RM Sotheby’s Offering of The Guyton Collection Exceeds Expectations at $11.7 Million


Lot 365 - 1927 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport s_n 40661 Est. $200,000 - $300,000 - Sold $362,500

Lot 365 - 1927 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport s_n 40661 Est. $200,000 - $300,000 - Sold $362,500

 

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, 6 May 2019

This past weekend in St. Louis, Missouri, RM Sotheby’s presented the company’s 34th private collection at auction—the esteemed Guyton Collection, entirely without reserve, achieving $11,680,537 in total sales. Comprising the remarkable automobiles and collectibles of the late Mr. Fred Guyton, the two-day sale was held at the collection site, drawing strong bidding activity from more than 27 countries around the world, with more than 40 percent of bidders representing first-time RM Sotheby’s clientele.


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A renowned architect and active member of the St. Louis community, Mr. Guyton was also a treasured and respected figure within collecting and car club circles, having amassed his collection over more than four decades. The Saturday sale included 73 automobiles, featuring historic American and European motor cars from the Veteran, Brass and Classic Eras – many of which had been in the collection for decades.

The car offering ignited spirited bidding and achieved strong prices across the board, led by a fascinating, award-winning 1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Roi des Belges in the style of Barker, which saw an extended bidding contest, eventually bringing a final $1,325,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $800,000 - $1,000,000. Special Rolls-Royce models stole the show on Saturday, with a one-of-two 1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III 'Parallel Door' Saloon Coupe drawing eyes and bids to a final $423,000 (est. $150/250k), and a highly desirable, largely original 1925 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster selling for a final $280,000 (est. $175/225k). Other European highlights include a 1927 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport, one of Mr. and Mrs. Guyton’s favorite cars, which sold for a final $362,500 (est. $200/300k).

The Guyton Collection also featured several great American Classics, led by a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan, engine no. J-329, presented in beautifully restored condition, which reached a final $1,105,000 (est. $900k/$1.1m). One of four surviving examples of which none have traded hands since 1996, a 1927 Duesenberg Model X Dual-Cowl Phaeton also surpassed estimate, selling for a final $527,500 (est. $300/400k). Americana was in high demand at the sale, with new auction records set for a rare 1930 Ruxton Model C Roadster with known history from new, nearly doubling high estimate at $747,500 (est. $350/450k), an ultra-rare 1932 Nash Advanced Eight Convertible Sedan wearing an immaculate restoration, sold at $340,500 (est. $125/175k), and a 1903 Cadillac Rear-Entrance Tonneau, one of the finest early examples of the marque, reaching $190,400 to become the most valuable Brass Era Cadillac sold at auction (est. $100/125k).

Beyond the cars, the Guyton Collection included well over 500 pieces of automobilia, collectibles, petroliana, sports memorabilia, original artwork, furniture, and model and toy cars. Among a host of fascinating pieces was the Titanic Pub, which doubled as the bar during the sale, and soared past its estimate to a final price of $84,000 (est. $15/20k). Night Rider by Peter Helck, one of the most famous paintings by the automotive artist, also exceeded pre-sale expectations, bringing a final $48,000 (est. $20/25k). Additional collectible highlights include a Rolls Royce V-12 Merlin Display Engine and Service Tool Kit, which drew considerable pre-sale interest, selling for a final $57,000 (est. $30/40k).

“We are thrilled with the results for the Guyton Collection, which truly exceeded our expectations in every way,” said Donnie Gould, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s, following the sale. “The entire team was honored to present such an exceptional collection and the prices achieved go to show just how well-respected Fred’s name and eye for quality were within the hobby. Our thanks go out to Mrs. Beverly Guyton and the entire Guyton family and collection team, as we couldn’t have put together such a fantastic event without their help. It was a great weekend in St. Louis we won’t soon forget, surrounded by our friends in the collector car community, and wonderful to witness just how beloved a fixture in the hobby Fred was.”

Following the auction, Mrs. Beverly Guyton, wife of the late Mr. Fred Guyton, commented: 

“We’re absolutely thrilled with the results of the auction! From start to finish, the entire RM organization has done an outstanding job and the exceptional results are truly a result of their hands-on approach and teamwork. They handled every element, from cataloguing and marketing, to administration and logistics with tremendous professionalism. Most importantly, they approached every step of the process with a proper understanding of Fred’s vision and passion for his collection and we’re delighted that the collector car community now shares in the legacy of his beloved automobiles and prized collectibles.”


RM Sotheby’s continues its auction calendar with the company’s biennial Villa Erba sale on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, the official auction of the revered Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The exclusive auction will lift the gavel on more than 50 of the world’s most sought after pre-war, sports, and racing greats. Closely following the Villa Erba sale, the RM Sotheby’s Group returns to the historic Auburn Auction Park for its annual Auburn Spring weekend, 29 May – 1 June, this year featuring two full days of memorabilia.

Related Material

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Lot List

 

Lot

Description

S/N

Estimates ($)

Price incl. Buyer’s Premium

342

1950 Budweiser Beer Wagon

20,000 - 40,000

$24,640

343

1903 Cadillac Rear-Entrance Tonneau

1070

100,000 - 125,000

$190,400

344

1912 Cadillac Model B

37206

50,000 - 75,000

$61,600

345

1919 Ford Model T

SOS64639

10,000 - 15,000

$6,720

346

1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen Replica

35

40,000 - 50,000

$39,200

347

1970 Maserati Mexico 4.7 Coupe

AM112/1 872

60,000 - 90,000

$60,480

348

1931 Chevrolet Series LT 1½-Ton Triple-Combination Fire Pumper

T2140289

15,000 - 25,000

$22,400

349

1912 Hudson Model 33 Doctor's Coupe

KK 15554

40,000 - 60,000

$53,200

350

1908 Buick Model C

928

35,000 - 50,000

$52,640

351

1931 LaSalle V-8 Roadster

903324

80,000 - 120,000

$61,600

352

1930 Ford Model A

20,000 - 30,000

$23,520

353

1941 Cadillac Series 62

8359499

70,000 - 90,000

$50,400

354

1922 Wills Sainte Claire A-68 Roadster

1867

60,000 - 80,000

$71,680

355

1937 Pierce-Arrow Eight Coupe

2225007

60,000 - 80,000

$78,400

356

1937 Pierce-Arrow Model C Travelodge

20020

40,000 - 60,000

$44,800

357

1932 Packard Eight Coupe Roadster

509-225

90,000 - 120,000

$70,000

358

1923 Hotchkiss Series IV Touring

3130

50,000 - 75,000

$49,840

359

1906 Mason Touring

77

150,000 - 200,000

$112,000

360

1939 Rolls-Royce Wraith

WHC47

100,000 - 150,000

$145,600

361

1922 Stutz Series KDH Bearcat

12974

120,000 - 160,000

$173,600

362

1927 Duesenberg Model A

D95D

300,000 - 400,000

$527,500

363

1916 Packard Twin Six V12

87352

150,000 - 200,000

$106,400

364

1937 Cord 812 Phaeton

812 1633 H

150,000 - 200,000

$134,400

365

1927 Bugatti Type 40 Grand Sport

40661

200,000 - 300,000

$362,500

366

1931 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Sedan

16 149 554

250,000 - 300,000

$170,800

367

1926 Duesenberg Model A

D61H

175,000 - 225,000

$112,000

368

1925 Stutz Series 695 Sportster

14370

120,000 - 160,000

$72,800

369

1928 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet de Ville

11707

250,000 - 300,000

$335,000

370

1932 Nash Advanced Eight Convertible Sedan

520625

125,000 - 175,000

$340,500

371

1932 Auburn Eight Custom Cabriolet

9443

90,000 - 120,000

$86,800

372

1939 Jensen 4½-Litre H-Type Sports Tourer

H7 9447

175,000 - 225,000

$187,600

373

1909 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost

1203

800,000 - 1,000,000

$1,325,000

374

1915 Oakland Model 37 Speedster

372702

50,000 - 70,000

$72,800

375

1930 Du Pont Model G Convertible Victoria

G-985

400,000 - 600,000

$368,000

376

1925 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost

S369RK

175,000 - 225,000

$280,000

377

1930 Packard 734 Speedster Eight Phaeton

184100

800,000 - 1,100,000

$665,000

378

1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom III

4JS

150,000 - 200,000

$168,000

379

1930 Duesenberg Model A

2345

900,000 - 1,100,000

$1,105,000

380

1930 Stutz Model M Two-Passenger Speedster

M8-24-SD220

150,000 - 200,000

$145,600

381

1935 Auburn Eight Custom Cabriolet

2311

90,000 - 120,000

$84,000

382

1930 Ruxton Model C

11005

350,000 - 450,000

$747,500

383

1929 Cadillac V-8 Sport Phaeton

325545

140,000 - 180,000

$123,200

384

1926 Lincoln Model L 'Gothic Phaeton

40539

100,000 - 150,000

$112,000

385

1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III

3DL86

150,000 - 250,000

$423,000

386

1951 Mercury Convertible Coupe

51ME31659M

80,000 - 100,000

$56,000

387

1941 Lincoln Continental

H119672

30,000 - 40,000

$30,240

388

1928 Ford Model A

A126026

20,000 - 30,000

$20,160

389

1951 Mercury Club Coupe

51SL29344M

50,000 - 60,000

$50,400

390

1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III

3CM67

100,000 - 150,000

$145,600

391

1936 Cord 810 'Armchair' Beverly

810 1248 S

45,000 - 60,000

$56,000

392

1937 Packard Twelve

1034-239

40,000 - 60,000

$43,680

393

1953 Packard Caribbean

2678-2583

50,000 - 75,000

$52,640

394

1939 Rolls-Royce Phantom III

3DL180

125,000 - 175,000

$123,200

395

1935 Packard Eight Seven-Passenger Business Sedan

814-428

40,000 - 50,000

$39,200

396

1942 Lincoln Continental

H133541

20,000 - 30,000

$47,040

397

1966 Chevrolet Corvair

107676W129201

8,000 -
12,000

$17,920

398

1962 Volkswagen Beetle

4270114

5,000 -
10,000

$10,080

399

1966 Chevrolet El Camino

136806B115488

20,000 - 30,000

$22,400

400

2005 Chevrolet SSR

1GCES14H45B116464

25,000 - 30,000

$29,120

401

1999 GMC Sierra 3500 SLT Crew Cab Pickup with Triple B Custom Enclosed Trailer

1GTHC33JXXF030484

10,000 - 15,000

$20,160

402

1926 Stutz Model AA Vertical Eight Brougham

AA-6-82074

25,000 - 35,000

$22,400

403

2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet

WP0CA299X4S652321

40,000 - 45,000

$49,280