RM Auctions: The Dingman Collection 2018
R M Auctions returned to Hampton, New Hampshire, 23–24 June for the company's concluding presentation of The Dingman Collection, achieving an overall $7,027,334 in total sales, with all lots finding new homes across the two-day auction event. The Dingman Collection, offered entirely without reserve, comprised the remarkable cars and collectibles of the late Mr. Michael Dingman, long-time Ford Motor Company Director and one of the most important Ford collectors of modern times.
RM Auctions returned to the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana this past weekend (11–12 May) for the company's 8th annual Auburn Spring collector car weekend. This represented the first Auburn Spring sale held under the RM Auctions banner, following the integration of former RM Sotheby's Group subsidiary, Auctions America, in fall of 2017. RM Auctions achieved an overall $6,037,635 in total sales, with a strong 84 percent of the 500 lots on offer finding new homes across the two-day auction.
In a frantic bidding war at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on 12 May, the one-off, 2018 Lamborghini Huracán, gifted by Automobili Lamborghini to His Holiness Pope Francis, sold for an incredible €809,375 (Estimate: €250,000–€350,000) at RM Sotheby's biennial Monaco auction during the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. The exclusive sale totaled €23,317,290, drawing global interest from bidders representing 36 countries.
RM Auctions returned to Florida this past weekend (6-7 April) for the company's 16th annual Fort Lauderdale sale, where the auction house achieved $19.1 million in total sales with a strong 76 percent of all lots finding new homes. The total tops the sale's 2017 performance, notably with a smaller, higher-quality offering of 335 motor cars compared to last year's 408. Demonstrating the increased global marketing reach of the RM brand, bidders at Fort Lauderdale represented 44 states across the U.S., as well as 30 countries worldwide (11 countries in 2017). Fort Lauderdale represented the first sale held under the RM Auctions banner following the integration of former subsidiary Auctions America in fall of 2017.
RM Sotheby's returned to Amelia Island this week for its 20th annual sale as the official auction of the renowned Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. The single-day sale achieved $27.7 million with a strong 86 percent of all lots sold, with international attendance from bidders representing 32 countries. Exceptional pre-War classics and modern high-performance models were the highlights of the night, with top sale honors led by a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB, one of approximately 58 long-nose, torque-tube, triple-carburetor, steel-bodied examples. Retaining its original chassis, engine, and gearbox, the beautifully presented car sold for a final $2,205,000.
RM Sotheby's enjoyed a fantastic night at its fifth annual Paris sale, 7 February, bringing in a sale total of €23,745,225 with 83 percent of the 84 lots successfully sold. Demonstrating continued interest in low-production modern-era hypercars, the 2017 Bugatti Chiron was the night's top seller, achieving an incredible €3,323,750, while a 2005 Maserati MC12, one of just 50 ever built, took second billing at a final €2,001,875. Proving that blue-chip post-war classics also remain very much in demand, the beautiful and remarkably original 1958 BMW 507 Roadster Series II rounded out the top three, realizing €1,776,875.
RM Sotheby's diverse roster of blue-chip collector cars spanning pre-war American classics through iconic European sports cars and high-performance modern collectibles powered its 19th annual Arizona sale to a final $36,523,620 with 88 percent of all lots sold at the Arizona Biltmore, 18–19 January.
Following a very well-attended outdoor preview, the packed auction room saw high energy and spirited bidding across the two-day event, with top sale honors going to the 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra 'Semi-Competition,' CSX 3040. Offered from an esteemed private collection and just four owners from new, CSX 3040 is one of the finest semi-competition examples in existence and has benefitted from a restoration by leading Cobra expert Mike McCluskey. The matching-numbers Cobra eventually soared past its pre-sale estimate of $2,000,000–$2,400,000 to bring a final $2,947,500.
Both art and car enthusiasts flocked to Sotheby's Manhattan headquarters to watch over 30 iconic automobiles find new homes during RM Sotheby's third Manhattan sale, entitled ICONS, achieving a $45.5 million total. Motor cars from pre-war Classics through today's most sought-after hypercars drove strong prices and bids, totalling 11 individual million-dollar-plus results. Following a persistent competition between multiple bidders in the room and on the phones lasting nearly 10 minutes, the star of the sale, an open-headlight 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione, chassis no. 1451 GT, sold for a final $17,990,000 to exceed its pre-sale estimate (Estimate $14,000,000–$17,000,000).
After a phenomenal two days of action at Hershey Lodge, RM Sotheby’s did it again with a near sell-out. Led by the 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow and its $2,310,000 selling price, RM Sotheby’s 11th Hershey auction sold 96 percent of all lots offered, representing one of RM's top Hershey performances to date—many of which garnered prices over estimates.
Notable vehicles from The Thomas F. Derro and Ralph Whitworth Collections commanded attention at the Hershey sale, while other unique consignments—including the 1936 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Sedan by Fleetwood exhibited for six decades at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, the modernized 1937 White Model 706 Yellowstone Park Tour Bus, and the 1941 Packard Custom Super Eight One Eighty Convertible Victoria used in the popular 1970s NBC television series “Banacek”—brought strong, keen interest from bidders.
RM Sotheby's: Monterey
RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction will be one for the record books after selling the most important Aston Martin ever produced during Friday night’s festivities. Part of a grouping of absolutely stunning competition Aston Martins, the 1956 Aston Martin DBR1/1 crossed the block to achieve $22,550,000, setting a world record for any British automobile sold at auction.
While the DBR1 was certainly the highlight of the Monterey sale, numerous vehicles exceeded estimates and in total generated $133 million in sales atop an 88% sell-through rate. These results contributed to one of the most successful Monterey auctions for RM Sotheby’s to date and it the highest grossing auction during 2017 Monterey Car Week, firmly demonstrating buyer and seller confidence in RM Sotheby’s global market leadership.
RM Sotheby’s celebrated the fifth annual Santa Monica sale this past weekend—held for the first time in partnership with sister company Auctions America—with more than $9.3 million in total sales. Top billing for the sale went to a fully restored, matching-numbers 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster chassis no. 198-042-10-02551, with a Light Green Poly finish that shined throughout the preview day. A perfect coastline cruiser, the 300 SL was sold immediately following the auction for a well-deserved $1,100,000.
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale just a few weeks ago generated a record-breaking $70.9 million in sales, with 90 percent of all lots sold. The new benchmark for an Amelia Island auction comfortably exceeded the combined tally of all the other auctions held during this year’s Amelia weekend.
Extended to two days with the addition of Friday’s exclusive presentation of “A Gentleman’s Collection: The Pride & Passion of Orin Smith,” RM’s 2017 Amelia Island sale lifted the gavel on a carefully curated roster of 150 blue-chip vehicles and select automobilia. Highlights from the event included a striking 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Cabriolet at $7,700,000, a 1929 Stutz Model M Supercharged Coupe at $1,705,000—well over its pre-sale estimate—and the 1936 Lancia Astura Cabriolet Series III “Tipo Bocca” at $2,145,000. RM is looking forward to its next auction on 27 May in Villa Erba on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como.
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale just a few weeks ago generated a record-breaking $70.9 million in sales, with 90 percent of all lots sold. The new benchmark for an Amelia Island auction comfortably exceeded the combined tally of all the other auctions held during this year’s Amelia weekend.
Extended to two days with the addition of Friday’s exclusive presentation of “A Gentleman’s Collection: The Pride & Passion of Orin Smith,” RM’s 2017 Amelia Island sale lifted the gavel on a carefully curated roster of 150 blue-chip vehicles and select automobilia. Highlights from the event included a striking 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Cabriolet at $7,700,000, a 1929 Stutz Model M Supercharged Coupe at $1,705,000—well over its pre-sale estimate—and the 1936 Lancia Astura Cabriolet Series III “Tipo Bocca” at $2,145,000. RM is looking forward to its next auction on 27 May in Villa Erba on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como.
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale just a few weeks ago generated a record-breaking $70.9 million in sales, with 90 percent of all lots sold. The new benchmark for an Amelia Island auction comfortably exceeded the combined tally of all the other auctions held during this year’s Amelia weekend.
Extended to two days with the addition of Friday’s exclusive presentation of “A Gentleman’s Collection: The Pride & Passion of Orin Smith,” RM’s 2017 Amelia Island sale lifted the gavel on a carefully curated roster of 150 blue-chip vehicles and select automobilia. Highlights from the event included a striking 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Cabriolet at $7,700,000, a 1929 Stutz Model M Supercharged Coupe at $1,705,000—well over its pre-sale estimate—and the 1936 Lancia Astura Cabriolet Series III “Tipo Bocca” at $2,145,000. RM is looking forward to its next auction on 27 May in Villa Erba on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como.
RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale just a few weeks ago generated a record-breaking $70.9 million in sales, with 90 percent of all lots sold. The new benchmark for an Amelia Island auction comfortably exceeded the combined tally of all the other auctions held during this year’s Amelia weekend.
Extended to two days with the addition of Friday’s exclusive presentation of “A Gentleman’s Collection: The Pride & Passion of Orin Smith,” RM’s 2017 Amelia Island sale lifted the gavel on a carefully curated roster of 150 blue-chip vehicles and select automobilia. Highlights from the event included a striking 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Cabriolet at $7,700,000, a 1929 Stutz Model M Supercharged Coupe at $1,705,000—well over its pre-sale estimate—and the 1936 Lancia Astura Cabriolet Series III “Tipo Bocca” at $2,145,000. RM is looking forward to its next auction on 27 May in Villa Erba on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como.
Car enthusiasts gathered in the City of Lights at RM Sotheby’s 4th annual Paris sale. Bringing in a spectacular €27.5 million in sales, it was the most successful RM Sotheby’s Paris auction to date. Leading the way, as it has since 1934, was the Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3 at €3,920,000. The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider also brought a very respectable €2,156,000, followed by the Porsche 959 Sport from a distinguished Swiss collection at €1,960,000. Finally, outperforming its pre-sale high estimate by over €300,000 was the 1995 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet at €1,344,000—a crowd favorite by the end of a spirited bidding battle. Click here for the full results from Paris.
RM Sotheby's raised the bar yet again during its two-day Arizona sale this past weekend with a number of record-breaking sales. Leading the event was the Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster with a phenomenal price of $6,600,000. At $3,602,500, the Ferrari 365 GTS set a new auction benchmark for the model after a brief bidding battle for the extremely rare car. The 2003 Ferrari Enzo offered by its first owner, Tommy Hilfiger, saw a final price of $2,695,000. In total, some 15 cars reached seven figures, with a total of $53.8 million in sales. Check out RM Sotheby's for full Arizona results.
It was an unbelievable weekend in Milan for RM Sotheby’s, with unprecedented crowds and outstanding prices achieved for all of the lots on offer, with the majority selling over high estimate. The enthusiasm, passion, and excitement for collector cars at every price point made for a thrilling event with constant bidding battles.
The final North American auction on RM Sotheby’s 2016 calendar wrapped up on the night of 7 October, bringing yet another phenomenal result and affirming the strength of the collector car market. The 10th annual event in Hershey saw 90% of all lots sold for a total of $11.58 million. The star of the show was the 1930 Duesenberg Model J Dual-Cowl Phaeton, which brought $2,090,000 after 54 years in single-family ownership. The garage-find Porsche 356 Speedster surprised the gathered crowds at $341,000, which was well above pre-sale estimate.
RM Sotheby's London sale achieved record-breaking results at Battersea Park, highlighted by a fantastic collection of low-mileage Porsches, many of which sold at over high-estimate. It was a spectacular evening with friends and clients, and they would like to thank everyone who joined them from the four corners of the globe!
Following the success in Monterey, London's results confirm a strong and stable market as they head into their fall sales. RM Sotheby's looks forward to welcoming everyone to Hershey, Pennsylvania, in early October for their annual sale at the Hershey Lodge. Please visit rmsothebys.com for lots on offer for the Hershey sale and to view the full London results.
The 2016 Monterey auction was yet another resounding success! With 82 percent of lots sold and $117.9 million in total sales, RM Sotheby’s has again proven itself as the market leader in collector car auctions. Leading the pack was the 1955 Jaguar D-Type, winner of the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans, which brought in a total of $21,780,000, an auction record for a British automobile. Undoubtedly the most important American road car ever, Shelby Cobra ‘CSX 2000’ also brought home record-breaking results, with a total price of $13,750,000, creating a new auction record for an American car. A coveted model, the elegant 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider glided to a record price of $19,800,000 (the most valuable pre-war automobile ever sold at auction), and the 1967 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II blew away its pre-sale estimate with a final price of $737,000. Check out the video here for more from RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction.
RM Sotheby’s, the official auction house of the Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s, celebrated another fantastic Motor City sale, achieving $6.4 million in sales with 80 percent of all lots sold. In keeping with past tradition, American Classics were the toast of the sale, led by the 1929 Duesenberg Model J ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible Coupe by Murphy, which exceeded expectations at a strong $1,540,000. Reflecting the broad spectrum of American automotive design, a 2006 Saleen S7—America’s ultimate Supercar—claimed the second highest sale, passing on to its third owner for a final $632,500. Click here for more results from RM Sotheby’s Motor City auction.
While classic competition cars roared around the principality for the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, the RM Sotheby’s team gathered at Le Sporting Monte-Carlo for the biennial Monaco event. The day kicked off with the Quattroruote auction in the morning, an event which saw the sale of numerous European classics, including the highlight 1939 Bugatti Type 57 Cabriolet, which sold for €660.800. The evening auction kicked off with a buzz, seeing six million-dollar-plus results, including highlight lots like the 1951 Ferrari 340 America Touring Barchetta, which ultimately achieved €7.280.000, and the 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Evolution, which brought in an impressive €2.772.000. RM Sotheby’s is now looking forward to the Monterey auction come August, the highlight of the auction calendar.
For RM Sotheby’s 18th year in Amelia Island, the results were thrilling. The four-and-a-half-hour sale saw records set in numerous segments of the market, including the 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB Coupe Aerodinamico, which surpassed its pre-sale estimate of $2.7 – 3.3M to sell for $4,400,000. With a total of over $38 million in sales and 89 percent of all lots sold, RM Sotheby’s is anticipating yet another successful year and is looking forward to the rest of the auction calendar.
The car-collecting world showed up in force in Paris. The beautiful Place Vauban played host to over 60 stunning automobiles, a buzz was in the air, and the crowed on their feet for a few of the most anticipated lots. The Porsche 550 Spyder was the star of the show which took home an impressive €2.744.000. The featured example was significant for being the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show car and one of just 75 factory-built ‘customer’ 550 Spyders, with period U.S. racing history that includes 3rd in class at the 1956 Sebring 12 Hours. Supremely eligible for vintage tours, rallies and racing, it represented a rare and highly coveted prize for collectors, and deserved the excellent price it achieved. Other top performers include the Ferrari 400 Superamerica LWB Coupé Aerodinamico which sold for €2.950.000, and the BMW 507 Roadster Series II selling for €2.016.000.
Our 17th annual Arizona auction was again one for the books, highlighted by the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster that sold for $9.9 million before a packed house. The impressive results represent a new benchmark for any automobile sold in Arizona auction week history, breaking the previous record set by RM in 2015. In total, seventeen lots broke the million-dollar mark, with the event generating a total $62.8 million with 85 percent of all lots sold.
The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired venue once again provided the perfect backdrop for the sale, with the classic beauties dotting the lawn during preview and drawing strong attention from collectors and enthusiasts alike. Each evening, the excitement followed the cars indoors as auctioneer Max Girardo presented over 150 lots to a flurry of bidding. Among other highlights were a Duesenberg Model J Disappearing Top Torpedo Convertible Coupe ($3 million), a Shelby 427 Competition Cobra ($2.25 million), and a Ferrari 275 GTB ($2.1 million).
Driven By Disruption: New York City
RM Sotheby’s shook up the collector car auction world with our Driven by Disruption event in New York City on 10 December, generating an amazing $73.5 million in sales with 31 of the world’s finest motor cars on offer. Along with the most expensive car sold at auction in 2015, the historic ex-Fangio 1956 Ferrari 290 MM, a new benchmark was set for Janis Joplin's 1964 Porsche 356 SC selling for an unprecedented $1.6 million.
RM Sotheby’s posted sweet results at its annual Hershey, Pennsylvania sale last week, proving once again that it is the perfect venue for offering important early automobiles. Brass Era powerhouses were the hit of the sale, with the most exciting moment of the multi-day auction coming as auctioneer Max Girardo opened bidding on the 1913 Pierce-Arrow, igniting a fierce competition that had the crowd roaring with every raise of a paddle.
In a packed auction room in London’s Battersea Park, RM Sotheby’s achieved a fantastic £16,658,410* ($25,404,075 USD) in auction and post-auction private sales. Well-established on the global collector car calendar, the central London auction saw Ferraris continue to prove their blue-chip credentials in the market, claiming the top three sales spots of the evening. Top honours went to the historic 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione ‘Tour de France’, which realized a strong £4,760,000, while the 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta 'Lusso' sold for £1,232,000 and a 1992 Ferrari F40 made an excellent £845,600.
RM Sotheby's: Monterey & The Pinnacle Portfolio
RM Sotheby’s cemented its undisputed leadership position in the global collector car auction industry on 13 - 15 August, generating a remarkable $172.9 million in auction and post-auction private sales during its three-day Monterey event in California. The impressive tally ranks the event as the highest grossing collector car auction of all time, besting the company’s 2014 Monterey performance by more than 20 percent.
RM Sotheby’s generated $7,425,450 with 79 percent of all lots sold at its annual Motor City sale, July 25 in Plymouth, Michigan. 1930s-era American classics claimed the top sales, led by a 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Dual-Cowl Phaeton at $852,500. European highlights included a 2001 BMW Z8 for $192,500 and a 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe for $176,000.
RM Sotheby’s, the official auction house of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, continued its strong sales run in Italy on 23 May 2015, realizing a fantastic €26,714,530 in sales ($29,920,273 USD) at its exclusive Villa Erba auction on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. Presenting spectacular cars in a spectacular setting, the evening sale saw 34 / 39 lots sold before a packed house, with numerous lively bidding contests erupting during the two-and-a-half hour sale.
RM Sotheby's: The Andrews Collection
RM Sotheby’s set a new record for a private automobile collection auction on 2 May 2015, generating a remarkable $53,887,585 with 100 percent of all lots sold. Sixteen lots achieved individual million-dollar-plus results with numerous new auction benchmarks established.
The sale achieved an outstanding sale total of $60,328,550, the highest result in Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance week history. Numerous world records were set, with notable prices achieved for a number of late model and emerging collectibles. Click here to view the sale's top lots.
