Worldwide Auctioneers

Mid-January in and around Scottsdale, Arizona, felt normal again. Throngs of vintage-vehicle enthusiasts descended upon the desert metropolis in numbers not seen since the pandemic, all eager to take in one or more of the sales scheduled for 2022. Among them was Worldwide Auctioneers, which returned to its traditional location at Singh Meadows, in nearby Tempe, after a one-year hiatus.

Worldwide’s one-night event was the second sale to commence during the famed auction week, and featured a catalog comprised of 85 lots, 79 of which were automobiles. Among the vehicles were several noteworthy Full Classics, a handful of potent American performance cars, plus 36 Fords and Mercurys consigned from the Ron Thorne collection. All but two of the Thorne collection offerings boasted flathead V-8 powerplants and all were offered without reserve. A nice array of iconic imports completed the docket.

Bolstered by Worldwide’s long practice of curating catalogs focused on Full Classics, it was no surprise to see two prewar cars bid into seven-figure territory. Those, subsequently, glided effortlessly into the top sales slots after nearly four hours of gavel action — all of which was witnessed by a capacity crowd of bidders and spectators alike. Leading the way was a