1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 Cabriolet D. Est. $275,000 - $375,000. Photo: Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sothebys.

BLENHEIM, ON.- RM Sotheby’s, the official auction house of the Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s, returns to Michigan, July 25, for its annual Motor City sale. A longstanding summer tradition for collectors, the well-established Michigan auction has carved a reputation over the past two decades as one of the leading events honoring the American automobile. 

This year’s event – a featured attraction of the Concours d’Elegance of America weekend - is set to continue the tradition, while at the same time broadening the event’s scope to cater to client demand. In addition to the customary offering of American classics, sports and muscle cars, collectors will be treated to a superb assortment of European sports cars and late model collectibles. In total, 80 blue-chip automobiles are expected to cross the podium, a roster carefully curated by RM specialists to not only provide a great snapshot of U.S. motoring history, but to celebrate the area’s influence on global automotive design and engineering. 

“Motor City is a staple of our annual calendar and has proven a terrific venue over the years to celebrate America’s rich automotive heritage,” says Gord Duff, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s. “As the event enters a new decade – we celebrated 20 years of thrilling auctions in the Detroit area in 2014 – we are excited to further grow the sale and showcase a wider range of marques and models from across the decades. Attendees can expect a more eclectic offering than they have enjoyed in the past - think mighty American classics juxtaposed against sleek European sports cars. There will truly be something for everyone.” 

In keeping with tradition, early entries for the sale shine a spotlight on great pre-war American design and engineering. Highlighting this group is a trio of Packards, led by a 1930 Packard Deluxe Eight Dual-Cowl Sport Phaeton, chassis no. 185699, one of the finest of its kind. A genuine example of an iconic design, this Sport Phaeton is well-known in Canadian collector car circles, having been previously in the care of both Jim Miller and Ontario’s famous Craven Collection (Est. $300,000 - $350,000).

1930 Packard Deluxe Eight Dual-Cowl Sport Phaeton. Est. $300,000 - $350,000. Photo: Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sothebys.

The July 25 sale will also feature a striking 1933 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Sport Phaeton in the style of LeBaron, chassis no. 901471, a magnificent example of one of the most beautiful Packard designs of the Classic Era (Est. $400,000 - $450,000), and a multi-award-winning 1938 Packard Super Eight Sedanca deVille, chassis no. A500689. No stranger to the concours field, this handsome example with one-off coachwork by Barker was judged Best in Class at Pebble Beach in 1989 and 1999, and placed Second in Class in 2009 (Est. $250,000 - $300,000). 

Other early American Classic entries include a 1933 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster, chassis no. 1935E, (Est. $375,000 - $450,000) and a 1934 Pierce-Arrow Twelve Convertible Coupe Roadster, chassis no. 3110110, formerly of Harrah’s Automobile Collection (Est. $200,000 - $275,000). 

1934 Pierce-Arrow Twelve Convertible Coupe Roadster. Est. $200,000 - $275,000. Photo: Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sothebys.

Reflecting the diversity of this year’s offering, additional highlights for RM Motor City include: 

· a pair of Shelby GT500 Convertibles, including an authentic, exquisitely restored 1968 Shelby GT500KR, resplendent in Acapulco Blue (Est. $190,000 - $240,000) and a modern 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, finished in Maroon and showing just 75 original miles (Est. $50,000 - $70,000); 

1968 Shelby GT500KR Convertible. Est. $190,000 - $240,000. Photo: Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sothebys.

2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible. Est. $50,000 - $70,000. Photo: Darin Schnabel ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sothebys

· a luxuriously appointed 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 Cabriolet D, one of the best restored examples in existence, cherished by its original owner up until his passing in 1999 (Est. $275,000 - $375,000); 

· a 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe, offered from nearly 20 years of single-family ownership (Est. $100,000 - $125,000); and, 

· a 1988 Lamborghini LM002, a desirable carbureted version finished in its original color combination of white over a black interior (Est. $140,000 - $180,000).