A 1934 Cadillac Fleetwood V12 sold for $200,000 to top Mecum Auctions' sale of the Salmon Brothers Collection of classic cars.

The all-weather phaeton was the second of just three produced in that year, its considerable rarity and undoubted beauty contributing to its strong showing.

The 1934 Cadillac Fleetwood sold for $200,000

The former AACA winner was restored in 1994, and showcased a three-speed manual transmission, alongside a "goddess" hood ornament.

"This Art Deco masterpiece features a beautiful dark grey and black colour scheme with a contrasting red interior and crisp black soft top, travel trunk, dual side mount spares, wide whitewalls, [and] beautiful chrome," said the auctioneer.

The June 16 sale in North Little Rock, Arkansas featured 140 classic US-made cars, and spanned 100 years of motoring history.

A 1936 Cord 801 Sportsman Convertible Coupe sold for $135,000 to take second place, while a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Fuelie Convertible made $90,000.

The twin brothers collected classic automobiles for more than 40 years.

The sale made $6.9m in total, 15.7% in excess of the $6m figure recently paid by the consigner to the brothers for the collection.

"Every car collector in the country can appreciate what the Salmon brothers have brought together over the years," said auction house president and chief executive officer Dana Mecum prior to the auction

"Nearly every major domestic manufacturer has representative examples in this collection."

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