AUCTIONS AMERICA CELEBRATES 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF AUBURN FALL WITH RECORD CROWDS AND $20 MILLION IN AUCTION SALES

AUCTIONS AMERICA CELEBRATES 45^TH 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.

CHILDREN’S FERRARIS OFFERED BY CHRIS EVANS AT BONHAMS SALE

CHILDREN’S FERRARIS OFFERED BY

CHRIS EVANS AT BONHAMS SALE

Lot 191: a petrol-driven approximately half-scale Ferrari 275P child’s car, estimate £6,000-8,000

• Eight children’s race-cars, including half-scale Ferraris and pedal cars, feature at Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale, all offered from Chris Evans
• The new Top Gear presenter is to sell over 100 lots of his personal automobilia. Entered at no reserve, the proceeds of the Chris Evans automobilia sale will go to BBC Charity, Children in Need

Over 100 lots of Chris Evans personal automobilia will go under the hammer at Bonhams Goodwood Revival sale, taking place 12 September.

The sale includes models, movie posters and eight cars designed for young petrol heads or the young at heart, comprising two half-size Ferraris and other pedal and children's cars, including an unusual Maserati example.

The highlight of the pee-wee racers is a child’s racing Ferrari 275P. Approximately half the size of a real-life Ferrari, the car is petrol-fuelled, and eligible for the ‘Little Big Mans’ children’s racing event at the legendary Le Mans 24-Hour circuit. The 275P is estimated at £6,000-8,000.

Also featured is a rare ‘Bimbo V12 Racer’ two-seat child’s motorised car by S.I.L.A. of Turin, Italy. With red fibreglass body, electric powered rear engine and Pirelli Bambino pneumatic tyres, the race car is perfect for the young enthusiast. It is offered at an estimate of £5,000-7,000. 

Toby Wilson, Bonhams Head of Automobilia, said: “The Goodwood Revival Sale offers items for all enthusiasts, even young petrol-heads who no doubt will take particular interest in Chris Evans half-size Ferraris and Maseratis.”

Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale features over 200 lots of automobilia, with lots 92-212 offered directly from Chris Evans.

Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale takes place on 12 September in Goodwood, Chichester. For more information visit https://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/.

BONHAMS BEAULIEU SALE SEES BARN FIND BENTLEY SOAR TO MORE THAN DOUBLE ESTIMATE

BONHAMS BEAULIEU SALE SEES BARN FIND BENTLEY SOAR TO MORE THAN DOUBLE ESTIMATE

A 1929 Bentley 4½-litre, recently unearthed from a family barn after 30 years, sold at Bonhams Sale at the Beaulieu International Autojumble for an incredible £695,900.

“The vendor only recently found the car gathering dust in his grandfather’s garage, and expected it to be valued at a fraction of the amount we’ve achieved at today’s auction,” said Rob Hubbard, Bonhams Motoring Specialist. “It was an incredible discovery; the chassis, engine, axle, gearbox, steering box numbers are all present and correct, the interior is completely original in wonderful green leather. For a car that’s over 80 years old, it’s truly astounding.”

The vendor’s grandfather purchased the Bentley in 1935 and is known to have used it for family holidays throughout the 1930s and 1940s. The luxury car even towed a caravan, and is still fitted with the original tow ball. Bidding continued to rise in the lively auction room, and the gavel finally fell to a British telephone bidder.

Also selling well, a 1927 Voisin C12 Tourer achieved £219,900; a 1964 Jaguar E-Type ‘Series 1’ 3.8-Litre Coupe sold above estimate at £113,500, and a 1950 Bristol 402 Drophead Coupe restoration project sold to a British bidder for double estimate at £104,540.

Motorcycles also achieved excellent prices at the sale, with almost 100% of motorcycles sold, bringing the sale total to £3.1 million, exceeding the previous years total.

For further information on Bonhams motoring department visit: https://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/

BONHAMS TO SELL HISTORIC LOCOMOTIVES FROM EARLY DAYS OF RAILWAYS

 

 

 BONHAMS TO SELL HISTORIC LOCOMOTIVES

FROM EARLY DAYS OF RAILWAYS

 

 

 British 1834 loco used in USA Civil War

 

 

Bonhams is to sell five significant pieces of transportation history from the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago.

 

The locomotives and cars have been housed at the museum on full-time display for over 80 years and will now be sold at Bonhams’ “Preserving the Automobile” auction at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia on October 5^th.

 

 

Confederacy and Union Civil War History

 

Heading the collection is the enormously significant locomotive Mississippi. A rare surviving example of a British-built steam locomotive in America it dates from 1834. In the formative years of American railroading, many locomotives were built in Britain and shipped to North America for assembly. The Mississippi is believed to be the first locomotive in the South and certainly the very first locomotive to operate in the state of Mississippi. It went on to be used by the Confederate Army and subsequently, after capture, by the Union Army during the Civil War. It is therefore a machine of national importance – not just to America’s transportation history and the critical formative years the railroad played in nation building, but also to the Civil War and to the technological link between Great Britain and the United States and the Industrial Revolution itself.  Mississippi is estimated at US$250,000-400,000.

 

 

American National and Municipal History

 

Also offered from the collection is a replica of the 1825-built John Stevens, constructed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1929. The original machine was the first locomotive to operate on rails in the United States and helped demonstrate the potential of steam-propelled rail vehicles to move passengers and freight over land at a reasonable cost. It was donated by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1932 and has been in the museum’s ownership ever since.

 

A related locomotive is the replica of the 1831 York, designed by watchmaker Phineas Davis. The York was one of the first coal-burning engines in the United States and won that year’s locomotive contest sponsored by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It was part of the lineage of domestically designed and built steam locomotives derived from contemporary maritime technology that emerged in the developmental years of American railroading.

Other artifacts from the museum include the exact replica 1859 horse car Archer Avenue No. 10 that was donated to the museum by the Chicago City Railway Company in 1930. These beautiful, craftsman-built, horse-drawn rail cars were operated in congested urban areas, such as Chicago, Philadelphia and New York, where steam locomotive transportation was impractical. They were the antecedent of the electric streetcar that later dominated urban public transport.

 

 

 

Another impressive handbuilt replica donated to the museum over 80 years ago is a 1920 steam locomotive cab that was part of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company's display at the Century of Progress Fair. 

 

All of these transportation artifacts from the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago will be sold alongside numerous exquisite automobiles from other owners – including many charismatic Brass Era examples, as well as Formula racers from the prominent Family du Pont – in Philadelphia on Monday, October 5^th at the award-winning Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum.

 

 

Please note that the items from the Museum of Science and Industry will not be present in Philadelphia due to the nature of their size. Interested buyers may contact the following Bonhams director to arrange a preview in advance of the auction:

Mark Osborne • 415-503-3353 • mark.osborne@bonhams.com

 

For more information about this highly anticipated auction with its once-in-a-lifetime offering, including ordering a catalog, registering to bid and viewing the motorcars on offer, please visit bonhams.com/simeone.

BONHAMS CHANTILLY SALE SEES RARE MASERATI BOOMERANG RETURN €3.3 MILLION

 

BONHAMS CHANTILLY SALE SEES RARE MASERATI 

BOOMERANG RETURN €3.3 MILLION

 

 

   

Rare and unusual motor cars lead Bonhams inaugural sale at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Concours d’Elegance, with the unique Maserati Boomerang sold for €3.3 million.

 

The only example of its kind, the Maserati Boomerang was the signature concept car of the 1970s. Designer Giorgetto Giugiaro used geometric shapes and ruler straight lines to create its angular appeal, ensuring the unusual Boomerang emerged from the decade to be one of the great style influences of the motoring industry. After intense bidding in the room and on the telephones, the Boomerang sold for €3,289,500.

 

Elsewhere from Maserati, the 1968 Maserati Mexico 4.7-Litre Coupe sold for €646,300. Named in honour of Cooper-Maserati's victory in the 1966 Mexican Grand Prix, the Maserati Mexico was unveiled at the 1966 Turin Motor Show to much fanfare. 

 

The motor car offered however is no mere standard Mexico but a bespoke Frua creation, the most attractive of the three one-offs produced in the longstanding relationship between Maserati and car designer Pietro Frua.

 

Retaining the general Mexico lines, but more sharply defined, the Frua Mexico in many ways recalls the Quattroporte. Restored to its initial light green paintwork, with original Bordeaux leather, the Mexico won the Best of Show award at the Maserati 100th Anniversary celebrations, and is the quintessential example of Maseratis Grand Touring excellence.

 

Further highlights include eight motor cars from the personal collection of French businessman and art collector, Alain Dominique Perrin. Most notable of the collection is a car steeped in French pop music history – the 1977 Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9 originally owned by famous French singer and composer, Claude François.

 

Claude, or CloClo to his fans, was one of France’s biggest pop stars, with a legacy that remains today as he continues to be one of the country’s biggest-selling recording artists. Claude famously wrote and composed the original version of My Way, a song made internationally famous by Frank Sinatra. After intense bidding in the room, the 1977 Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9 sold for close on €100,000 to a private European buyer.

 

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Head of Motor cars, said: “For a sale just in its first year, the Bonhams Chantilly Sale has achieved an excellent result, with a total €7.5 million achieved for the exclusive collection of just 28 cars.

 

“Our first black-tie evening sale, the event was an elegant celebration of beautiful and rare motor cars, one that we hope to continue for years to come.”

 

James Knight, Bonhams Group Motoring Director added, “This auction is a welcome addition to our series of blue riband sales. We look forward to our sale at the Goodwood Revival next week and the very special single-owner sale in Denmark later this month."

 

Hosted in the grounds of Château de Chantilly, the Arts & Elegance event debuted in 2014, attracting a crowd of around 10,000 spectators, taking in the delights of the "Concours d'Elegance" competition for modern concept cars, and a superb "Concours d'Etat" for classic cars from around the world. The "Art & Elegance" event also plays host to fine art exhibitions, fashion shows, live music and various lifestyle exhibits, all on the grounds of the magnificent château.

For further information on Bonhams motoring department, visit: https://www.bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/

WESTBURY CLASSIC CAR AUTIONS

EX-NICOLAS CAGE BUGATTI 101 HEADS FOR BONHAMS SALE

EX-NICOLAS CAGE BUGATTI 101

HEADS FOR BONHAMS SALE

 

 

 

The stunning ex-Nicolas Cage 1954 Bugatti 101 is incredibly rare. One of only six 101s built, and the only one featuring this particular Antem designed coachwork, it’s one of the most anticipated lots at Bonhams upcoming Chantilly Sale, taking place in France on 5 September. 

 

It’s believed that Cage purchased the Bugatti around the time he starred in the film, Gone in Sixty Seconds. Also featuring Angelina Jolie, the film was a cinematic homage to the allure of rare and beautiful motor cars.

 

As life imitates art, Cage, like his character, also has a passion for rare and beautiful motor cars, the Bugatti 101 the perfect example.

 

In 1951 it was announced that the Bugatti factory intended to produce just 50 cars for delivery in July 1952. In the event, Bugatti's other interests took precedence over the revived road car project and only six Type 101s were completed, making it one of the marques rarest models. It is offered at estimate €1,500,000-1,800,000 (£1,100,000-1,300,000).

 

Philip Kantor, Bonhams European Head of Motoring, said: “The 101 offered is one of just six 101s built, and the only one featuring this particular design of unique coupé coachwork by Antem. It’s exceptionally stylish, with a beautiful black over red colour combination which is reflected in its vibrant red leather interior. Bugatti built two types, the 101 and the 101C, the latter, offered here, equipped with supercharger.” 

 

BONHAMS NEW CHANTILLY SALE

 

Bonhams Chantilly Sale is a brand new black tie evening sale at Chantilly Arts & Elegance, taking place in Chantilly, France, on 5 September 2015.

 

Hosted in the grounds of Château de Chantilly, an hour outside of Paris, the Arts & Elegance event began last year, attracting a crowd of around 10,000 spectators, taking in the delights of the "Concourse d'Elegance" competition for modern concept cars, and a superb "Concourse d'Etat" for classic cars from around the world. The "Art & Elegance" event also plays host to fine art exhibitions, fashion shows, live music and various lifestyle exhibits, all on the grounds of the magnificent château.

 

For further information, visit Bonhams website: http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23127/

 

Entry to Bonhams Chantilly Sale is by catalogue purchase only. To purchase a catalogue, please visit the Bonhams website.

For tickets to Chantilly Arts & Elegance, visit http://peterauto.peter.fr/en