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Automotive Traveler Magazine: Vol 3 Iss 1 Page 25

ownership at the RM Auctions event.

Bringing in a bit more money was Gooding and Company's "Scottsdale Auction," selling 123 vehicles at an average price of slightly less than $260,000 each (four times more than the Barrett-Jackson event!).

A blue "barn find" 1948 Tucker, in obviously unrestored condition, took in $725,000. And as at the RM Auctions event, a gull-wing Mercedes-Benz (1956) and a Ferrari Daytona Spyder (1972) saw the gavel drop.

The German coupe brought over half a million less at the Gooding auction, but the Ferrari found almost $36,000 more. At $941,000, the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS recently showcased in Automotive Traveler closed in on the seven-figure range.

Five cars topped the magic million mark. As at the RM Auctions sale, Gooding featured a Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton, this one bodied by LeBaron, which sold for $1.34 million.

Topping the Duesey by $195k was a Fiat 8V Supersonic from 1953. The other three top sellers were--no surprise here--Ferraris, with a 1967 275 GTB/4 bringing an even $1 million and a 1965 275 GTB Alloy Long Nose beating that figure by $300k. Topping all comers was the rare 2006 Ferrari FXX Evolution, whose new owner paid $1.9 million.

Although car auctions are no longer exclusive to Speed--HD Theater has added a few throughout the last year--Speed's coverage of Barrett-Jackson tops the ratings. Despite its apparent success, however, the audience is growing weary.

Discussions among car fanatics nationwide, especially online, show a trend away from Barrett-Jackson and Speed. The other car auctions are said to offer more entertainment value--useful information for sponsors looking to reach automotive enthusiasts. It's only a matter of time before someone wakes up and changes the channel. Perhaps next year.

Car geek Sam Fiorani prefers car-auction parties to Super Bowl bashes.

2006 Ferrari FXX Evolution, sold for $1.9 million. Photograph by Pawel Litwinski, © 2011 Gooding and Company.

Flip ahead for full-page views of some of the cars highlighted in this article:

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