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'Art of the Automobile' to Auction Multimillion-Dollar 'Moving Sculptures'

By Alan Neuhauser | November 5, 2013 9:00am
 The "Art of the Automobile," which claims to be the first major auction of collectible cars in more than 10 years, will feature 34 ultra-elite vintage cars, when it takes place Nov. 18 to 21 at Sotheby's.
Automobiles on Auction at Sotheby's
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UPPER EAST SIDE — For those who dream of driving like Bond, an upcoming auction dubbed "Art of the Automobile" offers the best chance yet to scoop up a vintage Aston Martin, as well as dozens of other multimillion-dollar super-cars.

Claiming to be Manhattan's first major auction of collectible cars in more than 10 years, the auction — running from Nov. 18 to 21, organized by RM Auctions and hosted by Sotheby's — will feature 34 ultra-elite vintage cars, 18 of which are expected to be sold for more than $1 million.

The selection includes a Vanderbilt family carriage, a Bugatti Veyron supercar, a 1997 Ferrari F1 racecar driven by Michael Schumacher and a 1956 Aston-Martin.

"These cars are 'moving sculptures,'" Sotheby's senior specialist Leslie Keno said in a statement. "The same criteria and principles that we use to evaluate works of art — line, proportion, design, originality and provenance — apply to cars."

Hundreds of potential buyers are expected to turn out for the event, a spokeswoman for RM Auctions said.

"The selection of motor cars in our New York auction has been curated with the intention of celebrating the greatest milestones in automotive history," RM Auctions vice president Alain Squindo said in a statement. "Every automobile was chosen for its rarity, significance to design, engineering and for the outstanding achievement it represents in its respective category."

Those looking to drop anywhere from a few hundred thousand to a couple million dollars can learn more about the auction by visiting the RM Auctions or Sotheby's websites.

Sotheby's is located at 1334 York Ave. between 71st and 72nd streets.