$2m Tucker tops Tupelo Auto Museum charity auction

100% sale rate at Mississippi museum auction

Since 2002, the Tupelo Automobile Museum has housed the car collection of the late Frank Spain – an incredible assortment of 178 classics that took 28 painstaking years to assemble.

Alas, not any more: despite the valiant efforts of his widow, Jane, and a volunteer team, the Mississippi museum has sadly shut its doors, and every single one of its 500-plus exhibits have been auctioned.

From signs and posters to rare vintage motors, the entire museum stock went under the hammer late last month in a sale that fetched more than $10m for charity.

“This collection represents a lifetime of love and it’s bitter-sweet to see it go, but it’s the right decision and I know Frank would agree,” said Jane Spain. “Plus, we were only stewards of these great cars and it’s time for them to be enjoyed by others.”

Read on for our pick of the many choice lots. 

1948 Tucker 48

Sold for: $1,985,000 (£1,527,277)

The headline lot was this beautiful Tucker 48.

And what a stunning piece of mid-century American motoring it is: the arresting result of Preston Tucker’s dogged effort to usurp the established car-makers of Detroit.

That effort may have failed, through financial woes and bad luck, but the world was still given 51 incredible machines – each a picture of late-’40s elegance, with chrome for days and curves in all the right places.

Frank Spain owned this one – number 1028, one of just seven cars tested at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October 1948 and today one of the loveliest in existence, complete with its original engine. 

Unsurprisingly, it was the biggest seller of the nearly 600 lots, fetching close to $2m.

1934 Duesenberg Model J

Sold for: $450,500 (£346,618)

The second most expensive lot at the Tupelo sale was this 85-year-old example of the arresting Model J, which made a cool $450k – and for good reason.

Wrapped in stunning, one-off ‘Prince of Wales’ coachwork by Rollston, the long-nosed cruiser spent time with two renowned Duesenberg enthusiasts – Allen Thurn and Homer Fitterling – before coming to the museum in 1996.

Still carrying its original chassis, engine and shell (minus the front fenders), chassis 2575 is an ideal candidate for restoration – if its new owner can afford to spend any more on it!

1930 Hispano-Suiza H6B Coupe Chauffeur

Sold for: $335,000 (£257,752)

Third in the priciest lots list was another 1930s model: this gorgeous Hispano-Suiza H6B Coupe Chauffeur which went for $335,000. 

Pricey? Maybe so, but as a previous prize-winner at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, this classy Spanish classic comes with a prestigious pedigree.

1931 Detroit Electric Model 99

Sold for: $67,200 (£51,704)

From one ’30s rarity to another, this 1931 four-seater is the last surviving example of Detroit Electric’s Model 99 – an electric car styled like a Packard and powered by a 15bhp motor.

Highly original and untouched for decades, the remarkable wagon was acquired by Frank Spain from the famous Harrah’s Auto Museum collection in 1986.

1950 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Three Position Cabriolet

Sold for: $196,000 (£150,804)

Other interesting lots included this colourful, white and purple 1950 Talbot-Lago T26 Record Three Position Cabriolet, with coachwork by Veth & Zoon; it is thought to be the only surviving Talbot-Lago by this coachbuilder.

1934 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet D

Sold for: $117,600 (£90,482)

Staying in the distant past, and this 1934 Mercedes is a thing of cruising beauty – even if it's seen better days.

A long-wheelbase 290 with rare four-door, drop-top coachwork, it's unrestored and remarkably original – a picture of pre-War elegance that’s ripe for a restoration. 

Several other Mercs sold at the auction, among them a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 300SE Cabriolet ($151,200) and Jane Spain’s own 190SL – the smaller sibling to the 300SL – which fetched $77,280.

1986 FTI FX4S London Sterling Taxi Cab

Sold for: $7840 (£6032)

This lot was certainly a long way from home: a London Taxi Cab from the mid ’80s. 

Donated to the museum in 2007, it’s clocked 64,000 miles in its time and still carries that all-important meter.

1982 Jet Electrica 007

Sold for: $12,320 (£9479)

From a common sight (in the UK at least) to a far rarer vehicle, this Jet Electrica 007 was built by snowmobile-maker Jet Industries using government subsidies.

Consisting essentially of a Dodge Omni 024 packed with batteries, it heralded the all-electric, 23bhp future. Or at least it did until Congress pulled the funding and production stopped. 

Still, it was advanced stuff for the early ’80s. Just 50 are known to exist today and, with only 2500 miles on the clock, this example is probably one of the best. 

1975 Bricklin SV-1

Sold for: $8960 (£6893)

Another stalled project, the Bricklin SV-1 was the bold brainchild of Malcolm Bricklin.

With a composite shell penned by Herb Grasse and gullwing doors that aped the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300SL, the ’70s two-seater was certainly distinctive – but so were its quality control issues.

Fewer than 3000 were made before the whole thing was canned, with this example from 1975 being one of them.

1936 Lagonda LG45

Sold for: $168,000 (£129,260)

This lovely Lagonda LG45 was another one to top $150,000 – a race-bred, 4.5-litre sports tourer that could kiss 100mph in the right conditions, it was reportedly one of Spain’s favourite cars.

This example crossed the block in remarkable condition, having enjoyed a life of careful ownership, including more than three decades in Spain’s possession – hence the hefty price tag.

1937 Cord 812SC Phaeton

Sold for: $75,040 (£57,736)

One of three Cords in the sale, this 1937 812SC Phaeton may not have gone to auction in the same pristine fashion as the other two, but it still fetched a decent price.

Evidence suggests it was bought with a view to restoration, but that work never happened. Instead, it remains a ready project today – complete with engine and much of original interior, though it all needs work. 

1982 George Barris Barrister

Sold for: $51,520 (£39,639) 

Now here's something a little different: this black-and-gold monstrosity is the handiwork of George Barris – famed customiser and creator of the 1966 Batmobile.

Based on a 1982 Corvette, it was one of around 12 worked over by Barris, each gaining extraordinary and outlandish – OK, garish – bodywork, loud lines, fake exhaust pipes and all sorts of shiny parts.

This particular example was reportedly delivered new to Liberace – yes, that Liberace – before entering the Tupelo collection in 1993. 

1932 Nash 1080 Special Eight Convertible Sedan

Sold for: $84,000 (£64,630)

Formerly part of the famed Harrah's Automobile Collection in Nevada, this Special Eight now sports a striking two-tone lilac body with a matching soft blush pink interior and tan cloth top. Presumably its new owner likes being stared at!