Worldwide Auctioneers returns to its traditional Labor Day weekend sale with 400 cars, half of which are offered at no reserve. Worldwide is billing the event as its largest ever, taking place between Thursday, August 29 and Saturday, August 31, 2024.
Leading the Worldwide Auctioneers sale is an opportunity to buy the only two 1937 Miller-Gulf racing cars in existence (pictured above). The cars are among the last major racing car projects put together by legendary pre-war racing engineer and constructor Harry Miller and Gulf Oil. Chassis Number 1, described as the most original survivor, will be put up for sale alongside Chassis Number 2, the only other race car built and a veteran of The Amelia and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. However, there’s plenty more to savour in varied selection – we’ve picked out our favourites below, but what are you most excited by?
The above 1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2, chassis 12541, was a special-order sunroof model for Bill Harrah‘s Modern Classic Motors dealership. The addition of a sunroof added a near-half-year delay to delivery, finally coming to the US in the summer of 1969. It was originally specified in Fly Yellow over black leather, with optional Borrani wheels.
The car was acquired by its first owner, a Californian, in 1970 – they would keep the car for 35 years, before passing on stewardship to a Bernard B Fahimian of Los Angeles. He refinished the car in the original Fly Yellow, and refreshed the clutch, rear dampers and exhaust. Between 2001 and 2002, Tillack & Co of California performed an extensive restoration, with outside assistance for a cylinder-head overhaul, ignition work and carburettor tuning.
In 2005 the car was acquired by James C Walker of Ann Arbor, Michigan; he overhauled the engine with the assistance of Ferrari specialist Terry Myr of Smith’s Creek, Michigan. The suspension was rebuilt during this time, and Walker would go on to display the 365 GT at various events over the next few years. The current owner acquired the car in 2014.
This 1937 Delage D8-120 Cabriolet, chassis 51624 and body 5254, is believed to have been first delivered to a French actress, before passing to a G Maude of Cheshire, England, after World War Two. Maude advertised the car for sale in 1957, with subsequent British owners including JW Heaney Jr. It later came to the US via Robert Muelke, an industrial designer and promoter of early custom automobiles on the East Coast.
It later joined the Mark Gibbons collection in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before being acquired by the heir to the Louis Vuitton dynasty, Hervé Ogliastro. He returned the car to Europe and had it restored by Carrosserie Lecoq. It was refinished in its current livery, with the wooden frame extensively redone, although the sheet metal is described as being well preserved. Much of the chrome trim was refinished, but the auctioneer observes that original touches remain intact, with ‘Chapron body number 52′ still visible on the underside of one of the windscreen pillar caps. The car comes to auction from a Californian collection, and still has its numbers-matching inline eight-cylinder engine, mated to a four-speed Cotal pre-selector gearbox.
This 1967 Iso Grifo Series I is the 37th of 200 Series I cars produced, and is believed to have been first delivered to Europe. It was originally finished in black, but was painted in Fly Yellow by the consignor some years ago. The engine was rebuilt by Obermeyer’s Automotive in Allenton, Wisconsin, in the late 2000s, and the car received work to the electrical and lighting systems shortly afterwards, too. The Grifo has also had a suspension refresh to original specifications, and it is equipped with its original Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed transmission. A regular sight at several Concours d’Elegance events, it won best unrestored car at the 2015 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Invitational.
This 1932 Auburn 12-160A Boattail Speedster is one of only five certified examples, and retains its original chassis, body, engine, drivetrain, suspension and running gear. Known history begins in the 1960s with collector Jim Pullen of Dallas, Texas. The current owner acquired the Speedster in 2002, and set about a comprehensive restoration that would only be completed in 2023. It made its post-restoration debut at the 18th green at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance that year, before being shown at the annual ACD Club Reunion in Auburn, Indiana, where it captured an ACD Club Senior award. It then won Best in Show at the 2024 Keeneland Concours d’Elegance.
This 1955 Chevrolet Corvette is the eighth V8 Corvette ever produced, and one of only 700 built in 1955. Coming from an extensive Corvette collection, it has been extensively restored and retains its original assembly build card.
This 1927 Renault Type RA Cabriolet is one of just 344 but is believed to be unique – it features one-off coachwork by Million-Guiet. Chassis 287084 was displayed at the 1926 Paris and New York Motor Shows, before finding its first home in Southampton, New York, with a family that would keep it for the next 60 years. In 1989 it joined the collection of a Connecticut collector, who would repair the car and finish it in champagne and brown, before tackling the Great American Race in 1990. It was then put into long-term storage in the Hamptons, until it was re-discovered in 2017. It was recommissioned by Restorations by York in Ridgefield, Connecticut, in 2021, with further work in 2024. It recently won second in class at the 2024 Arizona Concours d’Elegance.
This AMC Matador was already special – it is the earliest-known example, a factory pre-production prototype 1974 Matador X Coupe with serial number 100070. Built as a show car by the Penske team, it made appearances coast to coast at Bobby Allison autograph-signing events, at car shows and at Autoramas in America’s major cities. Run by the Penske team, Matadors were driven by Gary Bettenhausen, Dave Marcis and George Follmer, although more often by Bobby Allison, during the 1974 and 1975 seasons.
When Penske moved to Mercury and Chevrolet in 1976, Allison took over ownership of the Matador team along with Warner Hodgdon, and this publicity car went with the package. After 1978 it was placed into long-term storage in the Allison workshop, still wearing its 1977 livery. The car was gifted to WD Goad, a friend of the Allison family, at Bobby Allison’s 80th birthday party. Goad passed away in 2021, and the car was acquired by Hudson and AMC historians Ed and Hal Souers. A collection of apparel from one of the members of the pit crew is being sold with the car; the whole lot is being offered at no reserve.
This 1969 Nissan Patrol is believed to be one of few KL60 SWB LHD examples in the US, and is said to have received a full body-off-frame restoration. The underbody and floors have been coated with Raptor lining for additional protection and to decrease sound. It’s powered by a naturally aspirated P-series petrol 4.0-litre inline-six engine. It’s offered at no reserve.
This 1954 Chevrolet Corvette ‘Bubble Top’ Roadster is one of 25 believed to have been originally fitted from the factory with the clear bubble top. Constructed with the aid of Model Builders of Chicago, Illinois, the car was used in GM’s promotional materials for the ‘dream car’ division. One of around 300 Corvettes finished in Pennant Blue, it’s being sold from only its second owner, and is described as largely original.
Further details
The auction takes place at Worldwide Auctioneers’ HQ at 5634 Opportunity Boulevard, Auburn, Indiana. Auction previews begin on Wednesday August 28 with a car corral and swap meet, which continues into Thursday August 29, before the auction starts at 11:00am. The auction runs from 11:00am to 8:00pm on Thursday and Friday, and between 11:00am and 9:00pm on its final day, Saturday August 31.
More information can be found here.
