RM Sotheby’s will offer single-owner collection of 230 cars

Editor’s note: On January 18, the South Bend (Indiana) Tribute reported that the “Elkhart Collection” comprises cars owned by Najeeb Khan, former owner of Interlogic Outsourcing Inc., who was accused of fraud and is involved in multiple lawsuits as a result. His car collection is being sold to pay his creditors.

As it readied for its annual Arizona auction of collector cars, RM Sotheby’s announced it will stage a 230-car single-collection auction May 1-2 at Elkhart, Indiana. The docket also will include 30 motorcycles, a wooden boat, collectibles and more, the auction house said in its announcement.

“The quality of the cars and the way that the Elkhart Collection has been maintained and looked after is incredible,” Gord Duff, global head of auctions for RM Sotheby’s, was quoted in the news release. “The building that they’ve been housed in is much more than a storage facility and has been designed specifically for the care of collector cars. 

“More than ever, it’s true to say that there is quite literally something for anyone in the collector car hobby within this group of cars, from microcars, to classics, ‘50s and ‘60s sports cars, the modern era, and beyond,” he added. 

“If there’s something you like, you’ll likely find it in the Elkhart Collection.

“These cars are all great examples of their kind, meticulously chosen for the collection, and we’re excited to bring them to market almost entirely without reserve for an auction the entire hobby can enjoy.”

While not revealing the consignor, or perhaps the estate involved, RM Sotheby’s said the docket will include trucks and trailers and that nearly all of the cars, motorcycles and automobilia will be offered at no reserve.

“The culmination of decades of careful and targeted collecting of some of the finest motorcars by a single owner, the Elkhart Collection comprises some of the most exceptional marques and models in automotive history,” the auction house said. “The focus is at once broad yet highly selective, from sporting British and Italian cars to microcars, classics, supercars, modern sports cars, 1950s convertibles and coach-built icons.”

Although it has yet to reveal the complete docket, RM Sotheby’s said the vehicles will include a 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia formerly owned by General Motors designer Henry Lauve, a 1969 Lamborghini Miura upgraded to SV specification, a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 upgraded to Vantage spec, and a 1963 Jaguar E-type lightweight continuation car.

Also, a 1968 Iso Grifo GL Series I upgraded to 7-liter spec and a 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S.

However, it added, the docket will include vehicles valued from $10,000.

“Additional cars on offer range from a London-to-Brighton veteran and still-eligible 1903 Clement 12/16 HP Rear-Entrance Tonneau, to the Classic Era beauty of a genuine factory-supercharged 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged ‘Sportsman’ Cabriolet, and the unmistakable tailfins of a Hampton Green 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz,” the auction house said.