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. |
Keith Bluemel |
03/2009 |