The estate of notable collector Terence E. Adderley brings blue-chip Duesenberg, Bugatti, Cord, Rolls-Royce, and Stutz CCCA Full Classics to Monterey, 17–19 August 2023
- Building upon the success of prior offerings, RM Sotheby’s is pleased to bring to market further selections from the award-winning collection of the late Terence E. Adderley. The grouping contains several hard-to-source models with fascinating provenance, many without reserve
- The collection is headlined by the famous 1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham, famously abandoned in a European haystack on the brink of World War II by its first owner, American socialite/playboy Butler Hallahan
- A trio of significant Rolls-Royces is headlined by the Phantom I Transformable Phaeton by Hibbard & Darrin gifted to one of the biggest stars of Old Hollywood, Marlene Dietrich, and featured in Morocco, the only film in which the star was nominated for an Academy Award
- The complete list of European examples includes three pre-war Bugattis, three coachbuilt Rolls-Royces, and a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 by Pininfarina sold new through William Harrah’s Modern Classic Motors
(BLENHEIM, Ontario, 14 June 2023) – Returning to RM Sotheby’s flagship sale, RM Sotheby’s is proud to bring further offerings From The Terence E. Adderley Collection to Monterey 2023. Renowned worldwide among prestigious collectors, the collection showcases excellent examples from the pre-war era. Known for his keen eye for originality and provenance, Mr. Adderley’s cars are world renowned for exceptional quality and careful curation. From Marlene Dietrich’s chauffeured Rolls-Royce to the famous “haystack” Duesenberg, this collection is sure to add further excitement to Monterey 2023.
From The Terence E. Adderley Collection
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham – No name is more powerful to collectors of American classics than Duesenberg, but not all Duesenbergs were made equal. Preferred by Duesenberg’s in-house designer Gordon Buehrig, the Tourster model was favored for its low-slung looks and practical, retractable rear windscreen. J-423 has a fascinating history: shipped to Europe by its first owner Butler Hallahan, Philadelphia socialite and an eccentric real-life Gatsby, Hallahan abandoned the car in Italy on the eve of World War II when he was forced to make a hasty retreat. The car was stashed in a barn under a haystack for the duration of the war until uncovered by an Italian brigadier general. It was then sold by American Captain R.W. Schreck in 1946 to the pioneering Milanese enthusiast Dore Leto di Priolo, who quickly cosmetically refinished it and kept it for the next two decades. In 1968, the Tourster was acquired from di Priolo by Anthony D. “Tony” Pascucci who, with his son Johnny, would go on to own it for the next 45 years. It was acquired by Mr. Adderley in early 2013 (Estimate: $1,600,000 - $2,000,000).
1933 Stutz DV-32 Convertible Victoria by Rollston – Representing the strength of American engineering in the pre-war period, Stutz could trace its sporting bona fides to successful Indianapolis 500 ventures throughout the early 1910s. By 1933, development of the Stutz Vertical Eight engine led to technological innovations like hemispherical combustion chambers and 32 valves per cylinder, lending the DV-32 its name. This handsome Convertible Victoria, with commanding coachwork by New York’s Rollston, has been a part of several great American collections, including that of William Harrah, Richard Scott, Joseph & Margie Cassini, and Dave Kane, before being treated to a concours-quality restoration while in the care of passionate Stutz enthusiast Andy Simo, whose monogram still graces the doors. Under Mr. Simo’s care, it achieved a class award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2006, Best in Class at Amelia Island in 2007, Best of Show at the Glenmoor Gathering in 2007, and Best in Class at the Meadow Brook Concours in 2009. This splendid Stutz has been a well-preserved cornerstone of Mr. Adderley’s collection for the past decade (Estimate: $1,000,000 - $1,500,000).
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Transformable Phaeton by Hibbard & Darrin – This exquisite Phantom I was purchased new by film director Josef von Sternberg and Paramount Studios to partly entice German film star Marlene Dietrich to decamp to Hollywood; when the star arrived by train in Los Angeles, this Rolls-Royce was waiting for her. Captured in numerous candid photos with Dietrich, as well as appearing with her in the climax of the film Morocco, this exquisitely restored example features a patented convertible top designed by “Dutch” Darrin and lightweight body panels fashioned from aluminum. Featured in Tom Cotter’s influential tome The Cobra in the Barn, this example was acquired by Mr. Adderley in 2012 (Estimate: $375,000 - $475,000).
1927 Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix – Supercharged, along with its signature single-overhead cam valve train, the Bugatti Type 37A Grand Prix promised to bring racing performance to the road. First purchased by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, it was reportedly campaigned by Rothschild under a pseudonym, “Georges Philippe,” at a special exhibition race at Le Mans for Bugatti owners in 1928, where it finished second behind another noted enthusiast, André Dubonnet. Acquired by Mr. Adderley in 2014, after a string of respected prior owners, including Gene Cesari, Cabot Briggs, and Dominique Lamberjack, this car is the quintessential Bugatti (Estimate: $500,000 - $700,000).
Other offerings From The Terence E. Adderley Collection include:
- A 1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Playboy Roadster by Brewster, one of the rarer models built by Brewster and one of the final Silver Ghost chassis produced at the Springfield factory (Estimate: $325,000 - $400,000).
- A stunning 1934 Auburn Twelve Salon Speedster featuring a rakish boattail body and powerful twelve-cylinder engine (Estimate: $350,000 - $450,000).
- Considered one of the finest in existence, a 1931 Cord L-29 Cabriolet that won a class award at Pebble Beach in 1987 and returned in 2006 as a class award winner again (Estimate: $350,000 - $450,000).
The 1952 Kurtis Kraft 4000 "Bowes Seal Fast" Special that gained fame after Art Cross's impressive performance at the 1952 Indianapolis 500. This car showcases Frank Kurtis' race technologies and has notable Concours victories, including First in Class at the 1996 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (Estimate: $275,000 - $350,000).
For images of all the Adderley offerings, click here.