Mark Smith Classic Car Estate Auction – Lynchburg, VA
For most classic car auctions, owners bring their vehicles to the auction site, but when there are special collections, sometimes a better alternative is for the auction company to run the sale at the owner’s location. This was the case with the estate auction of long-time resident and avid collector, Mark Smith. The sale, which was presented by Gooding and Company, was held in historic Lynchburg, VA at Midland Motors, a former Chrysler dealership. Now bannered “Hill Buggy and Wagon Co,” Mark had turned this main street store into a museum to house his most important vehicles.
His collection focused on original (unrestored) motor cars, many with special historical significance. This auction consisted of 86 vintage vehicles offered to the highest bidders at no reserve (without a minimum set price). Dating back to the earliest days of horseless carriages, including a 1900 Studebaker buggy and a 1907 White steam-powered car, these were virtual time capsules of a bygone era.
A 1932 Chrysler Imperial Custom Roadster, selling at $1,600,000, was the top sale – a new record for the Chrysler marque at auction. Another car that was hotly contested by bidders and posted a record price for the marque was a 1935 Brewster Coupe Roadster at $577,000. Overall, Gooding and Company reported $8.9 million in total sales. Here are the top five sales, as well as other results from the event.
Top Five Sales
| 1932 Chrysler CG Imperial Custom Roadster | $1,600,000 |
| 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Offener Tourenwagen | $857,500 |
| 1935 Brewster Coupe Roadster | $577,000 |
| 1907 Ford Model K Touring | $379,000 |
| 1907 White Model G ‘Roi des Belges’ Touring (Steam Powered) | $324,000 |
Other Select Sales
