RM SOTHEBY’S TAJ MA GARAJ COLLECTION SALE SEES EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS AT $5.7 MILLION TOTAL

RM SOTHEBY’S TAJ MA GARAJ COLLECTION SALE SEES EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS AT $5.7 MILLION TOTAL

SINGLE-DAY PRESENTATION OF THE LATE JOHN DIXON’S PORSCHE PARADISE
FEATURED MORE THAN 30 MOTOR CARS AND 356 LOTS OF MEMORABILIA

PORSCHE 356 A CARRERA GT SPEEDSTER LEADS OFFERING AT $1.38 MILLION

DAYTON, Ohio (30 September 2019) – RM Sotheby’s presented the company’s 36^th single-owner private collection at auction this past weekend in Dayton, Ohio—the renowned Taj Ma Garaj Collection, grossing a total $5,685,859. Featuring 32 rare and eclectic Porsche and Volkswagen motor vehicles, as well as 356 lots of memorabilia from the late prominent collector, Mr John Dixon, the single-day absolute auction drew spirited bidding activity from no less than 20 countries around the world, with nearly 60 per cent of bidders representing first-time RM Sotheby’s clientele.

The auction began before a packed house, with every seat in the auction area filled as collectors raised their paddles for the chance to go home with one of John Dixon’s prized collectables or cars. Remote bidder participation was also strong, with more than 40 percent of bidders joining the auction via phone or Internet. Several motor cars drew nine or more individual bidders to the phone lines alone.

Strong prices were achieved across the automobile and motor vehicle offering, including for rare cars long held within the Taj Ma Garaj Collection as well as for those ordered or created by John Dixon himself. Leading the cars was a desirable “Four-Cam” 1957 Porsche 356 A Carrera GT Speedster by Reutter, equipped with its original, matching-numbers 1500 GT engine and beautifully restored to the highest standard. A fantastic example of the lightest, most race-prepared version of the model, the 356 A Carrera GT secured a final $1,380,000.

Additional car highlights include several lots which far surpassed pre-sale expectations, led by: a 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe, custom-ordered by John Dixon and wearing several unique Porsche Special Wishes options, which sold for a final $368,000 (est. $225/275k), a 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS Clubsport, one of just 15 such cars and showing just 47 km, which brought a final $357,000 (est. $250/350k), a nicely optioned, low-mileage 1970 Porsche 914-6 which achieved $134,400 (est. $100/120k), and a never-raced 1988 Porsche Rothmans 944 Turbo Cup, which brought a record $98,000 (est. $75/100k).

John Dixon was well-known for the humour and creativity used in some of his cars and custom-builds. Quirky automobiles from the Taj Ma Garaj Collection drew much pre-sale and auction-room interest, with several cars exceeding expectations. Leading the weird and wonderful lineup was the unique 1953 Porsche 356 Limousine Custom, which incited spirited bidding in the room before selling for $207,200, while a one-of-six 1971 Mangosta Sport Buggy smashed its pre-sale estimate at a final $106,400 (est. $50/75k

The Taj Ma Garaj Collection auction successfully kicked off on Saturday morning with 356 lots of memorabilia, including sought-after Porsche unobtainium, rare literature, collectables, engines, and an assortment of arcade ephemera, going under the hammer. Bidding was lively across the collectable lots, with above-estimate prices achieved for a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Junior at $30,000 (est. $7/9k), a Porsche 550 Spyder Junior at $19,200 (est. $8/12k), and a Porsche 356 A Speedster Junior at $15,600 (est. $8/12k), among many others.

Following the auction, Donnie Gould, Senior Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s, said: “We could not be more thrilled with the success of the Taj Ma Garaj auction this past weekend. Our team prides ourselves in providing custom and concierge-level private collection solutions for our clients, and it’s always particularly exciting when the collector and cars offer such individuality. The entire audience had the pleasure of enjoying John Dixon’s humour and fun spirit, with his caricature pictured prominently on the wall behind the auction podium. Every corner of the Taj Ma Garaj space was a fun, witty, and off-the-wall idea that represented his personality, and clients were treated to an exciting auction as well as the amazing collection setting that he envisioned and realized. It was an honour to work with the Dixon family on this special sale, and we’re delighted to see outstanding prices achieved across multiple categories of the Porsche market.”

Hillary Dixon West, daughter of the late John Dixon, adds: “This auction was an emotional process for our family as we celebrated our father’s love for Porsche and the place in our hearts that the Taj Ma Garaj holds. RM Sotheby’s conducted an event that was so much more than a successful auction… they celebrated John’s humour and creativity as well as his attention to detail and passion for collecting only the very best of the best. From day one, they came in and took care of everything from start to finish, which speaks to the experience and skill of the RM team. Throughout the entire auction, the smiling caricature of John as the Taj Ma Garaj genie was behind the podium, and we’re sure it took place exactly as he would have wanted, smiling and enjoying every bit of it!”

RM Sotheby’s Taj Ma Garaj Collection Top Ten Sales

Lot 379	1957 Porsche 356 A Carrera GT Speedster (CHASSIS NO. 83622)	$1,380,000
Lot 368	1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring (CHASSIS NO. 9113600293)	$412,000
Lot 372	1997 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe (CHASSIS NO. WP0AC2996VS375198)	$368,000
Lot 378	1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS Clubsport (CHASSIS NO. WP0ZZZ93ZBS710038)	$357,000
Lot 376	1967 Porsche 911 S Coupe (CHASSIS NO. 305860 S)	$335,000
Lot 370	1952 Porsche 356 Cabriolet (CHASSIS NO. 12355)	$299,250
Lot 366	1953 Porsche 356 Limousine Custom (CHASSIS NO. 50146)	$207,200
Lot 374	1988 Porsche 911 Turbo 'Flat-Nose' Coupe (CHASSIS NO. WP0JB0936JS050662)	$193,200
Lot 371	2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (CHASSIS NO. WP0AC29997S792527)	$184,800
Lot 380	1974 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe (CHASSIS NO. 9114400143)	$168,000

The RM Sotheby’s Group continues its auction calendar with the company’s annual Hershey sale, 10-11 October in Pennsylvania. A featured attraction of the Antique Automobile Club of America’s Eastern Division Fall Meet, RM Auctions Hershey sale is not one to be missed. A mainstay on the auction calendar, the sale gathers collectors and hobbyists from around the globe for an annual enthusiast’s affair at Hershey Lodge. Known for its emphasis on significant Veteran, Brass and Classic Era American cars with fascinating histories, as well as its presentation of important private collections, bidders can expect a hand-picked roster of more than 200 historic automobiles and a selection of memorabilia to go under the hammer.

Further information on upcoming events, along with complete results from The Taj Ma Garaj Collection sale are available at rmsothebys.com.