2015 RM Sotheby’s Andrews Collection Sale Results

A 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet sold for a model record $7,645,000 at the RM Sotheby’s Andrews Collection classic car auction in Fort Worth, Texas. However, the highlights of the auction were the sensational prices achieved by several 1930s classic American automobiles with Packards, Duesenberg, a Cadillac and a Marmon selling well in excess of pre-auction estimates. The auction also saw the best result thus far in 2015 for a Mercedes Benz 300 SL.

The RM Sotheby’s Andrews Collection Classic Car Sale

The RM Sotheby’s Andrews Collection classic car auction was held on May 2, 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas. On offer were memorabilia and 78 cars from the private collection of Paul and Chris Andrews.

The auction generated nearly $ 54 million with a 100% sell-through rate, as all lots were offered without reserve.

Top Results from the RM Sotheby’s Andrews Collection Sale

The following 16 cars sold for more than a million dollars at the RM Sotheby’s classic car auction:

Ferraris at the RM Sotheby’s Andrews Collection

Only four Ferraris were on offer at the Andrews Collection sale, of which only two were in the million-dollar league:

1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet

The 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet by Pininfarina achieved, as expected, the top result at the auction of $7,645,000. This set a new auction record for the model – over a million dollars more than the record set at the RM Sotheby’s auction in Amelia Island in March 2015.

This 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet was the final of the seven short wheelbase Superamericas built and was the official Ferrari car shown at the Geneva and New York auto shows. It came with factory covered headlights and a removable hardtop.

The original owner raced it at the Bonneville Salt Flats – a rare occurrence for a 400 Superamerica. However, it is now fully restored with Ferrari Classiche certification and a Platinum award from the Cavallino Classic XVIII (2009).

1963 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB Coupe Aerodinamico

The second Ferrari 400 Superamerica in the sale, a 1963 LWB Coupe Aerodinamico by Pininfarina disappointed somewhat when it sold for only $2,860,000. This was well below the $3.5-$4.5 million pre-sale estimate but well within range of what long-wheel base Superamericas had achieved in recent auctions.

This 1963 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB Coupe Aerodinamico was the 15th of only 18 long-wheelbase versions. It is in a restored condition and won Platinum at the 2011 Cavallino Classic.

1930s American Classic Cars at the Andrews Collection Sale

Several large American automobiles from the 1930s were expecting to sell for more than a million dollar at the RM Sotheby’s Andrews Collection auction but the sensational prices, often well in excess of pre-auction estimates, came as a surprise:

Packards at the Andrews Collection Sale

Four Packards, including three Twelves from 1934 were on sale:

1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Stationary Coupe

The 1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Stationary Coupe by Dietrich was the sensational result at the auction. It achieved the second-highest result of sale when it achieved $4,180,000 (pre-auction estimate $2.4-$3 million), as the most-expensive Packard ever. It comfortably outsold the two Duesenbergs that had higher estimates.

The 1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Stationary Coupe is one of only five known survivors and has remarkably complete early documentation. The restored car won Best in Class at Pebble Beach (2005).

1934 Packard Twelve Sport Coupe by LeBaron

The 1934 Packard Twelve Sport Coupe by LeBaron sold near its upper estimate for $2,200,000. It was the last of only four cars built and was the 1934 New York Auto Show car.

1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Sedan

The 1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich sold just below estimate for $1,045,000. The car won numerous awards including the American Classic Open Class at Pebble Beach (2010) and an Amelia Award at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in 2011.

1938 Packard Eight Cabriolet by Graber

The 1938 Packard Eight Cabriolet by Graber sold for $1,760,000 at the upper end of the estimate. The car has a unique Swiss body and was shown at the 1938 Geneva Auto Salon. It won Best in Class at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Duesenbergs at the Andrews Collection Sale

Two Duesenbergs were on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Andrews Collection sale in Texas:

1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Town Car

The 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Town Car by Boham and Schartz sold within estimate for $3,630,000. The car was originally designed for Mae West but Ethel Mars, of the confectionary business, took possession of the unique, one-off streamlined coachwork on a factory chassis with supercharged engine. The car has an exceptionally well-documented history and is often referred to as the Mars Town Car.

1931 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe

The 1931 Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Convertible Coupe by Murphy surprised when it sold for $3,520,000 – half a million above the upper estimate and just less than the highly praised Mars Town Car. The car won Best in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours and won 17 further fist places at subsequent shows. It has also in recent years participated in two 1,000-mile Duesenberg Tours – Texas (2010) and Virginia (2014).

1930 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Sedan by Murphy

A 1930 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Sedan by Murphy sold for $1,925,000 – well above its pre-auction estimate of $1-$1.4 million. The car has a special, one-off custom California coachwork and well-documented history. It won best in class at Pebble Beach in 1997 and although well maintained, the restoration is now kindly described as “older”.

1931 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupe

The 1931 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Coupe by LeBaron also achieved a sensational result of $1,320,000 – well in excess of its pre-auction estimate of $700,000-$900,000. This car features a 200 bhp, 490.8 cu in OHV V-16 engine – the largest American engine from the classic 1930s era.

American Racing Cars

Several American racing cars were on offer at the Andrews Collection sale with two 1962 classics selling for over a million dollar, although both slightly below pre-auction estimates:

1962 Shelby 289 Competition Cobra

A 1962 Shelby 289 Competition Cobra sold for $1,980,000. This was the first racing-specification Cobra that Shelby sold to the public. The car is fully restored and in period livery.

1962 Chevrolet Corvette Race Car

A 1962 Chevrolet Corvette “Gulf Oil” Race Car achieved $1,650,000. The car was driver by Dr Dick Thompson for Grady Davis’s Gulf Oil Racing Team and won the 1962 SCCA A/Production championship. It won 12 of 14 races.

1959 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster

Mercedes Benz 300 SLs have in recent auctions often struggled to meet unrealistically high reserve margins but at the Andrews Collection sale, two buyers wanted the same car and probably overpaid handsomely. The $1,842,000 paid for the 1959 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster was the highest bid and highest result by far for one of these cars in 2015. It was also well above the pre-auction estimate of $1.3-$1.6 million.

The 1959 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster is a perfectly restored, matching-numbers model that won Best in Class at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in 2004. It is a beautiful car but the price paid seemed high for a model available in almost every major classic car auction.

See 2015 RM Sotheby’s Andrews Collection Sale (Preview) for more descriptions and photos.