Up For Adoption: Rare, Life-Size Mechanical Elephant Seeks New Home At Auctions America's Labor Day Weekend Sale
'Wendell' the elephant makes auction debut at Auctions America's Auburn Fall event, August 31 - September 4 at Indiana's historic Auburn Auction Park
AUBURN, Ind., Aug. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A life-size mechanical elephant that once inhabited Detroit and made an appearance at the 1980 Republican Convention, will steal the spotlight at Auctions America's Auburn Fall weekend, August 31 – September 4. A Labor Day weekend tradition spanning 45+ years, the annual event at Indiana's historic Auburn Auction Park coincides with the world-famous Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival, bringing thousands of enthusiasts to the Classic Car Capital of America.
Over the years, Auburn Fall has been witness to the sale of hundreds of collector cars, with 900+ vehicles slated for this year's auction block. Towering over the classic rides at the sale will be Wendell, the Auburn Auction Park's mechanical elephant, who after taking up residence at the Auction Park in 2013, is looking for a new home.
Formerly known as Jumbo, Wendell was built in England in 1951 and is one of only two known surviving examples. Originally ordered by Cunningham Drug Stores of Detroit for a promotional tour, the mechanical elephant was later used in the Motor City's 250th anniversary celebration before appearing at the 1980 Republican National Convention. Moving like the real thing, Wendell—who weighs 1400 pounds and measures 12 feet long and approximately 8 feet 6 inches high—is powered by his original Model 948 Anglia water-cooled engine, with each leg moving independently, controlled by the driver perched on his neck. Truly an engineering marvel of his time, Wendell is expected to bring more than $250,000 when he goes under the gavel Saturday. A portion of proceeds from his sale will benefit Kate's Kart (www.kateskart.com), a Northeast Indiana not-for-profit organization that supplies free new books to hospitalized children in the area.
Kate's Kart will also benefit from the sale of the Gary "Chopit" Fioto-designed "Bubbletop" Scooter Custom, commissioned by television personality and collector Barry Weiss.
In addition to Wendell, the Auburn Fall auction docket features a terrific assortment of hugely desirable collector cars, highlighted by an ACD trifecta, along with a pair of Shelby Cobras. For those drawn to star power, the catalog includes:
- 1969 Dodge Charger "General Lee', reportedly used in the film, Behind the Scenes with Bo and previously owned by both John Schneider (Bo Duke) and former NBA basketball player, Jalen Rose (Est. $80,000 - $120,000);
- 1964 Yamaha Batcycle with Sidecar, believed to have been featured in the mid-60s Batman movie & television show (Est. $25,000 - $35,000); and,
- a 2004 Brinks Truck Mission Impossible III Movie Prop, reportedly used in the 2006 film starring Tom Cruise (Est. $20,000 - $30,000).
Auburn Fall also presents an exciting host of family activities, including Monster Truck shows and rides, Freestyle Sportbike Stuntshows and the Ultimate Race Fan Experience, featuring cars and simulators from Stewart-Haas Racing. Former pro-wrestler and TV host, Bill Goldberg, will be at the Auburn Auction Park on Saturday, September 3, signing autographs.
Full details are available at www.auctionsamerica.com.
ABOUT AUCTIONS AMERICA
Formed in July 2010, Auctions America specializes in the sale of American Classics, European sports cars, Detroit muscle, hot rods and customs. To learn more, visit www.auctionsamerica.com, find us on Facebook or follow @auctionsamerica on Instagram & Twitter.
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SOURCE Auctions America
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