Owls Head’s New England Auto Auction Tops $1.36M

Museum volunteer John Harris of South Bristol stands alongside the 1947 Chrysler Town and Country that sold for $96,000 in the Owls Head Transportation Museum’s 35th Annual New England Auto Auction, Saturday August 25.

Owls Head, Maine - Nineteen forty-seven was a very good year at the Owls Head Transportation Museums 35th Annual New England Auto Auction where the day’s top seller was a 1947 Chrysler Town and Country that sold for $96,000. The sale took place August 25. Of 168 vehicles that crossed the block more than 70 percent sold for a total of $1.36 million.

“This was—once again— a very successful auction,” said OHTM executive director Charles Chiarchiaro. “It was particularly nice to see a number of new, younger buyers in audience.”

Other top sellers of the day included a 1930 Lasalle Series 340 Fleetwood Phaeton that brought $74,50, a 1931 LaSalle 345A Convertible Coupe that went for $39,000 and a 1941 Chevrolet Master Deluxe that garnered $29,750.  At the other end of the scale, a 1974 Chevrolet El Camino brought $1,500.  A complete list of cars sold and prices realized is available at owlshead.org.

There were more than 300 registered bidders and an additional 1,500 spectators who came to watch the nine-hour long proceedings.

The annual New England Auto Auction is the museum’s largest fundraiser of the year. This year’s sale will net the museum more than $200,000. Proceeds benefit museum programs and services.

“It was a well run auction,” said Chiarchiaro. “Our volunteers and staff deserve a lot of credit. It generated a tremendous amount of fun and excitement.”

Open daily, year round, the Owls Head Transportation Museum is located 117 Museum Street, Owls Head, Maine 04854.  For information, call 207-594-4418 or visit the museum online at owlshead.org.