Enjoy a few photos from the Hershey Fall Nationals, and remember to check out the complete wrap-up and even more photos in the November/December issue of Antique Automobile magazine... Photos courtesy of: Tim Emerich, temerich1@comcast.net; Mike Kissinger, mkissinger07@embarqmail.com; and Paul Wick, capitalcarshows.com.

By Kate Clendenning, RM Sotheby’s PR Assistant/Social Media Specialist, KClendenning@rmsothebys.com

All photo credits: Forest Casey ©2021 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s conducted its 15th annual Hershey auction at the Hershey Lodge during the AACA Eastern Division Fall Meet. Total sales across the two-day auction grossed $12,984,210 with 98% of all lots sold. The auction drew outstanding attendance as the cars crossed the block in front of a packed auction room with bidders from across the U.S.

The sale offered an exceptional line up spanning over 80 years of automotive history, which included The Collection of Robert Thayer featuring three stunning American classics. Being a client of ours for almost three decades, Mr. Thayer entrusted us to sell his prized possessions in Hershey since we had carefully sourced each example for him. The top selling car was the 1931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster “Green Hornet.” This CCCA Full Classic is one of very few true roadsters on the Model J chassis and would be welcomed to any number of important concours and club events. This example struts a wonderful, storied history with Duesenberg enthusiasts and sold for a price of $1,650,000. Following the Duesenberg was the 1935 Auburn Eight Supercharged Speedster. Presented in well-maintained concours restoration, this exceptional Auburn will be warmly welcomed to any number of events and sold for $891,000. Rounding out the top three sales was the 1930 Packard 745 Deluxe Eight Roadster. One of the finest extant 745 Deluxe Eight Roadsters and one of just a handful of genuine examples believed to still be in existence, this Roadster brought $407,000.

Another significant Collection to go under the hammer on Friday was the Collection of Les Holden. The collection offered five American classics with four selling over their high estimate. The most notable from the Collection was the 1909 Peerless Model 19 Touring. Featured in numerous magazines and driven in many tours over six decades, this Peerless is one of just two surviving T-head, 40 hp 1909 Model 19s and smashed its presale estimate of $150,000, selling for $286,000.

An additional two American classics left the auction room with a selling price that exceeded their pre-sale estimates. Both restored to a level beyond what is normally seen makes it nearly impossible to find any others like them. The 1934 Pierce-Arrow Model 840A Convertible Sedan is a one-off example and highly respected in Pierce-Arrow circles. This 840A struts an outstanding concours quality restoration and is a two-time Pierce-Arrow Society Best in Show winner. Offered from the Collection of Charles Gillet, this Sedan brought $330,000. The 1931 Buick Series 90 Sport Roadster was acquired in the early 1990s by one of the nation’s most dedicated Buick collectors. This Sport Roadster notably wears a national first prize CCCA badge – an indication of the car’s high state of presentation and sold for $222,750.

Worthy of mention is the beautifully restored 1948 Diamond T 201 Pickup. Known by enthusiasts as “the Cadillac of Trucks,” this example was offered from 26 years of single ownership and brought the crowd to an applause as it hammered at a remarkable $176,000 – well over its presale estimate.

Ed is the raffle winner of the 1973 Jeep Commando. Ed just happened to be at the Hershey show when we drew the winner and after all of the paperwork was in order, he was able to pick up the Jeep the following week. Drive it well, Ed!

Thank you to EVERYONE who purchased raffle tickets, sold raffle tickets and promoted this successful AACA fundraiser!! Many thanks to AACA National VP Paula Ruby for spearheading this activity and to her husband Gary Ruby for the photo of the winner.

We can't think of a better gift to give someone who loves this hobby than an AACA membership. Do you have friends and family who aren't current members and enjoy antique cars as much as you do? With the benefits of Antique Automobile magazine and the Library & Research Center alone, how can you go wrong?!

Unfortunately, in 1968 it got wrecked real bad. I restored it with a frame, front end and doors from a Daytona; and a 289 engine from a 1960 Hawk. Fast forward to 1970 and I traded it back to Dad for a half interest in a black with red interior 1962 GT Hawk. Problem was Dad refused to sell the car back to me. I was finally able to get it back in 2005, but he had been storing it in a barn with a dirt floor and pigeons decorating it. I found all the parts needed to restore it but was also keeping my eyes out for a replacement car. On June 18, 2014, I found an ad in Turning Wheels for the exact same white 1961 convertible; other than it had a tan interior and a solid bench seat. We went to Siren, Wisconsin, with the motorhome and an empty trailer to buy the car from Bruce and Sandy Bovingdon. The car serial number is 61V-3798. It is so much faster to buy a car than it is to restore one!

All this has nothing to do with a 1948 car – or does it??? Yes, it’s all leading up to this:

When we were at the Bovingdon’s to get the convertible, my wife Andre’ saw something under a car cover in their building. She asked what it was, and Bruce said it was another Studebaker that was also for sale. He then lifted up the car cover and she saw a very beautiful blue 1948 Land Cruiser, SN 4351991. She was very excited to say the least. Both cars had been restored body off frame and were in spectacular cosmetic condition. I reminded her that we had come there with only the camper and one empty trailer, so the only way we could get both would be to drive one home or make a second trip. She immediately offered to drive the ‘48 home! It had overdrive so it was able to drive well even though it had poor brakes, low oil pressure and noisy mains, and the wipers didn’t work. But she was able to drive it home in the rain by letting off the gas occasionally to get the wipers to move. On the way home, we ran into heavy rain and some possible hail, so we stopped in northern Minnesota at a small town park. There they had a shelter with no sides, but a concrete floor. We moved the picnic tables out and were able to get both cars under the roof! Since the car has been home it has gotten a complete brake job and Hill Holder option rebuilt/replaced, the engine main bearings repaired, radio fixed and a few other items. So, now we can enjoy this beautiful car!

We also own a 1925 Standard 6 Duplex Phaeton, ‘56 Golden Hawk, ‘61 Hawk with 4-speed and buckets, a couple ‘62 GT Hawks, two ‘63 GT Hawks – one with R2 4-speed and one with factory air and PS, a ‘63 Cruiser, and a ‘64 GT Hawk with overdrive. I still have the original ‘61 that I first bought in 1965 for sale or for parts if I need them and the first ‘62 GT although that was a very rusty Minnesota car when I got it, then patched it in 1970; so, it’s pretty much a parts car now. I have recently parted out a ‘48 Commander and a ‘48 Land Cruiser that actually had pretty decent seats; both cars had a lot of good parts on them if anyone needs any parts. Have some Larks and Hawks parted out, too – I have a lot of parts for old cars of different makes. Being this story was originally for the Studebaker Drivers Club, I only listed Studebakers owned!! We also have a good array of Mercury, Dodge Charger, Kaiser, Star, Plymouth, Chevrolet, Ford, and many Jeeps and AMCs. I am not loyal to any one brand; I like most all of them! I am one of the “weird” people – I like original, stock cars and especially ones that have never been restored!

We drive our cars pretty much every day, and it’s not unusual to drive 2 or 3 different cars in one day! Anyone in Minot, ND, can pretty much attest to seeing our cars on the road almost daily. I figure they were made to be driven, not just a static display. Most cars can be seen on my website at dancaswellcollectibles.com if you care to take a look.

By Stewart Howden, President, Classic Auto Mall, Inc., stewarth@classicautomall.com

The cards come in packs of 12 and include envelopes. Each pack is only $12 (plus shipping). An order form was included with your most recent issue of Antique Automobile magazine. You can also purchase them in the AACA store on our website or call AACA Headquarters to place your order (717-534-1910).