Worldwide auctioneers returns for its traditional Labor Day weekend sale with 400 cars, half of which will be offered with no reserve price. Worldwide calls the event the largest ever and will take place between Thursday, August 29 and Saturday, August 31, 2024.
Leading the Worldwide Auctioneers sale is the opportunity to purchase the only two surviving 1937 Miller-Gulf race cars (pictured above). The cars are among the last major pre-war race car projects put together by legendary racing engineer and designer Harry Miller and Gulf Oil. Chassis number 1, described as the most original surviving model, is offered for sale alongside chassis number 2, the only other race car built and a veteran of The Amelia and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. There’s plenty more to enjoy though – we’ve picked out our favourites below, but what are you most looking forward to?
The Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 from 1969, chassis number 12541, pictured above, was a special model with a sunroof for Bill Harrah‘s Modern Classic Motors dealer. The installation of a sunroof delayed delivery for almost half a year, until the car finally arrived in the USA in the summer of 1969. It was originally available in Fly Yellow with black leather and optional Borrani wheels.
The car was purchased in 1970 by its first owner, a Californian, who kept it for 35 years before passing it on to a certain Bernard B. Fahimian of Los Angeles. He repainted the car in the original Fly Yellow and replaced the clutch, rear shock absorbers and exhaust. Between 2001 and 2002, Tillack & Co of California carried out a comprehensive restoration, which also involved outside help for a cylinder head overhaul, ignition work and carburettor tuning.
In 2005, the car was purchased by James C Walker of Ann Arbor, Michigan; he overhauled the engine with the help of Ferrari Specialist Terry Myr of Smith’s Creek, Michigan. The suspension was renewed during this time and Walker exhibited the 365 GT at various events in the following years. The current owner acquired the car in 2014.
This year 1937 Delage The D8-120 Cabriolet, chassis 51624 and body 5254, was probably first delivered to a French actress before passing to a G. Maude of Cheshire, England, after World War II. Maude offered the car for sale in 1957, and subsequent British owners included JW Heaney Jr. It later came to the United States via Robert Muelke, an industrial designer and promoter of early custom automobiles on the East Coast.
It later entered the collection of Mark Gibbons in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before being acquired by the heir of Louis Vuitton Dynasty, Hervé Ogliastro. He brought the car back to Europe and had it restored by Carrosserie Lecoq. It was repainted in its current livery, with the wooden frame extensively renewed, although the sheet metal is described as well preserved. Much of the chrome trim has been renewed, but the auctioneer notes that the original details have been preserved, with “Chapron The body number 52 is still visible on the underside of one of the windshield pillar caps. The car comes from a Californian collection and still features its numbers-matching inline eight-cylinder engine, coupled to a Cotal four-speed gearbox.
This year 1967 Iso Grifo Series I is the 37th of 200 Series I cars produced and is believed to have been delivered to Europe first. It was originally painted black but was repainted Fly Yellow by the consignor several years ago. The engine was rebuilt by Obermeyer’s Automotive in Allenton, Wisconsin in the late 2000s and the car’s electrical and lighting systems were also rebuilt shortly thereafter. The Grifo’s chassis has also been renewed to original specifications and it is fitted with its original Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed transmission. It is a regular at several Concours d’Elegance events and won the award for Best Unrestored Car in 2015 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Invitational.
This year 1932 Auburn 12-160A Boattail Speedster is one of only five certified examples and still retains its original chassis, body, engine, drivetrain, suspension and running gear. The known story begins in the 1960s with collector Jim Pullen of Dallas, Texas. The current owner acquired the Speedster in 2002 and began a comprehensive restoration that would not be completed until 2023. It made its post-restoration debut on the 18th green of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance this year before being shown at the annual ACD Club Reunion in Auburn, Indiana, where it won an ACD Club Senior Award. It then went on to win Best in Show at the 2024 Keeneland Concours d’Elegance.
This year 1955 Chevrolet The Corvette is the eighth V8-powered Corvette ever produced and one of only 700 built in 1955. It comes from an extensive Corvette collection, has been extensively restored and still has its original building instructions.
This year 1927 Renault The Type RA Cabriolet is one of only 344 examples, but is considered unique – it features one-off coachwork by Million-Guiet. Chassis 287084 was exhibited at the Paris and New York auto shows in 1926 before finding its first home in Southampton, New York with a family who would keep it for the next 60 years. In 1989, it entered the collection of a Connecticut collector who repaired the car and repainted it champagne and brown before entering it in the 1990 Great American Race. It then entered long-term storage in the Hamptons until it was rediscovered in 2017. It was restored to service by Restorations by York in Ridgefield, Connecticut in 2021 and will receive further work in 2024. It recently won second place in its class at the 2024 Arizona Concours d’Elegance.
This AMC Matador was something special – it is the earliest known example, a factory pre-production prototype of the Matador X Coupe from 1974 with the serial number 100070. Built as a show car by Penske Team, it was seen coast to coast at Bobby Allison signings, car shows and Autoramas in America’s major cities. The Matadors, operated by the Penske team, were driven by Gary Bettenhausen, Dave Marcis and Georg Follmeralthough more often by Bobby Allisonduring the 1974 and 1975 seasons.
When Penske moved to Mercury and Chevrolet in 1976, Allison took over the Matador team with Warner Hodgdon, and this promotional car was part of the package. After 1978, it was placed in long-term storage at the Allison garage, still wearing its 1977 livery. The car was given to WD Goad, a friend of the Allison family, at Bobby Allison’s 80th birthday party. Goad died in 2021, and the car was acquired by Hudson and AMC historians Ed and Hal Souers. A collection of clothing belonging to one of the pit crew members is being sold with the car; the entire lot is being offered with no reserve bid.
This year 1969 Nissan Patrol is believed to be one of the few KL60 SWB LHD models in the US and is said to have received a full frame-off restoration. The underbody and floor have been coated with Raptor coating for additional protection and to reduce noise. The car is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre P-Series inline-six engine and is being offered with no reserve.
This 1954 Chevrolet corvette The “Bubble Top” roadster is one of 25 that were believed to have been factory-equipped with the clear bubble top. Constructed with the help of model builders from Chicago, Illinois, the car was used in GM’s promotional materials for its “Dream Car” division. One of around 300 Corvettes in Pennant Blue, it is being sold by its second owner and is described as largely original.
Further details
The auction will be held at Worldwide Auctioneers headquarters at 5634 Opportunity Boulevard, Auburn, Indiana. The auction preview begins on Wednesday, August 28th with a car corral and swap meet that will continue through Thursday, August 29th before the auction begins at 11:00 a.m. The auction will run from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the final day, Saturday, August 31st.
For further information please see Here.
