PHOENIX, Ariz. -- People may joke about classic British sports cars, how they leaked oil and other fluids, how their electrical systems seemed to be haunted, but there was some very serious money paid for a variety of classic British sports cars at RM Auctions' 11th annual "Automobiles of Arizona" event here at the Biltmore Resorts & Spa.
For the first time, RM had so many vehicles consigned by collector car owners that its auction stretched over two days. The first day was an all-British affair termed, "The British Are Coming." So were the dollars.
A 1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT sold for an auction-leading $1,001,900. Also on opening day, a 1963 Aston Martin DB5 brought $429,000, a 1958 Aston Martin DB Mark III drop head coupe went for $330,000, a 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage for $319,000, a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 racecar and a 1958 DB Mark III each brought $275,000 and a 1959 AC Ace Bristol roadster went for $253,000.
The lineup for the British-only day also included Austins-Healeys, Bentleys, Jaguars, MGs, a couple of Rolls-Royces and Triumphs, among others.
Several British cars also were offered during the second day of the event, with a 1933 Rolls-Royce P11 Continental three-position drophead coupe with Gurney-Nutting bodywork selling for $528,000.
The high sale of the day was $632,500 for a 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra. A 1932 Duesenberg Model J Tourster brought $550,000 and a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Arlington five-passenger club sedan went for $506,000. 
In 1941, Chrysler had Briggs Manufacturing produce five examples of the Thunderbolt concept car, which was designed by Alex Tremulis and Ralph Roberts of LeBaron, a Briggs subsidiary. Each car had a different color combination. Four remain in existence, including this green and copper-colored car that was bid to $1.175 million at the RM auction, where the car didn't sell because the consignor's reserve price was not reached.
Two cars drew bids even higher than the $1,001,900 that bought the '63 Aston Martin the previous day, but neither car sold because of the vehicles owners' "reserve," a price that must be exceeded in bidding (or released by the consignor during the bidding) before the car will is eligible for sale. Such reserve prices are kept secret from bidders until they are exceeded or until the bidding stops and no sale is declared.
That was the case with the 1964 Shelby 427 Cobra "Flip-top" roadster and the 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt concept car. The Cobra drew a bid of $1.45 million and the stunning green-and-copper colored Chrysler was bid to $1.175 million.
The Chrysler was one of several concept cars crossing the block. The 1954 Mercury XM-800 sold for $429,000, the 1956 Cadillac "Maharani Special" brought $225,000 and the 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz "Raindrop" went for $220,000.
In all, 150 of the 168 consignments sold, and for more than $19.6 million.
"The addition of 'The British Are coming' event set the stage for a truly memorable two-day event with a strong overall performance," said RM president Ian Kelleher. "As our first auction of 2010, it was very encouraging to see such solid results. The response to this sale, as illustrated in the impressive sell-through rate, is a great reflection on the continuing strength of the market and provides a positive outlook for the year ahead."
RM's next auction is in March in conjunction with the concours d'elegance at Amelia Island, Florida. RM annually stages two sales in Michigan. The first is at Novi April 24-25 and the other is held alongside the Meadow Brook concours on July 24 at Rochester. 
The 1955 Astra coupe crosses the block during the RM auction in the Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix.
Larry Edsall is a Phoenix-based freelance writer. You can reach him at ledsall@cox.net.
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