HomeMediaAuctions America Auburn sale pushes $20 million

Auctions America Auburn sale pushes $20 million

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Murphy-bodied 1929 Duesenberg Model J leads the way at $1.4 million | Larry Edsall photos
Murphy-bodied 1929 Duesenberg Model J leads the way at $1.4 million | Larry Edsall photos

The 45th anniversary Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend, an auction held at the same time as the annual Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival in northeastern Indiana, produced nearly $20 million in sales and record attendance for Auctions America.

Auctions America, a division of RM Sotheby’s, took over the sale after RM purchased the expansive Auburn Auction Park from Dean Kruse, who had built the facility for Kruse Auctions.

On the block
On the block

“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,” Donnie Gould, president of Auctions America, said in a news release. “It was our greatest attended event to date, comfortably surpassing 2014 crowds with one less day.

“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.”

The diversity of the consignments shows in hammer prices that ranged from four to seven figures. Bidders represented 45 states and 13 countries, and the car corral and swap meet area drew more than 6.8 miles of vendor booths and vehicles for sale. Total attendance was more than 85,000.

More than 870 cars crossed the side-by-side auction blocks with 73 percent selling. Total sales for the auction were $19,684,914, Auctions America reported.

As expected, a 1929 Duesenberg Model J convertible coupe with Murphy bodywork was the top-seller of the Labor Day weekend. The car, in glowing silver paint, sold for $1,402,500.

Two other cars topped $300,000 — a 1959 Costin Jaguar sports racer bringing $363,000 and a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 going for $315,000. All prices include buyer’s premium.

Another car of particular interest, a No. 24 stock car raced by Jeff Gordon, sold for $110,000.

A 2005 Ford GT from the Steve Ramsey collection sold for $266,750. The Ramsey collection included some 40 vehicles as well as automobilia.

'72 Ferrari 365 GTC/4
’72 Ferrari 365 GTC/4

“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,” Ramsey told Auctions America. “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.”

He added that, “When deciding to sell a part of my collection, Auctions America was a natural choice… the incredible crowds, excitement, and results enjoyed this past weekend prove that I made the right decision.

Of the nearly $20 million in weekend auction sales, automobilia contributed some $614,000 with 97 percent of the lots selling. The $614,000 figure was more than $100,000 greater than automobilia sales at the same event in 2014. Highlights this year included a Duesenberg Model J engine that sold for $57,500, a Chris Craft boat bar that went for $32,775, and a Texaco Air Tower sign that brought $29,000.

“We’re very pleased with our results,” said Kurt Forry, Auctions America’s new director of automobilia. “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.”

Auctions America Auburn Fall 2015 — Top 10 sales
1. 1929 Duesenberg Model J convertible coupe, $1,402,500
2. 1959 Costin Jaguar Sports Racer, $363,000
3. 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4, $315,000
4. 2005 Ford GT, $266,750
5. 1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta Convertible, $209,000
6. 1955 Jaguar XK 140MC, $181,500
7. 1960 AC Aceca-Bristol, $176,000
8. 1930 Packard Deluxe Eight, $176,000
9. 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo, $159,500
9. 1964 Jaguar E-type Series I 3.8, $159,500
9. 1968 Intermeccanica Torino, $159,500

Auctions American ends its 2015 season October 31 with its inaugural sale at the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d’Elegance.

 

Larry Edsall
Larry Edsall
A former daily newspaper sports editor, Larry Edsall spent a dozen years as an editor at AutoWeek magazine before making the transition to writing for the web and becoming the author of more than 15 automotive books. In addition to being founding editor at ClassicCars.com, Larry has written for The New York Times and The Detroit News and was an adjunct honors professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

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