RM Sotheby’s Motor City 2016 – Auction Results

The RM Sotheby’s Motor City 2016 auction was held Saturday, July 30th at the Concours of America at St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan, resulting in $6,445,725 in total sales and an 80 percent sell-through rate. The 22nd annual sale featured 70 automobiles, with interest received from 35 states across the country, as well as from nine countries.

“Our Motor City auction continues to be a very consistent venue and provides a fantastic and fitting backdrop to celebrate America’s rich automotive history,” said Gord Duff, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s.“We were delighted to offer such great vehicles as the Duesenberg Model J and the Cord L-29 as part of this year’s lineup; their solid results reflect a continued healthy appetite for quality American Classics. The Duesenberg Model J sale was a particular highlight — it was great to be able to support the fundraising efforts of Hillsdale College with such a strong result, and to see the car go to a great new home. All in all, it’s been another great hobby weekend in the Motor City!”

In keeping with past tradition, American Classics were the top sellers, led by the 1929 Duesenberg Model J ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible Coupe by Murphy, engine J-119. Offered complete with its original engine and dealer-installed Murphy ‘Disappearing Top’ body, the Model J exceeded expectations at $1,540,000. Proceeds from the Duesenberg’s sale will benefit Hillsdale College, a liberal arts college in Michigan.

A 2006 Saleen S7 claimed the second highest sale of the day, passing on to its third owner for a final $632,500. One of the fastest street-legal American automobiles ever produced (the S7 can sprint 0-60mph in just 2.8 seconds, with a reported top speed of 248 mph), the featured Saleen was one of 13 factory Twin Turbo road cars built in 2006 and believed to be one of the lowest mileage examples in existence, showing 300 miles on its odometer.

Additional highlights of the RM Sotheby’s Motor City 2016 auction included the ACD Club Category One Certified 1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet, offered out of single-ownership since 1946, that achieved $187,000, a 1934 Pierce-Arrow Eight Silver Arrow, the first production Silver Arrow built and one of five known surviving examples, that realized $242,000 and a 1955 Jaguar XK 140 MC Drophead Coupe exceeded expectations at $187,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $100-140,000.

RM Sotheby’s Motor City 2016 – Top Ten Auction Results

1. 1929 Duesenberg Model J ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible Coupe (Chassis 2551) – $1,540,000
2. 2006 Saleen S7 (Chassis 1S9SB18106S000073) – $632,500
3. 1933 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster (Chassis 901615) – $365,000
4. 1938 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster (Vehicle 1139-2021) – $330,000
5. 1934 Pierce-Arrow Eight Silver Arrow (Chassis 2580001) – $242,000
6. 1930 Cord L-29 Cabriolet (Serial 2927648) – $187,000
7. 1955 Jaguar XK 140 MC Drophead Coupe (Chassis S 817884 DN) – $187,000
8. 1960 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet (Chassis 128.030.10.003512) – $165,000
9. 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2-Litre Roadster (Chassis 1E 10525) – $159,500
10. 1957 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (Chassis 121.042.7501407) – $154,000

For complete auction results, visit www.rmsothebys.com.

RM Sotheby’s continues its 2016 calendar with its flagship Monterey sale, August 19-20 during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance week in California. A tradition spanning more than 30 years, the RM Sotheby’s sale will present some 100 motor cars across two evenings. This year’s Monterey lineup is led by the 1956 Le Mans-winning Jaguar D-Type, CSX 2000 – the first Shelby Cobra and the first Alfa Romeo 2.9 to be offered at auction this century. For the complete Monterey digital catalogue and upcoming event information, visit www.rmsothebys.com.

[Source: RM Sotheby’s]