Arizona Auction Kickoff with RM Auction

Posted by pikesan on Jan 11, 2009 in Shows & Events | 0 comments

RM Auction Press Release:

Preeminent international auction house, RM Auctions, will celebrate a decade of excellence in Phoenix, Arizona in January with their 10th anniversary ‘Automobiles of Arizona’ event. Returning to the luxurious Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, the highly anticipated event will kick off the 2009 collector car season in grand style as 125 magnificent vintage motor cars cross the block before an international audience.

When the focus of the collector car world returns to Phoenix, Arizona, in January, all eyes will once again be on Canadian-based RM Auctions and their eagerly awaited Automobiles of Arizona auction event.

Long regarded as the most prestigious event of Arizona’s famed auto week, the annual multi-million dollar RM sale brings together some of the world’s finest vintage automobiles with some of the world’s most discerning collectors.

The grand tradition is set to continue in 2009 as RM celebrates their 10th anniversary sale in Phoenix, January 16th. “We are thrilled to be returning to Phoenix for our 10th anniversary sale and look forward to again welcoming collectors and enthusiasts from around the world to Arizona for what is shaping up to be another first class event,” said Ian Kelleher, Managing Director of RM Auctions.

“RM has been referred to as the barometer for the high end collector car industry, and as the first major event of the hobby calendar, enthusiasts look to our Arizona event for market indicators. Our recent auction results have proven the market for alternative investments remains strong,” he added.

For the car enthusiasts amongst us, the RM Arizona line-up will present 125 important and historically significant motor cars for auction. Notable early consignments for the event include: a rare and highly desirable 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport (chassis no. 002), the most important Corvette ever to come to market and possibly one of the most valuable American-built automobiles produced: an extraordinary, elegant 1937 Bugatti Atalante Type 57 SC, recognized the world over for its union of styling, engineering and sophistication; a unique 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Boattail Skiff, well known-in Rolls-Royce circles and regarded as one of the most instantly recognizable of all Rolls-Royces; a 1950 Hudson Commodore Convertible, formerly owned by the legendary Steve McQueen; and an elegant 1937 Delage D8-120 Aerosport Coupe, the only known survivor of ten examples built by famed French coachbuilders Letourner et Marchand.

Additional highlights set to cross the block include: a race-bred 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta; a speed record-breaking 1954 Dodge Firearrow III Coupe Concept car by Ghia; a one-of-a-kind 1948 Mercury Custom Bob Hope Special; a 1955 Cadillac Series 60 Special Fleetwood Sedan, as used in the Academy Award-winning film ‘Driving Miss Daisy; and a magnificent selection of vintage motor cars from the distinguished Dr. Barbara Mae Atwood Collection.

RM’s Automobiles of Arizona auction event will be held at the luxurious Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, 24th Street & Missouri, Phoenix, Arizona on January 16th, 2009. An auction preview will be held January 15th from 9am to 5pm followed by the auction on January 16th from 11am. Admission to the auction is by catalog only, which admits both the catalog holder and a guest. The full-color collectible catalog is available for $100 U.S. (plus shipping), by calling (800)-211-4371 or visiting www.rmauctions.com.

About RM Auctions, Inc.
Celebrating nearly 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions Inc. and its associated companies are responsible for acquisitions, restorations and sales of the world’s rarest and most valuable vintage automobiles, including record-breaking sales in Maranello, Italy and London, England. RM’s restoration division achieved unprecedented accolades in 2006, when the Company earned “Best of Show” honors at the world’s top three collector car events in a single year. www.rmauctions.com

End Press Release.

I grabbed the pictures of the cars I think you’d dig. Of course, the 63 Corvette Grand Sport is a show stopper (anyone else wondering who’s got chassis #1?) but what else is going on the block? Just picking these few with special appeal to me, I’ve tallied up over $1.5 million in cars! This is excluding the 63 Vette. Nobody’s sure what that car will sell for!