Andy Saunders is a name synonymous with UK car customizing. He’s been doing interesting, amazing and sometimes downright weird things to cars for 30 years.
It is unlikely you will like all of his creations but whatever the base material used there is always something fresh to take in and the traditional builds and restorations show that he can even sometimes be restrained!
There was a much-publicised auction of some of his well known cars towards the end of last year including the stunning Stratos Zero concept car recreation. He has recently sent out a press release regarding the handling of this auction and we felt this information should be given as wide an audience as possible so it is copied below.
Press release regarding Andy Saunders Kustoms v RM Auctions:
RM auctions have recently settled out of court with Andy Saunders of Andy Saunders Kustoms, for their gross misconduct towards the sale of his cars at their auction 'Automobiles Of London' in Battersea park Oct 29th 2008.
At this auction the Lancia Stratos Zero replica
( viewable on www.andysaunderskustoms.com ) that Andy had spent 2500 hours of his life building, was sold for only £16000, a massive £9000 under the signed contract agreed minimum reserve, and a collosal £24000 less than the pre-auction estimate set by RM.
There were another six points of misconduct regarding the sale of Mr Saunders cars,
including RM withholding full payment from the sale of all 11 cars until court proceedings
were issued, and also the withholding of £3000 of charity money (for a total period of five and a half months ) which was raised by Andy during the preview days of the sale when Andy roof chopped a mini. This was sold during the auction with the proceeds of the winning bid going to two charities close to Andy's heart, 'Dorset Cancer Care ' and 'Poole Cardiac'. Why RM Auctions withheld this money no one really knows but they have come up with several excuses none of them being relevant to the situation.
Andy is very pleased that this particular issue has now been resolved and will be presenting the money to the two charities very shortly.
Andy said that he is disgusted by the way that a company with such a professional image as RM could carry out such misconduct in their sales, It is beyond belief that anyone could come away from such a prestigous event feeling so utterly gutted by the happenings that took place, but that he does now feel slightly happier that at least the reserve for the Lancia has been met.
RM work in association with Sotherbys in the upmarket area of New Bond Street, London.
For a more detailed account of all 7 points regarding the misconduct by RM auctions in relation to the sale of Mr Saunders cars please visit www.andysaunderskustoms.com
RM Auctions
Sotheby's
Andy Saunders
Posted on: May 22, 2009 18:18