Auction Recap: Auctions America Auburn Spring 2016

Auctions America concluded their annual Auburn Spring sale on May 7 with just over $7 million in total sales. Out of the 393 vehicles offered, 288 sold for a 73 percent sell-through rate. This is a big jump over last year’s Auburn Spring sale, when Auctions America achieved under $5 million and only managed a 67 percent sell-through rate. Almost 100 more vehicles were offered this year, and the cars’ general quality was better than those featured in 2015.

The auction’s top sales were an interesting mix of prewar luxury, European sports and 1960s American, with an old RV thrown into the mix too. Most of the top sales were also roughly market appropriate. Of the cars that missed their mark and hammered not sold, the most notable were a 1966 Shelby GT350 at a high bid of $170,000, a 1989 Ferrari Testarossa at a high bid of $115,000 and a 1991 Porsche 911 Turbo at a high bid of $105,000.

The average price at this sale was $24,544 so, as usual, Auburn was great for those shopping on a budget. There were plenty of available deals, among them a lovely little, cosmetically restored 1959 Morris Minor 1000 for $3,630, a ‘66 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa Convertible for $10,230 and a flawed but sound ‘59 Triumph TR3 for $16,225. The award for most car per dollar, though, has to go to a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, a car that would have retailed for over $50,000 when new, that sold for just $1,540 in Auburn. It probably needs several times its purchase price worth of maintenance, but eight-cylinder German magnificence for 1,500 bucks is still a serious bargain.

Overall top 10:

1. 1968 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 sold for $247,500
2. 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 sold for $238,700
3. 1968 Shelby GT 500 Fastback sold for $159,500
4. 1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged Phaeton Sedan sold for $90,750
5. 1931 Auburn 8-98 Phaeton Sedan sold for $89,100
6. 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 327/375hp sold for $86,900
7. 1999 USMH Toterhome RC sold for $82,500
8. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 327/250hp sold for $78,100
9. 1934 Ford Deluxe Roadster sold for $77,000
10. 1931 Packard Custom Eight Sport Phaeton sold for $75,900

Auctions America’s next collector car auction is in Santa Monica on June 25-26. Among the enticing offerings are several interesting Ferraris, including a euro-spec Daytona Coupe, an F50, a 512 BBi and a 246 Dino GTS.