Photo Gallery: The Most Expensive Cars per Decade Sold at RM Sotheby’s 2026 Hershey Auction

Every fall, the city of Hershey, Pennsylvania is host to one of the largest gatherings of classic cars in the world, with an extensive automotive flea market and upwards of 1,000 vintage vehicles for sale.

Of course, such an event is bound to attract auction houses, and RM Sotheby’s is one of them, having auctioned 170 vehicles during this year’s Hershey classic car show, which was held this week.

While many of these auctioned vehicles proved relatively affordable with final results starting at about $12,000 USD, a few more special models fetched significantly higher amounts, with the largest winning bid being $1,022,500.

This gallery presents the car that sold for the highest amount for each of the decades represented at the auction, which ranged from 1900 to 1990.

 

1909 Detroit Electric Model D, Type K Brougham – $100,800 USD

Leading the 1900s decade at the RM Sotheby’s 2026 Hershey auction, this 1909 Detroit Electric Model D, Type K Brougham realized $100,800 USD as the oldest known surviving automobile produced by the defunct manufacturer. Designed by George M. Bacon, the formal carriage features an early dual chain-drive system to the rear axle, a rare mechanical configuration preserved on only two extant examples today. Delivered new in May 1909 to Michigan businessman Charles Gardner, the vehicle narrowly survived its infancy when an engaged speed controller sparked a destructive barn fire, prompting an extensive period repair. This Detroit Electric is a reminder that electric vehicles were quite popular at the beginning of the 20^th century, before all the quirks of gasoline engines had been worked out.

 

1915 Mercedes 28/60 HP Town Car and Tourer Display Chassis – $324,000 USD

Commanding $324,000 USD as the premier transaction of the 1910s decade at RM Sotheby’s 2026 Hershey sale, this 1915 Mercedes 28/60 HP exemplifies the grandeur of Brass Era engineering. Powered by an immense 7.2 litre T-head four-cylinder engine and fitted with an imposing factory-updated V-radiator shell, the chassis carries dramatic town car coachwork reminiscent of Berlin builder Szawe. Believed to have been imported for Universal Pictures co-founder Carl Laemmle and showcased in the 1931 film Waterloo Bridge, the Mercedes subsequently spent decades in Art Austria’s celebrated Hollywood prop fleet. Following a restoration, it was paired with a recreated Crailville open tourer body on a bespoke wooden display chassis, honoring the historic “summer and winter” dual-body tradition.

 

1929 Cadillac V-8 Roadster by Fisher – $162,400 USD

Representing the benchmark transaction for the 1920s decade, this 1929 Cadillac V-8 Roadster by Fisher achieved a winning bid of $162,400 USD. Produced during Harley Earl’s formative period shaping General Motors’ aesthetic direction, the roadster incorporates updated brightwork finished in chrome alongside relocated fender lamps. Mechanically, the 341-cubic-inch, 95-horsepower V-8 engine is mated to Cadillac’s newly introduced synchromesh manual gearbox, a system engineered to eliminate double-clutching during gear changes. Retaining its factory-matched chassis, bodywork, and engine, the two-tone cream-and-black roadster is equipped with dual side-mounted spare tires, chrome wire wheels, a rumble seat, and a golf-bag compartment door. Maintained under single stewardship for nearly forty years, the car received a restoration in 2007 and was subsequently exhibited at the 2009 Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance.

 

1934 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy – $1,022,500 USD

Serving as the benchmark transaction for the 1930s decade, and the entire auction, this 1934 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy realized $1,022,500 USD. Built on chassis 2434, the car carries late-period Murphy coachwork featuring close-coupled proportions, a raked windshield, and subtly curved flanks—one of approximately five examples of this specific body design known to survive. Initially utilized as a Chicago factory demonstrator, it was delivered in August 1933 to William Boal Wood of Ohio before passing through several early caretakers. Under subsequent ownership by steelmaker Charles Knipe, the original bell-housing was paired with engine J-405 alongside the addition of skirted fenders. Finished in two-tone blue, the Classic Car Club of America Full Classic passed through notable custodians, including Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg specialist Glenn Pray and concours organizer Lorin Tryon, before spending two decades in private preservation prior to its recent mechanical recommissioning.

 

1947 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan – $280,000 USD

Representing the 1940s decade at RM Sotheby’s 2026 Hershey auction, this 1947 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan realized $280,000 USD. Known as “Big Red,” it was constructed on the premium eight-cylinder New Yorker chassis rather than the standard six-cylinder Windsor platform, making it one of approximately 100 produced and one of only four documented survivors. Built with traditional ash-and-mahogany bodywork, the sedan features a leather and tartan “Highlander” interior along with factory period accessories, including a roof-mounted luggage rack, dual MoPar spotlights, auxiliary driving lamps, an exterior sun visor, and a Fulton traffic light viewer. Following long-term preservation by marque authorities Bob Porter and Lloyd Mayes, the car received a comprehensive restoration that earned class honors at the 2004 Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance and an AACA First Senior award in 2005 before joining The Michael Leith Collection.

 

1956 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Town Car – $494,500 USD

Standing as the 50s representative is this 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Town Car that raised $494,500 USD. Designated experimental model XP-48, the concept was styled by Robert Cumberford under Harley Earl’s direction and presented at the 1956 GM Motorama and the Paris Salon. Built with hand-laid fiberglass coachwork, an open chauffeur compartment, and hand-cast bronze brightwork, the vehicle previewed design themes planned for Cadillac’s upcoming flagship. After avoiding mandated destruction at the Warhoops salvage yard in Michigan, the chassis was acquired by a collector in 1989. The car was subsequently restored and an operable period-correct Cadillac V-8 with dual four-barrel carburetors and correct 18-inch sabre wheels were installed. Later held in the John O’Quinn collection, the prototype earned Best in Class honors at the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

 

1960 Chrysler 300-F Convertible – $140,000 USD

Achieving the highest amount for the 1960s decade at RM Sotheby’s 2026 Hershey auction, this 1960 Chrysler 300-F Convertible sold for $140,000 USD. As the sixth iteration of Chrysler’s performance-oriented letter series, the 300-F marked the transition from a traditional ladder frame to unibody construction. Styled under Virgil Exner, the exterior incorporates outward-angled tailfins, a crosshair grille, and a contoured Flite-Sweep decklid. The cabin features four bucket seats divided by a full-length center console, alongside an electroluminescent AstraDome instrument cluster. Motivation is provided by a 413-cubic-inch Golden Lion wedge V-8 rated at 375 horsepower, fitted with Cross Ram induction manifolds and dual four-barrel carburetors. One of just 248 convertibles built, this example joined The Michael Leith Collection. Finished in factory-correct Alaskan White over tan leather, it remains equipped with air conditioning, Solex tinted glass, and a Golden Touch Tune radio.

 

1970 Buick Gran Sport Stage 1 Convertible – $145,600 USD

Standing as the benchmark transaction for the 1970s at the 2026 Hershey auction, this 1970 Buick Gran Sport Stage 1 Convertible fetched $145,600 USD. Documented by historical build records from the Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan, the car is one of 164 convertibles produced for the 1970 model year equipped with both the high-performance Stage 1 package and a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. The Stage 1 specification increased output of Buick’s 455-cubic-inch V-8 to 360 horsepower through modified cylinder heads with enlarged valves, an aggressive camshaft, and a recalibrated Quadrajet carburetor. Delivered new to an Ohio dealership in a factory triple-black finish, the convertible is equipped with air conditioning, bucket seats, a full-length center console, power assists, and an eight-track tape player. Following a rotisserie restoration completed in California in 2016, the vehicle joined The Michael Leith Collection in 2017.

 

1986 Chevrolet C10 Silverado Short Bed – $64,400 USD

This 1986 Chevrolet C10 Silverado Short Bed Pickup sold for $64,400 USD—leading the decade ahead of the only other 1980s vehicle offered, a 1987 Buick Grand National that brought $39,200 USD. Consigned from The Michael Leith Collection, this unrestored pickup displayed 3,011 actual miles at the time of cataloguing. Built during the final model year before Chevrolet transitioned its light-truck engine lineup entirely to fuel injection, it is powered by an optional carbureted 5.0-liter V-8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Retained by its original North Carolina purchaser for 29 years, the truck preserves its factory Apple Red over Doeskin Tan finish and Burgundy cloth bench interior. Accompanied by original purchase documentation confirming over 30 options, equipment includes air conditioning, cruise control, power steering, power front disc brakes, power windows, and an auxiliary fuel tank.

 

1995 Mercedes-Benz S 600 – $17,920 USD

Finally, the 1990s were represented by only two cars, with this 1995 Mercedes-Benz S600 narrowly taking the crown from a 1991 Buick Reatta coupe that sold for $15,120 with its winning bid of $17,920. Consigned from The Michael Leith Collection, the W140-generation sedan was originally gifted to Leith by Daimler-Benz in recognition of dealership sales performance and was never titled or sold to a retail buyer. Powered by an M120 6.0-liter V-12 engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, the car displayed 95,480 miles at the time of cataloguing. Finished in Black Pearl Metallic over black leather, it features multi-zone climate control, adaptive damping, double-glazed side windows, and pneumatic soft-close doors. Maintained throughout its life by the consignor’s franchised dealership, recorded service includes the installation of a new-old-stock fuel injection wiring harness in 2024.