With all due respect to Barrett-Jackson, it was a relief to move on to the RM Auction site at the Arizona Biltmore. The first is a circus, with 1000 cars sold at no reserve, many of them, in the words of some auction-goers, not too different from what you see on the streets every day. By contrast the RM event is a very classy affair. Every vehicle offered is a true gem, while the setting, at an historic hotel designed by frank lloyd wright and several of his alumnae, is beautiful. The difference can be compared to beer and champagne: nothing wrong with either but its all a matter of taste. Personally I prefer champagne, even though I have, if you'll forgive the cliché, a beer budget.

Appropriate, then, that the highlight of RM's affair will be this magnificent 1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton with body by LeBaron. Restored almost beyond perfection, the car comes with a storied provenance, having been owned originally by Sir William Van Horne, former president of the Canadian Pacific Railway group. Van Horne pounded in the golden spike at the point where CP's westbound and eastbound transcontinental rails met. A later owner was Dr. Raymond Boyer, one of several well-known characters jailed for spying in a sensational post-WW2 espionage scandal. Boyer gave the car to his son, who sold it for $1000 to Captain John Dart, a famed aviation pioneer and long-time Canadian Pacific Airlines pilot. Dart's school teacher, by the way, was Charles Lindbergh's mother.

Dart knew the Duesenberg was due for a major restoration. What he couldn't realise was that it would take more than fifty years to finish due to a periodic lack of funds; in fact it was his sons John Jr. and Peter who finally put up the money to assure completion of the project in November 2003. Happily, Captain Dart did experience one drive in his very rare automobile before he passed away at the age of 94. In spite of its remarkable history the car is virtually unknown, having never been seen at a concours or even outside Canada. I'm proud to add that this Classical Drives post has a truly Canadian connection, including the car's famous and infamous owners, the auction company, and your reporter.