RM Sotheby’s Achieves $70m in Sales at Final Amelia Island Auction

It was a big year for RM Sotheby’s in Amelia Island. The company’s 24th and final Amelia event sold over $70 million in collector automobiles to a spirited and lively room, with 92% of lots finding new homes.

Preceding Saturday’s sale was a charity auction conducted by Rob Myers, in which over $1.2 million was raised for Spina Bifida of Jacksonville — the charity long supported by Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance founders Bill and Jane Warner.

The record-breaking Amelia Island sale featured an impressive assortment of supercars, hypercars, and pre-war classics, with the menacing 2010 Pagani Zonda R ‘Revolución Specification’ leading the pack, selling for $5,340,000.

*2010 Pagani Zonda R ‘Revolución Specification,’ $5,340,000. Image: Pietro Martelletti ©2021, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s*

A like-new 1995 Ferrari F50 followed at $5,065,000, and the stunning 1931 Duesenberg Model J ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible Coupe by Murphy rounded out the top three lots, selling for $4,295,000, proving that demand for pre-war classics remains robust.

In addition, multiple cars eclipsed their pre-sale estimates. Most noteworthy were the 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra, which sold for a stunning $1,655,000, as well as the 1930 Packard 745 Deluxe Eight Convertible Victoria by Waterhouse for $637,500 (which was a record for the model) and the 2017 Dodge Viper ACR VoooDoo II Edition for a very impressive $417,500.

*2017 Dodge Viper ACR VooDoo II Edition, $417,500. Image: RM Sotheby’s*

*1931 Duesenburg Model J Disappearing Top. Image: Ted Pieper – @vconceptsllc*

Records were broken throughout the sale and this included the ex-Pebble Beach ‘Best in Show’ 1936 Lancia AsturaSeries III Cabriolet ‘Tipo Bocca’ by Pinin Farina, which sold for $2,205,000, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series Coupe, which sold for $940,000, and the 1968 Ferrari Dino 206 GT by Scaglietti, which sold for $868,500.

“Our final Amelia Island sale was a sensational send-off, showcasing some of the market’s most desirable offerings—with an equally impressive venue to match,” said Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, RM Sotheby’s. “We could not be happier with the location and atmosphere that our team created for our final Amelia Island sale, which was echoed by the many compliments we received from our clients. The enthusiasm and passion for exceptional vehicles in the collector car market continues to grow, demonstrated by the success of 2022 spilling over into 2023. As a team, we broke multiple auction records in Amelia, including everything from a late model Mercedes SLS, to a concours-winning Lancia Astura. While we are grateful for the 24 years at Amelia Island, we are excited for what is to come, which will include further innovation within our space.”

“We have had 24 amazing years in Amelia Island, and while it is emotional to say goodbye to the event that our friends Bill and Jane Warner built from the ground up, we were thrilled that we were able to raise $1.2 million for Spina Bifida of Jacksonville in a matter of minutes,” said Rob Myers, Chairman & CEO, RM Sotheby’s. “We were absolutely delighted to help raise funds for this important cause and are forever grateful to Bill and Jane for starting this event 26 years ago, entrusting us as a partner, and for their unwavering friendship over the years. Of course, it goes without saying: the support of the entire Amelia Island community has been incredible. Now it is time to set our sights on 2024 as we plan our newest event in South Florida.”

Amelia Island Top Ten Lots:

2010 Pagani Zonda R ‘Revolución Specification’ ($5,340,000)
1995 Ferrari F50 ($5,065,000)
1931 Duesenberg Model J ‘Disappearing Top’ Convertible Coupe by Murphy ($4,295,000)
1985 Ferrari 288 GTO ($3,965,000)
1953 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder by Fantuzzi ($2,590,000)
1936 Lancia Astura Series III Cabriolet ‘Tipo Bocca’ by Pinin Farina ($2,205,000)
1991 Ferrari F40 ($1,875,000)
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster ($1,765,000)
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS by Pininfarina ($1,655,000)
1964 Shelby 289 Cobra ($1,655,000)

Important Statistics: