The National Automobile Museum auction held by Bonhams|Cars in Reno, Nevada, US saw a rare 100% sale rate.
More than 120 cars were offered up for sale, including 80 from the National Automobile Museum collection dating from the late 1800s all the way to the 1960s.
Many of these cars came from the renowned Harrah’s Casino Collection and a large number were one-offs, concept cars or rarities. There were also 30 cars from the Minden Automobile Museum in the sale.
Helping achieve a total sale value of $5,256, 664 (£3,924,000) was a 1936 Experimental Supercharged Cord that is one of only five of six prototypes thought to have been built. This one was owner by EL Cord and used by the Cord family around Chicago and Beverly Hills between 1936 and 1940.
In a sale heavy with US machinery, a 1954 Lincoln Capri Custom Coupe that competed in the Carrera Panamericana race made $117,600 (£87,800). It’s the only known survivor of Lincoln’s campaign in that year’s race and this one had been restored by its original builder, Holman and Moody-Stroppe.
A 1971 Duesenberg II SSJ Roadster, formerly owned by Sammy Davis Jr was bid to $156,800 (£117,000), while a 1960 Fiat Pininfarina ‘Y’ sold for $268,800 (£200,600). Sergio Pininfarina created the Fiat’s shape to explore aerodynamics.
One of only three 1959 Scimitar Station Sedan Experimentals made by Brooks Stevens and Reutter & Company sold at $156,800 (£117,000). Its retracting roof station wagon design made it an interesting buy for someone.
Another unusual car that sold keenly was a 1947 Ford Super Deluxe 79A Sportsman Convertible that made $70,560 (£52,700). This one had been restored 40 year ago and presented very well with its Ford Iron Mountain Wood in excellent order.
One of the stranger lots in the sale was the 1992 Roth Fink Mobile Motorcycle, one of several creations from Roth. This 153cc Honda-powered machine made $84,000 (£62,700) that seemed like great value for the smiles it offers.
Images courtesy of Bonhams|Cars
