The American region of Hershey, Pennsylvania, is best known to the world as the home of Hershey’s Chocolate and is unofficially considered to be the candy capital of the United States. Hershey Lodge, an upscale hotel with a chocolate theme, plays host to another regional specialty every October – the Eastern Fall Meet of the Antique Automobile Collectors of America (AACA). An annual tradition for over 70 years, the AACA Fall Meet is a chance for lovers of classic and vintage cars to find some rare gems from the country’s automotive history. For the past two decades, RM Sotheby’s has been the official auction house of the Fall Meet. Here are some of the best classic cars that will be showcased at this year’s auction.
1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster
Considered the American equivalent to the Bentleys and Bugattis that were cruising European roads in the 1920s and 30s, the Auburn Speedster was first unveiled in 1928. The design of the car remained mostly unchanged throughout its production run, with minor variations. This Speedster is from the last year of production, designed by automotive legend Gordon Buehrig. It features a distinctive tapered rear bumper that gave this model the nickname ‘boattail’. Unlike the standard Auburn’s 115 horsepower, the supercharged speedster was boosted to 150 horsepower and has a dual-ratio rear axle that made it equally adept at cruising through the city or along quieter country roads.
This Speedster has been owned by some of the biggest names in the classic automobile world, starting with Arizona’s Tom Barrett in the 1970s and later by Chuck Spielman in the early 2000s. The current owner acquired it in 2021, and it has been meticulously restored with most of its original components, retaining its beautiful black and red colour scheme.
1933 LaSalle 345-C Convertible Coupe
General Motors launched its ‘companion make’ programme in the early 1920s, which introduced slightly more affordable companion brands for some of its most famous marquee names, including Buick and Cadillac. LaSalle was the companion brand for Cadillac and was in danger of going defunct in the early 1930s – a victim of both changing tastes and a struggling automobile market. Harley Earl, chief designer at GMC, fought to keep LaSalle alive, introducing a newer streamlined design in 1933 that would revitalise the brand and keep it in production until 1940.
This Convertible Coupe is part of the early production run and is a very rare find as the eighth of only 146 that were built, and one of just five surviving models listed in the LaSalle Club Directory. It has been lovingly restored by one of its previous owners with full period-accurate detailing and a stylish grey and dark red colour scheme.
1916 Locomobile Model 48, Series 6 Coupe by Locke
Connecticut manufacturer Locomobile was known for producing well-engineered and beautifully designed cars in what has come to be known as the ‘Brass era’ of automobiles. While not the most stylish vehicles on the road, Locomobiles were steady and reliable performers, which was an extremely important factor for the wealthy buyers that purchased them. The Model 48 is a rare exception to the rule, bearing a sportier look thanks to its three-seater coupe body and a vibrant emerald and yellow finish.
There isn’t much information about the earliest history of this particular model, but it was part of an extensive collection owned by German aficionados Helmut and Ivone Peitz until it was purchased in 2013 by Terence Adderley. It has been showcased at several events in recent years, but it now spends most of its time on display as part of the award-winning Adderley Collection.
1937 Packard 1507 Twelve Coupe Roadster
This is a very rare Packard coupe, bearing its original vehicle plate that identifies it as the 38th model produced on the 1507 chassis. Its original owner was reported to be a cousin of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and it passed through two more owners over the decades before landing in the collection of noted car dealer Ervin ‘Bud’ Lyon in 1998. Lyon, who always took great care with the maintenance and restoration of his automobiles, enlisted the services of renowned classic car restorer Chris Charlton to give the Packard its original look and quality.
In 2009, the vehicle was sold to William B. Ruger Jr., engineer and CEO of the Ruger firearms company. It was through his contacts and a stroke of good fortune that the car, which had long borne a reproduction of its vehicle plate, was reunited with the original.
1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B Tourer by Hooper
The Hispano-Suiza is a French automobile that was conceived by Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt, originally produced in Barcelona, Spain. That is where its unique name - a combination of the French word for ‘Spanish’ and ‘Swiss’ - comes from. It is somewhat ironic then that vehicles that were produced in France would become more popular than their Spanish-made counterparts.
The H6B is a prime example of French craftsmanship, featuring a 135-horsepower six-cylinder engine and a beautiful custom chassis. This model was further customised in London with a design that has echoes of Rolls-Royce. Its origins have been traced back to Kenya in 1954, from where it passed down a succession of owners before landing in the Adderley Collection in 2013. Terrence Adderley, a longtime admirer of the Hispano-Suiza, restored it to its original quality while carrying some hallmarks of its previous ownership, such as smaller tires that were fit during the 1960s. It is a prime candidate for a fresh restoration that would position it to be an excellent competition performer.
1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupe by Mulliner Park Ward
Mulliner Park Ward was a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce, created in the early 1960s by folding two independent coachbuilders under the luxury automaker’s banner. Mulliner, which formed one half of that duo, was previously involved in making modified Rolls-Royce coupes using the Silver Cloud chassis. The new subsidiary would go on to produce drophead coupes that featured a dramatic modern chassis design by Vilhelm Koren. Only 101 models were produced, 52 of which were left-hand drive for American delivery. This is one of those rare American models that was delivered in 1965 to car collector and dealer, Donald Cain.
Originally reported to have been finished in porcelain white with a striking two-tone black and white leather interior, the car eventually came into the collection of Andrew Darling. Darling, a renowned figure amongst car collectors in the Midwest, refitted the car to its current black and red palette. The drophead coupe remained in his possession until his passing, after which it was auctioned by Sotheby’s in 1996. It has been preserved in its restored condition and shows some signs of age, but remains an excellent example of modern Rolls-Royce design and coachbuilding.
Final Thoughts
The Hershey auction of RM Sotheby’s has brought some long-forgotten and well-kept classics to light in years past. This year’s selection of lots features a fantastic assortment of vehicles from throughout American car collecting history that will once again capture the interest of collectors from across the nation.
