RECORDS SHATTERED AS CLASSIC ASTON MARTIN SPORTS CARS CHANGE HANDS FOR MILLIONS AT RM SOTHEBY’S SALE

RECORDS SHATTERED AS CLASSIC ASTON MARTIN SPORTS CARS CHANGE HANDS FOR MILLIONS AT RM SOTHEBY’S SALE

Aston Martin DB5

15 August, Monterey, USA: The ‘Evening with Aston Martin’ sale in Monterey, curated by renowned auction house RM Sotheby’s as part of their annual Monterey sale, has today seen exceptional examples of some of the brand’s most desirable sports cars change hands for millions of dollars.

This event to remember witnessed an incomparable list of the most significant Aston Martin models go under the hammer, with bidders from around the world vying for ownership of some of the jewels in the British sports car brand’s heritage crown.

The 2019 event was a new occasion for collectors, who witnessed a fascinating and diverse collection of Aston Martin-related automobilia go under the hammer in several hours of exciting and highly-charged bidding.

A highlight of the evening came as a 1965 Aston Martin James Bond DB5 – originally commissioned and used in the promotion of the James Bond film Thunderball - sold for a final price of $6,385,000 upon the fall of the auctioneer’s gavel. After receiving an initial estimate of $4,000,000-$6,000,000, tonight’s result underlines the continued popularity and admiration for this world-famous automotive and silver-screen icon and sets a new record for the most valuable DB5 at auction.

A surprise highlight of the day included a 1965 DB5 Shooting Brake which sold for a final price of $1,765,000.

Andy Palmer, President and Group CEO Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “The interest among collectors and enthusiasts worldwide underscores the enduring global appeal of this great British sports car company.

Aston Martin Lagonda has stood tall at the pinnacle of the British automotive world for over a century. Recognised today for our excellence in design, engineering, craftsmanship and style, we, of course, would not stand in this position without a rich history of iconic models that have helped shape and define what this brand means today.

Thanks to RM Sotheby’s, this event has been, without question, a highlight on the Aston Martin heritage calendar in 2019 and I, for one, look forward to seeing many more sales in the future, in partnership with our exceptional heritage division, Aston Martin Works.”

Barney Ruprecht, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s comments: “It was an honour to offer the iconic James Bond 007 Aston Martin DB5 alongside our partners at Aston Martin and Aston Martin Works. We are beyond thrilled with tonight’s fantastic result and proud to have set a new record for the most valuable DB5 sold at auction. Beyond this new auction record, the enormous amount of interest in the car and excitement surrounding it ahead of the auction solidifies its status as the “most famous car in the world,” along with the collector car hobby’s great respect for the Aston Martin brand.”

FROM MERCEDES-BENZ TO DUESENBERG, COLLECTOR CARS OF ALL KINDS SHINE AT RM AUCTIONS’ $21.7 MILLION AUBURN FALL SALE

FROM MERCEDES-BENZ TO DUESENBERG, COLLECTOR CARS OF ALL KINDS SHINE
AT RM AUCTIONS’ $21.7 MILLION AUBURN FALL SALE

• RM Auctions continues its Auburn Fall tradition with $21.7 million in total sales and 81 percent of all lots sold
• First-year Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster tops sales at $852,500 while ACD trio from Richard L. Burdick Collection brings strong results, led by 1929 Duesenberg Model J Sedan at $737,000
• Four days of auction action and family fun brings tens of thousands of enthusiasts to Auburn Auction Park
• Complete Auburn Fall results at rmsothebys.com
• The RM Sotheby’s Group continues its summer calendar with annual London auction, 5 September

AUBURN, Indiana (4 September 2018) – RM Auctions celebrated a now 48-year Labor Day tradition this past weekend with its annual Auburn Fall sale (30 August – 2 September) at the Auburn Auction Park in Indiana. The four days of spirited auction action resulted in $21.7 million in total sales, with a strong 81 percent of all lots sold, representing a 12 percent increase in sales over 2017.

Collectors and enthusiasts flooded the Auburn Auction Park to view the more than 700 cars on offer and activities for the entire family to enjoy, with record crowds across Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Bidders hailed from 14 countries and 45 states across the U.S., with more than 30 percent representing first-time RM Auctions clientele.

The top sale of the auction was the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, a first-year example which sold for a final $852,500 just after it crossed the block. The result was closely followed by motor cars from the highly-anticipated Richard L. Burdick Collection, most notably by the 1929 Duesenberg Model J Sedan with period coachwork by Derham/Bohman & Schwartz, which incited a bidding competition between bidders in the room and on the phone before selling for a final $737,000 to a private onsite bidder. The 1929 Auburn 120 Eight Speedster from the collection also saw significant interest, achieving a final $330,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $150k-$200k. Rounding out the ACD trio offered from the collection, the 1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet exceeded high estimate at $165,000. Additional cars from the Burdick Collection will be offered at RM Sotheby’s Group events across 2018 and 2019.

“It was a fantastic weekend for enthusiasts of all ages in Auburn, and we were thrilled to build on a tradition that brought tens of thousands to the Classic Car Capital of America,” said Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s Group. “The auction arena was packed on numerous occasions throughout the weekend, and we saw an increase in sales with fewer vehicles, and a clear increase in the quality of our consignments over last year. We also received great feedback from both buyers and sellers on the change to single-ring auction style, which proved successful in drawing more bidders to each car offered. Our top five Auburn Fall sales demonstrate the success of numerous categories of collector cars in Auburn, from American Classics through European sports cars and modern performance.We look forward to continuing the tradition next year.”

RM Auctions also saw strong results for additional vehicles offered from private collections at Auburn Fall, including for a 2006 Ford GT displaying only 4.4 miles, which sold for a final $357,500 to cheers from the crowd. The Shrine of the Holy Grille Collection, which featured one of the most comprehensive groups of Edsel motor cars in the world, also drew strong interest on Friday, with record prices for the marque achieved. Meanwhile, the 1976 Ford Escort 1100 GL Sedan formerly owned by Saint Pope John Paul II saw interest from collectors both in the room and on the phone, eventually bringing a final $121,000 with proceeds to benefit the O’Quinn Foundation

Auburn continues to be a strong venue for not only American collectibles, but also European classics and exotics. Just a few lots after the 1970 Plymouth Superbird achieved an above-estimate $173,250 on Saturday, a 2011 Porsche 911 Speedster brought in $222,750, nearly hitting its high estimate. Earlier in the sale, spirited bidding in the room brought a professionally restored 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Litre Roadster to a final price of $148,500.

RM Auctions Auburn Fall Top Five Sales

Lot 3093	1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster	$852,500
Lot 3161	1929 Duesenberg Model J Sedan	$737,000
Lot 3130	1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider Conversion	$442,750
Lot 3079	2006 Ford GT	$357,500
Lot 3160	1929 Auburn 120 Eight Speedster	$330,000

The RM Sotheby’s Group continues its calendar this week with the company’s 12^th annual London sale, set for 5 September at Battersea Evolution and featuring the 1961 Aston Martin DB4GT driven by legendary actor Peter Sellers in the 1963 film, “The Wrong Arm of the Law”. Looking ahead to fall, all roads lead to Pennsylvania where RM Auctions will return for its annual Hershey sale, 11-12 October, a featured attraction of the AACA Eastern Fall Meet and a proven venue for the sale of important Brass and Classic Era automobiles. Learn more about upcoming events at rmsothebys.com.

Full results from Auburn Fall are also available at rmsothebys.com.