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THE BEAT GOES ON AS SONNY
AND CHER FORD MUSTANGS BRING TOP BIDS AT RM AUCTIONS COLLECTOR CARS OF FORT
LAUDERDALE EVENT
Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale Sonny
and Cher Mustangs amongst top sellers at RM Auctions ‘Collector Cars of Fort
Lauderdale’ auction, February 6th -8th in Florida.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (February 9, 2009) – The beat goes
on in the classic car market as RM Auctions Collector Cars of Fort
Lauderdale event held February 6th - 8th attracted strong interest with
total sales surpassing $11 million.
Regarded as Florida’s premier collector car event, the annual three-day sale
at the Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County Convention Center offered a
full range of American and European collector cars, from a 1927 Austin Seven
to a custom 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 built by Steve Sanderson and George
Barris.
Among the over 400 classic cars offered for bids was a pair of customized
1966 Ford Mustang Convertibles built by Hollywood's legendary "King of the
Kustomizers", George Barris, who made a special appearance at the show. One
of the top sellers of the weekend, the inseparable pair of Mustangs, which
were customized by Barris for sixties entertainment icons Sonny and Cher,
brought $198,000. Another unique Barris creation known as "Fire Bug",
originally built as a promotional vehicle for the LA Fire Department, sold
for $49,500.
“The collector car world continues to provide many notable opportunities
for both buyers and sellers regardless of the challenges of the current
economy,” said RM Auctions’ Donnie Gould, a 30-year veteran of the
classic car industry.
“The solid attendance and results of this year’s Fort Lauderdale event
reinforces that the interest and enthusiasm for collector cars remains
strong,” he added.
As the gavel fell for the final time over the weekend, sales for the
Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale event, including memorabilia, totaled
$11,588,100 with a 66% sell-through rate. The top seller of the weekend was
a magnificent 1936 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster which fetched $220,000.
Other highlights included:
1948 Ford Sportsman Convertible Coupe -
$199,100
1954 Buick Skylark Convertible - $187,000
1939 Packard Model 1708 Convertible Sedan -
$176,000
1970 Mustang Boss 429 - $165,000
1952 Schwinn Black Phantom bicycle - $7,700
In addition to the auction excitement, RM joined forces with AutoNation and
Heritage Fort Lauderdale during the Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale event
weekend for the inaugural Wheels fundraising benefit. The Friday evening
party set amongst the cars featured a silent auction and live entertainment
by Florida’s popular dance band, “The Fabulons”. All proceeds from the
charity auction will benefit Heritage Fort Lauderdale, incorporating
Stranahan House, the Historical Society, the Seminole Museum at Okalee and
the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
RM Auctions will return to Florida next month for the prestigious
Automobiles of Amelia Island auction at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel
on March 14th, 2009.
For further information on this event or full sales results from the
Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale event, please visit www.rmauctions.com.
About RM Auctions
Celebrating 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions 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
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