Fort Lauderdale Auction 2011 Results – Auctions America by RM

Auctions America by RM held the fifth annual Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale sale on March 4-6, 2011 in Florida, resulting in $17,248,846 in total sales. The Fort Lauderdale auction saw a total of 498 automobiles cross the block with a 68% sales rate. Registered bidders representing 15 different countries participated in the auction on-site, on the phone and over the Internet.

Top sale went to the barn-find 1963 Shelby Cobra(chassis no. CSX 2080) that sold for $467,500. The matching-numbers CSX 2080, the fifth 289 Cobra built, was purchased by its second private owner in 1981 with $30,000 USD worth of gold coins. The cumulative average market gold price that year was $460 per ounce. The car was driven only once by its new owner and then parked for the next thirty years, leaving it in very original, unrestored condition for its appearance on the auction podium in Fort Lauderdale.

Since 1981 gold values have fluctuated, but have steadily been on the rise over the last decade and reached an all-time high on March 2, 2011, closing at $1,437.20 per ounce. Based on the current gold market, the original investment of gold coins has more than tripled in value and would be worth approximately $93,730 today. The $467,500 selling price of CSX 2080 represents an increase of about 15 times the original purchase price of $30,000 and outperforms the gold market five times over.

“Recently the media has explored the value of collector cars as more than just items to drive and enjoy as a hobby. There is strong potential for beautiful and rare automobiles as tangible assets to offer good returns on a collector’s investment,” stated Donnie Gould, President, Auctions America by RM.

“To avoid disappointment we always counsel our clients to research potential purchases well and, above all else, buy cars that they are truly passionate about,” added Gould.

Up next on the Auctions America by RM calendar is the Spring Auction, April 28 – 30, 2011 at the Carlisle (PA) Expo Center as part of Carlisle Events’ annual Spring Carlisle swap meet and car corral weekend event. The auction schedule has been expanded to include a third day where a total of 300 motor cars will go under the hammer. For complete event and consignment information for the auction, call the Auctions America by RM office on +1 260 927 9797 or visit www.auctionsamerica.com.

Auctions America by RM Fort Lauderdale Auction 2011 – Top 5 Sales:

1963 Shelby Cobra, CSX 2080 – $467,500.00
1932 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton, Engine no. J315 – 440,000.00
1957 Desoto Adventurer – $187,000.00
1995 Batmobile from the film ‘Batman Forever’ – $165,000.00
1938 Ford Hot Rod – $165,000.00

(See Auctions America by RM Fort Lauderdale Auction 2011 – Complete Results)

[Source: Auctions America by RM; photo credit: Veda Jenkins, courtesy of Auctions America by RM]