Antique autos go under the hammer at Hershey

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October is coming, and that means so is the world-famous AACA Eastern Fall Meet, or ‘Hershey’, and with it the huge RM Sotheby’s auction. Possibly the most exciting American auction of the year, there are few better places to go pre-war car shopping, especially if you've a predilection for vehicles of Stateside manufacture.

Rare Duesenberg to star

Over 70 pre-war vehicles have been consigned so far, with the star lot likely to be the 1930 Duesenberg Model J limousine by Willoughby, with an estimate of $750,000-950,000 (£675,000-850,000). Willoughby constructed 20 such bodies for the Model J, but today only four survive. This one has a very well-documented history, having been sold new to one Judge and Mrs. Sara Rowe of Pittsburgh. It was sold to its third owner in 1961, the Reverend Don DiMichele of Ohio, a tent revival preacher and passionate enthusiast who completed an award-winning restoration. It did not change hands again until 2012, since when it has received another concours restoration.

From a 16-cylinder Marmon to a single-cylinder Olds

Another lot likely to fetch a high price is the 1931 Marmon 16 convertible sedan by LeBaron, which has history traceable to the late 1950s and was fully restored in the mid-1990s. Those with older tastes will find even earlier lots to tempt them, with no fewer than 16 Veteran and Brass Era cars going under the hammer, all the way back to a 1902 Oldsmobile Model R ‘Curved Dash’, but we are most excited by the 1904 CGV Model 75 tourer. With a fantastically potent 75hp engine and seating for nine passengers, the unproven but credible story is that it was ordered new for a member of the Russian royal family. Discovered in South America in the 1960s, it has since resided in the USA, where it has just emerged from a five-year restoration.

The RM Sotheby’s auction takes place at the Hershey Lodge on 5-6th October.

Words: Zack Stiling. Pictures: RM Sotheby's.

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