Grosse Pointe, Michigan (February 12, 2025) – Broad Arrow Auctions, a Hagerty (NYSE: HGTY) company, is making final preparations for its presentation of The Academy of Art University Collection Auction, set for Saturday, February 15 in San Francisco, California. The single-day, private collection sale presents more than 100 of the most desirable American, European, and British pre- and post-War collector cars ever produced—entirely without reserve. The collection is on preview Thursday, February 13 and Friday, February 14, as well as the morning of Saturday, February 15 ahead of the auction start at 12 p.m. PT.
The cars on offer have formed part of the world-renowned Academy of Art University Automobile Museum, which has been carefully curated over the last several decades. The Museum’s mission is to preserve an integral piece of international automotive history and to provide students of the Academy a unique art and design perspective. The Academy now seeks to pass on a portion of the collection for like-minded enthusiasts and collectors to enjoy, while simultaneously making space to modernize the contents of the collection for a new generation of design students.
“The Academy of Art University Collection Auction is a treasure trove for car collectors,” says Caroline Cassini, Senior Car Specialist for Broad Arrow Auctions. “From truly iconic shapes and styles through automotive rarities and the quirkiest of microcars, there are fantastic additions to any collection within the 105 cars on offer. The collection is offered entirely without reserve, and we have a full suite of remote opportunities available, making this an exceptional opportunity for enthusiasts across the country.”
Highlights from The Academy of Art University Collection Auction are led by imposing classics of the 1920s and 1930s. The 1932 Marmon Sixteen LeBaron Convertible Sedan, chassis No. 16-145833 (Estimate: $300,000 – $400,000), is one of a mere 71 surviving Marmon Sixteens and just 11 Convertible Sedans extant. Originally owned by J. Paul Getty, the car is elegant in blue and grey two-tone paint over a grey leather interior with detailed Art Deco styling throughout. The Marmon boasts a 490.8 cubic-inch, 200-horsepower overhead valve V16 engine and wears a multiple-award winning, nut-and-bolt restoration completed in the 1990s. Today, the car continues to exemplify the Marmon brothers’ engineering prowess and vision for the ultimate pre-war American luxury car. It would be an ideal choice to enjoy on Classic Car Club of America CARavans among many other vintage rallies.
The Marmon is joined by its Italian contemporary, a 1930 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Castagna Roadster Cabriolet, chassis no. 1540 (Estimate: $500,000 – $700,000). The Isotta Fraschini is one of approximately seven surviving examples and is complete with its original chassis, engine, and body by Carrozzeria Castagna. Believed to have covered a mere 13,527 actual miles over nearly a century, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance award-winner is offered with known provenance from new.
A pair of well-traveled cars from 1928 also feature within the more than 100 cars on offer. The 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I “Riviera” Brewster Town Car, chassis no. S184PM (Estimate: $350,000 – $500,000), a style widely regarded as one of the most striking Rolls-Royce Town Cars ever designed, is one of just 10 examples built by Brewster & Co. for use on a Phantom I chassis. Rather uncommon for a Springfield Rolls-Royce, in 1935, the car found a new home with Mrs. George Blumenthal when it was shipped across the Atlantic to Paris. The Riviera was personalized with Marchal headlamps and custom coach lamps bearing her initials, adding a unique touch to its already impressive profile. The Riviera made a lasting impression in both Paris and at the Blumenthal estate in Grasse, near Cannes. With known history from new, the award-winning Town Car remains a stunning piece of pre-War coach building and offers its next owner the chance to enjoy and preserve a car that has been a source of worldwide admiration for decades.
A 1928 Daimler Double-Six 50 Type P Royal Limousine also presents a rare opportunity (Estimate: $400,000 – $600,000). Chassis no. 30652 is believed to be the sole surviving example of twelve built. It measures a massive 21 feet from bumper to bumper, stands nearly seven feet tall, and weighs just over four tons without passengers or luggage. Upon completion, the car was exported to Australia, where it found its first owner, Sir Frederick Harold Stewart. The car remained in Australia until 1964 when it made its way to the United States, eventually becoming part of the renowned Harrah’s Automobile Collection. The Daimler was sold to a Japanese collection in 1986, and returned to the U.S. in the early 2000s, where it was meticulously restored by Bob Lorkowski. This lavish motor car has garnered numerous awards and presents an array of opportunities for concours display around the world.
Additional stand-out classics on offer from the collection include:
- 1927 Packard 343 Murphy Convertible Sedan (Estimate: $275,000 – $350,000) – One of just three Packard 343 Murphy Convertible Sedans produced and the only known surviving example, this exceptional car has had just three owners from new, including none other than legendary Ferrari racing driver and the first American Formula One World Champion, Phil Hill.
- 1938 Buick Roadmaster Series 80 Fernandez et Darrin Opera Brougham (Estimate: $250,000 – $350,000) – Wearing spectacular one-off coachwork from Fernandez et Darrin, this opulent Buick was shown at the 1938 Paris Auto Salon and boasts a First in Class award at the Pebble Beach and Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance.
- 1933 Lincoln KB Custom Dietrich Convertible Sedan (Estimate: $225,000 – $275,000) – A award-winning, top-of-the-line luxury offering from Lincoln, complete with a 448 cubic-inch V12 engine. One of only 15 Dietrich-bodied Convertible Sedans produced, this excellent example will undoubtedly continue to garner praise anywhere it goes.
- 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I “Versailles” Hibbard & Darrin Sedanca de Ville (Estimate: $125,000 – $175,000) – A largely original example that has never been fully restored, chassis no. S187RP is believed to be one of just two Phantom Is with this exquisite Sedanca de Ville Coachwork by Hibbard & Darrin.
Interested bidders are invited to learn more and register to bid at broadarrowauctions.com or contact a Broad Arrow car specialist at +1 313 312 0780. Additional event information as well as the complete digital auction catalog are available at broadarrowauctions.com.
Editors Notes
Photo Captions and Credits– (1-Featured Image) 1932 Marmon Sixteen LeBaron Convertible Sedan (Credit – Robin Adams / Courtesy of Broad Arrow Auctions. (2) 1930 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S Castagna Roadster Cabriolet (Credit – Ryan Merrill / Courtesy of Broad Arrow Auctions). (3) 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I “Riviera” Brewster Town Car (Credit – Ryan Merrill / Courtesy of Broad Arrow Auctions). (4) 1928 Daimler Double-Six 50 Type P Royal Limousine (Credit – Ryan Merrill / Courtesy of Broad Arrow Auctions).
About Broad Arrow Auctions – Broad Arrow Auctions, a Hagerty (NYSE: HGTY) company, is a leading global collector car auction house. Founded in 2021 by highly experienced industry veterans, Broad Arrow offers exceptional quality cars to collectors and enthusiasts around the world. As the fastest growing auction house in its segment, Broad Arrow’s flagship annual events include The Monterey Jet Center Auction, in conjunction with Motorlux in California, The Amelia Auction, as the official auction of The Amelia (Concours d’Elegance) in Florida, and The Porsche Auction, in conjunction with Air | Water by Luftgekühlt in California. Broad Arrow expanded its global footprint in 2023, with renowned car specialists joining the team in the UK and Europe. Broad Arrow is launching its first auction in Europe in May 2025 as the new official auction house of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy. Learn more at broadarrowauctions.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linked