LeanPl8Luxury

Luxury Car Auctions

The world's finest car auction houses — from RM Sotheby's multi-million dollar sales to Bring a Trailer's enthusiast marketplace. Record sales, upcoming events, and buyer's guide.

Top Auction Houses

RM Sotheby's

Premier
Specialty: The world's leading classic and collector car auction house
Annual Sales:$500M+
Top Sale:Ferrari 250 GTO — $51.7M (2023)
Monterey, Arizona, Amelia Island, London, Paris, Milan
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Gooding & Company

Premier
Specialty: Pebble Beach specialists, record-setting Ferrari sales
Annual Sales:$200M+
Top Sale:Ferrari 250 GTO — $48.4M (2018)
Pebble Beach, Scottsdale, Amelia Island
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Bring a Trailer (BaT)

Mass Market
Specialty: Online-only auction platform, enthusiast-focused, daily auctions
Annual Sales:$1B+
Top Sale:Ferrari F40 — $2.3M (2022)
Online — Global
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Bonhams

Premier
Specialty: European classics, British and Italian marques, Bond Street sales
Annual Sales:$150M+
Top Sale:Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster — $9.9M (2012)
London, Paris, Monaco, Goodwood, Scottsdale
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Barrett-Jackson

Mass Market
Specialty: American muscle, collector cars, live TV coverage, no reserve sales
Annual Sales:$200M+
Top Sale:1963 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe — $7.25M (2009)
Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Las Vegas, Houston, Reno
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Mecum Auctions

Mass Market
Specialty: American muscle, hot rods, collector motorcycles, largest US volume
Annual Sales:$400M+
Top Sale:1965 Shelby GT350R — $4.1M (2022)
Kissimmee, Indianapolis, Monterey, Dallas, Chicago
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Artcurial

Specialist
Specialty: French and European classics, Paris Rétromobile sale
Annual Sales:$50M+
Top Sale:Ferrari 335 Sport Spider — $35.7M (2016)
Paris, Monaco, Le Mans
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H&H Classics

Specialist
Specialty: British classics, affordable entry point, online auctions
Annual Sales:$30M+
Top Sale:Aston Martin DB4 GT — $3.2M (2019)
UK, Online
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Record Sales

CarYearPriceAuctionDate
Ferrari 250 GTO1963$51.7MRM Sotheby's2023
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut1955$142MRM Sotheby's2022
Ferrari 335 Sport Spider1957$35.7MArtcurial2016
Mercedes-Benz W196R1954$29.6MBonhams2013
Ferrari 250 GTO1962$48.4MGooding2018
Ferrari 290 MM1956$22MRM Sotheby's2016
Aston Martin DBR11956$22.5MRM Sotheby's2017
Jaguar D-Type1955$21.8MRM Sotheby's2016

Upcoming Auction Events

Monterey Car Week 2025

August 2025
Monterey, California
Auctions: RM Sotheby's, Gooding, Bonhams, Mecum
Highlights: Expected $400M+ in total sales. Ferrari, Porsche, and Shelby records likely.

Scottsdale Auction Week 2026

January 2026
Scottsdale, Arizona
Auctions: Barrett-Jackson, RM Sotheby's, Gooding, Bonhams
Highlights: America's largest collector car auction week. 3,000+ cars expected.

Amelia Island 2026

March 2026
Amelia Island, Florida
Auctions: RM Sotheby's, Gooding, Bonhams
Highlights: Premier East Coast auction event. Ferrari and pre-war classics.

Pebble Beach Concours 2025

August 2025
Pebble Beach, California
Auctions: Gooding, RM Sotheby's, Bonhams
Highlights: The world's most prestigious concours. $200M+ in auction sales.

Paris Rétromobile 2026

February 2026
Paris, France
Auctions: Artcurial, Bonhams
Highlights: Europe's premier classic car show. French and Italian marques.

Goodwood Revival 2025

September 2025
Goodwood, UK
Auctions: Bonhams
Highlights: Historic racing festival with Bonhams auction. British and European classics.

Auction Buyer's Guide

1

Do Your Research

Check the car's history, provenance, restoration records, and market comparables. Use Hagerty Valuation Tool for price guidance.

2

Inspect in Person

Pre-auction previews are essential. Bring a mechanic or expert for condition assessment. Check for rust, accidents, and matching numbers.

3

Set a Budget + 10%

Auction fever is real. Set a hard limit and add 10% for buyer's premium. Most houses charge 8-12% on top of hammer price.

4

Understand Condition Grades

#1 Concours (perfect), #2 Excellent (minor flaws), #3 Good (driver quality), #4 Fair (needs work). Grades affect value 50-200%.

5

Arrange Transport & Insurance

Secure enclosed transport ($500-$2,000) and insurance before bidding. Some auctions require immediate payment and removal.

6

Consider Online Auctions

Bring a Trailer and PCarMarket offer lower fees and transparent bidding. Great for entry-level collectors ($10K-$200K range).