AUCTIONS AMERICA CELEBRATES 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF AUBURN FALL WITH RECORD CROWDS AND $20 MILLION IN AUCTION SALES
AUBURN FALL BY THE NUMBERS
· More than 85,000 enthusiasts descend on the historic Auburn Auction Park
· 35 percent of bidders represent first time clients to Auctions America
· Bidders represent 13 countries and 45 states across U.S.A.
· Approximately $20 million in total vehicle and automobilia sales
· Top-seller: stunning 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe achieves $1.4 million
· Car Corral and Swap Meet attract more than 6.8 miles of vendors
AUBURN, Indiana (September 9, 2015) – Record crowds flocked to Indiana’s historic Auburn Auction Park last week for Auctions America’s Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend, September 2 - 6. A Labor Day weekend tradition spanning 45 years, Auburn Fall 2015 drew more than 85,000 enthusiasts, resulting in an electric energy onsite that lasted the entire duration of the event. Spectators were witness to the presentation of more than 870 collector cars and select memorabilia for auction – generating approximately $20 million in total sales – as well as a number of other automotive-themed activities, making for a memorable weekend in the Classic Car Capital of America.
“Each year, our aim is to make Auburn Fall bigger and better, and I’m proud to share that was certainly the case for 2015,” says Donnie Gould, President, Auctions America. “It was our greatest attended event to date, comfortably surpassing 2014 crowds with one less day, and received lots of positive feedback from clients and visitors alike. From an auction perspective, the fact that 35 percent of bidders represented first time clients is also great news and reflects Auctions America’s proven ability to reach and attract new audiences through not only our targeted marketing and client outreach, but by offering diverse, quality product.”
For collectors, the auction once again proved the main attraction, offering incredible variety in its line-up of 870 collector cars, and resulting in total sales, including memorabilia, of $19,684,914, with 73 percent of all lots sold. Once again demonstrating that American classics are well-matched to the Auburn venue, a stunning 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy topped the sale at a strong $1,402,500. It was joined on the top-sellers list by a British Racing Green 1959 Costin Jaguar Sports Racer for $363,000, and a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 which sold post-sale for $315,000.
Reinforcing Auctions America’s reputation as an auction house of choice for private and estate collections, the weekend also lifted the gavel on a number of single-vendor collections, including the Steve Ramsey Collection, an eclectic group of some 40 automobiles and select memorabilia. The group was headlined by a 2005 Ford GT for $266,750.
“When deciding to sell a part of my collection, Auctions America was a natural choice. I could not have been happier with the process; the incredible crowds, excitement, and results enjoyed this past weekend prove that I made the right decision,” said Steve Ramsey following the event. “I’ve been attending Auburn Fall for more than 15 years, and for me, the weekend is not just about the action on the block. Add in the car corral, swap meet and all the other activities and it’s a complete hobby experience that everyone I meet really enjoys. Auburn has a style all its own that I’m proud to be a part of. I look forward to seeing it continue to grow for years to come.”
The event’s automobilia offering also drew strong results, generating more than $614,000 in sales with 97 percent of all lost sold; the impressive tally represents Auctions America’s largest automobilia sale to date, besting the previous year by more than $100,000. Among a long list of notable highlights, a Duesenberg Model J Engine more than doubled its low estimate at $57,500; a Chris Craft Boat Bar achieved $32,775; and a Texaco Air Tower sign soared past its pre-sale estimate, realizing an incredible $29,900.
"We're very pleased with our results," said Auctions America’s new director of Automobilia, Kurt Forry following the sale. "Our strong sell-through rate, spirited bidding and a few record prices achieved for collectibles offered as part of the Steve Ramsey Collection, brought increased interest from both local and international bidders. The results certainly demonstrate the continued strength and growth of the collector Automobilia market and demand for the finest examples."
Beyond the auction, the weekend’s exciting program of ancillary events also proved tremendously popular. A staple of the Auburn Fall weekend, the car corral and swap meet drew in more than 6.8 miles of vendors. Enthusiastic crowds were also treated to a number of other special attractions, including monster truck shows and rides; professional freestyle sportbike shows; as well as autograph sessions with Ryan Hurst from Sons of Anarchy. In addition, Roush Fenway Racing’s interactive ‘Ultimate Race Fan Experience’, a mobile display hauler showcasing various elements of a race team, was also onsite, as well as their NASCAR racing simulators and ‘Tire Changing Units’ - where fans were able to test their speed as a tire changer. Racing fans were also treated to a special NASCAR display by Hendrick Motorsports, featuring cars driven by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jimmie Johnson, as well as Jeff Gordon's famous number 24, which sold during the Saturday sale session, for $110,000.
As part of Auctions America’s commitment to support the local community in which it operates, the company donated 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of a 1994 Chevrolet Impala SS, offered during the event’s Sunday session, to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum. The museum was one of a number of local organizations that benefitted financially from the event, with the Auctions America team privately acknowledging the efforts of other community groups for the support provided by their volunteers.
Auctions America Auburn Fall – Top Five Sales:
1. Lot 5142 - 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe - $1,402,500
2. Lot 5138 - 1959 Costin Jaguar Sports Racer - $363,000
3. Lot 5127 - 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 - $315,000
4. Lot 5091 - 2005 Ford GT - $266,750
5. Lot 5145 - 1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta Convertible - $209,000
Auctions America rounds out its 2015 calendar with its debut sale during the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d’Elegance, October 31 in South Carolina. For further information on this event, or to view full results from Auctions America’s Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend, please visit www.auctionsamerica.com or call toll free 877.906.2437 (+1 260 927 9797 outside North America).
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*Results are listed in USD and are inclusive of 10 percent buyer’s premium for automobiles and 15 percent for all other lots.
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