SINGLE-OWNER FORD GT LEADS RM AUCTIONS $6 MILLION AUBURN SPRING WEEKEND

SINGLE-OWNER FORD GT LEADS RM AUCTIONS $6 MILLION AUBURN SPRING WEEKEND

• RM Auctions 8^th annual Auburn Spring collector car weekend totals $6 million with 84 percent of all lots sold
• Top sellers led by low-mileage, single owner Ford GT at $297,000, offered without reserve
• 300 motor cars, onsite swap meet, car corral, celebrity appearance and AACA Triple Crown Meet bring thousands of enthusiasts to historic Auburn Auction Park
• Complete Auburn Spring results available at www.rmsothebys.com

AUBURN, Indiana (14 May 2018) – RM Auctions returned to the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana this past weekend (11-12 May) for the company’s 8^th annual Auburn Spring collector car weekend. This represented the first Auburn Spring sale held under the RM Auctions banner, following the integration of former RM Sotheby’s Group subsidiary, Auctions America, in fall of 2017. RM Auctions achieved an overall $6,037,635 in total sales, with a strong 84 percent of the 500 lots on offer finding new homes across the two-day auction.

Echoing the results of the Fort Lauderdale sale in April, the RM Auctions brand’s increased global marketing reach drew Auburn Spring bidders from 16 countries (11 in 2017) and 38 states across the U.S., with one third of bidders raising their paddles for the first time. Despite challenging weather, the Auburn Spring weekend saw thousands of attendees flock to the Auburn Auction Park to view the nearly 300 motor cars on offer, scour the onsite car corral and swap meet, line up to meet celebrity guest Jessi Combs, and enjoy another 270 cars on display as part of the AACA & Nash Car Club of America Triple Crown Meet.

Auburn Spring’s top sale was the weekend’s headline offering, a low-mileage 2006 Ford GT, offered from single ownership since new. Featuring three of four available factory options and showing less than 3,800 actual miles, the GT sold for a final $297,000 to a bidder over the phone (est. $250k-$300k, offered without reserve). The diverse top three is rounded out by an American car from a much earlier time in the country’s automotive heritage—and a native to Auburn—a well-known 1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet offered following a fresh, comprehensive restoration, which brought $210,000, as well as a pop culture icon, the 1966 Batmobile Recreation "#5", which achieved $165,000 following plenty of attention during preview hours. 

Barney Ruprecht, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s Group said following the sale: “Our top ten sales at Auburn Spring demonstrate both the diverse offering as well as the variety of cars that can successfully find new homes at the Auburn Auction Park. The Ford GT result and the successful presentation of private collections like the 15-car Duffy Grove group once again prove the power of offering significant cars without reserve in Auburn, while the refreshed auction arena and new park configuration drew nothing put positive feedback from our clients. We look forward to bringing even more excitement to the Auction Park for Auburn Fall.”

Once again, the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) held their Spring Meet at Auburn Spring and this time invited the Nash Car Club of America to join as guests. Over 270 cars were pre-registered with about 1,000 club members in attendance.

Steve Moskowitz, Meet Chairman and Executive Director of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) added: “Auburn is a highlight for our members as the facilities are first rate, they get to attend, buy and sell at the auction, and have a world-class barbeque to top it all off. A great free concert was held courtesy of RM Auctions and the AACA on Friday evening, with a full house enjoying the show. Seminars and judging schools were held during the weekend and, despite a bit of inclement weather, the show field on Saturday was full of magnificent vehicles. We are incredibly thankful to the RM family for their overwhelming support of our club and the hobby in general.”

RM Auctions Auburn Spring 2018 Top Ten Sales 

Lot 5118	2006 Ford GT (CHASSIS NO. 1FAFP90S06Y401219)	$297,000
Lot 5110	1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet (IDENTIFICATION NO. 2928916)	$210,000
Lot 5078	1966 Batmobile Recreation "#5" (SERIAL NO. 5)	$165,000
Lot 5101	2001 BMW Z8 (CHASSIS NO. WBAEJ13481AH60440)	$145,000
Lot 5094	1965 Shelby 289 Cobra "CSX 8036" (CHASSIS NO. CSX 8036)	$110,000
Lot 5090	1932 Auburn Eight Custom Cabriolet (SERIAL NO. 8-100 3109 F)	$91,300
Lot 5096	1995 BMW M3 Lightweight (CHASSIS NO. WBSBF9321SEH07179)	$90,750
Lot 5116	1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Touring Limousine (CHASSIS NO. 5LCG77)	$82,500
Lot 5159	1952 Jaguar XK 120 SE Fixed Head Coupe (CHASSIS NO. S 680003)	$74,800
Lot 5054	1971 Porsche 911 T Coupe (CHASSIS NO. 9111102000)	$72,600

The RM Sotheby’s Group continues its 2018 auction calendar with the sale of The Dingman Collection in Hampton, New Hampshire, USA, on 23-24 June. Offered entirely without reserve, the collection comprises the remarkable cars and collectibles of longtime Ford Motor Company director and one of the most important modern Ford collectors, Mr. Michael Dingman. The carefully chosen collection is led by a group of 40 exceptional motor cars, complemented by more than 700 lots of fascinating collectibles, ranging from a fully restored and equipped vintage diner, to an ornate bar, rare neon and porcelain signs, parts, displays, automotive literature and more. The complete digital catalogue for The Dingman Collection will be available at www.rmsothebys.com in the coming weeks.

Further information on upcoming events, along with complete results from RM Auctions Auburn Spring, can be found atwww.rmsothebys.com.