Auctions America racked up more than $15.4m in total sales at its third annual California sale, held July 17–18. The multi-day auction, held for the first time at Santa Monica’s historic Barker Hangar, lifted the gavel on approximately 300 collector vehicles. Vehicles drove onto the auction podium via the tail section of a C130.
Bidders hailed from 11 countries around the world; 43% of bidders represented first-time clientele.
Two very dififerent cars tied for high-sale honors: a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster and a 2004 Ferrari Enzo, both sold at $1,870,000. Rounding out the sale’s top three and also achieving seven figures was a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS at $1,622,500.
Additional notable sales included:
· a beautifully restored 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 cabriolet, for an above-estimate $407,000;
· an iconic 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition, one of the most widely recognized supercars ever produced and showing just 6,500 miles, for $360,250; and
· the eye-catching 1955 Ford “Beatnik Bubbletop” Custom, the world’s largest bubbletop custom car, offered by eclectic collector and star of A&E’s “Storage Wars,” Barry Weiss, for $165,000.
In addition, solid results were also recorded for a variety of Porsches, illustrating a growing appetite for the marque. A freshly restored 1972 Porsche 911T coupe, striking in Gemini Blue Metallic, commanded $140,250, while a 1996 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo, one of the most desired models of the Porsche series, garnered $165,000, and a 2007 Porsche GT3 RS, a true street legal racing machine, found $192,500.
Auctions America California – Top Five Sales
1. 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roaster – $1,870,000
2. 2004 Ferrari Enzo – $1,870,000
3. 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS – $1,622,500
4. 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 cabriolet – $407,000
5. 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition – $360,250
Auctions America continues its 2015 calendar with its flagship Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend, September 2–6. Returning to the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana, this multi-day event will lift the gavel on some 1,000 collector vehicles, in addition to presenting a car corral, swap meet and a host of other automotive-themed activities for enthusiasts of all ages. Auctions America concludes its 2015 calendar with its debut Hilton Head Island Auction, October 31 in South Carolina, during the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance.
For further information on upcoming events, or to view complete official results from Auctions America’s California event, please visit www.auctionsamerica.com.