2010 Automobiles of Amelia Island Auction Preview

RM Auctions will hold its 2010 Automobiles of Amelia Island auction on Saturday, March 13th in Amelia Island, Florida. Held in partnership with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, RM Auctions’ 12th annual auction will once again be staged on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

“Over the past 11 years, RM has established a proven track record of strong performance at Amelia Island, selling over 25 million-dollar-plus vehicles as well as setting numerous new records. This year’s sale is set to build on these strong past results as we offer one of the most diverse line-ups of automobiles presented in the event’s history,” says Ian Kelleher, President and Chief Operating Officer of RM Auctions.

RM Auctions assembled more than 110 cars for the single-day auction, which will again act as a prelude to this year’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. A featured highlight of this year’s event will be more than 50 consignments from the collection of the late John O’Quinn, including two highly prized Model J Duesenbergs, Cadillac V16 Convertible Phaeton and Auburn 851SC Speedster.

Other featured entries include the ex-Shelby Team 289 Cobra Roadster CSX 2557, an alloy-bodied Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta, an ex-Ecurie Ecosse Tojeiro Jaguar Sports Racing Car, a 1964 Pontiac Banshee Coupe, a 1963 Watson-Offy “Leader Card 500” Indy Roadster and a pair of immaculate Giallo Fly Ferraris – 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder and 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta.

In 2009, RM Auctions offered 107 automobiles for sale, with 89 finding a new owner, reflecting an 83% sales rate. Total sales volume was $12,528,400 and the average price per car sold was $140,768. An economy on firmer ground and RM’s strong line-up should result in sales that eclipse last year’s total, which saw one car surpass the $1,000,000 mark.

The official auction of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, RM’s 12th annual Automobiles of Amelia Island event returns to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island on March 13th, 2010. A preview of the auction line-up will be held from 9am – 6pm on March 11th and 12th, followed by all the auction action on March 13th from 11am. Admission requires the purchase of an official auction catalog, available for $100. The catalog admits two and must be presented for entry.

For more information, contact RM Auctions at (800) 211-4371 or visit www.rmauctions.com.

2010 Automobiles of Amelia Island Auction Preview – RM Auctions

**Lot 182 - 1964 Shelby Cobra USRRC Roadster - Estimate $1,500,000-$1,900,000.** CSX 2557; ex-Shelby Team Car; one of six 1964 USRRC cars and one of two with dual side pipes on each side of car; competed in 1964 FIA Bridgehampton race and 1966 SCCA A/Production; currently restored to its original Shelby team appearance in Guardsman Blue with white Le Mans stripes.

**Lot 186 - 1964 Pontiac Banshee Coupe Concept - Estimate $400,000-$600,000.** Developed by John DeLorean to compete head-on with the Ford Mustang, the Banshee's styling influenced several future GM products; GM Project XP-833 is only drivable prototype coupe.

1971 Ferrari 365 GTB4 Daytona Spyder — **Lot 119 - 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder - Estimate $1,000,000-$1,250,000.** Formerly owned by Edsel Ford; shown at 2009 Quail Gathering; complete with a full tool roll and leather pouch, original manuals and documentation, plus its Ferrari Classiche certification.

**Lot 187 - 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta - Estimate $950,000-$1,200,000.** Chassis no. 09337 is multiple national award winner, including 99 points at Cavallino in 2006; shown at 2009 Quail Gathering.

**Lot 122 - 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Alloy Berlinetta - Estimate $1,350,000-$1,750,000.** Chassis no. 09501 is finished in Nocciola with a black interior; alloy 4-cam was Luigi Chinetti's show car at the 1967 New York Auto Show; recent total restoration by the present owner, Ferrari authority Wayne Sparling.

**Lot 121 - 1912 Gobron-Brillie 12 CV Skiff Tourer by Rothschild - Estimate $250,000-$350,000.** Coachwork by Rothschild; Best of Class at Pebble Beach Concours in 2005.

**Lot 118 - 1915 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost London-Edinburgh Tourer - Estimate $400,000-$500,000.** Coachwork by Crailville, Ltd.; Chassis 23ED has been fully restored over last three years.

**Lot 190 - 1948 Healey Westland Roadster - Estimate $140,000-$180,000.**

**Lot 212 - 1959 Autobianchi Bianchina 500 Transformable - Estimate $20,000-$30,000.**

**Lot 193 - 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Mulliner Park Ward Drophead Coupe - Estimate $250,000-$350,000.** Delivered new to Saudi Prince.

**Lot 204 - 1953 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A - Estimate $120,000-$150,000.** Recently restored and in as-new condition.

1963 Watson Indy Roadster — **Lot 203 - 1963 Watson 'Leader Card 500' Indy Roadster - Estimate $195,000-$295,000.** Ex-Len Sutton 'Diet Rite Cola Special'; driven by Chuck Stevenson, Bobby Grim, Arnie Knepper, Greg Weld and Don Branson during the 1963 – 1966 USAC seasons; participated in 2007 Amelia Island Concours and 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

**Lot 199 - 1961 Austin-Healey 'Sebring Sprite' Vintage Racing Car - Estimate $50,000-$75,000.** Extensively rallied in Europe, and Stirling Moss also drove the car in the Monterey Historics; donated by noted car collector and SVRA President Peter McLaughlin, the proceeds will benefit The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Foundation.

**Lot 200 - 1958 Tojeiro-Jaguar Sports Racer - Estimate $750,000-$950,000.** Ex-Ecurie Ecosse, Ron Flockhart, Ivor Bueb, Innes Ireland and Tony Maggs; one of four built; first time on market in 17 years.

From the Estate of John O’ Quinn
A lifelong motoring enthusiast, John O’Quinn was regarded as one of the most prolific car collectors in the United States. From 2003 up until his tragic death in October 2009, he built one of the country’s most impressive collections featuring more than 1,000 automobiles. In addition to its incredible diversity, the O’Quinn Collection was noted for featuring one of the world’s largest collections of Duesenbergs with 23 examples in total. Fifty-five automobiles from the collection are slated for the Amelia Island sale.