BLENHEIM, ON.- RM Auctions continued its strong track record for hosting successful single-vendor sales in Texas on the weekend (October 20), generating more than $7.4 million in sales, with 100 percent of lots sold at the Charlie Thomas Collection sale near Dallas, Texas.
The result of more than two decades of dedicated acquisition by prominent Texas businessman and former owner of the Houston Rockets, Charlie Thomas, the single-day sale presented a total of 175 quality American collector cars without reserve to a global audience. Illustrating RM’s expertise in the cataloguing and marketing of private collections, the sale attracted bidders from eight countries around the world and 31 states across the United States, with 43 percent of bidders representing first-time clientele.
“The Charlie Thomas Collection featured a wide array of pre- and post-war American convertibles” says Alain Squindo, Director of Private Collections at RM Auctions. “There was quite literally something for everyone. From flathead Fords to ’50s convertibles and muscle cars, the selection of cars available to our clients was wide and varied,” Squindo adds.
Top sales honors went to a one-off 1946 Chrysler Town & Country Roadster that was created from period designs of a planned car. The Town & Country attracted lively bidding, ultimately realizing an impressive $143,000. Other notable sales included a superb 1954 Packard Caribbean Convertible for $132,000 and an exquisitely restored 1957 Chevrolet Corvette ‘Fuel-Injected’ Convertible for $126,500. In addition, a superbly restored 1952 Willy’s Military Jeep, presented in proper Army Olive Drab Green, achieved $22,000, with 100 percent of proceeds, including auction commissions, benefiting the Brookwood Community, a non-profit residential facility and vocational program in Brookshire, Texas supporting adults with disabilities (brookwoodcommunity.org).
RM’s Charlie Thomas Collection Top Six Sales:
1. 1946 Chrysler Town & Country Roadster - $143,000
2. 1954 Packard Caribbean Convertible - $132,000
3. 1957 Chevrolet Corvette ‘Fuel-Injected’ Convertible - $126,500
4. 1947 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible - $121,000
5. 1956 DeSoto Fireflite Indy Pacesetter Convertible - $115,500
6. 1968 Shelby GT500 Convertible - $115,500
The Charlie Thomas Collection sale is the latest in a string of successful single-vendor auctions presented by RM Auctions this year, reaffirming the company’s reputation as the specialist for private and estate collection sales. The company will round out its 2012 calendar with one additional private collection sale—the John Staluppi Cars of Dreams Collection, to be held December 1 in North Palm Beach, Florida.
In the immediate future, RM returns to London, England, October 31 for its highly anticipated central London sale featuring a spectacular roster of 90 automobiles and two motorcycles. In addition to a host of magnificent private consignments, the London sale will feature some 22 automobiles from the Netherland’s respected Zegwaard Collection.
