Blenheim Ontario, Canada (April 2007) – RM Auctions will offer an amazing assortment of autos from the esteemed collection of noted collector and restorer John McMullen in a single-day auction, June 9, 2007. More than 80 standout vehicles, many one-off and award-winning examples, will be sold without reserve at the McMullen Estate in Lapeer Michigan.
The product of two decades of selective collecting, The McMullen Collection contains a wide variety of exquisite, show-quality, fully restored autos that represent an array of types, eras and makes. After years of taking top honors at some of the world’s most prestigious concours events, McMullen’s stable has earned the reputation of being among “the best of the best.”
“After 20 years of collecting, restoring and competing, I’ve decided to slow down my pace a little,” says McMullen. “That’s why I’m paring down the size of my collection to make it more manageable.”
McMullen’s private collection features several vehicles that have competed and won at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, including a 1932 Packard 905 Dual-Cowl Phaeton that captured the Most Elegant Car award.
An impressive convertible trio in the collection consists of a 1953 Cadillac Eldorado, a 1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta and a 1953 Buick Skylark. These three cars were General Motors’ new “halo” vehicles, representing the ultimate in early ‘50s luxury, class and styling. Each was hand-assembled at GM and few were produced. Today, the vehicle trio, affectionately known as the 1953 Grand Slam, is considered to be legendary designer Harley Earl’s magnum opus.
Another standout vehicle is the 1930 Cadillac V16 All-Weather Phaeton – the only Murphy-bodied Cadillac V16 still in existence. This magnificent example won a “Best in Class” at Pebble Beach and captured the “Most Significant General Motors Car” award in 2004 at the Meadow Brook Concours.
One vehicle with celebrity provenance is a charming 1941 Cadillac Derham Towncar, which was purchased new by Hollywood superstar Bette Davis. Now fully restored and in impeccable condition, this Cadillac is ready to show.
A 1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourer with coachwork by Derham is another of the collection’s shining stars. Originally owned by actor/comedian Joe E. Brown, the car was eventually acquired by Howard Hughes and later restored by noted collector Otis Chandler. One of only seven such examples produced, this car has been exhibited at the Meadow Brook Concours and Eyes on Design.
“Few personal collections measure up in their entirety to the quality and importance of the cars John McMullen has assembled,” says RM Auctions founder Rob Myers. “Each is an investment-quality showpiece that can continue winning awards for new owners on a regular basis.”
RM Auctions’ John McMullen Collection sale will be held at the McMullen Estate in Lapeer, Michigan. Activities begin Friday, June 8th with pre-auction viewing from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The single-day auction begins Saturday, June 9th at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 5:00 p.m.
Admission to the John McMullen Collection sale is by catalog only, which admits both the catalog holder and a guest. An auction catalog is available for $80, including shipping and handling within North America, by calling 800-211-4371. Additional information on specific vehicles, advance bidder registration, absentee, telephone and Internet bids and auction terms and conditions are available at www.rmauctions.com.
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