The Auctions America Auburn Fall 2016 sale was held August 31 – September 4 at Auburn Auction Park in Auburn, Indiana, resulting in $21,555,338 in total sales and a 79 percent sell-through rate on all lots sold.
Held over Labor Day weekend during the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Festival, Auctions America’s flagship Auburn Fall sale drew more than 85,000 enthusiasts to the Auburn Auction Park to witness nearly 850 collector cars and select memorabilia cross the auction block. Bidders represented 12 countries and 45 states across the United States.
“Our best weather yet, an exceptional lineup of cars and an exhilarating range of activities for enthusiasts of all ages led to strong attendance at Auburn Fall,” says Megan Boyd, Car Specialist, Auctions America. “There was a terrific energy and atmosphere across the park during all four days; bidding was enthusiastic both in the room and over the phones. It’s also safe to say that the Auburn Auction Park has truly become a family destination, with a fantastic turn out of young enthusiasts onsite to see the incredible range of collector cars, as well as drawn by the exciting docket of traditional and new events for kids, including the KidZone, the Ultimate Race Fan Experience, and Monster truck rides and shows.”
With its unique dual rings, the Auburn Fall auction arena came alive during the event, with 840 vehicles rolling across the block before packed audiences. The diversity of this year’s offering was exemplified by the top five sales of the event, which include American classics, a life-size mechanical elephant, and a restomod Sting Ray Corvette. The top-selling pair of very different Model J Duesenbergs — a Convertible Sedan by Murphy as well as a Sunroof Berline by Franay — demonstrated that Classics continue to reign supreme during the ACD Festival, bringing $880,000 and $715,000 respectively, while a 1931 Cadillac V-12 Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood sold for $368,500 against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 – $250,000. Collectors were also treated to automobilia, with more than 550 lots up for bids ranging from porcelain and neon signs to rare automotive badges and mascots.
One of the most unusual offerings of the sale was none other than former Auction Park resident, Wendell the Mechanical Elephant, who strutted across the arena floor during primetime Saturday before realizing a final price of $275,000. As part of Auctions America’s commitment to giving back to the community in which it operates, a portion of proceeds from Wendell’s sale was donated to Kate’s Kart, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing new, quality books to hospitalized children in Northeast Indiana.
The Auburn Fall Collector Car weekend saw crowds gather in every corner of the 235-acre Auburn Auction Park, most notably for the event’s newest attractions, which included a busy Saturday morning Cars & Coffee meet of more than 200 cars, a KidZone sponsored by Peg-Pérego featuring exciting test drives for junior enthusiasts, and a special appearance by former pro-wrestler and auto aficionado, Bill Goldberg.
During one of the most memorable moments of the weekend, Goldberg helped auction off the Auburn Fall Commemorative Championship Belt by Rey Rey, from which all proceeds will benefit two very special causes, Honor Flight Northeast Indiana and Wounded Warriors of South Florida, an organization close to Goldberg’s heart. Following an enthusiastic introduction by Goldberg on the auction block, the one-off belt sold for $40,000, before being donated back by the generous winning bidder and selling again for another $40,000, raising a total $80,000 for the very worthy veteran’s charities.
Auctions American Auburn Fall 2016 – Top Five Auction Results
1. 1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan – $880,000
2. 1933 Duesenberg Model J Sunroof Berline by Franay – $715,000
3. 1931 Cadillac V-12 Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood – $368,500
4.Mechanimals “Wendell” the Mechanical Elephant – $275,000
5. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Restomod Coupe – $236,500
5. 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton – $236,500
For complete results, visit AuctionsAmerica.com.
Auctions America will top off its 2016 calendar with the return of its sale during the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d’Elegance, November 5. Held at the Westin Resort, the Hilton Head Island sale will lift the gavel on more than 100 collector cars and select automobilia.
For more information on upcoming events, visit AuctionsAmerica.com or call toll-free 877.906.2437 (+1 260.927.9797 outside North America).
[Source: Auctions America]
