Collector car auction watchers had their eyes and wallets focused on last weekend’s 10th annual RM Auctions Automobiles of Amelia Island event, which is held in conjunction with the celebrated Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. That is quite a weekend for vintage car enthusiasts.
When the final hammer dropped, total sales exceeded $16.8 million, with four cars exceeding one million dollars. Highlights included a rare 1931 Duesenberg Convertible, which brought $2.64 million, and a historic 1934 Ford Model 40 Special Speedster, custom built for Edsel Ford, which sold for $1.76 million.
From RM Auctions:
A magnificent 1931 Duesenberg Convertible and a historic sports car built for Edsel Ford achieved top bids at RM Auctions’ 10th annual ‘Automobiles of Amelia Island’ event on Florida’s coast on the weekend. More than 100 exceptional motor cars crossed the block during the seven-hour auction, which drew significant global interest and spirited bidding.
Discerning collectors and vintage car enthusiasts from around the world descended on Florida’s coast on the weekend for RM Auctions’ 10th annual Automobiles of Amelia Island event.
Held March 8th at the elegant Ritz-Carlton hotel, the single-day auction saw over 100 magnificent vintage automobiles cross the block, attracting interest from across North America, Europe and as far away as Dubai.
“Over the past decade, our Amelia Island auction, in conjunction with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, has carved a reputation as one of the leading automotive events on the collector car calendar,” said Ian Kelleher, Managing Director of RM Auctions. “With record attendance and strong prices across the board, this year’s Amelia Island auction was a fitting celebration for our 10th anniversary sale,” he added.
The star attraction of the auction was a historic 1934 Ford Model 40 Special Speedster, custom-built for Edsel Bryant Ford, former President of the Ford Motor Company. Previously hidden in storage for decades, the Amelia sale marked the auction debut for the distinguished Speedster, an occasion which spurred lively bidding and significant interest before the gavel fell at an impressive $1.76 million. Immediately following the sale of the Speedster, another motor car built to Edsel Ford’s own specifications, an original, one-of-a-kind 1934 Brewster Ford Town Car, crossed the block for $198,000.
Additional auction highlights included:
- An original 1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe with coachwork by Murphy sold for $2.64 million
- A stunning 1931 Bentley 8-Litre Open Tourer with coachwork by Harrison, one of only 10 originally built, sold for $2.2 million
- A 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline with coachwork by LeBaron brought $1.2 million
- A handsome 1931 Cadillac V16 Sport Phaeton, one of only 18 V16 Sport Phaetons in existence, achieved $522,500
- An impeccably restored, multiple Best of Show winning 1933 Packard Super Eight Convertible Victoria was won with a final bid of $412,500.
The auction event was followed by the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance to make for an ultimate vintage car weekend for motoring enthusiasts.
Next month will be a busy time for RM Auctions with three separate auction events in North America: the Classic Car Auction of Toronto to be held April 4th to 6th at the International Centre, Mississauga, Ontario; the Wayne Davis Collection to be offered on April 19th in Southlake, Texas; and the Classic Car Auction of Michigan to be held April 26th to 27th at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Michigan. In May, RM Auctions will return to Maranello, Italy for the much anticipated Ferrari: Leggenda e Passione auction event.
For full sales results from the Amelia Island auction and further information on upcoming RM events, please visit www.rmauctions.com.
Additional Photos of the 1934 Ford Model 40 Special Speedster: 
[Source: RM Auctions]
