OWLS HEAD — The 48th Annual New England Auto Auction™ brought four days of collector activity to the Owls Head Transportation Museum this August, with two historic vehicles now making an even more lasting impact on the Museum and its visitors.

The centerpiece of this year’s auction was the rare 1922 Kissel 6-45 Speedster, known as the “Gold Bug,” which sold for $244,750, believed to be the highest sale price recorded for this vehicle in history. One of an estimated 35 surviving Gold Bugs, the Kissel drew significant interest from bidders participating in person, by phone and online.

Following the auction, the buyer made the decision to loan the Kissel to the Owls Head Transportation Museum, allowing visitors to experience this exceptional piece of automotive history as part of the Museum’s collection. The vehicle will provide an opportunity for visitors to see one of the most distinctive American automobiles of the Jazz Age in person while supporting the Museum’s mission to preserve and share transportation history.

Another significant addition came from a 1924 Dodge Brothers Series 116 Touring Car, which was sold to benefit individuals and families affected by the May 2026 Robbins Lumber fire in Searsmont. The vehicle sold for $6,600, with proceeds directed to the Robbins Lumber Relief Fund through the Town of Searsmont. Following the sale, the new owner chose to donate the Dodge back to the Owls Head Transportation Museum, making this historic vehicle one of the museum’s ride automobiles.

The four-day auction event welcomed nearly 2,000 visitors and included 2 Preview Days, the community-focused Rev It Up Party, and two days of auction activity. In total, 214 vehicles crossed the block, with 189 finding new owners, representing an approximately 88% sell-through rate.

As one of OHTM’s largest fundraisers, the New England Auto Auction™ helps support the Museum’s year-round work preserving and operating its collection while providing educational programs, hands-on experiences and community events.

The Museum thanks the consignors, bidders, volunteers, sponsors and visitors who made the 48th Annual New England Auto Auction™ possible and helped create a lasting legacy for these historic vehicles.

Owls Head Transportation Museum™ is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to preserving, operating and sharing the history of transportation through its collection, educational programming, demonstrations and hands-on experiences.