Fresh off the sale of Joe's Garage, the private collection of the late collector Joe McPherson, the RM Auctions team again returned to Southern California June 27-29 to help radio broadcasting pioneer and noted enthusiast Art Astor sell a large portion of his personal collection. Totaling 200 cars and 786 memorabilia items (a refreshing mix of both radio and automotive pieces), the sale brought in over $15.4 million when it ended Sunday evening.
Astor's collection could best be described as diverse, spanning nine decades of automaking. At the early end of the spectrum sat two 1928 Ford Model A Roadsters that made just over $41,000 each and a 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Playboy Roadster that brought in $319,000. Moving forward chronologically, an ex-Rita Hayworth 1941 Lincoln Continental Coupe brought $209,000, a 1941 Chrysler Town & Country Nine-Passenger Estate Wagon earned $335,500, and a 1949 Mercury Eight Station Wagon took in $198,000.
Choice 1950s offerings included a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 190SL at $58,300, a 1955 Cadillac Coupe deVille for $66,000, and a 1953 Hudson Hornet Twin H-Power Coupe that sold for $88,000; while the 1960s brought a rare 1963 Chevrolet Corvette "Split Window Coupe" with desirable fuel-injection that sold for $110,000, a 1961 Jaguar XK150 3.8 Roadster, and a 1969 Chevrolet Corvair 500 - the last Corvair ever built - that brought $18,700. Rounding out the sale were more modern "classics," including a 1993 Bentley Turbo R sedan at $28,600, a 1997 Chevrolet Z-28 Camaro that brought $10,450, and a pristine 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible that sold for $33,000.
The "star car" at this sale, however, was Astor's 1938 Cadillac V16 Convertible Coupe - one of just 10 of the model to be built that year. Thought to be purchased new by Hollywood actor and celebrity Gary Cooper, the car brought spirited bidding all the way up to its selling point at $616,000.
Memorabilia sales were brisk as well, with many items reaching winning bids that surpassed their high estimate values. The top memorabilia sale was a Ford neon sign that was once hung outside a California dealership, bringing $21,850. Several of Astor's prized vintage radios brought high figures as well, and a vintage 1940s Wurlitzer Victory Jukebox sold at $17,250.
When all was said and done, Astor had to be impressed. He had pared down his collection of 30 years, while sending plenty of fine classic automobiles to new homes with equally discerning collectors.