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Auburn Collector Car Auction Sets Records


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AUBURN, Indiana (May 15, 2014) – Auctions America enjoyed a record-setting weekend in the Classic Car Capital of America, May 8 – 10, posting record results and attendance at its annual Auburn Spring event at the historic Auburn Auction Park.

 

Representing the company’s largest Auburn Spring event to date, more than 770 vehicles and 250 lots of memorabilia crossed the block during the three-day event, with total sales rocketing to $19.1 million* with a strong 87 percent of all lots sold. The impressive tally represents Auctions America’s best performance thus far at Auburn Spring, and significantly, a 70 percent increase on 2013 results, reflecting strong growth.

 

Further illustrating Auburn Spring’s rapid growth and status as a must-attend weekend on the national collector car calendar, more than 20,000 enthusiasts flocked to the Auburn Auction Park for the sale – a record for the Spring event. Strong interest in the offering saw bidder registrations double 2013 levels, with 27 percent of bidders representing first-time clientele. Bidders hailed from seven countries around the world and 38 states across the United States.

 

“This year’s Auburn Spring event was a record-setting weekend for the Auctions America team on numerous fronts. Our largest Auburn Spring to date, we presented a record volume of cars, attracted record attendance and bidder registrations, and achieved record results, we couldn’t be happier,” says Donnie Gould, president of Auctions America. “Add in strong ratings on NBCSN, which telecast from Auburn Spring for the first time, and great reviews for the AACA Special National Spring Meet, and the weekend was a great success on all levels. We look forward to continuing the momentum in the upcoming summer auction season, and continuing to build Auburn Spring as a must-attend event and destination for collectors in the years ahead.”

 

Gord Duff, car specialist, Auctions America adds, “Auburn Spring was truly a great team effort. From our specialists to our administration, accounting, operations, and marketing teams, along with the countless volunteers that assist onsite, the Auctions America staff came together to deliver a great weekend for enthusiasts. The offering was the best and most diverse we’ve seen at Auburn Spring to date. From the entry-level collector to the veteran hobbyist, there was truly something for everyone, resulting in strong attendance and a significant spike in bidder registrations.”

 

Headlining the 2014 Auburn Spring weekend was a superb collection of 400 vehicles from Montreal’s John Scotti Collection, offered entirely without reserve. Topping the collection and claiming top sale honors of the weekend was a futuristic 1934 Chrysler Custom Imperial Airflow, restored to concours-quality condition, which spurred a lively bidding war, surpassing expectations at a strong $213,400. Additional highlights from the Scotti Collection included a virtually new 1987 Buick GNX, showing just 96 original miles, which realized $100,100; a stunning 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Roadster, the subject of an enthusiastic bidding contest, for $88,000; and a low-mileage, well-equipped 1989 Ferrari Testarossa, one of the most iconic automobiles of the 1980s, which garnered $84,150.

 

“I’m very happy with the results from this past weekend’s sale,” said John Scotti following the auction. “When the time came to sell my collection, I knew Auctions America would provide fantastic service and connect my cars with the right buyers. From start to finish, they did not disappoint –their staff, their service and the setting were second to none. I have no hesitation recommending their services to others.”

 

Beyond the Scotti Collection, numerous spirited bidding contests saw various lots exceed expectations. Among additional notable sales were a 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 Lightweight Sport Coupe, that has remained largely untouched since it raced at the Indy Nationals in 1962, for $151, 250; and an outstanding 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible, magnificently presented in Matador Red and Indian Ivory, for $148,500.

 

Auctions America – Auburn Spring Top Five Sales:

 

1.        1934 Chrysler Custom Imperial Airflow - $213,400

2.        1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 Lightweight Sport Coupe - $151,250

3.        1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible - $148,500

4.        1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL - $145,750

5.        1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 - $137,500

 

Making for a complete hobby weekend, the event was rounded out by a car corral, swap meet, and the AACA’s Special National Spring Meet, featuring its own car show, judging school and youth program.

 

Auctions America continues its 2014 calendar with one of the largest and most diverse sales of historic military vehicles and accessories ever staged, The Littlefield Military Collection, July 11 – 12 in California’s Portola Valley, closely followed by the company’s highly anticipated California Collector Car Auction, August 1 – 2 in Burbank, featuring an eclectic mix of 400 cars hand-picked for Southern California’s unique automotive culture. The summer concludes with Auctions America bringing the action back to the Classic Car Capital of America for its flagship Auburn Fall weekend, August 27-31.

 

Full results from Auctions America’s Auburn Spring event, along with upcoming event information are available online at auctionsamerica.com.

 

*Results include 10 percent buyer’s premium for all automobiles, and 15 percent for all other lots.