One lucky bidder has made their dreams come true. They now own the 1984 Tiga SC84 Sports 2000 that, up until the gavel pounded, was owned by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oats, one half of the Hall and Oates singer/songwriter duo.
The final price was $50,400 including the buyer’s premium.
The car was offered without reserve as part of the RM Sotheby’s auction with all proceeds benefitting the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization with beneficiaries including Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, and Shop with Cops, and The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
The History of the car starts in the 1970s, when Formula 1 drivers Tim Schenken and Howden Ganley founded race-car manufacturer Tiga. The company found varying degrees of success I the 70s and 80s including a win at Le Mans and team awards at the World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Daytona.
From 2017 to 2018, the car was comprehensively restored after years of use. Oates, and his wife Aimee acquired the car in 2018. According to the listing by RM Sotheby’s, the car was tested at Palm Beach International Raceway in December 2019, and it is said that SC84 drove better then than when delivered new in 1984.
The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and the Oates marriage both celebrate their 25th anniversary this year. In honor of the two milestones, the couple elected to donate the proceeds of the car sale to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation.
“As Aimee and I approach our 25th anniversary,
we are reminded of how fortunate we are to have found each other. The holiday giving season provides a chance to take stock of all that we have and give back to the ones that we care about,” said John Oates. “Our hope is that the money raised from the sale of our race car provides comfort and resources for the individuals and families supported by the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation’s charitable giving.”
Prior to the auction, the car had been estimated to be worth between $35,000 and $45,000.
“We’re honored to work with John and Aimee to offer such a usable car for such a worthy cause,” says Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s. “This is a great coming together of long-time supporters of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and the important work of its Foundation, as well as a fantastic demonstration of the generosity found in the collector car community.”
