- A 1948 Tucker Torpedo, one of only 51 built, fetched $2.9 million, the highest price ever for a Tucker, at Barrett-Jackson's annual Arizona sale.
- A 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe by Scaglietti barely reached its pre-sale estimate at the annual RM Auctions sale in Phoenix, where it was hammered down for $1.8 million.
- Barrett-Jackson also auctioned a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing for $2.2 million.
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — In what has been dubbed "Super Auction Weekend" in Arizona, a 1948 Tucker Torpedo, one of only 51 built, fetched $2.9 million, the highest price ever for a Tucker, at Barrett-Jackson's annual sale here, while a 1957 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Coupe by Scaglietti barely reached its pre-sale estimate at the annual RM Auctions sale in Phoenix, where it was hammered down for $1.8 million. Prices include the so-called "buyer's premium."
The Barrett-Jackson event, which realized more than $92 million in sales, also auctioned a 1947 Bentley Mark VI Coachworks by Franay for $2.75 million and a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing for $2.2 million.
The rare Tucker Torpedo was from the Ron Pratte Collection and is one of 47 Tuckers that still exist.
The Ferrari 410 Superamerica that fetched $1,815,000 at the RM Auctions event is the only Scaglietti-bodied example of the 34 Superamericas that were produced by Ferrari. Its pre-sale estimate was $1,750,000-$2,250,000.
Inside Line says: Are vintage Ferraris — even the rare ones — starting to lose their luster among collectors?
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litewerk says:
01:02 AM, 01/29/2012
As others have expressed, I'm saddened that (allegedly) people in the auto industry at the time were so threatened by what Tucker was going to offer the public that they made sure his cars never got off the ground, so to speak. Long before the movie "Tucker" came out, I'd seen one or two at car shows and read up on the man, his vision, and his attempt to take on and bring change to the auto industry. I really admire that guy, Preston Tucker, and his car very much. He was truly "thinking outside the box" long before that was something to be encouraged in people.
ctpaul says:
04:57 AM, 01/25/2012
Barrett Jackson sure is happy. Does the price include Leonardo DiCaprio?
openeyes1 says:
09:54 PM, 01/24/2012
48' Tucker was certainly a car ahead of its time, too bad the big auto giants succeeded in killing the production line before it even got started.
phoenixj says:
05:11 AM, 01/24/2012
@calspecial68, ditto. The Tucker 48 had innovations that took decades to become even optional on vehicles, and at that mostly on high-end luxury marque's. Adaptive/turning headlights still are not standard equipment. Safty glass, soft-surface interiors and seatbelts only became standard once the government made them required, the same goverment that backed the big-three's quashing of this incredibly innovative, not to mention stunningly beautiful, car.
calspecial68 says:
07:00 PM, 01/23/2012
As rare and beautiful as the Superamerica is, I'd rather buy a more valuable piece of history. By value, I mean historic value. The Torpedo was probably the greatest car of it's time. Sometimes I wonder where we would be today if the Big Three hadn't strong-armed Tucker out of the autobiz.