Eisenhower Limousine Consigned for Auburn Sale

Excitement is building for Auction America by RM’s second annual Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend, returning to the Auburn Auction Park, September 1 – 4, 2011.

 Held during the famed Auburn Cord Duesenberg (ACD) Festival, the multi-day event will combine a first-class auction experience with one of the Midwest’s largest car corral and swap meets, making for an ultimate automotive weekend for motoring enthusiasts.

 Eisenhauer Presidential Limousine

After slumbering quietly in Europe for more than two decades, a historically significant 1955 Cadillac Series 75 Presidential Limousine from the Eisenhower White House has returned to America to cross the auction block at Auctions America by RM’s Auburn Fall sale in Indiana next week (September 1 – 4).

Custom built by Hess & Eisenhardt for the Eisenhower White House, the special order limousine, chassis 557555865, is one of approximately 1200 collector cars on offer at this year’s Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend. The multi-day sale in Auburn, Indiana, will also present a select range of vintage motorcycles to cater for collectors of classic two wheelers.

Commissioned in 1955 for the First Lady, Mrs. Eisenhower’s use, as well as to serve as a formal and parade vehicle when needed, this important parade car was delivered straight from the factory in March 1955 to Hess & Eisenhardt, where it underwent a number of special modifications. These included the replacement of the rearmost part of the roof with a section and rear window from a Series 62 Coupe de Ville, resulting in a pillarless “hardtop” limo to allow an excellent viewpoint for press photographers, along with the addition of a sliding sunroof to allow the President and Mrs. Eisenhower to stand in full view of the public when desired. A grab rail was added inside the leading edge of the sunroof to ease the strain of standing in the moving car.

After completion, the car remained in the White House garage for the remainder of Eisenhower’s term before being reportedly sold to an American General. It was acquired by Olivier Delafon, a French collector of presidential automobiles and cars of state in 1988 before being purchased by its current owner in 2006. It is expected to fetch between $175,000 – $225,000 at next week’s auction.

“Presidential cars have long held a strong public fascination as they represent an important slice of American history,” says Donnie Gould President, Auctions America by RM. “Having spent an extended period in Europe, this particular example has remained largely under the collectors’ radar. Fresh to the market, we anticipate strong interest when it crosses the block next week.”

The Eisenhower Presidential Limousine will be joined by a series of other exciting celebrity cars at next week’s Auctions America sale, including the 1933 Cadillac V-12 Convertible Coupe from the Academy Award-winning film Seabiscuit; a luxurious 1938 Packard V-12 Landaulet custom built for tobacco heiress Doris Duke; and a 1970 Cadillac Limousine customized for famous country singer, Johnny Paycheck.

With a strong emphasis on quality American classics, including Detroit muscle and 50s and 60s convertibles, joined by a great roster of European exotics and a unique series of street rods and customs, the auction offering is set to present over 1200 motor cars, catering for a diverse range of automotive tastes. In keeping with the theme of the ACD Festival, early sale highlights include: a Pebble Beach award-winning 1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton¸ formerly part of the renowned Dr. Barbara Atwood Collection; a beautifully-presented, supercharged 1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton, finished in the desirable color combination of Cigarette cream with a red leather interior; and a well-restored 1932 Duesenberg Boattail Speedster. Additional notable entries from the different genres represented include: a well-documented 1969 Dodge Daytona, one of the most coveted of all muscle cars; an exceptional 1969 Yenko Camaro, the recipient of a high-quality, frame-off restoration and showing just over 5,500 miles from new; and, a whimsical 1967 Ford C-Cab Fire Truck, created by legendary custom car builder Chuck Miller and recipient of the Ridler award at the 1968 Detroit Autorama.

 In addition to the automobiles, the Fall event will also feature Auction America by RM’s first extensive bike offering since announcing the development of its new vintage motorcycle division earlier this year. Led by a 1930 Excelsior Super-X, formerly part of the renowned Otis Chandler Collection, and an all-original 1950 Ariel Red Hunter, approximately 70 vintage motorcycles will be up for bids across the weekend.

 “The Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend has been a Labor Day destination and tradition for collector car enthusiasts for over 40 years,” says Donnie Gould, President, Auctions America by RM.

 “We were thrilled with the success of our debut Fall event last September, which saw over 25,000 visitors flock to the Park. With strong early interest, this year’s event is set to be even bigger and better as we present an extended auction offering, unveil a series of new park upgrades and benefit from the expertise of Carlisle Events in organizing one of the Midwest’s largest car corral and swap meets, a key attraction and component of the weekend’s program. We are excited to be continuing this Fall tradition and look forward to bringing the event back to its glory days,” Gould adds.

In addition to the auction, the Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend, September 1 – 4, will host one of the Midwest’s largest car corral and swap meets along with an exclusive Hot Rod & Custom Car seminar. For full event details, visit www.auctionsamerica.com.