Auctions America does $20 million in sales in Fort Lauderdale

Auctions America opened its 2016 collector car calendar by posting $20 million in sales last weekend at its 14th annual Fort Lauderdale auction. The sell-through rate was 70 percent, and nearly 40 percent of the bidders were new clients for the auction house.

“We’re very happy with the results of our 14th annual Fort Lauderdale sale, which was highlighted by numerous spirited bidding contests, making it clear that the auction room was packed with serious collectors,” Donnie Gould, Auctions America president, said in a news release.

“We received highly positive feedback on the diversity of the offering, which is reflected in the top ten sales. From European sports and touring cars of every era through to iconic American classics and muscle and high performance late model collectibles, the group is a fantastic representation of the variety you’ll find in Fort Lauderdale each year.”

In addition to the diversity of the docket, Auctions America pointed out that bidders represented 41 states and 18 nations.

The top sale of the weekend was $649,000 on Saturday for a restored 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. A re-creation of the 1930 Bentley “Blue Train” brought $522,500. Prices include buyer’s premiums.

Also selling for more than half-a-million was a 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 S in cream with tan leather that went for $506,000.

Among big-block American muscle cars, a 430-horsepower 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe, one of only 69 produced, went for $404,250 while a 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda, one of 16 with a factory-installed four-speed manual transmission, topped its pre-sale estimate by selling for $330,000.

Among highlights outside the top-10 sales were a 1999 Ferrari F355 Spider Serie Fiorano that sold for a record $211,750; a hotly contested — by bidders in the room and on the phone — 1966 Bentley S3 Continental drophead coupe by Park Ward that went for $220,000, $60,000 higher than its high pre-sale estimate; and a 1964 Ford Falcon Futura resto-mod that generated $25,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.

Top 10 sales, Auctions America Fort Lauderdale

1. 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, $649,000
2. 1930 Bentley “Blue Train” re-creation, $522,500
3. 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300S, $506,000
4. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, $404,250
5. 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda, $330,000
6. 2005 Ford GT, $319,000
7. 1965 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang, $314,600
8. 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR, $275,000
9. 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5, $269,500
10. 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, $264,000

(Prices include buyer’s premium.)

Auctions America’s next sale is May 5-7 at its home grounds, the Auburn Auction Park in northeastern Indiana. Some 500 vehicles are expected to be offered along with various automobilia. The weekend also will include a swap meet and car corral and a new Automotive Midway with display vehicles, club and manufacturer displays, detailing demonstrations and more.