RM's Motor City auction in St. John (Michigan) is a largely American affair. Over three quarters of the vehicles come from the USA, with just 19 cars coming from Europe or Japan.
The total volume of estimated prices is USD 9.8 to 13.1 million (Euro 7.2 to 9.5 or CHF 8.7 to 1.2), with an average of USD 142,913 (Euro 104,326 or CHF 127,192) per vehicle expected. This clearly shows that it is not primarily high-priced classics that are on offer here, but mid-priced rarities.
It is interesting to note that half of the offerings were built before or during the Second World War, such a high proportion of very old vehicles is unusual.
American dominance
The range is dominated by the American brands Cadillac (13 vehicles), Packard (12), Chrysler (5) and Ford (4). Other US brands such as Auburn, Buick, Chevrolet, Cord, Duesenberg, Lincoln and are each represented by two vehicles.
The most strongly represented non-American brand is Rolls-Royce, although some of the vehicles on offer were also built in the USA. However, this is of course not the case with Jaguar, Mercedes Benz, Austin-Healey, Ferrari, MG, Renault and Toyota.
US rarities
Even Americans are unlikely to see a Firestone-Columbus, a Michigan or an early Willys-Knight or Studebaker too often, while the luxury vehicles of the Auburn, Duesenberg or Packard brands are of course much better known.
The special Renault
USD 200,000 to 300,000 is the estimated price for the Renault 45 Tourer from 1925 on offer, which is described as the ultimate brass car. If you had a lot of money in the 1920s and wanted to afford something special, you might have chosen the biggest car of the time, this Renault. Equipped with a nine-liter in-line six-cylinder engine and 140 hp, it could reach almost 170 km/h in a car with a wheelbase of over three meters.
The restored car is described as largely original and there are said to be only six such vehicles left in the world. One or two collectors might certainly be tempted.
The little MG
Those who prefer to invest in sporty two-seaters might like the MG J2 from 1933, which doesn't seem too expensive at USD 48,000 to 58,000.
The roadster was owned for 48 years and was completely restored in 2013 after a change of ownership. With 36 hp from 847 cm3, the J2 is of course not a high-performance racing car, but this pretty roadster should definitely be fun to drive.
Further information about the auction can be found on the RM Auction website.
The vehicles on offer
The following table shows the vehicles on offer with estimated prices in USD, Euro and CHF. The conversion was carried out using daily exchange rates (1 USD = 0.73 Euro, 1 USD = 0.89 CHF). Lots marked "yes" in the "No reserve" column are sold without a minimum bid. All information without guarantee.
The table can be sorted by clicking on the column headings.
| Lot | Vehicle | Year | Est USD from | Est USD to | Est € from | Est € to | Est CHF from | Est CHF to | No reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Continental Mark II | 1956 | 40000 | 60000 | 29200 | 43800 | 35600 | 53400 | yes |
| 102 | Lincoln Continental Convertible Sedan | 1964 | 35000 | 50000 | 25550 | 36500 | 31150 | 44500 | |
| 103 | Cadillac Model 59 Victoria | 1920 | 35000 | 45000 | 25550 | 32850 | 31150 | 40050 | Yes |
| 104 | Packard Custom Super Clipper Seven-Passenger Sedan by Henney | 1947 | 40000 | 60000 | 29200 | 43800 | 35600 | 53400 | |
| 105 | Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 | 1976 | 60000 | 80000 | 43800 | 58400 | 53400 | 71200 | |
| 106 | Ford Model T Torpedo Runabout | 1911 | 25000 | 35000 | 18250 | 25550 | 22250 | 31150 | Yes |
| 107 | Ford Thunderbird | 1955 | 40000 | 50000 | 29200 | 36500 | 35600 | 44500 | yes |
| 108 | Austin-Healey 100-Six BN6 Roadster | 1958 | 65000 | 85000 | 47450 | 62050 | 57850 | 75650 | |
| 109 | Cadillac DeVille Convertible | 1967 | 40000 | 60000 | 29200 | 43800 | 35600 | 53400 | yes |
| 110 | Rolls-Royce Corniche Drophead Coupe by Mulliner Park Ward | 1978 | 45000 | 55000 | 32850 | 40150 | 40050 | 48950 | |
| 111 | Jaguar E-Type Series 3 V-12 Roadster | 1973 | 65000 | 85000 | 47450 | 62050 | 57850 | 75650 | |
| 112 | Packard Caribbean Convertible | 1955 | 75000 | 100000 | 54750 | 73000 | 66750 | 89000 | |
| 113 | Pontiac Star Chief Convertible | 1955 | 60000 | 80000 | 43800 | 58400 | 53400 | 71200 | |
| 114 | Pontiac Torpedo Eight Deluxe Convertible | 1948 | 50000 | 70000 | 36500 | 51100 | 44500 | 62300 | |
| 115 | Jaguar E-Type Series 2 4.2-Litre Roadster | 1970 | 80000 | 90000 | 58400 | 65700 | 71200 | 80100 | |
| 116 | Auburn Eight Custom Coupe | 1935 | 70000 | 90000 | 51100 | 65700 | 62300 | 80100 | yes |
| 117 | Chrysler Airflow Eight Sedan | 1934 | 75000 | 95000 | 54750 | 69350 | 66750 | 84550 | |
| 118 | Packard Super Eight Coupe Roadster | 1935 | 150000 | 200000 | 109500 | 146000 | 133500 | 178000 | |
| 119 | Nash-Healey Roadster by Pinin Farina | 1952 | 95000 | 125000 | 69350 | 91250 | 84550 | 111250 | Yes |
| 120 | Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad Station Wagon | 1957 | 70000 | 90000 | 51100 | 65700 | 62300 | 80100 | |
| 121 | Packard Super Eight Convertible Victoria | 1934 | 190000 | 240000 | 138700 | 175200 | 169100 | 213600 | |
| 122 | Cadillac Eldorado Convertible | 1955 | 70000 | 90000 | 51100 | 65700 | 62300 | 80100 | |
| 123 | Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Oxford Seven-Passenger Touring by Rolls-Royce Custom Coach Work | 1923 | 200000 | 275000 | 146000 | 200750 | 178000 | 244750 | |
| 124 | Lincoln Model L Seven-Passenger "Police Flyer" by American Body Company | 1925 | 60000 | 80000 | 43800 | 58400 | 53400 | 71200 | yes |
| 125 | Cadillac V-8 Convertible Sedan by Fleetwood | 1938 | 60000 | 80000 | 43800 | 58400 | 53400 | 71200 | |
| 126 | Duesenberg Model A Touring by Millspaugh & Irish | 1925 | 175000 | 225000 | 127750 | 164250 | 155750 | 200250 | |
| 127 | Cord 812 Cabriolet | 1937 | 90000 | 120000 | 65700 | 87600 | 80100 | 106800 | Yes |
| 128 | Renault Model 45 Tourer | 1925 | 200000 | 300000 | 146000 | 219000 | 178000 | 267000 | |
| 129 | Studebaker Model G Touring | 1906 | 325000 | 450000 | 237250 | 328500 | 289250 | 400500 | |
| 130 | Mercury Park Lane Convertible Coupe | 1964 | 45000 | 55000 | 32850 | 40150 | 40050 | 48950 | Yes |
| 131 | Cadillac Series 62 Convertible | 1946 | 75000 | 90000 | 54750 | 65700 | 66750 | 80100 | |
| 132 | Gar Wood 28' Triple Cockpit Runabout "Katie's Choice" | 1930 | 250000 | 300000 | 182500 | 219000 | 222500 | 267000 | |
| 133 | Jaguar XK140 MC Drophead Coupe | 1955 | 100000 | 125000 | 73000 | 91250 | 89000 | 111250 | |
| 134 | Chrysler 300F Convertible | 1960 | 150000 | 200000 | 109500 | 146000 | 133500 | 178000 | yes |
| 135 | Michigan Model R Touring | 1913 | 140000 | 180000 | 102200 | 131400 | 124600 | 160200 | |
| 136 | Rolls-Royce Phantom I Brougham de Ville by Binder | 1927 | 200000 | 300000 | 146000 | 219000 | 178000 | 267000 | |
| 137 | Oldsmobile Dynamic Eighty-Eight Convertible | 1958 | 75000 | 100000 | 54750 | 73000 | 66750 | 89000 | |
| 138 | Packard Custom Super Eight One Eighty Convertible Sedan by Darrin | 1940 | 225000 | 300000 | 164250 | 219000 | 200250 | 267000 | |
| 139 | Cadillac Series 62 Convertible | 1959 | 100000 | 150000 | 73000 | 109500 | 89000 | 133500 | |
| 140 | Cadillac V-12 Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood | 1931 | 275000 | 325000 | 200750 | 237250 | 244750 | 289250 | |
| 141 | Cadillac Eldorado Brougham | 1958 | 150000 | 200000 | 109500 | 146000 | 133500 | 178000 | |
| 142 | Packard Twelve Prototype | 1999 | 125000 | 250000 | 91250 | 182500 | 111250 | 222500 | yes |
| 143 | Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer by Merrimac | 1929 | 400000 | 500000 | 292000 | 365000 | 356000 | 445000 | |
| 144 | Packard Deluxe Eight All-Weather Town Car by LeBaron | 1930 | 90000 | 120000 | 65700 | 87600 | 80100 | 106800 | |
| 145 | Packard Custom Super Eight One Eighty Sport Brougham by LeBaron | 1941 | 80000 | 120000 | 58400 | 87600 | 71200 | 106800 | yes |
| 146 | Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe by Park Ward | 1953 | 325000 | 450000 | 237250 | 328500 | 289250 | 400500 | |
| 147 | Duesenberg Model A Speedster by Brandfon | 1924 | 175000 | 250000 | 127750 | 182500 | 155750 | 222500 | |
| 148 | Pierce-Arrow Model 836 Club Sedan | 1933 | 100000 | 120000 | 73000 | 87600 | 89000 | 106800 | |
| 149 | Chrysler CG Imperial Convertible Victoria by Waterhouse | 1931 | 525000 | 725000 | 383250 | 529250 | 467250 | 645250 | |
| 150 | Nash Ambassador Eight Victoria Coupe by Seaman | 1932 | 60000 | 90000 | 43800 | 65700 | 53400 | 80100 | yes |
| 151 | Fisker Karma EcoSport | 2012 | 70000 | 85000 | 51100 | 62050 | 62300 | 75650 | |
| 152 | Ferrari 575M Maranello | 2002 | 75000 | 90000 | 54750 | 65700 | 66750 | 80100 | |
| 153 | Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Roadster | 1969 | 75000 | 95000 | 54750 | 69350 | 66750 | 84550 | Yes |
| 154 | Cadillac V-8 Seven-Passenger Imperial Sedan by Fisher | 1929 | 100000 | 150000 | 73000 | 109500 | 89000 | 133500 | |
| 155 | Packard Twelve All-Weather Town Car by Rollston | 1938 | 100000 | 140000 | 73000 | 102200 | 89000 | 124600 | |
| 156 | Packard Custom Super Eight One Eighty All-Weather Town Car by Rollson | 1941 | 90000 | 130000 | 65700 | 94900 | 80100 | 115700 | yes |
| 157 | Auburn Eight Custom Phaeton Sedan by Limousine Body Company | 1932 | 160000 | 200000 | 116800 | 146000 | 142400 | 178000 | |
| 158 | Mercedes 38/70HP Seven-Passenger Touring in the style of Vanvooren | 1911 | 450000 | 600000 | 328500 | 438000 | 400500 | 534000 | |
| 159 | Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton | 1937 | 150000 | 200000 | 109500 | 146000 | 133500 | 178000 | yes |
| 160 | Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz | 1956 | 150000 | 200000 | 109500 | 146000 | 133500 | 178000 | |
| 161 | Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster | 1960 | 175000 | 225000 | 127750 | 164250 | 155750 | 200250 | |
| 162 | Rolls-Royce Phantom II Torpedo Tourer by Barker | 1929 | 650000 | 850000 | 474500 | 620500 | 578500 | 756500 | |
| 163 | Ford Thunderbird | 1957 | 60000 | 75000 | 43800 | 54750 | 53400 | 66750 | |
| 164 | Jaguar Mark V 3½-Litre Drophead Coupe | 1951 | 50000 | 70000 | 36500 | 51100 | 44500 | 62300 | yes |
| 165 | Chrysler 300G Convertible | 1961 | 160000 | 180000 | 116800 | 131400 | 142400 | 160200 | |
| 166 | Hudson Commodore Eight Convertible Brougham | 1950 | 80000 | 100000 | 58400 | 73000 | 71200 | 89000 | |
| 167 | Willys-Knight 66B 'Plaidside' Roadster by Griswold | 1930 | 100000 | 150000 | 73000 | 109500 | 89000 | 133500 | |
| 168 | Buick Special Convertible | 1955 | 60000 | 80000 | 43800 | 58400 | 53400 | 71200 | |
| 169 | Chrysler Town and Country Convertible | 1948 | 95000 | 125000 | 69350 | 91250 | 84550 | 111250 | |
| 170 | Packard Caribbean Convertible | 1955 | 60000 | 80000 | 43800 | 58400 | 53400 | 71200 | yes |
| 171 | Firestone-Columbus Indianapolis Tribute | 1912 | 80000 | 120000 | 58400 | 87600 | 71200 | 106800 | |
| 172 | Cadillac Sixteen Sedan by Fleetwood | 1939 | 60000 | 70000 | 43800 | 51100 | 53400 | 62300 | |
| 173 | Ford Model T Five-Passenger Touring | 1911 | 30000 | 40000 | 21900 | 29200 | 26700 | 35600 | yes |
| 174 | Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 327/300 Convertible | 1967 | 60000 | 70000 | 43800 | 51100 | 53400 | 62300 | |
| 175 | Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz | 1957 | 75000 | 85000 | 54750 | 62050 | 66750 | 75650 | |
| 176 | Packard Super Eight Convertible Sedan | 1938 | 120000 | 160000 | 87600 | 116800 | 106800 | 142400 | |
| 177 | Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Roadster | 1967 | 55000 | 70000 | 40150 | 51100 | 48950 | 62300 | |
| 178 | MG J2 Roadster | 1933 | 48000 | 58000 | 35040 | 42340 | 42720 | 51620 | |
| 179 | Buick Master Six Roadster | 1927 | 40000 | 50000 | 29200 | 36500 | 35600 | 44500 | yes |
| 180 | Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe | 1941 | 75000 | 100000 | 54750 | 73000 | 66750 | 89000 |






































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































