RM Sotheby’s, Hershey Lodge, Hershey, Pennsylvania, October 5-6, 2017
The appeal of coming to Hershey for RM Sotheby’s annual auction has many aspects. Hershey in early October is (when it doesn’t rain and isn’t cold) beautiful, with clear blue skies, gentle breezes and soft, succulent evenings. The AACA Fall Meet and its vast swap meet draws collectors, restorers and the plainly curious from […]
Bonhams, Simeone Foundation Museum, Philadelphia, October 2, 2017
There are many good reasons to come to Philadelphia for Bonhams auction at the Simeone Foundation Museum the Monday before Hershey. First is the really intriguing consignment of cars that Bonhams assembles here every year. Many of them are in the spirit of Dr. Fred Simeone’s collection which comprises many rare, unrestored competition sports […]
Worldwide Auctioneers, Pacific Grove Golf Links, Pacific Grove, California, August 17, 2017
Rod Egan’s and John Kruse’s Worldwide Auctioneers established a beachhead on the Monterey Peninsula this year, taking an early position on the now only four-day schedule with a Thursday afternoon date. Pacific Grove is Worldwide’s second new venue this year after entering the fray in Scottsdale in January. Pacific Grove came only two weeks before […]
Russo and Steele, Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, August 17-19, 2017
Last year I got in trouble with Russo and Steele’s impresario, Drew Alcazar, for complimenting him and the Russo and Steele team on establishing a record Monterey total sale. Maybe the compliment was a little awkwardly worded, but it was sincerely meant. That mistake will not be repeated in 2017 with a total sale that […]
Mecum Auctions, Del Monte Golf Course, Monterey, August 16-19, 2017
Mecum Auctions has become an integral part of the Monterey Car Week and auction calendar since arriving on the peninsula in 2009. Mecum puts together the most welcoming and inclusive auction of the week, with rows of affordable cars and a fast-paced, TV-driven presentation that invites participation with its openness and accessible consignment. It’s the […]
Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach, August 18-19, 2017
The big news going into the Monterey auction week was Gooding & Company’s decision to change its days from Saturday-Sunday to Friday-Saturday. The big news coming out of the week was Gooding & Company’s dramatic drop in its total sale, $91.5 million, down 29.5% from 2016’s $129.8 million and its lowest overall sale total since […]
RM Sotheby’s, Monterey, August 18-19, 2017
RM Sotheby’s found itself back in a tent in Portola Plaza again this year as the Convention Center reconstruction remained incomplete. And it wasn’t the same tent as last year. That one was damaged beyond expedient repair just a week before setup began and another had to be substituted. The area was the same but […]
Bonhams, Quail Lodge, August 18, 2017
2017 was Bonhams most successful Quail Lodge auction. The 2014 Thursday auction of the Maranello Rosso cars, including Ferrari 250 GTO s/n 3851GT, is treated as a separate event, a Black Swan. This year’s sale was highlighted by a road-legal McLaren F1 that brought a curve-setting price of $15,620,000, but there were nine other cars […]
A Quick Monterey Auction Review
$329.5 million changed hands at the Monterey auctions this year. The money wasn’t all that changed. Worldwide Auctioneers made its Monterey debut at one of the most attractive venues on the Peninsula, the Pacific Grove Golf Links. And Gooding & Company moved their sale from Saturday-Sunday to Friday-Saturday, compressing the Monterey auctions into just four […]
Bob’s Cars/The-cars-of-Bob
My friend Bob Fleischmann died last September. We did stupid car stuff, including the 1980 U.S. Express from Merrick, Long Island to Redondo Beach, California in his Pantera in 42 hours 57 minutes. His widow, Jean, has an overdue rent bill for storage of Bob’s project cars that we’re trying to help her get out […]