Editor’s note: The ClassicCars.com Journal will be covering all of the action during Arizona Auction Week in Scottsdale, Arizona. Check out our other coverage here
Although Barrett-Jackson has been selling collector cars for three days, Wednesday was the first day of Arizona Auction Week 2019 featuring action at multiple venues, and that action really kicks up Thursday as Bonhams, Russo and Steele and RM Sotheby’s open their dockets for bidding.
Silver Auctions Arizona and Worldwide Auctioneers have concluded their 2019 Arizona sales.
Overall, analysts from the Hagerty Insider, who are tracking the Arizona auction action, report that sales have improved by 11 percent in the numbers of vehicles sold and by 17 percent in the prices paid, compared with the same events a year ago. In addition to its new Hagerty Insider online publication, the company offers live auction results through a smartphone app.
Hagerty, the collector car insurance and vehicle valuation company, also reports that nearly 70 percent of the Arizona auction vehicles have been bid to “above condition-appropriate prices,” and that cars from the 1950s to 1980 have performed “markedly better than in 2017,” especially those priced between $25,000 and $50,000. In particular, vintage pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles have performed very well on the auction blocks.
As the week unfolds, such entry-level vehicles fill the early days dockets, before Bonhams, RM Sotheby’s and Gooding begin their auctions and before Barrett-Jackson cranks up with its best cars through the weekend. Thus all of the Top-10 overall sales so far this week occurred Wednesday evening at Worldwide’s auction, where the top sale was $990,000 for a 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL roadster.
Overall, Worldwide’s auction generated $9.1 million in sales, a significant improvement compared with its $6.1 million auction in 2018 in Arizona.
Arizona Auction Week results to day
Total sales: $30.6 million
829 of 1,093 lots sold, 76 percent sell-through rate
Average sale price: $36,970
2018 cumulative results through Wednesday:
Total sales: $27.7 million
876 of 1,085 lots sold, 81 percent sell-through rate
Average sale price: $31,617
Overall top-10 sales
1. 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster, $990,000 (Worldwide Auctioneers)
2. 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster, $687,500 (Worldwide Auctioneers)
3. 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster, $632,500 (Worldwide Auctioneers)
4. 1936 Duesenberg Model JN Rollston convertible sedan, $605,000 (Worldwide Auctioneers)
5. 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 coupe, $522,500 (Worldwide Auctioneers)
6. 1931 Duesenberg Model J Judkins limousine, $506,000 (Worldwide Auctioneers)
7. 1947 Delahaye 135M cabriolet, $357,500 (Worldwide Auctioneers)
8. 1927 Bentley 3-Litre Sports Tourer, $330,000 (Worldwide Auctioneers)
9. 1932 Auburn 12-160A Custom Speedster, $291,500 (Worldwide Auctioneers)
10. 1966 Jaguar E-Type SI 4.2 roadster, $266,750 (Worldwide Auctioneers)
Results by auction company
BARRETT-JACKSON
Total sales: $19.1 million
636 of 636 lots sold, 100 percent sell-through rate
Average sale price: $29,999
Top 10 sales:
1. 1970 Plymouth GTX hardtop coupe, $132,000
2. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 convertible, $110,000
3. 1969 Dodge Charger R/T hardtop coupe, $110,000
4. 1948 Chevrolet Series 3100 1/2 ton pickup, $99,000
5. 1970 Porsche 911 T coupe, $92,400
6. 1961 Ford F-100 1/2 Ton Unibody Styleside short bed, $88,000
7. 1957 Chevrolet 210 sport coupe, $88,000
8. 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R coupe, $82,500
9. 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 SportsRoof, $78,100
10. 1962 Chevrolet Corvair 95 Rampside pickup, $77,000
2018 results through Wednesday
Total sales: $18.4 million
648 of 648 lots sold: 100 percent sell-through rate
Average sales price: $28,426
WORLDWIDE AUCTIONEERS
Total sales: $9.1 million
54 of 73 lots sold, 74 percent sell-through rate
Average sales price: $168,260
Top 10 sales:
1. 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster, $990,000
2. 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster, $687,500
3. 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster, $632,500
4. 1936 Duesenberg Model JN Rollston convertible sedan, $605,000
5. 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 coupe, $522,500
6. 1931 Duesenberg Model J Judkins limousine, $506,000
7. 1947 Delahaye 135M cabriolet, $357,500
8. 1927 Bentley 3-Litre Sports Tourer, $330,000
9. 1932 Auburn 12-160A Custom Speedster, $291,500
10. 1966 Jaguar E-Type SI 4.2 roadster, $266,750
2018 results
Total sales: $6.1 million
50 of 82 lots sold, 61 percent sell-through rate
Average sales price: $122,319
SILVER AUCTIONS ARIZONA
Total sales: $2.5 million
139 of 384 lots sold, 36 percent sell-through rate
Average sales price: $17,861
Top 10 sales:
1. 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 convertible, $84,240
2. 1932 Ford Model 18 sport coupe, $59,400
3. 1969 Pontiac GTO coupe, $52,920
4. 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air sedan, $51,840
5. 1958 Pontiac Bonneville hardtop coupe, $49,680
6. 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Seville hardtop, $49,500
7. 1932 Hupmobile Series F-222 convertible, $49,140
8. 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Fisher Deluxe convertible coupe, 2/4-p., $48,600
9. 1931 REO Royale Model 35 sedan, $45,360
10. 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible, $43,200
2018 results
Total sales: $3.2 million
178 of 355 lots sold: 50 percent sell-through rate
Average sales price: $17,756