RESOURCE GUIDE

One of the largest and most unusual vehicles ever offered by RM Auctions took the number one sale spot at their recent Novi, Michigan event, followed by several other top selling American-built classics. A nine-ton 1950 Flxible Private Motor Coach, custom built for a wealthy Minneapolis family, sold to a private collector for $92,400. This rare and majestic luxury coach is one of only five examples built by the Flxible Company in Loudonville, Ohio and attracted considerable interest from out-of-state phone bidders and enthusiastic attendees alike.

The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company recorded more than $20 million in total sales and delivered its trademark excitement during the 7th Annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction April 9-11, 2009. The all No Reserve auction featured an eclectic docket, including the “Project American Heroes” 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS custom that fetched $500,000 to benefit the Armed Forces Foundation and a classic 1934 Auburn 1250 Salon Cabriolet that brought $253,000, as well as a group of vehicles from the General Motors Heritage fleet.

From pre-war toy trucks, to Evel Knievel’s personal motorcycle, to a nine-ton 1950 Flxible Motor Coach, RM’s ‘Classic Car Auction of Michigan’ event will offer a wide selection of rare collector vehicles at the Rock Financial Showplace, Novi, Michigan, April 25 & 26.

Vintage car collectors from around the globe descended on Florida on March 14 as some 107 significant motor cars and a selection of vintage memorabilia were offered at RM Auctions’ eagerly awaited Automobiles of Amelia Island event. Illustrating the continuing enthusiasm and interest in the collector car hobby, the overflowing auction room was standing room only for the duration of the event, with the auction line-up also attracting a large volume of internet and telephone bids.

RM Auctions' 2009 "Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale" kicked off the annual three-day weekend event with a Wheels-themed fundraising party to benefit local charities. Proceeds from the exciting Friday night charity event benefit Heritage Fort Lauderdale, incorporating Stranahan House, the Historical Society, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum at Okalee and the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Arizona Auction Week looked sort of like that television game show Deal Or No Deal this year, though instead of attractive women opening brief cases, there were bidders offering up what they could or would pay for various cars, and instead of the mysterious banker up in the booth, there were the consigners enforcing their reserves.

The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company exceeded industry-wide expectations by recording more than $63 million in sales last week during the 38th annual Scottsdale auction. From Jan. 11-18, 2009, the all No Reserve auction featured an eclectic offering, including a 1929 Ford 4-AT-E Tri-Motor airplane that sold for $1.21 million and the “first production” 1955 Ford Thunderbird that fetched $660,000. Despite an uncertain economy, numerous Barrett-Jackson records were set, including $220,000 for a 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, $250,000 for a 50th Anniversary Hurst Performance 2008 Dodge Viper and $137,500 for a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 fastback.

The recent Automobiles of Arizona event illustrated the continued strength and stability of the global collector car market as RM Auctions presented its 10th annual auction event in Phoenix last week. Held January 16th at the prestigious Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, it was standing room-only during the single-day event as 122 investment-quality motor cars were presented for auction. The eight-hour sale attracted a record number of bidders from around the world to illustrate continued enthusiasm and interest in the global collector car hobby. As the gavel fell for the final time of the day, total sales surpassed $18 million with a strong sell-through rate of 83 percent of cars sold.