RM Sotheby's Hershey Car Auction 2024
RM Sotheby’s will hold their Hershey Auction for the 18th year this month. The sale will take place at The Hershey Lodge and run from October 9-10, with a preview available on October 8.
As is to be expected at an auction held during the Eastern Division AACA National Fall Meet, there will be plenty of classic American cars on offer, along with a decent showing of European sports cars. But let’s focus on the American-built classic cars that will be available at RM Sotheby’s 2024 Hershey Auction.
This Kaiser-Darrin Roadster, number 181 of the 435 built, is an excellent example of the first fiberglass-bodied American sports car. These are impossible to miss with their trademark sliding doors – a feature that designer Howard “Dutch” Darrin would promote for many years as a safer alternative to doors that opened into traffic.
The car is finished in Yellow Satin and benefits from a thorough restoration completed by two very passionate Kaiser-Darrin enthusiasts, Stan and Andy Schaefer who compiled one of the best histories of any example of this single-year model. The interior was refreshed in 2014 with Edelman leather, but the major of the original restoration is still in place.
This is being offered with no reserve from the Terence E. Adderley Collection.
Estimate: $100,000 – $150,000
The Cord 810 was one of the most technologically advanced cars of its time with an electronically-shifted four-speed transmission that paired with a Lycoming V8 engine to deliver power to the front wheels. It looked as advanced as it was with a sleek, aerodynamic design and the complete lack of running boards.
The 1936 Cord 810 Phaeton that will be offered by RM Sotheby’s in Hershey comes from the Charles J. Noto Collection is set to cross the block without reserve. It’s remarkably well-documented with its ownership traced as far back as the 1940s. It was restored in the 1990s and still retains its matching-numbers engine.
The 810 Phaeton was certified by the ACD Club as a Category 1 Original Car. After Charles J. Noto acquired it he completed a further restoration, finishing it in the Palm Beach Tan paint it currently wears with a dark red interior.
Estimate: $150,000 – $200,000
The 1959 Chrysler 300E was the pinnacle of the 50s-era “letter cars” and the convertibles were built in extremely limited numbers. Although 140 were produced, it’s estimated that just 27 remain today.
This 300E is powered by a 413 cubic inch Golden Lion V8 that produces 380 horsepower and is paired with a three-speed TorqueFlite push-button automatic transmission. It presents well in the factory-correct Ivory White with beige leather on the interior.
It’s equipped with a multitude of factory options including power windows, pushbutton radio, power antenna, a white convertible top, day/night adjustable rearview mirror, and Solex glass.
This represents an opportunity to own a very rare example of the Chrysler “letter cars” that would be unlikely to see its twin at the local cruise night or car show.
Estimate: $90,000 – $110,000
This 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird will be offered with no reserve when it crosses the auction block in Hershey this month. It’s a matching-numbers example, still equipped with the 440 cubic inch “Six-Pack” V8 that left the factory with it and is paired with a four-speed manual transmission equipped with a “pistol grip” shifter.
It presents nicely in its factory-correct Tor Red paint with a white bucket-seat interior and is equipped with the “Tic-Toc-Tach” as well as the iconic Road Runner horn.
Although not as valuable as the Hemi-powered Superbird, the ones equipped with the 440 “Six-Pack” V8 present a more relaxed and more drivable experience.
Estimate: $125,000 – $175,000
The Dodge Challenger was hard to miss when it hit the muscle car market. It was available with the most powerful engines offered by Dodge and was often finished in one of the “High Impact” colors that really helped it stand out.
This 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible is one of around 163 U-Code variants produced and is equipped with a period-correct 440 cubic inch Magnum V8 that was rated at 375 horsepower. The R/T option package included heavy-duty front disc brakes, Rallye suspension, and front and rear sway bars.
It offers a remarkable number of factory options – so many that two fender tags were required to list them all. Those options include factory air conditioning, leather bucket seats, Rallye instruments, cruise control, dual exhaust, and the A36 Performance Axle Package. That’s in addition to power brakes, power windows, a power driver’s seat, and power mirror.
Its V8 engine is paired with an automatic transmission that features the “slap stick” shifter that allowed changing gear without lifting off the gas. This will be offered with no reserve by RM Sotheby’s.
Estimate: $100,000 – $125,000