RumbleSeat Auction Report: RM Sotheby’s AACA Hershey Region Event 2024

RM Sotheby’s hosted its annual auction at the AACA Hershey Region Event on October 10 & 11, 2024, at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This highly anticipated event has been a staple for collectors and enthusiasts for nearly two decades. Since its first auction in 2001, hosted by Richie Clyne and Don Williams, the event has grown in significance. After Kruse and Company held the auction at the Giant Center for a few years, RM Sotheby’s took over in 2006 and has consistently hosted the Hershey event every year since.

A Historic Auction

As with all RM Sotheby’s auctions, the Hershey event was a “catalog sale,” meaning each vehicle featured is detailed extensively in the auction catalog. Cars were showcased on the grounds of the Hershey Lodge, offering attendees a chance to see the vehicles up close during the preview. A mix of pre-war American classics and post-war American and European vehicles were up for grabs. Each car had a placard detailing its reserve status and a QR code leading to the online catalog for digital access.

Total sales for this year’s auction reached a staggering $16.6 million, setting a new record for RM Sotheby’s at Hershey. The previous record, set nearly a decade ago in 2015, was $16.3 million. This year’s impressive lineup included 188 lots, many from the esteemed Terence Adderley collection. Adderley was a highly respected collector, and the cars at Hershey represented the final pieces from his renowned collection following a significant sale at RM’s Monterey auction last year.

Star of the Show: The 1935 Auburn 851 Speedster

The standout vehicle of this year’s auction was a 1935 Auburn 851 Speedster, an iconic and authentic classic that fetched $781,000, including commission. This sale was a significant highlight in a weekend full of notable transactions.

Conclusion

With its record-breaking sales and unique collection of vehicles, the RM Sotheby’s Hershey auction continues to be a marquee event for collectors. Whether you’re drawn to pre-war classics or post-war rarities, this event offers something for every automotive enthusiast. The RumbleSeat team was thrilled to witness such an exciting and historic sale.

Stay tuned for more auction highlights and automotive event coverage from RumbleSeat!