Auction Preview: Auctions America Auburn Fall 2015
Now in its 45th year, the Auburn Fall sale is the longest-running event in the collector car auction world. This year’s sale will be held from Sept. 2-6 at the Auburn Auction Park, where around 1,000 classic vehicles will cross the block. With an on-site swap meet, car corral and various automotive-themed activities, Auburn Fall is also a destination for those who aren’t looking to go home with a car, and over 80,000 people attended the event last year.
The diversity of offerings this year is impressive and there is something for just about every kind of enthusiast or collector, but this sale is and always has been about American classics as well as some newer collectible American vehicles. There are more than enough to choose from, but here are five of the more notable lots on offer this year:
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Presale estimate: $1,500,000 – $1,750,000
One of the undisputed all-time great automobiles to ever come out of the United States, the Duesenberg Model J always causes a stir at auction and, when immaculately restored, is frequently a star at concours events. The Model J on offer from Auctions America is a Convertible Coupe with a Murphy body (about half of the Model Js built had bodies from the factory) that was previously owned by William Wrigley Jr. of Wrigley’s gum fame. It’s represented as a concours-quality car, which is reflected in the presale estimate. If achieved, it could be the top sale of the entire auction.
2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR Racer
Presale estimate: $150,000 – $200,000
If you have watched NASCAR at any point over the last 20 years or even just casually seen some of the highlights on ESPN, Jeff Gordon’s number 24 Monte Carlo is probably the most recognizable car of the series. Auburn Fall will feature the car that Gordon raced from 2002 to 2004 and is the first of his cars offered since he announced his retirement. It has been restored since its days in competition, making it ideal for a collector with an appreciation for NASCAR history.
1930 Cord L-29 Convertible Phaeton Sedan
Presale estimate: $175,000 – $225,000
As innovative as it was pretty, the front-drive Cord L-29 came in lots of different body styles. Among the most elegant of them was the Convertible Phaeton Sedan. The example on offer in Auburn Fall is an older restoration that has been with the same owner since 1973. Back when it was newer, it supposedly ferried the cast of “Gone With the Wind” to the film’s premiere in Atlanta in 1939.
1933 Auburn Twelve Custom Phaeton Sedan
Presale estimate: $175,000 – $225,000
Yet another great American car from the Classic Era is this Auburn with the rare Lycoming V-12 under the hood. Overall, it’s an older restoration but the engine was rebuilt in 2003 and it is represented as having a 100-point detailing under the hood. Very well-equipped with spotlights, enclosed sidemount spares, a luggage trunk and of course that V-12, Auburns like this were renowned in period for offering a lot of car for the money. Even today, that’s still the case.
2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
Presale estimate: $80,000 – $95,000
Undoubtedly a future classic thanks more to its horsepower figure than anything else, the 707-hp Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is a car that people have already been clamoring to get their hands on. On offer from a private collection, Auctions America’s example is essentially still new with two miles on the odometer, and is one of the more interesting (and loudest) modern offerings in Auburn this year.
The entire Auburn Fall digital catalogue is available online here:
http://www.auctionsamerica.com/catalog/2015/AF15/
