RM Auctions Sotheby's

Select Vehicles from an Iconic Southern California Collection - The Ex-Bob Pond Motor Cars - To be Offered at Auctions America's California Sale

California

  • Auctions America returns to Burbank, California, August 1-2, after a record setting inaugural sale in 2013
  • Early auction highlights include a selection of more than 60 vehicles from The Iconic Southern California Collection – The Ex-Bob Pond Motor Cars, including a 1949 Buick Roadmaster Convertible used in the hit 1988 film, “Rain Man”
  • Additional notable entries for the sale include a 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback “Black Mamba” Custom Show Car, a 1931 Ford Model A “Unknown Roadster”, and a 1946 Mercury Sportsman Model 69M Convertible
  • Exclusive, live television coverage of the sale to air on NBCSN (NBC Sports Network), August 1-2
  • Frequently updated list of entries available online at auctionsamerica.com 

AUBURN, Indiana (May 9, 2014)– One year after setting a new standard for collector car auctions in Southern California, Auctions America returns to Burbank, August 1 - 2 for its annual California sale at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel. Following in the footsteps of last year’s highly successful debut, this year’s sale is set to be another spectacular event for collectors of every genre, lifting the gavel on a diverse mix of some 400 vehicles handpicked for Southern California’s unique automotive culture.


Leading early entries for the sale is The Iconic Southern California Collection, an impressive group of more than 60 vehicles formerly owned by noted Palm Springs collector, the late Bob Pond. Offered fresh to the market following long-term storage, the group collectively represents virtually every decade of motoring, catering to a broad range of automotive tastes and budgets. Headlining the collection is the 1949 Buick Roadmaster Convertible driven by Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise in the Oscar-winning 1988 film, “Rain Man”. Additional highlights illustrating the breadth of the collection include: a 1908 Ford Model R Runabout; a 1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Open Drive Landaulette; a 1953 Muntz Jet Convertible; a 1960 Plymouth Fury Convertible; and a 1963 Jaguar E-Type Series I Roadster to name but a few.

“Following a terrific debut in 2013, we’re thrilled to be returning to Burbank in August. We’ve received strong early interest in this year’s auction, and the opportunity to present vehicles from the former Bob Pond Collection at home in SoCal is both a great honor and privilege for our team,” says Ian Kelleher, Managing Director of Auctions America’s West Coast Division. “The vehicles in the collection were truly cherished by their former owner, and have been carefully protected and preserved by their current, private custodian. Their presentation at Burbank this summer marks the ultimate auction arrival and unshrouding of what is truly an iconic Southern California collection, as well as reinforces Auctions America’s reputation as an auction house of choice for the presentation of private and estate collections.”

Beyond The Iconic Southern California Collection, additional entries at the upcoming sale appealing to American auto enthusiasts include a 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback “Black Mamba” Custom Show Car, used as Meguiars’ feature and display car showcasing their high-end paint care product line and a frequent sight at numerous automotive events nationwide, including the Goodguys, NSR and NASCAR events. Also poised for the auction block, a 1931 Ford Model A “Unknown Roadster” built in the 1940s and recently discovered in Colorado virtually untouched after several decades in storage; and a freshly restored 1946 Mercury Sportsman Model 69M Convertible, resplendent in Botsford Blue Green with a brown vinyl interior and tan canvas top and equipped with a 239 cid 59A Flathead V8, AM radio and clock.

For exotic enthusiasts, early highlights for the California sale include two low mileage cars: a red with black interior 1983 Ferrari 512 BBi, a terrific example of the iconic ‘Berlinetta Boxer’, and a 1990 Lamborghini LM002-A in outstanding original overall condition. Combining incredible performance and aggressive styling, the Ferrari 512 BBi features less than 20,000 original miles, while the truck, finished in its original black paint with a red and black interior, also features low original mileage.

For further information on Auctions America’s upcoming California Collector Car Auction or to view a frequently updated list of entries, visit auctionsamerica.com or call toll-free 888.990.3910 (or +1 310.842.3910 outside North America). As part of Auctions America’s new multi-year agreement with NBCSN (NBC Sports Network), select highlights from the auction will telecast on the Emmy award-winning network on August 1-2. A full coverage schedule is available here: http://www.auctionsamerica.com/NBCSports/.