A Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet and a Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy are highlights of the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2020 sale.
Although a 2003 Ferrari Enzo, estimate $2,750,000 – $3,000,000, is the most-expensive car on offer at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2020 the emotional highlights certainly are the 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by D’Ieteren, estimate $1,500,000 – $2,000,000, and the 1932 Duesenberg Model J Stationary Victoria by Rollston, estimate $1,200,000 – $1,400,000.
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.
Top Cars at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2020 Auction
RM Sotheby’s will offer 145 cars at the Amelia Island classic car auction in 2020. Some of the interesting top cars include:
1938 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by D’Ieteren
Leading the Classic Era offering is an extremely rare, highly original, exquisitely finished, and mechanically prepared 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet by D’Ieteren, chassis no. 57589, (Est. $1,500,000 – $2,000,000), originally delivered as a rolling chassis to Belgian coachbuilder Albert D’Ieteren and presented to its first owner clad in an entirely unique three-seat convertible body.
Continually maintained throughout its life by devoted owners, the Bugatti was acquired by famous French painter André Derain in 1952. Later in the decade, the car made its way across the Atlantic, where it remained under the ownership of just two U.S. caretakers until 1998. The car has since been displayed at some of the world’s top concours and shows, and in 2015 underwent a restoration limited to cosmetic considerations and service of the original mechanical components as needed, with the goal of preserving its authenticity.
Having received attention and documentation from some of the foremost Bugatti experts, and reported by an RM Sotheby’s Specialist as driving extremely well, the Type 57 Cabriolet is presented in Amelia Island wearing a rich two-tone black and burgundy finish and as a truly one-off, renowned pre-war Classic worthy of attention.
A further 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio with coachwork by Gangloff, estimate $800,000 – $950,000, will also be on offer in the RM Sotheby’s sale.
However, the top Bugatti on offer during the week is certainly the 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport Roadster (estimate $ 6,500,000 – 9,500,000) at Bonhams.
Duesenberg Model J Cars at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2020
Two Duesenberg Model J cars will be offered at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2020 classic car auction:
1932 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy
The leading American classic, offered from the Keith Crain Collection, 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.
1932 Duesenberg Model J Stationary Victoria by Rollston
A one-off 1932 Duesenberg Model J Stationary Victoria by Rollston, J-490, (Est. $1,200,000 – $1,400,000) is offered from the esteemed collection of John D. Groendyke. Available publicly for the first time in 70 years and retaining its original chassis, firewall, engine and coachwork, the Duesenberg comes to auction following extensive freshening and a full engine rebuild, after which it was exhibited at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and then driven without fault in the Duesenberg Tour later that year.
Ferraris at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2020 Sale
At the opposite end of the spectrum is another top-tier car set to draw considerable interest, an impeccable 2003 Ferrari Enzo, (Est. $2,750,000 – $3,000,000). Chassis no. 132654 is one of just 399 examples built. In 2005, the car joined the renowned Lingenfelter Collection, where it has been carefully maintained and kept in climate-controlled storage. Today, the Enzo reads less than 1,700 miles and presents marvelously in Rosso Corsa over red leather interior.
Additional modern Ferrari entries include a 1992 Ferrari F40 (Est. $1,200,000 – $1,400,000) and a 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO (Est. $525,000 – $625,000). One of only 22 examples built for 1992, the F40 comes to auction with Ferrari Classiche Certification confirming its fully matching-numbers status. An exceptional example, the desirable U.S.-specification model currently displays less than 13,000 miles. The 599 GTO also holds Ferrari Classiche Certification, is offered with less than 1,330 miles and is finished in striking Rosso Corsa over Nero leather.
Classic Ferraris on offer include a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II, estimate $ 1,400,000 – 1,700,000, and a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso, estimate $ 1,300,000 – 1,600,000. However, the choice classic Ferrari at Amelia Island 2020 is the 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider (Estimate: $9,000,000 – $11,000,000) at Gooding.
1987 Porsche 959 at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2020
Beyond the Ferrari highlights, supercars are also represented at Amelia Island by a 1987 Porsche 959 Komfort (Est. $1,000,000 – $1,250,000). Considered a “poster car” for the generation and Porsche’s first supercar, the attractive 959 is one of only 337 examples produced. Sold new to German racing-car driver Bernd Schwebel, it was later imported to the U.S. and is one of only a handful of California-legal 959s today. The highly desirable Canepa upgraded example is offered with just 5,822 miles.
Although more than 20 Porsche 959 cars have sold for over a million dollar at auction, no standard 959 has achieved that much since Scottsdale 2018. Few cars were offered at recent auctions reflecting both weaknesses in Porsche results in general and 959 results in particular since the heights achieved in 2017.
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.
