Gooding Unveils Two Final Additions for Pebble Beach

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA (July 28, 2009) – Gooding & Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, is delighted to announce the consignment of the 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Roadster, formerly owned by Prince Serge M’Divani, and the 1927 Packard 343 Convertible Sedan from the estate of Racing Legend Phil Hill. These two exceptional and highly-coveted cars will be available at the annual Pebble Beach Auction on August 15 and 16, 2009. Enthusiasts may witness or participate in the auction by attending the event or viewing via live webcast on Goodingco.com.

“The Prince M’Divani Duesenberg is a one-off masterpiece in the classic art of coachbuilding,” says David Gooding, founder and president of Gooding & Company. “It is one of the finest Duesenbergs in existence and we are thrilled to present it for sale.”

A Triumph in Duesenberg Design:

Crowning the cover of Gooding & Company’s 2009 Pebble Beach catalogue, the regal 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Roadster with coachwork by Bohman & Schwartz will be an exciting highlight offered at Gooding & Company’s Sunday evening auction. One of 36 SJs created in 1935 and later described to be the most successful Bohman & Schwartz design ever created for Duesenberg, Chassis 2596 was originally an extravagant gift passed from Woolworth heiress, Barbara Hutton, to her very close friend Prince Serge M’Divani, of the Soviet Georgian Noble family. The car was later purchased during the 1950s by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club’s then president, Jerry Gebby. Mr. Gebby was famous for driving his spectacular Duesenberg at speed, even once competing in the Pike’s Hill Climb. During one of his many speed drives, Mr. Gebby drove the Prince M’Divani Duesenberg from Dayton to Tucson at an average of 103 mph!

“The Champion’s Champion” — Phil Hill’s Best of Show-Winning Packard:

For the first time ever at auction, this 1927 Packard 343 Convertible Sedan, once owned and personally restored by Racing Legend Phil Hill, is a car to watch at the Gooding & Company Sunday evening auction. The only Murphy-bodied 343 believed to exist, this car left the Detroit plant as a bare chassis in 1927 and landed in the Pasadena workshop of the famed Walter M. Murphy Company, where it was custom fit with luxurious coachwork and later sold in Santa Monica. Purchased by Phil Hill in 1967, the car was later restored to immaculate condition in the original Packard lilac color-combination by Phil Hill himself together with renowned partner Ken Vaughn. With this car, Phil Hill won his second Best of Show trophy at the 1977 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

“Phil Hill was quite simply the most knowledgeable, intuitive and passionate automotive authority I have ever met. His pursuit of perfection led him to be not only America’s first World Champion Rally Driver, but also the leading classic car restorer of our time. Phil’s quest for perfection is exemplified in his Best of Show-winning Packard which took him many years to complete.” says David Gooding.

Other highlights include two California SpYders and the Michael Schudroff collection of important post-war motorcars, the majority of which will be sold at no reserve.

The Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction is located at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center. Preview days will be from Wednesday, August 12 through Sunday, August 16, 2009. The Saturday evening auction will commence at 5:00 PM and the Sunday evening auction will commence at 6:00 PM. Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction catalogues are available for $100 and admit two to the viewing and the auction. General admission to the viewing and the auction can be purchased at the tent for $40 per person. Bidder registration forms, press credentials and additional auction information are available at www.goodingco.com.