including the signature vents called louvers on the sides of the bodywork.
The fifth of these first seven 250 GT LWB (a designation made after the development of the SWB chassis in 1959) is one of the most glorious cars in all the history of Ferrari. It is for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 15, lot 332.
It was sold by Ferrari on 23 April 1956 to the Marquis de Portago who led it to victory in all competitions in which it participated. Its most spectacular achievement is the Tour de France in 1956 where, driven by Portago and Nelson, it won five of the six circuits of the event. In the following year, the victory of Gendebien with another 250 GT LWB consolidated the moniker Tour de France (TdF) now attributed to these berlinettas.
This undefeated car survived without any damage to Portago, the most extreme driver in the history of motor racing, killed with Nelson in the Mille Miglia in 1957 by the explosion of a tire of their Ferrari 335 S. When they recruited Portago in early 1956 among the official pilots of the brand, Ferrari had taken the challenge to demonstrate the exceptional strength of their new cars.
I invite you to watch the video shared by the auction house.
1956-1957 An Unfinished Portrait
2008 SOLD 5.4 M£ including premium
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
The two star painters at auctions in recent months knew each other very well, obviously. Francis Bacon liked to show his friends in his paintings, but Lucian Freud remained discreet.
Thus, Christie's is only aware of two oil portraits of Bacon by Freud. One of them, painted in 1952, was stolen in 1988 and never reappeared. The other, painted in 1956-1957, is being sold by them in London on October 19.
Freud is a perfectionist, whose goal is that the viewer has the impression of being in the presence of the character. This fact was already told when the painting of a naked woman lying on a sofa reached $ 33 million charge included at Christie's on May 13. At the time, I naively wrote in my article in the French group Art Actuel of this twin network: "An analysis on the reasons for this price (outside the quality of the media actions) would be welcomed." I know now that the characteristic of Freud is that effect of presence.
Freud always wanted his model being beside him, and that could last several months. Otherwise, he did not feel himself sufficiently able to absorb the personality of his subject. Bacon poorly supported sitting sessions, and Christie's thinks he has "fled" before the completion of Freud's work, preferring to pursue one of his male lovers. Fun!
For works whose uniqueness is obvious, major auction houses often indicate that the estimate is upon request. Here the unfinished characteristic of this work (only the central part of the face is complete) possibly led Christie's to try that estimate: 5 to 7 million £.
POST SALE COMMENT
The already ancient prestige of the sitter and the more recent prestige of the painter have made of this artwork one of the more expensive unfinished paintings in the history of auctions: £ 5.4 million including expenses.
The two star painters at auctions in recent months knew each other very well, obviously. Francis Bacon liked to show his friends in his paintings, but Lucian Freud remained discreet.
Thus, Christie's is only aware of two oil portraits of Bacon by Freud. One of them, painted in 1952, was stolen in 1988 and never reappeared. The other, painted in 1956-1957, is being sold by them in London on October 19.
Freud is a perfectionist, whose goal is that the viewer has the impression of being in the presence of the character. This fact was already told when the painting of a naked woman lying on a sofa reached $ 33 million charge included at Christie's on May 13. At the time, I naively wrote in my article in the French group Art Actuel of this twin network: "An analysis on the reasons for this price (outside the quality of the media actions) would be welcomed." I know now that the characteristic of Freud is that effect of presence.
Freud always wanted his model being beside him, and that could last several months. Otherwise, he did not feel himself sufficiently able to absorb the personality of his subject. Bacon poorly supported sitting sessions, and Christie's thinks he has "fled" before the completion of Freud's work, preferring to pursue one of his male lovers. Fun!
For works whose uniqueness is obvious, major auction houses often indicate that the estimate is upon request. Here the unfinished characteristic of this work (only the central part of the face is complete) possibly led Christie's to try that estimate: 5 to 7 million £.
POST SALE COMMENT
The already ancient prestige of the sitter and the more recent prestige of the painter have made of this artwork one of the more expensive unfinished paintings in the history of auctions: £ 5.4 million including expenses.
1956 Gran Turismo by Ferrari
2012 SOLD 6.7 M$ including premium
At the time of my writing, it is night in Monterey. The first auction day of RM Auctions has been a great success. I introduce now one of the favorite cars of RM for the second session of sales, on today evening August 18.
The creation of a Grand Touring (Gran Turismo) class in competition is one of the consequences of the disaster at Le Mans in 1955. Ferrari has launched in the previous year the 250GT chassis, equipped as a berlinetta for the road.
For the often tortuous roads of the Tour de France Automobile, Ferrari designs the 250GT TdF. The name is well chosen: in 1957, Gendebien and Bianchi actually won the competition with a TdF.
The car for sale tonight was bodied by Scaglietti in 1956, with the rare 14 louvers variant describing the parallel slits that decorate the side panels.
This car both elegant and efficient later received a casting tribute. This unit was chosen by Walt Disney Studios to symbolize Ferrari for co-starring with Volkswagen in The Love Bug, one of the most successful films of that time.
It is a great achievement for the art of Scaglietti when considering that the film was prepared in 1966. The 14 louvers TdF has been chosen by the Disney team despite ten years of age, in competition with the California Spyder and the GTO, those two later models better known today whose production was also already a thing of the past.
I invite you to play the video shared by RM Auctions on YouTube.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is $ 6.1 million excluding fees, 6.7 million including premium. This is a Ferrari of high class, without being among the most outstanding models.
The creation of a Grand Touring (Gran Turismo) class in competition is one of the consequences of the disaster at Le Mans in 1955. Ferrari has launched in the previous year the 250GT chassis, equipped as a berlinetta for the road.
For the often tortuous roads of the Tour de France Automobile, Ferrari designs the 250GT TdF. The name is well chosen: in 1957, Gendebien and Bianchi actually won the competition with a TdF.
The car for sale tonight was bodied by Scaglietti in 1956, with the rare 14 louvers variant describing the parallel slits that decorate the side panels.
This car both elegant and efficient later received a casting tribute. This unit was chosen by Walt Disney Studios to symbolize Ferrari for co-starring with Volkswagen in The Love Bug, one of the most successful films of that time.
It is a great achievement for the art of Scaglietti when considering that the film was prepared in 1966. The 14 louvers TdF has been chosen by the Disney team despite ten years of age, in competition with the California Spyder and the GTO, those two later models better known today whose production was also already a thing of the past.
I invite you to play the video shared by RM Auctions on YouTube.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is $ 6.1 million excluding fees, 6.7 million including premium. This is a Ferrari of high class, without being among the most outstanding models.
1956 The Glamour of the Small Porsche
2016 SOLD for £ 4.6M including premium
When the spyder superseded the speedster, Porsche created the glamour car of the 1950s. Taking advantage of the complex classification of the endurance competitions, the German brand demonstrates the unprecedented effectiveness of its model 550 RS with its low displacement of 1,5 liters.
This small speedy car does not intimidate the wealthy individuals and perfectly meets the desires of the young 'rebel' Americans after the war. It is no coincidence that James Dean trades in 1955 his Porsche 356 speedster for a 550 spyder. Shortly afterward Chinetti will force Ferrari to create the California Spider targeting a similar clientele.
These small Porsche cars were pushed up to their limits by their owners eager for new sensations and new glamorous conquests. Such vehicles kept in their original condition are scarce and precious.
According to these criteria the 550 RS for sale by Bonhams at Goodwood on September 10 is considered as perfect in the press release issued by the auction house. Not enjoying the miracle of a time capsule, it was used by its owners but careful services have prevented any restoration.
This car made in 1956 is one of the last 550 before this model was replaced by the 550A. It was coachworked by Wendler as a two seater spyder. It is estimated £ 4.7M, lot 140.
The competition remained essential to promote such a product line. Another 550 also made in 1956 and coachworked in single seater was sold for $ 3.75M before fees by Mecum on August 17, 2013.
This small speedy car does not intimidate the wealthy individuals and perfectly meets the desires of the young 'rebel' Americans after the war. It is no coincidence that James Dean trades in 1955 his Porsche 356 speedster for a 550 spyder. Shortly afterward Chinetti will force Ferrari to create the California Spider targeting a similar clientele.
These small Porsche cars were pushed up to their limits by their owners eager for new sensations and new glamorous conquests. Such vehicles kept in their original condition are scarce and precious.
According to these criteria the 550 RS for sale by Bonhams at Goodwood on September 10 is considered as perfect in the press release issued by the auction house. Not enjoying the miracle of a time capsule, it was used by its owners but careful services have prevented any restoration.
This car made in 1956 is one of the last 550 before this model was replaced by the 550A. It was coachworked by Wendler as a two seater spyder. It is estimated £ 4.7M, lot 140.
The competition remained essential to promote such a product line. Another 550 also made in 1956 and coachworked in single seater was sold for $ 3.75M before fees by Mecum on August 17, 2013.
1956 Robots from Outer Space
2017 SOLD for $ 5.4M including premium
The conquest of space is a poorly guarded secret : in 1954, appealed by early informations in the magazines, Hergé sends the Tintin team to walk on the Moon. In the following year the United States and the Soviet Union announce their competing programs a few days apart one another.
In 1956 the MGM prepares Forbidden Planet. The intelligent humanoid robot named Robby is the star of the movie, especially as the terrible evil monster named Id is invisible. In this Shakespearian drama whose scenario is apparently inspired by The Tempest, the robot dies atrociously : obliged to respond to Asimov's laws that forbids it to harm a human being, it breaks up because it cannot oppose Id which is actually a psychic emanation of the mad scientist.
In the following year Sputnik I is the first artificial satellite of the Earth. Less advanced than the nice Robby it only says "beep beep beep". Meanwhile the real Robby receives a huge popular success and it will then be reused in many science fiction movies.
Robby is a complex machine for its time : talking, walking, reaching out and flashing with all its lights. It is activated incognito by a small man hidden inside. The rubber hands and the dome have not survived the test of time and were changed in the early 1980s by a careful collector. Accompanied by its Jeep, remote control console and some spare equipment, it will be sold in New York on November 21 by Bonhams in association with Turner Classic Movies, lot 1070.
Other robots aroused also later the fervor of the public. R2-D2, shaped like a more modern 1 m high electronic equipment mounted on small wheels, has been continuously modified from 1977 for the needs of the Star Wars series. It was sold for $ 2.75M by Profiles in History on June 28, 2017.
In 1956 the MGM prepares Forbidden Planet. The intelligent humanoid robot named Robby is the star of the movie, especially as the terrible evil monster named Id is invisible. In this Shakespearian drama whose scenario is apparently inspired by The Tempest, the robot dies atrociously : obliged to respond to Asimov's laws that forbids it to harm a human being, it breaks up because it cannot oppose Id which is actually a psychic emanation of the mad scientist.
In the following year Sputnik I is the first artificial satellite of the Earth. Less advanced than the nice Robby it only says "beep beep beep". Meanwhile the real Robby receives a huge popular success and it will then be reused in many science fiction movies.
Robby is a complex machine for its time : talking, walking, reaching out and flashing with all its lights. It is activated incognito by a small man hidden inside. The rubber hands and the dome have not survived the test of time and were changed in the early 1980s by a careful collector. Accompanied by its Jeep, remote control console and some spare equipment, it will be sold in New York on November 21 by Bonhams in association with Turner Classic Movies, lot 1070.
Other robots aroused also later the fervor of the public. R2-D2, shaped like a more modern 1 m high electronic equipment mounted on small wheels, has been continuously modified from 1977 for the needs of the Star Wars series. It was sold for $ 2.75M by Profiles in History on June 28, 2017.
