Duesenberg to top RM sale

| 26 Jul 2012

A 1930 Duesenberg Model SJ – estimated to make $850,000-1.2million – looks set to be the attention grabber at RM’s St John’s sale on 28 July.

Favoured by America’s social elite of the day, the convertible features a dual-overhead-cam, four-valve per cylinder, straight-eight engine that produces around 320bhp. It was once owned by Paul Whiteman, also known as ‘the King of Jazz’, who commissioned George Gershwin's legendery Rhapsody In Blue.

No less eye catching, but significantly cheaper, is this good-looking 1964 Porsche 356C 1600. The ’C’ means this coupé has standard-fit disc brakes all-round. It could be yours for $55-75,000.

The variety of machinery on offer at RM is truly spectacular, with everything from a 1918 Detroit Electric with an 84V DC-motor ($40-50,000) to the fire engines James mentioned, crossing the blocks.

Convertibles in particular have a strong showing. On a budget of up to $90,000, you can take your pick from American classics such as a 1940 Packard One-Twenty coupe – with a straight-eight engine and only 36,0000miles on the clock – a fully restored 1950 Cadillac Series 62, or maybe a Dusk Rose (pink) 1957 Ford Thunderbird.

Meanwhile, the European models include cars such as a 1957 Jag XK140, a truly stunning Alfa 2600 Spider and a 1970 Mercedes 280SE, all coming in on budget.

The sale’s full and expansive catalogue can be viewed here.