Academy of Art Collection Results
Broad Arrow Auctions began their year with the Academy of Art University Collection Auction on February 15, held at the University’s Museum facility. The collection was offered entirely without reserve – 105 examples of the best classic cars around were sold for a total of $14.5 million.
Top Five Sales
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is one of the most iconic and influential designs ever penned. We’ve detailed the history of this model many times, both here and on our show, so we aren’t going to rehash the history of this model.
The example offered by Broad Arrow Auctions retains its numbers-matching chassis, engine, and body. It’s finished in an unusual and striking Strawberry Red Metallic with a Natural leather interior. It includes a set of custom luggage and was the featured car in the Academy of Art University Collection for 15 years.
This 300 SL Gullwing Coupe was well-sold at $1,490,000, right at the high-end of the pre-auction estimate.
Sold for $1,490,000
The 1933 Chrysler Custom Imperial was a luxury vehicle that epitomized the peak of Chrysler’s engineering and design capabilities in the early 1930s. As a member of the esteemed Imperial series, this model aimed to rival premium brands such as Cadillac, Packard, and Duesenberg.
Equipped with a 384.8 cubic inch (6.3L) straight-eight engine, the Custom Imperial generated 135 horsepower, making it one of the most robust American cars during its era. It boasted advanced features like floating power engine mounts for enhanced smoothness and an improved chassis for superior handling.
A key highlight of the 1933 Custom Imperial was its design, significantly influenced by the renowned coachbuilder LeBaron. The car showcased graceful lines, a unique V-shaped radiator grille, and opulent interiors crafted by hand. Offered in various body types including sedans, coupes, and town cars, it appealed to affluent customers seeking both performance and elegance.
Despite being produced in limited quantities due to the Great Depression, the 1933 Chrysler Custom Imperial continues to be a highly coveted classic, celebrated for its craftsmanship, engineering prowess, and Art Deco-inspired styling.
The Dual-Windshield Phaeton offered by Broad Arrow Auctions is a stunning example of the excesses of luxury cars in the early 1930s. It was well-sold at $1,039,000, within the pre-auction estimate.
Sold for $1,039,000
The 1937 Squire 1½-Liter Corsica was a unique and meticulously made British sports car, epitomizing the high point of the brief existence of the Squire Car Manufacturing Company. Established by Adrian Squire in 1934, the company’s goal was to create top-tier luxury sports cars that could compete with brands like Bugatti and Alfa Romeo. However, financial challenges meant only seven Squire vehicles were ever completed, making them among the most scarce pre-war sports cars.
Among these, the 1½-Liter Corsica stood out with its supercharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine from Anzani, delivering approximately 110 horsepower—a remarkable achievement for its time. Thanks to its lightweight build and cutting-edge engineering, the Squire boasted impressive handling and speed capabilities, reaching up to 100 mph—an uncommon accomplishment during the 1930s.
The Corsica’s bodywork was crafted by Corsica Coachworks, a distinguished coachbuilder based in London known for elegant and custom designs. The vehicle’s style was both sleek and refined, capturing the essence of pre-war British sports cars.
Despite its technical prowess, Squire’s enterprise faced financial hurdles, leading to the cessation of production in the mid-1930s.
The example offered by Broad Arrow Auctions was one of the final three cars completed by the company. It’s been displayed at The Quail and at Pebble Beach and took home an award at Amelia Island. It was very well-sold at $643,000, well above the pre-auction estimate.
Sold for $643,000
The 1931 Invicta S-Type 4½-Litre was a notable British high-performance sports car, celebrated for its combination of luxury, strength, and speed. Manufactured by Invicta Cars, this model debuted in 1930 and swiftly earned recognition as one of the era’s most capable and expertly crafted automobiles. It aimed to rival esteemed brands like Bentley and Alvis, delivering both luxurious grand touring features and competitive racing prowess.
Central to the S-Type was a 4½-litre Meadows straight-six engine, generating approximately 120 horsepower. This robust engine, paired with a low-slung chassis, provided exceptional handling and enabled speeds exceeding 95 mph—an impressive feat for that period. The underslung chassis design, featuring a frame positioned below the axles, contributed to a lower center of gravity, thereby enhancing stability and road grip.
The Invicta S-Type gained acclaim for its toughness and triumphs in endurance races. Its fame grew when Violet Cordery completed a global journey driving an S-Type and when Donald Healey clinched victory at the 1931 Monte Carlo Rally in one. Success in demanding long-distance competitions solidified its standing as a durable and reliable sports car.
The S-Type offered by Broad Arrow Auctions is the only surviving Fixed Head Coupe out of the two that were built. It received the Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and benefits from a restoration that cost nearly $1,000,000. Since the restoration was completed it’s covered just 51 miles and stands ready to be entered in the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the featured Invicta class.
This was well-bought at $445,000.
Sold for $445,000
The 1932 Marmon Sixteen LeBaron Convertible Sedan stood out as a distinguished American luxury vehicle during its time, exemplifying Marmon’s cutting-edge engineering and refined aesthetics. Launched in 1931, the Marmon Sixteen was crafted to compete in the luxury performance segment, which was primarily led by Cadillac, Duesenberg, and Packard. Under Howard Marmon’s guidance, it boasted an advanced V16 engine.
This 8.0L – 491 cubic inch – aluminum-powered V16 engine delivered 200 horsepower, positioning the Sixteen among the most robust and technologically forward vehicles of the early 1930s. By utilizing aluminum for both the engine and chassis, the car achieved reduced weight, enhancing its performance and handling capabilities. Despite its grandeur and opulence, the vehicle offered impressive speed and smoothness, delivering a driving experience unmatched at that time.
The LeBaron Convertible Sedan body style represented one of the most graceful options available for the Marmon Sixteen. Crafted by LeBaron Coachworks, it included flowing fenders, a lengthy hood, and a sophisticated open-top design, epitomizing the zenith of 1930s automotive elegance. Through precise craftsmanship and premium materials, this vehicle catered to affluent clients desiring both power and refinement.
However, despite its brilliance, the economic downturn caused by the Great Depression drastically affected luxury automobile sales, leading Marmon to halt production in 1933.
The example offered by Broad Arrow Auctions was originally owned by J. Paul Getty. It features an award-winning restoration completed in the 1990s and one of just 11 Convertible Sedans that survive to this day. It was well-sold at $423,000, above the pre-auction estimate.
Sold for $423,000
Next Up for Broad Arrow Auctions
Broad Arrow’s next sale will be their third Amelia Auction, scheduled for March 7-8 at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. The sale will be highlighted by the 1954 Jaguar D-Type Works Competition car known as OKV 2. The digital catalog for both days of the Amelia Auction can be found here.