PLYMOUTH, MICH.- A majestic 1930 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Victoria, J272, formerly owned by noted band leader Paul Whiteman of “Rhapsody in Blue” fame, garnered top dollar at RM’s Michigan sale yesterday, selling for a strong $957,000 before a packed house.

One of just 16 examples bodied with convertible Victoria coachwork by Rollston, the stunning Duesenberg led a magnificent group of top-selling American classics at the single-day sale, held in conjunction with the famed Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s. In total, the three-and-a-half hour auction lifted the gavel on a total of 74 automobiles, generating more than $6.8 million in sales* with a solid 82 percent of all lots sold.

“RM Auctions is proud of our association with the Concours d’Elegance of America and to be the longest running sponsor of the event. Once again, this weekend’s event provided a wonderful celebration of the America’s rich automotive history and the passion that drives the collector car hobby. We are pleased with the results from our sale and look forward to building on them at our Aalholm and Monterey events in the coming weeks,” said Rob Myers, Chairman & Founder, RM Auctions.

In addition to the Duesenberg, other great American classics achieving strong results were a stunning 1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Coupe, believed to be the last 1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Coupe produced for $385,000, and the famed 1928 Cadillac V-8 “Al Capone” Town Sedan, one of the earliest surviving ‘bulletproof’ vehicles for $341,000.

Building on RM’s reputation as the specialists for private and estate collections, the St. John’s sale also presented a fine selection of 15 automobiles from the distinguished private collection of William Ruger Jr. Headlined by a 1937 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster for $352,000, the collection achieved a total $1.8 million. Other notable sales from the Ruger Collection included a concours-quality 1925 Ahrens-Fox N-S-4 Triple Combination Pumper for $198,000, and a 1911 Stanley Model 63 Toy Tonneau for $165,000.

“We were honored to have been chosen to represent the Ruger Collection at our St. John’s sale and extend our thanks to Mr. Ruger for putting his trust in RM,” adds Mike Fairbairn, Co-Founder, RM Auctions.

The sale also included a fascinating series of early electric cars, including a 1914 Detroit Electric Model 46 Cape Top Roadster which sold for $99,000.

RM at St. John’s Top Five Sales
1. 1930 Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Victoria - $957,000 (pictured top)
2. 1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Coupe - $385,000
3. 1931 Cord L-29 La Grand Boattail Speedster Recreation - $368,500
4. 1937 Packard Twelve Coupe Roadster - $352,000
5. 1928 Cadillac V-8 “Al Capone” Town Sedan - $341,000 (pictured second top)

RM Auctions continues its busy summer events calendar, August 12 in Southern Denmark with the presentation of the Aalholm Automobile Collection, closely followed by the company’s highly anticipated Monterey sale, August 17-18 in Monterey, California. Full event details, including digital catalogues for both events, are available online at www.rmauctions.com.