Best bargains from the Worldwide Auctioneers auction in Scottsdale
There were big bargains, big vehicles, and big bargains on big vehicles at Worldwide Auctioneers’ 2019 Scottsdale sale. Although the sell-through rate was a solid 74 percent, only 10 of the 73 lots reached their low estimate, which made for a room full of happy bidders. Total sales reached $9.1 million, easily eclipsing last year’s $6.1M.
Among the bargains was a 1936 Duesenberg Model JN Rollston Convertible Sedan, the 10th of 10 built, which went for $605,000, and a red 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster, one of two 851s on the run sheet, which sold for $632,500. Both cars had pre-auction estimates of $750K–$950K.
The top sale was an exceptionally original 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, which went for $990,000. Just three owners from new and wearing a 1961 paint job, the meticulously maintained car is a refined version of the legendary gullwing that preceded it. The average value of a ’59 300SL Roadster in #2 (Excellent) condition is $1.1M.
A Cigarette Cream-painted 1935 Auburn 851 SC Speedster sold for $687,500 to claim the second spot.
Rounding out the top 10 were a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette, the last of 116 L88 Corvette Roadsters built, $522,500; a 1931 Duesenberg Model J Judkins Limousine, $506,000; a 1947 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet, $357,500; a 1924 Bentley 3-Litre Sports Tourer, $330,000; a 1932 Auburn 12-160A Custom Speedster, $291,500; and a 1966 Jaguar E-Type SI 4.2 Roadster, $266,750.
Among the “big” vehicles offered was 1954 Packard Flower Car, with custom coachwork by Henney. The fully-restored funeral car sold for $49,500, close to its high estimate. Another big vehicle—and we mean really big—was also a bargain: a 1998 Freightliner FL-60 hauler sold for $12,100.
A patina-laden 1951 Ford F-1 custom pickup with flathead V-8 brought heavy bidding and sold for $55,000; a 1910 Cadillac Model 30, promoted as the oldest car offered at Arizona Auction Week, went for $90,750; and a beautifully restored first-year 1953 Corvette, one of 300 built, sold for $220,000—well bought considering average value of a #2 (Excellent) condition example is $262,000.
Among the notable no sales were Worldwide’s star car, a 1925 Bugatti Type 35A Grand Prix car that stalled at $1.3M, well below its $1.9M-$2.4M estimate; a 1956 Fiat 1100/103 E TV Desiree Coupe, one of three built, that failed to sell at $200,000; and a stunning 1966 Volkswagen Deluxe 21-window Samba Microbus that fell short of the reserve at $85,000.
