Everyone had a different solution to the effect of CoViD restrictions on the annual trip to Arizona known familiarly as “Scottsdale”.
RM Sotheby’s organized a socially-distanced combined live and online auction at the OTTO Car Club near Scottsdale airport. Bonhams hung on to its Westin Kierland location but only for previews, holding its live/online auction at a different location. Gooding & Company went totally Geared Online with cars previewed in Los Angeles. Barrett-Jackson postponed the whole show to late March.
Worldwide took probably the most expedient solution, holding its “Scottsdale” auction live and online from its headquarters in Auburn, Indiana.
The location provided modest logistics expenses, storage and preview space with the overhead already covered, established phone and online communications. And then was bolstered by a 68-lot consignment (of which six were withdrawn before the auction) highlighted by 50 lots offered without reserve (not including withdrawn lots), including the Steelewood Collection of wood-bodied station wagons.
The overall performance is, among the various “Scottsdale” auctions, exceptional.
This is not a time to aspire to setting turnover records. It’s a time to bring solid, consistent results, and Worldwide did, with several record transactions and a number of over-market results, an affirmation of the continuing vibrancy of the collector car hobby despite social, political, medical and economic dislocations.
Here are the numbers:
| Year | Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ |
| 2021 | 57/62 | 91.9% | $90,842 | $72,800
[80.1%] |
$5,177,980 |
| 2020 | 40/55 | 72.7% | $139,446 | $68,750
[49.3%] |
$5,577,825 |
| 2019 | 55/72 | 76.4% | $172,065 | $81,400
[47.3%] |
$9,463,575 |
| 2018 | 51/81 | 63% | $122,663 | $75,000
[61.1%] |
$6,255,800 |
Lots are sorted by lot number. Photos are © and courtesy of Worldwide Auctioneers (as might be surmised by the overprint on the photos.) Reports are based upon Worldwide’s descriptions and generous online photos.
Lot # 07 1923 Maxwell Model 25 Touring; S/N C453125; Engine # 186; Black/Black; Black leatherette top; Unrestored original 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $16,800 – 186/34hp inline 4-cylinder, 3-speed, wheel covers, folding windshield, rear-mounted spare. – Reputed to be the Maxwell Jack Benny used in TV episodes. Wavy, dented body, scruffy paint, torn upholstery, flayed interior trim, broken speedometer lens, worn out spare tire. Scruffy, rusted engine compartment. A dilapidated, neglected vehicle noted only for its association with famously frugal Jack Benny and his sidekick, Rochester but the whitewalls on the inside are a typical, cheapskate, Jack Benny touch. – Maxwell was the entity Walter P. Chrysler used as the foundation to build Chrysler Corporation but Jack Benny made Maxwell a memorable name. It’s a memorable car, worth perusing this YouTube video to see how it was featured: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyoDhOrmIAo. Unfortunately the Maxwell also is beat up and old with the butt prints of Benny and Rochester still visible on the front seat cushions. The result here is a realistic compromise between history and condition.
Lot # 08 1957 Chevrolet 210 4-Dr. Hardtop; S/N VB57J208899; Black/White vinyl, Black cloth; Cosmetic restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $47,040 – 283/250hp fuel injection, Powerglide, steel wheels, hubcaps, rear antenna, pushbutton radio, heater. – Sound repaint with dust inclusions, good chrome and replacement upholstery and interior trim. Orderly engine compartment. Represented as a factory-built Fuelie but has a “period-correct” engine with no engine number noted or photographed. Much attention paid to underhood detail descriptions. An intriguing model and rare in the 210 trim level 4-Door Hardtop style, without documentation from new. – A ’57 Chevy 210 4-Door Hardtop is a rare and noteworthy car all by itself and the result here is not out of line for this one’s condition. As a practical matter, then, the 283/250hp FI engine is essentially free, as it should be in the absence of definitive evidence this is how it was delivered.
Lot # 14 1934 Cadillac 370-D V-12 All Weather Sedan, Body by Fleetwood; S/N 410303; Dark Grey,, Black fenders/Red leather; Black cloth top; Concours restoration 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $140,000 – 368/135hp, V-12, 3-speed, steel wheels with body color discs, dual enclosed sidemounts, metal luggage trunk, biplane bumpers, rollup division, footrests. – Restored in 1994, displayed at Amelia Island and except for some touched up small chips still show ready. Excellent panel fits, even gaps. Lightly stretched driver’s seat cushion, otherwise pristine upholstery interior trim and wood moldings. 1994 AACA Senior National First Prize. – Reported sold at Branson Spring in 2011 for $186,060. The odometer showed 236 miles when it was sold by Mecum from the Salmon Brothers collection in 2012 and at 302 miles today has added only 66 more. It is a highly desirable CCCA Full Classic (r) and while its concours days are in the rear view mirror it will be an excellent and comfortable tour car. The price here is its lowest auction result ever, a reasonable outcome as it ages and in view of its less-desirable sedan coachwork.
Lot # 17 1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe; S/N 1B3ER69E1TV200763; Cobalt Blue,, White stripes/Dark Gray leather; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $109,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $122,080 – 488/450hp V-10, 6-speed, original Michelin tires, factory CD stereo. Comes with original window sticker and all books. – Just 22 miles and two owners from new. – As a like-new, first-year GTS in the most desirable colors, this car is everything a Viper fan could want. It’s the most expensive GTS we’ve seen at auction but it’s also the cleanest one we’ve ever seen at auction. And given the surge in interest for early Vipers plus the huge prices recently for just about any like-new, in-the-wrapper-type car, this number wasn’t a total shock.
Lot # 18 1934 Ford Model 40 Deluxe Depot Hack, Body by Olson Extensions Company; S/N 1223550; Black/Brown leatherette; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $67,200 – 239/100hp flathead V-8, 3-speed, black wire wheels, single sidemount, side curtains, Stretched chassis with seating for 12 in the rear on center-facing benches, 5.25-5.50-17 tires, beige vinyl side curtains, rollup front door windows with badly cracked safety glass, – Custom built in the 30’s for Hugh Chisholm to transport guests and their luggage to his estate and yacht. Later 1946 Ford 59 A-B V-8. Paint and wood varnish have been redone but the upholstery and paint look original. Sound body and wood. Never restored and a choice piece. The chassis is aged and dirty. The engine compartment is clean but aged with paint loss and a highly original firewall. The engine looks like it have been out are redone in the recent past. Interesting, but not exceptional – Worldwide offered this unique people carrier at Auburn in 2012 where it was reported bid to $70,000. It’s gotten no better during its residence in the Steelewood Collection but attracted plenty of attention here, eventually closing with this result at a hammer bid triple the opening offer. It has a colorful history and is a sound value for the money at this price.
Lot # 19 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N E7FH348628; Starmist Blue,, White hardtop/Blue; White vinyl top; Older restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $61,600 – 312/270hp E-Code dual quads, overdrive 3-speed, power steering, wheel covers, whitewalls, both tops, skirts, Town & Country radio, ‘Dialamatic’ power seat. – Good older paint and chrome Sound upholstery with a few pulling seams in the driver’s seat cushion. Weak interior and some exterior trim chrome. Dirty old underbody. An old warhorse that’s showing its age and the miles it’s covered since last seen in 2018. You wouldn’t know from the two photos offered on Worldwide’s website, but this car has been around. – Sold for $27,000 at Barrett-Jackson in LA in 2004, in unchanged condition except for a few miles on the odometer since then. It was offered at Mecum’s LA auction in February 2018 where it was reported bid to $52,500, then reported sold at Auburn Fall in September 2018 for $46,200 and was bid to $58,000 at the Premier Punta Gorda auction in December 2018. The $55,000 successful hammer bid here is strong and the consignor should be pleased.
Lot # 20 1965 Jaguar XKE SI 4.2 Coupe; S/N 1E31580; Red/Black leather; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $78,400 – 4,235/265hp inline six, 4-speed, chrome centerlock wire wheels, Michelin X red line tires, single fender mirror, woodrim steering wheel, JDHT certificate documented. – Older paint with a scrape on the right front fender, a few more on the tail, and chips around the filler cap. Dry weather stripping. Track scratches in the side windows. Worn steering wheel and original dash with tired switchgear. Newer seats. Older restored underneath. Blister in the driver’s door handle. Restored at some point many years ago with a replacement engine, then driven quite a bit since and showing its age. Even so, it needs nothing major for someone who wants a Series I 4.2 to drive and enjoy. – 18 miles have been added to this XKE’s odometer since it was sold at Bonhams Scottsdale auction a year ago for $61,600. This is a healthy turnaround from a year ago, something of an outlier in recent value trends, and is expensive for its (beautiful) coupe body and well-used condition.
Lot # 21 1979 Chevrolet 2500 Van; S/N CGL2590138307; Black,, Silver, Orange/Gray; Unrestored original 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $84,000 – 350, column shift, alloy wheels, GMC badges, two-way radios, rear spoiler. Comes with numerous prop firearms, including a floor-mounted.50-cal in the back. – One of six vans prepared by Hollywood Productions, Inc. for Universal Studios to be used as a promo vehicle for the A-Team at events throughout North America. It never saw screen time, then, but it’s still neat and has a direct connection to the show. That connection is where any real value is, and it looks presentable enough condition-wise. – A $75,000 high bid on a ’79 Chevy van with guns in the back and a wild paint scheme sounds exciting, but this was a bit of a dud when it was on the block. Bidding opened at $50,000 and it attracted just one more bid, which wound up being the winner. If only Steve McQueen had starred in the A-Team. It might’ve brought half a million bucks.
Lot # 30 1933 LaSalle 345-C Convertible Coupe, Body by Fisher; S/N 2000404; Silver-Grey,, Autumn Blaze Mist fenders and accent/Orange leather; Black top; Concours restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $123,200 – 353/115hp V8, 3-speed, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, rumble seat, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, Trippe lights, luggage rack, radio, wood dash. – Preserved by its original California owner for many years, only two owners since. Restored to concours condition in flamboyant colors and maintained in concours-ready condition. Excellent paint and chrome. Slight stretching on the driver’s seat cushion. Excellent interior wood and crisp gauges. One of five known to survive with this body style. – Reported sold at Auburn Fall in 2019 for $95,000 and did much better here, but it is visually striking. The bidding struggled while the bidders online and on-site absorbed its lines and condition. In the end it is an outstanding car and brought a realistic price.
Lot # 33 1932 Ford Model 18 Deluxe Roadster; S/N 18135508; Washington Blue,, Black fenders, Tacoma Cream coachlines/Brown leatherette; Beige cloth top; Older restoration 1- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $89,600 – 221/65hp flathead V-8, 3-speed, Tacoma Cream wire wheels, chrome trim rings, dual sidemounts with chrome rings, etched wind wings, rumble seat, luggage rack, greyhound mascot. – Good older paint, chrome and interior. Chipped passenger’s door edge. Clean, dry engine. A quality older restoration to like new condition with better paint and chrome but in an odd color combination. – Reported sold by RM at Monterey in 2010 for $99,000, then at Auburn Fall in 2014 for $68,750. Finding a real Deuce Roadster in original condition and with an array of period-style accessories has become a rare event. Most of its counterparts were either driven into the dirt or snapped up by hot rod builders. This result should not be seen as an outlier, however, but rather an endorsement of its style, rarity, condition and milestone stature as the first year of the Ford flathead V8.
Lot # 38 1952 Allard J2 Roadster; S/N 99J2123; Light Blue/Red leather; Black vinyl top; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $230,000 – 390-cid Cadillac V-8 with triple Stromberg carbs and Offenhauser valve covers, Muncie M21 4-speed, aluminum Weiland manifold, Borrani wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, headlight stone guards, tonneau cover, engine-turned dash, fire bottle, ignition cutoff. Comes with both a removable full windscreen and aero screens as well as a rare factory soft top. – Delivered new in Michigan and fitted with a 331-cid Cadillac engine. Raced in period at Thompson, Bridgehampton and Watkins Glen. It was even ice raced. Fitted with a DeSoto Hemi engine later in the `50s and ran 150.75 mph at Bonneville. Stored for about 35 years and then restored for vintage racing. There are some paint blisters around the hood bulge and there is some shrinkage around the cowl. Small dent behind the driver’s side front fender. Pitting on the hood handles. Very good interior. Clean detailed engine bay. It may not have the original engine in there, but Allards seldom do. It’s an appealing vintage racer, but it’s worth noting that it is a short wheelbase J2, which is a tight fit for taller drivers. – Allards all follow the formula of big thumping American V-8 in lightweight British chassis, but values can vary by quite a bit depending on what kind of V-8 is under the hood. Since many were raced, provenance also makes a difference. All things considered, the reported high bid here was reasonable for a Cadillac-powered J2. It was also bid to $260,000 at RM’s “Shift” online auction last August, and in hindsight that looks like a missed opportunity.
Lot # 39 1946 Mercury 69M Station Wagon; S/N 99A877098; Navy Blue,, Black composite roof/Red leatherette; Recent restoration 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $92,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $103,600 – 239/100hp, 3-speed, radio, heater, 3-row seating, enclosed rear-mounted spare, wood interior panels and trim, woodgrain dashboard, radio, clock, heater, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, bumper tips and overriders. – Very good paint and chrome. Excellent maple framing and mahogany panels with no obvious water stains. The interior is like new as is the engine compartment. This is a choice and rare example of the first postwar Mercury wagons, one of just 2,797 built. – One of several Mercury Woodies from the Steelewood Collection, most of them with some claim to historic importance such as this one from the first postwar series. The woodwork, which as always is the defining characteristic of wood bodied wagons, is outstanding and the price it brought reflects its quality and appeal.
Lot # 40 1994 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster; S/N 1B3BR65E1RV100633; Viper Red/Gray leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $63,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $70,560 – 488/400hp V-10, 6-speed, original Michelin tires, factory cassette stereo. Comes with original window sticker, front license plate bracket, manuals, VHS owner’s manual update tape, and warranty cards. – Just 22 miles and kept in climate controlled storage its whole life. Only taken out for maintenance reasons. – This car went to Mecum Indy last summer with 2 fewer miles on the clock, and the consignor understandably refused the $40,000 high bid it got there. They had much better luck this time around and can’t have hoped for much more than this. Early Viper prices have catapulted recently, with the best ones selling for nearly twice what they would have five or six years ago.
Lot # 47 1947 Mercury Series 79M Marmon-Herrington 4×4 Station Wagon; S/N 799A1745612; Parrot Green,, Maple and Mahogany wood/Brown leather; Older restoration 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $310,000 plus commission of 11.61%; Final Price $346,000 – 239/100hp Flathead V-8, floor shift, 4-speed (in place of the original column shift 3-speed), Marmon-Herrington four-wheel drive conversion, black wheels with hub caps, rear-mounted spare, radio, dash clock, heater. – From the Steelewood Collection. One of three Mercury Marmon-Herrington 4×4 woodies known to survive and the only known 1947 model, according to Worldwide. Like most of the cars in the Steelewood collection, it wears a seemingly immaculate body-off restoration by Nick Alexander. – Founded in the 1930s, Indianapolis-based Marmon-Herrington began converting Ford wagons to four-wheel drive. In the process they would remove the body, reinforce the chassis, fit the four-wheel drive hardware and raise the ride height. They did the work largely by hand and these 4x4s could cost twice as much as a standard Ford. The 4x4s were also rough-riding and slow, so it’s no surprise that few people actually bought one. Those who did used them hard, which explains the low survival rate. They have a lot of character, though, and are significant for bringing four-wheel drive to civilian automobiles long before it was commonplace, even on trucks. This one was the king of the Steelewood collection, and after a long and exciting bidding war (50 bids) was by far the most expensive of the group. It was also way more expensive than the last two Marmon-Herrington woodies seen at auction, a 1940 Ford sold for $252,000 in Arizona 2019 and a 1948 Mercury sold at Monterey for $207,200 the same year.
Lot # 48 1934 Packard Twelve 1107 Phaeton; S/N Engine No. 901636; Engine # 901636; Green/Green leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $515,000 plus commission of 10.97%; Final Price $571,500 – 446/160hp V12, 3-speed, dual windscreens, dual spotlights, trunk, single Pilot-Ray, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, radio, full weather equipment. Vehicle # 731 11. – Spectacular older CCCA Premier and Pebble Beach class-winning concours restoration by Fran Roxas that has benefited from the most assiduous and careful maintenance and infrequent use. Recently freshened by Stone Barn. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. Lightly stretched upholstery, outstanding interior trim. The engine compartment is bright and clean with trifling evidence of use. An awesome automobile represented to have only 20,710 miles from new. One of five built with this coachwork. – As it should have, this magnificent V12 Packard attracted abundant attention here. It had been offered by RM at the NY Auto Salon and Auction in 2002 where it was bid to $275,000 and showed exactly the same 20,710 miles as it does today (casting some doubt on the “actual miles” representation.) It took fifteen bids to reach the reserve at $460,000, then another ten to finally change hands, a fully deserved exceptional price for an historic car.
Lot # 49 2014 Ferrari F12berlinetta Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFF74UFA5E0198979; Bianco Fugi/Iroko (brown) leather; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $195,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $218,400 – 6,262/730hp, 7-speed automanual, carbon ceramic brakes, magnetorheological suspension, traction control, yellow calipers, carbon fiber driver zone, leather tunnel covering and lower dashboard, carbon fiber dashboard, SF shields, more for a total of over $86,000. – 5,618 miles and like new. – With a window sticker of $407,532 this is an expensive 5,618 miles: $37.83 per mile not including fuel, ownership and service costs. It is, on the other hand, about right compared with similar F12berlinettas. Depreciation is a terrible thing
Lot # 54 1932 Ford Model 18 Standard Phaeton; S/N 18F17888; Medium Maroon,, Black fenders/Brown leatherette; Beige cloth top; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $67,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $75,600 – 221/65hp V8, 3-speed, red wire wheels, dual sidemounts, luggage rack. – Very good paint, interior, chrome and top. Restored to like new condition some time ago with a little evidence of age but negligible use. The engine compartment is extremely good with only a little fuel residue on the intake manifold under the carburetor float bowl. One of only 483 built in this body style. – The second of a pair of restored ’32 Fords in this auction, both of them very good although this Phaeton is much more rare. The Roadster has more collector appeal and brought a little more money but the Phaeton is eye-candy for serious Ford collectors and is a good value in this transaction.
Lot # 57 1949 Mercury 9CM Station Wagon; S/N 9CM262540; Berwick Green Metallic/Berwick Green leatherette; Recent restoration 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $58,240 – 255/110hp, 3-speed, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, heater, enclosed rear spare, 3-row seating. – Excellent paint and chrome. The wood framing has some waterstaining at joints and near some fasteners and some of the framing elements are sufficiently different in color and grain to indicate they’ve been replaced. The interior wood panels and upholstery are excellent. Dashboard woodgraining is very good and the gauges are clear with crisply chromed bezels. The engine compartment is flawless and fresh with no drips or dribbles and lovely, fresh cast iron exhaust manifolds. The Steelewood Collection restoration could have been finished yesterday. – While the Berwick Green color does nothing for this Mercury wagon’s presentation that is more than compensated for in the modest price it brought, the lowest of all the Steelewood Collection’s Mercury woodies in this auction. The new owner got a show-ready car for a driver price.
Lot # 61 1950 Monarch Station Wagon; S/N 0379H5036283; Maywood Metallic Green/Brown leather; Older restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $105,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $117,600 – 255/110hp, 3-speed, overdrive, 3-row seating, pushbutton radio, heater, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, windshield sun visor, enclosed rear mounted spare – One of 43 built of which only 3 are known to survive. Known ownership history from new, 5-year restoration completed in 1999. Very good paint, chrome, interior, wood, woodgrained dashboard, gauges and interior chrome. The engine compartment is freshly detailed and spotless. A rare model exclusive to Canada, produced in small quantities, with a quality restoration that is holding up well. – Among the Steelewood Collection wood-bodied wagons this Monarch was a standout result, reflecting the rarity of the car and the appeal of the little-known “Monarch” brand. The result is nearly double that brought by the otherwise similar ’50 Mercury wagon in this collection and the major premium is attributable solely to the Monarch nameplate.
Lot # 62 1952 Jaguar XK 120SE Roadster; S/N S672902; Brick Red/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Older restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $87,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $98,000 – 3,442/160hp, 4-speed, steel wheels, skirts, fender mirrors. – Excellent paint, interior and chrome. Good fits: sides flat, doors close flush. Polished SUs underhood, cracked and chipped enamel on the exhaust manifolds. Done thoroughly a long time ago but not to today’s standards and now aging without apparently being driven very much. – This car was passed around a quarter century ago, selling for $45,796 at RM Monterey in 1998 and then for $47,300 at Barrett-Jackson in 1999. The odometer has added 2,206 miles since 1999 and the car looks like it. This is an appropriate price retail for it.
Lot # 63 1950 Mercury 0CM Station Wagon; S/N 50DA65323M; Everglade Green/Green leatherette; Older restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $59,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $66,080 – 255/110hp, 3-speed, overdrive, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, enclosed rear-mounted spare, pushbutton radio – The clear maple body framing contrasts attractively with the gumwood panels. Upholstery is unblemished and the dash and gauges are crisp but let down by a switch panel that has been rechromed over pits. The engine compartment is like new. An outstanding example from the Steelewood Collection. – This is a better and more distinctive car than the bidding here gives it credit for, a good value for its new owner.
Lot # 67 1951 Mercury 1CM Station Wagon; S/N 51ME52474M; Coventry Green/Brown leatherette; Older restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $67,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $75,040 – 255/112hp V8, automatic, windshield sunvisor, wide whitewalls, automatic, pushbutton radio, grille guard, enclosed rear spare. – Restored to like new condition and very clean. Decent paint but the varnish is much better and particularly impressive. Some small old waterstains at wood joints good interior and chrome. – Sold by Bonhams at Brookline in 2004 for $63,250 with a fairly fresh restoration and maintained in comparable condition ever since. As things go, this is a modest price for a rare Mercury station wagon with wood framing and structure, the last year for that construction.