On July 28, 2012 in Plymouth, Michigan, RM Auctions will offer more than 70 collector cars on its Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s sale! The highlights of the sale will definitely be a 1930 Duesenberg SJ Convertible Victoria by Rollston, J272. This rare car in 1930 was owned by noted band leader Paul Whiteman (nicknamed in the media as The King of Jazz”) of “Rhapsody in Blue” fame. Also this absolutely amazing piece is one of just 16 examples bodied with convertible Victoria coachwork by highly regarded Rollston Company. The pre-sale estimate is $850,000-$1,200,000.
Celebrated as the ultimate American automobile, 1930 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Victoria by the Rollston features 320 bhp, 420 cu. in. DOHC inline eight-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder and centrifugal supercharger, three-speed manual transmission, solid front axle and live rear axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 142.5″ It was recently detailed, mechanically inspected on a limited basis, and serviced.
Additional highlights at RM’s St. John’s sale include: 1930 Packard 745 Deluxe Eight Convertible Victoria (Est. $275,000–$375,000); 1928 Cadillac V-8 “Al Capone” Town Sedan (Est. $300,000–$500,000); 1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Coupe (Est. $250,000–$325,000); 2005 Ford GT (Est. $175,000–$215,000); 1948 Chrysler Town & Country Sedan (Est. $100,000–$125,000); and a rare 1912 Baker Electric Special Extension Coupe (Est. $75,000–$125,000).
Another featured attraction of the sale will be the presentation of 15 automobiles from the distinguished private collection of William Ruger Jr., all offered without reserve. There will also be two magnificently presented Ahrens-Fox Fire Trucks, considered the “Rolls-Royce” of fire trucks. The pair includes an outstanding 1925 Ahrens-Fox N-S-4 Triple Combination Pumper and a 1930 Ahrens-Fox P-S-14 Hose & Equipment Truck (expected to fetch between $175,000–$250,000 and $125,000–$190,000, respectively).
