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Auctions America by RM posts more than $17 million in sales with a record offering of 553 automobiles
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Top sellers include a pristine 1933 Chrysler CL Phaeton that sold for an incredible $341,000
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Auctions America boasts 72 percent sell-through rate at 10th Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale auction
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Event attracts international interest with bidders representing eight countries from around the world
AUBURN, Indiana – Auctions America by RM celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale auction by selling more than $17 million (include the 10% buyer’s premium) worth of pre-war classics, exotics, hot rods, muscle cars and memorabilia during a four-day event. With an increased number of consignors, bidders and attendees this year, the Fort Lauderdale event produced an impressive 72 percent sell-through rate. Thousands flocked to the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center from March 15-18 to see 553 incredible automobiles plus memorabilia, including 26 well-restored Corvettes from the Tony Parella Collection.
1933 Chrysler CL Phaeton
This was the best Fort Lauderdale auction to date with such an impressive docket of vehicles, said Donnie Gould, president of Auctions America by RM. Bidders, consignors and attendees representing eight countries told us they were pleased with the remarkable selection and quality of vehicles we offered. We’re thrilled to see such a positive growth and interest in the hobby. From vintage Shelby Mustangs to historic Chevrolet Corvettes, pre-war classics and celebrity-owned rides, we had something for everyone.
The top seller of the Fort Lauderdale auction was a stunning 1933 Chrysler CL Phaeton that sold for $341,000. Offered on Saturday at no reserve, it is one of only 36 Phaetons built from Chrysler’s top-of-the-line CL series. In addition, the sale also featured a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 that garnered $198,000 and is believed to be the only red-and-black 1970 LS6 convertible ever built. The Chevelle included the original build sheet, Protect-O-Plate and owner’s manual.
Celebrity vehicles were at the top of many bidding lists, including the 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Touring Limousine featured in the 1981 blockbuster hit Arthur with Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. The new owner took home the Rolls-Royce for $96,800.
The top-selling vehicles over the weekend represent the best examples of their marques, noted Gould. Bidding was spirited, as demonstrated by our total sales this weekend.
The highest selling automobiles of the Collectors Cars of Fort Lauderdale include:
- 1933 Chrysler CL Phaeton – $341,000
- 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 Convertible – $198,000
- 2006 Ford GT – $171,600
- 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – $178,200
- 1953 Chevrolet Corvette – $176,000
- 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible – $170,000
- 2007 Ferrari F430 Spider F1 – $162,250
- 1950 Chevrolet Tin Woodie – $154,000
- 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Roadster – $145,750
- 1931 Cadillac Imperial V-16 Fleetwood Limousine – $143,000
Auctions America has become an auction house of choice for premier collections of estate and private vehicles. A stand-out collection of the weekend was the Tony Parella Corvette Collection. With a 100 percent sell-through rate, the collection featured 26 impressive Corvettes, representing every model year from 1953 through ’69, plus rare examples from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. Fetching $176,000, a rare 1953 Chevrolet Corvette was the top seller of the Parella group. Chevrolet only built 300 Corvettes in the debut year of 1953; this is one of only 255 ’53 models still in existence.
I couldn’t be happier with the outcome, said Parella. While selling my Corvette collection through Auctions America, the care and effort they put into handling my sale exceeded my wildest expectations.
Our team of Car Specialists comprises some of the best market experts in the nation with more than 140 years of combined experience,added Gould. Enthusiasts and collectors alike appreciate our expertise, as well as our transparency. They return each year to buy and sell prized cars because of that trust. We look forward to returning to Fort Lauderdale next year with an exciting line-up of cool rides that visitors do not want to miss.
Full results from Auction America’s Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale auction are posted online at www.auctionsamerica.com. Auctions America continues its 2012 auction calendar in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, April 26-27, for the second annual Spring Carlisle Auction at the Carlisle Expo Center.
