Three Days of Classic Cars on Amelia Island



Just for Flash Gordon -- A 1934 Bugatti
Only One of the Many Cars on Tap During these Three Days of Car Events

 

The seemingly endless days of winter are a distant memory if you were lucky enough to spend March 7 - 9 in Amelia Island, FL. These three days of paradise, which consisted of two auctions and one Concours, provided classic car enthusiasts with the opportunity to see some of the most rare, beautiful, and historically significant vehicles in existence. Here are the highlights from each of these shows.

 

Gooding & Company

 

Given the sales results of this year's auction, without a doubt there continues to be significant interest in classic cars. Almost 90% of the 88 vehicles Gooding & Company offered were sold, bringing in $30.9 million, and setting 15 new world records in the process.

 

The top sale was a 1968 Porsche 907 Longtail historic race car, which went for $3.63 million. A 1959 Porsche 718 RSK Spyder, whose design is so often linked to James Dean's sports car, was the second best seller, reaching $3.3. Here are the other cars that surpassed $1 million.

 

  • 1968 Porsche 907 Longtail, sold for $3,630,000
  • 1959 Porsche 718 RSK, sold for $3,300,000
  • 1955 Ferrari 250 Europa GT, sold for $2,530,000
  • 1964 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, sold for $2,035,000
  • 1958 BMW 507 Series II, sold for $1,815,000
  • 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Henley Roadster, sold for $1,430,000
  • 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS Lightweight, sold for $1,402,500
  • 1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America, sold for $1,292,500
  • 1988 Porsche 959 Sport, sold for $1,100,000

 


1968 Porsche 907 Longtail

 


1961 Porsche 718 RSK

 

RM Auction

 

In RMs most successful Amelia Island auction to date, they generated just under $36 million by selling 97% of the 91 vehicles they offered for sale. Seven of these sales broke world sales records. The top sale of the auction was for a 1937 Delahaye 135 Competition Court Torpedo Roadster. Bidding started at $3 million, but it took $6.6 million to buy this unique car. A 1958 BMW 507 Series II Roadster came in second, at a selling price of $2.42 million. Here are the other cars that rounded out the top ten.

 

  • 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster  sold for $1,842,500
  • 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Cabriolet sold for $1,760,000
  • 1934 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Sedan sold for $1,567,500
  • 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra sold for $990,000
  • 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 R (the most winning Mustang of all time) sold for $984,500
  • 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix sold for $962,500
  • 1937 Bugatti Type 57C Roadster  sold $902,000
  • 1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Convertible Sedan sold for  $840,000

 

 


1937 Delahaye 135 Competition Court Torpedo Roadster

 


Series II Roadster

 

Prices listed for car sales include the 10% buyers commission.

 

Concours d'Elegance

 

All the vehicles that showed at this elite car event are rare and historically significant, from the brass era cars to the more recent limited production models. Some of the standouts included a collection of Chrysler and Packard concept cars; rows of McLaren and Maserati race cars; and Indy 500, Daytona, and 24-hour Le Mans winning cars. For muscle car fans, the show featured the first Shelby Mustang GT350 and the first Shelby Mustang competition race car. Other cars, such as vintage Packards, Deusenbergs, Mercedes, Delahayes, and Buggatis could only be described as rolling art. Many of these vehicles are one-off and custom built to the original owner’s personal taste, with no expense spared. It is rare and definitely a privilege to see such meticulously-restored masterpieces.  Although to be chosen to participate in this Concours, in and of itself, demonstrates a car's standing in the classic car world, of the 325 entries, only three could receive top honors. This year, a 1955 Cadillac Special Cabriolet received the People's Choice Award. This one-of-a-kind, specially-built body, with a retractable hard top, has 23 karat gold-plated metal trim on the outside and throughout the interior. A 1958 Scarab, which is an extremely rare sports car, with a specially modified fuel injected Corvette engine, received the Best of Show Concours de Sport Award. And, a 1937 Horch 853 Cabriolet, which is an elegant grand touring motor car, built in the flowing style of the prewar Mercedes-Benz ultra-luxury models, took home the Best of Show Concours d’Elegance trophy.    

 

 


1955 Cadillac Special Cabriolet
People's Choice Award

 


1937 Horch 853
Best of Show, Concours d'elegance

 


1958 Meister Brauser Scarab
Best of Show, Concours de Sport

 

For more photos of the event, see our gallery.