Gooding & Company Brings the Best of Britain to Beautiful Amelia Island for its March 2011 Collector Car Auction

Gooding & Company, the internationally-celebrated auction house, will be returning to Northeast Florida for its 2011 Amelia Island Auction on Friday, March 11.  The auction house is thrilled to announce three early consignments representing Britain’s significant pre- and post-war automotive achievements: the first 1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy imported to America, a stunning 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca Drop Head Coupe by Gurney Nutting and a 1962 Lotus 23B vintage racer formerly owned by famed driver Brian Redman.  The March 11 auction will be held at the award-winning Omni Amelia Island Plantation, commencing at 5 p.m.

“We achieved great results and received a tremendous positive reaction following our 2010 Amelia Island Auction,” says David Gooding, President and founder of Gooding & Company.  “Our team is thrilled to return to the enchanting Omni Amelia Island Plantation this March, when we will be bringing more of the world’s very best examples to auction.”

The auction house created waves on the Atlantic coast at the last Amelia Island Auction with more than $16.14 Million in sales for 58 lots sold, setting world records for the weekend’s top-selling $2.75 Million 1931 Voisin Mylord Demi-Berline and the $1.705 Million 1961 Porsche RS61 Spyder purchased by the legendary Sir Stirling Moss.

The stunning 1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy being offered in March is one of the oldest surviving examples, the first XK120 ever imported to the U.S. and the only example finished in Blue Sheen paint. Initially delivered to influential New York foreign car dealer and racing enthusiast Max Hoffman, the car was used as a promotional model at early sports car races, including the 1949 Watkins Glen Grand Prix, where he drove it in the parade preceding the main event.  The current owner has completed an exhaustive, multiple-award winning restoration, participated in the XK60 Diamond Tour and set a new record in JCNA Slalom.  Its auction estimate is $375,000 – $550,000.

“A better car does not exist the world over,” said Britain’s legendary “Speed King” Captain Sir Malcolm Campbell, referring to a Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca Drop Head Coupe.

With its close-coupled body, two-position convertible top and low windshield, the Midnight Blue 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca Drop Head Coupe being offered remains one of the best looking cars of the period. It is a genuine, highly-desirable automobile with all its original parts and is one of a few Sedanca Coupes coachbuilt by the legendary Gurney Nutting.  The estimate for this exceptional Rolls-Royce is $400,000 – $500,000.

The 1962 Lotus 23B is a powerful and agile race car, formerly owned by the legendary British race car drivers Brian Redman and Bob Snodgrass of Brumos Racing. Throughout the years, this car has enjoyed many miles of vintage racing and is still very capable.  Following a fully-documented, two-year restoration in 2008, this Lotus is one of the best-prepared examples and is equipped with a 167 hp Ford-Lotus 1600 cc twin-cam engine. This car’s estimate is $175,000 – $225,000.

The auction will be held on Friday, March 11, 2011, commencing at 5 p.m. Guests may preview the cars on Thursday, March 10, from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Friday, March 11, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at the Racquet Park located at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation at 6800 First Coast Highway in Amelia Island, one mile south of the Amelia Island Parkway.  Local shuttles running from the Racquet Park auction site to other areas of interest will be available for guests’ convenience. Auction catalogues cost $75 and admit two to the viewing and auction. General admission tickets to the viewing and auction may be purchased for $30 per person.  For additional vehicle information and up-to-the-minute results, follow Gooding & Company on Facebook and Twitter @GoodingCompany.