Hershey is not RM Sotheby’s most significant sale, but it is one of its most enjoyable and intriguing.
The cars offered are so unusual that often there are several we’ve never heard of before. They aren’t the best concours-queens, but are positioned to reflect the Hershey AACA Swap Meet environment. In other words there were many old restorations, cosmetic restorations with miles and reconstructions that titillated Hershey’s swap meet searchers with the possibility of what might be.
Seriously, RM Hershey’s diversity of consignments and the opportunity to reflect on early American automobile history is a chance to see how RM understands and appreciates automobiles that aren’t the recent supercars that propagate their headline auctions at Monterey and Amelia.
In other words, if you want to experience car collecting as it once was with cars built half a century or more ago, come to RM Hershey where you can lay hands upon them and explore how they worked.
Here are the numbers:
| Year | Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Sold < Low Est | Sold > High Est | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ |
| 2023 | 128/137 | 93.4% | 70.6% | 7.9% | $80,517 | $51,700
[64.2%] |
$10,306,162 |
| 2022 | 111/128 | 86.7% | 58.6% | 12.6% | $89,283 | $55,000
[61.6%] |
$9,910,450 |
| 2021 | 131/135 | 97% | 64.9% | 12.2% | $98,089 | $60,500
[61.7%] |
$12,849,613 |
On-site observations are by Rick Carey. Descriptions are sorted in lot number order
Lot # 198 1912 IHC Model MW Delivery; S/N 572; Engine # 966E; Red, Primrose Yellow, Black fenders/Black leatherette; Black leatherette top; Estimate $30,000 – $35,000; Older restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $36,300. – RHD. Water cooled 197/14 ALAM hp opposed twin, double chain drive, bulb horn, bell, acetylene headlights, Sprague Waldo kerosene sidelights, kerosene taillight, two row seating and full bed, wheel steering. – Good but old and chipped paint, Good upholstery. Greasy engine and chassis. Yellow painted wood spoke wheels, solid rubber tires. Adaptable pickup bed body with removable second seat. Dressed up in its Sunday-Go-To-Meeting attire with a top and seating for a whole family and with a decent but used older restoration. – A charming and practical High Wheeler adapted to the rude tracks and trails of the American Midwest and West during the early years of the last century. By 1912, though, it was an anachronism despite its practicality, overshadowed and obsoleted by Ford’s Model T introduced in 1909. A buggy with an engine instead of a horse, it is cheerful and simple to maintain and this is a realistic price for its condition and equipment.
Lot # 212 1937 Buick Model 80 Roadmaster Limousine, Body by Brewster; S/N 3027807; Burgundy, Black Fenders and roof/Black leather, Beige cloth rear; Estimate $35,000 – $55,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $24,200. – 320/130hp inline ohv eight, 3-speed, Guide driving lights, dual enclosed sidemounts, sliding division, pulldown shades, jump seats, hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, metal luggage trunk. – Body originally on a Ford V8-based Brewster that disappointed its owner, Esther Maria Chapin, wife of Merrill Lynch founder Charles Merrill Chapin, and later moved to this more prestigious chassis. Mediocre old paint, good chrome and interior. Cracked varnish on the dashboard and interior wood trim. Surface rusted underbody and chassis. An intriguing but ultimately only driver quality cosmetic redo. – The auction history of this probably unique Brewster-bodied Buick shows a steady fall from grace. It was a $50,000 no-sale at Russo and Steele Scottsdale in 2014, then at RM Hershey nine months later where it was reported bid to $42,500. It finally sold at Auburn Fall in 2020 to today’s consignor for $38,500 all-in. The result today is a disappointment at least in terms of its probably unique status but the price it brought accurately reflects the failing and disappointing old cosmetic restoration as well as the generally unattractive, if practical, coachwork. An inexpensive CCCA Full Classic with adequate power to keep up with modern traffic, but seriously ugly.
Lot # 213 1953 Lincoln Capri Convertible; S/N 53LA7647H; Red/Red, Black vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $29,700. – 318/205hp V-8, automatic, wheel covers, Firestone wide whitewalls, pushbutton radio, power antenna, power bench seat, power top, remote spotlight, power windows, rear wheel skirts. – Thoroughly restored with very good paint, chrome and interior. The chassis is restored like new with few miles and some age. The hood doesn’t close flush but overall the restoration has held up well. – A prestige convertible at a modest but appropriate price, essentially the same as it was acquired for at Auburn Fall in 2020 when it sold for $28,600 all-in.
Lot # 214 1948 Lincoln Continental Mark II Cabriolet; S/N 8H174797; Grotto Blue/Dark Blue leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,800. – 305/130hp V-12, column shift 3-speed, power windows, skirts, rear-mounted spare, hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, radio, heater. – Excellent paint, beautiful chrome, nearly pristine upholstery and interior trim. Some pitting interior trim chrome. Excellent steering wheel. Some road use on the restored chassis but described as mechanically refurbished earlier this year. A very good Continental. – Modestly estimated by RM and bought even more modestly, it would not have been out of line to bring at least the $57,750 it sold for back in 2010 at RM’s Ft. Lauderdale auction. It is a bargain in this transaction. That happens sometimes at No Reserve but it was surprisingly overlooked here in Hershey where the bidders are usually better informed and on top of opportunities.
Lot # 215 1956 Mercury Montclair Convertible; S/N 56SL104290M; Turquoise Blue, White/Turquoise Blue, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $32,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $35,200. – 312/215hp, automatic, power steering and brakes, pushbutton radio, spinner wheel covers, wide whitewalls, continental kit, skirts. – Very good paint and upholstery. Crisp dash and gauges, sharp interior chrome The chassis and underbody are painted assembled. Clean, organized engine compartment showing some age and paint loss. A classy driver or local show car. – In my late-Fifties high school owning this Montclair convertible would put you only one short step down from my neighbor Richie Anderson and his ’58 Impala 348 convertible with three deuces. The Montclair convertible is still a classy ride in 2023 and this one is nicely cosmetically restored and preserved. It deserved the mid-estimate price it brought.
Lot # 216 1959 DeSoto Adventurer 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N M491100658; Black, Gold accent/White vinyl, Black, Gold cloth; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. – 383/350hp, dual quads, pushbutton automatic, power steering and brakes, swivel seats, pushbutton radio, headlight dimmer, wheel covers, whitewalls, dual rear antennas, air conditioning. – Good older paint, chrome and interior. The chassis and underbody are dry and surface rusted. There are a few nose stone chips. The engine has been rebuilt but the rest of the engine compartment is old. Modestly cosmetically restored for an Adventurer. – Less than 200 miles have turned over on the odometer since this Adventurer was seen at Mecum’s Seattle auction in 2014 where it was reported bid to $42,000. Despite being bid to only $3,000 more nine years later this result correctly reflects its rarity and condition.
Lot # 217 1958 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N J58S104691; Engine # F110CS; Red, White coves/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $110,000 – $130,000; Cosmetic restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000. – 283/290hp fuel injection, 4-speed, WonderBar radio, heater, spinner wheel covers, Firestone wide whitewalls. – Sound old paint, interior and chrome. A little road grimy under the hood. Decent but not exceptional chrome. Road grimy underbody. Yellowed whitewalls. Dull engine compartment aluminum. All here but cries out for attention. No documentation or NCRS history. – The restoration of this Corvette is old, has been driven and shows it everywhere. In some respects that is a badge of honor, showing that it actually works like a car and hasn’t been condemned to a trailer queen’s life of benign neglect, but it doesn’t appeal to Corvette collectors. Unless, of course, they want a Fuelie driver or a project. In either of those situations this is a perfect candidate and a perfect price for it.
Lot # 218 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner; S/N H8EW215390; Raven Black/Colonial White vinyl, Black cloth; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Cosmetic restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500. – 352/300hp, automatic, power brakes and steering. power top, continental kit, wheel covers, wide whitewalls, dual remote spotlights, skirts, Town and Country radio. – Sound old repaint and interior. Unrestored chassis, dash and gauges. Scuffed, thin trim chrome. Delaminating vent windows. A usable but not particularly attractive cosmetically restored Skyliner retractable hardtop. – “Incredibly complicated” barely begins to describe the complex electro-mechanical gewgaws that effect raising and lowering the power hardtop on a Skyliner. Therein lies their problem in the market since owners spend hours and dollars fine-tuning all the motors and switches, often to the exclusion of everything else. That seems to be the case here and is reflected in this transaction’s modest result. It could be more car than the weak money it brought, but probably is just the price it deserved.
Lot # 219 1958 Chrysler 300D Convertible; S/N LC41416; Black/Beige leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $72,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $79,750. – 392/380hp dual quad V-8, pushbutton automatic, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, power windows, power bench seat, pushbutton radio. – One of 191 convertible 300Ds built. Good older paint with some flaws and nose stone chips. Sound upholstery. Good major chrome but pitting cast chrome pieces. Scuffed hood paint. The chassis and underbody are restored but aging and show some miles. – Accurately estimated by RM, but this 300D’s old restoration and visible condition issues do not commend it even though the 300D is the best and most aggressive of Chrysler’s 300 “bankers’ hotrod” series, particularly in black. Leake offered this 300S at Scottsdale in 2020 where it was bid to $80,000 and neither the car nor bidders’ opinion of its value have advanced since then before arriving at this moderate but reasonable price.
Lot # 235 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E57S106105; Venetian Red, Shoreline Beige coves, Red hardtop/White vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $75,000 – $90,000; Older restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $69,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $75,900. – 283/270hp, dual quads, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, radio delete, spinner wheel covers, wide whitewalls, two tops. – Sloppily restamped engine block. Blistering paint and nose stone chips. Sound interior. Dented hardtop trim. Clean but aged engine compartment. – This is a well-used Corvette with an old and well-used restoration. The sloppy engine number and Hurst shifter suggest modifications and there is no representation of the engine’s originality so the assumption must be that it is a replacement. It is, however, a desirable Corvette, particularly with the two tops and on that basis the result here even with a replacement engine is reasonable. It sold for $79,200 all-in at Auburn Fall 2021, a rare confluence of value opinion.
Lot # 238 1960 Chrysler 300F Convertible; S/N 8403145379; Black/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Older restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $137,500. – Golden Lion Wedge 413/375hp cross-ram engine, automatic, loaded including power swivel bucket seats and factory A/C. – Very good older paint and lightly stretched upholstery. Restored engine compartment with Edelbrock carburetors. No longer fresh and with a few miles but still a showpiece. – Almost 2,200 miles have been added to this 300F’s odometer since it sold at RM’s Ft. Lauderdale auction in 2008 for $170,500. The 300F’s underhood display with red painted crossover intake runners and dual quads is unparalleled, a visual presentation that puts today’s plastic covered engines to shame. They were enjoyable miles, even though they cost the earth.
Lot # 258 1936 Lagonda LG45 Touring; S/N 12043; Engine # 12043; Dark Red, Red coachlines/Dark Red leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $160,000 – $180,000; Cosmetic restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $130,000. – RHD. 4,453/140hp, dual SU carburetors, 4-speed, black painted wire wheels, Dunlop tires, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, folding windshield, dual aeroscreens, Cibie driving light, Lucas headlights, Trafficators. – One of 278 LG45s built and one of only 25 tourers. Sold new in Scotland and came to the U.S early in its life. Repainted over shrinking primer and old paint. Edge chips from usage. Good upholstery. Mostly good chrome but worn through on the door hinges. Road used chassis and engine. – One of the best looking touring cars of this period in Britain, designed by Frank Feely and as pretty as any William Lyons-designed Jaguar, it is readily apparent why Desmond FitzGerald fell for this car years ago saying in the Wall Street Journal, “I still find the car as beautiful as I did when I first saw one. To think it all started with a Dinky Toy [when he was 5 years old].” It has had a checkered and sliding auction history, however, starting at Bonhams Quail in 2018, RM’s Monterey-Shift online auction in 2020 and Auburn Fall 2020 with reported high bids of $280,000, $205,000 and $195,000 respectively before arriving at this disappointing price at Hershey. RM is asking $160,000 for it post-auction and it really, really, really should be worth that much even with its restoration’s age and use.
Lot # 396 1911 Stanley Model 85 7-passenger Touring; S/N 6079; Dark Red, Black fenders and accents/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Non-factory replica 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. – RHD. 30hp steamer, nickel brightwork, Rushmore electrified headlights, Gray & Davis kerosene sidelights. – 1991 AACA National First Prize. Tired old paint with plentiful chips and scratches, dull nickel. Sound upholstery. A driver’s Stanley created from the whole cloth by Carl S. Amsley – Merely heroic in its performance, silence and elegance this is an impressive Stanley despite being built up from a collection of parts. There are enough dials, valves, gauges and controls on the dashboard to intrigue even the most jaded driver and it will get down the highway with surprising alacrity. We’ll leave value up to the discretion (and discretionary income) of the Hershey bidders.
Lot # 398 1903 Pope-Hartford Model B Rear Entrance Tonneau — The Enterprise Car Rental customer wondered what was happening. He’d requested a convertible but hadn’t expected this.
Lot # 401 1903 Thomas Model 18 Rear Entrance Tonneau; S/N Engine no. 652; Engine # 652; Red, Black accents/Black leather; no top; Estimate $180,000 – $220,000; Recent restoration 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $200,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $220,000. – RHD. Single cylinder/8 ALAM hp, 3-speed, single acetylene headlight, Dietz kerosene sidelights and Dainty Tail Light, umbrella and pannier wicker baskets. – Excellent paint, bright brass and fresh upholstery. Clean, crisp restored engine and chassis. Class third at Pebble Beach 2015, Greystone Concours Best of Show 2017, LBVCR eligible. – A remarkable survivor with a traceable history to the early 50’s and a 2015 restoration that is still crisp and smooth. An Olds Curved Dash is LBVCR eligible, but this Thomas is nearly a shoo-in for a place and will be a rare entry. It is an important piece of history and it brought a price that endorses its importance.
Lot # 407 1931 Packard 840 Deluxe Eight Convertible Coupe; S/N 47968; Engine # 189082; Grey, Light Grey fenders and accent/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $100,000 – $125,000; Older restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $61,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $67,100. – 385/135hp inline eight, 4-speed, red wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts, turn signals added, wind wings, Trippe lights, rumble seat, black metal luggage trunk. – Tired, scratched and chipped old paint. Sound old upholstery. Dented rumble seat lid. Decent gauges in a scratched dashboard. A usable tour Packard but on its way to a new restoration. – A handsome and sporting Packard but aged and used. It is still a decent and functional tour car but the current restoration’s condition is beyond reclaiming. The Packard itself is wonderful, but its needs are manifest and many which leads to this realistic price.
Lot # 416 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback; S/N 6F09K155132; Raven Black, Red side stripes/Black crinkle vinyl; Estimate $75,000 – $90,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000. – 289/271hp, 4-speed, woodgrain steering wheel, Rally Pack gauges, Pony interior, pushbutton radio, Magnum wheels with trim rings, red stripe tires, GT-equipped. – Represented as the numbers-matching engine and GT-equipped but not represented as GT-delivered. Good older paint and upholstery. Crisp, bright gauges. Aged engine compartment and wheels. Cracked steering wheel rim. Restored like new with some age and a few shortcuts. – The less than fully satisfying condition did little to deter Hershey bidders from giving this “non-GT” fastback a handsome price. Sometimes it is just about style and appearance, as in this Mustang’s case.
Lot # 426 1940 Cadillac Seres 90 Imperial Sedan, Body by Fleetwood; S/N 5320011; Dark Blue, Black fenders/Blue leather, Beige cloth rear; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000. – 413/185hp V-16, 3-speed, dual enclosed sidemounts, rollup division, biplane grille guard, jump seats, pulldown quarter window shades, Trippe lights, hubcaps, wide whitewalls, turn signals. – Excellent paint and chrome. Essentially unused upholstery, beautiful interior woodwork. Fully restored chassis and underbody with little evidence of road miles. – Undeniably elegant and opulent Cadillac’s new 135-degree V-16 was introduced in 1938 and built for only three years, ending in 1940 when just 61 of all body styles were built. It was a surprising anachronism and is rarely noticed as the body styles were visually indistinguishable from V-8 Cadillacs. This is a rare survivor in excellent restored condition and while it may be rare it is hardly as eye-catching as its rarity suggests making this a realistic price for it.
Lot # 428 1932 Lincoln KB Sport Phaeton Custom, Body after Murphy; S/N KB157; Cream, Brown/Brown leather; Estimate $190,000 – $240,000; Customized restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $115,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $126,500. – 6.2 litre GM LS3/430hp, automatic, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, rack and pinion power steering, Wilwood disc brakes, independent suspension, dual chrome-wrapped sidemounts with mirrors, Trippe lights, Depress Beam headlights, chrome hood side vents. – An elaborate custom build. Very good paint and interior. Bright chrome. Modern tires. Ray Brizio build with reproduction aluminum body panels by Rick Kriss. The odometer shows 10,874 miles, mileage that is not apparent on this well cared for custom. – The build reportedly cost $543,000 making the successful hammer bid about 21 cents on the dollar invested. It makes little sense either financially or aesthetically but sometimes that isn’t a consideration when undertaking a project like this.
Lot # 430 1935 Cadillac 355-E V-8 Convertible Sedan, Body by Fisher; S/N 317750; Engine # 317032; Dark Red/Tan leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $120,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $132,000. – 353/130hp, 3-speed, red disc wheels, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, skirted rear wheels, chrome luggage rack, radio, fog lights. – Ordered new for the 1935 Shriner’s Conclave in Washington D.C., documented with a copy of the build sheet, used as their parade car throughout the 1930s. Concours restored with great paint, chrome and interior, recent engine rebuild. No longer fresh, but spectacular in Red. – This is a standout Cadillac, a lovely design with sleek, flowing fenders and practical fully weather protected convertible sedan coachwork by Fisher. Described in the catalog as “Streamline Moderne” styling, it was offered by RM at Meadow Brook in 2008 where it was bid to $92,500, then sold at Mecum’s Indy auction in 2014 for $168,480. It is still in very good condition and is a showpiece on a concours lawn or on tour at a moderate price some $36,000 less than it brought in 2014 and with an engine rebuild in the interim.
Lot # 433 1907 Stanley Model K Semi-racer; S/N 4024; Red, Black accents/Black leather; no top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Non-factory replica 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500. – RHD. 30hp steam, Neverout acetylene headlights, kerosene sidelights, E & J kerosene taillight. – A re-creation by Carl Amsley. 1985 AACA National First Prize and Senior. Good older paint with some cracks and use chips. Crazing lacquer on the brass. Clean engine and chassis. A good older restoration with more age than miles. Damaged in transit and will be fixed prior to delivery. – The new owner got more fun and steam fascination than the money paid. Learning to drive it will be a departure from the usual Brass Era internal combustion experience, but that’s part of the charm of steam.
Lot # 435 1933 Packard Super Eight Deluxe Coupe Roadster; S/N 750252; Engine # 750252; Dark Blue, Cream coachlines/Parchment leather; Cream cloth top; Estimate $170,000 – $220,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $230,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $253,000. – 385/145hp, 3-speed, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, Solar headlights, Trippe lights, rumble seat, metal luggage trunk, wind wings. – CCCA Senior no. 2060 and Premier, 2011 AACA National First W25838. Excellent paint, upholstery and chrome. Very good engine compartment. Restored in the late 90’s and beautifully maintained even though it has been used. – Sometimes a car exudes both quality and attentive maintenance. Those cars have credibility and are cherished by informed collectors. This is one of them, a car impossible to critique in any significant detail and embodying the promise of many more years of satisfaction and enjoyment. The result here is an intelligent compromise between the restoration’s age and its obvious quality and a good value in a rare open Packard.
Lot # 436 1932 Stutz DV32 Tonneau Cowl Speedster, Body by LeBaron; S/N DV261474; Engine # DV33319; Ivory/Dark Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Older restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $175,000. – 322/156hp 4-valve/cylinder DOHC eight, chrome wire wheels, Firestone wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts, white leatherette covered luggage trunk, dual windshields, Ryan-Lite headlights. – Short wheelbase chassis. Oddly dull paint starting to craze on the cowl, good chrome. Good upholstery and top. Edges chipped behind the hood. Good gauges and steering wheel. Torn rubber under the rear windshield. Paint cracked at the bottom body molding. Good engine compartment and chassis. A tired and neglected car. – Sold by RM at Amelia in 2015 for a barely believable $522,500, then reported sold at Monterey two months ago for $190,400. Every time I saw this white Stutz all I could think of was “Fatty Arbuckle”. It wasn’t Fatty’s car, but it is so inappropriate in Moby Dick white that it belongs in a Hollywood movie. Even needing paint, however, it is a better car than the offer it got here, regardless of what transpired after it was hammered sold at Monterey.
Lot # 443 1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Cabriolet; S/N 1201F; Engine # BB2219; Silver, Black beltline accent/Light Grey leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $450,000 – $550,000; Concours restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $400,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $440,000. – 391/160hp V-12, 3-speed, chrome wire wheels, Bedford tires, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, Woodlite headlights, Pilot-Rays, rumble seat, metal luggage trunk, steering column control Philco radio, turn signals, chrome fender moldings, lowered top and windshield. – A beautiful Auburn Twelve in concours condition, ACD Category One original chassis, body and engine, CCCA Full Classic. The lowered windshield and top make this Auburn Twelve even more spectacular with the top erected than it is with the top down and the colors highlight the seductive body design. – Reported sold by RM at Arizona in 2015 for $401,500, it is still impossible to fault this Auburn Twelve Salon in any meaningful way. Its value has done nothing in the last eight years, but that is to the benefit of the new owner and this is a car that will contend with Duesenbergs and Packards on any show field.
Lot # 445 1908 Stanley Model F Side Entrance Tonneau; S/N 3923; Brewster Green, Black accents/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $130,000 – $160,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $260,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $286,000. – RHD. 20hp steam, yellow wood spoke wheels and chassis, Rushmore acetylene headlights, E&J kerosene sidelights, Stewart & Clark speedometer, Prest-o-Lite acetylene tank, bulb horn, wood luggage trunk. – Sound old paint showing age and use. Dull brass. Good upholstery and top. A quality old restoration with miles. Once owned by tenor James Melton, displayed for years at the Crawford museum. AACA National First Prize winner. Engine and brakes upgraded by Charlie Johnson. – Pretty much alone among the several steam cars at RM Hershey this isn’t a Carl Amsler re-creation, rather a Stanley with a long history and fairly impeccable provenance. It brought a price that validates those differences even if it’s only a 20hp Model F.
Lot # 446 1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Roi-des-Belges, Body after Barker; S/N 1175; Engine # 1175; Grey, Polished bonnet/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $800,000 – $1,000,000; Rebodied or re-created 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $635,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $698,500. – RHD. 7,036/50hp, 3-speed, Lucas acetylene headlights and generator, kerosene sidelights, single right side spare, Elliott speedometer, bulb horn, Tiffany clock. – Originally a Barker landaulette, rebodied recently and completed in 2021. A gorgeous concours restored parallel bonnet Silver Ghost with reproduction coachwork. Brilliant polished bonnet and nickel trim. Some chassis wear and lubricant leakage. – This magnificent parallel bonnet Silver Ghost was a constant center of attention in the preview, the flawlessly polished bonnet serving as a mirror for young women to inspect and adjust their makeup and hair. It is not, however, the original bodywork even though it is nothing if not spectacular. Freshly restored and fully functional, it will be a showpiece on any tour and represents a very good value for the money for a car anyone will be proud to drive and display.
Lot # 449 1933 Auburn Twelve Salon Phaeton; S/N 121651147H; Engine # BB2152; Orange, Brown fenders and accent/Brown leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $225,000 – $275,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $190,000. – 391/160hp, 3-speed, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts with mirrors, Pilot-Rays, metal luggage trunk, folding windshield, Stabilite headlights, brushed nickel interior brightwork. – A genuine “Salon” model. Restored by Dr. Elwood Greist over a long period, an award winner at Pebble Beach in 1987, later owned by STP personality Andy Granatelli whose taste in classic cars was better than in his STP suits. Very good older paint, chrome and barely used interior. The chassis is restored to high standards and sparingly driven. The engine shows some age and paint loss. – A convertible sedan by a more descriptive name, this is a gorgeous car. It has dated colors from the 1980’s but they highlight its flamboyant design. It was sold by RM at Amelia last year for $268,800 and there’s really no reason it should have sold for less here at Hershey.
Lot # 453 1962 Volvo PV544 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 339262; Grey/Grey vinyl, Light Grey inserts; Estimate $12,000 – $16,000; Older restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,900. – 1,778/90hp, later B20 cylinder head, 4-speed, hubcaps, trim rings, Widetrack tires, underdash air conditioning, JVC CD stereo, grille and trunk guards, dual outside mirrors. – Sound but edge chipped and scuffed old paint. Good upholstery. Good major chrome but weak trim. Road used chassis. Pitted dash chrome and control bezels. Sagging front bumper. A sound and usable driver. – Beloved in the Northeast for their reliability and utility, this is a usable PV544 even though its condition leaves something to be desired. It found a receptive audience here in Hershey although they paid only a little more than expected for it.
Lot # 454 1974 Volkswagen Type 2 23-window Microbus conversion; S/N BH320004; Red, Cream/Cream leatherette; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Enthusiast restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000. – 2×2 Empi carburetors, white wheels, hubcaps, narrow whitewalls, white bumpers, 3-row seating, full length folding sunroof. – Blistering power. Good upholstery. Cracked, dirty steering wheel, faded, discolored speedometer. Added aluminum extrusion belt molding and rain gutter extensions over the front doors. Modified engine. Doors close hard. Root rack bracket scratches on the rain gutters. We have no idea what engine may be in this Brazilian Microbus and it is fairly scary and superficial. – Cataloged with roof racks that were not present during the preview, not the least of the disappointing details on this modified Microbus. We’re accustomed to seeing 23-windows sell for six figures at Monterey. This is not, never has been and never will be a six-figure 23-window conversion. “Scary” may be too generous. “Nasty” might be more appropriate.
Lot # 455 1931 Chevrolet AE Independence Sport Roadster; S/N 565610; Engine # 2306186; Beige, Black fenders, Brown accents/Brown vinyl; Beige cloth top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $23,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $25,300. – Alternator, Edmunds intake, dual Edelbrock carburetors, orange wire wheels, wide whitewalls, rumble seat, leather covered luggage trunk, folding windshield, wind wings, dual sidemounts, radiator stoneguard, turn signals. – Sound older paint, upholstery, top and chrome. Rusty horn button. Some usage related edge chips Orderly but aging engine compartment. Not pristine but more than good enough to be driven with pride and probably some surprise by the dual carburetore intake’s power. – Who knew Edelbrock made 2-barrel carburetors? It has been said before, but it is worth saying again that Thirties Fords are common while Chevys survive in far smaller numbers. This is an inexpensive but sound Chevy that will be a hoot to drive.
Lot # 456 1957 BMW-Isetta 300 Microcar; S/N 503530; Light Blue, Ivory roof/Cream vinyl; Grey leatherette top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000. – 298/13hp, 4-speed, ivory wheels, hubcaps, whitewalls. – Good paint and upholstery. Pitted exterior chrome, dull aluminum trim. A superficial cosmetic redo. – “Charming” doesn’t begin to describe the effect an Isetta 300 has on kids. This is a decent one but even at that it brought a moderate price that someone will turn around at Scottsdale or Monterey next year into a decent profit.
Lot # 457 1949 MG TC Roadster; S/N TC8007; Engine # XPAG8738; Green/Beige leatherette; Beige cloth top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500. – 1,250/54hp, 4-speed, silver painted wire wheels, Dunlop tires, Lucas headlights and fog light, rear-mounted spare, luggage rack, wind wings, CHMSL. – Represented as the numbers-matching engine. Good paint and upholstery. Orderly but aged engine compartment and chassis. Clean wheels. Rusty seatback adjuster. A presentable driver. – And bought for a presentable driver price, too.