The RM Auctions John Staluppi ‘Cars of Dreams’ Museum sale was staged December 1st, 2012 in North Palm Beach, Florida, resulting in $11.5 million in total sales and 100% of all lots sold.
Presented before a standing-room only crowd, the single-day, no-reserve John Staluppi ‘Cars of Dreams’ Collection sale saw bidders hail from 10 countries, including as far away as Brazil, Germany and Australia. On a national level, bidders represented 42 states across the United States.
“We’re thrilled with the results from the John Staluppi ‘Cars of Dreams’ Museum sale,” says Donnie Gould, Partner and Specialist, RM Auctions. “Well-respected in the hobby, John had a very precise collecting philosophy that focused on securing only the ‘best of the very best’. The results from the sale reflect the great quality and presentation of the offering. Numerous lots attracted enthusiastic bidding with prices frequently exceeding their estimates. All in all, it was a great auction and a fitting end to what has been a record year for RM.”
Headlining the list of 113 automobiles on offer was a 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible that sold for $299,750, eclipsing its pre-sale estimate of $150,000 – $200,000. The sales price represents a new world record for a 1956 Cadillac Convertible sold at auction. In addition to the sale-topping ’56 Cadillac, other highlights from the same marque included a 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible for $206,250 and a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible also for $206,250 – a new auction record for the 1960 model year.
Other notable sales included a Acapulco Blue 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500-KR Convertible which garnered $264,000; a 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala Custom Hardtop Coupe, equipped with an 840 bhp, LS-9, supercharged V-8, which almost doubled its pre-sale estimate, selling for $198,000; and a 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible which also exceeded expectations, realizing $78,100.
In addition to the automobiles, the auction also featured an assortment of memorabilia. Leading this segment was a historic 1918 Herschell-Spillman 32’ Carousel which sold for $460,000. Other notable memorabilia highlights included a one-of-a-kind large-scale Lionel train layout, measuring approximately 30 feet long by 15 feet wide and nine feet tall, another lot that well-exceeded estimate, bringing $103,500; and a fully-functioning, authentic Cretors Antique Popcorn Wagon that more than doubled its pre-sale estimate at $63,250.
RM Auctions John Staluppi 2012 – Top Ten Auction Results (Includes 10% buyer’s premium for automobiles and 15% for all other lots)
1. 1918 Herschell-Spillman 32′ Carousel – $460,000
2. 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible – $299,750
3. 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500-KR Convertible – $264,000
4. 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible – $206,250
4. 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible – $206,250
6. 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala Custom Hardtop Coupe – $198,000
6. 1958 Chrysler 300D Convertible – $198,000
6. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Roadster – $198,000
9. 1959 Chrysler 300E Convertible – $176,000
9. 1929 Pierce-Arrow Custom Brougham – $176,000
(See RM Auctions John Staluppi 2012 – Complete Auction Results)
RM Auctions kicks off 2013, January 18 in Phoenix, Arizona, followed by the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum sale – the world’s largest collection of the world’s smallest cars – February 15–16 in Madison, Georgia.
For more information, visit www.rmauctions.com.
[Source: RM Auctions]
