CULVER CITY, CA.- Auctions America announced the return of its annual California sale, July 17 – 18. Moving to an exciting new venue in 2015 – Santa Monica’s historic Barker Hangar – the multi-day auction is set to build on the company’s strong sales run in Southern California. The event is also moving to new dates in 2015 (mid-July), spacing out the busy summer collector car calendar.

Since 2013, Auctions America has enjoyed a successful entrance into the notoriously difficult Southern California collector car auction market, posting record results at each of its events to date. The company’s debut sale in 2013 made waves in the collector car hobby, proving that with the right vehicles and the right team, Southern California can host a lucrative and successful collector car auction. The Auctions America team replicated the success in 2014, generating $17.5 million in sales – a result which bested the company’s 2013 performance in all categories.

The upcoming July 17-18 auction is set to continue the momentum, lifting the gavel on a handpicked collection of 300 quality vehicles. As in past years, the sale promises an eclectic mix of automobiles representative of diverse Southern California tastes: European and American sports cars, prewar classics, hot rods and customs.

“Over the past two years, our California sale has certainly exceeded expectations, setting a new standard for collector car auctions in Southern California. This year’s event is set to build on this solid foundation, offering collectors and enthusiasts a trademark Auctions America experience: quality vehicles, outstanding variety and first-class customer service and presentation,” says Ian Kelleher, Managing Director of Auctions America’s West Coast Division.

Kelleher adds, “We’re excited to be moving to the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, a venue that plays host to some of the most exclusive events in South California. As one of the largest and most versatile event spaces in the Los Angeles-area, it’s almost as if it was purpose-built to host a collector car auction, not to mention its convenient location; it’s ideally situated just a few short miles to the beach, and close to major freeways as well as the Los Angeles International Airport.”

Early highlights for Auctions America’s 2015 California sale are led by six cars from a private San Diego Collection. With an affinity for 1950s and 60s American styling and a meticulous collecting philosophy, the collector has assembled a fantastic group of ‘best of category’ and ‘important year in design’ examples. Each vehicle in the collection boasts features that set it apart from its peers. Star lots include: one of the most highly optioned 1957 Ford Thunderbird ‘F-Code’ Supercharged models, formerly of the Lee Herrington Collection and benefitting from a very correct restoration (Est. $175,000 - $250,000), along with a tastefully restored 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible, a highly desirable premiere-year car (Est. $140,000 - $180,000). Originality also plays a key role in the collection, represented by a very original 1960 Chrysler 300F Convertible, one of just 248 examples built (Est. $100,000 - $150,000), and an original 13,000 mile 1963 Ford Galaxie ‘R-Code’ Sportsroof Hardtop, finished in its mostly original paint and equipped with a 427-cid/435-hp dual-quad carburetor engine (Est. $75,000 - $100,000). Additional vehicles include a single-year production 1955 Studebaker President Speedster, considered a Halo model for the marque (Est. $35,000 - $45,000) and a 1957 Ford Country Squire Station Wagon equipped with a 312-cid V-8, the highest displacement engine offered for that model year (Est. $30,000 - $40,000).

In addition to the San Diego Collection, another notable early highlight for the sale with strong local ties is a fiberglass-bodied 1954 Sorrell-Manning Special Roadster. Designed by Bob Sorrell, one of the most talented automotive designers and builders of the 1950s and 60s, the Sorrell-Manning Special was part of Bob’s personal collection up until his passing, after which it was found in a storage container in Southern California. It has since been the recipient of a professional, frame-off restoration, the quality of which was recognized by First in Class honors at both the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and the Keels and Wheels Concours d’Elegance in 2011. The California sale represents the first time it has been offered at public auction (Est. $175,000 - $225,000).