BLENHEIM, ONTARIO, CANADA (April 28, 2009) – One of the most historically significant collections of pre- and post-war wood-bodied station wagons ever assembled will be offered at RM Auctions’ Sports & Classics of Monterey event August 13-15, 2009, at the Portola Plaza Hotel, Monterey, California. The offering of the distinguished Nick Alexander Collection will see RM Auctions extend its annual, highly-anticipated Sports & Classics of Monterey event to three days this year, with all the auction action kicking off on Thursday, August 13 with the sale of the private collection all to be offered without reserve, followed by a magnificent selection […]
BLENHEIM, ONTARIO, CANADA (April 28, 2009) – One of the most historically significant collections of pre- and post-war wood-bodied station wagons ever assembled will be offered at RM Auctions’ Sports & Classics of Monterey event August 13-15, 2009, at the Portola Plaza Hotel, Monterey, California.
The offering of the distinguished Nick Alexander Collection will see RM Auctions extend its annual, highly-anticipated Sports & Classics of Monterey event to three days this year, with all the auction action kicking off on Thursday, August 13 with the sale of the private collection all to be offered without reserve, followed by a magnificent selection of other important and significant collector cars on August 14 and August 15.
“Known worldwide as one of the most significant woody collections ever assembled, RM Auctions is truly delighted to represent this outstanding group of cars at the Monterey event,” said Ian Kelleher, President, RM Auctions. “With all 52 examples being offered without reserve, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event that will raise the bar of auction offerings on the Monterey Peninsula this August.”
Each of the 52 Ford and Mercury wood-bodied station wagons from this esteemed Nick Alexander Collection have either undergone an extensive and historically accurate restoration, or have been carefully preserved to maintain their remarkable original condition. Several of the collection’s highlight cars are multiple award-winners with examples from each decade of the celebrated American woody era from the early 1930s to the mid 1950s.
Each of the cars are presented in their original factory configuration void of any aftermarket accessories or unnecessary accoutrements, a testament to the skilled restoration team. Each car is highlighted with specific emphasis on the preservation of its original configuration and accordingly, those that have underwent restoration were done so to their original factory configuration, something seldom seen in today’s restoration world.
Several of the significant examples offered at this event include the following:
*1932 Ford Station Wagon – Fully restored and spectacularly presented, this is one of only 351 V8 woodies built in 1932. After being recovered in the 1960s by a California school teacher it remained in storage for many years before it was acquired by a noted Arizona Ford collector, from whom Mr. Alexander purchased the car and conducted a full show-quality restoration. Following completion the car received the prestigious Dearborn Award at Pismo Beach from the Early Ford V8 Club (2001).
*1946 Mercury Sportsman – Exceptionally rare, this Mercury Sportsman is one of only 205 examples built for one single year, compared to its more prolific Ford counterparts. Purchased new by a steel executive in Ohio it was owned by a prominent woody enthusiast before being acquired by Mr. Alexander. It benefits from a very high quality restoration and was honored with the prestigious Dearborn Award in 2004 (994 points). With just a handful of these Mercury Sportsmans remaining in existence, this handsome example certainly represents a very rare opportunity for the discerning collector.
*1948 Ford Sportsman – Gifted new to a San Diego school teacher by her husband on Christmas Day 1947, this lovely Maize Yellow Sportsman carries the highest body number known to marque specialists. It is believed to be the last Ford Sportsman built, one of just 28 in the 1948 model year. After single ownership for many years it was eventually acquired by the Alexander Collection and remains in excellent condition throughout.
A portion of the proceeds from the Nick Alexander Collection will benefit the Midland School in Santa Ynez Valley, California, a coeducational, college preparatory boarding and day school for grades 9-12. Set on a 2,860-acre working ranch, the school emphasizes the values of self-reliance, simplicity, responsibility to community and the environment, and love for the outdoors.
Now in its 24th year, RM’s Sports & Classics of Monterey event was the first and original auction held during the now famous Pebble Beach weekend. Over the past two decades the sale has been witness to some of the rarest and most highly sought after collector cars on the market, carving a reputation as the ‘heart’ of Monterey’s famed annual classic car weekend and one of the world’s largest auction events of its kind.
Admission to the auction is by catalog only, which admits both the catalog holder and a guest. The full-color collectible catalog is available for $150 U.S. (plus shipping), by calling 519-352-4575. Event times and schedule can be found at www.rmauctions.com.
