Worldwide Auctioneers opened the critical late week days of Scottsdale auction week, the first auction other than Barrett-Jackson selling cars.
Their location, in Tempe physically, is conducive to the moderately-sized Worldwide concept and has the advantage of easy access, plentiful adjacent parking and a café on site that offers really good sandwiches and a pleasant patio on which to eat and talk.
For collectors interested in seriously old cars Worldwide was the place to be in Scottsdale with an offering that included some of the most interesting cars seen at auction outside of RM Sotheby’s annual celebration of antiques and classics at Hershey. The prewar contingent was highlighted by one of the best selections of Ford products seen in a long time, the 35-lot no reserve Ron Thorne collection.
With twice as much money changing hands as last year’s “Scottsdale in Auburn” Covid relocated sale and a strong sell through, Worldwide was a good preview of the rest of the week. 60 of the 81 lots were offered without reserve which, from an observer’s point of view, meant that results were not skewed by unrealistic reserves and hard to evaluate high bids on no sale lots.
There were some beautiful cars, and a beautiful engine, Duesenberg Model J engine J-432 restored to perfection in Brian Joseph’s shop that sold for an astounding $775,000. That is $170,000 more than Worldwide got here two years ago for the Willoughby-bodied Berline, chassis 2370, engine J-350.
Here are the numbers:
| Year | Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ |
| 2022 | 74/81 | 91.4% | $142,487 | $50,400
[35.4%] |
$10,544,022 |
| 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 |
24 of the 81 lots offered are described here. This report is updated with additional cars.
Lot # 7 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 GT Veloce Sprint, Body by Bertone; S/N AR1532842; Metallic Silver/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $32,480 – 1,779/115hp, 5-speed, steel wheels, hubcaps, Dean Celestial Metric tires, Blaupunkt AM-FM. – Indifferent quality repaint over old paint. Stiff driver’s door. Silver painted cam cover and cylinder head. Dirty engine compartment and chassis. Sound original upholstery. Loose right quarter window. Erratic chrome. A forlorn car in need of a good home. – It will take a lot to make this sow’s ear into a silk purse but at this price the new owner at least has a fighting chance to doing it without suffering permanent financial distress. The “Dean Celestial” tires are reason enough for buying the car. Made in China, perhaps?
Lot # 8 1910 Ford Model T Touring; S/N 33574; Brewster Green, Black fenders/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Older restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $50,400 – RHD. Stewart speedometer, Ford script Brown acetylene headlights, Corcoran acetylene generator, kerosene sidelights and taillight, Black wood spoke 30-inch wheels, Firestone tires, Elgin clock. – Sound old paint, decent brass, chips and scratches. Surprisingly good original upholstery, newer top. Old, dry chassis, orderly and dry engine compartment. Used but usable as is. – Although most Fords built prior to the Model T were righthand drive the T itself was introduced with the steering wheel on the left, well in advance of most other U.S. manufacturers. The popularity of the Model T was, as much as anything else, responsible for recognizing the operating advantages of having the driver near the center of the road. That makes this righthand drive Model T from only the second year of production, somewhat unusual and probably a car shipped to Canada where traffic at the time drove to the left. That anomaly accounts for a measure of its rather generous price, along with its early build date and the plethora of early brass accessories and fittings adorning it.
Lot # 9 Lot #9 1940 La Salle 40-52 Convertible Coupe; S/N 9R16151; Burgundy/Burgundy vinyl; Beige cloth top; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $44,800 – 322/130hp V-8, 3-speed, overdrive, hubcaps and trim rings, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, fog lights. – One family owned from new. Good older paint, driver’s door edge chips. Highly polished stainless but weak trim chrome. Good upholstery and top. Repainted old chassis. – The last year of La Salle production but with revised body styling that was as dramatic in 1940 as the original Harley Earl designed La Salle was in 1927. This car, in its continuous history of one family ownership, has been consistently maintained and updated as needed. It will show and tour well and is a sound buy at this price.
Lot # 16 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390 Roadster; S/N 194677S102726; Engine # T0816IL 7102726; Dark Green, Black stinger/Black leather; White vinyl top; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $84,000 – 427/390hp, 4-speed, manual brakes and steering, AM-FM, side exhaust, alloy wheels, narrow whitewalls. – Very good paint and chrome. Good, lightly stretched upholstery. The stamped engine number is appropriate for this car. The chrome on one of the wheel center caps is peeling. Good if not fresh engine compartment. – Worldwide sold this Corvette at last year’s “Scottsdale-Auburn” auction for the same $84,000 that it brought here, a rare consistency in results but one that endorses its accuracy.
Lot # 17 1969 Jaguar XKE SII Coupe; S/N 1R25487; Apple Green/Tan leather; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $59,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $66,080 – 4,235/265hp, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels. – Unnumbered cylinder head but described as “matching numbers drivetrain”. Dirty and aged engine compartment. Sound upholstery but shrunken cover on the console. Missing the chrome wedge in the top windshield grommet, cracked rear window grommet. Mediocre old repaint. – This is an appropriately mediocre price for a mediocre Series II XKE coupe.
Lot # 19 1930 Stutz Model LA Blackhawk Roadster; S/N 17400; Black/Dark red cloth, faded old top; Unrestored original 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $89,600 – 252/85hp overhead cam inline six, 4-speed, red wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, dual sidemounts, rumble seat, steering column mounted SW mechanical tach. – Faded, chipped original paint, dull chrome, rusty radiator shell. Greasy, oily engine compartment and chassis. A tired but complete and sound barn find that is a straightforward restoration project. Described as recently mechanically freshened. – Sold by Worldwide here in 2019 for $68,200 in essentially the same highly original but tired and aged condition as it is today, right down to showing the same 57,979 miles on the odometer. The result is significantly higher after the mechanical work, however, and it is still a remarkable old high performance Stutz.
Lot # 20 1932 Chrysler CH Imperial Cabriolet, Body by Bohman & Schwartz; S/N 7900825; Engine # CH1877; Black/Black leather; Black leather top; Older restoration 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $850,000 plus commission of 10.59%; Final Price $940,000 – 385/125hp straight eight, 4-speed, rumble seat, dual enclosed sidemounts. – The first car bodied by Bohman & Schwartz, Best in Class at Pebble Beach in 1995, subsequently cosmetically freshened and meticulously maintained. Concours level paint, chrome, interior and top. Spotless engine compartment. Great presence and presentation with a low top that accentuates the proportions of the body. – Sold by RM at Monterey in 2013 for $660,000 with further work in the current ownership to maintain it and return some details to their original configuration. A real eyeful and a gorgeous car from any angle. It is full value for the money in this transaction.
Lot # 26 1934 Ford Model 40 V-8 3-Window Coupe; S/N 18556535; Green/Brown leatherette; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $49,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $55,440 – 221/85hp, 3-speed, fog lights, cowl lights, wide whitewall tires, green wire wheels, rear-mounted spare, blue dot tail lights. – An older restoration that still presents nicely. Paint is good but with a minor blemish near the gas fill from leaking or overrunning. All glass is good and the interior/upholstery is excellent. Chrome is fair with slight pitting on the cowl lamps. Engine bay detailed at restoration, now dusty from sitting. It doesn’t get much more hot rod than this. It will be interesting to see if this car is left stock or chopped and channeled by the next Grand National Roadster show. Ron Thorne Collection. – A seriously sweet Ford V-8 that has style and panache. At this price forming the basis for a hot rod is a remote possibility. More likely it will continue to be preserved, driven sparingly and presented at Ford meets. Conversion to street rods and lakesters as well as the passage of time and the rigors of the Great Depression has made these 3-windows rare survivors, and this is a car to be zealously preserved, particularly at this price.
Lot # 29 1931 Cord Front Drive L-29 Convertible Sedan; S/N Engine No. FD3954; Engine # FD3954; Grey-Green, Apple Green accents/Dark Green leather; Heather cloth top; Older restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $117,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $131,600 – 299/125hp, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, dual cloth wrapped sidemounts, cloth covered luggage trunk. – Tired old restoration with dull, chipped paint, peeling chrome, cracked front seat upholstery. Generally neglected and aged. – A tired old restoration with many miles and years since it was done, but a highly desirable and practical body style. The bidders at Worldwide balanced the condition with the inherent value of the coachwork and came up with a realistic compromise price.
Lot # 30 1939 Packard One-Twenty Victoria Convertible, Body by Darrin of Hollywood; S/N 121235; Light Yellow/Red leather; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $300,000 – 282/120hp straight eight, 3-speed, red steel wheels, hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, radio, clock. Documented by a letter (copy) from Howard Darrin. – First owned by movie star Preston Foster, grille updated by Coachcraft in 1941. Sound old repaint. Worn driver’s seat upholstery. Decent chrome. Dirty unrestored underbody and chassis. A credible older cosmetic restoration of a rare car. – One of just fourteen Victorias bodied by Howard Darrin as “Darrin of Hollywood” before production shifted to Packard in 1940 and as such a pure expression of Darrin’s vision for the car. The amount reportedly bid for this car reflects its cosmetically restored condition, but is short of recognizing the “Darrin of Paris” origins. The seller declined, although that in itself has some risks for there was money close to the reported high bid.
Lot # 35 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N JS23R0B113492; Black, White tail band/Black vinyl; Recent restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $295,000 plus commission of 11.69%; Final Price $329,500 – 426/425hp Hemi, automatic, power brakes, argent shaker hood, buckets and console, pushbutton radio. Original Broadcast sheet documented. – Superb paint over a smooth, carefully fit body. NOS interior trim, taillights, etc. The engine compartment is restored like new without going too far. Seriously impressive, but not represented as the original engine. – Once upon a time Challenger and ‘Cuda Hemis were at the pinnacle of collectors’ wish lists, drawing extraordinary prices in some cases, but not in others. This example brought a superior price which is a tribute to its meticulous restoration even in the absence of a claim that the drivetrain that makes it a “Hemi” is the one it came with from the factory.
Lot # 36 1932 Ford Model 18 Deluxe Roadster; S/N 1856017; Burgundy, Black fenders/Brown leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $95,200 – 221/65hp, 3-speed, rear mounted spare, rumble seat, black wall tires, red wire wheels, wind wings. – An excellently restored Early Ford V8 that remains in great condition. The paint is excellent as is the interior and top. There is a minor blemish on the chrome windshield frame, otherwise all chrome is excellent. The engine bay detailed to perfection. A quintessential hot rod to be owned, and refreshing to see one in stock condition. Ron Thorne collection, owner reports it completed the Great Race in 1985. – Sold at Auburn Spring in 2015 for $86,000. That result and this one at only $1,000 less on the reported hammer bid, shows just how rare and desirable a Model 18 Roadster is. Fortunately those people who find a Model 18 frame rusting in a field can buy just about everything needed to make a complete, but not original, car and this relic is destined to be preserved as it should be. It is expensive, but so are any of its similarly situated counterparts.
Lot # 38 1937 Ford Model 78 V-8 Cabriolet; S/N 183967195; Dalmatian Green/Brown leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $57,500 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $64,400 – 221/85hp, 3-speed, rumble seat, luggage rack, radio, wide whitewall tires, fog lights. – Once again, an older restoration in the Ron Thorne Collection. Paint is older but presents nicely in the rare color of Dalmatian green. Interior and upholstery are in great condition. Chrome is good with the exception of minor pitting on the mirror stands. Engine thoroughly detailed at time of restoration, just dusty from sitting. A stand out in the Thorne collection of a very rare car in an even more rare color. Ron Thorne collection, Dearborn Award Winner. – A handsome and usable Ford V-8 and a good and well-maintained older restoration but this result is distinctly generous for a ’37.
Lot # 39 1911 Chalmers Model 30 Roadster; S/N 2608; Red, Black fenders/Black leather; Black cloth top; Older restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $36,960 – RHD. 226/30 ALAM hp inline four, overhead intake valves, 3-speed, Chalmers badged Solar acetylene headlights, Solar kerosene sidelights and taillight, dual rear-mounted spares, Black wood spoke 34-inch wheels, Chanslor & Lyon bulb horn, dogleg windshield. – Tired, dull, scratched and chipped old paint. Worn but sound old upholstery and top. Oily engine compartment. Dull brass. – There is a certain charm to this Chalmers which has had comprehensive attention by a collector years ago and then been used sympathetically. It is lavishly equipped for the time and the F-head engine with overhead intake valves is advanced thinking in 1911. This is more than Model T money, but not enough to make the car in any way expensive. A great car for showing grandchildren how cars operate, and there’s not much they can ruin.
Lot # 40 1935 Delahaye 135M Competition Drophead Coupe, Body by Figoni; S/N 135M46060; Black, Yellow/Primrose leather; Black cloth top; Concours restoration 1- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $1,300,000 plus commission of 10.38%; Final Price $1,435,000 – 3,557/160hp, preselector 4-speed, yellow wire wheels, wide whitewalls, opening windshield, Marchal headlights, Besnard fog lights, leather steering wheel rim. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior including interior woodwork. The chassis is spotless. Clean restored engine compartment. A show quality restoration with minor age but no apparent use. Described as the last car bodied by Giuseppe Figoni before he teamed up with Ovidio Falaschi. Displayed at the 1935 Paris Motor Show. – A significant milestone executed with characteristic Figoni flair and sensitivity on a high performance Delahaye chassis and drivetrain. The quality and workmanship of the restoration is above reproach and the price, while expensive, is appropriate for the combination of chassis, coachwork, history and restoration.
Lot # 42 1909 REO Touring; S/N 20925; Burgundy, Black fenders/Black leather; Black cloth top; Older restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $40,320 – RHD. Corcoran acetylene headlights, kerosene sidelights and taillight, Nonpareil bulb horn, electric stop light, 33-inch wood spoke wheels, whitewall tires. – Sound but chipped and scratched old paint. Worn original upholstery, newer front seat cushions and several large tears on the seat back. Greasy engine and chassis. Dull but not disreputable brass. Old and grubby but all there. – An intriguing old vehicle with plenty of possibilities for enjoyable tinkering and an opportunity to teach younger generations the essential elements of how internal combustion vehicles work while being marvelous for a weekend’s jaunt. Bought at a price that recognizes its condition and many needs, but also its enjoyable prospects.
Lot # 43 1937 Packard Twelve 1507 Coupe Roadster; S/N 280514; Dark Red/Dark Red leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $250,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $280,000 – 473/175hp, 3-speed, dual sidemount spares, wide whitewall tires, luggage rack, golf doors, rumble seat. – A recent cosmetic refresh of an older restoration lends itself to good paint overall with minor surface scratching from wiping. The top is in excellent condition as is the interior. There is some wear on the steering wheel. The vent window glass is delaminating but other glass is good. Lazy door handle on the driver’s side. The chrome is in good condition overall. Some seals on the car are dry and shrinking, especially around vent windows. Nicely detailed engine bay with minor signs of use. A great full classic to put the top down and enjoy – This result is far from a record for a 1507 Twelve but right up there among its counterparts, a lovely, conscientiously maintained and competently restored example of the pinnacle of Packard quality, performance and cylinders. The price it brought is eminently deserved by the car.
Lot # 51 1932 Ford Model 18 V-8 5-Window Coupe; S/N 1582566; Black, Green coachline/Tan leatherette; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $50,400 – 221/65hp, 3-speed, red wire wheels, cowl lamps, rumble seat. – Older restoration with fair paint cracking on the body lines on the doors. Chrome is fair condition with some pitting on mirror stands. Good interior and better upholstery. The engine is nicely detailed during restoration with slight signs of use since. One of the ultimate hot rod bodies to own. Drive and enjoy as is or hop up that engine. Ron Thorne Collection, “Senior Award” from the Contemporary Historical Vehicle Association. – Not as sought as the 3-window coupes and much more prolific in 1932 but still cherished, this is a representative result.
Lot # 55 1929 Duesenberg Model J Berline, Body by Derham, Bohman & Schwartz; S/N 2143; Engine # J-118; Gold, Gold leather roof/Beige cloth; Recent restoration 1 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $2,050,000 plus commission of 10.24%; Final Price $2,260,000 – 420/265hp, 3-speed, dual remote spotlights, red wheels with hubcaps and wide whitewalls. – Originally bodied by Derham, then redone by Bohman & Schwartz for M.K. Barbee with the present teardrop fenders, fender skirts, waterfall grille and lowered roof covered in padded leather. Long history of noted Duesenberg collectors. Restored at Blackhawk to 1997 Pebble Beach Best in Class condition. Redone cosmetically and mechanically again more recently and winner of many awards 2019-2021. Original engine, body and firewall. Concours quality. – Sold at the Hershey Auction in 2002 for $337,500, then at Auburn Fall in 2018 for $737,000. The price it brought here reflects its reputation, design and the considerable work that has gone into it recently to make it again a concours star but even taking the work and recent awards into account this is an impressive result.
Lot # 57 1939 Ford V8 Standard Station Wagon; S/N 184843998; Maroon/Brown leatherette; Older restoration 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $72,800 – 221/85hp, 3-speed, body color wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, radio, 3-row seating. – Good older paint, chrome and interior. The body wood is thoroughly high gloss varnished and has occasional pieces of attractively figured maple framing that appears to be mostly original wood. The birch panels look newer. Clean, tidy engine compartment restored like new. – Sold by Worldwide at their Scottsdale-Auburn auction a year ago for $61,600, this very attractive Ford Woodie has been peddled at RM’s April 2021 Online auction where it was reportedly bid to $63,000 and at Mecum Chattanooga in October where the reported bid was only $50,000. It scored a much better result here, but no more than it deserved.
Lot # 51 1932 Ford Model 18 V-8 5-Window Coupe; S/N 1582566; Black, Green coachline/Tan leatherette; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $50,400 – 221/65hp, 3-speed, red wire wheels, cowl lamps, rumble seat. – Older restoration with fair paint cracking on the body lines on the doors. Chrome is fair condition with some pitting on mirror stands. Good interior and better upholstery. The engine is nicely detailed during restoration with slight signs of use since. One of the ultimate hot rod bodies to own. Drive and enjoy as is or hop up that engine. Ron Thorne Collection, “Senior Award” from the Contemporary Historical Vehicle Association. – Not as sought as the 3-window coupes and much more prolific in 1932 but still cherished, this is a representative result.
Lot # 59 1932 Ford Model 18 V-8 Phaeton; S/N 1861331; Burgundy, Black fenders/Brown leather; Tan cloth top; 3 condition; Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $67,200 – 221/65hp, 3-speed, dual sidemount spares, wide whitewall tires, red wire wheels, cowl lamps, luggage rack, wind wings – Once again, an older restoration in the Ron Thorne collection. Paint remains in good overall condition with some surface scratching from wiping. The top is in good condition as is the interior which shows little wear and just in the front seat at that. The windshield is delaminating at the bottom. The chrome is good- just slightly dull from age. The perfect family car for the guy who has a 32 roadster then grows a family! This is a great example. Ron Thorne collection, AACA First National Award (missing badge) – There were only 1,406 Phaetons built out of 178,749 Model 18 Fords during the V-8’s first year. They are minimal bodies that combine light weight, sporting style and room for a family. Rarely seen, this example is equipped with many options and accessories the set it apart even from its few counterparts and is appropriately valued in this transaction.
Lot # 60 1983 Ferrari 512 BBi Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFJA09B000046641; Red/Black leather, Red bars; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Post-block sale at $238,147 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $266,725 – 4,942/340hp, fuel injection, 5-speed, centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin TRX tires, Pioneer cassette stereo, Veglia air conditioning, power windows. – Very good probably original paint. Sound lightly creased original upholstery. Some of the console controls are worn. The interior panel behind the passenger’s seat is damaged. Clean unrestored chassis. A well-maintained largely original example showing 7,010 believable miles. – The sole Ferrari at Worldwide’s Scottsdale auction and a realistic deal for all concerned put together after it crossed the block. There is little if any premium for originality in this result and the new owner can be proud of both the car and the transaction.
Lot # 76 1968 Alfa Romeo 1750 GT Veloce Sprint, Body by Bertone; S/N AR1354064; Blu Francia/Black vinyl; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $39,000 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $43,680 – 1,870/118hp, dual Spanish Weber 40DCOE carburetors, 5-speed, Hellebore woodrim steering wheel, Cromodora style alloy wheels, Yokohama tires, fire system. – Mediocre orange peely paint. Some poorly fitted trim and cracks around the passenger’s outside door handle. Orderly engine compartment. Scuffed and thin trim chrome. A driver quality restoration with miles. – A better car than lot #7 which sold for $32,480, but still only a driver and expensive for what it is.
Lot # 83 1936 Ford Model 68 V-8 3-Window coupe; S/N 182754038; Tan/Brown leatherette; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Post-block sale at $45,603 plus commission of 12.00%; Final Price $51,075 – 221/85hp, 3-speed, trunk, rear mounted spare, luggage rack, wide whitewall tires, radio. – An older restoration with paint in sound but aging condition. Some fisheyes on the front fenders are appearing. Interior and upholstery are excellent and appears unused since restoration. Minor bubbling of paint on the steering wheel. Window fuzzies faded to brown from age. Chrome in good condition, just old. Engine remains nicely detailed from restoration. A personal favorite of mine this car would be a star in any Early Ford V8 collection or car collection period. Ron Thorne collection, Dearborn Award Winner. – An odd result reported by Worldwide for a Ron Thorne Collection no reserve car that does not translate back to a rational hammer bid and implies a transaction concluded post-block at a negotiated price. It is still a representative value for the car’s condition and body style, however.