RARE PACKARD TOPS ST. JOHN’S AUCTION

On Saturday, July 30, RM's sale held in conjunction with the Concours d'Elegance of America took place at its beautiful new location, The Inn at St. John's. A rare 1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Convertible Sedan, delivered new to famed American entertainer Al Jolson for $6,600, broke the magic million-dollar mark, selling for $1,100,000 before a packed house. One of just two built and virtually unseen for nearly half a century, the sporting Packard with coachwork by Dietrich spurred a lively bidding war in the room and on the phones to achieve the top-sale of the day. In addition to the Packard, an eye-catching 1939 Pontiac Plexiglas Deluxe Six ‘Ghost Car,’ America’s first full-sized transparent car and a highlight of the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair, also attracted significant attention from collectors. Remarkably preserved and showing just 86 original miles, it sold for a final price of $308,000 to applause from the audience.

Formerly known as the Meadow Brook auction, RM’s Michigan sale adopted a new home this year, the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, and once again acted as a prelude to the celebrated Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s (July 31).

A total of 70 automobiles were presented during the four-hour auction, generating over $7.6 million in sales with 85% of lots sold.