Gooding & Company to Auction Iconic American Classics from Private Collector at Its Geared Online Sale on May 3-7


1953 Chevrolet Corvette (Estimate_ $200,000 – $250,000, Without Reserve), left and 1961 Chevrolet Corvette 283_230 (Estimate_ $90,000 – $110,000, Without Reserve), right

1953 Chevrolet Corvette (Estimate_ $200,000 – $250,000, Without Reserve), left and 1961 Chevrolet Corvette 283_230 (Estimate_ $90,000 – $110,000, Without Reserve), right

 

Santa Monica, 14th April, 2021

Renowned auction house Gooding & Company, noted for selling the world’s most desirable and prized collector automobiles, announces the Americana Collection, a fantastic array of postwar American classics which capture the spirit of domestic car production in the 1950s and 1960s. The collection will be auctioned at the company’s next installment of its successful online only Geared Online series from Monday, May 3, to Friday, May 7, 2021. 

The seven cars featured in the Americana Collection represent the pinnacle of the American automotive industry in the immediate postwar era. These particular vehicles were carefully curated by an astute private collector who only sought out the finest restored examples of top-of-the-line, classic American models –– as highlighted by the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, a superb example from the first year of production.



Represented marques include Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, and Packard. Capturing a snapshot in time, the cars of the Americana Collection have been comprehensively restored, highly awarded on the show circuit, and carefully maintained in pristine condition. 

“We are thrilled to present this collection of automotive icons in our upcoming Geared Online Auction,” states Gooding & Company Senior Specialist, David Brynan. “Beautifully restored, show-pedigreed classics, the cars in the Americana Collection are all significant, landmark models rarely seen in such outstanding condition.”

1953 Chevrolet Corvette (Estimate: $200,000 – $250,000, Without Reserve)
The birth of the Chevrolet Corvette in 1953 epitomizes the essence of American automotive production in the immediate postwar period — confident, fearless, assured, and timeless. This example is one of only 300 Corvettes built during the line’s first year of production after Chevrolet debuted a prototype at the 1953 Motorama. The model, envisioned by Harley J. Earl, the first Vice President of Design at General Motors, was inspired by English and European sports cars that were popping up on racetracks after WWII. 

Predominantly hand-built and utilizing fiberglass body panels and Chevy’s Blue Flame inline-six, all of the 1953 Corvettes were painted Polo White with a red interior. This well-documented example, with known provenance dating back to the 1960s, also comes with a classic Wonder Bar AM radio, spare tire and jack, and side curtains. The new owner will be pleased to know that this particular vehicle underwent comprehensive restoration, earning a National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) Top Flight Award in 1992. The car is accompanied by restoration photos, assorted articles, and road tests.

1961 Chevrolet Corvette 283/230 (Estimate: $90,000 – $110,000, Without Reserve)
This beautifully restored example of a classic, solid-axle Corvette comes in an extremely rare and attractive color scheme of Sateen Silver and Ermine White over Roman Red. The 1961 Corvette revealed a significant redesign of the car, especially with its freshly re-envisioned rear end featuring a “ducktail” design and the line’s now-classic four taillights. The exhausts were also moved from the bumper guards to below the body, providing for a sleeker, sportier look. The two-seater also offered slightly more room on the interior relative to its predecessors. 

This car is equipped with a hardtop, four-speed gearbox, and Posi-Traction rear axle. It has been the recipient of multiple NCRS Top Flight Awards, as well as the prestigious Duntov Mark of Excellence Award. The car comes accompanied by award certificates, judging sheets, glovebox paperwork, and an original 1961 sales brochure. This 1961 Corvette will offer its next lucky owner the pleasure of experiencing firsthand its outstanding dynamic capabilities, which were applauded by testers at the time of its debut.

1955 Buick Roadmaster Convertible (Estimate: $100,000 – $120,000, Without Reserve)
This top-of-the-line Buick Roadmaster Convertible from 1955 is a rare find, being one of only 4,739 examples produced in that year. Kept in pristine condition, the body features a striking Black over Red color scheme. This car comes equipped with a powerful Nailhead V-8 engine and optional Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels. The iconic 1955 design from GM also features VentiPorts on the front fender, as well as a “Darrin dip” beltline.

1957 Buick Roadmaster Convertible (Estimate: $100,000 – $120,000, Without Reserve)
This classic model of the 1957 Roadmaster Convertible was completely restored by the noted Buick specialist Art Wright. Boasting an outstanding color scheme of Garnet over Black, this car comes furnished with optional Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels. A showstopper in its own right, this example has received numerous First in Class and Best of Show awards, and was even granted a cover feature article in Cars & Parts magazine. The 1957 model, which represents the Roadmaster’s final year as Buick’s flagship car, was also awarded the Spirit of Buick Award at the Buick Club of America Nationals. 

Other notable entries for the upcoming auction in May include a 1953 Buick Roadmaster Riviera Hardtop (Estimate: $40,000 – $50,000, Without Reserve), a 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible (Estimate: $80,000 – $100,000, Without Reserve), and a 1958 Chrysler 300D Coupe (Estimate: $80,000 – $100,000, Without Reserve). 

All of the cars in this collection are being offered without reserve in this Geared Online Auction and will be housed at Gooding & Company’s Southern California facility. Interested bidders will have the ability to partake in on-site inspections. The auction house invites interested parties to contact Gooding & Company staff for more information on how to view these vehicles, obtain further details on the highlighted models, and consign for other upcoming sales.


Geared Online | May 2021
Online Catalogue Available

Monday, April 26, 2021
Auction Begins
Monday, May 3 at 9:00 AM PDT
Lots Begin Closing
Friday, May 7 at 9:00 AM PDT

Website
www.goodingco.com

 

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