A 1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Roi des Belges and a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan sold for over a million dollar as the top results at the RM Sotheby’s Guyton Collection sale in St Louis.
The top results achieved at the RM Sotheby’s Guyton Collection sale were $1,325,000 paid for a 1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Roi des Belges and $1,105,000 paid for a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan. Both results were above pre-auction estimates.
RM Sotheby’s Guyton Collection Sale in St Louis
RM Sotheby’s presented the company’s 34th private collection at auction—the esteemed Guyton Collection, in St Louis, Missouri, USA on 4 and 5 may 2019. The entirely collection was offered without reserve and achieved $11,680,537 in total sales. Comprising the remarkable automobiles and collectibles of the late Mr. Fred Guyton, the two-day sale was held at the collection site.
A renowned architect and active member of the St. Louis community, Mr. Guyton was also a treasured and respected figure within collecting and car club circles, having amassed his collection over more than four decades. The Saturday sale included 73 automobiles, featuring historic American and European motor cars from the Veteran, Brass and Classic Eras – many of which had been in the collection for decades.
Top Ten Results at the RM Sotheby’s Guyton Collection Sale
The ten top results achieved at the RM Sotheby’s Guyton Collection sale in St Louis were:
| 1 | 1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Roi des Belges | $1,325,000 |
| 2 | 1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan | $1,105,000 |
| 3 | 1930 Ruxton Model C Roadster | $747,500 |
| 4 | 1930 Packard 734 Speedster Eight Phaeton | $665,000 |
| 5 | 1927 Duesenberg Model X Dual-Cowl Phaeton | $527,500 |
| 6 | 1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III ‘Parallel Door’ Saloon Coupe | $423,000 |
| 7 | 1930 Du Pont Model G Convertible Victoria | $368,000 |
| 8 | 1927 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport | $362,500 |
| 9 | 1932 Nash Advanced Eight Convertible Sedan | $340,500 |
| 10 | 1928 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet de Ville | $335,000 |
Top Rolls-Royces at the RM Sotheby’s Guyton Collection Sale
RM Sotheby’s achieved strong results with classic Rolls Royce cars at the Guyton Collection sale in St Louis with the top result for an award-winning 1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Roi des Belges in the style of Barker, which saw an extended bidding contest, eventually bringing a final $1,325,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $800,000 – $1,000,000.
Special Rolls-Royce models stole the show on Saturday, with a one-of-two 1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III ‘Parallel Door’ Saloon Coupe drawing eyes and bids to a final $423,000 (est. $150/250k), and a highly desirable, largely original 1925 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster selling for a final $280,000 (est. $175/225k).
Other European highlights include a 1927 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport, one of Mr. and Mrs. Guyton’s favorite cars, which sold for a final $362,500(est. $200/300k).
American Classics at the RM Sotheby’s Guyton Collection Sale 2019
The Guyton Collection also featured several great American Classics, led by a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan, engine no. J-329, presented in beautifully restored condition, which reached a final $1,105,000(est. $900k/$1.1m).
One of four surviving examples of which none have traded hands since 1996, a 1927 Duesenberg Model X Dual-Cowl Phaeton also surpassed estimate, selling for a final $527,500(est. $300/400k).
Americana was in high demand at the sale, with new auction records set for a rare 1930 Ruxton Model C Roadster with known history from new, nearly doubling high estimate at $747,500 (est. $350/450k), an ultra-rare 1932 Nash Advanced Eight Convertible Sedan wearing an immaculate restoration, sold at $340,500 (est. $125/175k), and a 1903 Cadillac Rear-Entrance Tonneau, one of the finest early examples of the marque, reaching $190,400 to become the most valuable Brass Era Cadillac sold at auction (est. $100/125k).
Top Automobilia at the RM Sotheby’s Guyton Collection Sale
Beyond the cars, the Guyton Collection included well over 500 pieces of automobilia, collectibles, petroliana, sports memorabilia, original artwork, furniture, and model and toy cars. Among a host of fascinating pieces was the Titanic Pub, which doubled as the bar during the sale, and soared past its estimate to a final price of $84,000 (est. $15/20k).
Night Rider by Peter Helck, one of the most famous paintings by the automotive artist, also exceeded pre-sale expectations, bringing a final $48,000(est. $20/25k). Additional collectible highlights include a Rolls Royce V-12 Merlin Display Engine and Service Tool Kit, which drew considerable pre-sale interest, selling for a final $57,000 (est. $30/40k).
McLarens on offer at RM Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi 2019:
Tim Scott ©2019 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s Tim Scott ©2019 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
See also 2019 RM Sotheby’s St Louis Sale (Guyton Collection Announcement) for more on the top cars on offer.