Dammerman car collection helps drive Saratoga Auto Auction to nearly $6 million in sales

Photo: Saratoga Automobile Museum.

The Saratoga Automobile Museum has credited the 44-vehicle Dennis Dammerman car collection, consigned by the estate of the late GE Vice Chairman Dennis Dammerman, with an important role in propelling sales to nearly $6 million in the second annual Saratoga Auto Auction on September 21 and 22 in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Consisting mostly of classic American muscle cars and sports cars, along with a few imports ranging from a 1957 Jaguar XK-140 to a 2003 Ferrari 360 Spider, The Dammerman car collection contributed 44 cars to an overall field of nearly 300 vehicles that were up for sale at the Saratoga Auto Auction.

“This year’s auction solidified the Saratoga Auto Auction’s standing among major, national auction houses,” said Auction Director Jeff Whiteside. “The sheer quality of the consignments this year was simply phenomenal. And without a doubt, the inclusion of the renowned Dammerman Collection as part of this year’s auction helped rev up our overall efforts.”

The average sale price at this year's Saratoga Auto Auction was $30,275. Among the standout vehicles changing hands were:

• 1957 Jaguar XK-140, $121,000
• 1965 Austin Healy, $106,700
• 1953 Buick Skylark, $121,000
• 1958 Chevrolet Impala, $105,600
• 1966 Batmobile replica, $98,0000

In all, sales at the 2018 Saratoga Auto Auction were $5.8 million, with a sell-through rate of 64 percent, which the organizers characterize as a substantial increase over the 2017—the auction’s first year. The number of vehicles on the block also increased by 50 percent over last year.

Proceeds from the Saratoga Auto Auction support the general programs and educational offerings of the Saratoga Automobile museum, as well as cause-related initiatives that the institution supports.

“The success of this auction is a huge win for the future of the museum’s initiatives, most notably our distracted driving safety program that no doubt has saved an untold number of casualties,” noted Carly Connors, the museum’s executive director.

Next year’s Saratoga Auto Auction is set for September 20–21, 2019, at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Owners interested in consigning vehicles for sale at next year’s auction may contact Jeff Whiteside at jeff.whiteside@saratogaautomuseum.org or (518) 587–1935 ext. 22.