Rare car auction

From Yenra

On August 16, 2008, seventy-four of the world's rarest automobiles crossed the auction block in at Pebble Beach, Monterey, California. Charlie Ross and David Gooding displayed top private collections and individual legendary automotive objets d'art including the Williamson Bugatti Collection, the Carl J. Schmitt Collection, and the Oprah Winfrey Charity Car Collection. Total sales for the evening exceeded $31.5 million.

The centerpiece of the Williamson Bugatti Collection set an all-time Pebble Beach auction record with a $7.92 million sale of the stunning 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante Coupe. In addition, a 1901 Packard Model C Dos-a-Dos Runabout also achieved record-setting levels at $214,500 along with the 1914 Stutz Series E Bearcat, which crossed the million-dollar mark at $1.375 million. A total of eight cars sold for more than $1 million each.

Bidders had an unparalleled opportunity to invest in the world's finest collection of Bugattis ever to come to auction. The Dr. Peter and Susan Williamson Collection, comprised of twelve significant collectables, sold for more than an astounding $15.5 million. A portion of the proceeds will be donated on behalf of the late Dr. Peter Williamson to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and the Dartmouth Medical School.

The remarkable Carl J. Schmitt Collection of early automobiles was also auctioned off at Saturday's auction. Schmitt assembled an impressive collection of eleven cars from the dawn of American motoring and was fascinated by early car companies' technical innovation and use of alternative fuels. Some of the more significant Schmitt cars besides the 1901 Packard Model C Dos-a-Dos Runabout, included the 1908 White Model L Touring car and the 1910 Baker Model V Electric Victoria. Gasoline, steam and electric cars from the turn of the century are all represented within this stellar collection, making it one of the most significant Brass Era collections. The entire collection sold for nearly $2.2 million.

The legendary 1914 Stutz Series E Bearcat was sold for a $1.375 million. In the pantheon of American cars, the Stutz Bearcat is revered and significant, and is arguably the first true American sports car. Less than six original Bearcats are known to still exist, and this particular automobile is regarded to be the best preserved of the six.

Another highlight of the evening was the sale of Oprah Winfrey's Charity Car Collection, which sold for $716,000. Three vehicles from Ms. Winfrey's private collection were up for auction, including her 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing. The car is famous for its upward opening doors and is one of the most revered automobiles of all time. A 1988 Rolls-Royce Corniche II Convertible that was a gift from long-time friend and actor, John Travolta, and a 1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante were also sold. Proceeds will benefit the annual Arts and Culture Workshop at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.