RM Auctions Offers the "Ultimate Packard" at Amelia Island

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:           Pat Cole/Kim Milman


                        JMPR, Inc. - (818) 992-4353


                        pcole@jmprpublicrelations.com 

                        


RM AUCTIONS TO SELL "THE ULTIMATE PACKARD"


AT AMELIA ISLAND EVENT 


 

Historic '32 Packard Twin-Six Dietrich Sport Phaeton Anchors Collection of Rare, Investment Quality Motor Cars - March 10, 2007  

 

BLENHEIM, Ontario, Canada (January 2007) - When RM Auctions raises the gavel at its 9th Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island event on March 10, 2007 it will offer bidders perhaps their only opportunity to bid on one of the rarest Packards in existence. The auction, which inaugurates the famed Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance weekend, will showcase a collection of more than 100 rare, investment quality automobiles unmatched in their elegance and importance.

 

Considered by many to be the ultimate Packard, the 1932 Packard Twin-Six Dietrich Sport Phaeton is one of only two surviving examples. Still gleaming from a nut-and-bolt professional restoration by RM Auto Restoration, Inc., this multiple award-winning Packard has captured the country's top honors, including being named Most Elegant Open Car at Pebble Beach the first time it was shown. (Estimate available upon request.)

 

"This may be the only example of its type to be offered at auction in our lifetime," says RM Auctions founder Rob Myers. "Its beauty is unparalleled and it represents the very pinnacle of Packard style and power. Serious Packard collectors need to take a close look at this amazing vehicle or risk missing out on a unique opportunity."

 

A selection of vintage racers also will be showcased at the Amelia Island sale beginning with a 1971 Porsche 917 Spyder, originally delivered to the AAW Racing Team of Finnish Porsche distributor Wihuri. This car competed in 13 races, including Spa, the Watkins Glen 6-Hour, the Nurburgring 1000K and Le Mans. Today it is presented fully restored in outstanding overall condition. (Estimated at $800,000 - $1,000,000) 

 

Another remarkable racer is the 1981 Porsche 935. This vehicle was the most dominant 935 of its time, and the only car to win both the 24-Hours of Daytona and the 12-Hours of Sebring in the same year. An amazing example, the racing résumé of this particular 935 includes more than 15 podium finishes and seven consecutive victories - a feat never duplicated. (Estimated at $700,000 - $900,000)

 

For those in search of originality, RM offers bidders a 1932 V8 Ford Mexican Racer, a cool-looking "barn find" with fresh mechanicals but original cosmetics. It sports its original '32 sheet metal, frame and V8 engine, complete with numerous period speed parts including a Halibrand quick-change rear end. Its unusual body has an unpunched dash from the factory, larger-than-stock rear window and many other interesting variations from a standard 5-window coupe. 

 

Other notable vehicles consigned for this year's Amelia Island event include:

* 1973 Lagonda Drophead Coupe                    (Estimate available upon request)

* 1934 Packard Twelve Convertible                 (Estimate available upon request)

* 1937 Cord 812 Coupe                                  (Estimated at $250,000 - $300,000)

* 1968 Shelby GT500 KR Convertible (Estimated at $180,000 - $200,000)

* 1909 Thomas Flyer 6-40 7-Pass. Coupe        (Estimate available upon request)

* 1932 Bentley 8 LTR Mayfair Coupe  (Estimate available upon request)

 

RM Auctions' Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island will be held at the elegant Ritz-Carlton Hotel, an integral element of the Summer Beach Resort and Country Club on Amelia Island, located at 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, just north of Jacksonville, Florida. Activities begin Thursday and Friday, March 8th and 9th with pre-auction viewing from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. both days. The auction begins Saturday, March 10th at 11:00 a.m. and concludes at 5:00 p.m.

 

The auction precedes the famous Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, held on Sunday, March 11th, which will celebrate the Great Road Races, including the Targa Florio, the Mille Miglia, the Carrera Panamericana and the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race. This year the event honors legendary road racer Derek Bell, the two-time world endurance champion, and hosts a cast of other notable drivers including Stirling Moss, John Surtees, John Fitch, and Brian Redmond. Visit www.ameliaconcours.org <http://www.ameliaconcours.org/>  for more information.

 

Admission to the Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island sale is by catalog only, which admits both the catalog holder and a guest. An auction catalog is available for $80 U.S., including shipping and handling within North America, by calling 800-211-4371.

 

Celebrating nearly 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions Inc. and its sister companies are responsible for acquiring, restoring and selling of the world's rarest and most expensive vintage automobiles. Renowned for setting international records, RM has recently established offices in the U.K. to provide auction and restoration services for clients in Europe and Asia. In 2006, RM Auto Restorations, Inc. won the unprecedented "triple crown" for receiving "Best of Show" honors at the world's top three international collector car events - the Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. For additional information on RM Auctions Inc., and this event, visit www.rmauctions.com <http://www.rmauctions.com/>  or call toll free: (800) 211-4373.


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