The start of a new year marks the beginning of an exciting season for automotive collectors, and Arizona Car Week remains one of its most anticipated milestones. Spread across the Phoenix–Scottsdale area, the week brings together a series of events, exhibitions, and gatherings at key venues including the Penske Racing Museum and McLaren Scottsdale. Its highlight is the RM Sotheby’s Arizona sale, now in its 28th year, hosted at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Desert’, this iconic landmark will welcome enthusiasts from around the world to explore an exceptional lineup of collectible cars.
For consignors, the week offers an ideal platform to present standout vehicles to a global audience, attracting attention from seasoned collectors and new buyers alike. Below is a closer look at three of the most noteworthy consignments heading to auction in Arizona.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Successor to the legendary Gullwing, the 300 SL Roadster proved that Mercedes-Benz could blend style and performance without compromise. One of the quickest-accelerating cars of its era, it was equally suited to grand touring and glamorous occasions, becoming a symbol of mid-century automotive excellence.
This particular chassis was initially finished in Fire Engine Red with Crème leather and a beige fabric top. Delivered in December 1957 for the US market, it was equipped with sealed-beam headlights, a 3.89:1 rear axle, and a Becker Mexico radio. Early records remain sparse until 1981, when it appeared in the collection of a California enthusiast. At an earlier stage, the car was refinished in Silver Metallic with red upholstery and a matching red soft top—a timeless combination that is a perfect fit for the 300 SL and accentuates the flowing lines of its bodywork.
The current owner acquired the car in 2021 and entrusted it to RM Auto Restoration’s award-winning team for a full mechanical and cosmetic renewal. Completed in 2025 at a cost exceeding $100,000, the work included detailed refinishing and the installation of number-matching components such as the engine, chassis, and rear axle. Documentation for all work accompanies the car, as do a tool roll and two coordinated luggage pieces. As a model that predates the modern “supercar” era, the 300 SL Roadster remains an enduring testament to Mercedes-Benz’s engineering ambition.
1964 Shelby 289 Cobra
Presented in a rare Vineyard Green with Saddle-coloured interior, this Shelby 289 Cobra offers both originality and provenance. Known by its chassis number, CSX 2208, the car was completed in England in late 1963 before being shipped to the US, where both its engine and chassis received factory-approved upgrades. Its first owner, a Philadelphia-based art collector, kept it only briefly before passing it on. In 1968, it was purchased by a recent high-school graduate, Lee Weinstein, who would remain its custodian for nearly fifty years.
After changing hands in 2015, CSX 2208 underwent a meticulous multi-year restoration led by marque specialists, reaching completion in 2019. Its aluminium body was smoothed by hand through extensive block-sanding before being resprayed in its original Vineyard Green, complemented by a newly fitted Saddle interior.
Weinstein’s handwritten notebook, detailing decades of maintenance and care, accompanies the car. With numbers-matching components and a rarely seen factory-correct colour scheme, CSX 2208 is not only significant for its performance heritage but also for the extraordinary stewardship it received from a devoted long-term owner.
1990 Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer - Novato
The Novato is a bespoke commission completed by Singer Vehicle Design in 2014 as part of its celebrated Classic Services programme. Known for redefining what a modern air-cooled 911 could be, Singer blends contemporary engineering with Porsche’s heritage, crafting cars that represent the brand’s spirit as if it had continued developing the classic 911 into the present day.
Named after the commissioning owner’s hometown in California, the Novato features a Dolphin Grey exterior that nods to the heyday of the iconic Porsche 356 models. The interior, finished in Olive Green with La Marinella suede-mix inserts, highlights Singer’s commitment to tailored craftsmanship. Porsche’s racing DNA appears in the five-dial instrument cluster, with cream numerals and black dials contrasted by the vivid orange central tachometer.
Mechanically, the car is equally compelling. Beneath the rear deck lies a six-speed manual transaxle paired with Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes with Nato Olive calipers, and an Öhlins adjustable suspension tuned for touring. Originally fitted with a 3.8-litre flat-six, the Novato received an upgrade to a 4-litre engine from Singer in 2017.
In 2024, the car returned to Singer for inspection and fine-tuning, receiving $17,000 worth of work including new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, full servicing of the air-conditioning system, and additional refinements for optimal performance.
Showing just 7,123 miles at the time of cataloguing and accompanied by full factory and service records, the Novato represents a rare opportunity to acquire a commission unlikely to appear on the market again soon. It is an exceptional centrepiece for any distinguished collection.
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