Offered for first time in 47 years, ‘Shorty’ Mustang sells for $511,550

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Auctions America kicked off its 2015 auction season March 27-29 with a vibrant return to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., generating more than $21.3 million in total sales with 76 percent of all lots sold. The impressive tally, which comprises the sale of 368 vehicles and select memorabilia, builds on the company’s strong track record in South Florida and ranks the event as the company’s strongest Fort Lauderdale performance in its 13-year history. Demonstrating the event’s international appeal and consistent growth, bidders hailed from 14 countries and 45 states; significantly, 47 percent of buyers were new to Auctions America.

“We’re very pleased with the results from our Fort Lauderdale sale, which provide a very positive kick start to our 2015 season,” says Donnie Gould, president, Auctions America. “This year’s catalog represented our finest and most diverse Fort Lauderdale offering to date. The results not only speak to the breadth and quality of product presented, but also to our team’s strong international reach, extensive marketing power, and ability to locate ready and engaged buyers. The Fort Lauderdale auction is not only a staple on the North American collector car calendar, but as this year’s event proved, is attracting increasing global participation. The top sale of the weekend was a car that came to us from the Cayman Islands and is now headed to the UK.”

The car referred to by Gould, a stunning 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe, was one of 37 vehicles offered at Fort Lauderdale from the Cayman Motor Museum Collection, an eclectic group of motor cars amassed over 35 years by enthusiast, Andreas Ugland. A cherished part of the collection for 25 years, the sporty coupe was hotly contested by bidders both in the room and on the phones during the event’s Saturday sale session. Soaring past high-estimate, it eventually sold to a UK-based enthusiast for $715,000, a record for a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Coupe sold at auction.

Another one of the most exciting auction moments of the weekend came when the sale’s cover car, the one-of-a-kind 1964 ½ Ford Mustang III “Shorty” Factory Prototype crossed the podium. Arguably the most important Mustang ever offered for sale, “Shorty” was also the subject of a lively bidding war, eventually passing from its owner of 47 years to a new caretaker for $511,500.

In addition to a tremendous assortment of classics, this year’s Fort Lauderdale sale placed a strong emphasis on late model collectibles. This group was headlined by a pair of low-mileage Ford GTs, with a rare 2005 Ford GT, believed to be the lowest numbered example likely ever to be offered to the public, commanding $451,000, while a 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition with just 2.7 miles, garnered $410,000.

Additional highlights of the weekend saw the company provide its auction services to benefit numerous important and deserving organizations. As part of Auctions America’s commitment to give back to the local communities in which it operates, the Fort Lauderdale event raised the gavel on a 1934 Ford Street Rod Roadster, with 100 percent of proceeds from the vehicle’s sale supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. Stunning in pearl white with a black soft-top and gray custom interior, the street rod was joined on stage by a group of kids from the Club, who cheered it to an above-estimate final sales price of $50,000.

Auctions America was also proud to support Kansas’ McPherson College and future student hobbyists, through the sale of a 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe. McPherson stands alone as the only school to provide a bachelor’s degree in Restoration Technology. The Bel Air generated a strong $26,400 during the event’s Friday sale session with proceeds being used by the College to fund future shop projects.

Auctions America Fort Lauderdale 2015 – Top 5 Sales

1. Lot 452 – 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe $715,000
2. Lot 438 – 1964 ½ Ford Mustang III “Shorty’ Factory Prototype $511,550
3. Lot 477 – 2005 Ford GT $451,000
4. Lot 440 – 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition $410,000
5. Lot 436 – 1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole $335,500

For further information on upcoming events or to view full results from the 2015 Fort Lauderdale collector car auction, visit auctionsamerica.com.

*Results are listed in USD and are inclusive of 10 percent buyer’s premium for all automotive lots, and 15 percent for all other lots.