• A family affair: Record crowds of more than 85,000 enthusiasts flock to Auctions America's Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend, August 31 – September 4

• Multi-day auction generates $21.55 million in sales, highlighted by diverse pair of Model J Duesenbergs

• Wendell the Mechanical Elephant and custom Auburn Fall Championship belt raise more than $90,000 for charity

• Complete Auburn Fall results available at www.auctionsamerica.com

AUBURN, Indiana (September 6, 2016) – Auctions America continued a great Labor Day tradition this past weekend, generating more than $21.55 million* in sales with a solid 79 percent of all lots sold at its flagship Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend, August 31 – September 4 at Indiana's historic Auburn Auction Park.

Coinciding with the famous Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival, the 46th annual event drew record attendance of more than 85,000 enthusiasts (not including free preview day attendance on August 31), presenting a weekend of fun for the whole family, from the auction block to the car corral and swap meet, and a host of thrill-seeking attractions.

'Our best weather yet, an exceptional lineup of cars and an exhilarating range of activities for enthusiasts of all ages led to strong attendance at Auburn Fall,' says Megan Boyd, Car Specialist, Auctions America. 'There was a terrific energy and atmosphere across the park during all four days; bidding was enthusiastic both in the room and over the phones, with bidders hailing from 45 states across the U.S. and 12 countries. It's also safe to say that the Auburn Auction Park has truly become a family destination, with a fantastic turn out of young enthusiasts onsite to see the incredible range of collector cars, as well as drawn by the exciting docket of traditional and new events for kids, including the KidZone, the Ultimate Race Fan Experience, and Monster truck rides and shows.'

With its unique dual rings, the Auburn Fall auction arena came alive during the event, with some 840 vehicles rolling across the block before packed audiences. The diversity of this year's offering was exemplified by the top five sales of the event, which include American classics, a life-size mechanical elephant, and a restomod Sting Ray Corvette. The top-selling pair of very different Model J Duesenbergs—a Convertible Sedan by Murphy as well as a Sunroof Berline by Franay—demonstrated that Classics continue to reign supreme during the ACD Festival, bringing $880,000 and $715,000 respectively, while a beautifully presented 1931 Cadillac V-12 Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood sold for a strong $368,500 against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 - $250,000. Collectors were also treated to automobilia of exceptional quality, with more than 550 fascinating lots up for bids ranging from porcelain and neon signs to rare automotive badges and mascots.

One of the most unique offerings of the sale was none other than former Auction Park resident, Wendell the Mechanical Elephant, who strutted across the arena floor during primetime Saturday before realizing a final price of $275,000. As part of Auctions America's commitment to giving back to the community in which it operates, a portion of proceeds from Wendell's sale was donated to Kate's Kart, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing new, quality books to hospitalized children in Northeast Indiana (www.kateskart.org).

The Auburn Fall Collector Car weekend saw incredible crowds gather in every corner of the 235-acre Auburn Auction Park, most notably for the event's newest attractions, which included a busy Saturday morning Cars & Coffee meet of more than 200 cars, a KidZone sponsored by Peg-Pérego featuring exciting test drives for junior enthusiasts, and a special appearance by former pro-wrestler, TV star and, most importantly, auto aficionado, Bill Goldberg.

During one of the most memorable moments of the weekend, Goldberg helped auction off the Auburn Fall Commemorative Championship Belt by Rey Rey, from which all proceeds will benefit two very special causes, Honor Flight Northeast Indiana and Wounded Warriors of South Florida, an organization close to Goldberg's heart. Following an enthusiastic introduction by Goldberg on the auction block, the one-off belt sold for a fantastic $40,000, before being donated back by the generous winning bidder and selling again for another $40,000, raising a total $80,000 for the very worthy veteran's charities.

'Bill Goldberg was very well-received by the Auburn Fall crowd,' adds Boyd. 'He was excited to be in Auburn for the first time, and his passion for the collector car hobby and his fans shone throughout the Saturday session. We're grateful for his efforts in raising money for such important causes

Auctions America Auburn Fall – Top Five Sales

1. Lot 4160 1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan $880,000

2. Lot 4155 1933 Duesenberg Model J Sunroof Berline by Franay $715,000

3. Lot 4146 1931 Cadillac V-12 Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood $368,500

4. Lot 4167 Mechanimals 'Wendell' the Mechanical Elephant $275,000

5. Lot 4096 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Restomod Coupe $236,500

6. Lot 4159 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton $236,500 (tied for number five spot)

Auctions America will top off its 2016 calendar with the return of its boutique sale during the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d'Elegance, November 5. Held at the Westin Resort & Spa, the Hilton Head Island sale will lift the gavel on a handpicked roster of more than 100 blue-chip collector cars and select automobilia. From American classics to European sports cars, the automobile offering will span the spectrum of the market, shining a spotlight on a broad variety of automotive styling and engineering.

For full results from Auctions America's Auburn Fall Collector Car Weekend or to view more information on upcoming events, please visit www.auctionsamerica.com or call toll free 877.906.2437 (+1 260.927.9797 outside North America).

*Results are listed in USD and are inclusive of 10 percent buyer's premium for automobiles and 15 percent for all other lots. Please note that the overall total includes both auction and post-sale transactions that occurred within 48 hours of the end of sale.

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 more than 150 years' 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 www.auctionsamerica.com, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @auctionsamerica.