DIVERSE OFFERING OF COLLECTOR CARS LEADS RM AUCTIONS AUBURN SPRING SALE

DIVERSE OFFERING OF COLLECTOR CARS LEADS RM AUCTIONS AUBURN SPRING SALE

AUCTION TOTALS MORE THAN $6.8 MILLION

STRONG PRICES ACHIEVED FOR HIGHLY ORIGINAL COLLECTIBLES OFFERED FROM THE BOB STRAUSS COLLECTION

• RM Auctions Auburn Spring totals $6,853,794 across four days of auction action at the historic Auburn Auction Park
• Diverse top ten list led by beautifully restored 1930 Cord L-29 Convertible Phaeton Sedan at $157,300
• The Strauss Collection of impressive vintage and neon signs leads a successful two full days of memorabilia
• Complete results for Auburn Spring now available at rmsothebys.com

 RM Auctions returned to the historic Auburn Auction Park this past weekend (29 May – 1 June) for the company’s annual Auburn Spring collector car weekend. Total sales across the four-day auction reached $6,853,794, led by a diverse top ten sales list and two full days of exceptional memorabilia and collectables on offer. Bidders at the Auburn Spring sale hailed from no less than 11 countries, with more than 40 per cent representing first-time RM Auctions clientele.

The Auburn Spring auction sales were led by a diverse top three sales, including a marvellously restored and ACD Club Category One-certified 1930 Cord L-29 Convertible Phaeton Sedan at $157,300, a 2015 Rolls-Royce Wraith offered from single ownership at $156,750, and, rounding out the top three, a 1965 Shelby Cobra 289 “CSX 8001”, the first 8000-series 289 Cobra by Shelby American, at a final $104,500.

Additional highlights across various levels and segments of the market include a well-equipped 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL ‘Pagoda’ offered from The European Luxury Collection, which exceeded expectations at a final $93,500 (est. $65/$75k), a beautifully restored 1969 Plymouth GTX, which sold for $57,000 on Friday, surpassing its estimate of $40,000-$45,000, and a 1979 AMC AMX, showing what is believed to be an original 8,400 miles on the odometer, which drew considerable pre-sale interest, selling for a final$24,500 to more than double its pre-sale high estimate (est. $6k/$10k).

Auburn Spring successfully kicked off on Wednesday and Thursday with more than 800 lots of memorabilia going under the hammer, led by the Strauss Collection, comprising the impressive signs and collectables of the late Bob Strauss. The top seller of the collection was the Ford Jubilee Neon Sign, an 84 x 42-inch SSP multi-piece rolled edge neon, which achieved $63,250. Another stand-out memorabilia highlight was the Gas Flying A Chicken Wings Logo Neon Sign with excellent gloss and colour, and working neon, which surpassed its pre-sale estimate of $10,000-$20,000, bringing in $27,730.

Once again, the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) held their Annual Grand National Meet at Auburn Spring, welcoming 400 cars in total, along with 200 judges and thousands of guests. The meet saw hundreds of incredible cars on display, including 16 finalists for the Zenith Award, bestowed upon the best restoration of the year. The 2019 award went to a stunning 1931 Buick 8-94 Sport Roadster owned by David M. Landow of Bethesda, Maryland. The seven-year restoration project “wowed” the public and other competitors alike.

RM Auctions Auburn Spring 2019 Top Ten Sales

Lot 6088	1930 Cord L-29 Convertible Phaeton Sedan	$157,300
Lot 6059	2015 Rolls-Royce Wraith	$156,750
Lot 6101	1965 Shelby Cobra 289 "CSX 8001"	$104,500
Lot 6048	1988.5 Ferrari Testarossa	$99,000
Lot 6041	1932 Packard 900 Coupe Roadster	$94,600
Lot 6105	1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 'Pagoda'	$93,500
Lot 6077	1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible	$84,150
Lot 6055	1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III BJ8	$81,400
Lot 6057	1967 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 427/390 Convertible	$81,400
Lot 6073	1954 Packard Caribbean Convertible	$80,300

The RM Sotheby’s Group continues its 2019 auction calendar with its flagship Monterey auction in California on 15-17 August during the world-famous Pebble Beach motoring week. Featuring more than 120 of the world’s most sought-after motor cars, the auction is led by the recently announced 1939 Porsche Type 64, the oldest car to wear the Porsche badge and the only surviving Type 64. This year’s Monterey sale is also extended to three days to include An Evening with Aston Martin on 15 August, which will feature more than 30 of the world’s most sought-after road-going and track-ready Aston Martin sports cars from across the marque’s illustrious history. Further information on upcoming events, along with complete results from RM Auctions Auburn Spring, can be found at rmsothebys.com.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT BARONS’ SPRING CLASSIC SALE

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT BARONS’ SPRING CLASSIC SALE

Following a strong start to 2019 with its Classic Winter Warmer sale in February, Barons is now presenting a really diverse and interesting line-up of cars for its Spring Classic sale at Sandown Park on April 30.

Notable entries include the 1983 Mercedes-Benz 280SLK with just 25,000 warranted miles on the clock. This immaculate car was bought new by actress Sheila Hancock. In 1984 it was purchased by the vendor’s aunt, who has kept the car in a heated garage ever since, taking it out only to drive to the local Mercedes dealership for its annual service and for a very occasional trip to the shops. The estimate for this beautifully-presented bright red convertible is £28,000-£33,000.

The 1967 Fiat 500 Radbourne Racing Abarth is perfect for historic motorsport. The official UK Abarth importer Radbourne Racing of Wimbledon converted RHD Fiat 500s using genuine Abarth parts. The engine of the standard Fiat 500 was bored to give 689cc and 38hp, wheel arches were widened and Borrani steel wheels fitted. This potent, nimble little machine is a huge amount of fun and has competed at Prescott Hilliclimb and in the Crystal Palace Sprint. Guide price: £15,000-£18,000.

The 1971 MG B roadster in the sale has covered just 13,900 miles in 48 years and comes complete with almost all MOTs since 1975 and a meticulous service history. It is particularly rare as it has an automatic transmission. Guide price: £17,000-£22,000.

The remarkably original 1967 MG 1100 is another low-miler, having clocked up just 27,500 warranted miles. One of only 149 examples shown by the DVLA as still on the road, it is offered complete with a newspaper article dated March 1994 stating the mileage then as 21,000. This lovely little car would make the perfect museum exhibit or much-treasured classic. Guide price: £6,000-£8,500.

The 1973 XJ Series 2 pre-production coupé, chassis number 2, was built as a left-hand drive machine but converted by the Browns Lane factory to RHD and registered by them in 1974, after which it was used by Jaguar’s then Chief Engineer Jim Randle as his company car. The XJ was subsequently owned by Thoroughbred and Classic Cars and featured many times in that publication during the 1980s, when it was the company car of the journalist Roger Bell. It was recently found languishing in a garden and needs full restoration. It is offered at no reserve.

The 1961 Austin Seven Mini Mk 1 was rescued from a dry barn last year and has undergone a sympathetic restoration, keeping as much of the original as possible. It appears to have had only two owners in nearly 60 years and still bears its original number plates. Guide price: £9,000-£12,000.

In the market for a ‘modern classic’ such as a 2004 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage, 2003 Maserati Spyder 4.2 Cambio Corsa or 2005 Porsche 996? You’re in luck - Barons has plenty to choose from, with a good sprinkling of BMWs and Mercedes thrown in for good measure. One particularly unusual modern entry is the 2009 Land Rover Defender 90 SVX Soft Top Thor GTS Super Sport by Brittle. The SVX Defender were special models produced to celebrate Land Rover’s 60th anniversary in 2008. The vehicle on offer at Barons on April 30 was upgraded by Brittle Bespoke Defenders with upgrades including Brittle Diamond leather interior with Recaro heated seats, 18" spoke alloys, performance brake kit with upgraded callipers, lower suspension kit with Koni shock absorbers, stainless steel sport exhaust, and mohair hood. It has covered just 10,500 miles in ten years and has a guide price of £22,000-£25,000.

For more information, or to consign a vehicle to the sale, please visit www.barons-auctions.com.