Worldwide Auctioneers' Pacific Grove Auction with Remarkable Line-up of Sports Cars, Exotics and Classics


 

Auburn, Indiana. August 3, 2018. The catalogue for Worldwide Auctioneers’ annual The Pacific Grove Auction is now available, showcasing a remarkable line-up of rarely available sports cars, pre-war automobiles, exotics and American and European classics, many of which have benefited from single or very limited owner rosters. Among them is a highly original 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Ellena, documented as the last of just 50 250 GT Ellena coupes produced, a numbers-matching example with history compiled by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini. With only two owners from 1976 to 2018, 0887 GT was largely unknown to Ferrari collectors and for many of those years it resided quietly hidden from sight in a horse stable. Only a fraction of the 50 Ellenas produced survive intact today with their original bodies and engines, making this 1958 Ferrari 250 GT an exceptionally exciting discovery. Enjoyed by a single custodian since 1976 is an impeccably restored 1962 Shelby Cobra, extremely rare as one of only 75 first-generation 260 Cobras, with the original engine, transmission and body panels augmenting its exceptional authenticity. Movie buffs will get a chance to bid on Shirley Temple’s very own 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300TE Station Wagon, owned by Ms. Temple-Black from new until her passing in 2014, titled in her name and employed as her official state vehicle as US Ambassador. The Pacific Grove Auction is scheduled for Thursday, August 23rd at 5pm, oceanside at the Pacific Grove Golf Links, the first of the catalogue auctions out on the Monterey Peninsula.

“It’s remarkable to offer so many cars in one sale that have been blessed with such long-term custodianship” said Rod Egan, Principal & Auctioneer. “Apart from their significance as exceptional and often very rare motorcars, many come documented with fascinating individual histories as a result of years of personal care. Our mission is not to seek simply to sell the most valuable cars in the world, but to ensure that every car that we do offer is the very best of its type. To say we are excited about this year’s lineup would certainly be an understatement.”

As one of only 247 produced according to marque experts, with wonderful provenance including 48 years of single-family ownership, an exceptionally original 1967 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 is another outstanding consignment slated for the sale, marking an exciting find at auction as a California “Black Plate” car. Regarded as the world’s finest example, a multiple-award winning 1968 Jaguar XK E-Type Roadster will also go under the hammer in Pacific Grove, astonishingly with just one owner from new and all original paperwork, the reigning JCNA champion, judged perfect over 36 times. Again, with impeccable provenance, beautifully restored and offered by the Estes family is the first Championship car campaigned at Indianapolis by Bob Estes, the 1948 Bob Estes Special Indianapolis Racing Car, a wonderful piece of Indianapolis 500 and California racing history that launched the Indy careers of A.J. Watson and Jud Phillips, photographed in 1950 with Hollywood icon Clark Gable at the wheel.

The Pacific Grove Auction will also showcase no less than three outstanding Duesenbergs, including the exceedingly pure 1931 Duesenberg Model J SWB Sport Convertible Sedan featured on the catalogue cover, offered from 45 years of single ownership, one of today’s finest surviving Model Js. It will be presented for sale alongside another example very rarely offered on the open market, a fabulously restored 1922 Duesenberg Model A Sport Phaeton, an ACD Club Level One certified motorcar exhibited at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Also slated for the sale is a 1936 Duesenberg Model JN LWB Tourster, one of just 10 of the sought-after JN models built and the last Duesenberg JN sold to the public.

The Pacific Grove Auction will again be presented at Pacific Grove Golf Links, adjacent to the famous 17 Mile Drive and perfectly positioned at the tip of the Peninsula for both Monterey and Pebble Beach.

  • Auction: 5pm on Thursday, August 23rd
  • Preview: Tuesday and Wednesday, August 21st and 22nd, from 9am to 6pm and Thursday, August 23rd, 9am to 4pm.

Along with The Pacific Grove Auction, Worldwide’s annual schedule includes The Scottsdale Auction in Arizona in January, The Texas Classic Auction in Arlington in April and The Auburn Auction, to be presented this year on September 1st during Labor Day Weekend in Indiana, as well as stand-alone auctions of significant private collections.