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Since 1999, the RM Auction has been a prelude to the famed Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Amelia Island, thus making for a packed classic car weekend for motoring enthusiasts. The auction normally has a “drive across the block” for the lots on offer, but this year they had to remain in the display area, as the space available was condensed due to major new building works on the property. However, this did not detract the international interest, with collectors, enthusiasts and dealers from around the globe in attendance.

RM had over one hundred lots on offer, together with a selection of memorabilia, including some very rare and special automobiles within a truly varied range, spanning many decades of motoring history. A section of the auction that created a lot of interest were nine cars from the Grant Oakes Ford Collection, seven of which were 1932 models, a throwback to his past when he drove that model year to high school every day. Rarities on offer included a 1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat ‘Yellow Peril’ race car with a successful period racing history. Its original owner, John Greenway Albert, modified the car shortly after he bought it to go racing, which included the construction of a unique aluminium body and a special fuel delivery system – making him a pioneer of fuel injection. This car achieved a sale price of US$ 660,000 at the auction. Another one-off, but from a later era, was the only convertible version of the 1954 Packard Panther-Daytona Concept Car, which went to a new owner for US$ 700,000. There was also a very original 1941 Chrysler Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton, which is thought to be one of the earliest concept cars built, one of only six examples made, five of which are believed to survive today.  It was used as the Official Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500, and still wears this livery. This car sold for US$ 687,500.

Other highlights included a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe, which achieved a sale price of US$ 1,072,500, the top fifure in the auction, a 1935 Auburn 851SC Boat Tail Speedster, which made US$ 566,500, a 1966 AC 427 Cobra which went for US$ 675,000, and a Ferrari 275 GTS from the same year sold for US$ 445,500. With post sale lot negotiation, the sale achieved a sale rate of some 83% and a total sales figure exceeding US$ 12 million, showing that even in these difficult financial times, that the collector car market continues to remain strong.

Keith Bluemel

03/2009


RM Auctions Automobiles of Amelia Island - Top 10 Results
Headlining the sale was a historic 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe achieving an impressive $1,072,500, and a multiple award-winning 1935 Auburn 851SC Boattail Speedster selling for $566,500.

A series of nine classic Fords from the private collection of Mr. Grant Oakes changed hands for a total of $700,000. Highlighting the collection, an award-winning 1932 Ford Model 18 Deluxe Three-Window Coupe doubled its original estimate selling for a record price of $165,000.

1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe
$1,072,500

1954 Packard Panther-Daytona Roadster Concept Car
$700,000

1966 AC 427 Cobra
$675,000

1941 Chrysler Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton
$687,500

1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat Racing Car
$660,000

1935 Auburn 851SC Boattail Speedster
$566,500

1966 Ferrari 275 GTS
$445,500

1912 Pierce-Arrow Model 66-QQ 5-Passenger Touring Car
$308,000

1954 Hudson Italia Coupe
$275,000

1937 BMW 328 Cabriolet
$302,500