HomeMediaRM Auctions will handle downsizing of Andrews Collection in May, 2015

RM Auctions will handle downsizing of Andrews Collection in May, 2015

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This was the first 1963 Shelby 289 Competition Coupe that Carroll Shelby sold | Darin Schnabel photo for RM
This was the first 1963 Shelby 289 Competition Coupe that Carroll Shelby sold | Darin Schnabel photos for RM
The Andrews, Chris (left) and Paul
The Andrews, Chris (left) and Paul

At one point, the father-and-son team of Paul and Chris Andrews had more than 150 vehicles in their classic car collection.

However, said Paul, “When you get down to it, the most fun you can have in a car is using it how it’s meant to be used… on the road.”

On May 2, 2015, the Andrews will pare their museum-filling collection via RM Auctions, which will stage the single-vendor sale at the Andrews’ facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

“We want to get down to a smaller number of cars – perhaps 15 to 20 – that we very much enjoy driving and that we can use on events with the family,” Chris Andrews told RM. “There are a number of events we’d still like to try overseas and here in the United States, and in order to do that, we need to focus on a more manageable collection.”

In addition to some 75 vehicles, the sale will include automobilia the Andrews have collected.

RM’s announcement of the sale said the Andrews Collection is “unrivalled in terms of its quality, presentation and historical significance” and “represents years of acquisition by lifelong enthusiast and successful entrepreneur Paul Andrews and his son Chris, an accomplished artist and businessman in his own right.

Mae West inspired the shape of this Duisenberg
Mae West inspired the shape of this Duisenberg

“The father and son’s shared passion for the hobby, commitment to excellence and dedication to preserving automotive history is immediately apparent when touring their impressive museum,” RM said in the announcement. “It is also reflected in a meticulous and very precise collecting philosophy, which has seen them actively research every acquisition, nurture relationships with the world’s leading experts in a variety of marques and genres, as well as commission work from the top craftsmen and restorers in the country.

“Ultimately, however, all the activity surrounding the collection has proven to be quite challenging and time consuming for the Andrews. Aside from the mechanical work required to keep the cars in superb shape, their museum is used multiple times each year for a variety of charity events in Fort Worth.

“Add to that family and professional commitments (Paul sold his company in 2007 although is yet to retire), and the result is a near round-the-clock endeavor, which takes them away from that which brings them the most joy.”

Rob Myers, RM founder and chairman, said, “Paul and Chris have not only built one of the world’s leading collections, but have curated it in such a way that ensures each car is on the button and ready for any rally or driving event. It is, without question, one of the finest collections we’ve had the privilege of offering.”

1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica
1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica

Cars being offered at the auction include hot rods and American classics, sports and GT cars, highlighted by:

The “Ethel Mars” 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ town car, created for candy heiress Ethel V. Mars but designed with actress Mae West in mind.
A 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica short-wheelbase cabriolet, the last of seven bodied by Pininfarina and with covered headlamps, which was displayed as the factory show car in 1962 at the Geneva and New York auto shows.
A 1963 Shelby 289 Competition Cobra that was one of three factory racers and the first such car Carroll Shelby sold to the public.

There’s much more, as well as automobilia including neon and porcelain signs, hand-made model cars, mascots and even musical instruments.

Here’s a video preview featuring the Andrews.

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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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