Fourth Annual Saratoga Motorcar Auction reaches $3.7 million in sales
By: Saratoga Automobile Museum
Tags: Automobile, Museums, Auction, Automotive, Fundraising

Auction Reader Bill Rothermel and Auctioneer Brent Earlywine (photo credit: Dow Smith)

Auction achieves 70 percent sell-through rate in its fourth year; bolsters Saratoga Automobile Museum and its education initiatives

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (Sept. 23, 2020) — The Saratoga Automobile Museum has announced that the Saratoga Motorcar Auction, sold $3.7 million in vehicles and automobile memorabilia. The Auction took place on the grounds of the Saratoga Spa State Park on Saturday, Sept. 19.

“The Saratoga Motorcar Auction remains a tremendous undertaking and its success could not have been realized without the incredible partners and sponsors that the Museum has been able to attract,” said Kevin Biebel, Chairman of the Museum’s Board of Trustees. “Bravo to the entire staff and team of volunteers at the Saratoga Automobile Museum for putting together another world-class auction. In just four short years, this annual event has become a major attraction for car collectors and automotive enthusiasts alike.”

SOLD: 1941 Buick Super 8 (photo credit: Dow Smith)

The Auction serves as the Museum’s major annual fundraiser. Proceeds from the Auction supports the Museum’s Safe Driving Initiatives, including the Distracted Driving Safety Program, a program that reaches nearly 25,000 students annually. Auction proceeds also support the Museum’s evolving exhibition programming.

“This year’s Auction further solidified the Saratoga Motorcar Auction’s standing among the national auction houses,” said Bill Windham, auction director. “The increased quality of consignments and the volume of online and phone bidders this year was incredible.”

Total sales were $3.7 million. The sell-through rate for the Auction was 70 percent, a substantial increase year-over-year, despite the fact that this year’s Auction was reduced in scope and length due to COVID-19 restrictions.

With NYS safety protocols enacted, which included closing the event to spectators, the Auction pulled in over 11,000 online spectators to watch the day-long event.

“The success of this Auction, in the midst of a global pandemic, is a massive win for the future of the Museum’s initiatives,” said Carly Connors, executive director. “I cannot thank our staff, volunteers, consignors and bidders enough for following all NYS and CDC safety guidelines to make our event successful and safe.”

SOLD: 1958 Plymouth Fury “Christine” (photo credit: Saratoga Automobile Museum)

Top sellers at the Auction included:

1958 Plymouth Fury “Christine” movie car: $275,000

2011 Porsche 911 Speedster: $239,000

1970 Porsche 914/6: $137,500

1959 Chevrolet Impala: $115,500

1931 Pierce Arrow Model 42 Phaeton: $82,500 (all proceeds benefiting the Saratoga Automobile Museum)

SOLD: 1931 Pierce-Arrow Dual Cowl Phaeton (photo credit: Saratoga Automobile Museum)

The 2021 Saratoga Motorcar Auction will take place on Sept. 24 and 25, 2021 on the grounds of the Saratoga Spa State Park. To consign a vehicle for the 2021 Auction, contact Bill Windham at (518) 587–1935 or by email at bill.windham@saratogaautomuseum.org.

For more information about the Saratoga Automobile Museum, visit saratogaautomuseum.org.

For more information about the Saratoga Motorcar Auction, visit saratogamotorcarauction.org.

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About the Saratoga Automobile Museum: The Saratoga Automobile Museum was chartered in 1999 and officially opened to the public in June 2002. The Museum’s mission is to preserve, interpret and exhibit automobiles and automotive artifacts. We celebrate the automobile and educate the general public, students and enthusiasts to the role of the automobile in New York State and the wider world. In addition to technical and design aspects, our educational focus is on the past, present and future social and economic impacts of the automobile.

In keeping with the Museum’s exhibits and educational programs, including the Distracted Driving Safety Initiative and various automobile restoration programs for local youth, the Museum also organizes the Saratoga Motorcar Auction, a nationally acclaimed vintage and collector car auction held each September. The Auction is the Museum’s largest annual fundraising effort.

The Museum is located within the 2,500-acre Saratoga Spa State Park, in the heart of historic Saratoga Springs, New York, world famous for its legendary one-mile thoroughbred track. The Museum’s facility is the fully restored and renovated New York State Bottling Plant, a beautiful neoclassical structure completed in 1935. The Museum sits adjacent to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the lavish Hall of Springs event facility. Within walking distance; the National Museum of Dance, the Spa Little Theatre, and the Gideon Putnam Hotel. saratogaautomuseum.org