2021 RM Sotheby’s Hershey Sale (Auction Results)

A 1931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster “Green Hornet” and a 1935 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster were the top results in the RM Sotheby’s Hershey 2021 classic car auction.

1931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster “Green Hornet” among the top results in the RM Sotheby's Hershey sale 2021
Alex Stewart ©2021 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

A 1931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster “Green Hornet” sold for $1,650,000 and a 1935 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster achieved $891,000, as the top results in the RM Sotheby’s Hershey sale in Pennsylvania, USA, in October 2021. The top ten results at the auction were mostly for prewar American classics.

RM Sotheby’s Hershey Sale 2021

RM Sotheby’s conducted its 15th annual Hershey auction at the Hershey Lodge during the Antique Automobile Club of America’s (AACA) Eastern Division Fall Meet in Pennsylvania, USA, on 7 & 8 October 2021. Total sales across the two-day auction grossed $12,984,210 with 98% of all lots sold.

Top Results in the RM Sotheby’s Hershey Sale 2021

The top ten results in the RM Sotheby’s Hershey 2021 classic car auction were:

Year & ModelResults
11931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster “Green Hornet”$1,650,000.00
21935 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster$891,000.00
31930 Packard 745 Deluxe Eight Roadster$407,000.00
41934 Pierce-Arrow Model 840A Convertible Sedan$330,000.00
51909 Peerless Model 19 Touring$286,000.00
61931 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton$242,000.00
71931 Buick Series 90 Sport Roadster$222,750.00
81970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet$198,000.00
91904 Winton 20hp Rear-Entrance Tonneau$198,000.00
101936 Pierce-Arrow Twelve Town Car Prototype$187,000.00

Top Cars in the RM Sotheby’s Hershey 2021 Auction

1935 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster among the top results in the RM Sotheby's Hershey sale 2021
Alex Stewart ©2021 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The sale offered an exceptional lineup spanning over 80 years of automotive history which included The Collection of Robert Thayer featuring three stunning American classics. The top-selling car was the 1931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster “Green Hornet”. This CCCA Full Classic is one of very few true roadsters on the Model J chassis and would be welcomed to any number of important concours and club events. This example struts a wonderful, storied history with Duesenberg enthusiasts and sold for a price of $1,650,000. At least six Model Js have sold at public auctions for over a million dollar thus far this year with this mid-estimate the lowest result.

Following the Duesenberg was the 1935 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster. Presented in well-maintained concours restoration, this exceptional Auburn will be warmly welcomed to any number of events and sold for $891,000. Rounding out the top three sales was the 1930 Packard 745 Deluxe Eight Roadster. One of the finest extant 745 Deluxe Eight Roadsters and one of just a handful genuine examples believed to still be in existence, this Roadster brought $407,000.

1909 Peerless Model 19 Touring among the top results in the RM Sotheby's Hershey sale 2021
©2021 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Another significant Collection to go under the hammer was the Collection of Les Holden. The collection offered five American classics with four selling over their high estimate. The most notable from the Collection was the 1909 Peerless Model 19 Touring. Featured in numerous magazines and driven in many tours over six decades, this Peerless is one of just two surviving T-head, 40 hp 1909 Model 19’s and smashed its presale estimate of $150,000, selling for $286,000.

An additional two American classics left the auction room with a selling price that exceeded their pre-sale estimates. Both restored to a level beyond what is normally seen makes it nearly impossible to find any others like them. The 1934 Pierce-Arrow Model 840A Convertible Sedan is a one-off example and highly respected in Pierce-Arrow circles. This 840A struts an outstanding concours-quality restoration and is a two-time Pierce-Arrow Society Best in Show winner. Offered from the Collection of Charles Gillet, this Sedan brought $330,000.

The 1931 Buick Series 90 Sport Roadster was acquired in the early 1990s by one of the nation’s most dedicated Buick collectors. This Sport Roadster notably wears a national first prize CCCA badge – an indication of the car’s high state of presentation and sold for $222,750.

The RM Sotheby’s Group continues its 2021 auction calendar with the focus mostly moving to Europe for the rest of the year: the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run sale on 6 November in London and the special The Guikas Collection at Paul Ricard Circuit on 19 November, all offered without reserve.