1923 Hupmobile Series R-11. Photos courtesy The Finest Automobile Auctions.
With a name like The Finest Automobile Auctions, one would assume that the upstart company’s debut live sale, tied to The Elegance at Hershey Concours d’Elegance, would be priced beyond the means of the casual collector. While nine lots did break the six-figure barrier, there were a considerable number of interesting automobiles that sold for more attainable prices, proving once again that bargains can be found for those willing to keep an open mind.
One lot in particular that caught our eye was a 1923 Hupmobile Series R-11, offered at no reserve with proceeds going to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, one of three charities supported by auction’s host event. Donated by the Bosack family, the Hupmobile has been in their care for nearly four decades, kept in dry storage on the family’s tree farm. Though not road registered since 1981, the well-preserved classic received annual maintenance and was reportedly restored before being taken off the road.
Prior to its donation, the Series R model received a fuel system flush and a new battery, enough to coax the classic back to life. Described as running well, the Hupmobile’s next owner will still need to go through the car mechanically, but overall the car presents in better-than-driver-quality condition, making the $11,000 selling price seem like that much more of a bargain.
1973 Land Rover Series III.
Fans of more contemporary vehicles could have purchased a 1973 Land Rover Series III, offered at no reserve in unrestored (but clean) condition, for just $9,900. Assuming the lot looked as good below as it did above, the next owner will need to do little more than regular maintenance, while enjoying a vehicle with truly legendary off-road capability.
1972 Honda N600.
Other affordable lots of interest included a now-collectible 1968 Subaru 360 microcar, which sold for $13,750; a 1972 Honda N600, which sold for $12,650; an unrestored 1959 Mercedes-Benz 220S, which sold for $11,000; a 1956 Volkswagen Beetle, restored in 2010, which sold for $9,900; and a 1967 Kaiser M725 ambulance, which sold for $5,500.
1968 Lamborghini 400GT 2+2.
On the other side of the coin, lots in the top-10 included a 1968 Lamborghini 400GT 2+2, which sold for $577,500; a 1927 Bugatti Type 38A Grand Sport, which sold for $440,000; a 1929 Bugatti Type 40A roadster, which sold for $375,000; a 1952 Siata 300BC Sports Spider, which sold for $330,000; a 1950 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet, which sold for $308,000; a 2003 Ferrari 575 Maranello, which sold for $265,000; a 1932 Lincoln KB Judkins, which sold for $198,000; a 1976 Porsche 930, which sold for $115,500; a 1954 Jaguar XK120M, which sold for $110,000; and a 1962 Citroen 2CV Sahara 4×4, which sold for $85,800.
For complete results from the company’s inaugural Hershey auction, visit TheFinest.com/Results.
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