Serious car buffs and Seinfeld fans know that over the past few decades comedian Jerry Seinfeld has amassed an impressive collection of cars, most of which are Porsches. If you’re up on your automotive news then you probably know that 18 automobiles from The Jerry Seinfeld Collection were up for auction at Amelia Island last March by auctioneers Gooding & Co. What did they look like and what did they go for? Here’s photos and the results.
In the Amelia Island Auction held by Gooding & Co last March, of the 81 lots, lot numbers 31 through 48 belonged to comedian Jerry Seinfeld, a passionate car lover who favors Porsches. Seinfeld’s prized Porsches (and two of his vintage Volkswagens) net him a total of $22,244,500, less than initially expected.
With the exception of the two Volkwagens: a 1964 Volkswagon Camper which sold for 99,000 and a 1960 Volkswagen Beetle which sold for $121,000, the cars from his collection were all his prized Porsches with his top-valued cars falling short of expectations.
When asked, at the opening of the auction, what it was about the Porsche brand that Jerry finds so compelling, he answered like a true car enthusiast: “The feeling of balance and perfection in the driving experience. I could talk about the design language, the size of the cars which just feel ‘right’ to me, but in the end it’s when you are out on the road and driving and all the different components of the car mesh well together. That’s when I feel like I go to another level of joy… of just driving. That’s what I love about these cars.”
Seinfeld says he never bought the cars with the intent on ever making a profit, but instead to drive and enjoy them. Now, he wanted other collectors to enjoy them.
“I wanted to be here with you all, who see these cars the way I do and enjoy this hobby the way I do,” he said. “I wanted to see your face and feel your enthusiasm because that’s why I do it. I never thought these cars were going to increase in value. I’m not a collector that gets cars to make money. I love the feeling of the car.” – Jerry Seinfeld
CNBC reported that “Despite some high profile disappointments, more than a half dozen of Seinfeld’s cars sold for above their high values, and seven cars set new price records for their models. Those included a 1974 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC RSR that sold for $2.3 million.”
The total haul for the auction was $22,244,500, short of the $28 million to $32 million projected. Here’s a look at his 10 Porsches that sold for the most money, in descending order.
Porsches Sold from The Jerry Seinfeld Collection
1. 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder
From the Jerry Seinfeld Collection
Coachwork by Wendler
Estimate: $5,000,000 – $6,000,000
SOLD $5,335,000
2. 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder
From the Jerry Seinfeld Collection
Estimate: $5,000,000 – $7,000,000
SOLD $3,000,000
3. 1959 Porsche 718 RSK
From the Jerry Seinfeld Collection
Estimate: $3,800,000 – $4,200,000
SOLD $2,860,000
4. 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC RSR
From the Jerry Seinfeld Collection
Estimate: $1,200,000 – $1,500,000
SOLD $2,310,000
5. 1990 Porsche 962C
From the Jerry Seinfeld Collection
Estimate: $1,500,000 – $2,000,000
SOLD $1,650,000
6. 1958 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS/GT Carrera Speedster
From the Jerry Seinfeld Collection
Coachwork by Reutter
Estimate: $2,000,000 – $2,500,000
SOLD $1,540,000
7. 1994 Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 S Flachbau
From the Jerry Seinfeld Collection
Estimate: $1,000,000 – $1,300,000
SOLD $1,017,500
8. 1997 Porsche 993 Cup 3.8 RSR
From the Jerry Seinfeld Collection
Estimate: $1,200,000 – $1,500,000
SOLD $935,000
9. 1963 Porsche 356 B 2000 GS/GT Carrera 2 Coupe
From the Jerry Seinfeld Collection
Coachwork by Reutter
Estimate: $1,100,000 – $1,400,000
SOLD $825,000
10. 1957 Porsche 356 A Speedster
From the Jerry Seinfeld Collection
Coachwork by Reutter
Estimate: $500,000 – $600,000
SOLD $682,000
Here are all the results of the Gooding & Co. auction at Amelia Island on March 11, 2016
Images, estimates and realized prices courtesy of Gooding & Co.
