S T O P P R E S S
RM Sotheby’s extends auctions global market lead with $406.6m (£305m) in auctions sales and grosses $150m+ (£112.5m) in private sales
As a less disrupted year draws to a close with a repeat round of politician directed lockdowns disadvantaging most of the main markets for transacting collector vehicles, RM Sotheby’s can justifiably celebrate really strong results for 2021, when their 2021 book saw total gross sales in excess of $550,000,000 (£412,500,000) across auction and private sales transactions, private sales more than doubling from the previous year.
Clocking up over 46 years of experience in assisting clients with buying and selling automobiles, RM Sotheby’s has always coupled its base with a world-class restoration shop located at its headquarters in Blenheim, Ontario.
With further dedicated investment, RM Auto Restoration has added a complete machine shop making it possible for a car to be restored end-to-end, all in-house and located next to the company’s auctions HQ offices.
“Our global footprint and extensive client base helped lead us to a phenomenally successful year, thanks to a diverse line-up of automobiles and events that captured the hearts and minds of customers and enthusiasts across the globe,” said Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s.
“This is a testament to the ongoing commitment of our team and valued clients as we navigated the continued challenges of the pandemic together, and it positions us for a thrilling 2022.”
2021 opened with a strong performance in Arizona, where their first live event of the year resulted in sales of over $35m (£26.3m) and a 90% sell-through. Strong results in North America continued through Amelia Island and onto the auction house’s flagship sale in Monterey, which grossed $148,528,300 (£111.4m) in total sales with 90 percent of all lots sold.
The Paul Andrews Estate Collection was a highlight, led by the stunning 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato (photographed above by Rasy Ran 2021, Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s) sold for $9,520,000 (£7.1m), while the whole collection totaled $34,439,000 (£25.9m), further cementing RM Sotheby’s as the global leader in estates sales.
In Europe, the ‘Passion of Elegance Sale’ in Lichtenstein featured a single-owner collection of important Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars that grossed CHF11.1m (£9.1m), vastly exceeding pre-sale estimates.
The St Moritz ‘Boutique’ event - the first Sotheby’s auction ever held in Switzerland - grossed CHF16.5m (£13.5m), with eight lots exceeding CHF1m (£830k) each.
There was also another collaboration sale with Formula 1 for the sale of the race-winning 2010 McLaren MP4-25A, chassis number 01, driven by Sir Lewis Hamilton.
Auctioned at the 2021 F1 Pirelli British GP before a live audience of nearly 140,000 spectators immediately after running demonstration laps on the circuit, the Hamilton car secured £4,836,000, making it the most valuable McLaren Formula 1 car ever sold at auction and the fourth most valuable Formula 1 car ever sold publicly.
The live sale auction calendar concluded with the No Reserve ‘Guikas Collection’ sale at the Circuit Paul Ricard, one of the most anticipated European sales of recent year with all 87 lots including cars, parts, and memorabilia finding new homes at a total sales figure of €39,532,700 (£33.6m).
The ‘Open Roads’ series of on-line auctions throughout 2021 truly broadened the auctioneers’ geographic reach, expanding the list of countries in which buyers purchased cars and becoming an important gateway for new customers building or expanding their collections. In total, these internet-only sales grossed $33,283,091 (£25m).
RM Sotheby’s ‘Private Sales’ business expanded its global footprint substantially in 2021, conducting a number of significant discreet transactions and more than doubling their total sales year-over-year, grossing in excess of $150,000,000 (£112.5m). RH-E
The 2021 RM Sotheby’s Top Ten –
1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato | Sold for $9,520,000 (£7.1m) | Monterey
1962 Ferrari 268 SP by Fantuzzi | Sold for $7,705,000 (£5.8m) | Monterey
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione by Scaglietti | Sold for $7,705,000 (£5.8m) | Monterey
1955 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione by Pinin Farina | Sold for $7,024,370 (£5.3m) Guikas Collection
2010 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-25A Formula 1 | Sold for $6,528,470 (£4.9m) | The Lewis Hamilton GP Winning McLaren Silverstone Circuit
1955 Jaguar D-Type | Sold for $6,000,000 (£4.5m) | Arizona
1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’ by Scaglietti
Sold for $6,000,000 (£4.5m) | Monterey
1929 Duesenberg Model J ‘Disappearing Top’ Torpedo by Murphy | Sold for $5,725,000 (£4.3m) | Amelia Island
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I by Pinin Farina | Sold for $5,014,470 (£3.8m) Guikas Collection Circuit Paul Ricard
1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Tourer by Corsica | Sold for $4,735,000 (£3.6m) Arizona.
And some of the other 2021 RMS sales numbers - 25 auctions, 13 live auctions, 12 on-line auctions, 3,446 lots offered, over $550,000,000 (£413.5m) global sales transactions, $134,540,214 (£100,905,150) sold in Private Collections, 46 countries from which cars were purchased, bidders from 70 countries, 14.2m website page views, over 51% first-time purchasers with the auction house.
To check out all recent Sale Reviews, select ‘More News’ below (or select ‘News’ on the Home Page menu-bar options above) and scroll-down to scan all recent reality posts on the collector vehicle market.
MORE NEWS...
- Independent Market Analysis
- Auctions Reviewed and Previewed
- Insider Reality Check
- Free Enthusiast-Driven Resource
Welcome to truly independent market analysis that is refreshingly free from advertiser influence. A one-stop site that aims to do exactly what it says in the title. Review classic auctions to highlight which cars are selling, for how much and, most importantly, why. But also do so entirely free of charge.
For unlike most of the terminal-bound media, C.A.R. comment aims to be far better informed from physically checking out the metal in the field. For before pressing any keys, we drive the miles to provide consumers with a fake news free take on market reality.
Wandering mice will find no ‘asking prices’ that are not necessarily being achieved here. Only regular on-line reviews (both latest and previously published ones) reporting and commenting on market movement in independently monitored public auctions. In short, the only reliable valuations resource in the UK for potential buyers and vendors as well as all those in the auctions, funding and litigation business.
This website does not collect any of your personal information, and will not send out any unsolicited emails. The site does not display feeds from social media.
We thank all our 'supporting' auction houses for their belief in the independence of our platform and urge you to click-check what lots they have consigned in their upcoming sales.
R E A L L Y U S E F U L S E R V I C E S
MORE USEFUL SERVICES...
-
C.A.R. BACKED VAN DIEMENS ENJOY STRONG END TO THE 2021 SEASON
The Walter Hayes Trophy meeting held at Silverstone each November is the most prestigious Formula Ford event on the calendar. For the 2021 edition there were two C.A.R. backed and Wayne Poole Racing engineered Van Diemens entered for Ben Mitchell and Josh Fisher.
Ben (pictured above by Greg Charman) had an excellent event in the newly acquired JL16 version finishing third in his heat, second in his semi final and a strong third in the Grand Final only just behind the impressive American Max Esterson and 2020 winner, Oliver White.
After taking a year out, Josh was back in his familiar RF99 chassis (which Ben had used throughout the 2021 season) for the event and, despite losing an engine in practice, he won his heat and was leading his semi final before being spun out. A strong drive from a lowly starting position in the final saw Josh take a creditable fifth.
Driving the C.A.R. supported Class A 1999 Van Diemen RF99, Ben also been competed in the very competitive Premier Financial Management sponsored Castle Combe Racing Club’s Formula Ford Championship.
After two fourths, a sixth and a third, he led the second May Bank Holiday race for five laps before being launched by a rumble-strip into a slide and losing two corners against an Armco barrier.
After the summer break, Ben bounced back to take his first Class A win at Combe at the end of August (pictured above by Chris Bennett) followed by another podium finish at the Finals meeting in September. These results helped Ben to secure an encouraging third place overall in the championship behind Oliver White and Luke Cooper.
The Wayne Poole team wrapped up another successful year by taking second (James Colborn) and third (Steve Bracegirdle pictured below by CB) in Class C in the Castle Combe Formula Ford championship with their Van Diemens. CB
