Auctions America Generates $15.4 Million at Annual California Sale

July 22, 2015 by Auctions America

• Auctions America generates more than $15.4 million at annual California collector car auction

• Top sellers: 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster and 2004 Ferrari Enzo each realize $1.87 million

• New venue at Santa Monica's Barker Hangar proves popular with attendees, showcases Auctions America's creative presentation

• Event attracts strong interest from collector community; bidders hail from 11 countries, with 43 percent new to Auctions America

• Auctions America continues 2015 calendar with its flagship Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend, September 2 – 6 in Indiana, followed by its debut Hilton Head Island sale, October 31 in South Carolina

• Complete results and upcoming event information available online at www.auctionsamerica.com

CULVER CITY, California (July 21, 2015) – Auctions America wrapped its third annual California sale on the weekend (July 17 – 18) with more than $15.4 million* in total sales. The multi-day auction, held for the first time at Santa Monica's historic Barker Hangar, lifted the gavel on approximately 300 collector vehicles and select memorabilia, with numerous spirited bidding contests erupting over the course of the two days.

Reflecting Auctions America's international reach, bidders hailed from 11 countries around the world; significantly, 43 percent of bidders represented first-time clientele. The event also provided a fantastic illustration of Auctions America's inventive presentation – playing upon the event's airport hangar location, the sale delivered a new take on automotive auction staging, with vehicles driving onto the auction podium via the tail section of a C130.

'We're very pleased with results from our third annual California sale, which cements our reputation as the leading auction house serving the Southern California collector community,' says Ian Kelleher, Managing Director, Auctions America's West Coast Division. 'Despite the rainy weather, we enjoyed strong attendance on Saturday, with some solid prices recorded across the board. Our new venue at the Barker Hangar proved particularly popular among attendees, and provided us with a great opportunity to showcase our team's creativity. All in all, the event was a success on all fronts and created an excellent foundation for us to build on in the future.'

Top sales honors were tied by two cars from very different eras: an exquisite 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster, a model that represented the height of luxury and sporting elegance in period, and a 2004 Ferrari Enzo, one of the most exciting and iconic cars of the 21st century. Originally built as a 540K Cabriolet B before an expert rebody, the 540K glistened under the auction lights, drawing strong interest to garner a fantastic $1,870,000. The Enzo also drew significant attention from those in attendance, roaring onto the auction stage before also selling for final $1,870,000. Rounding out the sale's top three and also achieving seven figures was the 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS, the epitome of mid-sixties Italian supercar styling, which realized $1,622,500.

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Additional notable sales included:

• a beautifully restored 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet, for an above-estimate $407,000;

• an iconic 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition, one of the most widely recognized supercars ever produced and showing just 6,500 miles, for $360,250; and,

• the eye-catching 1955 Ford 'Beatnik Bubbletop' Custom, the world's largest bubbletop custom car, offered by eclectic collector and star of A&E's 'Storage Wars', Barry Weiss, for $165,000.

In addition, solid results were also recorded for a variety of Porsches included in the sale, illustrating a growing appetite in the marque. A freshly restored 1972 Porsche 911T Coupe, striking in Gemini Blue Metallic, commanded $140,250, while a 1996 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo, one of the most desired models of the Porsche series, garnered $165,000, and a 2007 Porsche GT3 RS, a true street legal racing machine, $192,500.

Auctions America California – Top Five Sales:

1. 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roaster - $1,870,000

2. 2004 Ferrari Enzo - $1,870,000

3. 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS - $1,622,500

4. 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet - $407,000

5. 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Edition - $360,250

Auctions America continues its 2015 calendar with its flagship Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend, September 2 – 6. Returning to the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana, this multi-day event will lift the gavel on some 1,000 collector vehicles, in addition to presenting a car corral, swap meet and a host of other automotive-themed activities for enthusiasts of all ages. Auctions America concludes its 2015 calendar with its debut Hilton Head Island Auction, October 31 in South Carolina, during the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d'Elegance.

For further information on upcoming events, or to view complete official results from Auctions America's California event, please visit www.auctionsamerica.com.

About Auctions America

Formed in July 2010, Auctions America specializes in the sale of American classics, European sports cars, Detroit muscle, hot rods and customs. Headquartered at the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana, Auctions America boasts an expert team of full-time vehicle specialists, who offer over 180 years of combined experience buying, selling, racing and restoring collector vehicles, making them uniquely qualified to advise on all aspects of the hobby. The company's established roster of annual events are held in some of the country's leading automotive destinations including Auburn, Indiana; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Santa Monica, California; and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. To learn more about Auctions America, visit auctionsamerica.com, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @auctionsamerica.

*Results are listed in USD and are inclusive of 10 percent buyer's premium for automobiles and 15 percent for all other lots.

Photo information:

Top – Top sellers at Auctions America's California sale (L-R): the 1967 Ferrari 330 GTS; the 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster; and the 2004 Ferrari Enzo (credit: Karissa Hosek © 2015 courtesy Auctions America)

Second – The Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster crosses the auction podium before a packed house at Auctions America's California sale (credit: Karissa Hosek © 2015 courtesy Auctions America)

Bottom – The 2004 Ferrari Enzo on Auctions America's California auction stage (credit: Karissa Hosek © 2015 courtesy Auctions America)