In the market for collectible cars, Cadillacs rarely clear the symbolic million-dollar ceiling. At Auburn, Indiana, that threshold was shattered over the Labor Day weekend. On the podium of the 56th Annual Auburn Auction & Show organized by Kruse Auctions, a 1950s-inspired American coupe with aviation-flavored lines set bidders on fire. The silhouette was known to only a handful of specialists, and the final price surprised even the regulars of the major houses. And the story behind this car is arguably more remarkable than its hammer price.
For three days, September 3–5, 2026, Kruse Auctions welcomed at its modern Auburn campus more than 2,000 bidders from across the United States and abroad. More than 85% of the lots found buyers, generating total sales of about $21 million, roughly €19.4 million. Amid this fireworks display of figures, the event’s star in the catalog, a futuristic 1953 Cadillac Elegante, an aviation-inspired concept car coachbuilt as a one-off by Carrozzeria Motto in Turin, soared to $1.4 million, about €1.3 million, including buyer’s fees. That price makes it the most expensive Cadillac ever sold at auction and the centerpiece of a record-filled weekend. Behind this number lies a burned chassis, a devastating hurricane, and a 16-year restoration.
Auburn 2026: Record-Breaking Run Around the 1953 Cadillac Elegante
Within the “Home of the Classics,” the gilded Cadillac wasn’t the only vehicle pushing the totals higher. A spectacular 1932 Duesenberg Model J “Sweep Panel” Dual Cowl Phaeton, already a concours winner, sold for $1.022 million (about €943k). A meticulously preserved and well-documented 1929 Hispano-Suiza HB6 Cabriolet went for $470,000 (roughly €434k). Eight no-reserve collections also electrified the room. Among them was the Ron Sutton Lifetime Memorabilia Collection featuring gas pumps and porcelain or neon signs. Several charity lots underscored the event’s community role. Among them, a 1949 Ford Custom Convertible whose proceeds benefited Clothes for Joes, or a quilt embroidered to celebrate “250 Years of Freedom.”
The sportier and youngtimer coupes of the analog era also posted impressive numbers. A 1994 Ferrari 348 Spider, with low mileage and painted in a rare factory Blu Scuro, climbed to $285,500 (about €263k). A 1995 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo with a manual gearbox set a new record at $44,800 (roughly €41k). A 1994 Toyota Supra Twin-Turbo Mk IV “Six-Speed” Hardtop changed hands for $155,680 (around €143k). A 1999 Ferrari F355 Spider “6-Speed” reached $235,200 (nearly €217k). On the muscle-car side, a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427/425 Convertible nicknamed “The Black Rat,” a Triple Crown Award winner, sold for $207,720 (about €191k). A rare 1969 Shelby GT500 Convertible in Gulfstream Aqua with matching numbers went to new owner for $201,600 (roughly €185k). In this buoyant climate, John Kruse, owner and auctioneer, summarized the house’s philosophy: “At Kruse Auctions, our objective is to present a varied group of automobiles curated for collectors and enthusiasts, and we’ve offered this opportunity to buyers while delivering our sellers a record-breaking weekend with exceptional results,” he told Old Cars Weekly. He added: “Welcoming thousands of visitors, supporting a dozen charitable and community organizations, and setting numerous new world records continues our family tradition of solid financial results and an unforgettable experience.”
A One-of-a-Kind 1953 Cadillac Elegante: From Fire-Damaged Chassis to World Auction Record
Beyond the price tag, the 1953 Cadillac Elegante captivated with an extraordinary backstory. Originally, it was merely a chassis from a 1953 Cadillac Series 62 convertible recovered after a dealership fire. Two New York entrepreneurs, Harry Birdsall and Joe Mascari, decided to transform this base into a very low-slung sports coupé. The car clearly drew inspiration from the jet-age aviation aesthetic. The styling was refined by German designer Albrecht von Goertz, future creator of the BMW 507. The aluminum body was crafted in Turin by Carrozzeria Motto. The project took roughly thirty months and a budget near $30,000 (about €27,600). It was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in 1955, where the Elegante was slated to launch a small run of ten cars at $20,000 apiece (approximately €18,400). The project never progressed to production.
Esthetically, the Elegante stood out for its notably low silhouette, with tapered rear wings and four concealed headlights. Its pearlescent “mother-of-pearl” paint was accented with 24-karat gold-plated door handles, trims, and beltlines. A hydraulically controlled hardtop folded completely into the trunk, converting the coupé into a full-fledged roadster. The interior featured deep red leather and a transparent steering wheel adorned with a lit Saint Christopher medal. Under the hood sat a Cadillac 331 cubic inch V8, roughly 5.4 liters, paired with an automatic transmission. After Harry Birdsall’s premature death in 1960, the prototype passed through several owners and eventually ended up in Florida, where it was damaged while sheltered during Hurricane Andrew. The car later returned to the Birdsall family, and Dick Birdsall oversaw a 16-year restoration completed in 2014, which earned a public-award nod at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Shown in Auburn as a unique, first-ever publicly offered example, the Elegante sold for $1.275 million before fees, about $1.09 million. With commissions, the total reached $1.4 million, roughly €1.3 million, allowing it to surpass the former Cadillac record held by a 1934 V-16 Fleetwood Aerodynamic Coupe which sold for $940,000 (around €863k).
