Chatham, Ontario. January 29, 2008 — The focus of the collector car world will shift to Fort Worth, Texas in April as RM Auctions proudly presents the private collection of Mr. Wayne Davis. Tentatively scheduled for April 19, 2008, this exciting no-reserve sale will offer some 90 classic automobiles, as well as 50 lots of automotive-themed memorabilia, in Davis’ hometown of Fort Worth, Texas. A lifelong auto enthusiast, Davis first joined the car industry after high school. At the age of 23, he began his own restoration shop, “Thunderbirds Etc”, first concentrating on 1955-1957 Thunderbirds before turning his hand to also […]
Chatham, Ontario. January 29, 2008 — The focus of the collector car world will shift to Fort Worth, Texas in April as RM Auctions proudly presents the private collection of Mr. Wayne Davis.
Tentatively scheduled for April 19, 2008, this exciting no-reserve sale will offer some 90 classic automobiles, as well as 50 lots of automotive-themed memorabilia, in Davis’ hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.
A lifelong auto enthusiast, Davis first joined the car industry after high school. At the age of 23, he began his own restoration shop, “Thunderbirds Etc”, first concentrating on 1955-1957 Thunderbirds before turning his hand to also focus on prewar classics, popular American marques from the 1940s and 1950s, and custom and street rods. Armed with an unwavering passion for the industry, an intimate knowledge of mechanics and high attention to detail – as reflected in his the motto, “My cars run as good as they look”- Davis carved a reputation for setting world-record prices at national collector car auctions.
Since 1995, he has balanced his restoration hobby with working as President of Regency Conversions in Fort Worth, Texas – the company he eventually bought in 2004 and recently sold.
This April, as Davis prepares to embark on retirement, he is offering the collector world a rare opportunity to purchase the cars that have brought him so much joy over the years.
Assembled over the past two decades, Davis’ impressive collection reflects his ardor for the great American cars of the ’30s, ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, as well as featuring various custom and street rods. The collection also includes a number of early Cadillacs from the ’40s and ’50s. “All have been carefully maintained, with many having undergone expensive restorations,” says Davis in describing their condition.
Highlights of the auction line-up include a highly coveted “Triple Crown”, comprising of a low-production 1953 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, often described as the most beautiful and special American car built
in the fifties; a rare 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible; and a 1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta Convertible, regarded as a “dream car” at the time of introduction.
The collection also includes an extremely rare 1963 Ghia, one of only 26 examples produced; a handsome 1957 Dual Ghia, at it’s prime regarded as a “Hollywood icon” due to is popularity with celebrities (including the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin); and a custom one-off 1947 Cadillac Limousine “Woodie”. For those with a penchant for country music, the auction line-up also features a 1957 Chevrolet Convertible, formerly owned by American country star, Alan Jackson; he reportedly bought the car when he hit the “big time”.
The memorabilia collection is just as diverse with many fascinating finds. Amongst a host of special automotive themed collectibles is an original 30 foot neon Cadillac script sign from the late 1940s.
The Wayne Davis Collection event marks the first time that virtually all of Davis’ cars have been offered at public auction, presenting various unique ownership opportunities for discerning collectors and making this one sale you will not want to miss.
For further information on the sale of this magnificent private collection, visit www.rmauctions.com.
