You won't see many rods and customs at an RM auction but those that make the grade are among the finest. The 2008 RM Scottsdale sale brought out a car that turned my crank the moment I saw it. Ken "Posies" Fenical's Aerosedan was pure automotive sculpture, designed by a master whose nickname, by the way, relates to the family floral business. RM described the car as being influenced by the Figoni-Falaschi Delahaye of the late 1930's, which may be a bit of a stretch unless you accept that both the French bodybuilders and America's hot rod artist were equally eager to push design to its limits. Beginning as a 1947 Chevrolet fastback it was narrowed and then, in the builder's words, "sliced and diced." Up front is a 1934 Ford grille shell and a pair of sleek art deco headlamps. Power comes from a Roush-modified inline Ford six, supercharged and fitted with electronic fuel injection. (As a fan of inline engines I'd give it 100 points for that alone.) With no engine cover and no fenders the Aerosedan is a little short on practicality but for something this unique, who cares? The winning bidder didn't worry about such minor details, having slimmed his wallet by $100,000.
The radiator shell may be Ford, but it isn’t 1934, probably 1932 is more like it.
Ferg
PS: Enjoyed all the Scottsdale reports and miss your daily post.
January 25, 2008 @ 8:13 pm