KEY POINTS:
Exuding old-time 1930s Hollywood glamour and representing a serious amount of cash, an Auburn Boattail Speedster idles out of Roy MacDonald's garage.
"Sex on wheels," is his summary of this 1935 American beauty.
As the saying goes, sex sells and this sensuously-curved classic is leaving its Queenstown home for a new life in the United States, with a US$600,000 ($855,380) price tag.
It was sold by American investor and vehicle collector Jim Covert, who is setting up a classic car museum near Queenstown.
"Because he's had an amazing offer for this, he's taken it," said Mr MacDonald, who was preparing the car for its departure from Dunedin.
"It's one of only a handful left in the world."
A long-time friend of Mr Covert's and caretaker of his New Zealand-based car collection, Mr McDonald believed the Auburn's sale value had set a world record for its make and model.
A leading figure in the New Zealand motor industry, Colin Giltrap, said it would be one of the most expensive classic cars sold from New Zealand.
The Auburn, which has been in New Zealand for about 18 months, is powered by a supercharged Lycoming straight-eight engine. It still proudly bears a plaque _ certifying that it has been driven "100.1 miles per hour (161km/h) before shipment," _ installed by Auburn's test drivers 73 years ago.
"And it's still good for that," Mr MacDonald said.
He said the convertible was right up there in its day, as far as sportiness was concerned.
Driven with a three-speed gearbox, with a two-speed vacuum-change diff, its raciness is evident in its sleek boat-tail rear end _ matched up front by the chromed exhaust hoses that coil out from inside the bonnet.
Kept in immaculate condition, the two-seater still holds the United States' number one concours title for Auburns in the Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg marques' annual event.
One might wonder how Mr Covert could bear to part with such a vehicle. His consolation, Mr MacDonald suspects, will be in the other 21 collectibles he has parked in Queenstown.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
