To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Arizona
event, 17 - 18 January 2019.
Estimate:
$200,000 - $250,000
- Offered from the Calumet Collection
- Fondly known as "The Bullet Hole"
- Formerly owned by Enoch "Nucky" Johnson, inspiration for
Boardwalk Empire
- Still bearing a namesake bullet hole from one of Mr. Johnson's
lucky escapes
- Beautiful, detailed restoration with original chassis, engine,
and body
- Accompanied by a full report from Rolls-Royce historian Diane
Brandon
- Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Senior First winner with 100
points
Between the 1910s and 1941, gangster Enoch "Nucky" Johnson ruled
Atlantic City. His political organization, backed by Al Capone and
the like, took a cut of all the vices sold by the boardwalk, from
casinos to brothels, earning the elegant racketeer a fabulous
lifestyle. He daily wore a custom-grown carnation in his lapel and
hosted a "who's who" of Roaring Twenties celebrities in his suite
in the Ritz-Carlton. Decades after his death, Johnson was
immortalized in the HBO series, Boardwalk Empire, in which he was
memorably portrayed by Steve Buscemi.
This Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, an American-built "Springfield"
model, chassis no. 301KG, was part of Johnson's mystique. Fitted
with an imposing, dramatic, and highly costly formal Salamanca
body, it had originally been sold to New York banker Charles H.
Sabin on 23 March 1923. Four years later it was acquired by
"Nucky," as is documented by the Rolls-Royce Foundation.
Subsequent owners to Johnson were Anthony and Muriel Rose of New
York, who acquired the car in 1958 and kept it for nearly three
decades. In 1987 it was purchased by Theresa G. George, then in
1991 passed to Ernest Bonati before finally leaving the Empire
State later that decade. Later owners included Terence J. and
Barbara Gooding of California, before the Calumet Collection
acquired the car in 2013. The following year it was proudly
exhibited at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, completing the
Tour d'Elegance (including a lap at Laguna Seca), as is documented
by an accompanying video.
The car is finished in dark red and garnet, with part of the
aluminum coachwork left unpainted and polished to a beautiful
mirror-like contrast, accentuated by a folding black leather top
and hinged window frames, a signature of the Salamanca design.
Plating is correct nickel finish throughout, and the engine
compartment and chassis are both very tidy and correct, including
the proper linked fan belt. Within the rear passenger compartment
is an oasis of luxury, with tufted deep scarlet cloth upholstery,
accent pillows, and silk assist loops. The car is offered with
complete sets of road and hand tools, including the rare spare bulb
holder, as well as an original owner's handbook and assorted owner
and historical documentation.
Few cars can boast the fascinating story and provenance of "The
Bullet Hole," one of the stars of the Calumet Collection.To view
this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please
visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az19.
