AUBURN, Ind. – RM Auctions returned to the historic Auburn Auction Park May 29–June 1 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 collectibles. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.
Bidders at the Auburn Spring sale hailed from no less than 11 countries, with more than 40 percent representing first-time RM Auctions clientele.
The Auburn Spring auction sales were led by a diverse top three sales, including a marvelously restored and ACD Club Category One-certified 1930 Cord L-29 Convertible Phaeton Sedan (above) at $157,300, a 2015 Rolls-Royce Wraith offered from single ownership at $156,750, and a 1965 Shelby Cobra 289 CSX 8001 (below), 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. $65,000-$75,000), 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 presale interest, selling for a final $24,500 to more than double its high estimate (est. $6,000-$10,000).
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 collectibles of the late Bob Strauss. The top seller of the collection was the Ford Jubilee neon sign, an 84-by-42-inch 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 color, and working neon, which surpassed its estimate of $10,000-$20,000, bringing in $27,730.
Rounding out RM Auctions’ top ten sales were:
– 1988.5 Ferrari Testarossa: $99,000.
– 1932 Packard 900 Coupe Roadster: $94,600.
– 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda: $93,500.
– 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible (below): $84,150.
– 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III BJ8: $81,400.
– 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 427/390 Convertible: $81,400.
– 1954 Packard Caribbean Convertible: $80,300.
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, Md. The seven-year restoration project wowed the public and other competitors alike.
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