The switch from Auctions America to the RM Auctions banner above the annual Fort Lauderdale sale produced positive results this past weekend, when the 16th annual auction at the Broward County Convention Center posted $19,102,430 in transactions.
In addition to a 76 percent sell-through rate, RM reported that the sale drew bidders from 30 nations, compared with 11 countries for the same event in 2017.
“We’re thrilled with the results of our Fort Lauderdale sale this past week,” Gord Duff, global head of auctions for the RM Sotheby’s Group, was quoted in the company’s news release.
“The increased quality of the automobiles on offer was noticed by clients and market analysts alike, which led to a higher sale total year-over-year, with 75 fewer cars.
“We saw strong prices across all categories, with the deserving Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs bringing numerous bidders and top dollar in today’s market.
“We’re also excited to see that the RM brand has drawn an incredible increase in global interest to the event, with nearly five times the number of international bidders over 2017.”
Topping the sales list was a pair of Mercedes-Benz 300 SL classics. A 1962 roadster being sold after four decades brought $1.54 million while a 1957 “Gullwing” coupe offered after five decades of ownership went for $1,193,500. (Prices reported include buyer’s fees.)
The roadster was a late-production, European-specification car with an alloy engine block and disc brakes, and it has never been fully restored while traveling only 36,600 miles.
The coupe also was a highly original version that had spent much of its life in museums and was sold to benefit the YMCA in Jackson, Michigan.
RM also pointed to several other strong sales, including a 1932 Packard Twin Six individual custom sport phaeton that brought $374,000; a 1949 Bentley B Special Speed 8 that went for $365,750; and a 1946 Lincoln continental cabriolet that sold for $107,250.
“Late model and modern collectibles were also in high demand, with a 10.8-mile, single owner 2006 Ford GT sold for a final $352,000… a very rare 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC 6.0 AMG ‘Wide-Body’ sold at $110,000… and a U.S.-specification 1990 Lamborghini LM002 LM/American sold at $368,500,” the auction company reported.
Top 10 sales, RM Auctions Fort Lauderdale 2018
- 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL roadster, $1,540,000
- 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL coupe, $1,193,500
- 1932 Packard Twin Six individual custom sport phaeton, $374,000
- 1990 Lamborghini LM002 LM/American, $368,500
- 1949 Bentley B Special Speed 8, $365,750
- 2006 Ford GT, $352,000
- 2006 Ford GT, $330,000
- 2016 Porsche 911 R, $300,000
- 1953 Cadillac Eldorado, $242,000
- 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, $217,250
(Prices include buyer’s fee.)
RM Auctions’ next sale is scheduled for May 10-12 at Auburn, Indiana. The date overlaps RM Sotheby’s Monaco auction on May 12.
