$2.75 MILLION DUESENBERG MODEL J CONVERTIBLE COUPE TOPS RM AUCTIONS’ VINTAGE MOTOR CARS IN ARIZONA SALE
Single-Day Auction Sales is Highest in Six-Year History of Event, Marked by Record Sales of a 1962 Presidential “Bubbletop” Lincoln Continental and 1933 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Coupe
PHOENIX, Arizona (January 31, 2005) – RM Auctions’ 6th annual Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona was a tremendous success, posting record sales of $18.7 million, and a sales rate of 95% during the single-day event hosted at the magnificent Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Bidder registration increased over 60%, leading to a spirited setting and record prices in the auction hall.
The auction’s top seller was the 1934 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe which crossed the block for $2.75 million. This Duesenberg was one of the most expensive and luxurious American cars ever built featuring La Grande coachwork by the A.H. Walker Company of Indiana. The car received a fresh 100-point restoration by Fran Roxas and won the First in Class award at Pebble Beach in 2004.
The Duesenberg was followed closely in the bidding by the 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT “Zagato” Coupe, which was also hammered down for nearly $2.7 million and the 1953 Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia Competition Berlinetta which sold for $1.4 million.
Two cars broke records in Arizona, the 1962 Presidential “Bubbletop” Lincoln Continental and a 1933 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Coupe. The “Bubbletop,” was primarily used by the first lady, Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy and subsequently used by President John F. Kennedy, visiting world leaders and dignitaries. The sale recorded the highest price for a Lincoln at public auction, with a final selling price of $632,500. The second is a 1933 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Coupe, which is one of the world’s rarest and finest examples of a classic Stutz which also broke the record for a public sale at $781,000.
“When cars of this quality and rarity are offered, serious collectors and investors know this was an opportunity to acquire the very best,” says Rob Myers of RM Auctions. “We suspected this year’s selection of historically significant and impeccably restored cars was poised to set new records and we were not disappointed.”
Other notable vehicle sales that contributed to the record-setting total included: · 1933 Auburn 12-165 Salon Twelve Speedster - $506,000 · 1931 Marmon Sixteen Conv. Coupe - $456,500 · 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa - $385,000 · 1953 Chrysler Ghia GS-1 Thomas Special - $354,750 · 1957 BMW 507 Roadster - $346,500 · 1935 Auburn Boatail Speedster - $335,500 · 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster - $297,000 · 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial Phaeton - $230,000
RM heads to Florida’s Gold Coast for the next sale, the Boca Raton Collector Car Auction. Held at the prestigious Royal Palm Polo Grounds in Boca Raton, Florida, on February 11, 12 & 13, 2005, over 20,000 car enthusiasts are expected to converge over this annual three-day weekend event and the auction will fuel their automotive passion with over 400 special interest automobiles available for sale.
RM Auctions will also host another important Florida sale of over 100 of the world’s rarest and most desirable collector cars at the “Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island” event, on March 12, 2005. The Amelia Island sale will be held at the elegant Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Amelia Island, located just north of Jacksonville, Florida. Admission to the Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island sale is by catalog only, which admits both the catalog holder and a guest. Auction catalogs will be available in February for $60 U.S., including shipping and handling within North America, by calling 800-211-4371.
Celebrating 25 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions, Inc., and its sister companies are responsible for acquiring, restoring and selling of the world’s rarest and most expensive vintage automobiles, including Best of Show winning cars at the prestigious Meadow Brook and Pebble Beach Concours. For additional information on RM Auctions Inc., please call (800) 211-4371 or visit the corporate web site at www.rmauctions.com.
Media Contact:
Terrance D. Lobzun
media@rmauctions.com
519-352-4575
PHOENIX, Arizona (January 31, 2005) – RM Auctions’ 6th annual Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona was a tremendous success, posting record sales of $18.7 million, and a sales rate of 95% during the single-day event hosted at the magnificent Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Bidder registration increased over 60%, leading to a spirited setting and record prices in the auction hall.
The auction’s top seller was the 1934 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe which crossed the block for $2.75 million. This Duesenberg was one of the most expensive and luxurious American cars ever built featuring La Grande coachwork by the A.H. Walker Company of Indiana. The car received a fresh 100-point restoration by Fran Roxas and won the First in Class award at Pebble Beach in 2004.
The Duesenberg was followed closely in the bidding by the 1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT “Zagato” Coupe, which was also hammered down for nearly $2.7 million and the 1953 Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia Competition Berlinetta which sold for $1.4 million.
Two cars broke records in Arizona, the 1962 Presidential “Bubbletop” Lincoln Continental and a 1933 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Coupe. The “Bubbletop,” was primarily used by the first lady, Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy and subsequently used by President John F. Kennedy, visiting world leaders and dignitaries. The sale recorded the highest price for a Lincoln at public auction, with a final selling price of $632,500. The second is a 1933 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Coupe, which is one of the world’s rarest and finest examples of a classic Stutz which also broke the record for a public sale at $781,000.
“When cars of this quality and rarity are offered, serious collectors and investors know this was an opportunity to acquire the very best,” says Rob Myers of RM Auctions. “We suspected this year’s selection of historically significant and impeccably restored cars was poised to set new records and we were not disappointed.”
Other notable vehicle sales that contributed to the record-setting total included: · 1933 Auburn 12-165 Salon Twelve Speedster - $506,000 · 1931 Marmon Sixteen Conv. Coupe - $456,500 · 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa - $385,000 · 1953 Chrysler Ghia GS-1 Thomas Special - $354,750 · 1957 BMW 507 Roadster - $346,500 · 1935 Auburn Boatail Speedster - $335,500 · 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster - $297,000 · 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial Phaeton - $230,000
RM heads to Florida’s Gold Coast for the next sale, the Boca Raton Collector Car Auction. Held at the prestigious Royal Palm Polo Grounds in Boca Raton, Florida, on February 11, 12 & 13, 2005, over 20,000 car enthusiasts are expected to converge over this annual three-day weekend event and the auction will fuel their automotive passion with over 400 special interest automobiles available for sale.
RM Auctions will also host another important Florida sale of over 100 of the world’s rarest and most desirable collector cars at the “Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island” event, on March 12, 2005. The Amelia Island sale will be held at the elegant Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Amelia Island, located just north of Jacksonville, Florida. Admission to the Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island sale is by catalog only, which admits both the catalog holder and a guest. Auction catalogs will be available in February for $60 U.S., including shipping and handling within North America, by calling 800-211-4371.
Celebrating 25 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions, Inc., and its sister companies are responsible for acquiring, restoring and selling of the world’s rarest and most expensive vintage automobiles, including Best of Show winning cars at the prestigious Meadow Brook and Pebble Beach Concours. For additional information on RM Auctions Inc., please call (800) 211-4371 or visit the corporate web site at www.rmauctions.com.
Media Contact:
Terrance D. Lobzun
media@rmauctions.com
519-352-4575
