Texan Collector Prepares to Part With “Triple Crown” and Other Automotive Jewels

Fort Worth, TX. March 4, 2008 –-Texan entrepreneur and lifelong auto enthusiast, Wayne Davis, will share his passion for great American cars with the collector world next month as a selection of his automotive treasures cross the auction block.

Hosted by RM Auctions, the single-day, no-reserve auction event, will take place on April 19 in Southlake, Texas and will mark the first time that many of his automotive treasures have been offered at public auction.

A lifelong auto enthusiast, Davis first joined the car industry after high school, opening his own restoration shop, “Thunderbirds Etc” at age 23. Initially dedicated to the restoration of the classic, first generation 1955 through 1957 Ford T-Birds, Davis quickly diversified his interests to also include pre-war classics, customs, street rods and a variety of other popular American marques from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. From 1995 until last year, Davis balanced his restoration hobby with working as President of Forth Worth’s Regency Conversions, the company he eventually bought in 2004 and recently sold.

Simultaneously, Davis has spent the last two decades accumulating an impressive collection of automobiles, highlighted by exceptional American cars from the 1930s through 1960s, as well as various custom and street rods and a diverse selection of automotive-themed memorabilia. Next month, as he prepares to embark on retirement and subsequently “downsize” his garage, Davis is offering some seventy-five cars and fifty lots of memorabilia for auction.

“Over the years, whether through work or attending car shows, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many like-minded, passionate auto enthusiasts,” said Davis.

“For me personally, car collecting has been a great passion and brought me hours of endless joy over the years. I am delighted to have the opportunity to share my passion for great American cars with fellow enthusiasts and collectors, and look forward to welcoming them to my auction – and Southlake – next month,” he added.

For professional collectors, the star attraction of the auction line-up is a highly coveted “triple crown”, comprising of a low-production 1953 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, an ultra-luxurious 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible and a striking 1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta Convertible. Together, ownership of all three cars constitutes a collector’s “grand slam” and a rare achievement of considerable historical significance. With each presented in magnificent condition, they present a rare opportunity to own a part of General Motor’s Golden Anniversary.

The collection also includes a pair of Hollywood-worthy, Italian-styled Dual-Ghias – a handsome 1957 Dual-Ghia Convertible from the first series, and an extremely rare 1963 Dual-Ghia L6.4 Coupe from the second series. Production of the first series Dual-Ghia spanned just two years from 1956 through 1958, over which time just 117 examples were built. The brainchild of Eugene Casaroll, the Italian-American hybrid is said to have had the longest production line in the world – from Detroit to Milan and back – as it utilized an American drivetain and Italian coachwork. The second series Dual-Ghia was limited to just 26 examples produced between 1960 and 1963, at which time construction was almost entirely conducted in Italy. Considered even more luxurious than its earlier counterpart and sporting every imaginable amenity for its time, this example was the car of choice for such celebrities as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Dean Martin. Having previously undergone comprehensive restorations, both of Davis’ Dual-Ghias present as magnificent, well-maintained cars and offer exclusive ownership opportunities.

Also set to cross the block at the April event are a series of cars with great personal sentimental value to Davis –
a hot ’69 Mustang Mach I 428 Cobra Jet he bought shortly after his graduation, and three cars that have been in his family since new: a 1956 Chrysler Imperial Sedan, which previously belonged to his father, and two Cadillacs– a 1979 Cadillac Coupe Deville and a 1991 Cadillac Fleetwood – which his father bought for his mother.

Additional auction highlights include:

·A magnificent, one-off 1947 Cadillac Seven-Passenger Series 75 Imperial Woodie Sedan custom.

·A 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible, formerly owned by country music super star, Alan Jackson.

·A beautiful, bronze 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible, which, prior to joining the Wayne Davis Collection, had been stored underneath a Texas department store for an extended period of time.

·A 1954 Buick Skylark, originally purchased by Amon Carter, the creator and publisher of the Fort-Worth Star-Telegram and a nationally known civic booster for Forth Worth.

·A 1960 Plymouth Fury Convertible with was not only purchased by Davis from the original Mexican owner, but was believed to have been on display at the Mexico International Auto Show.

·A 1989 Ferrari Mondial t Cabriolet, which formerly belonged to drag racing legend John Force.

Davis’ memorabilia collection is just as diverse with many fascinating finds. Amongst a host of special automotive themed collectibles is an original 32 foot neon Cadillac script sign from the late 1940s.

The Wayne Davis Collection auction event will be held at 2055 Greenwood Drive, Southlake Texas on Saturday 19th April. An auction preview will be held on Friday 18th April from 10am to 5pm, with all the auction action getting underway from 10am on Saturday 19th April. 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 $80 U.S. (plus shipping), by calling 800-211-4371 or visit www.rmauctions.com.