RM’s post-sale press release quoted RM’s President Gord Duff, “It’s always an experience coming back to Hershey. There’s something about the atmosphere—whether it’s the history, the people, the swap meet, or the cars—that makes it feel like a homecoming.”
And that is exactly how it feels.
It’s early Fall, a delightful season in Pennsylvania (when it doesn’t rain), and it is a reunion of old friends – not only the people but also the cars – that gather in Hershey as they have for decades to celebrate old cars.
“Old” being the operative term where 87 of the 164 lots offered by RM were built before WWII.
49 of the 164 lots had prior auction transactions. Of them only 11 sold for more than their earlier results leaving 38 selling for less than they had before. That’s a rather loose comparison, with some cars having seriously aged since their earlier transactions, but still an indicator of a softening market exacerbated by declining physical condition of some of the old cars.
Declining condition was evident among many of the lots at Hershey, especially those from dispersions like the Terrence Adderley collection.
Hershey and its vast AACA Swap Meet are where people come looking for field art restoration projects and obscure parts. RM has dialed in its Hershey auction to appeal to those looking for rare cars that need, and even beg for, restorations and re-creation. What they seek is the next wonderful, rare, even unique vehicle that could be the next 1912 Little Giant Jitney (lot #345).
RM Hershey is unique unto itself, an auction but also the epitome of a swap meet and autojumble where the rare and unusual is freely available and most lots are offered at No Reserve, this year that was 121 of the 164 lots, 73.8%.
It’s also where RM’s Tuesday Cookout brings a throng and friends can re-connect year after year.
And, lest the quibbling about lower prices becomes a dominant consideration, this was RM’s biggest ever Hershey auction, surpassing the $16,047,400, 96% sell-through, of 2015.
Here are the numbers:
| Year | Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Sold < Low Est | Sold > High Est | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ |
| 2024 | 161/164 | 98.2% | 54% | 18% | $103,146 | $71,500
[69.3%] |
$16,606,450 |
| 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 |
On-site observations are by Rick Carey. Reported lots are sorted in lot number order.
Lot # 137 1931 Cord Front Drive L-29 Brougham; S/N 292340; Olive Green, Dark Green accent, Black cloth roof/Beige cloth; Estimate $60,000 – $90,000; Cosmetic restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500. – 299/125hp inline eight, 3-speed, black wire wheels, blackwall tires, dual chrome-wrapped sidemounts with mirrors, luggage trunk, Twilite headlights. – Impressive older paint and chrome. Driver’s seat upholstery is slightly soiled but elsewhere it is nearly pristine. The window seals and runners are cracking and the interior woodwork is discolored and needs to be refinished. Cowl light chrome is thin. The chassis is presented like new. ACD Category One. Terence Adderley collection. – This is a seriously impressive Cord that highlights its highly original condition with quality cosmetics and a low roofline that takes advantage of the front wheel drivetrain. Some details show its overall age but they are inherent in its preservation.
Lot # 141 1929 Stutz Model M 4-Passenger Speedster; S/N M843CY17A; Engine # 30360; Black, Grey accent/Light Grey leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $175,000 – $250,000; Modified restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $145,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $159,500. – 322 inline eight, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts with cloth covers and mirrors, wind wings, dual cowl and windshields, Ryan-Lite headlights, turn signals. – Owned by Eva May Johnson from 1937-1970, then acquired by Briggs Cunningham. Later modified for Bill Ruger, Sr. by Callaway with titanium connecting rods (from Callaway Golf’s foundry), 9.5:1 pistons and ported cylinder head. Very good older paint, upholstery and top. Orderly and little used engine compartment. Thin chrome. The chassis is nearly like new. Terence Adderley collection. – A post-block sale at Bonhams Quail Lodge in 2011 for $275,000, then sold by RM at St. John’s in 2015 for $302,500 to Terry Adderley, this is a disappointing result for a marvelous Stutz M Speedster with the touch of a great collector, Bill Ruger, Sr., on its performance. It looks stock but runs like a hot rod and is a whopping good value at this price.
Lot # 144 1926 Duesenberg Model A Dual Cowl Touring, Body by Millspaugh & Irish; S/N Engine No. 1453; Engine # 1453; Olive Green, Darker beltline, aprons and fenders, Yellow accent/Brown leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $175,000 – $250,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $230,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $253,000. – 260/88hp, 3-speed, Stromberg carburetor, folding windshield, wind wings, drum headlights, Pilot-Rays, chrome wire wheels, dual cloth-covered sidemounts, dual windshields. – Once owned by Don and Phil Everley, the Everley Brothers. Later with Jerry J. Moore, Sterling McCall and John O’Quinn. Very good older paint, chrome and interior. The chassis is like new. The engine compartment is orderly with some fluid residue and leakage. Some edge chips by moving panels and doors but still very impressive. Terence Adderley collection. – A handsome car with impressive provenance and a quality older restoration that is holding up well, this is a sought after example of the single overhead camshaft Duesenberg before the Cord era, a Fred and August Duesenberg that is a pure Duesenberg product and appreciated by collectors for its expression of their vision.
Lot # 145 1923 Hispano-Suiza Type 16T Roadster; S/N 5688; White/Black leather; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $185,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $203,500. – RHD. 2,951/16 (tax) hp four, 3-speed, body color wheels, Dunlop tires, Bleriot headlights, dual rear-mounted spares. – Well-restored chassis. Engine numbered carburetor and intake manifold. Tired, scratched, chipped old paint. Worn, cracked old upholstery. Orderly but aged and used engine compartment. Variable chrome. A sweet car that will benefit from extensive attention. Terence Adderley collection. – One of Marc Birkigt’s many marvelous conceptions that ranged from magnificent luxury cars built in France to high tech munitions, a creative fountain of which little is known and less is recorded. The long hood when opened reveals a small 4-cylinder engine with the radiator fan isolated (and probably ineffective) inches away from the block and the radiator. A quality older restoration, this is a distinctive and rare Spanish-built Hisso that deserves to be displayed as part of Birkigt’s legacy
Lot # 146 1910 Renault Type BZ Town Car, Body by Moore & Munger; S/N 24365; Engine # 23110; Black/Black leather, Beige cloth rear; Estimate $125,000 – $175,000; Unrestored original 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $38,182 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $42,000. – RHD. 2,412/12hp, dual right spares, covered chauffeur’s compartment, Neverout acetylene headlights, kerosene opera lights, pullup windows with roller shades, jump seats, speaking tube. – About as original as a car this old can hope to be. Driver’s seat has been recovered long ago and is cracked and worn but the rear is marvelously original and fabulously opulent. Brass is freshly polished for effect, and it works. A wonderful old thing. Terence Adderley collection. – Sold at the Dragone auction in May 2013 for $167,750 where it was identified as originally owned by John Jacob Astor IV and later by George Waterman, attribution which later research does not support. Instead, it was owned in the 50’s by Ken Gooding (David’s father) and later owned by Helmut and Ivone Peitz. It is a marvelous survivor but without the Astor attribution it is something less than it claimed to be eleven years ago. Still, someone with more money than Croesus must have owned it in 1910 and if that history could be traced its value would be gloriously enhanced.
Lot # 148 1925 Duesenberg 122 Eight Re-creation Race Car; S/N L333; Yellow/Black leather; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Competition restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $225,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $247,500. – Centrifugal supercharger, rear wheel discs, rear wheel hydraulic brakes, tape wrapped steering wheel, black wire wheels, – Rear wheel discs, rear wheel hydraulic brakes. Fair cosmetics. Restored, run once, displayed since. Engine recreated from a block, geartower and part of an older Duesenberg twin cam head by E.J. Healy for Dave Uihlein, then built up by an array of storied craftsmen based on Pete De Paolo’s “Banana Wagon”. Lavishly and meticulously detailed and made up from original blueprints provided by the Indianapolis Speedway Museum. The only known Duesenberg racing eight. Now showing age but little use. Terrence Adderley collection. – Sold by RM at Monterey in 2007 for $330,000, then at Amelia in 2011 for $352,000. Its restoration’s (re-creation’s?) age is showing and it is no longer the showpiece it once was, but it is still the creation of legendary experts and a prize showpiece. It needs to be driven at Milwaukee (with new tires, please) to hear it sing.
Lot # 149 1926 Bugatti Type 35A Grand Prix; S/N BC167; Dark Blue/Brown; Estimate $300,000 – $375,000; Rebodied or re-created 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $176,000. – RHD. 1,991/70hp, dual carburetors, 4-speed, alloy wheels, Blockley tires, single aeroscreen, radiator stoneguard, Marchal headlights, radiator stoneguard, single left side spare, electric starter. – New bodywork and built up from a few original parts sourced from various places. Good upholstery and old repaint. Corroded old headlights with no wiring. Marginally satisfying with its Bugatti Club chassis number. Terrence Adderley collection. – Creatively made up from bits of this, bits of that and new things like the frame and engine parts, this is a bargain Bugatti that was bought for the price of a used Pur Sang, a sound value for a car that will find a place in permissive events and runs and drives like a Bugatti. It is a good value in this transaction.
Lot # 150 1985 Penske-March 85C Indy Car; S/N 85C21; Yellow, “Pennzoil”/Black cloth; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Competition car, original as-raced 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500. – 2,642/700hp turbo Cosworth DFX, 5-speed, four spare wheels. – A real race car with full gauges and an engine said to have all its internals in place. Raced by Al Unser 12 times including 4th at Indy and season driver’s championship in 1985. Tired and old. Rusty suspension, chipped body panels, oxidized mag wheels, old cracked tires. Stone chipped nose and front wings. No turbo popoff valve. Battered and neglected. Terrence Adderley collection. – It is sad to see a quality Indy Car that was usually presented to fastidious Penske team standards become so neglected and sad. If it were not for its Team Penske/Al Unser history and No Reserve status it would have deserved to be completely overlooked. As it is, this result is realistic for the history and the fact it has a complete engine and transaxle.
Lot # 154 1959 Chrysler 300E Convertible; S/N M591100635; Ivory White/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $90,000 – $110,000; Cosmetic restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $59,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $64,900. – 413/380hp, dual quads, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, power steering, windows and brakes, power driver’s seat. – Painted assembled with erratic masking and over some edge chips. Good upholstery and interior trim. Dull aluminum grille elements and small chips below the grille. Decent chrome. Orderly engine compartment showing age and miles. Dirty unrestored chassis. – A rare and distinctive car but done to barely more than mediocre standards that have not at all improved with age. It is a difficult car to assess kindly and this price leaves ample headroom to make it better.
Lot # 155 1956 Packard Caribbean Convertible; S/N 56991084; Dover White/Ivory leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $83,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $91,300. – 374/310hp, dual quads, automatic, chrome wire wheels, narrow whitewalls, skirts, power steering and brakes, dual rear antennas, signal seeking radio, dual outside spotlights. – Very good paint, chrome, interior and top. Restored engine compartment and chassis. Good panel fits and gaps. Bright gauges and dashboard. Good glass. A pleasing and reassuring car. – There were four Caribbeans at Hershey this year, a sizable sampling of the entire surviving population of these rare cars. This was the pick of the litter and it brought an appropriate price.
Lot # 157 1930 Cord Front Drive L-29 Cabriolet; S/N 2928684; Dark Blue, Metallic Grey accent, Red coachlines/Red leather; Grey cloth top; Estimate $260,000 – $290,000; Concours restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $260,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $286,000. – 299/125hp inline eight, 3-speed, front wheel drive, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts with mirrors, rumble seat, Twilite headlights, Pilot-Rays. – Excellent paint and chrome. Barely stretched upholstery. Clean, tight-fitting top. Spotless engine compartment. Impossible to fault in any meaningful way. – Cord took advantage of its compact front wheel drive power train and elimination of the driven rear axle, driveshaft and transmission tunnel to design truly low, sleek coachwork that turns the prevailing idiom on its head with bodies that are, even by today’s standards, distinct and attractive. This is a reasonable price to pay for this cabriolet and a car that will be enjoyed with pride and satisfaction by its new owner.
Lot # 158 1930 Lincoln Model L Sport Touring; S/N 62708; Engine # 62708; Maroon, Black fenders and accent/Black leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Older restoration 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. – 385/90hp V-8, 3-speed, maroon wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts, wind wings, dual windshields, black leather covered luggage trunk, wood steering wheel. – Peeling paint, poor chrome, torn upholstery, dirty chassis and engine compartment. All here but needs everything. – Glowingly cataloged as “charmingly patinaed” with “comfortably broken-in” upholstery, this is a re-restoration project with serious financial implications for the new owner. It is potentially a handsome car but as today’s lot #165, a near concours older restoration, showed when it sold for $71,500 ($65,000 hammer) it isn’t going to get to concours condition for anywhere close to what is left in its value. Henry Leland’s design and manufacturing standards were high for the period but the Model L’s reputation has not shown much appeal to modern collectors.
Lot # 161 1954 Nash-Healey Le Mans Coupe, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 3025; Light Gold/Red leather; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000. – 253/140hp six, 3-speed, dual Carter carburetors, wire wheel hubcaps, whitewalls. – Poor quality repaint with visible preparation issues under the paint. Old undercoat in the wheelwells. Dirty largely unrestored engine compartment. Delaminating quarter and vent windows. A weak and aging cosmetic restoration. – Offered by Bonhams at Greenwich in 2010 where it was unsold on a reported bid of $60,000 and showed 42,743 miles. Today, fourteen years later, it has added just 12 miles to its odometer and was found appropriately unappealing by the Hershey bidders. The money would have been better off in a passbook savings account.
Lot # 162 1930 Chrysler 77 Dual Cowl Phaeton, Body by Locke; S/N Engine No. W19396; Engine # W19396; Yellow, Black/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Older restoration 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $31,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $34,100. – 268/93hp six, 3-speed, silver painted wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts with mirrors, wind wings, Depress Beam headlights, luggage trunk, dual windshields. – Scratched, chipped, surface rusted under chips, filthy rusty wheels. Sagging top, rusty chrome, peeling steering wheel. Ripped upholstery in the rear. The engine and chassis are disaster areas. Generally desperate for a new restoration. – Potentially a handsome and even award-winning car, this Chrysler 77 needs everything and is only barely suitable after years of neglect for being driven after spending lavishly on mechanical service. It is, however, a 93hp Chrysler for 40hp Model A Ford money.
Lot # 163 1936 Packard One-Twenty Convertible Sedan; S/N 9971807; Dark Blue/Dark Blue leather; Tan cloth top; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $66,000. – 282/120hp eight, 3-speed, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, luggage rack, radio, heater. – A quality old restoration, with the emphasis on old. But the paint is sound, the upholstery is very good, the dash and gauges are crisp and clear, the top is clean and tight-fitting and the chassis is tidy. – The older restoration has now aged to quality touring condition, an activity its all-weather convertible sedan coachwork is exceptionally appropriate for, as is its modest price, a sound value in this transaction.
Lot # 164 1929 Hudson Model L Greater Special Six Sport Phaeton, Body by Biddle & Smart; S/N 45326; Blue, Black fenders/Black leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000. – 288/88hp six, 3-speed, light yellow wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual chrome-wrapped sidemounts with mirrors, dual spotlights, radiator stoneguard, Depress Beam headlights, wind wings, dual windshields. – Restored long ago and it shows but complete and functionally sound. Too much to list. Restored after a 1961 barn find, with some work it could go back on the road. – Biddle & Smart was one of the finer coachbuilders in Amesbury, Massachusetts, a town that was for many years one of Detroit’s favored coachwork suppliers, although incongruously remote from middle America where auto manufacturing was migrating. Amesbury was famed for its “ghost trains”, flatcars loaded with car bodies covered in white cloth traveled across half the U.S. to bring them to Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. This Hudson sold at Barrett-Jackson in 2013 for $93,500, then a few months later at Auburn Spring where it was reported bid to $102,500. It isn’t close to that good any more and didn’t have much eye- or collector-appeal here in Hershey but is inherently a rewarding and rare car with quality coachwork bought for a bargain price.
Lot # 165 1930 Lincoln Model L Sport Touring; S/N 46529; Engine # 64907; Light Blue, Blue fenders and upper surface/Maroon leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Older restoration 1- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500. – 385/90hp V-8, 3-speed, blue wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual sidemounts with mirrors, Depress Beam headlights, Pilot-Rays, turn signals, black leather luggage trunk, wood steering wheel, jump seats. – 2004 AACA National First Prize and Senior, CCCA First Prize number 2620 and Senior. Excellent paint, chrome, upholstery, interior trim and top. Dusty chassis from storage but little use evident. Spotless engine compartment. – The second of two 1930 Model L Lincoln Sport Tourings offered in this auction, this one is well restored and maintained since restoration and much better than the earlier one to cross the block but brought only $35,000 more on its hammer bid even though it is in the middle of the pre-sale estimate. Few today really appreciate the quality and performance of these Ford-built but Henry Leland-designed Lincolns, a lack of appreciation that shows in this modest price for a superior quality automobile with a AACA- and CCCA-winning older restoration.
Lot # 167 1913 American Underslung Model 34-A Tourist; S/N Engine No. N608; Light Blue, Black accents, Red coachlines/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $130,000. – RHD. 251/30hp ALAM four, 3-speed, dual rear spares, nickel trim, bulb horn. – One of only 6 believed to survive, ex-Harrah’s and restored many years ago but still in very good overall condition. – Sold by RM at Meadow Brook in 2004 for $85,250, then at Arizona in 2006 in somewhat more aged condition for $83,600, it is more aged now than it was in 2006 (18 years ago) but its value is far overstated in the pre-sale estimate and it brought a hammer bid that should have seen it off and away to a new owner. It is a very cool thing with an unusual (I’m tempted to say “unique” but fear using that word) and imaginative design that gives it dramatic appearance, but that is not enough to handicap its old restoration and aged condition.
Lot # 168 1938 Bentley 4 1/4 Liter Sports, Body by Abbey; S/N B180LS; Engine # M988; Blue/Black leather; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Older restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500. – RHD. 4,257/126hp, 4-speed, Marchal headlights, Raydyot outside spotlight, Lucas fog light, vee windshield, suicide doors. – Originally a Park Ward Saloon, rebodied by Abbey Panels in this coachwork. Tired but effective old paint. Cracked old upholstery with tears on both cushions. Dull aluminum trim. Aged engine compartment. Rusty wheel spokes. A somewhat tired but usable car. – Rebodied in this attractive style but now an aged if not particularly used 4 1/4 Litre, enthusiasm was hard to find even for a tour condition Rolls/Bentley with attractive coachwork.
Lot # 169 1928 Avions Voisin C11 Roadster Custom; S/N KE27188; Blue/Black, Red leatherette; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Rebodied or re-created 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000. – RHD. 2,326/65hp sleeve valve six, 3-speed, black wire wheels, Silvertown tires, Scintilla headlights vee windshield. – Recently built and looks nothing like a cubist design by Gabriel Voisin. Good paint, interior and chrome, except for being buffed through on the radiator surround and some exhaust blowby under the hood. – Reported sold at RM’s Monterey auction two months ago for $106,400 all-in ($95,000 hammer), obviously something happened between there and here. There is little Gabriel Voisin except some tiny details in this rebody and this result makes far more sense than Monterey. The catalog reused the description and the photos from Monterey but fractured the pre-sale estimate from $275,000-$325,000. It is a custom car with no heritage or history and brought a deserved deep discount Blue Light Special price.
Lot # 170 1916 Detroit Electric Model 57 Brougham; S/N 7545; Black/Brown cloth; Estimate $85,000 – $115,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000. – White wire wheels, bud vase, tiller steering, Waltham clock. – Repainted, superficially cleaned old chassis, newer batteries, worn original upholstery, particularly the driver’s seat. – This is a Grandma vehicle and despite politicians’ attempts to force vehicle buyers into low driving range, long recharging time electric vehicles collectors fail to accept the rationale. This is a sound if aged example, but the seller should be supremely grateful that it brought this much.
Lot # 171 1935 Ford Model 48 Deluxe Phaeton; S/N 182088086; Cordoba Grey, Poppy Red beltline stripes/Brown leatherette; Beige cloth top; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $27,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,250. – 221/75hp, Cinnabar Red wire wheels, hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, luggage rack, wind wings, turn signals, enclosed rear-mounted spare, Ford badged Unity fog lights. – Good older paint. Decent but aged chrome. Sound upholstery and top. Dirty older restored chassis. Orderly but aged and driven engine compartment. Just a car, but attractive and usable as it is. – RM Hershey had many cars like this: restored but aged and neglected. This was a prime opportunity for opportunistic buyers to get basically sound but tired cars that don’t need much to be driven and appreciated and this is a good example, a rare Model 48 Phaeton for Model A money.
Lot # 172 1929 Cadillac 341-B V-8 Touring, Body by Fisher; S/N 324547; Engine # 8351622; Dark Green/Black leather; White cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Modified restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. – 346/150hp 1941 V-8 and 4-speed, power steering added, luggage trunk, Burgundy wire wheels, wide whitewalls, jump seats, dual sidemounts, Depress Beam headlights, single Pilot-Ray, turn signals, wind wings, radiator stoneguard. – Good older paint and upholstery. Good chrome. Mildewed top. Orderly, clean engine compartment. Sound but aged and not as it was built. – This is an element of early restoration which preserved appearance but did not care much about originality in favor of better performance and drivability. The ’41 engine added 50hp over the original and the 4-speed makes it more useful on tours, yet neither look different from the original and are hard to detect without reference to numbers. It won’t win any AACA or CCCA prizes, but it will drive like a real car with its engine, transmission and power steering and is a sound value in this transaction.
Lot # 173 1936 Ford Model 68 Cabriolet; S/N 18280847; Black/Brown leatherette; Beige cloth top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $42,900. – 221/85hp, 3-speed, Fenton headers, hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, enclosed rear-mounted spare, rumble seat, radio, A.R. Mfg. fog lights. – Good older paint and erratic chrome trim. Sound upholstery, faded and wrinkled top. Clean, well-maintained engine compartment. A competent older restoration showing its age and losing its edge. Looks better under the hood than outside. – The appeal of the ’36 Ford is apparent in this generous price for a tired but sound example.
Lot # 174 1948 Chrysler New Yorker Town and Country Convertible; S/N 7406034; Dark Blue/Blue leather, Red plaid; Beige cloth top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $61,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $67,100. – 324/135hp eight, Fluid Drive, pushbutton radio, heater, dual remote Unity spotlights, hubcaps, sombrero trim rings, wide whitewalls. – Good wood with no water staining, appears to be recently redone. Fair, scratched older paint with edge chips. Fair upholstery wearing through on the driver’s seat cushion cloth. Filthy old carpets and worn interior kick panels. Clear gauges. Old, yellowed whitewalls. Fair chrome. – The really appealing aspect of this New Yorker Town and Country is the quality of its wood which is far better than the worn interior and old paint, let alone the grubby carpets. Its result here is a carefully balanced equation between the great wood and the rest of the aged presentation. The bidders got it right and this is an intelligent result.
Lot # 175 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible; S/N 7A1057212; Red/Black, White; Black vinyl top; Estimate $60,000 – $75,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $42,900. – 322/200hp, 4-barrel, Dynaflow, power brakes and steering, power windows and seat, chrome wrapped continental kit, chrome wire wheels, narrow whitewalls. – Shrinking old paint with some blistering. Sound upholstery. Dirty unrestored engine compartment and chassis. Rusty interior chrome and rusting dashtop. – Reported bid to $70,000 at Auctions America’s Auburn Fall in 2010 and offered two years later by Bonhams at Greenwich, this is a pretty sad Skylark that has extensive needs, and I don’t mean optional needs. It is not going to bring much pride of ownership to its new owner in this condition and any attempt to remedy the most egregious problems is going to start an expensive process of “while you’re at it.” The seller should look upon this result with gratitude.
Lot # 176 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster; S/N 11304412001739; Signal Red, Signal Red Pagoda hardtop/Black vinyl; Black top; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500. – 2,778/170hp, automatic, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, Frigiking air conditioning, Becker Europa TR radio, two tops. – Mediocre old repaint. Dirty original engine compartment and chassis. Good chrome. Good upholstery and interior trim. One family owned for twenty years and represented with 75,823 miles. A pleasing and well-equipped, if aged, 280SL. – This is a somewhat better car than the parsimonious price paid for it in this transaction indicates, but presentation matters in buyers’ evaluations and this example didn’t ignite any enthusiasm. It represents a decent value for someone with the time and resources to spiff it up.
Lot # 178 1954 BMW 501-6 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 41712; Cream/Cream leather; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500. – 1,971/72hp, column shift 4-speed, Blaupunkt multiband radio, Philips underdash record player, fender mirror, wheel covers, whitewalls, semaphore turn signals. – Good paint and upholstery. Pitted chrome on the fender marker lights and dull aluminum side window trim. Fogged but readable gauges. Unrestored chassis. Scratched bumpers. Good door fits and interior fittings. An impressive and unusual but aged early postwar BMW sedan. – Not for the faint of heart due to its spotty cosmetic restoration but as a display piece at a BMW dealer or among its successors at a marque show it will created a good impression. Just don’t look too closely at it. It is worth the price it brought here, but not much more.
Lot # 179 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupe, Body by Mulliner Park Ward; S/N LCSC129B; Black/Black leather, Red piping; Black leatherette top; Estimate $150,000 – $200,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $137,500. – 6,230/200hp, automatic, JVC CD stereo, hubcaps and trim rings, narrow whitewalls, Lucas fog lights, halogen headlights. – Mediocre old repaint with rust repairs above the right headlight and some blisters. Dirty original engine compartment and chassis. Sound upholstery and top. Pitted trim chrome around the rear license plate. Nothing seriously wrong, but nothing wonderful either. – A tired old car, fairly typical of the consignments at RM’s Hershey auction this year, and not received at all well by the bidders, nor by RM is setting the estimate range. It still has presence, though, and is a good value for the money even with all its shortcomings and age.
Lot # 180 1949 Allard L-Type Tourer; S/N 792; Black/Blue leather; Black leatherette top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Unrestored original 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. – RHD. Ford flathead V-8, Offenhauser aluminum heads, stock 2-barrel carburetor, Bluemel’s steering wheel, rear-mounted spare, cool old aircraft style 90 degree electric tachometer. – Dull, dead old paint, crack and stiff original upholstery. Dirty, old and dented but essentially sound. – Sold by Bonhams at the Simeone Collection auction in 2015 for $51,700 in somewhat better condition but otherwise similarly old and unrestored. It has added about 17 miles to its odometer since then and the $2,200 less it brought here at Hershey is a strong price for a tired and neglected flathead-powered Allard.
Lot # 181 1957 BMW-Isetta 300 Coupe; S/N 570827; Blue, White/Red vinyl; Estimate $15,000 – $25,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500. – 298/13hp, 4-speed, white cloth sunroof, white wheels, hubcaps, Falken tires. – Fair older paint, sketchy coachlines, sound upholstery, sloppy carpet fit. Old soiled sunroof fabric. Wrapped steering wheel rim. Edge chipped engine access panel. Weak trim chrome. Sloppy instrument panel and foggy speedometer lens. Superficial. – This result goes a long way to prove that an Isetta 300 has strong appeal even when its condition and presentation are sketchy and erratic. The price it brought here is nearly heroic for its condition but correcting even the smallest of problems (and there are many) won’t be expensive to fix, kind of like spiffing up a baby carriage.
Lot # 182 1970 BMW 1600-2 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1897455; Granada Red/Black vinyl; Estimate $25,000 – $35,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $21,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $23,100. – 1,573/85hp, 2-barrel Solex, 4-speed, alloy wheels, Barum tires, no radio. – Good panel fits, even gaps. Some partially sanded out repaint orange peel. Sound upholstery. Dented left rear bumper. Good major chrome but scratched aluminum side window trim and pitted pot metal. Key scratches around the ignition switch and pitted dashboard chrome band. Good glass. An honest driver that evidences consistent good care and attention. – This is a pleasing driver quality car that should be rewarding to own and drive, particularly at this reasonable and realistic price. 1600-2 is the official nomenclature through 1970 even though the rear valence glitter reflects the 1971 and later 1602 terminology.
Lot # 188 1972 BMW 3.0 CS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 2212688; Polaris Silver/Blue leather; Estimate $70,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $47,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $52,250. – 2,985/180hp, dual Zenith carburetors, 4-speed, alloy wheels, Victorun tires, power windows, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, halogen headlights. – Good clearcoat repaint and interior. Good chrome, some scratched and scarred aluminum side window trim. Mostly original underbody and chassis. – Looking and handling much like the 3.0 CSL homologation special, the lacking 22hp hardly makes much difference in today’s collector car use case, but the $200,000 difference in value makes a huge difference. A sound and apparently well-maintained largely original example with fairly recent mechanical work, it is an excellent value.
Lot # 189 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air FI Convertible; S/N VC57L134291; Engine # F1217EM; Larkspur Blue/Turquoise, Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500. – 283/250hp fuel injection, column shift 3-speed, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, heater, windshield washer, T-3 headlights, skirts, continental kit, dual rear antennas. – Sound occasionally edge chipped paint. Good panel fits except the driver’s door rubs on the bottom rear corner. Good older upholstery and top. Dirty engine compartment showing age and miles. Some pitting pot metal trim. A good older restoration now driven and aged but still basically sound. – There were two ’57 Bel Air Fuelies on display at RM Hershey, this one in the auction and another with the 283/283 that RM will offer in a later sale made up only of AACA Grand National First Prize winning restorations from the collection of Ron & Sarah Judy that made this accurately restored example pale by comparison. Although the engine number is the correct “EM” suffix for the 283/250hp under the hood, no one has ever established how these cars left the factory, in this case Los Angeles, and RM carefully limited its description. It looks correct under the hood including the cold air intake on the radiator support crossmember and is conservatively valued in this transaction while taking into account the age of its restoration.
Lot # 191 1970 BMW 2002 ti 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1689309; Orange/Black vinyl, Grey cloth inserts; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500. – 1,990/118hp, 4-speed, Clarion cassette stereo, BBS style alloy wheels, Solus tires, Solex PHH tires, Bosch driving lights, halogen headlights. – Good repaint. New alloy wheels and tires, original interior worn through on the driver’s seat cushion. Dirty original engine compartment. Banged up right rain gutter trim looks like a roof rack was aggressively strapped down. – Largely overlooked in the popularity for the later fuel injected 2002 tii, this is a sound and usable example of the final year of 2002 ti carbureted production that was appreciated and earned a representative price in a sale with plenty of BMWs to choose from.
Lot # 199 1960 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible; S/N 860W6504; White/Oxblood vinyl, Gold center; White vinyl top; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $68,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $74,800. – 389/318hp Tri-Power, automatic, power windows, steering and brakes, air conditioning, WonderBar radio, 8-lug wheels, remote spotlight/mirror, whitewalls, bucket seats, no console. – Good older repaint, top and interior. Dirty engine compartment. Sound major chrome but pitting cast trim. Chrome blister on the rear bumper. Good panel fits and gaps. A good older restoration but now aged and driven. – Sold by RM from the McMullen Collection in 2007 for $170,500, this result reflects 17 years more age and use. But there is no denying the appeal of a Tri-Power Bonneville convertible with 8-lug wheels and the result here exceeded, if only by a little, RM’s expectations for it, a fairly rare occurrence in Hershey this year.
Lot # 200 1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer Convertible; S/N 34932718; Parisian Blue, Sapphire White/Blue, White vinyl, cloth; Black cloth top; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $28,600. – 270/175hp, automatic, power steering and brakes, power front seat, wheel covers, wide whitewalls, dual outside mirrors. – Good repaint and interior. Pitted chrome. Dirty unrestored engine compartment and chassis. Yellowed whitewalls, A superficial cosmetic redo. – The online photos show a partially disassembled engine compartment missing the brake master cylinder and showing the stock 2-barrel carburetor. The car I saw at Hershey was assembled and had three 2-barrel carburetors, a configuration not offered in 1955. This car sold at RM’s Boca Raton auction in 2006 for $67,410 and must have been in much better and less neglected condition. All things considered this is a fair price for a fair, and rare, Dodge.
Lot # 203 1954 Packard Caribbean Convertible; S/N 54782167; Sahara Sand, Gulf Green/White, Green leather; White leatherette top; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Cosmetic restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $32,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $35,750. – 359/212hp, automatic, continental kit, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, power windows, power seat. – Rusty rear bumper, pitted taillights, rusting wire wheels. grille, headlight bezels and front bumper. Failing older paint and interior. Cracked below the hood scoop and front of the hood. Surface rusting chassis with old peeling undercoat. Clear instrument panel. Creased upholstery. Appears sound but has many, many needs. – Another Caribbean in Hershey, one of four offered (3 reported here) and with many needs before it can realize its potential (i.e., restoration) the bidders carefully and intelligently calibrated its desirability and condition in arriving at this price. It is a daunting project even at this price.
Lot # 206 1981 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible; S/N SCAYD42A4BCX01894; Masons Black/Beige leather; Beige leatherette top; Estimate $60,000 – $75,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $72,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $79,750. – 6,750/220hp, automatic, bucket seats, power everything, air conditioning, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, hubcaps, trim rings, narrow Michelin whitewalls. – Shiny repaint with blister on the left door and failing repair behind it. Good chrome and creased upholstery. Clean underbody with old undercoat. Represented with 5,365 miles from new and first owned by fashion designer Vera Wang’s father, Cheng Ching Wang. – “Fashion designer Vera Wang” doesn’t have the same resonance with collectors that Ralph Lauren does but Cheng Ching Wang’s Corniche, with its low miles and ugly paint job, did well here in Hershey.
Lot # 207 1983 Zimmer Golden Spirit Convertible; S/N 1FABP26F7D131589; Cream/Tan leather; Tan vinyl top; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Unrestored original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000. – 302/228hp Ford V-8, automatic, Kenwood CD stereo, power windows, steering, brakes and locks, chrome wire wheels, air conditioning, gold spoke Nardi woodrim steering wheel, Recaro seats, fog lights. – Bungee cord securing the trunk lid. Sound edge chipped original paint and upholstery. Cracked paint on both windshield post. Peeling steering wheel plating. Good tight-fitting top. Scroungy engine compartment quickly painted assembled. Dirty engine. Good chrome except for the peeling horns. – I think this result should stand by itself, with little going for it other than utility and parts availability.
Lot # 208 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 Coupe; S/N 1G1YZ33J2L5800842; Black/Black leather; Estimate $20,000 – $25,000; Unrestored original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $31,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $34,100. – 350/375hp, 6-speed, alloy wheels, Eagle tires, – Sound paint. Worn but sound interior, switches and gauges. Clean original engine compartment. A clean, honest ZR-1. – The interior of this ZR-1 looks more worn than the claimed 6,895 miles would indicate, appearance that the bidders chose to ignore with this somewhat above estimate price.
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Lot # 340 1932 Cadillac 452-B V-16 All-Weather Phaeton, Body by Fleetwood; S/N Engine No. 1400211; Engine # 1400211; Black, Silver accents/Burgundy leather; Grey cloth top; Estimate $350,000 – $400,000; Older restoration 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $310,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $341,000. – 452/165hp, 3-speed, chrome spoke wire wheels, wide dual side whitewalls, Super Safe headlights dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, metal luggage trunk. – Possibly first owned by financier Bernard Baruch, engine changed at the beginning of its restoration in 1950, not completed until 1980. Franklin Mint model car. Excellent older paint, chrome and interior. The frame and engine compartment are restored like new. Charles Noto collection. – Restored twenty years ago and still spectacular, like the several other cars from the Noto collection offered here, this Cadillac combines a beautiful body by Fleetwood with the practicality of a roll up window convertible sedan. It will be a great car for tours even though it is almost too good to be subjected to the vagaries of road driving. It is a paragon of Classic cars and deserves every penny of this price for its quality, restoration and preservation.
Lot # 341 1912 Marion Model 33 Bobcat Roadster; S/N 37388; Red, Black fenders/Black leather; Estimate $100,000 – $140,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000. – RHD. 226/40 ALAM hp, 3-speed, Stewart speedometer, Phinney Walker clock, monocle windshield, bulb horn, oval bolster tank, rear-mounted spare, red wood spoke wheels, Firestone Non Skid tires, Solar acetylene headlights, Prest-o-Lite tank, E&J kerosene sidelights, kerosene taillight, Economy icebox (for the battery box), acetylene starting system (not presently used), B&L cowl-mounted spotlight. – Good older paint and upholstery. Brass needs attention. The fuel tank has scary blisters on both end seams. Problematic whether it was built as a Bobcat, but definitely a Marion. Charles J. Noto collection. – A long history at auction, selling the earliest time at RM’s McMullen collection sale in 2007 for $165,000. It came up again a year later here at Hershey where it sold for $88,000. It did better here in 2018 when it brought $165,000. The vagaries of valuing a Marion Bobcat with sketchy early history are apparent in how the prices of this car have floated around over the years. It is reasonable to conclude that no one knows what a probably made-up Marion Bobcat is worth but this one is an established presence that may have reached equilibrium.
Lot # 342 1912 Imperial Model 34 Touring; S/N 2820; Engine # 11380; Grey, Black accents/Terra Cotta leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $49,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $53,900. – RHD. 307/40 ALAM hp four, Stewart speedometer and clock, 36-inch wood spoke wheels, Dragon bulb horn, Solar acetylene headlights, Solar kerosene taillight. – Good older paint and brass after restoration by Manny and George Dragone in 2016. Very good upholstery and top. Lightly used engine compartment with some coolant leak residue. Good older restored chassis with few miles. Deserves to have some attention. Charles J. Noto collection. – There is n-o-t-h-i-n-g to use as a comparable result for this Imperial among the 360,299 transactions in my database so it is reasonable to conclude that in the absence of other evidence this is what an older restored Imperial Model 34 Touring is worth.
Lot # 343 1911 Oldsmobile Model 28 Autocrat Roadster; S/N Engine No. 66058; Engine # 66058; Burgundy, Red accents/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Concours restoration 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $370,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $407,000. – RHD. 471/50 ALAM hp T-head four, Solarclipse acetylene headlights, Solar acetylene sidelights and taillights, Solar acetylene generator, dual rear-mounted spares, Mother-in-Law seat, 37-inch Silvertown tires, Jones speedometer and clock, electric starter added. – Represented as an original Autocrat, believed to be one of three known roadsters. Previously owned by Barney Pollard and Dick Neller. Restored by Neller years ago, then sold to Jim Bradley in 2005 and restored again. Excellent older paint, uniformly bright brass. The upholstery looks unused. Clean barely used engine compartment. Charles J. Noto collection. – One of the giants of the Brass Age, the 4-cylinder kid brother of the Limited’s six-cylinder but no less revered and respected. Its provenance it impressive, as is its original configuration, restoration and the restoration’s preservation. It would not have been unprecedented for it to bring more than this result, it is that cool and rare a thing.
Lot # 344 1904 Cadillac Model B Touring; S/N 4487; Burgundy, Black fenders and accent/Black leather; Estimate $90,000 – $110,000; Concours restoration 1 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $155,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $170,500. – RHD.98/8 1/4hp, 2-speed, wicker pannier baskets, Phare Solar acetylene headlight, Dietz kerosene sidelights, Solar kerosene taillight. steering column mounted bulb horn. – Sold new in Mexico and stayed there until the 90’s then restored for Les Holden. Reproduction body. AACA NFP in 2009 and still looks good enough to be a contender. Lightly stretched front seat upholstery. Excellent paint and brass. Charles J. Noto collection. – Documented as delivered to Mexico City in November 1904, making it eligible for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. It will be a great ride, emblematic of Cadillac’s win of the Dewar Trophy in 1908, and is impossible to fault in any meaningful way, including its over high estimate price.
Lot # 345 1912 Little Giant Model D Jitney Bus “Blue Jitney Line”; S/N 1102; Engine # Blue; Blue/Brown leather; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Rebodied or re-created 1+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $210,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $231,000. – 20hp opposed twin, 2-speed planetary gearbox, white wood wheels, solid rubber tires, white chassis, rear entrance, Ohmer fare box, single radiator-mounted acetylene searchlight, Prest-o-Lite tank, dual chain drive, New Haven clock, electric starter. – Chassis discovered in 2009 in Pennsylvania and restored with this jitney bus reproduction body. 2015 AACA National Bus Award winner in 2015, Grand National in 2016 and People’s Choice at The Elegance in 2018. Sublimely detailed, constructed and presented, beyond flawless and built to superlative standards of woodwork, finish and joinery. Charles J. Noto collection. – Built by the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company, the originator of the jackhammer, few Little Giants exist and there must be none that are presented even close to this standard of uniform excellence. It sat by itself during the preview, as it is likewise singular in its quality and only the price it brought today is enough to say about the impression it made, a hammer bid that is 40% over its pre-sale high estimate. Without a frame of reference this must be the apogee of Little Giant values.
Lot # 348 1919 Peerless Model 56 Touring; S/N 250968; Engine # 9644; Burgundy, Black fenders/Black leather; Black leatherette cape top; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Cosmetic restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. – 330/80hp V-8, 3-speed, 2-speed rear axle, body color 35-inch wood spoke wheels, wide whitewalls, dual rear-mounted spares, windshield post mounted spotlight. – Tired but sound older paint. Dirty engine and chassis. Sound upholstery and top. A sound old cosmetic restoration with great quality and performance. – Although no history was given for this Peerless the fact that it is a Peerless V-8 is more than sufficient to establish its bona fides. It is old and used but still presentable on touring events and will outperform many later cars for little more money than they would bring in comparable condition today. It is a sound, even a good, value in this transaction.
Lot # 350 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sports Saloon, Body by Park Ward; S/N 117GN; Black, Black padded roof/Green leather; Estimate $80,000 – $130,000; Incomplete restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000. – RHD. 7,668/120hp, 4-speed, black wheel discs, Excelsior tires, Lucas headlights and fog lights, turn signals, black leatherette covered luggage trunk, rear-mounted spare, turn indicator semaphores. – The interior is freshly restored to the point where the leather still smells fresh, but the exterior paint is older. The hood hinge plating is worn off. The chassis is likewise old. Door handles are freshly chromed. Quite likely the restoration project got short circuited and this is as far as it got. – This is exceptional coachwork by Park Ward, long, sleek, low and imposing. It deserves a Continental chassis and even with the erratic restoration is a sound value at this price.
Lot # 355 1909 Oldsmobile Model X3 Touring; S/N Engine No. 55934; Engine # 55934; Red, Black accents/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $80,000 – $100,000; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500. – RHD. 302/32hp inline four, Rubes bulb horn, Rushmore acetylene headlights, Prest-o-Lite acetylene tank, E&J kerosene sidelights and taillight, electric starter added. – Known history from new although much of it was dormant 1989, then restored and re-restored in 1997. Mechanically redone in the naughts by RM with the electric starter added. Very good older paint and upholstery. Good tight-fitting top. Dulling water-spotted brass. The chassis shows little use, just some age. – This is not an Autocrat and certainly not a Limited, but it is a fully capable and attractive Oldsmobile, believed to be the only survivor of its model. It is, for its new owner, an opportunity to elucidate the industry-leading history of Oldsmobile and a car to own proudly.
Lot # 356 1916 Pierce-Arrow 38-C-4 5-Passenger Touring; S/N 37294; Dark Red, Black aprons and beltline/Black; Black leatherette top; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Cosmetic restoration 4+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $57,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $63,250. – RHD. 414/72hp T-head six, 4-speed, Dawley headlights, Westinghouse spring shackle dampers, nickel trim, Motometer, dual right side spares, electric Klaxon horn, exhaust whistle, beige cloth seat covers over the original upholstery and interior trim. – Very beaten up and aged but not without its own charm and appeal and appears to be complete. Early history unknown but preserved over decades for collectors who appreciated its quality, style and originality. 1964 AACA National First Prize winner. Represented as the original bodywork. – An intriguing prospect that needs nothing beyond continued preservation. It was sold by RM at Arizona in 2019 for $112,000. This result is barely half that, a tremendous value even considering its aged and beaten up condition. With barn find cars bringing more and more attention, often reaching eye-opening values, this Pierce has been known for too long to be considered a barn find, but if it were to emerge from a barn today without its history and recognition it would fit the definition and bring a much larger price.
Lot # 357 1911 Cadillac Thirty Roadster; S/N 33567; Engine # 55571; Green, Black accents, Cream chassis/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $40,000 – $60,000; Older restoration 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $37,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,250. – RHD. 286/32hp four, New Haven clock, wood spoke wheels, mother-in-law seat, Gray and Davis acetylene headlights and kerosene sidelights, Solar kerosene taillight and acetylene generator, bulb horn, platform rear suspension. – Discovered by “Austie” Clark alongside a Thomas Flyer behind Long Island’s “Big Duck” (my mother shopped there, and I can still recall the sawdust on the floor and the Big Duck’s smell.) Restored by Ken Rohl, then traded back to Clark and displayed for years at Clark’s Long Island Automotive Museum. Chipped, scratched and old. Cracked old upholstery but surprisingly good top. Beaten up but all there, a promising restoration project but too complete not to get running and enjoy first. – The Austie Clark history is a significant piece of value of this Buick, an early collector who saved many cars from returning to the earth. It is a rough old thing but it is a beacon on a long history of collecting cars and an early Cadillac that was at that time still Henry Leland’s “Standard of the World”.
Lot # 359 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Boattail Speedster; S/N 85133108E; Engine # GH5861; Black/Red leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $750,000 – $850,000; Older restoration 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $710,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $781,000. – 280/150hp supercharged inline eight, 3-speed, overdrive, outside exhaust headpipes, red wheels, sombrero trim rings, hubcaps, blackwall tires, Stabilite headlights. – Excellent paint, bright chrome, nearly untouched upholstery, tight-fitting top. Chassis and engine are like new. ACD Category 1 with a correct period replacement engine. Owned by noted collectors like Tom Barrett, Jerry J. Moore and Chuck Spielman. Impossible to fault in any meaningful way. – An aged concours-quality car, this Auburn has been accorded everything it needed since it was restored and still shines like a concours queen. Its price here reflects its presentation.
Lot # 360 1948 Bentley Mark VI “New Look” 2-Dr. Sedan, Body by James Young; S/N B495CD; Dark Grey, Blue/Dark Blue leather; Estimate $100,000 – $150,000; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $52,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,750. – RHD. 4,257/132hp, 4-speed, body color wheel covers, fender skirts, Flying B, single dip beam light, Lucas headlights, sunroof, rear seat tables, turn signal semaphores, tools. – Odd James Young bodywork that looks like a Hudson from the back. Used at the 1948 Earls Court Show on the James Young stand, an example of British design taking cues from American marques. Formerly owned by Le Mans winner Duncan Hamilton. Some paint blistering in several spots, particularly along the top of the passenger’s door and under the left quarter window. Lightly worn front seats and steering wheel, but the wood is very good. Used and unrestored underneath with some oxidation on the frame. The engine compartment is superficially repainted over old paint. Cosmetically restored at some point, but given its rare postwar coachwork it deserves a more comprehensive redo. – Sold by Bonhams at Lords in London in 2003 for $21,731 (£13,512 at the time), then by RM at Arizona in 2019 for a staggering $224,000 and bid to $170,000 at Bonhams Quail in 2019. It fell on its face here where its bulbous bodywork overcame its distinctive appearance and rarity. The “New Look” did not stand the test of time and this bargain result is what happens.
Lot # 362 1932 Chrysler CL Imperial Convertible Roadster, Body by LeBaron; S/N 7803491; Engine # CL1176; Amboy Beige/Crimson leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $550,000 – $650,000; Concours restoration 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $520,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $572,000. – 385/135hp eight, 3-speed, crimson wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemounts, luggage rack, rumble seat, golf bag door, Depress Beam headlights, top-hinged vee windshield. – Three times judged 100 points in CCCA events in 1979. Excellent cosmetics and chassis. Sparkling engine compartment. The upholstery is nearly untouched. The interior losing a little luster but is a credit to the quality of the restoration and its care since it was done. Frank Wright collection. – This is a beautiful car as it sits and it is beautifully restored and maintained. Its restoration is almost half a century old yet still looks sharp and crisp. That is not enough to keep the bidders from looking skeptically at its age but this is still a good price for an old (maybe even “ancient”) restoration.
Lot # 364 1931 Chrysler CG Imperial Roadster, Body by LeBaron; S/N 7801691; Engine # CG2703; Dustproof Gray, Auto Dark Gray accent and fenders/Blue leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $400,000 – $500,000; Concours restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $400,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $440,000. – 385/125hp eight, 4-speed, dual enclosed sidemounts, blue-green wire wheels and chassis, hubcaps, chrome lock rings, rumble seat, luggage rack, Depress Beam headlights. – Acquired by Frank Wright in 1979 and then restored, AACA Grand National winner. Excellent paint, chrome, upholstery and top. Restored better than new and still exceptional. Frank Wright collection. – It is difficult to accept that this Chrysler, along with the others from Frank Wright’s collection, were restored decades ago but still remain in concours-ready condition. It is a tribute first of all to how well they were restored and second to consistent attentive maintenance to the absolute highest standards. All that was not lost on the bidders here in Hershey who raised their paddles with enthusiasm not seen by many of the other lots in the sale.
Lot # 366 1960 Chrysler 300F Convertible; S/N 8403126205; Alaskan White, Beige leather/Beige leather; White vinyl top; Estimate $120,000 – $150,000; Older restoration 1- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $137,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $151,250. – 413/375hp, cross-ram dual quads, automatic, power steering, brakes, driver’s seat and windows, wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, air conditioning, remote outside mirror. – Excellent cosmetics, lightly stretched upholstery, bright chrome. The engine compartment and chassis are like new. Even panel gaps and fits. William Boucher collection. – While the age of this restoration shows in its gentle patina also showing are the high standards to which it was restored and the care and attention it has received to preserve the restoration. This is a solid value in a better than solid 300F.
Lot # 367 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible; S/N 55881356; White Jade, Fire Opal Red, Onyx Black/Red, White, Black leather; White vinyl top; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500. – 352/275hp, dual quads, automatic, power steering, brakes and windows, signal-seeking radio, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, power seat, dual rear antennas, skirts. – Very good older paint, chrome and redone brightwork. Lightly worn seats in an otherwise very good interior. Clean engine bay. Slightly dirty underbody. Discoloring whitewalls. Difficult to fault except for age. William Boucher collection. – Sold by Mecum at Seattle in 2014 for $88,560 with 82,889 miles on its odometer. It brought $132,000 at Barrett-Jackson in 2016 with 83,099 miles and today has just three more than it did then, 83,102 miles. It has been well-preserved and the bidders didn’t believe the pessimistic RM specialists who set the parsimonious pre-sale estimate. The bidders were more right than RM, but this still is a major decline even from an inflation adjusted 2014 Mecum Seattle value.
Lot # 370 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible; S/N 5662119008; Black/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $175,000 – $225,000; Concours restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $190,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $209,000. – 365/305hp, dual quads, automatic, Autronic Eye, pushbutton radio, power windows, seat, steering, antenna and brakes, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls chrome wrapped continental kit, parade boot. – Restored better than new in all respects. Restored in 2008, AACA National First Prize that year. William Boucher collection. – Impossible to fault in any meaningful way and spectacular in its (non-original) all-black livery. Seriously impressive and a bit expensive but a showpiece that leaves nothing to chance.
Lot # 374 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III Fastback, Body by Tickford; S/N AM30031514; OE White/Red leather; Estimate $100,000 – $175,000; Cosmetic restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $160,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $176,000. – LHD. 2,992/162hp, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, Michelin Pilote tires, 4-point belts, woodrim steering wheel, safety wired wheel nuts, outside fuel filler, Lucas headlights, fog lights, no bumpers, electric fuel pump, magneto ignition. – Represented as the matching-numbers engine. Failing old edge chipped repaint over old paint and poor preparation. Clean, crisp wire wheels. Good gauges. Dirty chassis. Wheel wells quickly sprayed over old undercoat and paint with overspray on the chassis. Curdled B-pillar side window seals. A half-assed prepared event car. – The 2009 restoration is stated in the catalog to have cost $90,000 which aligns with its superficial nature. The bidders saw some potential here but were restrained in their willingness to recognize it, as was RM in the pre-sale estimate range. This is an Aston that can be driven and enjoyed in what is unlikely to be a satisfying ownership experience even at this modest price.
Lot # 376 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194675S103030; Engine # F1117HT; Rally Red/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $62,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $68,750. – 327/350hp L79, 4-speed, aluminum radiator, power steering, woodgrain steering wheel, AM-FM, luggage rack, alloy wheels, Michelin narrow whitewalls. – Restoration completed in1993. Flawed paint with blisters on the rear fenders and orange peel on the hood. Top boot cover doesn’t close flush. Engine compartment superficially cleaned up for the auction but grimy and oily on the frame. Inherently appealing but notably flawed upon a close look. – A pleasing powertrain combining excellent power with reliability and responsiveness, but aged and driven since the restoration was completed 30 years ago and not especially well-maintained or prepared for the auction. The seller should be very pleased with this spot-on result.
Lot # 377 1933 Ford V-8 Station Wagon; S/N 18882566; Dark Metallic Purple, Black composite roof/Black leatherette; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Rebodied or re-created 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $31,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $34,100. – 221/75hp, 3-speed, red wire wheels, whitewalls, single right side spare, 3-row seating, greyhound radiator cap. – Reproduction wood body with good wood but lift out Plexiglas side windows that are scratched. Good older paint and chrome except thin chrome on the door handles. Orderly but oil misted engine compartment. – Sold by RM at Arizona in 2003 for $68,750 freshly restored and showing 78,771 miles, today it has aged even though the odometer shows 78,976 miles, only 205 more miles than it did 21 years ago. To me the fresh body’s lift-out Plexiglas side windows are a sign of an expedient rebody. It is eminently usable as is but isn’t the real deal.
Lot # 379 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe; S/N S680611; Engine # W7130-8S; OE White/Beige leather; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500. – 3,442/180hp, 4-speed, fender mirrors, chrome wire wheels, Firestone Deluxe Champion blackwall tires, Volvo pushbutton radio, three power outlets, halogen headlights, Lucas fog lights. – Represented as the matching-numbers engine “configured as a more powerful Special Equipment variant” without stating that is how it was built by Jaguar and the cylinder head stamping’s “S” is skewed and offset. The firewall data plate is similarly suspect. Good chrome and lightly stretched upholstery. Sound paint cracked on the trunk lid. Sloppy sealer around the rear window. Semigloss varnished dashboard wood, gloss varnish on the door caps. Doors close and fit well. Orderly engine compartment showing age and miles. – RM didn’t represented this XK 120 as an SE in its heading or description, only as “configured as” in the text. It was sold by Christie’s at Lyndhurst in 1999 for $28,800, then at Rockefeller Center in 2002 for $29,375 neither time even mentioning SE specs. Today it brought a price appropriate for an XK 120 that isn’t an original Jaguar-built SE, a meaningful, but slight, difference.