1941 Thunderbolt LeBaronClassic car collectors will be out in force in January as preeminent international auction house, RM Auctions, kicks off their 2008 event calendar with the return of their much-anticipated “Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona” event. The annual multi-million dollar sale, scheduled for January 18, will once again be held at the prestigious Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa – a setting only surpassed in elegance by the line up of exquisite automobiles on offer. Early highlights of the Arizona auction-line up include two 1941 Chrysler concept cars, a 1941 Thunderbolt LeBaron, once dubbed the “Car of the Future” and a […]
1941 Thunderbolt LeBaron
Classic car collectors will be out in force in January as preeminent international auction house, RM Auctions, kicks off their 2008 event calendar with the return of their much-anticipated “Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona” event.
The annual multi-million dollar sale, scheduled for January 18, will once again be held at the prestigious Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa – a setting only surpassed in elegance by the line up of exquisite automobiles on offer.
Early highlights of the Arizona auction-line up include two 1941 Chrysler concept cars, a 1941 Thunderbolt LeBaron, once dubbed the “Car of the Future” and a striking 1941 Newport LeBaron. The futuristic Thunderbolt made history as the first American retractable hardtop, whilst the significance of the modern-looking Newport lies in it being one of the last dual cowls. At the time of introduction, these cars put Chrysler at the forefront of styling ideas.
The Arizona event will also see Ken “POSIES” Fenical’s specially customized 1947 Chevrolet “Fleetliner” Street Rod cross the block. Another example of modern styling at its best, this car presents a radical concept of mating the era of streamlining with a modern drivetrain chassis.
Other notable early consignments for RM’s Arizona event include some of the world’s most desirable and important vintage motor cars, including :
* A luxurious 1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton by LeBaron
* An elegant 1918 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 Seven Passenger Touring, formerly belonging to lyricist of the patriotic “Yankee Doodle Dandy” tune, George Cohan
* A 1911 Locomobile Model 48 Seven Passenger Touring*
* Three gloriously appointed Packards – a 1930 Packard Model 730 Roadster, a 1934 Packard Twelve Convertible Sedan by Glaser,and a 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible.
Following the Arizona event, RM Auctions will head to Fort Lauderdale on February 15 to 17 for their annual “Florida Collector Car Auction”.
Regarded as Florida’s most significant collector car auction, the three-day sale will once again roll out a magnificent line-up of desirable classics, fast sports cars and furious muscle cars, including seven Shelby GTs, bound to appeal to avid Shelby fans.
Other early highlights of the Fort Lauderdale event include: a 1975 Plymouth GTX Hemi Convertible, one of the most desirable muscle cars in existence; a 1946 Lincoln Continental Indy 500 Pace Car, as driven by Henry Ford II; an original 1968 Shelby GT350 Convertible; and a 1970 Dodge “General Lee” Charger RT, as used in the 2005 blockbuster “Dukes of Hazzard” movie featuring Jessica Simpson and Johnny Knoxville.
Also in Florida in early 2008 is RM’s annual “Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island” event at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Scheduled for March 8, the 2008 event will celebrate RM’s 10th annual sale at Amelia Island – an occasion that will be celebrated by the auction of one of Ford’s most significant motor cars ever built, a rare 1934 Ford Model 40 Special Speedster custom built for Edsel Ford. Often referred to as the Continental Series II Speedster, this exquisite automobile was inspired by a trip to Europe, and was the personal vehicle and alleged favorite of Mr. Edsel Ford from 1934 up until his death in 1943. The car languished in storage for some 40 years before being purchased by its current owner in 1999. Its sale in March presents an extremely rare and unique ownership opportunity, and is expected to draw significant international interest.
RM’s “Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island” event precedes the famed Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance event, coincidentally the very same show that the prized Speedster has participated in on two previous occasions. Together, the auction and concours events make for an ultimate car weekend for classic car enthusiasts.
For further information on RM Auctions and these upcoming events, please visit www.rmauctions.com.
