Santa Monica, Calif. (January 19, 2024) – Gooding & Company holds the unique honor and privilege of presenting Selections from the Peter Mullin Collection at its upcoming Amelia Island Auctions, taking place on Thursday, February 29 and Friday, March 1. In addition to the 20 lots being auctioned at Amelia Island from the estate of the highly respected, California-based collector, Gooding & Company will also hold a standalone auction at the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California this April, where it will present an additional assortment of vehicle and automobilia lots from the venerable collection. Additional details on the forthcoming auction will be announced in coming weeks.
Respected visionary Peter Mullin was deeply revered in the collector car world, not only for his world-renowned collection consisting of the finest and most exquisite French and European automobiles, but also for his enduring legacy as a philanthropist and distinguished businessman. Mr. Mullin’s appreciation, enthusiasm and knowledge of prewar French and Art Deco cars were simply unprecedented in the industry and beyond. Peter and his wife Merle together assembled one of the world’s foremost French car collections, which would go on to be displayed for all at the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California. Between 2010 and 2024, this museum served as a mecca for collectors and enthusiasts alike, showcasing the pinnacles of Classic French automotive innovation and design. Mr. Mullin’s incredible passion for the classic automobile, and his generosity in sharing these splendid creations with the greater public and automotive community at large, will live on through each and every one of his former possessions, hand-picked by one of the greatest collectors the world has ever known.
“Peter Mullin was a dear friend and champion of Gooding & Company, so we are incredibly honored to have the responsibility of presenting his beloved collection to the next generation of conscientious custodians, who will no doubt treasure and cherish the thought and care that went into selecting each and every one of these cars,” said Gooding & Company President and Co-Founder, David Gooding.
Selections from the Peter Mullin Collection, Offered Without Reserve The Amelia Island Auctions will feature 20 French and European automotive lots offered entirely without reserve, carefully selected from the Peter Mullin Collection. Leading this grouping is a 1925 Bugatti Type 35C Grand Prix (Estimate: $600,000 – $800,000, Without Reserve). Initially specified as a Type 35A, this example was the very first of its kind to be imported into England. It was purchased by Chris Staniland, a young Royal Air Force pilot and race car driver, who successfully competed with the Type 35 between 1925 and 1927. In the 1960s, the Bugatti was restored to Type 35C specification by the well-known restoration firm Crosthwaite & Gardiner. A 1931 Bugatti Type 49 (Estimate: $150,000 – $225,000, Without Reserve) featuring distinctive, four-door coachwork by Gangloff will also cross the block at Amelia Island.
Additional French highlights from the collection include a 1936 Avions Voisin Type C28 Clairière Berline (Estimate: $350,000 – $450,000, Without Reserve), one of two C28 Clairière Berlines known to survive today from the 30 such examples initially built. Notably, this example was featured in the 1962 Henri Verneuil film, Le President. Also offered is a 1946 Delage D6 Grand Prix (Estimate: $300,000 – $500,000, Without Reserve), one of five D6 Grand Prix racers built for endurance racing. A pair of Delahayes, consisting of a 1948 Delahaye Type 175 GP Recreation (Estimate: $150,000 – $250,000, Without Reserve), and a 1948 Delahaye Type 135 MS Cabriolet (Estimate: $200,000 – $300,000, Without Reserve), also join the sale. The former is configured as a competition sports car, and the latter is a desirable triple-carburetor, 130 bhp MS-specification example in wonderfully unrestored, original condition.
A compelling early 1911 Hispano-Suiza 15T Alfonso XIII (Estimate: $300,000 – $400,000, Without Reserve) that formerly belonged to noted Spanish collector Francisco de la Rocha is also on offer. The Hispano-Suiza was restored by marque historians in Spain, who refinished the car in competition livery evocative of a racing Alfonso XIII owned by Spanish gentleman driver Albert Roulinat. A pair of incredible unrestored 1907 Niclausse cars, which remained in the family of their original owner, Juan Coma of Barcelona, for 100 years, is also on offer: a 1907 Niclausse Type D Tourer (Estimate: $90,000 – $120,000, Without Reserve) and a 1907 Niclausse Type S (Estimate: $50,000 – $75,000, Without Reserve). Mr. Mullin purchased the pair directly from Mr. Coma’s grandson, Juan Coma-Cros, and displayed them at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®.
Several limited-production Citroëns will also be offered from the Peter Mullin Collection, including Chapron-bodied examples, such as a highly collectible 1963 Citroën DS19 Le Dandy (Estimate: $150,000 – $225,000, Without Reserve) and a one-off 1965 Citroën DS19 Majesty (Estimate: $120,000 – $150,000, Without Reserve). The DS19 Majesty was uniquely specified at the order of its original owner, René Gaston-Drayfus, who requested myriad bespoke features, including elegant metallic gray paint, knurled rockers, and Connolly Leather upholstery. A rarely seen 1938 Citroën 11B Traction Avant Coupe (Estimate: $90,000 – $120,000, Without Reserve) finished in striking metallic gold paint will also be presented, alongside additional offerings.
Further details regarding the upcoming standalone auction at the Mullin Automotive Museum will soon be announced by Gooding & Company. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the auction house for questions and inquiries concerning the forthcoming sales.
For inquiries concerning the Mullin Automotive Museum's selection of vehicles and automobilia being auctioned by Gooding & Company in the two upcoming sales, and the portion of the collection remaining with the Mullin Estate, please contact pauline@goodingco.com.
Amelia Island Auctions Date: Thursday, February 29 at 3 p.m. EST, and Friday, March 1 at 11 a.m. EST Location: Racquet Park, Omni Amelia Island Resort Public Preview: Wednesday, February 28 through Friday, March 1 Auction Catalogue: $120, includes admission for two to the viewing and the auctions General Admission: $50, includes admission for one to the viewing and the auctions Bidder Registration: www.goodingco.com/register Live Auction Broadcast: www.goodingco.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoodingandCompany X: @goodingandco #AmeliaIsland #AmeliaIslandAuction #GoodingAmelia Instagram: @goodingandcompany #AmeliaIsland #AmeliaIslandAuction #GoodingAmelia YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/GoodingandCompany Phone: +1.310.899.1960
About Gooding & Company Gooding & Company is celebrated for its world-class automotive auctions, private brokerage, and unparalleled service in the international collector car market, achieving over $2.75 billion in sales since the company’s inception. The auction house continues to deliver market-leading results through both its live auctions and Geared Online platform, setting new trends and world records with best-of-category cars across numerous verticals. Gooding & Company consistently presents the highest quality consignments while operating with openness and integrity, providing the company a reputation of trust and respect unmatched in the industry. Offering a wide range of services including private and estate sales, appraisals, and collection management, the auction house is ready to assist you with numerous collector car services.
Media Inquiries: Pauline Pechakjian pauline@goodingco.com +1 (310) 383-7437
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