RM Sotheby’s Motor City 2016 Results
For fans of the American automobile Motor City has always been the auction of choice for a pleasant summer diversion. The line-up this year did not disappoint and included quite a few rare beauties, pre-war masterpieces and foreign imports. In descending order, here are the top five cars auctioned at Sotheby’s Motor City 2016:
1929 Duesenberg Model J ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible by Murphy, sold for $1,540,000
The Mightiest American Motor Car is a pre-war masterpiece that has been accumulating record breaking sale titles at the auction block for years. It is of no surprise then that this model, with coachwork by Murphy and one of only 25 made, was the most expensive vehicle auctioned at Motor City 2016. This ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible coupe, chassis 2551, puts out 265-bhp from a 450 cu. in. dual overhead cam with an inline-8 through a 3-speed warner hi-flex manual transmission.
2006 Saleen S7, sold for $632,500
This all American supercar is every car collectors dream. It is one of the last S7’s ever built and is the picture of preservation being just 300 miles and two owners from new. This Saleen, chassis-number-too-long-for-comfort, is one of 13 S7 Twin Turbos produced for the 2006 model year. It puts out 750-bhp from a 427 cu. in. dual overhead cam aluminum V8 with twin Garrett turbochargers through a 6-speed manual transmission. It boasts a 0-60-mph time in 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 248-mph; this up from a 0-60-mph time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 220-mph without the turbochargers.
1933 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster, sold for $365,000
The Packard was generally the vehicle of choice for every blue-blooded American and this example, believed to be the last of the Tenth Series Coupe Roadster to be built comes to us from a line of distinguished private collections. By the time the tenth series rolled around, the subtle beauty of the Packard Twelve had taken on distinct stylistic changes that rendered it a ‘highlight of Packard’s classic era design.’ This model, chassis 901615, gives is 160-bhp from a 445.5 cu. in. modified L-head V-12 engine through a 3-speed selective synchromesh manual transmission and vacuum-assisted clutch.
1938 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster, sold for $330,000
Yes, another Packard makes this list and the look of this one is decidedly different from its 1933 senior. Freshly restored and in beautiful condition, this 1938 Packard has had just one owner for the entirety of its life. By the time this model hit the market, sales had begun to and continued to decline, so that only 566 of this Packard were built and sold. There is little change mechanically but enough to set it apart from the 1933 predecessor. This Packard Twelve put out 175-bhp from a 473.3 cu. in. L-head V-12, through a 3-speed synchromesh manual transmission.
1934 Pierce-Arrow Eight Silver Arrow, sold for $242,000
This is the first production silver arrow built and it is one of five known surviving examples. Production versions of the Pierce-Arrow were available on eight- and twelve-cylinder chassis. This 1934 model was built on an 385 cu. in. L-head inline-eight and is capable of 140-bhp through a three speed manual transmission. It has been described as the “most beautiful Pierce-Arrow of the company’s final years” and due to its rarity is extremely desirable to Pierce-Arrow enthusiasts.
