“Variety” is the buzzword for this year’s Auctions America by RM June 1-3 Auburn Spring auction, which will offer a huge range of collector vehicles and an enormous private collection of automotive memorabilia. More than 600 American muscle cars, Classics, foreign sports cars and hot rods will cross the block at the historic Auburn Auction Park, the company’s national headquarters in Auburn, Indiana. “Last year was our first spring event at the park,” said Auctions America by RM’s President Donnie Gould. “Our expectations were high, and we met those expectations. This year, we are raising the bar substantially for the number […]
“Variety” is the buzzword for this year’s Auctions America by RM June 1-3 Auburn Spring auction, which will offer a huge range of collector vehicles and an enormous private collection of automotive memorabilia. More than 600 American muscle cars, Classics, foreign sports cars and hot rods will cross the block at the historic Auburn Auction Park, the company’s national headquarters in Auburn, Indiana.
“Last year was our first spring event at the park,” said Auctions America by RM’s President Donnie Gould. “Our expectations were high, and we met those expectations. This year, we are raising the bar substantially for the number and quality of cars offered.”
Fans of stately American Classics will appreciate the 1930 Duesenberg Boattail Speedster (est. $500,000 – $650,000) with bodywork in the style of the great Murphy coachbuilder. The Duesie’s inline eight-cylinder engine is fitted with dual carburetors and a supercharger – one of the most potent combinations available from the Indiana-based manufacturer – and the trademark external exhaust pipes. The red-and-black beauty features desirable sidemount spare tires and dual Pilot Ray lights that follow the direction of the front wheels. Another sterling example from the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg family is a 1930 Auburn Cabriolet (est. $60,000 – $80,000) that was owned by noted collector Tom Lester for the last four decades.
Muscle cars from the 1960s and early 1970s are always plentiful at Auburn Spring. This year’s event will feature a 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV coupe (est. $115,000 – $145,000), a triple-black collectible that has enjoyed a body-off-frame restoration and comes with full Pontiac Historical Society documentation.
Enthusiasts of American convertibles from the 1950s have plenty to cheer about at Auburn Spring. The list of exciting droptops includes one of only 500 1955 Packard Caribbeans (est. $90,000 – $110,000), a 1957 Ford Thunderbird(est. $80,000 – $100,000) with a rare factory “E-code” twin-carburetor V-8 engine, a fuel-injected 1957 Pontiac Bonneville (est. $200,000 – $250,000) and a 1958 Chevrolet Impala (est. $120,000 – $135,000).
Exotic models from the legendary automakers of Europe will be represented with a 1959 Jaguar XK150 S roadster (est. $100,000 – $125,000) powered by a double-overhead camshaft inline six-cylinder engine, a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SE coupe (est. $30,000 – $40,000) with red leather interior and a sliding power sunroof and a 36,300-mile 1969 DeTomaso Mangusta mid-engine sports car (est. $75,000 – $100,000) being offered at no reserve.
For collectors who don’t have room in their homes for more full-size cars, a large private collection of automotive memorabilia features hundreds of premium scale models from Danbury Mint and Pocher, a huge selection of vintage mascots and hood ornaments, neon signs and original paintings from Automotive Fine Arts Society members such as Tom Hale and Ken Eberts. The centerpiece of the collection is a 48×54-inch Alfredo de la Maria painting of a Rolls-Royce with an estimated value between $7,000 and $10,000.
“Some of the best collector cars in the country come to our two Auburn sales,” said Gould. “The top seller at last year’s Auburn Spring auction was a $404,250 1932 Duesenberg Model J, but that doesn’t mean everything we offer is that expensive.
“We have several good entry-level collector cars coming this year, like a 1981 Corvette coupe that will sell at no reserve with an estimated value between $5,000 and $10,000. Or, if you like foreign cars, there’s a restored 1971 Fiat 500 estimated between $15,000 and $20,000.”
Tickets to the auction are $10 for a daily pass or $25 for a full event pass, and admission is free for the preview on Thursday, May 31. The auction runs Friday, June 1, through Sunday, June 3. Internet, absentee and telephone bidding options are available for those unable to attend the event in person. Full event details and a list of auction offerings are available online at www.auctionsamerica.com.
The auction will stream live online at www.auctionsamerica.com to provide real-time coverage of the event.