RM AUCTIONS AND TLC OFFER BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK INTO THE WORLD’S PREMIER COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION
“Million Dollar Auctions” TV Special Takes Viewers Inside Auction Hall with Buyers and Sellers at RM’s Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction – debuts June 13, 2006
BLENHEIM, Ontario, Canada (June 13, 2006) – On Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 8:00pm ET/PT, cable network TLC will air “Million Dollar Auctions,” a 90-minute special that gives viewers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the premier collector car auction in the world. RM Auctions’ Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction is hosted each year at the Portola Plaza Hotel in Monterey, CA as part of the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours weekend. This distinctive TV event showcases the heated anticipation that builds leading up to the sale of some of the finest vintage motor cars in the world. This is not your ordinary car auction as seven cars sold for more than $1 Million apiece!
“Million Dollar Auctions” is a special opportunity for viewers to get inside access to this incredible sale where the caliber of cars is unmatched worldwide,” says Rob Myers, founder of RM Auctions. “The show is an excellent first look for those spectators who are interested in learning the inner workings of the collector car hobby and will also appeal to experienced enthusiasts who appreciate the history and beauty of these amazing automobiles.”
Filmed by WATV at RM Auctions’ 2005 Monterey sale, “Million Dollar Auctions” presents the diverse stories of enthusiastic buyers, anxious sellers, and charismatic auctioneers. The show reveals the complicated behind-the-scenes scenarios that lead to incremental increases in bid price before the hammer finally crashes down for the ultimate car sale.
As the auction excitement builds, the program offers the tantalizing opportunity to witness million dollar cars cross the block. Some of the highlights include a 1959 Ferrari Berlinetta that sells for $1.3 million followed by a 1964 Ford GT40 that tops $2 million. The final auto beauty, a 1938 Talbot-Lago that commentator Ken Gross calls “a Paris gown on wheels,” is finally hammered down for $3.35 million, as the winning bidder keeps his eyes closed and lets his wife keep raising the stakes.
Award-winning writer and auto historian Ken Gross and collector car expert Alan Massengale provide insightful commentary on the history and value of each car crossing the block. In addition, former racer and pre-eminent collector Alain de Cadenet describes the ins and outs of each auto on the block while reporter Rebecca Grant conducts interviews on the auction-floor with bidders and prominent guests in the crowd.
Auction savvy veterans and first time hobbyists alike will appreciate the show’s interviews with industry notables such as Tom duPont, publisher of duPont Registry, who educates viewers how to spot VIP “players” in the auction hall. RM’s world renowned auctioneer Peter Bainbridge offers experienced insight on his role of getting the audience to up the ante and surpass the reserve prices set on each car as he impresses the crowd with his irreverent sense of humor.
Another segment features a tour of RM’s restoration facility in Blenheim, Canada with a look at some of the recently renovated autos, as Alain de Cadenet comments on what makes a car worth more that a million dollars. Ken Gross also offers commentary on changing collecting trends, recent record-breaking sales, and historical significance of the cars as they come up for bid.
“Million Dollar Auction” is scheduled to air on TLC on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 8:00 pm ET/PT. The show will re-air at 11:00pm ET/PT and also on Sunday, June 18 at 2:00 pm ET/PT. For additional information, check local listings or visit The Learning Channel website at www.tlc.discovery.com.
About RM Auctions Inc.
Celebrating more than 26 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions Inc. and its sister companies are responsible for acquiring, restoring and selling of the world’s rarest and most expensive vintage automobiles including Best of Show winning cars at the prestigious Meadow Brook and Pebble Beach Concours. For additional information on RM Auctions Inc., please call (800) 211-4371 or visit the corporate web site at www.rmauctions.com.