'King of the Cowboys' Roy Rogers's Pontiac cruises to $250,000

Christie's Sale of The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum Collection earlier this week provided some truly memorable highlights for collectors throughout the two-day auction.

Not least the spontaneous rendition of Rogers's popular song Happy Trails, which echoed around the saleroom at the conclusion of the event.

Meanwhile, Roy Rogers's treasured 1964 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible was one of the high points of the auction itself.

The classic car featured a hand tooled leather interior created by designer Nudie Cohen, famous for his work with Elvis Presley and rock 'n' rollers ZZ Top amongst others

The car also included the unique replacement of switches, controls and door handles with functional silver dollars, horseshoes and chrome plated pistols.  In total, 14 pistols were used in the car as arm rests, gear shifts, the car horn and much more.


Roy Rogers's Customised 1964 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible

The unique car classic went up for auction, with an estimate of $150,000 attached. It sold to one private bidder for $264,500 in what was a truly memorable sale.

Elsewhere, while Roy Rogers's faithful horse sidekick, Trigger, grabbed the headlines, another of his animal friends proved popular amongst the collectors and fans in attendance.

A German shepherd named "Bullett Von Berge" first appeared alongside Roy Rogers in 1951. It was to be the start of a thirteen year career on the screen for Roy and Dale's "wonderdog."

Bullett clearly remains popular today. The stuffed and mounted dog sold for an impressive $35,000 (£22,875), exceeding its $15,000 auction estimate.

In total, the sale made $2.9m, with every one of 348 lots sold in what was a fitting tribute to one of American's most loved television couples.

 

Join our readers in 183 countries around the world - sign up for your free weekly Collectibles Newsletter today

 

Register to receive more in-depth articles from our dedicated team.

Register Here

Featured products

Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Sale price£399
In stock
Fidel Castro signed certificateFidel Castro Signed Certificate
Fidel Castro signed certificate
Sale price£1,995
In stock
King Henry VIII Autographed DocumentKing Henry VIII Autographed Document
King Henry VIII Autographed Document
Sale price£55,000
In stock