1937 Delahaye Roadster sets new auction record for Amelia Island

 

Last month's auction at Amelia Island, Florida, certainly turned up its fair share of eye-catching automobiles

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Around a dozen times a year, RM Auctions draws classic car enthusiasts from around the globe to examine, gawk at and bid for rare automotive gems. Last month's auction at Amelia Island, Florida, certainly turned up its fair share of stunning vehicles, with over US$35 million splashed on 91 cars and motorcycles spanning almost a century of production. Join Gizmag as we cast our eye over some of the highlights from the sale.

Notable sales from the March 8 auction included a still running 1901 De Dion-Bouton that fetched $115,500, while a 1986 Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole, one of only 13 carbureted examples imported to the US, went for $319,000. The value of these cars pales in comparison to the $6.6 million paid for a 1937 Delahaye 135 Competition Court Torpedo Roadster – a record price for the Amelia Island weekend.

But the collection wasn't just limited to cars built for the open road. A 1928 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix went for $962,500, while a 1914 Indian Hendee Special, believed to be the first motorcycle equipped with an electric starter, was sold for $126,500.

All of the vehicles embody accomplished craftsmanship, either through recent restorations or engineering that was ahead of its time. But don't take our word for it, click through to the gallery of our picks from the event to see the vehicles for yourself.

Source: RM Auctions

About the Author

Nick was born outside of Melbourne, Australia, with a general curiosity that has drawn him to some distant (and very cold) places. Somewhere between enduring a winter in the Canadian Rockies and trekking through Chilean Patagonia, he graduated from university and pursued a career in journalism. He now writes for Gizmag, excited by tech and all forms of innovation, Melbourne's bizarre weather and curried egg sandwiches.