Image: 1965 Porsche 356 SC Cabriolet (Estimate: $140,000 – $180,000). - Photo copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company. Image by Brian Henniker.

Including 10 classics from the collection of revered Hollywood director and producer Richard Donner to be auctioned at the company’s online-only sale, along with a 2005 Ford GT and a 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS.

The personal classic car collection of famed Hollywood director and producer Richard Donner, alongside several new key consignments, are announced as additions to Gooding & Company’s upcoming Geared Online Scottsdale Edition event. The online-only auction will commence on Monday, January 24, and conclude on Friday, January 28, when lots will begin to close at 10:00 AM MST. To accompany the online-only event, the auction house will be hosting an exclusive viewing of all vehicles in Scottsdale for registered bidders and select members of the press during Arizona Auction Week. It is strongly encouraged for registered bidders interested in attending the viewing to contact the auction house to schedule an appointment.

“We are proud to have the honor of offering the late Mr. Donner’s personal collection of prized and beloved automotive classics at our upcoming Geared Online Scottsdale Edition,” said Gooding & Company President and Founder, David Gooding. “Mr. Donner, who made such an impact with his long-standing career in entertainment, thoroughly cherished and enjoyed many of these cars over several decades of ownership, and we trust that their new owners will appreciate the background and history of each and every one of these vehicles. The Richard Donner Collection, alongside other spectacular motoring offerings, composes a robust variety that we are excited to present at our upcoming viewing and sale.” 

The Richard Donner Collection
Gooding & Company has the honor of presenting the collection of Hollywood veteran Richard Donner at its upcoming Geared Online Scottsdale Edition event. The highly accomplished Mr. Donner had a career that spanned decades and included a roster of movies and television shows starring entertainment’s greatest names and talents. His prolific career that lasted over 50 years began with directing a myriad of legendary television shows, including The Twilight Zone, Gilligan’s Island, and The Wild Wild West. Mr. Donner made his foray into films in the late 1960s, and since then, went on to direct numerous blockbusters, including Superman (1978), The Goonies (1985), and the Lethal Weapon series (1987-1998). Mr. Donner also produced several major motion pictures with his wife, producer Lauren Shuler Donner, through their joint venture, The Donners’ Company. The company’s legacy was solidified through the X-Men franchise, which consisted of 13 films over a period of two decades, as well as the Free Willy franchise.

Mr. Donner regrettably passed away at 91 years old in 2021, and left behind a curated collection of beloved classic cars, which he frequently enjoyed for personal use with his family and dear friends. The 10-car collection comes to auction this month, with many of Mr. Donner’s prized vehicles offered without reserve. A highlight from the collection is a desirable 1965 Porsche 356 SC Cabriolet (Estimate: $140,000 – $180,000), which was originally finished in Schiefergrau (Slate Grey) with a Schwarz (Black) leather interior. Purchased by Mr. Donner from its first owner in 1971, the Cabriolet has remained with the Donner family for five decades, during which time it has remained well kept, but never fully restored. It has been resprayed in black, and the black leather seats have been reupholstered. This highly collectible Cabriolet is the perfect option for Porsche connoisseurs keen on preserving its current condition or carrying out a complete restoration. 

Another long-time member of the Richard Donner Collection is a festive 1962 Volkswagen Type 2 23-Window Deluxe Microbus (Estimate: $70,000 – $90,000, Without Reserve), a rare and iconic Samba Transporter with a 23-window configuration. Sporting a Sealing Wax Red and white two-tone livery, the Microbus comes complete with over-rider bumpers, a pop-out ‘Safari’ windshield, retractable canvas sunroof, and gray vinyl interior with three-row seating. This counterculture-inspired Volkswagen gem promises to provide pure enjoyment for all who encounter it. The 1948 Chrysler Town and Country Convertible (Estimate: $70,000 – $90,000, Without Reserve) is also a charmer from the collection, epitomizing the beauty and elegance of American automotive production in the immediate postwar era. The last car to join the collection of Mr. Donner, this convertible makes its presence known with an attractive livery consisting of a Navy Blue exterior finish and a matching canvas soft top over beige vinyl upholstery. Offered without reserve, this handsomely nautical, wooden-bodied Town and Country Convertible is bound to be an excellent addition to any prized collection.

Additional cars offered from the Richard Donner Collection include a rare, wood-bodied 1949 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon (Estimate: $40,000 – $50,000, Without Reserve), a 1958 Continental Mark III Convertible (Estimate: $25,000 – $35,000, Without Reserve), and Mr. Donner’s preferred classic to drive, the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible (Estimate: $40,000 – $50,000, Without Reserve). Interested parties will also be able to bid on the collection’s 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Saloon (Estimate: $20,000 – $30,000, Without Reserve), an exceedingly rare 1962 Crown Imperial Convertible (Estimate: $18,000 – $24,000, Without Reserve), a 1939 Ford Deluxe Four-Door Phaeton Convertible (Estimate: $20,000 – $30,000, Without Reserve), or a very presentable 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Cabriolet (Estimate: $15,000 – $20,000, Without Reserve). 

2005 Ford GT (Estimate: $350,000 – $400,000)
To celebrate its centennial, Ford sought out to commemorate the greatest moments in its history as one of the quintessential American automakers. Under the direction of the noted J. Mays, Camilo Pardo designed a GT40 concept car to pay homage to Ford’s unforgettable 1-2-3 sweep of Le Mans in 1966, as well as the marque’s consecutive victories from 1967 to 1969. The concept car was unveiled at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show, where it received an overwhelmingly positive reaction, spurring Ford to release a limited-production run of the model. Thus, the resulting Ford GT was destined to be a true American supercar, and was based on a lightweight aluminum space frame with aluminum bodywork. It boasted a mid-mounted 550 hp, 5.4-liter 32-valve supercharged DOHC V-8, and Ricardo six-speed transaxle. Its power was staggering, and it featured outstanding mid-engine handling characteristics, ferocious braking capabilities, and tried-and-true Ford reliability, outperforming many of its supercar contemporaries. 

The 2005 Ford GT presented here sports a sophisticated stealth-like appearance with a rare “stripe-delete” black exterior and black leather interior. According to a copy of the window sticker, included with the car’s sale, this one-owner Ford GT was delivered new to Mel Clayton Ford in Santa Barbara, California. Equipped with an optional McIntosh sound system, forged aluminum wheels, and Grey painted calipers, this exceptional GT has traveled just over 1,900 miles at the time of cataloguing. This example is also offered with a complete CARFAX report, service receipts, owner’s manual, air compressor, and trickle charger. This ultra-low mileage, single-owner Ford GT represents an incredible auction opportunity to acquire a high-horsepower, modern American icon.

1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS (Estimate: $375,000 – $425,000)
The Ferrari Dino, named in honor of Enzo Ferrari’s heir and late son, Alfredo “Dino,” is a V-6 powered, Pininfarina-styled mid-engine sports car and one of the Italian marque’s best-selling series to date. After being introduced at the Torino Motor Show, production of the Dino was initiated in 1967, and was concluded in 1974, after a total of 3,569 examples were built. Throughout this time period, the Dino underwent several iterations, with its greatest change transpiring at the 1972 Geneva Motor Show, when the 246 GTS variant was unveiled. This newly developed car featured a storable, one-piece targa top panel, providing for an open-air driving experience.

The late-production E-series 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS presented here is finished in Rosso Chiaro (Light Red) over black leather, and is one of just 313 GTS models built for 1974. It was specified for the US, and was additionally equipped with Daytona seats, air-conditioning (removed under previous ownership), and power windows. This example currently wears fitted headlight covers, and comes accompanied by its tools, jack, and spare tire. The Dino presents very well today, and wears a well-balanced patina after years of enjoyment by its current enthusiast owner. Possessing timeless styling and all of the refinements and updates of previous Dino models, this 246 GTS is ready to be appreciated by its next owner, and is highly eligible for many concours and driving events.

Additional offerings from the Geared Online Scottsdale Edition auction include a pristine and powerful 2008 Porsche 997 GT2 (Estimate: $300,000 – $350,000), a 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8-Litre Fixed Head Coupe (Estimate: $200,000 – $240,000), and a high-performance, concours-quality 1968 Triumph TR5 PI (Estimate: $90,000 – $110,000). Individuals interested in inspecting any of these vehicles in person or scheduling a viewing appointment are invited to contact Gooding & Company specialists ahead of the upcoming auction. Registered bidders are also welcome to attend the company’s exclusive showcase featuring all of the auction’s lots in Scottsdale, taking place from Wednesday, January 26 to Friday, January 28 at Scottsdale Hangar One. Please visit our website or contact Gooding & Company for more information on how to register to bid and attend the viewing.

Geared Online Scottsdale Edition
Online Catalogue Available: Tuesday, January 18
Auction Begins: Monday, January 24, 9:00 AM MST
Lots Begin Closing: Friday, January 28, 10:00 AM MST
Viewing: Wednesday, January 26 to Friday, January 28 in Scottsdale, Arizona
Viewing Location: Scottsdale Hangar One, 15220 North 78th Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Website: www.goodingco.com