RM Sotheby's is selling the renowned Taj Ma Garaj collection of the well-known late collector John Dixon. The sale will take place in one day on September 28 in Dayton, Ohio. In addition to 350 memorabilia and collectibles, the collection includes more than 30 cars.
John Dixon's obsession with Porsche began in high school when a 911 overtook him on the highway while he was driving his muscle car. A year later, Dixon bought his first Porsche and began to build up his own collection in the early 1990s. The Taj Ma Garaj is now an eclectic Porsche collection with over 30 different Porsches and Volkswagens, as well as more than 350 pieces of rare memorabilia, including rare literature, engines and a series of posters.
John Dixon opened the collection to the general public and over the years the collection attracted thousands of visitors. Dixon was proud to share his enthusiasm with other enthusiasts and regularly hosted car shows for charity or made the premises available for events.
On behalf of John's beloved wife Vickie and the Dixon family, RM Sotheby's is now presenting the complete Taj Ma Garaj collection at auction this fall. Highlights of the collection include an assortment of rare Porsches:
Porsche 356 (1952) by Gläser
There is, for example, a 1952 Porsche 356 Cabriolet by German coachbuilder Gläser with chassis number 12355, an extremely rare car of which less than a tenth have survived today and fewer and fewer are in restored and running condition. The specific convertible has many interesting features, such as the one-piece curved windshield, a rare Telefunken radio, a braided leather handle inside the door and much more. After a thorough restoration commissioned by Dixon, the details came to light all the more clearly. Estimated price 375 - 425,000 USD.
Porsche 356 A Carrera GT Speedster (1957)
Another highlight among the lots would be a Porsche 356 A Carrera GT Speedster from 1957 with a Reutter body (chassis number 83622). The Carrera is the prime example of the lightest and most race-ready version of the model. The car features a lighter chassis, a GT-specific four-cam engine, an 80-liter fuel tank, 60mm ventilated brakes and a very rare steel hard top. The GT has been part of the collection for two decades and is estimated at 1.5 to 2 million USD.
Exotic Porsche 356 sedan
The third car on offer is a Porsche 356 Limousine, which has been modified quite a bit. The 1953 sedan (chassis number 50146) is a good example of John's sense of humor and representative of some of the quirkier cars in the collection. Assembled from various cars, the car was Dixon's interpretation of a 1953 pre-A 356 sedan intended for use at formal events. Equipped with air suspension and a whole range of Porsche accessories, fun is guaranteed. Estimated price between 150 and 250,000 USD.
The rest of the Taj Ma Garaj collection spans six decades of Porsche production, paired with quirky Volkswagen Beetles and other exotica. In addition to the cars, Dixon has assembled an array of the most fascinating and hard-to-find Porsche and VW automobilia and collectibles on the planet. From rare signage, literature and coveted spare engines toPorsche collections, original dealer banners and vintage arcade games, the Taj Ma Garaj Collection has the makings of the ultimate Porsche man cave. We're looking forward to the auction in fall 2019!
