A 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow from the from Thomas F. Derro Collection of American Classics topped all sellers at RM Sotheby’s 11th Hershey Sale in conjunction with the AACA Fall Meet at Hershey Lodge in the Pennsylvania city. The auction registered $15,932,802 in total sales with an incredible sell-through rate of 96 percent across two days last week, October 5-6.
The extensive, all-American Derro Collection was offered entirely without reserve, and stole the show on Friday evening, with many of its lots achieving or exceeding estimates. Drawing tremendous pre-sale interest, the 12-car collection was led by the aforementioned 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow (above, photo courtesy of RM Sotheby’s), the very first of just four examples and a mere three survivors. The car inspired a final bid of $2,310,000 following an extended contest between bidders in the room and on the phone. An Art Moderne monument, the Silver Arrow is the irreplaceable centerpiece for any collection of Full Classics.
Additional highlights from the Derro Collection included: an exceptionally restored, award-winning 1935 Duesenberg Model J Cabriolet with one-off European coachwork by d’Ieteren, which sold for $1,485,000; a striking 1957 Dual-Ghia Convertible with the optional D500 Hemi V8 engine that hammered for $341,000; and a 1941 Packard Custom Super Eight One Eighty Convertible Victoria, used in the popular 1970s NBC TV series Banacek, which brought a strong $407,000.
The Thursday evening sale session also featured an important collection of cars from the estate of the late Ralph Whitworth, the country’s foremost collector of hot rods and customs. This group was led by the 1932 Ford “Pete Henderson” Roadster that famously outran an undefeated quarter horse in 1944. The little blue ”Deuce” generated tremendous pre-sale interest and eventually sold for $192,500.
“The RM Sotheby’s Hershey auction remains one of the premier destinations for die-hard Classic and Brass era enthusiasts,” said Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions for RM Sotheby’s, “and the results over the course of the two-day auction simply reaffirmed the strength of the market and depth of the consignments for this year’s stellar offering.”
Standout American Classics of exceptional provenance also shone outside of the private collections. On Thursday evening, a 1936 Cadillac V16 Convertible Sedan by Fleetwood, one of the very finest first-generation examples in existence, brought a winning bid of $715,000. On Friday, an authentic 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Cabriolet reached a final bid $412,500 following interest from multiple parties.
The Top 10 sales from RM Sotheby’s Hershey Saale are listed below, and for complete results please visit www.rmsothebys.com
RM Sotheby’s Hershey 2017 Top Ten Sales
| 1. 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow – $2,310,000 |
| 2. 1935 Duesenberg Model J Cabriolet – $1,485,000 |
| 3. 1936 Cadillac V16 Convertible Sedan – $715,000 |
| 4. 1932 Duesenberg Model J Town Car – $594,000 |
| 5. 1935 Packard Twelve Sport Phaeton – $495,000 |
| 6. 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Cabriolet – $412,500 |
| 7. 1941 Packard Custom Super Eight One Eighty Convertible Victoria – $407,000 |
| 8. 1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria – $390,500 |
| 9. 1957 Dual-Ghia Convertible – $341,000 |
| 10. 1930 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A “Flying Star” Recreation – $302,500 |
