Los Angeles (AP) -- An auction of 90 rare cars and motorcycles owned by late Los Angeles Times publisher Otis Chandler brought in over $36 million Saturday.
Two classic cars sold for more than $2 million dollars each. A 1931 Duesenberg J Special Phaeton fetched $2.64 million and a 1904 Mercedes 40/45 HP Sports Touring went for $2.25 million, auction officials said (the 1904 car is pictured on the KNX homepage -- the photo above shows a 1911 Mercedes that was also auctioned).
More than 1,200 bidders and automotive enthusiasts crowded into Chandler\'s Vintage Museum, which housed the collection, for the auction by Gooding & Company.
Company founder David Gooding says the auction shattered the previous single-day auto auction record of $21 million -- with the final tally hitting $36,094,250.
The highest-selling motorcycle, a 1907 Harley-Davidson 440CC Strap-Tank Single, brought in $352,000.
``Usually in a collection, when you liquidate it, there are one or two great items,\'\' Gooding said last month. ``Every one of these great items is the best of its category. It\'s one of the finest (collections) in the world.\'\'
Chandler began collecting cars when he was a student at Stanford University in 1947. He wanted the cars to go to collectors after his death.
``We felt the auction would be the best way to pass on these collector items,\'\' his wife, Bettina, told the Ventura County Star.
Chandler, who died in February at age 78, was publisher of the Times from 1960 to 1980.
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