A 1941 Lincoln given to Rita Hayworth by Orson Welles attracted enthusiastic bidding at a weekend auction of 200 cars owned by broadcasting pioneer Art Astor.

The Lincoln Continental coupe, which the actress owned for 25 years, sold for $198,000, said Ian Kelleher, managing director of RM Auctions, which held the sale Friday through Sunday at the Astor Events Center.

“It’s a world record price for a car like that,” Kelleher said. “Bidders were very excited.”

The Hayworth Lincoln was the most glamorous sale—but the highest bid of the weekend was for a restored 1938 Cadillac V16 Convertible Coupe, Kelleher said. One of only 10 built, it sold for $616,000, he said.

The buyer’s name was not released, but Kelleher said the car would remain in the U.S. for display.

A 1941 Chrysler Town & Country Nine-Passenger Estate Wagon went for $330,000.

All 200 cars up for auction were sold, along with 800 lots of memorabilia, bringing in $15.4 million, Kelleher said.

Astor, a Southern California native, started collecting classic cars 30 years ago when he began buying radio stations and building his Astor Broadcast Group.

Now 83, Astor decided to part with 200 of his approximately 270 cars because he was unable to find anyone willing—or financially able—to take on his collection after he’s gone.


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