RM Sotheby’s offers up Mitosinka Collection

BLENHEIM, Ontario – RM Sotheby’s announced that it will present the prominent Mitosinka Collection via its proprietary Online Only auction platform. Offered entirely without reserve, the Collection features 31 historic motor cars and more than 400 lots of automobilia, collectibles and rare ephemera. Bidding opens for the Online Only auction at 11:00 am EDT on September 16th and closes across three days beginning at 11:00 am EDT on September 23-25.

Amassed over fifty years from over a century of automotive history by vintage car appraiser, expert, distinguished veteran, and enthusiast Dennis Mitosinka, the comprehensive Collection shows great depth and breadth of the classic car world, comprising a diverse group of memorabilia ranging from Route 66-era petroliana to children’s pedal cars, automotive toys, mascots, rare car parts, automotive art and highly unusual and rare ephemera tied to all things automotive.

Stored in a historic building originally constructed to house a Hupmobile dealership in Santa Ana, California, the Collection also offers a curated lineup of coachbuilt automobiles, the majority of which are pre- and post-war American classics, including a 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton and a 1928 Stutz Model BB Four-Passenger Speedster with Dual Cowl. An original factory-supercharged example of Gordon Buehrig’s masterpiece, the Cord 812 boasts a well-presented, older restoration and known ownership history from new, including time spent with prominent Texas enthusiasts Richard Brinkley, David Taylor, and Sterling McCall. The sympathetically restored Stutz Model BB sports wonderful dual-cowl coachwork and comes fitted with its original chassis and optional high-compression engine, which made this model the fastest American production car of the time.

Additionally, the Collection features a handful of custom-bodied automobiles, including a fabulous, “barn fresh” 1929 Stutz Special, built with a number of interesting fascinating period parts, including a Duesenberg Model J hood, Stutz DV32 engine and 1930 Auburn Speedster body; and a 1951 Mercury Lead Sled Custom, built by Red Spence of Salinas with a Cadillac 429 V-8 engine, automatic transmission, numerous original period trim pieces and impressive custom upholstery.

European prestige marques are represented as well, with standout cars including a 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket Sedan by Brewster, a 1932 Delage D8/15 S Cabriolet and a 1963 Ghia 1500 GT Coupe. Representing a fine British brand paired with a distinctly American flair, the Phantom I Newmarket Sedan is among the most unique examples of the Springfield Phantom I to be found, sporting coachwork modifications by Howard “Dutch” Darrin and formerly a long-term centerpiece in the collection of California enthusiast Branch Kerfoot. An exciting example of the smaller model of France’s renowned grand tourer that is rarely offered on the public market, the Delage D8/15 comes fitted with eye-catching coachwork that is sure to turn heads. Residing in The Mitosinka Collection since 1990, and previously in the renowned Blackhawk Collection, the largely original Ghia 1500 GT was built on a modified Fiat 1100 chassis and is reportedly one of just 36 examples sold new to the United States.

Though they wear the title of major American manufacturers, The Mitosinka Collection also features two interesting examples bodied by Italian coachbuilders—a Frua-bodied 1976 Chevrolet Camaro “Europo Hurst”; and a 1963 Ford Falcon with coachwork by Ghia —both of which showcases rarely-seen designs from an alternate reality where iconic muscle cars were made in Italy instead of America.

Each lot offered in the Online Only auction will be presented with comprehensive photography and in most cases will be accompanied by condition reports completed by RM Sotheby’s specialists as well as catalogue descriptions. Where available, additional information on each lot, such as history files and accompanying receipts or documentation can be viewed online, once logged in to rmsothebys.com, by clicking the “View Files” button on the individual lot page.

RM Sotheby’s also notes that Redlands Antique Auction will likewise be offering hundreds of lots of ephemera, collectibles, furniture, and more from The Mitosinka Collection in a timed, online only format, with lots closing on September 25th. Stay tuned for further details.

Bidder registration for The Mitosinka Collection requires very simple steps to complete. RM Sotheby’s Client Service team is ready to assist interested bidders with any part of the account creation or registration process. Additional information on “How Bidding Works” will appear on each lot page once the lot is live and when clients are logged in as registered bidders. Frequently asked questions on the auction and the online bidding platform will also be available on the auction page.

Learn more at rmsothebys.com.

About RM Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s is the world's largest collector car auction house by total sales. With 40 years of proven results in the collector car industry, RM’s vertically integrated range of services, from auctions (live and online) and private sales to estate planning and financial services, coupled with an expert team of Car Specialists and an international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM Sotheby’s launched its Online Only division in 2019, providing consignors and bidders an easy-to-use platform that allows faster transactions to take place while still harnessing the level of service and global reach for which the RM Sotheby’s team is known. For further information, visit rmsothebys.com. 

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