More than $116 million made in collector wheel deals at Monterey auctions

 
The Pebble Beach weekend on the Monterey Peninsula last week is considered the country’s most prestigious showing of fine automobiles and, as such, attracts high rollers in the field of collector cars. There are five major auction houses with sales that take place during the weekend, from the more attainable Russo & Steele muscle car auction to the high-end Gooding & Co. auction, held at the famed Concours d’Elegance itself. Collector car market editor for Kelley Blue Book’s Collector Car guide, Phil Skinner, attended the auctions last week and reported back that, even in a down economy, collector cars are trading strong.

“The auctions associated with the Monterey week offered some of the finest automobiles available anywhere and willing collectors were stepping up to the plate, willing to pay top dollar for top quality as evidenced by the high number of multi-million dollar sales," Skinner said.

The Russo & Steele Auction offered 120 vehicles, sold 53 cars and had total sales plus commission of $3,941,245. The RM Monterey Sports Car Auction offered 189 units and sold 160 vehicles for total sales plus commission of $29,323,965. RM Auctions' entire Nick Alexander’s Woodie Collection featured 51 units and sold for $7,021,308. The Mecum Auction had 222 lots, sold 98 units and made total sales of $13,067,355. Bonham’s Auctions House offered 102 lots, sold 59 units and made $13,193,083, and Gooding & Co.'s 159 lots offered made a whopping $50,759,350 from a total of 128 vehicles sold.

Pictured below are some of the prize vehicles that won top dollar as the hammer hit the auction table.

Could this be a $3-million car?

According to Brian Chaffee, for half the price of Steve Austin, you can have a car that's better, stronger and faster than the day it came off the assembly line and at the same time have a piece of history. 

Chaffee of Middlefield, Conn., is helping to sell a 1970 Plymouth Superbird. It's not just any Superbird either. This one was used to test emissions during the early 1970's. The car ran at high speed following not only other cars, but jets as they took off. 

The data collected helped make the case that leaded gas and asbestos brakes should be banned. 

Chaffee worked for three years to research and restore the car and now hopes to sell it for $3 million at auction.

There may be a fly in the ointment, however.

Phil Skinner, editor of the Kelly Blue Book Classic Guide said the $3-million price tag was unrealistic.  "A few years ago, a 1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda convertible sold for $3 mil, but that was a Hemi. This is an interesting car. The highest price I could find for any Superbird was around $525,000 for a Hemi Superbird, and that was at the height of the craze in early 2007. "
 
"Current values would be about $100 to $125K for the 375 HP version," Skinner said.

-- Doug Stewart

Photo: Doug Stewart

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Fisker Karma sedan to roll out at Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance

If you appreciate the upper crust of collector cars and are a fan of new technology, an event is coming soon that may float both your boats. Newport Beach-based Fisker Automotive's luxury plug-in hybrid, the Fisker Karma sedan, will make its West Coast debut March 1 at the Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance in Palm Springs.

The car recently debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and Fisker will begin delivering the Karma in the fourth quarter of 2009 at a starting price of $87,900.

According to Paul Merrigan, founder of the Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance, "In addition to the most significant classic cars, our event also features exciting new models demonstrating the best in design and technology."

The Desert Classic benefits Palm Spring-area charities and is held each year at the O'Donnell Golf Club. Details and ticket information are available at www.DesertConcours.com or (760) 766-2824.

—Joni Gray

Photo: Fisker Automotive Inc.