Ypsilanti, MI, May 27, 2008 – North American-based RM Auctions will pay tribute to the innovative work of some of the automotive industry’s earliest pioneers when the annual Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook event rolls into Rochester, Michigan on August 2nd, 2008.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the majestic Meadow Brook Hall at Oakland University, this year’s event will present over 100 years of industry milestones. Meadow Brook Hall is regarded as the fourth largest historic house museum in the United States and was built between 1926 and 1929 as the residence of Matilda Dodge Wilson (widow of American automobile manufacturing pioneer, John Dodge) and her second husband, lumber broker Alfred G. Wilson. The property was donated to the Michigan State University in 1957 and is today part of Oakland University.
“As one of the grandest of all the iconic automotive estates, Meadow Brook Hall is the perfect setting for our auction and the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance,” said Mike Fairbairn, Executive Vice President of RM Auctions.
“One can imagine that many of the cars on offer, and that participate in the concours, are the types of cars that may have visited Meadow Brook Hall during it’s glory days.
“With an extensive line-up of historically important automobiles confirmed, our Meadow Brook Hall event will present a range of exclusive ownership opportunities for professional collectors, particularly those with a passion for early automotive design and innovations,” he added.
Falling into the rare and unusual category are a line-up of vehicles from days past: a very early steam-powered 1900 Locomobile Runabout; an extraordinary, handcrafted 1909 Metz Two; a sporty 1914 Lozier Meadowbrook Runabout; a rare 1924 Hupmobile Roadster; and an extremely scarce 1931 Ruxton Roadster. Each innovative for their time, many of these early marques disappeared or were amalgamated, rendering these examples particularly rare, and hence, highly sought after finds in today’s collector car market. Their inclusion in the RM sale represents the company’s commitment to offering and sharing America’s automotive history.
In addition to celebrating the pioneering days of automotive design, the Meadow Brook Hall event will also commemorate several other important industry milestones, namely the 100th anniversary of General Motors and the 75th anniversary of 1933 year models, both of which are featured categories in this year’s famed Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance.
Other notable consignments for the event include: a majestic 1929 Duesenberg Murphy Convertible Coupe; a luxurious, Italian-built 1930 Isotta-Fraschini; a stunning 1931 Auburn 898 Speedster; a rare 1937 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe; a race-bred 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing; and a range of important Packards, including a 1934 Packard Twelve Formal Sedan and a 1940 Model 120 Convertible Coupe.
RM Auctions’ Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook auction event will be held at the Shotwell Gustafson Pavilion at Meadow Brook Hall on the grounds of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, beginning at 11am on Saturday, August 2nd, 2008. Vehicles can be previewed beginning Friday morning, August 1st, from 9am until 5pm. Admission to the event is by catalog only, which is available for $80 US, and admits two people. For further information or to purchase a catalog, visit www.rmauctions.com or call (800)-211-4371 (within North America), or +1-519-352-4575.
To make for the ultimate vintage car weekend for motoring enthusiasts, the auction will be closely followed by the famed Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, on Sunday 3rd August, which is this year celebrating its 30th anniversary. For further information on the concours event and ticket prices, please visit www.meadowbrookconcours.org.