Edsel's Ford the Star of RM Auto Auction

Car of Ford scion, whose name is linked to flop, shines at Amelia Island

A Ford Model 40 Special Speedster - custom made for Edsel Ford in 1934 - was the big attention-getter at this past weekend's 10th annual Automobiles of Amelia Island auction, presented by RM Auctions. Edsel Ford's former Ford (pictured) fetched $1.76 million, according to EdmondsInsideLine.

Alongside the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, the auction took place on March 8 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. A 1931 Duesenberg Murphy-bodied convertible was the top-priced sale, going to the high bidder at $2.64 million.

The event also featured a 1931 Bentley 8-Liter Open Tourer, one of only 10 built, which sold for $2.2 million, and a 1931 Cadillac V16 Sport Phaeton, one of only 18 in existence, which sold for $522,500.

A second former Edsel Ford car, the 1934 Brewster Town Car, sold for $198,000.

Edsel Ford's name will be forever linked to the ill-fated automobile that briefly bore his name before the company his father built ended the car's disastrous three-year run in 1960. Today, Edsels remain some of the most sought-after and prized collector cars in the world.

(Photo courtesy of RM Auctions)