For decades, the Academy of Art in San Francisco has collected and stored important automobiles of American, British and European origin in its "University Collection". Now it is obviously time to pass on part of it, over 100 cars.
Broad Arrow Auctions has been commissioned with the sale, and the auction of the 106 automobiles will take place on February 15, 2025 in San Francisco.
America first
When analyzing the 106 cars on offer, it quickly becomes apparent that many of them are domestic vehicles. In fact, 61% of the cars come from the USA, a further 24% from the UK and just 15% from Europe (excluding the UK). Cars from Ford (12 cars), Packard (10), Buick and Cadillac (7 each) were heavily represented in the collection.
Mercedes-Benz and MG follow behind with six cars, before two US manufacturers are represented again with Lincoln and Chrysler.
On average, the vehicles are 76.3 years old, which is due to the large pre-war share of over 50%.
All cars will be auctioned without a reserve price, so bargains are possible.
Magnificent design milestones
Of course, the university collection was not lacking in special design gems.
A 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr coupé comes under the hammer for USD 150,000 to 180,000.
The Buick Roadmaster Series 80 Fernandez et Darrin Opera Brougham from 1938 for USD 250,000 to 350,000 is also one of the items worth seeing.
And that even the Lotus Elite, which according to Gordon Murray is one of the best-proportioned cars with a front engine, in SE trim from 1963 is one of the chocolates on offer becomes immediately clear when you look at the car. It was estimated at USD 60,000 to 80,000.
A Chrysler Airflow Coupé from 1934, a showpiece from the Art Deco era, is also not missing and was estimated at USD 70,000 to 90,000.
Perhaps one of the rarest and most beautiful cars in the collection, however, was the Squire 1½-liter Corsica Drophead Coupé from 1937, which will go under the hammer for USD 400,000 to 600,000. Chassis 1063 is said to be one of only around 10 Squires built, with which Adrian Squire wanted to take on Aston Martin and Bentley at the time.
His sports cars were very modern for the time and had good driving characteristics, and the only Corsica variant also had a really pretty body. Actually a bargain!
Inexpensive, compact cars
In addition to the large pre-war American luxury vehicles, including Packard, Lincoln and Cadillac cars, BAA also offers compact Europeans for auction.
There are several MGs, including a TC, a TA Tickford or two MGAs and two MGBs.
There are also two compact Morris as Minor and Mini. And a TR3A from Triumph.
The Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile from 1959 was also intended to be small in size and low in price.
And even the BMW Isetta 300 from 1967 or the Messerschmitt KR175 from 1954 won't make a huge dent in bidders' wallets.
The very early Citroën 2 CV from 1950, which is looking to find a new owner for just USD 25,000 to 35,000 in restored condition, should also be worth a second look.
The showpieces
Of course, there is no shortage of really expensive vehicles at BAA - after all, the expected average price is USD 145,698.
On February 15, 2024, a strawberry-red 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is expected to be the most expensive, with an estimate of USD 1.2 to 1.5 million.
Roughly less is required for the 1933 Chrysler Custom Imperial LeBaron Dual-Windshield Phaeton, where USD 900,000 to 1.2 million will suffice.
An Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Castagna Roadster Cabriolet from 1930 is expected to go for USD 500,000 to 700,000 in San Francisco, while USD 450,000 to USD 700,000 is already being offered.USD 450,000 to 650,000 for an Invicta S-Type 4½-Litre Low Chassis Fixed Head Coupe "Sea-Bear" from 1931.
It is not entirely coincidental that pre-war automobiles are almost exclusively among the most expensive cars, especially as many of them have elaborate and attractive special bodies.
Almost all the cars have been extensively restored, sometimes even going a little too far for modern tastes. The extent to which the cars are immediately drivable without prior maintenance and servicing work should be checked with the auction house before purchase.
A look at the extensive catalog at Broad Arrow Auctions is definitely worthwhile.
Offered Vehicles
The following table lists all offered vehicles with estimated prices. The price conversion was made at the exchange rate valid at the time of publication. All information is provided without guarantee.
| Lot | Car | Year | NoR | USD Est from | USD Est to | CHF Est from | CHF Est to | EUR Est from | EUR Est to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Ford Mustang Convertible | 1966 | Yes | 30'000 | 40'000 | 27'300 | 36'400 | 29'100 | 38'800 |
| 102 | Ford Thunderbird | 1956 | Yes | 35'000 | 45'000 | 31'850 | 40'950 | 33'950 | 43'650 |
| 103 | MG MGA 1600 Roadster | 1960 | Yes | 35'000 | 45'000 | 31'850 | 40'950 | 33'950 | 43'650 |
| 104 | Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Pagoda | 1964 | Yes | 50'000 | 70'000 | 45'500 | 63'700 | 48'500 | 67'900 |
| 105 | Cadillac 355-A V8 Roadster | 1931 | Yes | 120'000 | 150'000 | 109'200 | 136'500 | 116'400 | 145'500 |
| 106 | Buick Special Series 40 Convertible Phaeton | 1937 | Yes | 50'000 | 75'000 | 45'500 | 68'250 | 48'500 | 72'750 |
| 107 | Cadillac Calais Hardtop Sedan | 1966 | Yes | 15'000 | 25'000 | 13'650 | 22'750 | 14'550 | 24'250 |
| 108 | Buick Fifty-Six S Sport Coupe | 1934 | Yes | 90'000 | 130'000 | 81'900 | 118'300 | 87'300 | 126'100 |
| 109 | Ford De Luxe Roadster | 1936 | Yes | 80'000 | 120'000 | 72'800 | 109'200 | 77'600 | 116'400 |
| 110 | Packard Eight 1001 Coupe-Roadster | 1933 | Yes | 125'000 | 150'000 | 113'750 | 136'500 | 121'250 | 145'500 |
| 111 | Pierce-Arrow Model 1801 Eight Convertible Coupe | 1938 | Yes | 125'000 | 150'000 | 113'750 | 136'500 | 121'250 | 145'500 |
| 112 | Hudson Hornet Convertible Brougham | 1953 | Yes | 90'000 | 120'000 | 81'900 | 109'200 | 87'300 | 116'400 |
| 113 | Cadillac 62 Coupe de Ville "Elvis III" Custom | 1959 | Yes | 75'000 | 125'000 | 68'250 | 113'750 | 72'750 | 121'250 |
| 114 | Auburn 120 Eight “Boattail” Speedster | 1929 | Yes | 200'000 | 250'000 | 182'000 | 227'500 | 194'000 | 242'500 |
| 115 | Chrysler Town and Country "Barrelback" | 1942 | Yes | 250'000 | 325'000 | 227'500 | 295'750 | 242'500 | 315'250 |
| 116 | Cord L-29 Convertible Phaeton Sedan | 1929 | Yes | 130'000 | 160'000 | 118'300 | 145'600 | 126'100 | 155'200 |
| 117 | Jaguar 3 ½-Litre Mark IV Drop Head Coupe | 1948 | Yes | 90'000 | 120'000 | 81'900 | 109'200 | 87'300 | 116'400 |
| 118 | Edsel Corsair Convertible | 1959 | Yes | 75'000 | 100'000 | 68'250 | 91'000 | 72'750 | 97'000 |
| 119 | Lincoln-Zephyr Coupe | 1938 | Yes | 150'000 | 180'000 | 136'500 | 163'800 | 145'500 | 174'600 |
| 120 | Buick Century Series 60 Convertible Coupe | 1939 | Yes | 80'000 | 110'000 | 72'800 | 100'100 | 77'600 | 106'700 |
| 121 | Continental Mark II | 1956 | Yes | 60'000 | 80'000 | 54'600 | 72'800 | 58'200 | 77'600 |
| 122 | Ford "Woodie" De Luxe Station Wagon | 1937 | Yes | 50'000 | 75'000 | 45'500 | 68'250 | 48'500 | 72'750 |
| 123 | Graham Supercharged Combination Coupe | 1939 | Yes | 50'000 | 70'000 | 45'500 | 63'700 | 48'500 | 67'900 |
| 124 | Hudson "Super" Wasp Two-Door Brougham | 1952 | Yes | 50'000 | 70'000 | 45'500 | 63'700 | 48'500 | 67'900 |
| 125 | Ford De Luxe Phaeton | 1934 | Yes | 60'000 | 80'000 | 54'600 | 72'800 | 58'200 | 77'600 |
| 126 | Ford Model A "Woodie" Station Wagon | 1930 | Yes | 40'000 | 60'000 | 36'400 | 54'600 | 38'800 | 58'200 |
| 127 | BMW Isetta 300 | 1957 | Yes | 30'000 | 40'000 | 27'300 | 36'400 | 29'100 | 38'800 |
| 128 | Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile | 1959 | Yes | 30'000 | 40'000 | 27'300 | 36'400 | 29'100 | 38'800 |
| 129 | AC Aceca | 1957 | Yes | 80'000 | 110'000 | 72'800 | 100'100 | 77'600 | 106'700 |
| 130 | Rolls-Royce Phantom I “Riviera” Brewster Town Car | 1928 | Yes | 350'000 | 500'000 | 318'500 | 455'000 | 339'500 | 485'000 |
| 131 | Packard Super Eight 1703 Darrin Convertible Victoria | 1939 | Yes | 175'000 | 225'000 | 159'250 | 204'750 | 169'750 | 218'250 |
| 132 | Chrysler Imperial Eight Close-Coupled Sedan | 1931 | Yes | 100'000 | 125'000 | 91'000 | 113'750 | 97'000 | 121'250 |
| 133 | Buick Roadmaster Series 80 Fernandez et Darrin Opera Brougham | 1938 | Yes | 250'000 | 350'000 | 227'500 | 318'500 | 242'500 | 339'500 |
| 134 | Packard Super Eight 1701 Derham Panel Brougham | 1939 | Yes | 50'000 | 75'000 | 45'500 | 68'250 | 48'500 | 72'750 |
| 135 | Buick Roadmaster Sedan | 1948 | Yes | 35'000 | 45'000 | 31'850 | 40'950 | 33'950 | 43'650 |
| 136 | Ford Convertible Cabriolet | 1937 | Yes | 90'000 | 130'000 | 81'900 | 118'300 | 87'300 | 126'100 |
| 137 | Studebaker President Eight Four-Season Convertible Roadster | 1931 | Yes | 125'000 | 150'000 | 113'750 | 136'500 | 121'250 | 145'500 |
| 138 | MG MGB/GT Special | 1967 | Yes | 25'000 | 35'000 | 22'750 | 31'850 | 24'250 | 33'950 |
| 139 | Minerva AL Rollston Convertible Sedan | 1931 | Yes | 400'000 | 500'000 | 364'000 | 455'000 | 388'000 | 485'000 |
| 140 | Volkswagen Beetle De Luxe Sunroof Sedan | 1955 | Yes | 35'000 | 45'000 | 31'850 | 40'950 | 33'950 | 43'650 |
| 141 | Lincoln-Zephyr Convertible Coupe | 1938 | Yes | 150'000 | 180'000 | 136'500 | 163'800 | 145'500 | 174'600 |
| 142 | Lotus Elite SE | 1963 | Yes | 60'000 | 80'000 | 54'600 | 72'800 | 58'200 | 77'600 |
| 143 | Invicta S-Type 4½-Litre Low Chassis Fixed Head Coupe “Sea-Bear” | 1931 | Yes | 450'000 | 650'000 | 409'500 | 591'500 | 436'500 | 630'500 |
| 144 | Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood Division Touring Sedan | 1941 | Yes | 75'000 | 125'000 | 68'250 | 113'750 | 72'750 | 121'250 |
| 145 | Chrysler Airflow Coupe | 1934 | Yes | 70'000 | 90'000 | 63'700 | 81'900 | 67'900 | 87'300 |
| 146 | Daimler Double-Six 50 Type P Royal Limousine | 1928 | Yes | 400'000 | 600'000 | 364'000 | 546'000 | 388'000 | 582'000 |
| 147 | Jaguar XK 120 SE Roadster | 1953 | Yes | 100'000 | 130'000 | 91'000 | 118'300 | 97'000 | 126'100 |
| 148 | Packard Twelve 1108 Individual Custom Sport Phaeton in the style of LeBaron | 1934 | Yes | 250'000 | 350'000 | 227'500 | 318'500 | 242'500 | 339'500 |
| 149 | Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe | 1941 | Yes | 70'000 | 90'000 | 63'700 | 81'900 | 67'900 | 87'300 |
| 150 | Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Castagna Roadster Cabriolet | 1930 | Yes | 500'000 | 700'000 | 455'000 | 637'000 | 485'000 | 679'000 |
| 151 | MG TA "Tickford" Salmons & Sons Drop Head Coupe | 1938 | Yes | 70'000 | 90'000 | 63'700 | 81'900 | 67'900 | 87'300 |
| 152 | Daimler SP 250 | 1961 | Yes | 30'000 | 40'000 | 27'300 | 36'400 | 29'100 | 38'800 |
| 153 | Ford Convertible Cabriolet | 1934 | Yes | 55'000 | 75'000 | 50'050 | 68'250 | 53'350 | 72'750 |
| 154 | Lincoln KB Custom Dietrich Convertible Sedan | 1933 | Yes | 225'000 | 275'000 | 204'750 | 250'250 | 218'250 | 266'750 |
| 155 | Mercedes-Benz 220 S Cabriolet | 1958 | Yes | 90'000 | 120'000 | 81'900 | 109'200 | 87'300 | 116'400 |
| 156 | Citroën 2CV | 1950 | Yes | 25'000 | 35'000 | 22'750 | 31'850 | 24'250 | 33'950 |
| 157 | Chrysler Custom Imperial LeBaron Dual-Windshield Phaeton | 1933 | Yes | 900'000 | 1'200'000 | 819'000 | 1'092'000 | 873'000 | 1'164'000 |
| 158 | Packard Caribbean | 1953 | Yes | 80'000 | 120'000 | 72'800 | 109'200 | 77'600 | 116'400 |
| 159 | Morris Minor 1000 Traveller | 1959 | Yes | 25'000 | 35'000 | 22'750 | 31'850 | 24'250 | 33'950 |
| 160 | Squire 1½-Liter Corsica Drophead Coupe | 1937 | Yes | 400'000 | 600'000 | 364'000 | 546'000 | 388'000 | 582'000 |
| 161 | Kaiser-Darrin 161 Roadster | 1954 | Yes | 70'000 | 90'000 | 63'700 | 81'900 | 67'900 | 87'300 |
| 162 | Packard Twelve 1108 Convertible Victoria | 1934 | Yes | 300'000 | 400'000 | 273'000 | 364'000 | 291'000 | 388'000 |
| 163 | Lincoln-Zephyr Continental Cabriolet | 1940 | Yes | 70'000 | 90'000 | 63'700 | 81'900 | 67'900 | 87'300 |
| 164 | Lagonda LG6 Rapide | 1939 | Yes | 400'000 | 600'000 | 364'000 | 546'000 | 388'000 | 582'000 |
| 165 | Auburn 852 Supercharged Phaeton Sedan | 1936 | Yes | 110'000 | 140'000 | 100'100 | 127'400 | 106'700 | 135'800 |
| 166 | Cadillac Series 62 Convertible | 1948 | Yes | 70'000 | 90'000 | 63'700 | 81'900 | 67'900 | 87'300 |
| 167 | Marmon Sixteen LeBaron Convertible Sedan | 1932 | Yes | 300'000 | 400'000 | 273'000 | 364'000 | 291'000 | 388'000 |
| 168 | Nash Metropolitan Hardtop | 1954 | Yes | 15'000 | 20'000 | 13'650 | 18'200 | 14'550 | 19'400 |
| 169 | Triumph TR3B | 1962 | Yes | 30'000 | 40'000 | 27'300 | 36'400 | 29'100 | 38'800 |
| 170 | Packard 343 Murphy Convertible Sedan | 1927 | Yes | 275'000 | 350'000 | 250'250 | 318'500 | 266'750 | 339'500 |
| 171 | Lincoln Convertible Roadster | 1934 | Yes | 130'000 | 160'000 | 118'300 | 145'600 | 126'100 | 155'200 |
| 172 | Packard Twelve 1107 Dual-Windshield Phaeton | 1934 | Yes | 300'000 | 400'000 | 273'000 | 364'000 | 291'000 | 388'000 |
| 173 | Lincoln Continental Four-Door Sedan | 1961 | Yes | 50'000 | 70'000 | 45'500 | 63'700 | 48'500 | 67'900 |
| 174 | Ford De Luxe Convertible Club Coupe | 1940 | Yes | 70'000 | 90'000 | 63'700 | 81'900 | 67'900 | 87'300 |
| 175 | MG MGA 1600 Mark II Coupe | 1962 | Yes | 30'000 | 40'000 | 27'300 | 36'400 | 29'100 | 38'800 |
| 176 | Rolls-Royce Phantom I "Versailles" Hibbard & Darrin Sedanca de Ville | 1928 | Yes | 125'000 | 175'000 | 113'750 | 159'250 | 121'250 | 169'750 |
| 177 | Buick Roadmaster Series 70 Convertible Coupe | 1941 | Yes | 90'000 | 120'000 | 81'900 | 109'200 | 87'300 | 116'400 |
| 178 | Packard Super Eight 1907 Custom One-Eighty LeBaron Sport Brougham | 1941 | Yes | 75'000 | 100'000 | 68'250 | 91'000 | 72'750 | 97'000 |
| 179 | Volvo 1800 S | 1967 | Yes | 35'000 | 45'000 | 31'850 | 40'950 | 33'950 | 43'650 |
| 180 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe | 1955 | Yes | 1'200'000 | 1'500'000 | 1'092'000 | 1'365'000 | 1'164'000 | 1'455'000 |
| 181 | Rolls-Royce Corniche | 1982 | Yes | 60'000 | 80'000 | 54'600 | 72'800 | 58'200 | 77'600 |
| 182 | Mercedes-Benz 450 SL | 1979 | Yes | 20'000 | 30'000 | 18'200 | 27'300 | 19'400 | 29'100 |
| 183 | MG TC | 1949 | Yes | 35'000 | 45'000 | 31'850 | 40'950 | 33'950 | 43'650 |
| 184 | Lincoln Continental Coupe | 1948 | Yes | 40'000 | 60'000 | 36'400 | 54'600 | 38'800 | 58'200 |
| 185 | Jaguar XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe | 1952 | Yes | 80'000 | 110'000 | 72'800 | 100'100 | 77'600 | 106'700 |
| 186 | Packard Super Eight 1104 Convertible Victoria | 1934 | Yes | 175'000 | 225'000 | 159'250 | 204'750 | 169'750 | 218'250 |
| 187 | Rolls-Royce Phantom I "Regent" Brewster Convertible Coupe | 1931 | Yes | 200'000 | 300'000 | 182'000 | 273'000 | 194'000 | 291'000 |
| 188 | Triumph 2000 Roadster | 1949 | Yes | 35'000 | 45'000 | 31'850 | 40'950 | 33'950 | 43'650 |
| 189 | MG MGB Roadster | 1965 | Yes | 22'000 | 26'000 | 20'020 | 23'660 | 21'340 | 25'220 |
| 190 | Mercedes-Benz 500 SL | 1992 | Yes | 20'000 | 30'000 | 18'200 | 27'300 | 19'400 | 29'100 |
| 191 | Ford De Luxe Phaeton | 1935 | Yes | 40'000 | 60'000 | 36'400 | 54'600 | 38'800 | 58'200 |
| 192 | Chevrolet Corvette 327/340 "Split Window" Coupe | 1963 | Yes | 175'000 | 225'000 | 159'250 | 204'750 | 169'750 | 218'250 |
| 193 | Mercedes-Benz 250 Limousine | 1979 | Yes | 25'000 | 35'000 | 22'750 | 31'850 | 24'250 | 33'950 |
| 194 | Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Fixed Head Coupe | 1964 | Yes | 110'000 | 140'000 | 100'100 | 127'400 | 106'700 | 135'800 |
| 195 | Morris Mini Cooper S Mk II | 1970 | Yes | 25'000 | 35'000 | 22'750 | 31'850 | 24'250 | 33'950 |
| 196 | Volkswagen Beetle Convertible | 1963 | Yes | 30'000 | 40'000 | 27'300 | 36'400 | 29'100 | 38'800 |
| 197 | Amphicar Model 770 | 1964 | Yes | 50'000 | 75'000 | 45'500 | 68'250 | 48'500 | 72'750 |
| 198 | Messerschmitt KR175 | 1954 | Yes | 25'000 | 35'000 | 22'750 | 31'850 | 24'250 | 33'950 |
| 199 | Cadillac Series 62 Club Coupe | 1948 | Yes | 50'000 | 70'000 | 45'500 | 63'700 | 48'500 | 67'900 |
| 200 | Chevrolet Corvette | 1954 | Yes | 60'000 | 90'000 | 54'600 | 81'900 | 58'200 | 87'300 |
| 201 | Lincoln Town Car Limousine | 1992 | Yes | 10'000 | 15'000 | 9100 | 13'650 | 9700 | 14'550 |
| 202 | American Bantam Model 60 Roadster | 1938 | Yes | 25'000 | 35'000 | 22'750 | 31'850 | 24'250 | 33'950 |
| 203 | Buick Riviera 425/340 | 1963 | Yes | 30'000 | 40'000 | 27'300 | 36'400 | 29'100 | 38'800 |
| 204 | American Austin Panel Truck | 1934 | Yes | 8000 | 12'000 | 7280 | 10'920 | 7760 | 11'640 |
| 205 | Ford Mustang GT Convertible | 2000 | Yes | 10'000 | 20'000 | 9100 | 18'200 | 9700 | 19'400 |
| 206 | Ford Convertible Sedan and Teardrop Travel Trailer | 1935 | Yes | 40'000 | 60'000 | 36'400 | 54'600 | 38'800 | 58'200 |
All information is provided without guarantee.
Legend: Column NoR = No Reserve (no minimum price), Column S = Status (V = Sold, N = Not sold, Z = Withdrawn, U = Under reserve)
Est = Estimate, HP = Hammer Price, SP = Sale Price
