A giant sale of American classics took place at Auburn Springs, Indiana on 8-10 May, with the top price going to a futuristic streamliner from the 1930s.
The '34 Chrysler Custom Imperial Airflow was expected to fetch up to $140,000, but the excitement surrounding the historic rarity drove bidding to a dizzying $213,400. The streamlined pioneer was designed with the assistance of aviation legend Orville Wright, and featured aircraft technology reflected in its 'truss bridge' chassis.
Also in the sale, and posting the second highest result, was a 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 Lightweight Sport Coupe, which sold on estimate for $151,250. The former racing car is thought to be one of the most original examples of the rare model and, owing to living life a quarter of a mile at a time, had only 5500 on the clock.
The car was much as it was in period and still sported its Zintmaster livery, along with the original driver's name, Dave Mason.
The highest pre-sale estimate of $130-160,000 belonged to a 1970 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Limousine, but the American-centric lot list did the Brit no favours. It eventually sold for just $108,900.
A 1980 MGB, which was slated to make as much as $25,000, fell considerably short of that figure, with bidding stalling at $11,275.
