A 1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual-Cowl Phaeton made $682,000 to top RM’s St John’s sale in Plymouth, Michigan on 27 July.
The car, which was said to be ‘better than new’, had belonged to marque specialist Arthur James Hoe whose garage had worked on 250 of the 470 model Js produced. He paid $150 for it in 1950.
Hoe had turned the car into a racer, replicating Briggs Cunningham’s ex-Gary Cooper SSJ, with a shortened chassis.
The car was then acquired by Phil Renick and later sold to Dee Howard, who returned the Duesenberg to its original state.
The auction house’s top-five lots would net nearly $2million, with a 1932 Packard Individual Custom Eight Convertible Victoria bettering its lower estimate to make $374,000.
The Packard had been subject to a rebuild, which included reuniting the chassis with its original engine and body.
Sealing $330,000 apiece were a sedan by LeBaron and a 1932 Packard Twin Six Sport Phaeton.
The Packard was a former Pebble Beach winner, which had belonged to the late John McMullen – the naval architect and marine engineer, who had owned the New Jersey Devils and the Houston Astros.
The Marmon (above) had secured top honours from the Classic Car Club of America and came with a history file dating back to its build.
Rounding off the top five was a 1934 Lincoln Model KB Convertible Sedan, which was one of just 25 built and sold for $275,000.
View the full results on the company’s website.
RM’s next sale will be held in Monterey on 16-17 August during ‘Pebble week’: 25 lots are expected to make more than $1,000,000 each.
