RM Auctions to Offer Richard and Linda Kughn’s World Renowned “Carail” Collection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Terrance D. Lobzun
RM Auctions Inc.
TEL: 519-352-4575

The World’s Largest Collection of Model Trains, Layouts, Cast and Tin Toys, Pedal Cars, and Original Automotive Art Offered at First Time Sale – September 19-21, 2003

BLENHEIM, Ontario, Canada (April 22, 2003) – In September 2003, a noted Detroit landmark will welcome visitors for one final time as the entire remaining collection at Richard and Linda Kughn’s privately owned museum “Carail” will be sold by RM Auctions. The special three-day auction, which will be held at the 50,000 square foot Carail facility located at 17455 Grand River in northwest Detroit, will feature approximately 50 classic cars, a huge assortment of model trains, vintage toys, die-cast and tin toy cars and fire engines, pedal cars, automotive artwork, gas pumps and auto and railroad memorabilia.

“There comes a time when you have to let go and turn these wonderful items over to another generation of collectors,” says Richard Kughn, noted Michigan car collector and former chairman and CEO of Lionel Trains. “As large as Carail is, we still had trains and accessories packed away in boxes where no one could see them or enjoy them. The auction will allow us to pass along almost all of our remaining cars, model trains, layouts and accessories and all of the automotive and railroad collectibles to new owners who hopefully will appreciate and care for them as I have.”

More than 25 years ago, Kughn purchased a site in northwest Detroit to house his growing collection of classic and antique autos. Known as Carail, the collection quickly expanded to encompass an amazing assortment of transportation memorabilia. The heart of the collection was a vast array of more than 150 classic cars (which rotated in and out of Carail displays) and model trains of every gauge and description. The location quickly became a convenient location for special events and social gatherings among Michigan’s automotive aficionados.

In 1980 Kughn purchased an adjacent bowling alley and Carail expanded, adding more displays, including a 3,000 square-foot train layout that includes over 20 operating model trains, banquet and meeting facilities and reception areas. In 1992 a third building – a former Oldsmobile dealership – was added and Carail became one of the hottest nostalgic automotive properties in the Midwest.

“This auction is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for automotive, railroad and toy collectors, museums, or anyone looking for a unique slice of nostalgia,” says Rob Myers, one of RM Auctions’ founders. “Important works by noted automotive artists like William Motta, Stanley Wanlass, Peter Meyer, and Don Getz, rare and limited edition Lionel ‘Standard’ and ‘O’ gauge trains, and hard-to-find vintage track accessories will make this one auction no serious collector should miss.”

Some of the exclusive offerings include:

· Metal, tin and cast-iron toys – a treasure trove of highly collectible toys and vehicles of all types from manufacturers like Tonka, Buddy L, Marx, Hubley, Gilbert, Tootsietoy, Dinky, Matchbox, Arcade, Briton, Barcley and many other desirable and classic toy makers.
· The ultimate train layout – More than twenty O-gauge trains operate simultaneously on this massive 3,000-square foot display, complete with mountains, rivers, tunnels, trestles, and scenery. One of the largest layouts of its kind in the U.S., the display also contains many of Lionel’s innovative and animated railroad accessories and rolling stock.
· A Child’s Barber Chair in the shape of a speedboat – a nostalgic piece of barbershop history, this replica of a 1940s Chris Craft speedboat sports a vinyl bench seat, U.S. flag, and black lacquered paint accented with vintage hot rod flames.

RM’s Carail Auction preview dates are Wednesday, September 17th and Thursday September 18th from 10:00AM to 6:00PM. Doors will open for preview at 9:00AM each day, with auction sales starting at 10:00 AM and ending at 6:00 PM on Friday and Saturday and will until completion on Sunday. Admission to the sale is by catalog only; catalogs can be ordered from RM’s web site at www.rmauctions.com.

In addition to the Carail collection, Richard and Linda Kughn acquired the famed Madison Hardware store in New York, the world’s largest and oldest dealer in Lionel trains. More than fifteen tractor trailer loads of rare and desirable Lionel train products were transferred to the Kughn’s storage facility in downtown Detroit. In addition to the Carail collection, RM is pleased to have been chosen to liquidate the Madison Hardware Collection in two parts. Part I will be held in conjunction with RM’s Woodward Dream Cruise auction on August 8th, 9th, and 10th. Part II will be held in conjunction with RM’s Michigan International Collector Car Auction at the Novi Expo Center in Novi MI on November 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. For more information on these sales, vist RM’s web site at www.rmauctions.com

RM Auctions, Inc., is the leader in the North American investment-grade collector car auction market. From a standing start in 1991, the company has amassed an enviable roster of the most prestigious venues in North America and collectors have rewarded the company’s efforts to provide some of the most prestigious, highest quality vehicles. Worldwide RM Group sales have grown steadily each year, and are anticipated at more than $100 million in 2003. For additional information on RM Auctions Inc., please call (800) 211-4371 or visit the company web site at www.rmauctions.com.

To view a chart , listing the make and model of the museum’s cars, Click Here.

Test your knowledge of antique cars and try to match the photos to the chart.