A Duesenberg Model J, Cadillac V-16, and Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio from the Keith Crain Collection are offered at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2020 sale.
RM Sotheby’s announced six cars from the collection of Keith Crain as highlights for the Amelia Island 2020 classic car auction. These cars are offered without reserve and include a 1932 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy, estimate $1,400,000 – $1,800,000, a 1930 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton by Fleetwood, estimate $850,000 – $1,000,000, a 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff, estimate $800,000 – $950,000, and a 1934 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria, estimate $350,000 – $400,000.
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2020
RM Sotheby’s 22nd annual Amelia Island classic car sale – 6 & 7 March 2020 at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida, USA.
In 2020, RM Sotheby’s earned $35.8 million with a sell-through rate of 94%.
In 2019, RM Sotheby’s earned $38.1 million at Amelia Island with a sell-through rate of 84%. In 2018, RM Sotheby’s grossed $27 million with a sell-through rate of 85% with 87 of 102 lots offered sold.
In 2017, RM Sotheby’s earned an Amelia Island record $70.9 million but in contrast to most years, a second auction day was held during which 63 cars from the Orin Smith collection were sold without reserve to earn a total of $31 million.
In 2016, RM Sotheby’s earned $38.6 million with a high sell-through rate of 89%. In 2015, RM Sotheby’s earned $60 million at Amelia Island with a remarkably high 98% sell-through rate.
Keith Crain Collection at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2020
RM Sotheby’s will offer six cars from the Keith Crain collection at the Amelia Island 2020 classic car auction. All six are offered without reserve.
Keith Crain, a major figure within the automotive publishing industry and a seasoned collector, has amassed a large private collection of various motor cars from Full Classics and 1950s cruisers to modern street rods and supercars.
“Keith Crain has been a valued client and friend of RM Sotheby’s for more than 30 years,” says Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s. “He has an incredible collection of cars, particularly classics, and the four that he will offer with us in Amelia Island are all important examples, coming from previous ownership in some of the most renowned collections in the hobby and presented from a great home today. Though they all wear older restorations, Mr. Crain has meticulously cared for the cars and they all remain in concours condition today.”
1932 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy
Leading the six-car group set for Amelia Island is an exceptional 1932 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy, estimate $1,400,000 – $1,800,000, Without reserve, a car whose history begins in gangland and ends among the great collectors of the last half-century. One of approximately 25 Murphy convertible coupes built with a conventional folding top, the Model J, engine no. J-143, was sold new to Jake “The Barber” Factor of California, a Prohibition-era gangster and con artist affiliated with the Chicago Outfit.
After a few months with “The Barber”, the Model J changed hands several times before landing with legendary restorer Joe “The Duesenberg Doctor” Kaufmann. J-143 went on to become the crown jewel of the Ben Caskey Collection and later, the S. Ray Miller Museum for two decades.
Acquired by Mr. Crain in 2004, the Model J has only been occasionally shown, winning 2nd in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2006 and appearing at the Concours d’Elegance of America in 2014 and 2017, receiving a Lion Award in the latter. Today, it wears a beautiful, older award-winning restoration, fitted with its original coachwork and presented in highly attractive colors.
1930 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton by Fleetwood
Following the successful sale of a similar model at RM Sotheby’s recent Arizona 2020 auction, the auction house brings another exceptional 1930 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton by Fleetwood, (Est. $850,000 – $1,000,000, Without reserve) to Amelia Island. Another standout car from the Keith Crain Collection, the CCCA Full Classic Sport Phaeton is one of just 85 sport phaetons built in 1930 and 1931.
The Sport Phaeton’s third owner was Joseph Runyan, who purchased the car for just $25 in 1952 and set about restoring it, complete with a hand-rubbed paint job applied in his backyard, the result of which won numerous prizes in West Coast competition.
The Cadillac went on to join the famed Otis Chandler Collection, where it remained until 2006. During that time, it underwent a careful, CCCA award-winning restoration, and was later invited to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, winning Third in Class.
Acquired by Mr. Crain in 2006, the V-16 presents wonderfully in Bottle Green and is eligible for various prestigious concours events.
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff
Joining the Cadillac is a highly desirable, late-production 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff, (Est. $800,000 – $950,000, Without reserve). One of the very last early Bugattis built ahead of the outbreak of World War II, the supercharged Type 57C spent much of its early life in French ownership before landing in the United States in 1959.
With Mr. Crain, the car underwent a complete, concours restoration in 2006 and today presents beautifully in elegant black with rich red upholstery.
1934 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria
A 1934 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria, (Est. $350,000 – $400,000, Without reserve) also stands out in the lineup, having been acquired by Mr. Crain over a decade ago from the renowned and highly selective John McMullen Collection. One of fewer than ten examples extant, the Packard achieved many prestigious awards over its lifetime including Pebble Beach and Amelia Island Best in Class as well as Classic Car Club of America Senior First Prize. It is among the very finest and most frequently honored restored examples.
Additional cars from the Keith Crain Collection include a pair of modern performance cars he has owned from new. A four-option, Midnight Blue 2005 Ford GT has been pampered all its life and remains in pristine condition, driven a mere 415 miles (Est. $275,000 – $325,000, Without reserve).
A 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster wears an outstanding original color combination of Crystal Digenite Blue Metallic over Sand leather interior and has seen less than 260 miles from new (Est. $300,000 – $375,000, Without reserve).
Amelia Island Classic Car Auctions 2020
Amelia Island 2020 Classic Car Auction Results
- Bonhams – Amelia Island 2020 Auction Results
- Gooding – Amelia Island 2020 Auction Results
- RM Sotheby’s – Amelia Island 2020 Auction Results
Amelia Island 2020 Classic Car Auction Previews
- Amelia Island 2020 – General Auctions Presale Overview
- Bonhams: Amelia Island 2020 Classic Car Auction Preview
- Gooding: Amelia Island 2020 Classic Car Auction Preview
- RM Sotheby’s: Amelia Island 2020 Classic Car Auction Preview
Amelia Island 2020 Classic Car Auction Announcements
- Bonhams: Steve McQueen Con-Ferr Buggy Meyers Manx
- Bonhams: Dean S. Edmonds Estate (including Bugatti Type 55)
- Gooding: 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider
- Gooding: Brass Era 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
- Gooding: Modern Supercars
- RM Sotheby’s: Amelia Island Highlights
- RM Sotheby’s: Keith Crain Collection (incl. Duesenberg Model J)
Amelia Island Classic Car Auctioneers 2020
Major auction houses with collector car sales at the Amelia Island, Florida, USA, in March 2020 include:
- Bonhams: 5 March 2020 at Fernandina Beach Golf Club.
- Gooding & Company: 6 March 2020 at Racquet Park, Omni Amelia Island Plantation.
- RM Sotheby’s: 6 & 7 March 2020 at the Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island.
