RM Auctions at St John’s 2012 – Auction Preview

RM Auctions will hold its Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s sale on July 28, 2012 in Plymouth, Michigan. Hosted on the grounds of the Inn at St. John’s, the single-day sale will feature more than 70 collector cars, presenting nearly a century of American and European offerings.

“RM Auctions is delighted to continue our partnership with the Concours d’Elegance of America as we return to the Inn at St. John’s for our annual Michigan sale,” says Rob Myers, Chairman and Founder, RM Auctions. “A long standing tradition for motoring enthusiasts, the exciting array of sought after collector cars offered at this year’s sale are enhanced within the context of Michigan’s rich automotive history, making this the ideal venue for American classics.”

Headlining the roster of American marques is a 1930 Duesenberg SJ Convertible Victoria by Rollston, J272. One of just 16 examples bodied with convertible Victoria coachwork by Rollston, J272 was delivered new to band leader Paul Whiteman, of “Rhapsody in Blue” fame, in May 1930. Adding to the car’s provenance is the quarter window Victoria body, from the highly regarded Rollston Company (Est. $850,000–$1,200,000). Another Classic Era example is a 1930 Packard 745 Deluxe Eight Convertible Victoria, chassis 185625, one of only five verified authentic Waterhouse convertible Victorias known to exist on the 745 chassis (Est. $275,000–$375,000).

Also expected to garner interest is the 1928 Cadillac V-8 “Al Capone” Town Sedan, chassis 306449. At first glance, the Cadillac appears much like any other sedan, but the differences are cleverly hidden. It is liveried in green with black fenders to mirror the Cadillacs supplied to the Chicago police and city officials at the time and is also equipped with flashing lights, a regulation police siren, and the first known police-band radio receiver in a private automobile. It was fitted new with heavy glass measuring nearly an inch thick and completely lined with 3,000 pounds of steel armor plating. The bulletproof windows could be raised an extra couple inches to reveal a circular part large enough for the muzzle of a gun to go through, and the rear window was rigged to drop quickly, allowing occupants to fire upon would-be pursuers. New research recently uncovered by RM includes an eyewitness to the car’s armor plating for Capone, which is shared in detail in the auction catalog (Est. $300,000–$500,000).

Another attraction will be 15 automobiles from the collection of William Ruger Jr., all offered without reserve. The Ruger Automobile Collection includes two Ahrens-Fox Fire Trucks, a 1925 Ahrens-Fox N-S-4 Triple Combination Pumper, chassis 1641, capable of pumping water at 1,100 gallons per minute and a 1930 Ahrens-Fox P-S-14 Hose and Equipment Truck, chassis 2311, featuring the largest six-cylinder Ahrens-Fox engine. They are expected to fetch between $175,000–$250,000 and $125,000–$190,000, respectively.

(See RM Auctions at St John’s 2012 – Digital Catalog)

Additional highlights of the 2012 RM Auction St. John’s sale:

· 1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Coupe, possibly the last example produced (Est. $250,000–$325,000);
· 2005 Ford GT, equipped with all factory-available options (Est. $175,000–$215,000);
· 1930 Lincoln Model L Derham Convertible Sedans, displayed and purchased new at the 1930 New York Auto Show (Est. $140,000–$170,000);
· 1948 Chrysler Town & Country Sedan, coming out of 40 years of single ownership (Est. $100,000–$125,000); and
· 1912 Baker Electric Special Extension Coupe, benefiting from a comprehensive restoration (Est. $75,000–$125,000).

RM Auctions at St John’s 2012 – Auction Details

Sale date: July 28, 2012, 12:00 p.m. ET

Preview dates: July 27, 2012, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET

Location: The Inn at St. John’s, 44045 Five Mile Road, Plymouth, Michigan, 48170

Admission: Admission to the auction is open to registered bidders only. Bidder registration is $200 and includes an official auction catalog and admission for two to the preview, reception, and auction. Admission to the preview is free of charge.

For more information, visit www.rmauctions.com or call RM Auctions at +1 519 352 4575.

[Source: RM Auctions; photos: © 2012 Courtesy of RM Auctions]