RM Sotheby’s Vehicle Auctions Topped $887 Million in 2024
Online, live & private sales included rare & significant cars & collections...
A year-end report released by RM Sotheby’s showed the collector car auction house achieved more than $887 million in worldwide sales through 41 live, online and sealed auctions and private transactions, with a 96% sell-through rate and buyers from 54 countries.
The company attracted 51% new bidders and 65% new buyers, further expanding its global client base, officials stated. Landmark sales like the $69.2 million Dare to Dream Collection, $29.6 million Rudi Klein “Junkyard” Collection and $161.2 million at the Monterey Flagship Auction showcased an ongoing interest in, and demand for, rare and significant vehicles.
“2024 has been a monumental year for RM Sotheby’s, marked by great achievements and landmark consignments that showcased the strength of the collector car market. From record-breaking sales to groundbreaking events such as ModaMiami and our debut in Dubai, we’ve continued to innovate,” says Gord Duff, president of RM Sotheby’s.
The organization’s sealed auction and private sale divisions are increasingly popular platforms for selling cars as an alternative to traditional live auctions, the company added, with notable transactions including multiple McLaren F1s, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing and Michael Schumacher’s 2006 Ferrari 248 F1.
“When I step back and look at 2024, I’m constantly amazed by the caliber of cars we handle each year. Throughout the year, we had the privilege of working with some of the most significant, rare, limited-production and best-in-category cars I’ve ever seen,” Duff said. “Looking to 2025, we are already preparing for our biggest European sale to date and the highly anticipated Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Collection coming to market. None of this would be possible without our incredible clients, dedicated team and global community of enthusiasts.”
Throughout 2024, RM Sotheby’s held 41 total auctions including 15 live auctions, nine online auctions and 17 sealed auctions, breaking more than 50 records. Highlights include 126 cars that sold for more than $1 million and 5,211 lots offered.
The top 10 live auction results from last year were:
- 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti – $17 million (Monterey)
- 1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider by Scaglietti – $12.9 million (Monterey)
- 2014 Pagani Zonda LM Roadster – $11 million (Dubai)
- 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione by Scaglietti – $11 million (Paris)
- 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Alloy’ Gullwing – $9.3 million (The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection)
- 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet by Pinin Farina – (Monterey; sold after auction, price withheld)
- 1979 Ferrari 312 T4 – $8.2 million (Monaco)
- 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider by Scaglietti – $5.6 million (Monterey)
- 1995 Ferrari F50 – $5.5 million (Monterey)
- 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Alloy by Scaglietti – $5.2 million (Monterey)
